For our milestone 100th episode, Epic Realms welcomes back our very first guest: award-winning game designer, puzzle mastermind, and president of Lone Shark Games, Mike Selinker.

Mike and Nick dive into how the tabletop world has shifted since the pandemic — from game store survival to unexpected hits and long-delayed projects now seeing the light of day. We check in on Lone Shark Games, Monster Academy, Betrayal at House on the Hill, and new puzzle experiences like Lexicon Lane at Washington DC’s Planet Word Museum.

We also explore the the landscape and challenges of the game industry in our current time, and the evolution of the industry. As well as their new puzzle kickstarter!

Don’t miss this fun, full-circle conversation with one of the most fascinating minds in games — only on Epic Realms. https://www.lonesharkgames.com

Puzzle Party on Backerkit - https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/lone-shark-games/the-hunting-of-the-shark-lone-shark-puzzle-books

Lexicon Lane -Washington DC Planet Word Museum Exhibit. https://planetwordmuseum.org/lexicon-lane/ Epic Realms Website - www.EpicRealmsMedia.com

In this episode of Epic Realms, host Nick sits down with poet and editor Hailey Spencer to explore her journey through storytelling, healing, and self-discovery. Hailey shares how her childhood shaped her creative path and how she came to embrace poetry as her chosen medium. Together, they dive deep into the meaning of fairy tales, folklore, myths, and legends, unpacking their differences and emotional resonance.

Hailey offers thoughtful insight into how writing can be both therapeutic and challenging, and how her own struggles became part of the stories she tells. The conversation also covers the evolution of her work across collections, culminating in her latest book, Glass Labyrinth, a unique choose-your-own-path poetry experience. https://www.haileyspencerwrites.com/ Also Check out our new website at EpicRealmsMedia.com

Join us on this episode of Epic Realms as we welcome author and storyteller Nathan Crowder! Creator of the superhero universe Cobalt City, Nathan blends comic book flair with literary grit. We talk about writing, world-building, tabletop RPG's, Influences, and how a childhood shaped by books, and RPGs led to an award-winning career in speculative fiction. https://nathan-crowder.com/

This week on Epic Realms, Nick welcomes author Paul G. Vecchiet, writer of the thought-provoking novel The Disclosure Paradox.

In this episode, we dive into the real-life experiences that inspired Paul’s speculative fiction, including his time as a U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer and the discovery of cryogenics in unexpected military blueprints. We explore themes of meditation, spiritual awakening, skepticism of religion, and the connections between consciousness and the UFO and UAP phenomena.

Paul shares how his own journey parallels that of the book’s main character, and we discuss what’s next in his universe, including the upcoming prequel and sequel to The Disclosure Paradox.

If you’re fascinated by government secrets, spiritual mysteries, and the unknown, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. https://thedisclosureparadox.com/ Check out our Sponsor - Hello Fresh https://strms.net/hellofresh_epic_realms Or Use Code: POGHF158359 at Checkout

In this episode of Epic Realms, Nick is joined by author and writer Kelli Fitzpatrick.

Kelli is a science fiction writer, game writer, and teacher. She is the author of Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers Declassified (BenBella Books, 2025) and a contributing writer for the Star Trek Adventures roleplaying game from Modiphius. Her story “The Sunwalkers” won the 2016 Strange New Worlds contest from Simon and Schuster. Her short fiction has been published by Baen Books, Crazy 8 Press, Flash Fiction Online, and more. She also writes essays on sci-fi pop culture for outlets like StarTrek.com, Women at Warp, and anthologies from Sequart and ATB Publishing. Kelli has even written for NASA’s Hubble outreach and Arizona State University’s Interplanetary Initiative. On top of it all, she has more than a decade of experience teaching high school and college courses.

We talk about her early life and the geeky inspirations that led her into writing, watching Star Trek with her family, playing board games, and how those experiences sparked a love for storytelling. During National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Kelli challenged her students to join her in writing a novel, which inspired her to later submit a story to a Star Trek fiction contest that she ended up winning. That moment opened the door to a whole new world.

We also dive into her many anthology projects, how she joined Modiphius, and her unexpected but rewarding introduction to tabletop roleplaying games. She shares how RPGs have helped her grow as a writer and how they can benefit others too. Plus, we talk about her passion for Marvel and her recent Carol Danvers Marvel book, how the character shaped her fandom and why getting to tell that story was such a meaningful opportunity.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that blends fandom, education, creativity, and the power of storytelling.

This special charity livestream for AIM Youth Mental Health featured bestselling author Michael Witwer as we explored the rich history of Dungeons & Dragons. From the game's origins with Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson to its lasting impact on pop culture, we covered the creators' influences, original monsters, and behind-the-scenes stories. We also took audience questions live during the show for an interactive look at the world’s most iconic roleplaying game. If you are interested in checking out or helping with AIM Youth Mental Health see our link below! https://aimymh.org/

In this episode of Epic Realms, we sit down with legendary author and game designer Bruce Nesmith to explore his incredible career spanning decades of storytelling. From his early days at TSR, crafting unforgettable adventures for Dungeons & Dragons in settings like Ravenloft and Spelljammer, to his influential work as a freelancer across the tabletop RPG industry, Bruce has helped shape the worlds we love.

We dive into his time at Bethesda, where he played key roles in iconic titles like Skyrim, Fallout, and Starfield. Now enjoying retirement, Bruce continues to share his imagination through original fantasy novels. This is an unforgettable conversation with a true titan of fantasy and gaming! ---------------------- Check out our Sponsor Factor75 - Chef made meals delivered to your door! Use my link to get 50% off and free shipping on your first Factor box! https://strms.net/factor75_epic_realms Code: FACTORSE69608

Jim Zub is a powerhouse in the world of comics and storytelling. Known for his work on Dungeons & Dragons, Avengers, Conan the Barbarian, and creator-owned series like Skullkickers and Wayward, Jim blends action, humor, and heart in everything he writes. Join us as we dive into his creative career, his love for RPGs, and the stories behind some of your favorite characters and comics! https://www.jimzub.com/ Also check out our Sponsor at Factor75

ou can try it out today and get 50% off your first order plus free shipping with my code FACTORSE69608. That’s FACTORSE69608—check it out and support the show at the same time! https://strms.net/factor75_epic_realms