In this special two-part conversation, I sit down with my friend of ten years, actor and voice talent Earl Baylon (Jonah from Tomb Raider). In Part 1, we dive headfirst into our shared love of gaming, geek culture, and myth. From Return to Moria and Baldur’s Gate 3 romances, to Dragonlance nostalgia, D&D campaigns, and why fandom still makes us laugh, we celebrate the joy (and chaos) of being lifelong geeks.

This episode is raw, fun, and full of heart, more like a chat between two friends than a formal interview. If you’ve ever lost yourself in fantasy worlds, argued over Star Wars lore, or stayed up too late around a gaming table, you’ll feel right at home here.

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In this continuation of our journey through The Wizard of Oz, Dr. Dani Shalet, Dr. Chris Deacy, and Dr. Paul March-Russell explore the rich symbolism woven into Dorothy’s path. From the trials of the Poppy Field to the shining promise of the Emerald City, and finally the Wizard’s unmasking as “just a man,” the conversation uncovers how myth challenges authority, offers escape, and fosters shared meaning.

Along the way, we consider the ritual power of watching films together, the cyclical nature of the hero’s journey, and how retelling myths helps us make sense of desire, transformation, and community.

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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.

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