Shardcast: The Brandon Sanderson Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Who's That Cosmere Character (2026 Edition) Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the New Year! We're back with a new full Who's That Cosmere Character episode, and it may just be our most entertaining one yet. Enjoy Ben's deviousness as well as inability to hear or recognize the characters guessed, as well as some incredible guesses from our contestants. Today we have Ben (Overlord Jebus), Evgeni (Argent), Grace (thegatorgirl), and Ene (AonEne)! Chapters: 0:00:00 Introductions 0:02:09 Number 1 0:06:06 Number 2 0:07:55 Number 3 0:14:15 Number 4 (Twist!) 0:16:51 Number 5 0:20:37 Number 6 0:26:00 Number 7 0:32:33 Number 8 (Damn you Mehr) 0:39:39 Number 9 0:42:45 Number 10 0:49:49 Number 11 0:59:23 Number 12 (Twist!) 1:07:03 Number 13 1:07:52 Number 14 1:15:36 Number 15 1:23:02 Number 16 (Twist!) 1:24:57 Conclusion If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

State of the Sanderson 2025 + Dragonsteel Nexus Recap Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

We're doing our annual State of the Sanderson live Shardcast! We start by talking about Dragonsteel Nexus, and the news there, before getting into the SotS news topics. This episode we have Eric (Chaos), Ian (Weiry), Evgeni (Argent), Matt (Comatose), and Ene (Aon Ene)! State of the Sanderson blog: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/blogs/blog/state-of-the-sanderson-2025 If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

The Sleepless and the Grand Apparatus Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

Well, we learned a bunch about the Sleepless in Isles of the Emberdark, so it's time to finally talk about them in detail. We talk about them on Roshar (with a long digression on the Dawnshard), as well as them in space age, and we end talking about the Grand Apparatus. Our cast for this episode is Eric (Chaos), David (Windrunner), Grace (thegatorgirl), Bonnie (Cosmeregirl), and Adim (AAKS)! Thumbnail for this episode is Nikli, by Shuravf: https://coppermind.net/wiki/File:Nikli_by_Shuravf.jpg 0:00:00 Introductions 0:02:16 Lost Metal leatherbound 0:08:44 Fandom history on the Sleepless 0:16:17 Physiology 0:31:41 Origin Conspiracy Theories 0:40:53 Dawnshard stuff 0:55:30 Sleepless on Roshar stuff 1:35:00 Space Age Stuff 1:54:44 The Grand Apparatus 2:30:40 Who's That Cosmere Character If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

Cosmere RPG Lore Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

We are finally back to talk about the lore from the Stormlight RPG Handbook and World Guide! We go through all the Ideals and some odds and ends too. This episode we have Eric (Chaos), Evgeni (Argent), Adim (AAKS), and Bonnie (Cosmeregirl)! Our Previous RPG episode: https://youtu.be/ap_zV-5-ZGk?si=VOIFmDuxVIsl3Sjw Halloween Livestream (about the Elantris sequels): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkyVNtUNwXU Thumbnail by Gal Or: https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/1lf29s1/radiants_of_urithiru_by_gal_or/ 0:00:00 Introductions and Show & Tell 0:11:15 News: No More Elantris Sequels!? (Okay, not really) 0:21:40 RPG Lore 0:26:45 What Did We Learn? 0:30:43 Windrunners 0:35:56 Skybreakers 0:37:19 Dustbringers 0:48:36 Edgedancers 0:59:36 Truthwatchers 1:05:23 Lightweavers 1:12:21 Elsecallers 1:18:17 Willshapers 1:25:37 Stonewards 1:36:11 Bondsmiths 1:38:39 Other Lore Stuffs 2:17:37 Who's That Cosmere Character If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

Dragons (Part 2) Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

A topic too great to be contained to a single episode, the deep-dive into Cosmere dragons continues! It's time for all the things we didn't get to in the first episode, as the cast gets progressively more manic the longer this marathon recording continues. Today's cast includes Eric (Chaos), Ian (Weiry), Evgeni (Argent) and Bonnie (Cosmeregirl) Thumbnail art is art of the Spirit Shores, by Esther Hiʻilani Candari: https://coppermind.net/wiki/Isles_of_the_Emberdark/Interior_art#/media/File:Iote_spirit_shores.jpg 0:00:00 Intro/Show and Tell 0:03:50 Dragon Magic and Tech 1:00:45 Dragon Culture 1:22:22 The Spirit Shores 1:35:08 Cultivation 1:42:15 Lesser Dragons 1:49:57 WTCC 2:00:15 Outro If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

Dragons (Part 1) Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

It's a big topic, and one too great to be contained by a single episode. Today we're doing a deep dive on all the info we have about dragons in the Cosmere, talking about lifecycles and abilities. (And a slight diversion into the Spiritual Realm, because who doesn't love a Spiritual Realm diversion, right?) Today's cast includes Eric (Chaos), Ian (Weiry), Evgeni (Argent) and Bonnie (Cosmeregirl) Thumbnail art is Xisis in the Tress of the Emerald Sea interior art by Howard Lyon: https://coppermind.net/wiki/File:Xisis.jpg 0:00:00 Intro/Show and Tell 0:10:22 Early Dragon Info 0:18:21 Dragon Lifecycle 0:50:44 Dragon Abilities 1:50:50 WTCC and Outro If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

Threnody and the Evil Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

We've been wanting to make this episode for a long while and it's finally time. Let's talk about the planet Threnody and the different kinds of evil that stem from there! Today we have Eric (Chaos), Ian (Weiry), David (Windrunner), and Grace (thegatorgirl). 00:00:00 Introductions 00:01:49 Look back at Shadows for Silence (in the Forests of Hell) 00:11:28 Ambition's Death 00:18:11 Timeline of Events 00:30:41 Effects of Shards Clashing 00:56:15 Threnodite Cosmere Awarness 01:05:01 More on the Evil/Entities 01:28:53 Shades 02:00:08 Zellion 02:06:48 Back to Shades 02:11:29 The Night Brigade 02:26:54 Final Thoughts 02:37:31 Who's That Cosmere Character If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

Mistborn: Ghostbloods 1 Preview (ft. Jasonioan) Sep 14, 2025

Show notes

Last month, at Worldcon, Brandon read out the first excerpt of Mistborn: Ghostbloods, so you know we had to do an episode analyzing it! Today we have Eric (Chaos), Evgeni (Argent), Adim (AAKS), Bonnie (Cosmeregirl), and special guest @Jasonioan, who makes excellent cosmere content as well! If you're on Brandon's newsletter, he sent out the text, but you can watch Brandon's reading here: https://youtu.be/Lt0cBw51LWA?si=UVU3FIToO1XjEcBc Text of the chapters here: Ayven - https://wob.coppermind.net/events/546/#e16903 Bastrik - https://wob.coppermind.net/events/546/#e16904 See Jason's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jasonioan Thumbnail is a Modern cosmere AU by Botanica (I don't know what to do for these thumbnails, man): https://x.com/BotanicaXu/status/1360621736845139968 0:00:00 Introductions 0:02:07 Some General Era 3 Stuff 0:05:31 Ayven 0:33:22 Steelfield, Cars 0:44:39 Discordant 0:57:05 Convention 1:03:22 Bastrik and Map Shenanigans 1:10:28 More Setting Stuff 1:13:50 Bastrik's family, the Regent? 1:19:43 Culture and Masks 1:28:37 Dlavil and Hunters 1:37:37 Final Thoughts / GB Thoughts 1:45:13 Who's That Cosmere Character If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

The Death Rattles! Wind and Truth Edition Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

Today, we are taking another look at the Death Rattles: which are resolved, which are still outstanding, and more. We talk about Moelach's poetry skills, Broken One theories, and got... very unhinged. We have Eric (Chaos), Grace (thegatorgirl), Adim (AAKS), and Bonnie (Cosmeregirl)! Chapters: 0:00:00 Introductions 0:02:20 Death Rattles answered in WaT 0:24:51 CHILD CHAMPION 0:37:16 Some new WaT epigraphs 0:44:51 Potentially answered in WaT 1:22:00 Other Death Rattles 1:49:27 The Way of Kings Ketek 1:57:40 Random Everstorm discussion 2:09:00 Who's That Cosmere Character If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

Cosmere RPG First Impressions & Overview Aug 17, 2025

Show notes

The Cosmere RPG has come out to digital backers, so we wanted to talk about our initial thoughts, talking about the systems, and squeeing about the amazing art! We blabbed so much that lore will be... another episode at some point. There are no Stonewalkers spoilers in this episode, though we will discuss the Handbook and World Guide. Today we have Ian (Weiry), Evgeni (Argent), Matt (Comatose), and Adim (AAKS)! If you didn't back the Kickstarter, you can buy the RPG on various places: https://www.cosmererpg.com/shop We referenced the Shard of Opportunity actual play, which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/@ShardofOpportunity Chapters: 0:00:00 Introductions 0:02:01 Disclaimers, RPG Structure 0:09:33 System Talk / Plot Die 0:18:31 Action economy 0:26:24 Scene types 0:34:11 Expertises 0:38:22 Stats 0:47:51 Paths 0:54:33 Goals 1:01:45 Showing off paths 1:10:46 Art squeeing 1:20:48 Favorite art pieces 1:52:44 Favorite bits of lore 2:07:48 What are you excited about? 2:23:10 Who's That Cosmere Character If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard Purchase merch here! https://store.17thshard.com/ For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com

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