Image of 1960s wallpaper - Domincspics, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Get the wallpaper from today’s episode (not sponsored): https://tempaper.com/products/gold-royal-palm-peel-and-stick-wallpaper ➡ Read my longer-form fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates and stories straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2—our first-ever fiber arts season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons focus on fiction, while even-numbered ones highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.)

This week, I’m diving into a Stitch & Zip eyeglasses case kit I found at a thrift store for just $3. I share what it was like to stitch this cheerful sunflower design, how it compares to other needlecrafts I’ve done, and whether I'd recommend it—especially if you're a beginner.

Then we’ll explore the surprisingly rich history of the Alice Peterson Company, the woman-owned, US-based brand behind the kit. It’s the perfect start to this season’s theme: finishing what I start—one handmade project at a time.

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Read my longer-form fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates and stories straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

Season 1, Episode 10: Landlord or Be Landlorded? Talking Animals, Housing, & Capitalism in Fiction

In this episode, we step into a cozy coffee shop—where the customers just happen to be a bunny, a squirrel, and a barista with strong opinions. Our final drabble of the season explores gentrification, capitalism, and housing struggles—all through the lens of anthropomorphized animals.Then, we dive into the power of animal characters in adult fiction. Non-human protagonists have long been used to reveal deeper human truths. Talking animals let us examine war, oppression, grief, and power struggles in ways that feel both familiar and just distant enough to hit harder. I also share the personal inspiration behind this story—my own housing upheavals and the phrase I kept seeing: “Either landlord or be landlorded.”As we wrap up Season 1, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter for an exclusive sneak peek at Season 3 (our next odd-numbered season!), featuring more fiction and writing discussions. Remember, Season 2 is an even-numbered season, so we'll be diving into the fiber part of the show with explorations of my various craft projects and the history behind the art of crafting. Stay tuned!

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? 

→⁠ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction.⁠ 

→ ⁠Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content.⁠ 

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Thanks for joining me, and I’ll see you next season!

Season 1, Episode 9: Dystopian Futures & the Reality of Aging – The Stories We Need to TellIn this episode, we begin with a 100-word dystopian drabble about an elderly person who must take part in a scientific study for money. From there, we dive into the portrayal of older characters in fiction—why they’re often sidelined, the depth and complexity they bring to storytelling, and why we need more narratives that embrace aging rather than solely glorifying youth.We also explore the real-life struggles of aging, from financial insecurity to the ethical dilemmas of scientific studies that often recruit those in need of money. I share the inspiration behind the story—my retired friend who volunteered for a research study—and discuss how speculative fiction allows us to take real-world issues and push them to their most extreme ‘what ifs.’ With my background in CITI certification for social sciences, I also touch on the ethics of research design and how informed consent can become complicated when financial need is involved.

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? 

→⁠ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction.⁠ 

→ ⁠Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content.⁠ 

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Season 1, Episode 8: The Magic Microwave & How Fantasy Fiction Transforms UsIn this week’s episode, I read a fantasy story about a microwave with a surprising ability—it turns anything you put into it into food that helps its owner start to overcome her eating disorder. Then, we dive into how fantasy fiction uses metaphor and escapism to help us process difficult emotions and experiences. Finally, I share the inspiration behind the story, from a real microwave in my apartment that declared “Food Ready” regardless of what I put inside, to my own experiences with disordered eating, and the nonfiction book Dead Weight by Emmeline Clein.

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? 

→⁠ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction.⁠ 

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→Get Dead Weight by Emmeline Clein on Amazon (or Bookshop.org

Season 1, Episode 7: Mouse Mischief, Memory, and the Power of Fiction

In this episode, we follow a house mouse on a tiny but determined quest for dinner. Then, we explore how fiction—especially stories about non-human characters—helps build empathy in unexpected ways. How does stepping into the paws of a mouse (or any creature) shift our perspective? Finally, I share the real-world inspiration behind this piece: my time living in Boston’s Allston-Brighton neighborhood, also known as “Rat City,” and how the locals’ attitudes toward house mice were shaped by their own experiences.

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? 

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Season 1, Episode 6: Detroit-Style Pizza, the Ocean, & Contemporary Women's FictionIn this week’s episode, I read a slice-of-life story about a woman who moved from the Midwest to Massachusetts, drawn by the ocean but missing the comfort of Detroit-style pizza. When she finally finds a pizzeria serving her favorite style, she’s faced with an unexpected disappointment—one that goes beyond just the food.Then, we dive into contemporary women’s fiction: what defines the genre, how it captures the complexities of everyday life, and why food and place are often so deeply tied to storytelling. I also talk about my personal connection to the Midwest and, of course, explain exactly what makes Detroit-style pizza so special.

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? 

→⁠ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction.⁠ 

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Season 1, Episode 5: When a Ghastly Gourd Forces You to Face Your Grief

In this episode, I read a flash fiction story told in second person POV—about a ghastly gourd that’s not really about a gourd at all. It’s a metaphor for grief and the difficult, inescapable things we face after losing a loved one. Then, we dive into the unique power of second-person POV: how it forces us into another’s shoes, making it a compelling tool for exploring emotions we might not otherwise fully understand. Finally, I share the real-life inspiration behind the story—a farmstand pumpkin and my own experience navigating grief.

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? 

→⁠ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction.⁠ 

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Season 1, Episode 4: Frederico the Frog Faces Mortality: How Talking Animals Help Us Make Sense of Life

In this week’s episode, I share my longest story yet—a 755-word flash fiction piece about a talkative frog, his animal companions, and the unexpected truth about his home. Then, we dive into anthropomorphized animals in fiction. Finally, I discuss the real-life setting that inspired this story: a beautiful pond in a place called Mount Auburn—teeming with wildlife and history.Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life?→ See the notebook that inspired Frederico the Frog.

→⁠ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction.⁠ 

→ ⁠Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content.⁠ 

→ ⁠Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates and stories straight to your inbox. ⁠ 

→ ⁠Support me on ko-fi. ⁠

Season 1, Episode 3: A Monster Lurks on the Mudflat & Writing Horror in 100 Words

In this week’s episode, we dive into a chilling piece of microfiction set on Cape Cod, where an evil mermaid lurks in the tidal flats. Then, we discuss why writing drabbles is such a unique challenge, why they make great writing exercises, and how other microfiction formats like double drabbles and dribbles compare. Finally, I share the real-world inspiration behind this story—the eerie beauty of the Brewster Flats, my experiences on the Cape, and how Provincetown’s rich LGBTQ+ history influenced the story’s themes.Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life?→ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction. → Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content.→ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates and stories straight to your inbox. → Support me on ko-fi.