We’re currently between seasons, so for the next few weeks we’re rereleasing some of our favorite episodes with improved audio and cleanup. Season 2 of The Margins Podcast returns the first week of June.This week, we’re revisiting our Dungeon Crawler Carl episode just in time for Matt Dinniman’s newest release, The Parade of Horribles. The original upload had some rough audio issues, but we’ve enhanced and cleaned up the episode so new listeners and longtime fans alike can enjoy the crawl properly this time around.This one’s about Princess Donut, survival, and the humanity we cling to when everything else is gone. It’s Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman — a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt LitRPG adventure that’s become a cult favorite.In this episode of The Margins Podcast, we dive into what makes Dinniman’s world so addictive, why Carl and Donut work as such an unforgettable duo, and how the series balances absurd humor with real emotional weight.If you’ve already finished The Parade of Horribles, or you’re thinking about jumping into the Dungeon Crawler Carl series for the first time, this is the perfect place to start.If you enjoy book discussions, LitRPG deep-dives, and our signature “5 Hard Questions” segment, subscribe for more episodes every week. Season 2 returns the first week of June.Other episodes include Blood Over Brighthaven by M.L. Wang and The Women by Kristin Hannah.#BookTok #BookReview #LitRPG #DungeonCrawlerCarl #MattDinniman

In this Season Finale episode of The Margins Podcast, we sit down with our guests Keala Kendall and Britt Rubiano for a conversation about storytelling, editing, collaboration, publishing, and the emotional connection readers build with books.

Purchase That Which Feeds Us and How Far I'll Go: https://www.kealakendall.com/

We explore the creative process behind shaping stories, balancing multiple perspectives, navigating feedback, and building characters that feel layered and human. The conversation also touches on cultural influence in storytelling, Hawaiian representation, collaboration between authors and editors, and the challenges of bringing a book from concept to publication.

This marks Episode 52 and the conclusion of Season One of The Margins Podcast. Over the past year, we released 52 consecutive weekly episodes and had conversations with authors, creatives, and storytellers whose work left a lasting impression on us and our audience.

Thank you to everyone who listened, shared episodes, supported the show, and helped us grow through our first season.

Topics Include:

• Writing and editing process

• Storytelling themes and emotional impact

• Collaboration between authors and editors

• Publishing and post-publication reflection

• Cultural influence in fiction

• Character development and reader connection

• Creativity, feedback, and revision

#TheMarginsPodcast #KealaKendall #BrittRubiano #AuthorInterview #WritingPodcast #Storytelling #BookPodcast #CreativeProcess #Publishing #FantasyBooks

In this episode of The Margins Podcast, we try something new. We got a little thrown off dealing with some studio hardware upgrades, but we kept it rolling. Each of us brings a book to recommend to the other and makes the case for why it is worth your time.Cristiano brings The Shadow of What Was Lost, a fantasy story built on memory, power, and consequence. Strong worldbuilding. A layered magic system. Big stakes that unfold slowly.Stranton brings Life and Death and Giants, a grounded look at mental health, trauma, and growth. Real stories. Clear takeaways. A different kind of impact.We break down what makes each book work, who it is for, and why stepping outside your usual genre matters.If you are looking to expand your reading list, this episode gives you two strong directions.#BookPodcast #BookRecommendations #ReadingList#FantasyBooks #MentalHealthBooks #PersonalGrowth #BookDiscussion#ReadersOfYouTube #WhatToReadNext #BookSwap #FantasyReads

We hit 50 episodes.Cristiano Sanchez looks back on the run so far. The books that held up. The ones that didn’t. The moments that worked on mic and the ones that forced changes behind the scenes.You’ll hear how the show evolved, what shifted in production, and where things go next. This one stays honest. No rankings. Just what stuck and why.If you’ve been listening from the start or just found the show, this is the reset point.Key moments00:00 Celebrating 50 Episodes03:06 Book Hits and Misses06:07 Overrated Books10:04 Guests and Show Evolution14:48 Community and What’s Next19:49 Production Challenges30:06 Listener MomentsCall to actionSubscribe if you want more conversations like this.Comment your favorite episode or a book we should cover next.#TheMarginsPodcast #BookPodcast #PodcastRecap #ReadingCommunity #BookDiscussion #AuthorInterviews #PodcastGrowth #BooksAndIdeas #Episode50

This week, we break down The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller.We focus on what middle school actually feels like. Identity shifts. Friendship pressure. The awkward reality of growing up.We talk through:How identity forms early and shifts fastThe pressure to fit in and what it costsFriendship dynamics, loyalty, and quiet driftPuberty from both sides, and what gets missedIf you remember middle school clearly, this will hit. If you don’t, this might bring it back.Subscribe for weekly author interviews and real book conversations.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Book01:03 Exploring Middle School Fiction09:41 Author Spotlight: Chanel Miller11:26 Synopsis of The Moon Without Stars15:06 Themes of Puberty and Self Discovery23:17 Friendship and Identity25:58 Embarrassing Moments and Growth30:40 Honesty and Cruelty32:06 Betrayal vs Growing Apart33:20 Rethinking Sex Education40:03 Puberty from Different Perspectives45:00 Finding Value in Everyday Life49:05 Final Takeaways#TheMoonWithoutStars #ChanelMiller #YABooks #ComingOfAge #MiddleSchool #BookPodcast #BookDiscussion #Identity #Friendship #Adolescence #SelfDiscovery #ReadingCommunity #BookTube #PodcastClips #NewBooks

In this episode, we break down Unsouled by Will Wight. We focus on Lindon’s starting point, the structure of the world, and how the story builds tension through limitation instead of power.We talk about:What it means to start at the bottomHow patience shapes the storyFamily pressure and social hierarchyWhy progression fantasy works when growth feels earnedIf you like fantasy with clear systems, steady character growth, and high payoff arcs, this one is worth your time.Key MomentsIntroduction and OverviewCharacter Development and Lindon’s StartFamily Pressure and Social StructureRivalries and RelationshipsRethinking Strength and MasculinityPatience and Slow ProgressRecognition and ValidationSpoiler Discussion and Final Thoughts#Unsouled #WillWight #CradleSeries #ProgressionFantasy #FantasyBooks #BookPodcast

In this episode, Cristiano and Stranton break down Flatland by Edwin Abbott. They explore how a simple geometric world exposes rigid social hierarchies, limits of perception, and the consequences of thinking inside fixed dimensions.This conversation moves from math to meaning. What does it look like to see beyond your current perspective? How do systems keep people in place? And what changes once you realize there may be more than what you can see?Key Moments00:00 Introduction and Book Overview03:39 Exploring the Themes of Flatland06:00 Deep Dive into the Book's Concepts19:53 Five Hard Questions35:30 Trends and What We Are Reading41:21 Five Fantasy Series Recommendations48:01 Final Thoughts and Audio Update#flatland #edwinabbott #scifi #bookpodcast #mentalmodels #perspective #geometry #philosophybooks #socialhierarchy #classicbooks #bookdiscussion #readingcommunity

In this episode, Cristiano and Stranton explore Jeanette McCurdy's novel 'Half His Age,' delving into themes of forbidden love, power dynamics, and personal growth. They discuss the book's portrayal of complex relationships, societal boundaries, and the psychological depth of young characters navigating difficult situations.Chapters00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Book Overview04:49 - Author Spotlight: Jeanette McCurdy12:02 - Exploring the Themes of 'Half His Age'16:07 - Diving Deeper: Five Hard Questions Discussion27:44 - The Illusion of Control30:22 - Recognizing Boundaries in Relationships33:11 - Exploring the Complexity of Personal Growth34:16 - Understanding Waldo's Journey50:46 - Reflections on the Book's Themes#TheMarginsPodcast #HalfHisAge #JeanetteMcCurdy #BookPodcast #BookDiscussion #BookReview #FictionBooks #PsychologicalFiction #ComingOfAge #CharacterAnalysis #ModernFiction #BookTube #ReadersOfYouTube #PodcastClips #BookTalk #ReadingCommunity #LiteraryDiscussion #AuthorSpotlight #RelationshipDynamics #StoryAnalysis