Idiosyncratic Fables

Join us on Idiosyncratic Fables for a delightfully chaotic conversation with Reck Well, the LitRPG and cozy fantasy author behind the Potions and Perils series and the wildly entertaining Stumbling Up: A Loser’s Guide to Progression. In this episode, Reck dives into their journey from private writer to published author, the joys of writing deeply flawed characters who somehow keep leveling up, and why “loser protagonist...

Join us for an inspiring and high-energy conversation with one of LitRPG’s most prolific and multifaceted authors — Sean Oswald! From serving as a US Marine straight out of high school to earning a degree in ancient languages, doing missionary work in India, practicing law, and raising nine children, Sean brings a wealth of real-life experience to his storytelling. He’s the bestselling author of the hit series Wel...

In this episode, we sit down with Lars Machmüller — Danish author, family man, and one of LitRPG’s most creative voices. From writing quirky bards who solve problems with music and wits to reincarnated dragons conquering the world and high-stakes card-deck battles, Lars has carved out a unique space in the genre with humor, heart, and smart game systems. We dive into his journey from part-time writer to full-time author...

What happens when a successful electrical engineer walks away from circuit boards and business ownership to chase a passion for storytelling? You get one of the most versatile and compelling voices in audiobooks today. In this episode, I sit down with award-winning, SOVAS-nominated SAG-AFTRA narrator Gary Bennett. With over 270 audiobooks narrated for major publishers including Blackstone, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and more,...

Join us for an epic deep dive with Erick Thiemke, better known as AlwaysRollsAOne, the author of the hit military LitRPG series A Soldier’s Life! In this episode, Erick shares how his lifelong experience as a Dungeon Master shaped his writing, the story behind his memorable pen name, and the gritty realities of legion life in a brutal fantasy empire. We explore Eryk’s hard-earned progression, balancing LitRPG mechanics ...

Join us for a warm and insightful conversation with veteran audiobook narrator John Hopkinson. With over 70 titles narrated, John is beloved for his rich, resonant voice that listeners describe as a “fatherly embrace of wisdom.” A devoted dad of eight and grandpa of seven, he brings heart, depth, and authenticity to every project.

In this episode, John shares his journey into narration, his preparation process inside th...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with award-winning SAG-AFTRA audiobook narrator Steve Campbell! With over 140 titles and 1,000+ finished hours under his belt, Steve specializes in LitRPG, Fantasy, and YA fiction. From high school performer and construction company owner to full-time narrator in just 1.5 years, Steve shares his remarkable journey, home studio secrets, character voice techniques, industry insights, and tips for...

In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with award-winning voice actor, podcast host, and storyteller Cheryl Holling. From her early days in radio to creating the acclaimed podcast 19Stories: From Fear to Hope during the height of the pandemic, Cheryl has dedicated her career to the power of authentic human connection through voice.

We explore how she turned personal challenges into fuel for resilience, why the human voice rema...

Join us for a fun, spicy conversation with Melissa Gramling — better known as Little Lissa from the popular YouTube series The Ramblin Gramling Show!

Together with narrator John Solo, Little Lissa delivers weekly recaps, hilarious banter, and candid reviews of the newest MM romance audiobook releases. In this episode, she shares how she fell in love with the genre, what makes an audiobook truly shine, her favorite (and most s...

In this inspiring episode of Idiosyncratic Fables, I sit down with audiobook industry trailblazer Jocqueline Protho. As the founder of The Audio Flow, award-winning producer, director, casting director, and narrator, Jocqueline has shaped the world of audio storytelling through her dedication to quality, diversity, and mentorship.

From her roots in broadcast journalism and religious studies to building a company known for heartfelt...

From reading books aloud to her auditory-learner father as a young girl, to producing homemade book CDs for family and friends, Sarah Kisko always had a natural gift for bringing stories to life.

The real turning point? When her own kids started turning off other audiobooks, declaring that “Mom was better.” That honest feedback gave her the push to go professional — all while homeschooling her family.

In this epis...

In 2023, Evan Kidwell stood up at a leadership conference and made a public promise that terrified him: he would publish his first novel by the end of 2024. No safety net. No excuses. Today on the show, debut author Evan Kidwell (writing as E.K. Kidwell) joins us to share exactly how that scary promise became the award-winning YA fantasy Timeaous Spark and the Luck Curse. Set in the breathtaking world of Mythantas, this 332-page ep...

Dive into the world of audiobooks with one of the industry's most versatile and prolific voices! In this episode of Idiosyncratic Fables, I sit down with Chris Ciulla, the award-winning narrator known as @BostonVoiceGuy.

With over 600 audiobooks narrated—including multiple Earphones Awards and an Audie in the mix—Chris has brought grit, heart, and killer accents to thrillers, noir, horror, and more. He's the voice behin...

As a fellow narrator, I was thrilled to welcome John Solo to Idiosyncratic Fables! We geek out over the art of audiobook narration, building voices for complex characters, navigating steamy MM romance moments, staying true across multi-book series, and the joy of stories that stick with you.

John opens up about his favorites, collaborations with top authors, trends in the genre, and tips for breaking in. If his voice has ever made ...

I sat down with the incredible married duo behind @237collective — Abby Long-Williams and Paxton Williams — right here in Cedar Rapids. From Paxton's graffiti-inspired upcycled fashion shows to creating a welcoming 'third place' for underrepresented artists, poetry nights, open studios, and community magic... their story is a modern fable about turning passion into a thriving non-profit hub.

Be sure to follow them on In...