Fantasy For Our Time

Nov 04 2024 29 ep. 48 mins 82

Fantasy For Our Time Podcast artwork

Fantasy stories have inspired readers for centuries, making them think and feel deeply, and offering them glimpses of the magical in mundane reality. Join fantasy author and storyteller Nicholas Kotar as he explores classic and new fantasy media, talks to fantasy authors and storytellers, and explores how these stories can help us all live a better, more fulfilling life.

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Human-centric Sci Fi vs Lovecraftian Nightmares w/ Richard Rohlin

Nov 04 2024 79 mins

Hey dear friends! In this video, Richard and I dive deep into the evolving worlds of science fiction and fantasy. From Tolkien's carefully restrained magic to today's cosmic horror and existential threats, we explore how modern storytellers like Adrian Tchaikovsky are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be human in a vast, often terrifying universe. 🤯 Together, we’ll un

Touch the Darkness Again...

Oct 25 2022 106 mins

Could this be the Star Wars of our time?! . . . . no. Definitely not. Together, Richard and I discuss the final episode of The Rings of Power and, yet again, it's mostly a ranting session. It seems as though this entire venture has been set up as a cinematic prequel to the Peter Jackson films, and - if that's the case - it's supremely disappointing. It's clear that the writer

The Shadow is a Passing Thing... Or Is It?

Oct 11 2022 99 mins

In this episode, dear friend Richard Rohlin and I continue our discussion on The Rings of Power, picking up with episodes 6 and 7. We try to open up by focusing on the positives, but, as per usual, chaos ensues! While there does seem to be minimal progress in the maturation of the show and its characters, we still see forced romantic tensions where friendship would do - is this a p

There Is a Tempest in Me . . .

Sep 27 2022 88 mins

Once again I'm joined by Richard Rohlin for a lively discussion about the Rings of Power! Together we discuss . . . well, many things; but, perhaps most peculiarly, whether elves are more like rechargeable batteries or glow-in-the-dark frisbees. While the series is wrought with problematic elements, we do manage to find genuine moments of delight. Design, art, music, and story - a

Without My Sword . . . What Am I?

Sep 13 2022 93 mins

At last, what you've all been waiting for . . . I discuss The Rings of Power! My friend Richard Rohlin joins me for a wonderful conversation about the new series: what we like, what we don't like. Like so many of us, I was set up to hate the show on the front end; however, I must say - it's not THAT bad. Sure, parts of it feel like an AI rendering of a Tolkien story. Sure, the sh

Resilience and Courage Through Story: Accept Your Quest with Humility and Purpose

Aug 29 2022 25 mins

This is the final video of my series on accepting unexpected hardships and using stories to help overcome them in a lasting way. Using Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings as our model, we've finally come to the crux of the matter. Time to accept our quest. But this is a delicate and difficult thing. It can only be done after you've finished the first six steps of becoming a deeper p

Resilience and Courage Through Story: Examining the Heart of Ideas You Hate

Aug 22 2022 32 mins

Welcome to week three of our series exploring how good stories can help us survive difficulty and come out stronger, living a deeper and more fulfilling life. In our first two videos, we discussed how to find a mentor and the importance of solitude for the deep life. Continuing using Aragorn's life as a model, we're entering the danger zone: how to engage with ideas you don't like

Resilience and Courage Through Story: Finding Meaning in Solitude

Aug 15 2022 31 mins

Welcome to the second episode in my series on finding resilience and courage during unexpectedly difficult times, all through the wisdom of fairy tales and classic literature. Last week, we discussed how we can find a mentor. But find him or not, the next step in overcoming difficulties is harder. We must embrace solitude. The stories have much to say about this, but not all of wha

Resilience and Courage Through Story: Finding Your Mentor

Aug 08 2022 41 mins

In an age of information overload, we need, more than ever, to find someone to help us make sense of it all. But there are self-proclaimed experts, life coaches, and just plain hucksters everywhere! What're we to do? Well, maybe we need to take a page out of Russian fairy tales. Just as Ivan the Prince found his frog princess in a swamp, our answers just might be found in the place

What Aragorn Can Teach Us About the Deep Life

Aug 01 2022 41 mins

One of the biggest questions of our age is what we are to make of ourselves in a post-pandemic reality. If we allow it, hardship can unlock a deeply satisfying way of living; however, it requires an ability to live in the tension of survival and progress. When we are no longer reacting, there comes a moment where we commit to transforming our life into something deeper. In this epi