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On the show
From 11 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
86. Genre-blending in fiction
May 19, 2026
56m 44s
85. Forecasting through fiction
Mar 2, 2026
42m 41s
84. Black Swan Events
Feb 2, 2026
43m 24s
83. Cozy Fantasy
Dec 25, 2025
36m 51s
AUTHOR TAKEOVER: L.L. Madrid and Lora Durance talk about Writing When the World Feels Broken
Mar 24, 2025
35m 11s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/19/26 |  86. Genre-blending in fiction✨ | genre blendingmarketing for authors+3 | Leslie Baird | SpotifyYouTube+1 | — | genre blendingLeslie Baird+4 | — | 56m 44s | |
| 3/2/26 |  85. Forecasting through fiction✨ | science fictiontechnology+3 | Michael Bland | Speculative SandboxSpotify+1 | — | science fictiontechnology+3 | — | 42m 41s | |
| 2/2/26 |  84. Black Swan Events✨ | mass emergenciesfiction+4 | Helen Hynson Vettori | Department of Homeland SecurityBlack Swan+1 | — | mass emergenciesfiction+5 | — | 43m 24s | |
| 12/25/25 |  83. Cozy Fantasy✨ | cozy fantasybook genre+3 | Garrett K. Jones | Speculative SandboxInstagram | — | cozy fantasybooks+3 | — | 36m 51s | |
| 3/24/25 |  AUTHOR TAKEOVER: L.L. Madrid and Lora Durance talk about Writing When the World Feels Broken✨ | horrorwriting+3 | L.L. MadridLora Durance | Book Riot | — | horrorwriting+3 | — | 35m 11s | |
| 3/17/25 |  AUTHOR TAKEOVER: Alisa Alering and Gloria Munoz talk about Hopeful Dystopia✨ | dystopian fictionauthor interview+3 | Gloria Munoz | SmothermossThis is the Year | — | dystopiafiction+3 | — | 45m 05s | |
| 3/10/25 |  AUTHOR TAKEOVER: Garrett K. Jones talks about writer's block✨ | writer's blockcreative process+3 | Garrett K. Jones | Speculative Sandbox | — | writer's blockGarrett K. Jones+4 | — | 19m 31s | |
| 3/3/25 |  82. Death Games✨ | Death Gamessocial commentary+4 | Hayley Chow | Hunger GamesSquid Games+1 | — | Death GamesHunger Games+5 | — | 36m 45s | |
| 2/24/25 |  81. Writing for the screen✨ | screenwritingnovel writing+3 | Luis Prieto | — | — | screenplayaudio drama+3 | — | 39m 04s | |
| 2/17/25 |  80. Secrets in fiction✨ | mysteriessuspense+4 | Teddie Peacock | Speculative Sandbox | — | secretsfiction+6 | — | 54m 54s | |
Want analysis for the episodes below?Free for Pro Submit a request, we'll have your selected episodes analyzed within an hour. Free, at no cost to you, for Pro users. | |||||||||
| 2/10/25 |  79. Speculative Flash Fiction✨ | flash fictionstorytelling+3 | Avitus B. Carle | How We Survive | — | speculative fictionflash fiction+3 | — | 36m 21s | |
| 2/3/25 |  78. Avenging Angels | Damien Alameda returns to the podcast to discuss with Vickie Lan the Avenging Angels trope! Learn what drives these "angels" and distinguishes them from a classic hero's journey, whether they need to have a bigger impact than just their self interest, and much more. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 1/27/25 |  77. Romance in Speculative Fiction | Author Emily Colin joins Vickie Lan to discuss the building blocks of romance in speculative fiction, including how to keep momentum after the couple gets together, how character development and plot progression impact the relationship, and the way authors can manage expectations when it comes to reader responses. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Main cover photo by J.D. Fitzgerald.Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. | — | ||||||
| 1/20/25 |  76. Fated Destiny | Author and dream interpreter Megan Mary joins Vickie Lan to discuss the Fated Destiny, Discovered Magick, and The Chosen One tropes. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 1/13/25 |  75. Where are the aliens? | Where are the aliens? While NASA and military officials provide testimonials on the world stage, author Grace Richard joins Vickie Lan to discuss the ways science fiction writers have answered this question. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 1/6/25 |  74. Fragmenting the Author | Alisa Alering, author of the book "Smothermoss", joins Vickie Lan in a discussion about the ways authors use pieces of themselves to make authentic characters, including characters with opposing viewpoints. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 12/30/24 |  73. Uncanny Fiction | Author Becca Mionis joins Vickie Lan in a discussion on uncanny fiction, which, similar to the uncanny valley, leaves readers in a state of unease or confusion. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 12/23/24 |  72. In Defense of Tropes | Author Brent Miller joins the podcast to talk about the perceptions of tropes, the slippery slope into cliches, and whether or not it's actually possible to write a trope-less story. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 12/16/24 |  71. Gonzo Fiction | It's the blurring of fact and fiction as author Garrett K. Jones joins the podcast to talk about Gonzo Fiction, known for its unique narrative style as seen in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and American Psycho. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 12/9/24 |  70. Mythical Archetypes | Author Lauren Teffeau joins Vickie Lan to discuss non-theistic mythical archetypes in fiction, including Carl Jung's 12 brand archetypes and the way archetypes can be used to form the foundation of societal values and laws. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 12/2/24 |  69. Authenticity in Writing | Author J.D. Estrada joins the podcast to talk about authenticity in writing and the ways authors can tap into personal experiences to inform an otherwise unfamiliar scenario. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover photo by J.D. Fitzgerald. Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. | — | ||||||
| 11/25/24 |  68. Paranormal Places | Horror Author John James Minster returns to the podcast to talk about paranormal places located around the northeast region of the United States, as well as the Christian belief system of demons, ghosts, and spirits that fuels the local lore. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 11/18/24 |  67. Time Loops | Neal Holtschulte cycles back to the podcast to talk with Vickie Lan about time loops! From "Groundhogs Day" to "The Flash", how can time loops be used to propel character growth, and what can writers do to avoid falling in a plot spiral? The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 11/11/24 |  66. Anti-heroes | Are antiheroes just villains with too much credit? Damien Alameda, host of The_First Pages on YouTube, joins Vickie Lan to debate the characteristics and motives of the antihero and where they fall on the spectrum of good and evil. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. | — | ||||||
| 11/4/24 |  65. Fates Worse Than Death | What could possibly be worse than death? Storytellers will tell you! Author Matthew C. Brown returns to the podcast to talk about all the various ways authors can torture their characters. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotifyand YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcastare their own. | — | ||||||
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