Buffy and the Art of Story

Mar 02 2025 161 ep. 58 mins 95
Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast artwork

If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love telling stories, or just taking them apart to see how they work, this podcast is for you. Novelist and host Lisa M. Lilly looks at plotlines, character arcs, and other story elements one Buffy episode at a time to see what works (and very occasionally doesn't) and why. Spoiler-free except at the end after plenty of warning.

  TV & Film  Arts  Education
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Orpheus Angel Crossover (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Mar 02 2025 67 mins  
In Orpheus, Buffy/Angel crossover S4 E15, Angelus and Faith battle it out and Willow comes to L.A. to try to restore Angel’s soul. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Seemingly separate storylines that converge into one gripping plot; (2) how to use multiple characters as the antagonist and a group as a protagonist; (3) whether Willow is a different

Release Angel Crossover (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Feb 16 2025 62 mins  
In Release, Angel crossover S4 E14, Faith and Angelus battle, Fred has a crisis, and Cordelia implores Connor to keep their secret. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how the writers draw on backstory from both Buffy and Angel; (2) true vs. false conflict; (3) many storylines – but is there a main plot? and (4) cliffhanger or gamechanger and wh

Salvage (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Jan 13 2025 62 mins  
In Salvage (Angel crossover S4 E13), Angelus meets The Beast (a powerful demon terrorizing L.A.) and Wesley persuades to Faith break out of prison. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) showing internal conflict (Wesley’s) through imagined dialogue; (2) who the protagonist is in a group with the same goal and two leaders (Wesley and Faith); (3) the challe

Top And Bottom 5 Buffy Episodes Ever (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Dec 30 2024 32 mins  
This podcast episode covers the Top 5 and Bottom 5 Buffy episodes ever, plus some Honorable Mentions. See if you agree. Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year! * Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly * Download free Story Structure works

Lies My Parents Told Me S7 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Dec 16 2024 60 mins  
In Lies My Parents Told Me (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S7 E17), Robin Wood aims to kill Spike and Giles is in on the plan. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: * interweaving three plots – Robin v. Spike, Giles v. Buffy, Spike v. himself; * whether Giles’s choices fit his character; * how William becomes Spike; * point of view and protagonists; and * a

Storyteller S7 E16 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Dec 02 2024 71 mins  
In Storyteller (S7 E16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Andrew annoys everyone by videotaping them and is forced to reckon with his past. Along with the recap of Storyteller, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whose story is it - Buffy's or Andrew's? (2) whether Buffy's and Andrew's goals conflict; (3) what happens when writers fall in love with a character (Andrew); (4) how chara

Get It Done S7 E15 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Nov 18 2024 66 mins  
In Get It Done (S7 E15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy risks it all to learn the origin of the First Slayer while Robin Wood learns a whole about Sunnydale – and Spike. Along with the recap of Get It Done, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) what links Andrew, Willow, Anya, and Spike; (2) how each character's story arc explores the nature of power; (3) building small steps

First Date S7 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Nov 03 2024 71 mins  
In First Date (S7 E14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy and Xander embark on romantic encounters (or are about to be hijacked by demonic forces) and The First tries to re-recruit Andrew. Along with the recap of First Date, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why humor that feels true to a character works best; (2) plot turns that force Buffy, Xander, and Giles to grow and chan

Grief in the Buffyverse (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Oct 21 2024 74 mins  
Grief in the Buffyverse asks how grief affects the characters we love in Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Season 1 on. With Tyffany D. Neiheiser, Author of Not Dead Enough. Topics include: (1) what motivates Buffy's choice to face death (and the Master) in Season 1; (2) what Willow needs from her friends when facing loss; (3) why Buffy withdraws and tries to go it alone; and (4) how

The Killer In Me S7 E13 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Oct 07 2024 62 mins  
In The Killer In Me (S7 E13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Giles might be The First, Spike's chip goes wonky, and Willow changes into her worst enemy. Along with the recap of The Killer In Me, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) weaving plots and subplots together; (2) why some twists frustrate the audience; (3) juggling recurring character relationships (like Buffy & Willow'