In a bit of festive fun, join Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker in this episode of Mythmakers as they explore how Christmas appears in the works of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. From the icy rule of the White Witch to a surprise visit from Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they dig into the lore behind Narnia’s wintry themes. Then it’s on to Tolkien’s Father Christmas Letters and a look at how Yule is celebrated in Middle-earth.

Listen in to find out where they’d each choose to spend the festive season—and let us know if you agree!

(00:00) Welcome to Mythmakers Christmas episode
(03:10) Old Yule vs Christmas in Narnia
(06:05) Gift-giving contrast: wants vs needs
(10:05) Myth, primary/secondary worlds, and “eucatastrophe” moments
(19:20) Tolkien’s Father Christmas Letters introduced
(23:22) North Pole adventures, goblins, war echoes, and deeper worldbuilding
(32:33) Middle-earth and Yule
(37:47) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
(44:35) Choosing Narnia or Middle-earth

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We may be in a golden age for audiobooks, but for those with sight impairments they have always been essential. Blind writer and returning guest Andrew Head joins Julia Golding on once again on today's episode of Mythmakers to share his thoughts on the audiobook biographies of Tolkien, Lewis, and the Inklings. Be sure to tune in as Andrew and Julia delve into the Mrs Moore controversy so have a listen to find out what that's all about!

(00:00) Welcome to Mythmakers and audiobook focus
(03:40) Narration style and listening experience
(10:02) C.S. Lewis biography
(15:21) Public faith vs private life in biography
(20:52) The Inklings biography and group storytelling
(24:51) Reconstructing Inklings meetings and friendships

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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Our friend from Australia, Andrew Head—a blind writer and devoted audiobook listener—joins Julia Golding once again on today's episode of Mythmakers to explore the world of Philip Pullman through audio. Together, they dive into the pros and cons of semi-dramatised audiobooks: Are they a help or a hindrance? Which are the best Pullman titles? Their conversation then takes a deeper turn as they reflect on Pullman’s atheistic worldview and how it comes through in his writing.

(00:00) Welcoming Andrew Head: Audiobooks, Accessibility & Blind Reading
(05:15) Comparing Three Audio Formats: Dramatisation vs. Straight Readings
(08:59) Audio Descriptions in Film & TV Adaptations of His Dark Materials
(11:17) Returning to the Story: Enjoyment, Themes & Faith Tensions
(14:38) Pullman’s Worldview, Critique, and Literary Craft

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.

(00:00) Journey to Helm’s Deep & Rohan’s Poetic Prose
(10:00) Shadows, Huorns, and Hints from Isengard
(20:00) Mapping the Fortress: Helm’s Deep, Strategy, and Hidden Heroes
(30:00) Waves of War, Turning the Tide, and Tolkien’s Battle Craft

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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This year marks 75 years since The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe arrived in bookshops, so join us on this anniversary episode of Mythmakers as Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discuss the origins of the book and consider how it stood out among its literary contemporaries before we reflect on its enduring legacy today. If you have an opinion on this, have a listen and join the conversation to let us know what you think!

The book referred to in the news section is WARDROBE AND RINGS by Julia Golding, Malcolm Guite and Simon Horobin, and will be out on 28th November 2025, be sure to check it out.

(00:05) Exploring Narnia Through Different Ages
(11:10) Analyzing the Origins of Narnia
(20:29) Analyzing Character Dynamics and Planetary Influence
(31:22) Adapting Narnia Across Different Mediums
(37:19) Exploring Fantasy Adaptations and Influences

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.

(00:05) Youth and Age in Rohan
(15:17) Power Play and Pity in Court
(27:57) The Rise of Rohan's Warriors

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
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TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

In this episode of Mythmakers, join Julia Golding for a review of the newly released full-cast production of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone from Pottermore and Audible. Does this reimagined version enhance the magic, or distract from the original charm? Tune in to hear Julia’s take on the production quality, narration choices, and ultimately whether this edition is worth adding to your audiobook library, along with a couple of unexpected mentions of Mr. Darcy and Dr. House!

(00:05) Harry Potter Audiobook Review
(09:22) Examining the Structure and Satire
(16:38) Recommendation for Harry Potter Audiobook

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
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We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.

(00:05) LOTR Two Towers Riddles and Laughter
(17:14) The Reawakening of Gandalf
(21:45) Gandalf's Cryptic Wisdom and Laughter
(36:54) Gandalf's Return and Shadowfax's Arrival
(45:12) MythMakers Podcast Advertising and Promotion

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
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Netflix is bringing The Chronicles of Narnia back to our screens with Greta Gerwig at the helm for the first two films in the series. Interestingly, the adaptation begins with The Magician’s Nephew, opting for chronological order rather than the order in which the books were written.

In this episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker dive into what we know so far about the creative direction of the films, and what Gerwig’s involvement might mean for this and future instalments, it’s a conversation every Narnia fan will want to hear! Be sure to listen in and let us know what YOU think of this bold new beginning.

(00:05) Greta Gerwig's Narnia Adaptation Discussion
(07:33) Adapting Narnia for Modern Audiences
(14:27) Casting and Setting Challenges in Narnia
(28:13) Controversies Surrounding Narnia Adaptation Hope
(40:12) Fantasy Podcast

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
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We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.

(00:05) Exploring Treebeard
(13:09) Encountering Treebeard's Character
(19:57) Unveiling Treebeard's Language Evolution
(28:53) Treebeard's House and Entwives
(38:01) Exploring Entish Poetry and Ents' March
(47:15) Ents' Last March and Battle Prep

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok