Myths, Games & Meaning

Medusa has been a monster, a warning, a victim, and a symbol. In this episode, Dr Dani Shalet is joined by Dr Gina Bevan, whose work explores pop culture, gender, queer narratives, and ancient myth. Together they trace Medusa’s shifting meanings across myth and modernity, exploring fear, seduction, repression, and the power of the gaze. Their conversation also considers how Medusa has become a figure of empowerment, reclaimed by artists, writers, and thinkers who see strength where earlier tr...

This episode is a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s been listening, supporting, and sharing this podcast. I’m endlessly grateful for every guest who has offered their time and stories, and for every listener who has stayed with me, even through the quieter moments. Life and work have been a little overwhelming lately, which led to an unplanned pause. But this space, and the people who fill it, mean so much to me. Taking a step back gave me a chance to breathe, reflect, and remember why I ...

After a short hiatus, Dani returns to the mic and is joined by special guest and friend Nanci Santos for a conversation about ancient adventures, fandom joy, and the role video games played in keeping people connected to the ancient world during lockdown. When Covid shut everything down, exploration didn’t stop. It just changed shape. Dani and Nanci talk about how games became a practical and imaginative way to engage with the ancient world through play, research, and storytelling. From early...

In this special two-part conversation, Dr. Dani Shalet sits down with her friend, actor and voice talent Earl Baylon (Jonah from Tomb Raider). In Part 1, they dive headfirst into their shared love of gaming, geek culture, and myth. From Return to Moria and Baldur’s Gate 3 romances, to Dragonlance nostalgia, Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, and why fandom still makes us laugh, this episode celebrates the joy (and chaos) of being lifelong geeks. This episode is raw, fun, and full of heart, mor...

In the very first episode of Myths, Games & Meaning, Dr. Dani Shalet is joined by Dr. Chris Deacy and Dr. Paul March-Russell to explore the enduring power of myth in our lives. Using Dorothy’s journey in The Wizard of Oz as a guide, they unpack the hero’s journey as a recurring narrative structure and consider how myth continues to shape culture, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves. The conversation touches on Joseph Campbell’s lasting influence, the importance of gender pe...