Myths, Games & Meaning
What do Greek gods, video games, and film have in common? More than you’d think.
I’m Dr Dani Shalet, and in Myths, Games & Meaning I sit down with enthusiasts of every kind, scholars, performers, storytellers, and gamers, to explore how ancient myths are constantly reimagined for today’s audiences. From Medusa to Middle-earth, from the Hero’s Journey to Baldur’s Gate, we’ll dig into the stories that shape our culture, our games, and ourselves.
If you love myth, gaming, film, and finding fresh meaning in the stories we tell, you’ll feel right at home here.
Episodes are released bi-weekly.
Join the conversation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mythsgamesmeaning/
Myths, Games & Meaning
The Journey Begins: Dorothy, the Hero’s Journey, and Why Myth Still Matters
In the very first episode of Myths, Games & Meaning, Dr. Dani Shalet is joined by Dr. Chris Deacy and Dr. Paul March-Russell to explore the enduring power of myth in our lives. Using Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz as a guide, they unpack the hero’s journey as a universal narrative structure and consider how myth continues to shape culture, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves.
The conversation touches on Joseph Campbell’s lasting influence, the importance of gender perspectives in understanding hero narratives, and the role of myth in making sense of contemporary challenges. They also ask: what happens when we treat myth as absolute truth — and what dangers arise when stories stop being questioned?
Join us as the journey begins, tracing the path from yellow brick roads to the myths we live by every day.