Myths, Games & Meaning
What do Greek gods, video games, and popular culture actually have in common?
I'm Dr Dani Shalet. In Myths, Games & Meaning, I sit down with scholars, performers, storytellers, and creatives to explore how ancient myth keeps resurfacing in the culture around us today. We look at how these stories move from antiquity into video games, films, books, and the worlds we build through play.
From Medusa to Middle earth, from the Hero's Journey to Tomb Raider and Baldur's Gate, we dig into the threads that shape contemporary storytelling, and the ways we express our hopes, fears, and identities through storytelling and imagination.
If you're drawn to mythology, folklore, narrative design, or the tales woven through the games and stories we love, you'll feel right at home here.
More at https://www.mythsgamesmeaning.com
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About the Host:
Dr Dani Shalet is a theologian, mythologist, educator, and lifelong gamer who explores how humans make meaning through story, from ancient legend to modern games. She brings a warm, thoughtful approach to conversations with actors, scholars, creatives, and fans, drawing on her academic background to make complex ideas feel accessible, cosy, and alive.
Through Myths, Games & Meaning, she invites listeners into a queer aware, emotionally intelligent space where narrative, culture, and identity meet.
New episodes released throughout the year.
Episodes
10 episodes
Pax Romana's Aqua Vitae: A Myth of Revelation (with Tom Nolan Kelly TIVA)
Rome is burning. The Four Horsemen are riding. And somehow that's the same story as a Fallout quest.In this special episode: I sit down with writer Tom Nolan Kelly, co-founder of TIVA (True Indie Voice Art) "a collective of ...
Medusa Unbound: Fear, Seduction, and Reclaiming Power (with Dr Gina Bevan)
Medusa has been a monster, a warning, a victim, and a symbol. In this episode, Dr Dani Shalet is joined by Dr Gina Bevan, whose work explores pop culture, gender, queer narratives, and ancient myth. Together they trace Medusa’s shifting ...
Karlach: The Making of a Modern Mythic Hero (with Samantha Béart)
In this episode, I’m joined by Samantha Béart for a lively conversation on performance, storytelling, and the myth of Karlach. This one is particularly special to me, as Sam was one of my very first interviews and has been incredibly supportive...
A Little Reflection and a Big Thank You
This episode is a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s been listening, supporting, and sharing this podcast. I’m endlessly grateful for every guest who has offered their time and stories, and for every listener who has stayed with me, even thr...
Assassin's Creed Odyssey & Fenyx Rising: Greek Myth in Video Games (with Nanci Santos)
In this episode, I continue my conversation with Nanci Santos as we return to the complicated, and often affectionate, relationship between myth, archaeology, and video games.We revisit Apotheon, one of Nanci’s favourite titles, and talk...
Hamunaptra & Other Places We Probably Shouldn’t Explore: AC Odyssey, Lara Croft & The Mummy (with Nanci Santos)
After a short hiatus, Dani returns to the mic and is joined by special guest and friend Nanci Santos for a conversation about ancient adventures, fandom joy, and the role video games played in keeping people connected to the ancient world durin...
From Lara Croft to Dragonlance: Mythology in Games & Fantasy (with Earl Baylon)
Welcome back to Myths, Games & Meaning. This episode took a little longer to land than usual after I lost my voice with a chest infection, but I’m really glad to be back, especially for Part Two of my conversation with Earl Baylon, actor, g...
Tolkien to Baldur's Gate 3: Myth, Moria & Modern Fantasy (with Earl Baylon)
In this special two-part conversation, Dr. Dani Shalet sits down with her friend, actor and voice talent Earl Baylon (Jonah from Tomb Raider). In Part 1, they dive headfirst into their shared love of gaming, geek culture, and myth.From R...
The Hero's Journey: Wizard of Oz, Poppy Fields, Emerald Cities & the Illusion of Authority in Myth
In this episode of Myths, Games & Meaning, Dr. Dani Shalet is joined by Dr. Chris Deacy and Dr. Paul March-Russell to explore myth, authority, and the hero’s journey through The Wizard of Oz.Continuing our journey with Dorothy, we mo...
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’s journey in The Wizard of Oz as a gu...