Mulling It Over - with Brandon Mull

In this listener-requested episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto are joined by author Tyler Whitesides to explore one of the most common pieces of writing advice: "Show, don't tell." Together, they discuss what it really means, when to use it, and when telling might actually be the better choice. It's a fun and insightful conversation about bringing stories to life through effective storytelling.

Veeda Bybee joins Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown to discuss her love of food, writing, and storytelling. She shares the inspiration behind her first cookbook and how writing down her mother's recipes as part of her mother's final wish taught her the art of writing recipes. Along the way, the conversation explores the many connections between great recipes and great stories.

In this episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto talk about the flow state, those moments when creativity takes over and the work seems to flow naturally. They discuss how they get into flow, what can interrupt it, and how writers and other creatives can create the right conditions to do their best work.

Award-winning author Veeda Bybee joins Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown to discuss her journey from journalism to writing children's books. She shares how her reporting background shaped her storytelling, what inspired her career change, and the unique challenges and rewards of writing for young readers. It's a thoughtful conversation about creativity, perseverance, and finding your path as a writer.

In this episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto talk about fear, from their own personal fears to the fears that shape fictional characters. They explore how fear can influence writing, create conflict, and help make characters feel more real. It’s a fun and personal conversation about how fear can be a powerful tool in storytelling.

In the third and final episode of this series with Janci Patterson, Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown discuss Janci’s experience with ADHD and how it has shaped her creative life. Janci and Shelly both share their experiences with ADHD, exploring the challenges and strengths that come with thinking differently. Together, they discuss strategies for managing the writing process, the ways ADHD can influence storytelling, and how neurodiversity can be a creative advantage. It’s an honest and encouraging conversation about creativity, writing, and embracing the way your mind works.

In this episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto explore terms of venery, the unusual names used for groups of animals. They look at some of the strangest real examples, venture into terms for fantasy creatures, and then invent new ones for creatures from Brandon’s own books. It’s a fun conversation about language, fantasy, and the strange ways we name things.

In this episode, Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown continue their conversation with Janci Patterson, discussing her experiences collaborating with bestselling author Brandon Sanderson and other writers. Janci shares what it takes to successfully coauthor a book, how collaboration differs from writing solo, and the unique challenges and rewards that come from creating stories as a team. It’s an insightful look at the collaborative side of the writing world.

In the second episode with bestselling author Christopher Paolini, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto talk with Christopher about writing compelling character relationships and how those relationships drive a story forward. They also discuss upcoming film and television projects connected to both authors’ work, and what it’s like seeing stories move from page to screen. It’s a fun conversation about storytelling, adaptation, and the future of their creative worlds.

In this episode, Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown are joined by bestselling author Janci Patterson to talk about how she got started as a writer. Janci shares her path to publication, the challenges she faced along the way, and the lessons she learned while building a successful writing career. It’s an encouraging conversation for aspiring authors looking to take the next step in their own journey.