The Blasters and Blades Podcast

The Blasters & Blades PodcastFrom the hunger-driven districts of Panem to the red-dusted mines of Mars, speculative fiction has always been a fertile breeding ground for rebellion. But what does it actually take to topple an empire on the page? Join our panel of authors and worldbuilders as we dissect the anatomy of fictional revolutions. We’ll explore how to build believable oppressive regimes, the logistics of underground resistance movements, and the moral gray areas of fighting for freedom. From sci-fi cyberpunk uprisings to epic fantasy peasant revolts, this discussion will examine how speculative fiction mirrors our real-world struggles for justice—and what happens after the rebels win the throne. This was a fun interview, go check it out. Co-Hosts: JR & NickWe work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support Us: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandleyLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcastToday's SponsorThe Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/Follow James Young on social mediaJames’ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B00AVKCQZQJames’ Website: https://jamesyoungauthor.comJames’ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColfaxDenFollow Keith Hedger on social mediaKeith’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Hedger/e/B01N2V9383Keith’s Website: https://www.keithhedger.com/Keith’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithHedgerAuthorFollow Steve Caldwell on social mediaSteve’s Website: https://thebookwyrmspeaks.blogspot.com/Follow Matthew Olaranont on social mediaMatt’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kilroyhiggins
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The Blasters & Blades PodcastWhat happens when a wounded warrior is paired with a highly classified, intelligent mech that holds the echoes of his own dead brother? This week, we are sitting down with sci-fi powerhouses Kevin Steverson and Craig Bell to discuss their explosive new military science fiction novel, Shadow Mode. We follow the journey of Gunnery Sergeant John D. Ryerson and his mech partner, MIMIC-01 ("Mike"), onto the live-fire front lines of the Tau Ceti front. But when they uncover a massive conspiracy linking alien insurgents to Earth's own defense contractors, Ryerson faces a terrifying choice: follow orders, or expose a betrayal that could cost him everything. Tune in as Kevin and Craig break down the worldbuilding, the tech, and the intense themes behind this must-read new series! This was a fun interview, so go check it out. Lend us your eyes and ears, you won’t be sorry!! Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorThe Clash of Steel Anthology by Bayonet Books: https://www.amazon.com/Clash-Steel-Bayonet-Books-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0CJBHW5SX/ Shadow Mode by Kevin Steverson & Craig Bell: https://a.co/d/0cGK17vk Follow Craig Bell on social mediaCraig’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Craig-Bell/author/B0FVNDXYBX Craig’s Website: https://www.craigbellauthor.com/ Craig’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craigbellauthor/ Craig’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigbellauthor/ Craig’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CraigBellAuthor Craig’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@craigbellauthor Craig’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/craigbellauthor Follow Kevin Steverson on social mediaKevin’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kevin-Steverson/author/B07H8S7GRX Kevin’s Website: www.kevinsteverson.com Kevin’s Twitter: https://x.com/CallMeCatHead Kevin’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.steverson.9 Kevin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevin.steverson Kevin’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kevinsteverson Kevin’s Discord: https://discord.com/invite/68CwEXv #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #KevinSteverson #CraigBell #starwars #jedi #georgelucas #lucasfilms #startrek #trekkie #firefly #serenity #browncoat #wheeloftime #wot #robertjordan #brandonsanderson #gameofthrones #got #grrm #georgerrmartin #ChroniclesofNarnia #CSLewis #velociraptor #RealSteel

The Blasters & Blades PodcastToday, we are hanging out with veteran game designer Darrin Drader (Wizards of the Coast, Paizo, Mongoose Publishing) to talk about his highly anticipated new Kickstarter project. Built from the ground up on the familiar 5E engine, Daring & Dread strips away the “theme park feel” of modern systems to bring back actual stakes, dangerous math, and the gritty, high-octane flavor of the golden era of roleplaying games. We’re diving into his 25-year design pedigree, how he's re-engineering combat to make every single dice roll matter, and what players can expect from this brand-new, standalone fantasy system. This was a fun interview, so go check it out!Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorThe Daring & Dread Tabletop RPG Kickstarter by Darrin Drader: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darrindrader/daring-and-dread-tabletop-roleplaying-game Follow Darrin Drader on social mediaDarrin’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Darrin-L-Drader/e/B0064RGAWKDarrin’s Game Books: https://www.lulu.com/search?contributor=Darrin+Drader&adult_audience_rating=00&sortBy=PRODUCT_SALES_90_DAYS Darrin’s Website: https://darrindrader.com/Darrin’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/darrindrader.bsky.social Darrin’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Darrin-Drader-269839809788260/Darrin’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Singularity1973/featured Darrin’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DDraderDesigns Darrin’s Tip Jar: https://ko-fi.com/darrindrader Darrin’s RPG Store: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/4074/darrin-drader-designs Darrin’s Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darrindrader/daring-and-dread-tabletop-roleplaying-gameDarrin’s Discord: https://discord.gg/bPbPbNembj Darrin’s Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/ddraderdesignsCrazy Cat Video: https://x.com/Boldyboy1975/status/2066090067462873393 Big Cat Rescue: https://bigcatrescue.org/ Wild Felids Advocacy Center of Washington: https://wildfelids.org/#scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #DarrinDrader #Kickstarter #Stargate #StargateSG1 #StargateAtlantis #StargateUniverse #SG1 #SGA #SGU #Babylon5 #BattlestarGalactica #BSG #Starbuck #D&D #DND #Dungeons&DragonsHonorAmongThieves #HonorAmongThieves #Willow #Conan #ConanTheBarbarian

The Blasters & Blades PodcastGrand journeys, ancient legends, and heroes you can genuinely root for. This week, we interview debut author Melanie Deer about her book Ancient Gifts: War of Legends Book 1. We're talking forgotten pasts, sweeping worldbuilding, and how Melanie is breathing fresh life into classic high fantasy roots. Stream the episode now to hear how this massive story came to life—and where the War of Legends series is heading next! This was a fun interview, so go check it out.Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorLayla! by A.M. Stevens: https://a.co/d/09c5VxK3 War of Legends: Ancient Gifts by Melanie Deer: https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Gifts-War-Legends-Book-ebook/dp/B0FZ2WPQJJ/ Follow Melanie Deer on social mediaMelanie’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melanie-Deer/author/B0FCRHZ148 Melanie’s Website: https://melaniedeer.wordpress.com/ Melanie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDeerOfficial Melanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanie.deer.author/ Melanie’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melanie.c.deer.author Melanie’s GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57030636.Melanie_Deer Melanie’s Substack: https://melaniedeer.substack.com/ Melanie’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/melaniecdeer?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=e3f2ae09-cca8-4403-a083-03f1817f6a66 #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #WarOfLegendsAncientGifts #MelanieDeer #starwars #jedi #georgelucas #lucasfilms #startrek #trekkie #firefly #serenity #browncoat #wheeloftime #wot #robertjordan #brandonsanderson #gameofthrones #got #grrm #georgerrmartin #ChroniclesofNarnia #CSLewis #DND #DandD #DungeonsAndDragons #Brontosaurus

The Blasters & Blades PodcastWhat happens to humanity when we leave civilization behind? This week, our panel ventures out past the safety of the perimeter to explore the concept of the frontier in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. From the lawless outer rims of distant galaxies to the monster-infested borders of uncharted magical wilderness, we are dissecting why the “edge of the map” remains the ultimate testing ground for the human spirit. Join us as we discuss the grit, the isolation, and the terrifying freedom that can only be found when you cross the line into the untamed unknown. This was a fun interview, so check out this episode. Lend us your eyes and ears, you won't be sorry!! Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorThe Shamans Bones by Hunter Kay Wallace: https://a.co/d/0bhW88F8 Follow Bill McUisdean (Wylder396) on social mediaBill’s Website: https://zorne.substack.com/ Bill’s Substack: https://substack.com/@wylder396 Bill’s Twitter: https://x.com/Wylder396 Follow Jana S Brown on social mediaJana’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jana-S.-Brown/author/B015VJV7JW Jana’s Website: www.opalkingdompress.com Jana’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/janasbrownwrites Jana’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/opalkingdompress Follow Jena Rey on social mediaJena’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jena-Rey/author/B08XSCHXYX Follow Jesse James Fain on social mediaJesse’s Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/jessejamesfain Jesse’s Website: https://outlawauthor.com/ Jesse’s Twitter: https://x.com/JesseJamesBooks Jesse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JesseJamesFain Jesse’s Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/OutlawAuthor/ Jesse’s Substack: https://jessejamesfain.substack.com/Follow JR Handley on social mediaJR’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-R.-Handley/author/B01N0SEX3A JR’s Website: https://jrhandley.com/ JR’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sgt.jr.handley JR’s Substack: https://jrhandley.substack.com/ Follow Keith Hedger on social mediaKeith’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Hedger/e/B01N2V9383/ Keith’s Website: https://www.keithhedger.com/ Keith’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithHedgerAuthor/ Keith’s Twitter: https://x.com/KHedger30260 Follow Melissa McShane on social mediaMelissa’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melissa-McShane/author/B00TON8E1Q Melissa’s Website: www.melissamcshanewrites.com Melissa’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/melissamcshanewrites Melissa’s Discord: https://discord.gg/wKXUe89Kh7 Melissa's Store: http://www.nightharborpress.com/ #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JanaSBrown #JenaRey #OpalKingdomPress #frontier #Frontiers #speculativefictionfrontier #BillMcUisdean #Wylder396 #JesseJamesFain #OutlawAuthor #OutlawAuthorJesseJames #OutlawAuthorJesseJamesFain #KeithHedger #MelissaMcShane #Warmaster #WarMistress #Warhamster #HunterKayWallace #ShamansBones