Mythmakers
Oxford Centre for Fantasy
Welcome to Season 6 of Mythmakers!
Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. We will be exploring fantasy old and new, look at what went into writing your favourite series, learn tips from the experts, and discuss new books, TV shows and films.
Mythmakers is brought to you from the city of Oxford - home to many of the world's greatest fantasy writers, from J.R.R. Tolkien and Middle-earth, to C.S. Lewis, creator of Narnia, and the grandfather of them all, Lewis Carroll with his Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Oxford story continues with outstanding contemporary writers finding inspiration among the ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.
Ready to jump down the rabbit hole with us to find your next mythmaker? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/
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Top 10 Mythmakers Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Mythmakers episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Mythmakers for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Mythmakers episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
04/04/24 • 22 min
Netflix’s 3 Body Problem has raised some questions as to whether or not it is right to move a story’s adaptation to a different country. Is it cultural appropriation or a justifiable reinterpretation? On today’s episode of Mythmakers, we’re taking a journey through Blade Runner, Matilda, and Wonka to HG Wells. Join the discussion as Julia Golding considers the pros and cons of moving a story to another cultural context.
For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:
Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook
09/19/24 • 37 min
On today’s episode of Mythmakers, we’re meeting an exciting new writer coming out of the Bay Area. Hayley Dennings, author of This Ravenous Fate, has chosen the Harlem Renaissance for her vampire thriller and love story. Join us as she speaks with Julia Golding about her debut, the authors that inspired her and how she got published—this being her 5th book, an encouraging message for aspiring authors! They go on to discuss race and sapphic characters in fantasy, as well as Black History and much, much more. Hayley also has some great tips for other writers and explains the reading she does in the background to inspire her wonderful prose. Say tuned to find out where you should set up a speakeasy in a fantasy world...
For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:
Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok
0:00 Welcome to Mythmakers
6:08 The Journey to Publication
11:24 Dedication and Representation
16:26 Exploring Vampirism in the Jazz Era
19:57 Historical Context and Characters
25:33 Writing Style and Process
28:47 Upcoming Works and Future Plans
32:03 Imagining Fantasy Speakeasies
Season 3 Premiere! - Rabbits in Fantasy
Mythmakers
01/22/23 • 57 min
Welcome to the Mythmakers Season 3 premiere! Please share and tell a friend...we're so glad you're along for the journey! 22nd January ushers in the Year of the Rabbit. In this podcast, Julia and Jacob discuss rabbits in fantasy. Why are there more hares than rabbits? Who is the White Rabbit? Should you eat a rabbit in Narnia (if it doesn't talk)? We go from Beatrix Potter to Bugs Bunny - see if we missed any of your favourites. And find out which story we think is Rabbit Armageddon! Stick around for our top fantasy tips on what to watch or listen to. Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org for more fun, our shop, and our online courses!
The Problem with Orcs
Mythmakers
02/09/23 • 52 min
We need to talk about...orcs. Where do they come from? Are they ruined elves, or something else? What is the history of Tolkien's own thoughts on the subject? Are they problematic, associated with a form of racism current in mid-20th century, or is CS Lewis' defence of Tolkien's shades of grey in his morality right? If you want to understand more about these key characters in Tolkien's world, or even put your own point of view across in (politely phrased) comments, have a listen to Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker as they do a deep dive into the dark underworld of orcs. Show Notes: Episode Tweet: Discover the origins of orcs in Tolkien's world and explore the complexity of orc characters in fantasy literature and film with this special episode of the podcast! #Orcs #Tolkien #Fantasy #Literature #Film #OxfordCenter Chapters: (0:50:29) - Discover Fantasy With Oxford Center (0:00:04) - Exploring the Origins of Orcs (0:17:30) - Orcs in Tolkien's Writing (0:30:09) - Exploring the Complexity of Orc Characters (0:44:55) - Exploring the Problem of Orcs Chapter Summaries: (0:50:29) - Discover Fantasy With Oxford Center (0 Minutes) This podcast episode is brought to you by the Oxford Center for Fantasy. Learn more about what they offer, including online courses and in-person stays in Oxford, plus their shop for great gifts. Tell a friend and subscribe to the podcast to keep up with all the latest content' (0:00:04) - Exploring the Origins of Orcs (17 Minutes) Myth Makers' examines the origins of the word 'orc' and explores the complexities of the creatures in Tolkien's world. Tolkien's earliest conceptions of orcs were that they were created from stone, granite, heat and slime. Later, Tolkien explored the idea that orcs were created by Melkor in mockery of the Elves and as a corruption of their existing life. The discussion also covered potential reproduction methods and lifespans of orcs. Finally, Tolkien's musings on the sentience of orcs were discussed. (0:17:30) - Orcs in Tolkien's Writing (13 Minutes) Lord of the Rings' provides an interesting look into the politics of the world of Octom, with its divisions between the Urokai and original flavor Orks, and the tension between them. It is important to consider CS Lewis' view of the story, which acknowledges the complexity of the characters, rather than viewing them in a black and white way. The danger of associating Orcs with real world contexts is that it can lead to the dehumanization of people, which is what the Nazis did. It is important to check what we are doing with Orcs, to ensure that this does not happen. (0:30:09) - Exploring the Complexity of Orc Characters (15 Minutes) Orcs' was discussed, looking at how they are portrayed in fantasy worlds and how they have been characterized in literature and film. The conversation touched on the racial and classist aspects of Tolkien's work, with orcs speaking in a 'working class commander's dialect'. In the Rings of Power version, there is a spoiled elf who stands up for the orcs and raises moral questions about the difference between orcs and elves. The discussion then moved to the Hobbit films and their structural problems, and the character Adar in the TV series. (0:44:55) - Exploring the Problem of Orcs (5 Minutes) This conversation focused on the topic of Orcs, with a discussion of their presence in Middle Earth and the old English Ork. The importance of rationing the number of villains in a world was highlighted, and a tip was given on how to write villains in a modern vein. The conversation concluded with a special tip from the speaker on how to appreciate the musical setting of the Lord of the Rings series, with a link to Bear McCreery's podcast series and accompanying English translations of Kuania and the Black Speech.
08/31/23 • 30 min
Today’s episode of Mythmakers is part one of a four-part special deep dive into four of the legendary Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien, represented by Colin Duriez, CS Lewis by Professor Simon Horobin, Owen Barfield by his grandson of the same name, and Charles Williams by Alicia Smith. These discussions took place at our Inklings evening at Merton College in Oxford, during our in-person course.
This first part is our introduction to these four significant Inklings as we speak to our esteemed guests who represent each of them.
For more information on our guests, visit their websites listed below:
Colin Duriez: colinduriez.webmate.me
Owen Barfield: owenbarfield.org
Tolkien 50 Years On
Mythmakers
02/02/23 • 73 min
In September we will be commemorating 50 years since the death of Tolkien. In this episode Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker look at the changing fortunes of Tolkien's reputation from that decade through to the present. They look at academic assessment, the influence on books and the world of visual media, films, TV and games. Where next for our favourite professor? Be sure to visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ for more fantasy themed fun!
Eggs! Cracking open Myths and Legends
Mythmakers
03/31/23 • 46 min
Ever wondered why we have a bunny collecting eggs at Easter? In this seasonal podcast Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker take a crack at the long history of eggs in myths and legends, venturing from there into fantasy stories. Where can we find Humpty Dumpty, and what do Dorothy and Oz have to do with eggs? We find Tolkien and eggs scrambled together with the Kalevala and encounter plenty of other eggs within the world of Harry Potter. We also take a deep dive into the idea of the Easter bunny. What are the common themes between all of these mythical worlds and beings? And, of course, where is the best place in all the fantasy worlds to hatch from an egg?
04/13/23 • 31 min
The tidal wave of AI art and AI generated text is upon us. What should writers and artists do about it? Author Julia Golding talks to Pete Williamson, an illustrator, to work out what is fair to creatives. Is there any way this can be stopped before it sweeps creatives away, or would that be like King Canute trying to stop the tide? If it is here to stay, what should the creatives be asking for in the way of copyright protection? In this two-part conversation we look at the pros and cons of these new capabilities. The first half is devoted to what human artists and writers do in the creative space, as well as the emergence of AI images and fair usage of them. The second part turns our attention to AI generated prose and poetry. Julia and Pete also consider the best place in all of fantasy in which to be an illustrator.
To see Pete's work, please go to: https://www.alicewilliamsliterary.co.uk/pete-williamson
For Julia's books visit: https://goldinggateway.com
To read the two articles that Julia and Pete mention visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64285227 for the Getty Images case and for the Romance Writers' dilemma https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64975524
05/11/23 • 26 min
What's our story? It’s time to get to know the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. Find out how we emerged from an effort to buy Tolkien's house, but ended up setting up a literary centre in honour of Tolkien and the Inklings, which does far more than we initially imagined. Find out more about our director, Julia Golding, and her team and stick around to hear where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to assemble a team.
06/06/24 • 41 min
We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.
For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:
Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook
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FAQ
How many episodes does Mythmakers have?
Mythmakers currently has 137 episodes available.
What topics does Mythmakers cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Podcasts, Books, Philosophy and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Mythmakers?
The episode title 'Retelling Fairytales - A Lost Writer We Need To Rediscover - Madame D'Aulnoy' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Mythmakers?
The average episode length on Mythmakers is 39 minutes.
How often are episodes of Mythmakers released?
Episodes of Mythmakers are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Mythmakers?
The first episode of Mythmakers was released on Aug 16, 2021.
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