Creative Commoners

Wherein we sit down with HeroMachine creator Jeff Hebert to pick his brain about art, bringing characters to life, and the value of telling stories. Elsewhere, Allison is creeped out by Lloyd Dobler, Chris invokes Minecraft, and Corey gets a surprising revelation. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein our Dungeons and Dragons adventure continues from last episode. Brodo Shaggins and Rimrod Ravenshaft try to strike a deal with the sword-footed crime boss Bruno Stabbyfoot. But after negotiations crumble and dice rolls fall short, our duo finds themselves captured and put on trial by the King’s right hand man, the sinister Lord Biznish. And in this court, there is but one guilty sentence. Theme music by Latché Swing. D&D intro music by Kevin MacLeod.

Wherein our hosts tell the next chapter of adventures with Brodo Shaggins and Rimrod Ravenshaft. Our heroes have been summoned to the capital city of Nerd’s Landing. But something isn’t quite right. Tune in for an epic tale of halfdingo fighting, ravenous graemlins, ninja assassins, hipster disguises, and a dash of new characters, including Bruno Stabbyfoot, Captain Stormageddon, and Frothpussy herself. Theme music by Latché Swing. D&D intro music by Kevin MacLeod.

Wherein we peek behind the scenes of one of our more elaborate episodes to find out how it was made and listen to the bloopers that didn’t make it to the final version. If you haven’t listened to Episode 2000 yet, we highly recommend you do so first. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein we get to the point, discussing what works and doesn’t work when being concise in creative pursuits. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein Chris confesses his love of story series both as a consumer and a creator. We discuss serial v. episodic television, shorter TV seasons, what chapter plays popularized for storytelling, and how a series creates a more elaborate world. Each host also talks a bit about their own writing ventures with the serial form. Elsewhere, Corey mogwais some cereal, Allison watches out for Manbearpig, and Chris pines for his favorite serial killer. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein Allison discusses her desires and struggles with writing sequels. We get into issues of unintended sequels, managing continuity, and what makes a sequel work. We also talk Stephen King’s forthcoming book, Pixar’s decision to make more original movies, and the 15 most unnecessary sequels. Elsewhere, Allison shares every writer’s number one fear, Corey struggles with two pseudonyms, and Chris reveals the best possible sequel that could ever be made. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein Corey returns to our hemisphere. What do Mogwais, hungry baboons, Patrick Swazi, public enema #1, and musical motorcycles all have in common? Corey’s visit to South Africa, of course! Elsewhere, Allison wishes she picked up a stranded Dave Matthews and Chris holds a door for Mario Lopez. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein Allison and Chris throw a slumber party while Corey is on the cramlow in South Africa. The night is filled with MASH and MadLibs, a new and very awkward robot guest, and plenty of boy talk. They also dish on talk shows, STEM schools, cocaine etiquette, dosimetry, and four-way train explosions. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein we break through the false notion of “guilty” pleasures and reveal them for what they are… pleasures! We explore why these things embarrass us, why there’s judgement, and what it means if your creative pursuits take you in this direction. Elsewhere, Chris admits to a strange bedtime behavior, Corey unleashes his hobophobia, and Allison kicks her Candy Crush addiction. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein something strange happens. What do Cthulhu, Rosie O’Donnell, Glooses, robosexuals, holohoops, the 37th Doctor Who, space hipsters, Huey Lewis, Borton Moag, The Algae Wars, and Gloria Stitts all have in common? This episode, of course! Theme music by Latché Swing. Sound effects by james-duckett, pmstrain, kmoon, monkay, and joedeshon.

Wherein we throw a big bash of lobster, bourbon, blow, and interns to ring in 100 episodes of the show. Long time stalker Greg Holbus joins us in the studio for plenty of laughs, creative discussion, and scapegoating. Elsewhere, Chris tests everyone’s show knowledge with a Creative Commoners Quiz, Corey drugs his children with arsenic, Allison’s obsession sets back the Felch Social Network, and Greg’s evil scheme is revealed. Theme music by Latché Swing. “Mining by Moonlight” by Kevin MacLeod.

Wherein we bring back a popular segment of pure story creation insanity. We bust out the Story Forge Cards to build a “Once Upon a Time” tale and shake up the Story Form app for a couple of five minute stories. Hear tales of the redneck Borg home world, a vice-riddled sheriff named Adam Lawton, magical throat sweets, and a dragon all up in some girl’s attic. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein our hosts discuss the portrayal of men in popular movies, TV, and books. Whether it’s the big kid with his toys, the man who solves problems with violence, or the sassy gay clown, the gang hunts down the cliches and flushes out the few good examples. Also, Chris reveals the man all other men wish they could be, Corey showcases his frat dude impersonation, Allison pays homage to The Dude, and A.L.I.E. turns up her Sass-o-meter. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein our hosts discuss the portrayal of women in popular movies, TV, and books. Who does well? Who falls flat? And what does it all mean for storytellers? Corey offers up the Bechdel test for debate, Allison knows exactly who to blame for all the tired tropes, Chris forgets everyone’s names, and A.L.I.E. makes her anticipated return. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein the show title isn’t what you think, so get your mind out of the gutter. The gang discusses a red letter day in history, shares their spoiler-free reactions to Star Trek: Into Darkness, and gives a shout-out to a fellow creative commoner, Marysia, from Love Your Creativity blog and podcast. Elsewhere, Corey plots a robotic future, Allison takes stock of her confusing present, and Chris goes back to the primordial past. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein we conclude the story of  our first Dungeons & Dragons adventure. The hot chick is missing from Creo Commons, our heroes have run south toward the mysterious green light, and a foulness stirs deep beneath the graveyard. Will Brodo Shaggins and Rimrod Ravenshaft save the girl–and the town–from evil? Or will Corey be a total jerkbag Dungeon Master and kill everyone for his own amusement? Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein we start our Dungeons & Dragons adventures. Corey opens the story in the town of Creo Commons, Chris introduces the old-timey Elf wizard known as Rimrod Ravenshaft, and Allison voices the many accents of the lusty thug Halfling, Brodo Shaggins. Green lights, a missing hot chick, and bad jokes await! Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein Chris plays the third wheel of the trio, quizzing Allison and Corey on their knowledge of all the trifectas, trinities, threesomes, turkeys, and Trinidads that pop up in our world. Then they explore the threes of creativity, from the rule of three and the three act structure to the rise of trilogies in fiction. So 1) sit back, 2) relax, and 3) enjoy the show. Theme music by Latché Swing.

Wherein Corey takes Allison and Chris through the steps of creating characters for their eventual on-air session of Dungeons & Dragons adventures. Corey quashes all the fun with rules, Allison creates a lusty little lothario, and Chris just wants to be Asian. It’s thirty-seven levels of nerdiness! Theme music by Latché Swing.