The Blasters and Blades Podcast

The Blasters & Blades PodcastFrom the mild-mannered reporter hiding superpowers to the runaway royalty passing as a commoner, speculative fiction is obsessed with secret selves. But why are we so captivated by characters who wear a mask? In this panel discussion, our guests unmask the “Hidden Identity” trope across sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero fiction. We’ll explore the deep psychological toll of leading a double life, the delicious tension of near-miss discoveries, and the ultimate, high-stakes fallout when the truth finally comes to light. Join us as we look at how hiding who you are can protect the world—or burn it entirely to the ground. This was a fun interview, so check out this episode. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (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/AuthorJRHandleyOur LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcastToday's SponsorTell Me A Secret by Chloe Garner: https://a.co/d/0crjpofkFollow 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 Chloe Garner on social mediaChloe’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Garner/e/B00MD4GGLS/ Chloe’s Website: https://blenderfiction.wordpress.com/ Chloe’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/435117423514398 Chloe’s Bookstore: https://blenderfiction.wordpress.com/verida-signed-copies/ Chloe’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ChloeGarner 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/B08XSCHXYXFollow Jarret Keene on social mediaJarret’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jarret-Keene/author/B001JOTUPW Jarret’s Website: https://www.jarretkeene.net/ Jarret’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJarretKeene/ Jarret’s Publisher: https://darkwolfbooks.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 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keithhedger6504/featured 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/ The Ghost Cadet by Elaine Marie Alphin: https://a.co/d/06dhfgQk #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 #BillMcUisdean #ChloeGarner #MadamChloe #JarretKeene #DrJarretKeene #KeithHedger #HiddenIdenityInSpeculativeFiction #GhostCadet #Dollhouse #Ultraman #Kaiju #Shadow #TheShadow #QuantumLeap #BodySnatcher #SamuelBeckett #RIPD #Kit #KnightRider #Dune #FrankHerbert #PaulAtreides #Fremen #Muad’Dib

The Blasters & Blades PodcastBefore there was science fiction, there was mythology: tales of cosmic battles, fickle deities, and the divine laws governing humanity. But how do modern writers breathe new life into ancient faiths without reducing them to mere aesthetic backdrops? Join our panel of authors and worldbuilders as we explore the intersection of ancient theology and speculative fiction. From resurrecting forgotten pantheons in urban fantasy to projecting ancient rituals onto distant, spacefaring civilizations, we’ll discuss how to handle sacred texts with respect, the line between cultural appreciation and appropriation, and why humanity remains eternally fascinated by the divine. This was a fun interview, so check it out! 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!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandleyOur LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcastToday's SponsorThe Blasters & Blades Podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandleyFollow Claire Merrick on social mediaClaire’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0GWSJGS49Claire’s Website: https://clairemerrickwrites.com/Claire’s Substack: https://urbantreehouse.substack.com/Follow Bill McUisdean (Wylder396) on social mediaBill’s Website: https://zorne.substack.com/Bill’s Substack: https://substack.com/@wylder396Bill’s Twitter: https://x.com/Wylder396Follow Ronald Lloyd on social mediaRonald’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.r.mcmillanRonald’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076911424966Ronald’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Ronmcmillan44#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 #AncientReligions #SpeculativeFicion #BillMcUisdean #RonaldLloyd #MythPunk #MythologyRetelling #AncientHistory #ComparativeReligion #FolkloreAndMyth #SpeculativeFiction #SpecFic #FantasyWorldbuilding #SciFiFantasy #UrbanFantasy #EpicFantasy #Worldbuilding #WritingCommunity #AuthorPanel #WritingTips #FictionalWorlds #BookTok #Bookstagram #FantasyReads #MythologyBooks #Bookish #Mythology #RickRiordan #WaterBoy #TheWaterBoy #Cider #Christian #Zeus #Jupiter #Hera #Juno #Poseidon #Neptune #Hades #Pluto #Athena #Minerva #Ares #Mars #Hecate #Trivia #Apollo #Phoebus #Artemis #Diana #Hermes #Mercury #Dionysus #Bacchus #Hephaestus #Vulcan #Aphrodite #Venus #Demeter #Ceres #HadesAndPersephone #Hecate #NorseGods #Norse #Odin #Allfather #Thor #Loki #Freya #Freyja #Hel #NorseMythology #AztecGods #Quetzalcoatl #Tezcatlipoca #jaguar #godofsorcery #Huitzilopochtli #Mictlantecuhtli #AztecMythology #SumerianGods #MesopotamianGods #Gilgamesh #Ishtar #Inanna #Enki #Enlil #SumerianMythology #MesopotamianMythology #EgyptianGods #Anubis #Egyptian #Osiris #Isis #Set #Seth #Thoth #Sekhmet #EgyptianMythology #ComparativeMythology #AncientPantheons #MesopotamianPantheon #Sumerian #Akkadian #Assyrian #Ishtar #Akkadian #Babylonian #Sumerian #Ishtar #Inanna #Pantheon #Mesopotamian #Babylonian #Ishtar #Inanna #Gilgamesh #EpicOfGilgamesh #Ereshkigal #Enki #Marduk #Babylon #Pazuzu #MesopotamianMythology #BabylonianMythology #SumerianMythology #AncientNearEast #CradleOfCivilization #Inanna

The Blasters & Blades PodcastWe’ve got a bonus episode for you! Today we’re here to talk to Scott Swoope about his story in the Anthromech Anthology. We talked about his story The Oath of Alaric and his love for all of the best nerdy things! It was a fun and nerdy quick chat about all of the reasons why we love mecha and the rise of the machine. This was a fun interview, so 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 Anthromech Anthology: https://amazon.com/dp/B0H33SZCWW Follow Scott Swoope on social mediaScott’s Amazon: Coming soon!Scott’s Website: https://swswoope.com/ Scott’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.swoope.79 Scott’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@scottswoope2734 #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 #TheIronGiant #RoboCop #GundamWingEndlessWaltz #GundamWing #tank #mech #mecha #tankvsmecha #ScottSwoope #ChrisKennedyPublishing #AnthromechAnthology #anthology #SWSwoopeII #Warhammer40K #WWI #WorldWarI #TheGreatWar #TheOathofAlaric

The Blasters & Blades PodcastToday, we are interviewing the stellar team of authors behind The Annals of the Auran Empire live on BackerKit! If you love classic, high-stakes epic fantasy, incredible worldbuilding, and supporting independent creators, this is the interview you’ve been waiting for. Tune in as the authors share exclusive story details, talk about the art of writing in a shared universe, and explain why this campaign is a must-back for fantasy lovers. Listen to the episode, head over to their BackerKit page, and claim your place in the Empire! Seriously, this was a fun interview, so go check it out. 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 Annals of the Auran Empire Crowdfunding: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/8b8be898-82a5-4dc9-868d-aa9a9b449f6e/landing Follow Alexander Macris on social mediaAlexander’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Alexander-Macris/author/B00O0I1S9AAlexander’s Website: https://www.autarch.co/Alexander’s Twitter: https://x.com/archonAlexander’s Facebook: https://facebook.com/AutarchCo Alexander’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheArbiterOfWorldsAlexander’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/AutarchAlexander’s Substack: https://arbiterofworlds.substack.com/Alexander’s Alternate Website: https://www.autarchemporium.com/Follow B.K. Gibson on social mediaGibson’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/bkgibsonwriterGibson’s Website: https://www.bkgibson.com/Gibson’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589323534470Gibson’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtbaggeryBookReviews/streamsFollow Sam Robb on social mediaSam’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/samrobbSam’s Website: https://www.samrobbwrites.com/Sam’s Twitter: https://x.com/SamRobbWritesSam’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samrobbwritesSam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samrobbwrites/Sam’s Substack: https://samrobbwrites.substack.com/Sam’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21563661.Sam_RobbFollow Zane Voss on social mediaZane’s Amazon: www.amazon.com/stores/Zane-Voss/author/B087V3J7HJZane’s Website: https://zanevoss.substack.com/Zane’s Twitter: https://x.com/ZaneVoss#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 #AlexanderMacris #Archon #BKGibson #SamRobb #ZaneVoss #Backerkit #AnnalsOfTheAuranEmpire #Crowdfunding #elf #dwarves #halfling #Gnomes #HalfOrc #ogres #troll #minion #human #sword #LotR #LordOfTheRings #Tolkien #JRRTolkien #Andúril #FlameOfTheWest #Glamdring #Foe-hammer #HammerOfTheEnemy #Sting #Gúthwinë #Battle-friend #Herugrim #FierceSword #Orcrist #Goblin-cleaver #TheSilmarillion #Narsil #Anglachel #Gurthang #Ringil #Aranrúth #archer #bow #crossbow #LongBow #SwordAndShield #Sword&Shield #Sledgehammer #ChainSword #Warhammer40K #Axe #Battleaxe #Conan #ConanTheBarbarian #Barbarian #HALO

The Blasters & Blades PodcastComing off the heels of Buffy and Firefly, expectations were massive for Joss Whedon's next television venture. Today, we look back at Dollhouse with a modern lens to see how its terrifying themes of identity, corporate greed, and human exploitation hold up. We dive into the profound existential dread of the series, the incredible "Epitaph" episodes that completely flipped the genre on its head, and why the show’s central technology feels even more relevant in our current era of AI and tech ethics. Was Dollhouse simply ahead of its time, or did its heavy themes buckle under network constraints? Grab your chair and tune in. This was a fun interview, so go check it out.Co-Hosts:JR HandleyJana S BrownWe 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/AuthorJRHandleyOur LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcastToday's SponsorThe Last Oracle Series by Melissa McShane: https://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Oracle/dp/B07FRQWNGQDollhouse Series Trailer: https://youtu.be/3yxPO5gngNU?si=hyhW73khoaX5A6kUDollhouse Boxed Set: https://www.amazon.com/Dollhouse-Complete-Seasons-One-Blu-ray/dp/B00421HAA6Follow Chloe Garner on social mediaChloe’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Garner/e/B00MD4GGLS/Chloe’s Website: https://blenderfiction.wordpress.com/ Chloe’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/435117423514398Chloe’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ChloeGarnerFollow Jana S Brown on social mediaJana’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jana-S.-Brown/author/B015VJV7JWJana’s Website: www.opalkingdompress.comJana’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/janasbrownwritesJana’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/opalkingdompress Follow Jarret Keene on social mediaJarret’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jarret-Keene/author/B001JOTUPWJarret’s Website: https://www.jarretkeene.net/Jarret’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJarretKeene/Jarret’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjarretkeene/#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 #ChloeGarner #JarettKeene #QuantumLeap #whedonverse #JossWhedon #Buffy #Angel #Firefly #TheNevers #Avenger #Westworld #Alias #Nikita #ThePretender #Thriller #Psychologicalthriller #Cyberpunk #Drama #Dollhouse #Franchise #MaurissaTancharoen #TeddySears #EmmaBell #Actives #Kilo #Mike #Tango #AngelDesai #SophieAlvarez #KevinKilner #JoeHearn #MarkSheppard #AishaHinds #FBI #agent #GrahamTanaka #Loomis #FeliciaDay #Mag #ZackWard #Zone #AdairTishler #Iris #AmyAcker #Whiskey #ClaireSaunders #Alpha #Boyd #RossumCorporation #Clyde2.0 #SafeHaven #ReedDiamond #LaurenceDominic #Active #Attic #SenatorPerrin #NSA #DeWitt #Topher #Arcane #MiracleLaurie #November #Mellie #MadelineCostley #Paul #Omega #SenatorDanielPerrin #LizaLapira #Ivy #Priya #Anthony #Echo #KevinKilner #JoeHearn #BoydLangton #VincentVentresca #DrNolanKinnard #RossumCorp #VIP #PriyaTsetsang #AlanTudyk #CarlWilliamCraft #Gestaltpersonality #PaulBallard #StephenKepler #EnvironmentalSystems #Consultant #AlexisDenisof #DanielPerrin #KeithCarradine #MatthewHarding #SummerGlau #BennettHalverson #Caroline