Genre Blender

Genre Blender
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Exploring what makes stories stick, from the page to the screen—with Kris and Rian.

  1. NOV 25

    31: Interview with ALPHA author K. D. Marchesi

    A wolf-PACKED episode to celebrate the launch of Kris’s debut novel ALPHA with a spoiler-free interview with the author himself about writing, world-building, and the journey to becoming a published author. We also sift through a ton of gaming news to discuss a few of the biggest stories. Plus our Read Watch Play lists, what’s Coming Right Up, and the spin wheels are back for Backlog Roulette. ALPHA (The Alpha Cycle, Book 1) Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLW6XHSB?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_D1QGKKV46QJDT7D29R05 ALPHA (The Alpha Cycle, Book 1) by K. D. Marchesi on The Storygraph https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5a22ee4f-eb80-49fa-9064-692b2b0fcf87 Join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net Sign up for more free content on our website: https://www.genreblender.net Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:20 The Newsstand 14:19 Read Watch Play 34:37 Guest Spot: Interview with K. D. Marchesi 1:02:52: Coming Right Up 1:08:57 Backlog Roulette 1:11:42 Find us online News: Valve’s Steam Machine https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine Valve’s Steam Frame https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamframe Valve’s Steam Controller https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller BioWare’s N7 Day blog post https://blog.bioware.com/2025/11/07/n7-day-2025/ Zoopunk https://www.tigames.com/zoopunk Alanah Pearce’s video about The Game Awards drama https://youtu.be/AYFAlImQR74?si=kRsqmLGbUSr3GBl- Books: Automatic Noodle https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4932a31d-9ece-44a3-a9bf-0b0735976ced City of Girls https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4754905a-5f8a-491c-803a-bf315929c95f Scorched Grace https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4f3b1723-8342-4c9f-b1a6-4806b59791ae Labyrinth's Heart https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/137d7922-09ae-418f-b844-12275db3d939 Triple Sec https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f01fa561-3254-483f-96e0-ee0565323b30  Level Apocalypse https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/97df550b-5bf8-471b-9312-7c713d40479b City of Girls https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4754905a-5f8a-491c-803a-bf315929c95f     TV/Movies: Wayward https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/255859-wayward Now You See Me: Now You Don’t https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/425274-now-you-see-me-now-you-don-t  Red, White & Royal Blue https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/930094-red-white-royal-blue  IT: Welcome to Derry https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/200875-it-welcome-to-derry  All’s Fair https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/258742-all-s-fair  Bring Her Back https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1151031-bring-her-back Games: Bloomtown: A Different Story https://store.steampowered.com/app/2445990/Bloomtown_A_Different_Story/  Grimshire https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238470/Grimshire/  Inn Tycoon https://store.steampowered.com/app/2749000/Inn_Tycoon/  ARC Raiders https://store.steampowered.com/app/1808500/ARC_Raiders/ Terminator 2D: NO FATE https://store.steampowered.com/app/1718460/Terminator_2D_NO_FATE/ Kingdoms of the Dump https://store.steampowered.com/app/2159270/Kingdoms_of_the_Dump/ Other Links: Developmental Editor: Olivia Hofer Genre Blender on the web: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@genreblenderpodcast ⁠BlueSky⁠ - ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/genreblenderpodcast.com Website - https://www.genreblender.net Follow Kris and Rian: Kris on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist Kris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/ Kris on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social Rian on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rlfloyd Rian on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

    1h 13m

  2. OCT 26

    30: You Can’t Do That To Me In These Episodes!

    Be one of the first to join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net Sign up for more free content on our website: https://www.genreblender.net The Genre Blender podcast has a new format, and Kris and Rian are excited to tell you all about it. The duo share their Read-Watch-Play updates and discuss some news after a hectic month. Stick around to the very end to see a brand new segment that should be as useful as it is entertaining. 00:00 Intro to new format 02:13 Updates 07:09 Read Watch Play 38:48 The Newsstand 1:00:07 Backlog Roulette 1:14:21 Outro and links We’re Evolving! Upcoming Changes for Genre Blender - https://www.genreblender.net/were-evolving-upcoming-changes-for-genre-blender/ A Head Full of Ghosts https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2a55e7e5-8eaf-478e-82cf-62f717654fb1 This Skin Was Once Mine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/fe204dee-e161-4a95-832b-e4fae34a49e9 The Haunting of Hill House https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/cd81e978-d1dd-487b-ae20-1a16a63c425c The Pallbearers Club https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/13845c2c-b586-490a-a8b4-1d164e02814d Dark Bloom https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1217ace1-c7dd-43f7-aa3f-6b609b13eb5f Everything the Darkness Eats https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/358e9c7e-b767-4b32-8dde-415845fed7cb EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/74d10555-2ae2-4683-86a3-47d4db4bbda9 Queen of Faces https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/898a134e-3df2-46f1-9c41-44fbc68ba04a Dune https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/438631-dune Thunderbolts https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/986056-thunderbolts The Hunting Wives https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/244447-the-hunting-wives Now You See Me https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/75656-now-you-see-me Now you See Me 2 https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/291805-now-you-see-me-2 In the Lost Lands https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/324544-in-the-lost-lands Welcome to Derry https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/200875-it-welcome-to-derry Wayward https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/255859-wayward Frankenstein https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1062722-frankenstein Pokemon Legends Z-A https://store.nintendo.com.au/au/pokemon-legends-z-a.html Travellers Rest https://store.steampowered.com/app/1139980/Travellers_Rest/ Habbo Hotel Origins https://origins.habbo.com Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition https://fallout.bethesda.net/en/article/N00XVTawnzBBH7HNwv0hN/fallout-4-anniversary-edition-announced Neopets mini games collection https://portal.neopets.com/news/oct23-neopets-mega-mini-games-collection-reveal Dispatch https://store.steampowered.com/app/2592160/Dispatch/ The Outer Worlds 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1449110/The_Outer_Worlds_2/ Rue Valley https://store.steampowered.com/app/2126190/Rue_Valley/ Pigface Bookstore in Perth CBD https://perthisok.com/lifestyle/pigface-bookstore-perth/ Episode of MinnMax podcast with guest Jason Schreier to explain the EA requisition (1:30:27) https://youtu.be/se-CQM_rXwM?si=drCfRuN1oQK78uW9 Signourney Weaver on the 50-pages of movie script and her meeting with Disney https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alien-star-sigourney-weaver-has-met-with-disney-1236397969/ Genre Blender on the web: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@genreblenderpodcast ⁠BlueSky⁠ - ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/genreblenderpodcast.com Website - https://www.genreblender.net Follow Kris and Rian: Kris on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist Kris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/ Kris on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social Rian on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rlfloyd Rian on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

    1h 16m

  3. SEP 29

    29: The Rise of Retro Gaming

    Kris and Rian get a healthy dose of nostalgia in this gaming-focused episode with a discussion about retro gaming, emulation, and gaming handhelds. Be one of the first to join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net Check out our website: https://www.genreblender.net 00:00 Intro and announcement 02:27 Read Watch Play 14:32 Intro to main topic: retro gaming 14:54 What is retro gaming? 21:59 Is there a resurgence in retro games? 32:46 What retro game devices do we use? 49:54 The retro gaming scene is not just for millennials 54:08 Speculation time 58:17 Outro and links Books and games mentioned: Boudicca’s Daughter https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/efe69962-7e30-4f08-9fce-e98f8cb68acc  EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/74d10555-2ae2-4683-86a3-47d4db4bbda9 AI: The Somnium Files https://store.steampowered.com/app/948740/AI_The_Somnium_Files/ Earthbound https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EarthBound Trails in the Sky: First Chapter https://store.steampowered.com/app/3375780/Trails_in_the_Sky_1st_Chapter/ The Touryst https://store.steampowered.com/app/1796410/The_Touryst/ Hades II https://store.steampowered.com/app/1145350/Hades_II/ Grimshire https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238470/Grimshire/  Articles and YouTube channels mentioned: Addicted to nostalgia | abc.net.au https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-14/how-retro-video-games-obsolete-collectors-items/105331068 Team Retro https://www.youtube.com/@TeamRetro/videos Why are younger generations embracing the retro game revival? | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/apr/02/why-are-younger-generations-embracing-the-retro-game-revival   Retro Game Corps https://www.youtube.com/@RetroGameCorps Miyoo Mini (and Miyoo Mini Plus) Starter Guide (Retro Game Corps) https://retrogamecorps.com/2022/05/15/miyoo-mini-v2-guide/ Anbernic RG35XX Family Starter Guide (Retro Game Corps) https://retrogamecorps.com/2024/06/07/anbernic-rg35xx-family-starter-guide/ Guide: Shaders and Overlays on Retro Handhelds (Retro Game Corps) https://retrogamecorps.com/2024/09/01/guide-shaders-and-overlays-on-retro-handhelds/ Follow us: Kris on YouTube Kris on Instagram Kris on Bluesky Rian on Instagram Rian on Bluesky Genre Blender on the web: YouTube Instagram TikTok ⁠BlueSky⁠ Website

    1 hr

  4. SEP 17

    28: Cozy Gaming with Tiny Bookshop

    What’s better than curling up with a good book on a chilly day? Why, becoming a bookseller and moving to the seaside with your tiny bookshop, of course! Kris and Rian played several hours of the latest cozy gaming phenomenon and, as usual, they have some thoughts. Be one of the first to join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net Check out our website: https://www.genreblender.net Tiny Book Shop - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2133760/Tiny_Bookshop/ Books Leviathan Wakes: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/c83664bb-15bf-4404-b896-af6bbb0cfc18 Those Left Behind: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/d482b2d7-e672-4e9d-a7bf-3e168de41968 The Stand https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/434e6801-21e5-4784-b3af-1b939a452380 EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/74d10555-2ae2-4683-86a3-47d4db4bbda9 Movies / TV Shows Conclave - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/974576-conclave Nosferatu - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/426063-nosferatu  A Complete Unknown - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/661539-a-complete-unknown  Battle of the Sexes - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/369192-battle-of-the-sexes  The Hunting Wives - https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/244447-the-hunting-wives Alien: Earth https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/157239-alien-earth Star Wars: Andor https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/83867-andor Games Pokemon FireRed https://pokemondb.net/firered-leafgreen  World End Diner https://store.steampowered.com/app/1647190/World_End_Diner/ Earthbound https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EarthBound Jetpack Joyride https://www.halfbrick.com/games/jetpack-joyride-classic Canabalt https://canabalt.com Flappy Bird https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flappy_Bird Unpacking https://store.steampowered.com/app/1135690/Unpacking/ Neko Atsume https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neko_Atsume Power Wash Simulator https://store.steampowered.com/app/1290000/PowerWash_Simulator/ House Flipper https://store.steampowered.com/app/613100/House_Flipper/ AFK Journey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFK_Journey Farmville https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FarmVille Animal Crossing: New Horizons https://animalcrossing.nintendo.com/new-horizons/   Intro music: Heatwave by Bransboynd https://pixabay.com/users/bransboynd-51721546/ Follow us Kris on YouTube Kris on Instagram Kris on Bluesky Rian on Instagram Rian on Bluesky Genre Blender on the web YouTube Instagram TikTok ⁠BlueSky⁠

    58 min

  5. SEP 1

    27: Art and Morality in The Picture of Dorian Gray

    Rian reads Kris’s current favourite classic book, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and the pair go on a meandering deep-dive discussion about its themes, which are fascinatingly prescient. 00:00 Intro 01:52 Read Watch Play 15:05 The Picture of Dorian Gray - First Impressions 21:23 Synopsis 23:29 Core themes 38:45 Lord Henry 52:15 Art for art’s sake The Picture of Dorian Gray - https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/9490a57a-6be5-40e1-a156-728193375daf  LITERATURE - Oscar Wilde https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoUlMrWuCU What book turned Dorian Gray evil? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIM6mR6VS-A Other Books Lady Tan's Circle of Women https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/33485277-c11d-49f5-ab19-6926034d941a  The Ninth Rain https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/887561c2-d851-407c-a372-9fded8089d51  Leviathan Wakes https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/c83664bb-15bf-4404-b896-af6bbb0cfc18  How High We Go In The Dark https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/3fd47396-f85e-4877-9b53-ed7a2198b280 The Stand https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/434e6801-21e5-4784-b3af-1b939a452380 Games Grimshire https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238470/Grimshire/ Discounty https://store.steampowered.com/app/2274620/Discounty/ Tiny Bookshop https://store.steampowered.com/app/2133760/Tiny_Bookshop/ Xenoblade Chronicles 3 https://store.nintendo.com.au/au/xenoblade-chronicles-3.html?srsltid=AfmBOorZ4gyaIJ6ggzJIfxlNmXBYswakvDUzIFtdusB1duyW_S_ZWkVD Persona 4: Dancing All Night https://www.atlus.com/p4dan/ TV Shows The Penguin - https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/194764-the-penguin Alien: Earth https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/157239-alien-earth Follow Kris: YouTube Instagram Bluesky Follow Rian: Instagram Bluesky Follow Genre Blender for podcast updates: YouTube Instagram ⁠BlueSky⁠ Website

    1h 6m

  6. AUG 18

    26: It's Our First Birthday!

    Happy Birthday to us! Genre Blender turns one year old, so Kris and Rian celebrate with a cold beverage or two while taking a look back over the past year, and forwards into the upcoming year. 00:00 Intro 01:53 Read Watch Play 14:48 Intro to the birthday tag 16:05 How many years are you celebrating? 18:12 What has kept you motivated to continue making episodes? 21:29 What are three of your favourites episodes you’ve made in the past year? 29:18 What did you struggle with in the past year and how did you overcome that struggle? 36:50 Choose one moment from the past year you would love to re-live 39:23 Shout out a huge supporter of your channel 42:15 What is the best book/film/game you’ve experienced in the past year? 52:23 Where do you see your channel in a year’s time and what do you hope to have achieved? Books When the Wolf comes Home https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6d69e374-5135-431d-ac8a-dbc51de57b1a  Witchcraft for Wayward Girls https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/290a13de-3ecf-4b8e-b9d0-48b1f06c92bf  Only a Grave will Do https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/85eaaaec-1343-40be-99e8-15c4dccd74c6  The Genesis of Change https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/668fd4f5-f5c6-4b9d-9476-7d384ec0a246  The Stand https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/434e6801-21e5-4784-b3af-1b939a452380 How High We Go in the Dark https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ea351dab-0002-4385-b6fb-001e4e7fe5a1 The Picture of Dorian Gray https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e9ee4254-15b7-4e2b-9c0f-60580fe32d51 Kafka on the Shore https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/a4aeb14f-891f-4ae9-882e-9dcdf43b6bf1 Games Keep Driving https://store.steampowered.com/app/2756920/Keep_Driving/ Grimshire https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238470/Grimshire/ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1903340/Clair_Obscur_Expedition_33/ Is This Seat Taken? https://store.steampowered.com/app/3035120/Is_This_Seat_Taken/ Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time https://store.steampowered.com/app/2993780/FANTASY_LIFE_i_The_Girl_Who_Steals_Time/ Shows/Movies:  Queer https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1059128-queer K Pop Demon Hunters https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/803796-kpop-demon-hunters The Substance https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/933260-the-substance Long Way Home https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/262594-long-way-home Follow Kris: YouTube Instagram Bluesky Follow Rian: Instagram Bluesky Follow Genre Blender for podcast updates: YouTube Instagram ⁠BlueSky⁠ Website

    1 hr

  7. AUG 4

    25: KPop Demon Hunters Roundtable Discussion (with Jack and Michael)

    KPop Demon Hunters has become a worldwide phenomenon, and Kris and Rian—with returning special guests Jack and Michael—hold a roundtable discussion to find out what makes this animated action musical film so special. 00:00 Intro 01:35 Read Watch Play 13:55 Intro to KPop Demon Hunters 16:40 Initial impressions 23:55 Story, characters, and themes 41:39 Music and soundtrack 48:19 Art style and animation 58:48 Fun facts and random stuff 01:10:59 Outro and links KPop Demon Hunters Books Jamaica Inn - Daphne du Maurier The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss The Stand - Stephen King TV/Film Blow Out Grimm Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse The Mitchells vs. The Machines Games Grimshire Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Baldur’s Gate 3 Day of the Shell Donkey Kong Bananza Follow Michael Bluesky The Vookcast Follow Jack Letterboxd Instagram TikTok Follow Kris: YouTube Instagram Bluesky Follow Rian: Instagram Bluesky Website Follow Genre Blender for podcast updates: YouTube Instagram ⁠BlueSky⁠ genreblender.net

    1h 13m

  8. JUL 21

    24: Mid-Year Freak Out Tag

    It’s the middle of the year! That means it’s time for Kris and Rian to do a check-in for their book, video game and movie plans and goals. Find out just how much our hosts are freaking out throughout the 13 questions for this tag. 00:00 Introduction 03:45 Read Watch Play 13:09 Intro to the Mid-Year Freak Out Tag 14:34 Q1. Best book you’ve read so far this year 18:38 Q2. Best sequel you've read so far this year 23:00 Q3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to 29:34 Q4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year 39:56 Q5. Biggest disappointment 48:49 Q6. Biggest surprise 54:10 Q7. Favourite new author (debut or new to you) 1:00:46 Q8. Newest fictional crush 1:04:19 Q9. Newest favourite character 1:07:40 Q10. Book that made you cry 1:10:45 Q11. Book that made you happy 1:15:06 Q12. Most beautiful book you've bought (or received) so far this year 1:20:12 Q13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year? 1:31:14 We did it! Creators Mentioned: @theshadesoforange @willowtalksbooks Videos and Articles Silvia Park on the significance of the Luminous cover Rian’s video of the 35th anniversary box set of Akira Flowers for Algernon: Sometimes Books Are the Best Teachers Books The Picture of Dorian Gray Babylon’s Ashes Flowers for Algernon Luminous The Crippled God Only a Grave Will Do Witchcraft for Wayward Girls Volatile Memory The Broken Sword Level Apocalypse Tell Me What you Did Terminal Secrets The Expanded Earth The Court of Broken Knives The Fires of Heaven Labrinth's Heart Butter Club Contango Exodus: The Archimedes Engine Wraith and the Revolution The Picture of Dorian Gray The Genesis of Change The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Akira A Memory Called Empire Those Left Behind The Stand The Wise Man’s Fear Games Sun Haven Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Witchbrook Grimshire Pokemon Legends Z-A The Outer Worlds 2 Life is Strange: Double Exposure Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 The Last Campfire TV Shows Long Way Home Murderbot Mindhunter Sinners The Residence Follow Kris: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist Instagram https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social Follow Rian: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rian.floyd/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com Follow Genre Blender for podcast updates: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast ⁠BlueSky⁠ ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/genreblenderpodcast.com Website https://www.genreblender.net

    1h 33m
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About

Exploring what makes stories stick, from the page to the screen—with Kris and Rian.

Information

  • Creator
    Genre Blender
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Genre Blender
  • Show Website
    Genre Blender