Mythmakers

Oxford Centre for Fantasy
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them. Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows. Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    The Neverland Thieves: Katie and Kevin Tsang and the Peter Pan Legacy

    When Great Ormond Street Hospital, home to the rights to Peter Pan, asks you to add to its beloved stories, you take on an awesome responsibility. In this episode of Mythmakers, authors Katie and Kevin Tsang join Julia Golding to share their journey into Neverland in support of this worthy cause, with profits benefiting the hospital’s charity. They made the bold decision to centre the story on Tom, a seriously ill patient at Great Ormond Street, bringing with it a particularly high level of responsibility in how they portray his experience. As you might expect, Tom finds adventure and friendship on a journey that takes him from the magical spaces of the hospital into the world of imagination. Katie and Kevin also spill the tea on what it’s really like to write as a partnership, before taking us into the world of their other stories, including the Dragon Realm series. Learn more about Katie and Kevin, and order your own copy of The Neverland Thieves, at https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Katie-Tsang/169163632 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Neverland Thieves 01:31 Writing as a Couple: The Journey to 18 Books Together 05:15 The Creative Process: Brainstorming, Dividing, and Conquering 10:17 Introducing The Neverland Thieves: Tom, Felix, and Daisy's Adventure 13:50 Tom's Story: Writing a Seriously Ill Child as Adventure Hero 18:01 The Great Ormond Street Hospital Connection: Legacy and Charity 20:56 London as Magical Space: Flying Over the City 24:14 Inside Great Ormond Street Hospital: Research and Inspiration 26:57 Playing in the Peter Pan Legacy: Rules, Updates, and Respect 34:23 The Dragon Realm Series: Action-Packed Adventures 37:48 Choosing Your Neverland Tribe: Pirates, Mermaids, or Lost Children 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

    The Neverland Thieves: Katie and Kevin Tsang and the Peter Pan Legacy

  2. Oct 15 ·  Video

    Where Will Wants Not, a Way Opens - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 5 Ch 3

    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.  00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Muster of Rohan 01:37 Atmospheric World-Building: Twilight on the Waterfalls 04:34 Merry's Perspective: The Weight of Middle-earth 07:03 Theoden and Merry: A Father-Son Bond 08:49 Theoden's Heroic Speech: Spending My Last Strength 13:03 The Pukel-men and Layers of History 17:47 Paths of the Dead: Aragorn's Fate and Eowyn's Grief 21:59 The Arrow Arrives: Gondor's Call for Aid 23:41 The Day with No Sunrise: War Encroaches 25:45 Merry Left Behind: The Shame of Staying Home 26:08 Eowyn Arms Merry: A Secret Plot Begins 29:23 Dernhelm Appears: Where Will Wants Not, A Way Opens 30:18 Riding Toward Shadow: Hope Wanes in Every Heart 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

    Where Will Wants Not, a Way Opens - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 5 Ch 3

  3. Oct 8 ·  Video

    Rock Music in Gerwig's Narnia and Other Film News

    Today on Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker explore the latest film news surrounding some of the biggest upcoming fantasy movies. Thanks to a comprehensive article in Empire, we now have a clearer picture of what Greta Gerwig may be planning for The Magician’s Nephew. What are the pros, what are the possible cons? From there, Julia and Jacob turn to new set photos from Andy Serkis’ The Hunt for Gollum, before discussing the latest news on Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures film deal. As a final stop in their journey, they offer a book recommendation for those writing for children as Julia reflects on her experience of beginning the publicity part of an author's journey to a book. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Fantasy Film News 00:47 Empire Magazine's Narnia Reveal: First Look at The Magician's Nephew 01:31 Rock Opera Vibes: Gerwig's Bold Creative Direction 03:01 Setting the Scene: 1955 Post-War Britain and Rock Music Origins 04:37 Design Details: The Wood Between the Worlds and the London Underground 06:35 Emotional Resonance: Why This Approach Could Work 08:43 Casting Concerns: Can Child Actors Carry a Rock Opera World? 11:20 The Lion in the Room: Meryl Streep as Aslan 12:26 Spiritual Themes: Stealing Past the Watchful Dragons 15:31 Religious Messaging: Why Downplaying Christianity Makes Sense 16:46 The Garden of Eden Parallel: Narnia's Fall and Redemption 18:06 Comparing Authors: Lewis's Generosity vs Tolkien's Fastidiousness 28:43 Musical Eras: Could Each Narnia Film Have a Different Genre? 30:04 Lord of the Rings Update: The Hunt for Gollum Set Photos 33:00 Autumn in the Shire: Tone and Timeline Speculation 36:22 Stephen Colbert's Hobbit Film: What We Know So Far 36:48 Catherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures: Oxford's Next Big Fantasy 38:21 Pullman vs Rowling: Where Does Impossible Creatures Fit? 40:53 The Challenge of Child-Centered Fantasy: Whimsy vs Cynicism 47:40 Writing for Children: Mac Barnett's Make Believe 50:05 Book News: Julia's Mystery of Treason Castle Proof Copies 53:29 Behind the Scenes: Foreign Rights and the Frankfurt Book Fair 57:56 Closing Thoughts: High Hopes for Gerwig's Narnia 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

    Rock Music in Gerwig's Narnia and Other Film News

  4. Oct 1 ·  Video

    The Dead Are Following - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 5 Ch 2

    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.  00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Return of the King 01:13 Second Thoughts: Tolkien's Structural Changes 03:58 Merry Left Behind: The Relatable Point of View 06:04 The Arrival of the Grey Company 12:58 Merry's Oath to Théoden: A Father for a Little While 15:45 Aragorn Looks into the Palantir: A Battle of Wills 23:56 The Words of Malbeth the Seer: Prophecy and the Paths of the Dead 26:29 Éowyn's Desperate Plea: Eyes on Fire 33:34 Entering the Haunted Mountain: A Ghost Story Begins 36:24 Gimli's Terror: The Paths of the Dead 41:01 The Wild Hunt: Riding with the Dead Behind 42:25 The Stone of Erech: Aragorn's Oath and Command 43:53 Lost to Mortal Sight: A Cliffhanger Ending 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

    The Dead Are Following - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 5 Ch 2

  5. Sep 24 ·  Video

    Harry Potter Full Cast Audio Series Books 1-7: Our Verdict

    Andrew Head, our resident audiobook expert, joins Julia Golding today on Mythmakers to discuss the complete Harry Potter full-cast audio series. Did the switch to different actors for the older Harry, Ron, and Hermione work, or was it disorientating? What does the full-cast experience offer that a traditional audiobook or film adaptation doesn’t? And how might it connect with the forthcoming HBO series? Stay tuned as Andrew and Julia share their final verdict—and the all-important rating out of five stars. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Harry Potter Full Cast Audio 01:00 The Voice Shift: New Actors for Books Four Through Seven 03:55 The Goblet of Fire: A Standout Performance 05:30 Why Goblet of Fire Is Andrew's Favorite Book 08:08 The Half-Blood Prince: Forward Momentum vs Pensieve Flashbacks 11:34 Sound Design and the Pensieve Moments 13:09 The Headphone Experience: Immersion Through Audio Quality 16:24 Performance Highlights: Avada Kedavra and Creative Choices 17:18 Knowing the Ending: Creating with the Full Story Arc 19:36 Comparing Audio Formats: Full Cast vs Single Narrator 21:32 Looking Ahead: HBO's Harry Potter Series and Future Adaptations 21:43 Final Verdict: Five Out of Five Stars 24:13 Growing Up with Harry Potter: Andrew's Personal Journey 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

    Harry Potter Full Cast Audio Series Books 1-7: Our Verdict

  6. Sep 17 ·  Video

    A Talking Balrog? The Big Fantasy News From Films to TV to Books

    Julia Golding is joined today by Jacob Rennaker to look back at the summer for fantasy in the movie theatres and look forward to the major fantasy TV series coming up over the next few months. What tone will the first season of Harry Potter strike—more child-friendly like the first film, or darker to appeal to adult audiences? What’s happening with Season 3 of The Rings of Power? Which characters will we be rooting for? And what about a talking Balrog played by Simon Pegg? Julia and Jacob then turn to news about their own fantasy books and discuss what it’s like to be part of a publicity drive, before wrapping up with Brandon Sanderson’s latest updates on the Mistborn screenplay. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Fantasy News Catch-Up 00:59 Christopher Nolan's Odyssey: The Big Summer Fantasy Film 06:30 The Gods Question: Divine or Psychological? 10:48 Sirens and Disappointments: What Didn't Work 11:29 The Greek Myth Renaissance: What's Next for Fantasy? 13:53 Hadestown: Greek Tragedy Meets American Folk 20:02 Backrooms and Horror: Liminal Spaces on Screen 22:23 HBO's Harry Potter Series: First Impressions and Expectations 28:13 Rings of Power Season 3: Fixing the Story Problem 29:32 Tolkien's Letter 131: The Second Age Masterclass 37:10 A Talking Balrog: Simon Pegg and the Cockney Question 42:21 The Storytelling Challenge: Where Are the Hobbits? 44:53 Book News: Jacob's Quest of Wonders 51:01 Julia's New Book: History of Trees and Castle 54:34 The Art of Book Promotion: Readings, Videos, and Finding Your Hook 58:10 Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Screenplay: Author Transparency 1:01:14 Looking Ahead: Narnia, Andy Serkis, and More Fantasy Films 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

    A Talking Balrog? The Big Fantasy News From Films to TV to Books

  7. Sep 10 ·  Video

    Dark Indeed Is the Hour - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 5 Ch 1

    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.  00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Return of the King 01:26 Synopsis and Setting the Stakes: The Final Darkness 03:07 Pippin Takes Center Stage: A New Point of View 05:31 The Journey to Minas Tirith: Gandalf's Ride and the Beacons 09:14 The Beacons of Gondor: History and Film Comparison 11:59 Comedy and Stakes: Pippin Falls Asleep During the Lecture 14:16 The Pelennor Wall and Meeting Ingold: Pippin's Honesty 16:41 First Sight of Minas Tirith: Piercing Beauty and Seven Walls 22:29 The Court of the Fountain: The Dead White Tree 23:24 Confrontation with Denethor: A Clash of Leaders 28:43 Pippin's Pledge of Service: Pride and Purpose 31:03 The Joust Between Gandalf and Denethor: Smoldering Fire 34:03 Two Stewards: Gandalf's Greater Purpose Revealed 35:55 Gandalf's Laughter: The Fountain of Mirth 37:39 The Chessboard is Set: Strategy and Pieces Moving 38:05 Meeting Beregond: Breakfast and the Old Campaigner 40:18 The Deep Breath Before the Plunge: Waiting for Battle 41:34 Pippin the Hero: My Heart Will Not Yet Despair 42:38 The Prince of Halflings: Walking Through the City 43:21 Meeting Bergil: Boy Challenges and Teasing Friendship 44:35 The Arrival of Leaders: A Roll Call and Sombre Sunset 45:26 Blackout and No Dawn: Gandalf's Dark Prophecy 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

    Dark Indeed Is the Hour - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 5 Ch 1

  8. Sep 4 ·  Bonus Video

    HBO's Harry Potter Series: Reading the Tea Leaves

    In this bonus episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding looks at the latest trailers and interviews for the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, reading the tea leaves to consider what approach the creators may be taking. She then expands the discussion to other major fantasy and sci-fi reboots, from Star Trek to Star Wars. When is it too soon to return to a beloved story? And could a Lord of the Rings series be made within the next decade? 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and HBO's Harry Potter Series 02:11 First Impressions: Tonal Shifts and Natural Landscapes 03:12 The New Young Cast: A More Natural Performance 05:39 Knowing the Ending: A Different Creative Challenge 09:08 Expanding the Wizarding World: IP, Theme Parks, and Video Games 10:14 Why Remake Harry Potter? The Question of Necessity 11:59 The Creative Team: Television Writers Take the Helm 15:23 Lessons from Other Reboots: Star Trek's Success 18:59 When Reboots Fail: Star Wars and Retreading Old Ground 20:55 Looking Ahead: Could Lord of the Rings Be Next? Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

    HBO's Harry Potter Series: Reading the Tea Leaves
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them. Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows. Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!

Information

  • Creator
    Oxford Centre for Fantasy
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    240
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Mythmakers

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