Moiya is joined by writer Rachel Feltman to imagine a beautiful but foreboding world. They end up with a genre-bending world full of people convinced they have magical powers.  HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Rachel Feltman is a science and technology writer, editor, and host of the weirdest thing I learned this week podcast. Follow Rachel on X @RachelFeltman and check out her website rachelfeltman.com MESSAGES Help us out on the Multitude survey at multitude.productions/survey HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www ..read more

Moiya returns to this episode about fictional mapmaking. She talks with mapmaker Jessica Khoury about how mountains don't bend and rivers don't split, the logic behind human settlements, and how to name your places. Plus, there are dogs. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Jessica Khoury is an author and fantasy cartographer who makes beautiful, believable maps. You can follow her on twitter at @jkbibliophile. Check out her personal work, including multiple YA fantasy books, at her website jessicakhoury.com. And you can learn about her mapmak ..read more

Moiya is joined by geologist Kristina Gustovich to imagine a world built on justice and social cohesion. They end up creating sparkly cats who can see into the future and totally believe in universal basic income.  HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Kristina Gustovich is a geologist and science communicator, currently getting a PhD in science education.  MESSAGES Order Kalipso at https://tcaf-digital-marketplace.myshopify.com/collections/marie-blanchet Listen to my other podcast Pale Blue Pod every Monday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, TH ..read more

Moiya and mythologist John Bucher put their minds together to imagine an ancient mythic underworld. It has triels, elemental symbolism, and lots of silly little guys! What's not to love? HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST John Bucher is a mythologist, a writer, and the executive director of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. Follow John's work at tellingabetterstory.com. MESSAGES Sign up for Moiya's worldbuilding class with Atlas Obscura Listen to Spirits every Wednesday Check out CruchyRoll Presents: The Anime Effect HOUSEKEEPIN ..read more

Moiya and fellow Multitudian Eric Silver discuss their favorite and least favorite Superhero worlds, plus best practices for building your own. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST  Eric Silver is a writer, podcaster, game designer, and head of development at Multitude Productions. Follow him on X at @El_Silvero MESSAGES Sign up for Moiya's worldbuilding class with Atlas Obscura Listen to Join the Party every Tuesday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-wa ..read more

Moiya and writer Victoria Male talk about best pracices for adapting old stories into new versions and discuss their favorite/least favorite reboots. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST  Victoria Male is an award-winning writer and multimedia producer. Find her on IG at @victoriamale1 and learn more at her website victoriamale.com MESSAGES Listen to Big Game Hunger every Monday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/ BUY EXOLORE SWAG ..read more

Moiya is joined by geneticist Dr. Alex Dainis to imagine a friendly world where life evolved two separate times. They talk DNA, folklore around food, crystals storing information, and wide-orbiting moons. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Alex is a geneticist and science communicator on all the platforms. Find her on social at @alex.dainis and watch her new PBSDS show Hungry Planet on PBS Terra! MIDBREAK Listen to Tell Me About It every other Thursday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya ..read more

Moiya is joined by biochemist Dr. Anicca Harriot to discuss Janelle Monae's multi-media afrofuturistic worldbuilding. They talk about Monae's inspiration and New Dawn nuances, while mostly gushing about how talented Monae is. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Anicca Harriot is a biochemist, molecular biologist, and chief of community development at Vanguard STEM. Follow her at @13adh13. MIDBREAK Join the Multicrew at multicrew.club HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-wa ..read more

Moiya is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Paula Croxson for a trippy exercise where they imagine the "world" of an animal brain. It doesn't get as weird as you might expect. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Paula Croxson is a neuroscientist, storyteller, and science engagement expert. Learn about her work at paulacroxson.com or @paulacroxson MIDBREAK Listen to Tiny Matters from the American Chemical Society every other Wednesday Listen to Queer Movie Podcast every other Thursday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpu ..read more

Moiya is joined by fantasy literature scholar Bezi Yohannes to imagine a brand new world where the meanings of light and dark are switched. Together they create magical slippery creatures who do all of their private acts in public. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Bezi Yohannes is a book reviewer, half of the Dreaming in the Dark team, and literal Black fantasy scholar. Find her online at @beingabookwyrm MIDBREAK Listen to SPIRITS, new episodes every Wednesday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles ..read more