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Cosmere Conversations

Author: Tyler Shotwell & Brooke Silva

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Two lovers of the Cosmere explore the universe created by Brandon Sanderson with biweekly episodes discussing the intricacies of this literary masterpiece. Episodes begin with background information on the Cosmere itself and develop to be more specific regarding each world/novel. We explore the crossovers, magic systems, and characters in great detail. If you’re a fan of Sanderson, literature, epic stories, magic, and wild theorizing—this is the place for you. #AllSpoilers
184 Episodes
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Brooke and Tyler investigate one of the most powerful figures in the entire Cosmere and what it truly means to be a Dawnshard. Rsyn's interlude may have been short but her clash with Hoid is immensely important to both the future and past of the Cosmere. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler discuss the passionate one and their transition to Retribution with two of the Cosmere's most popular content creators. Stormlight Memes and CosmereJunkie join the conversation as we look at all the interludes that involve Odium in Wind and Truth. #AllSpoilers Follow Stormlight Memes on Insta (https://www.instagram.com/stormlightmemes/) Follow Stormlight Memes on Threads (https://www.threads.com/@stormlightmemes) And check out their alt account, HyperfixationHQ (https://www.threads.com/@hyperfixationhq) Follow CosmereJunkie on Insta (https://www.instagram.com/cosmere_junkie/) Follow CosmereJunkie on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@cosmere_junkie?lang=en) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler swap speculative theories about everyone's favorite Herdazian escape artist, re-live the horror in creating the Crystal Inquisitor, and munch on pancakes with an Awakener and an Edgedancer. The Interludes involving The Mink, Moash, Vasher & Lift seem like perfect fodder to be setting up significant characters in the back half of the Stormlight Archive. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler are done hidin', now we're shinin' like we're born to be...talking about one of the most mystical group of voyagers in the Cosmere. We look at Dyel's interlude from Wind and Truth and investigate her visitors from the 17th Shard, the mighty Cusicesh, and the history of the Iriali's Long Trail. #AllSpoilers Warning: This episode contains minor spoilers about Isles of the Emberdark. Not major plot points but aspects of the broader Cosmere. Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler hail the arrival of Emily Sanderson (!), Chief Operating Officer of Dragonsteel Books. We discuss the business practices and Dragonsteel's growth over the last decade, the Lightweaver Organization charity started by Emily and Brandon, and the logistical plans and challenges for this year's Dragonsteel Nexus 2025. There are no major spoilers discussed in the episode and it can be listened to by anyone. #NoSpoilers Link to learn more about the Lightweaver Foundation (https://www.lightweaverfoundation.org/) Link to Intentionally Blank Podcast Ep. 149 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GmTEBZZXL6w) Dragonsteel Books (https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/) Check out our website (https://cosmereconversations.com) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler read between the chapters for tidbits from the interludes. What can Kalak, Felt, El, Baxil and Axies teach us about the hidden secrets of the Cosmere? #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler hang out with the team behind the 2024 Worldhopper Ball and chat about the behind the scenes of the event and nerd out about the Cosmere. We cover the cast's acting backgrounds and love of all things Sanderson, how they get into character for the Ball, and what the event meant to all of them. This event was originally a livestream and can be watched in full on youtube (https://youtube.com/live/Z21Di0ajfdk). #AlmostAllSpoilers Paladin Creative - Brandon Finn, Monika Finn https://www.createwithpaladin.com/ Follow Paladin Creative on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/paladincreative/) Adolin Kholin: Jackson Miller ( @jacksupertoast ) Jasnah Kholin: Wex Le ( @ambiwextrous ) Navani Kholin: Cathy Ford ( @cathyfordmusic ) Shallan Davar: Savannah Carrasco ( @officialsavannahcarrasco ) Wit: Jackson Dickert ( @jacksondauthor ) Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorJacksonDickert) The Client: @dragonsteelbooks @brandsanderson (https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler invite Lydia Suen, Lead Writer of the Cosmere RPG, and Lyla McBeath Fujiwara, Stonewalkers Adventure Book Lead, to discuss the digital release of the Cosmere RPG and the Stonewalkers campaign. We discuss Lydia and Lyla's path to becoming worldbuilders, the mechanics of the Cosmere RPG's Plotweaver System, and how the Stonewalkers campaign went from idea to full campaign. This episode does not include major spoilers for the Stonewalkers campaign and can be listened to by gamers and non-gamers alike. #AlmostAllSpoilers Follow Brotherwise on Socials to get more news about the launch and all their exciting projects. Instagram: @brotherwisegames (https://www.instagram.com/brotherwisegames) @cosmererpg (https://www.instagram.com/cosmererpg) Bluesky: @brotherwisegames.bsky.social‬ (https://bsky.app/profile/brotherwisegames.bsky.social) TikTok: @brotherwisegames (https://www.tiktok.com/@brotherwisegames) YouTube: @brotherwisegames (https://www.youtube.com/@BrotherwiseGames) Threads: @brotherwisegames (https://www.threads.com/@brotherwisegames) Brotherwise Games Discord Launch Party. Friday, July 25. 11am PT/2pm ET (https://discord.gg/nVAEA9cYE3?event=1387862029888520242) Worldhopper Ball Reunion Live Stream. Saturday, July 26. 1pm PT/3pm ET (https://www.youtube.com/@CosmereConvo) Shard of Opportunity. A Cosmere RPG Web Series. (https://www.youtube.com/@ShardofOpportunity) An actual play of the Cosmere RPG split into two different groups. One following the canon stories (Tyler is here!) produced by Brotherwise and one homebrewing their own tales. Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler finally take a chance at defining the most complicated being in the Cosmere. Is the Stormfather a spren, a cognitive shadow, the last remnant of a dying god, or something in between? Then we transition to explore what happens as one great power ends during Wind and Truth and another is born with the creation of the New Oathpact. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler have their first return guest as Jen Neal ( Creative Development at Dragonsteel ) helps get a handle on what comes next for the Cosmere after the climactic ending of Wind and Truth. Together the trio looks at how Retribution will impact the ecology and characters on Roshar, the coming clash with Harmony, and how the true battle has only just begun. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler clash atop the tower of Urithiru to understand exactly what happened in the final chapters of Wind and Truth.We explore Dalinar's ascension, his conversation with Nohadon, the renunciation of oaths, and the birth of the Cosmere's greatest villain—Retribution. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler trap themselves in the depths of suffering with Ba-Ado-Mishram in order to learn about the Era of Solitude, the imprisonment of an Unmade, and the Recreance caused by the breaking of Honor. #AllSpoilers Katie Payne Artwork that you could win (https://www.patreon.com/posts/become-or-remain-127701309?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler listen intently to guests Krishna Patel and Paul-chan as they teach us all about music theory and how Sanderson's stories blend different aspects into the magic and worlds. Our conversation begins with a description of tone, melody, and rhythms before a crescendo of speculation about how we can apply our musical knowledge to the magic systems of the Cosmere. #AllSpoilers Follow Krishna Patel (https://www.instagram.com/thekryptidreader/) Follow Paul-chan (https://paul-chan.one/) Songs/clips that can be heard in this episode: Whitacre - Sleep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw5gupbe9E0) Example of tritones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQdCRy5bbX0) Saint-Saens - Danse Macabre (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbmT-I35k10) Gayatri Mantra from Battlestar Galactica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4UPJv08c1k) Example of atonal music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD6XmKnLs8M) Sanskrit chanting (https://www.vimeo.com/49429193) Katie Payne Artwork that you could win (https://www.patreon.com/posts/become-or-remain-127701309?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler take a look at the biggest surprise of Wind and Truth and how the "fourth moon" of Roshar fits into the destruction of the Shattered Plains and leads directly to the Heralds breaking the Oathpact at Aharietiam. #AllSpoilers Katie Payne Artwork that you could win (https://www.patreon.com/posts/become-or-remain-127701309?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler invite Tik Tok and Instagram content creator @malinda.the.grey to discuss the current state of the apps, a Wind and Truth mini-mid-game, and the variance in creating short-form versus long-form content. Malinda ends with an absolute tour de force, TED talk-worthy explanation of how apps like Tik Tok, Reels, and Shorts encourage content creation to reflect their various algorithms. #AlmostAllSpoilers: Malinda was about halfway through Wind and Truth at the time of recording so we only discuss content up until that point in the story. Follow that.cosmere.chick on socials: Tik Tok (https://www.tiktok.com/@that.cosmere.chick?lang=en) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/That.Cosmere.Chick/) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@ThatCosmereChick) Full Linktree (https://linktr.ee/that.cosmere.chick) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler peer into the past in order to witness the founding of the Oathpact, a terribly-trippy Hoid, and learn all about the ever-escalating arms race between Honor and Odium. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler invite Youtuber Bookborn to discuss the Cosmere, her thoughts on Wind and Truth, creating content in the modern world, and how she built her channel over years by harnessing all the Elsecaller skills. #AllSpoilers Follow Bookborn: On YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/Bookborn) On Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bookborn.reviews) RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. If you would like to learn more or donate to help victims of sexual assault please visit their website: https://rainn.org/ Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler travel through time to the dawn of the Shattering and the true beginnings of Roshar. We discuss the new lore and updated timeline including Adonalsium's creation of the planet, the arrival and early activity of Honor and Cultivation, and the destruction of Ashyn. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler are joined by long-time Cosmere contributor and Arcanist Jofwu to discuss cognitive shadows' origins and complexities. Perhaps the fandom's most debated and speculated-upon question is "What are cognitive shadows and how do they work?" We look at different types of cognitive entities across various planets, categorize how they are created, and wonder whether or not a cognitive shadow is/was/or will be(!) a soul. #AllSpoilers Jofwu's Timeline Spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zq5bJoKE83ggDCjH43i1hZi0CIpB2iAx7v37zQPVFK0/edit?gid=856252766#gid=856252766) Interactive Map of Roshar (https://roshar.17thshard.com/#/en-US) Follow Jofwu on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jofwu17) Listen to Jofwu's recent episodes on Shardcast (https://youtu.be/gM-s7NtgMQY?si=KKq1e_wKWDi5kdQu) Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
Brooke and Tyler finally discuss Wind and Truth! We review the predictions made both right and wrong, gush about our favorite moments, and share our rough cuts from Stormlight Archive Book 5. The time for the hashtag you've been waiting for is now here. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CosmereConversations) Original music by David Gruwier (https://twitter.com/DGruwier). "Radiant" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CFAZUv4C0) by David Gruwier.
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Comments (22)

Samuel Atwater

I haven't listened yet, but I already love it! looking forward to it when I can make the time! been excited for another new episode, and this one sounds amazing!

Sep 2nd
Reply (1)

Mitch Roper

a treasure trove of stormlight... a stormlight archive? THE stormlight archive?

Jun 24th
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Mitch Roper

The scene with the Vision of Nohadon advising Dal-Honor is the biggest mystery (or Answer-hidden-in-plain-sight) yet. I think "Nohadon" is the remnant of Adonalsium (who was never really killed--but transformed) who has been lurking u der the radar since the Shattering. Remember that the letter H is a wild card in the Symmatics religious symmetrical-spelling system. So what would the pure symmetrical spelling be? NodadoN... or rather, nodAdon. Adon mirrored forward and backward.

Jun 23rd
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Mitch Roper

Guys, the Fourth Moon is made of Aluminium. It's that simple.

May 8th
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Mitch Roper

Re: the creation of ANTI-Stormlight and the INTENT required to make it... Couldn't Odium, who has the intent to destroy all the other Shards, have created the Anti-Stormlight in the vaccuum of their collision?

May 8th
Reply

Mitch Roper

The Iriali! Yes! I think the Iriali actually ARE the One Become Many, in the Shard of Reason, "who has disappeared," EurIdRIus (can't spell Euridrius without IRI) and this quote from the Spiritual-Realm-rendered-Hoid avatar is a major clue! Just wait and see!

May 7th
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Mitch Roper

"The Blackthorn" is a Spren - Spren of Odium, arguably even an Unmade. I thought that was pretty explicit from the description given at the end of W&T. An idea made alive - The larger-than-life reputation of a(n in)famous man, embodying a certain Intent and fed by the perceptions of masses of people, given memories it should not have from the man himself, and then seized upon by a Shard, infused with that Shard's Intent and given life. Not Dalinar's cognitive shadow. Spren.

Feb 19th
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Mitch Roper

I was so satisfied to finally get this episode from you two! Thank you. So many moments to reflect on! One Cosmere connection I was surprised you didn't mention was the odd phenomenon Shallan experienced in the Spiritual Realm, where she was seeing everything as slightly blurred into overlapping images of yellow, magenta and cyan... kinda like the split-apart Investiture on Komashi in Yumi & the Nightmare Painter. Coincidence? Unlikely...

Feb 13th
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Mitch Roper

Can a Cognitive Shadow become a Vessel of a Shard? YES! Kelsior does just this (albeit for a short time) in Mistborn Secret History.

Jan 31st
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Mitch Roper

The moment between moments when Kaladin talks with Tien and sees him as he would be... what a cathartic moment! I was getting emotional even listening to you two talking about it! Wow.

Nov 11th
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Denne

regarding sleepless. assuming all sleepless have about the same knowledge about leaving a sphere while invested. this would mean that kelsier would have that knowledge too, since there's a sleepless in the ghostbloods i think. also i kinda hope that sleepless can't communicate from sphere to sphere. that would be rather overpowered. I'm hoping there's an inworld reason for the whole 'soul' of the swarm needing to move from realm to realm. otherwise the ghostbloods should have an internet of swarm by now. give each agent a swarmling. then put a few on both sides of the nexus points of both realms and cosmere swarm slack inc is born. sleepless sidenote. would be interesting to see what happens when you catch part of a sleepless in an aluminum box.

Nov 7th
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Denne

i think the skybreaker dude wanted to prevent the desolations from coming back. Kinda the inverse of the sons of honor. they wanted to activate a desolation to get knights radiant back. skybreaker guy kills any all knight radiants prospects because he's afraid that the desolation will come because of them. what's weird to me is that there should be no way to trigger a desolation. they are supposed to be fully triggered by the tortured giving in to the torture.

Nov 7th
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Denne

Just discovered this podcast. very interesting discussion 👍 Regarding atium. according to brandon somewhere. he said that marsh is still using atium to keep himself from aging while sazed was haony already. so atium didn't disappear from the world it seems. I agree that it shouldn't be created now. if there is a metal deposit ot should be harmony. absolutely loved your theory about the 'go boom' metal being Harmony's (discord's!!) metal. didn't cross my mind as a possibility. kinda hope it's. ot true, because i like the character too much for that. 😅

Nov 7th
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Shaun Hughes

you mention the medallion tech of the southern scadrians but you seem to have mixed up who actually gave them the tech. it was a religious figure, from the north, who died but it was not rashek. the vision that wax has at the end of bands should have been a big reveal, scars on the arms and a spike through one eye.

Jun 7th
Reply

James Herrett

I have always thought creation spren would be the lightweaver plate.

Jun 9th
Reply (1)

James Herrett

Happy (late) congratulations on y'all's wedding! May it be blessed by the Stormfather.

Sep 17th
Reply

James Herrett

Woot! Love you two, every episode you release is appreciated! Keep up the good work. From a huge fan.

Jul 2nd
Reply

Justin

Funny that you mention the Kolo thing with galadon in your elantris reread. I'm reading the annotations now and Brandon said his editor cut more than half of them lol. love the show guys keep it up

May 3rd
Reply

Xavi Ankhleah Morales

you two are excellent! It's rare to meet a duo who know this material this well. thank you

Dec 30th
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Peter Austin

thanks for your superb fandom. I used to think i had delved deep into all things Sanderson. But y'all knew tons pree oathbringer that i didn't even know had been available until it came out. This podcast is helping me feel that fan community in the way i want. thanks.

Jan 29th
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