The Architect of the Imaginary

What is the cost of building a world from scratch? In this episode, we sit down with fantasy novelist Christopher Kaufman to explore the profound "Cerebral" machinery behind epic storytelling. As a storyteller myself, I wanted to move past the "Goo" of plot points and dive straight into the Values and Foundational Logic that govern a writer’s creative process.

We explore a startling premise: the ability of fantasy writers to predict the future. By identifying the "Quagmires" of the present, writers like Kaufman create blueprints that don't just intrigue the masses—they redefine what is possible. We discuss how the "Internal Theatre" of fiction serves as a catalyst for the innovative inventions and social shifts of the next generation.

What happens when the words we use are no longer enough to carry the weight of our experience?

In this standalone conversation, The Educator and Master Communicator David Deighton joins me for an unflinching look at the nature of human suffering and interpersonal relativity. We begin with a single, haunting image: 'Talking to the birds, but they don’t know words, they must have felt my pain.'

The Colosseum Effect: We explore the brutal reality of the 'Spectator.' How can a crowd watch an experience they have never lived, and what does it mean to 'relate' from the safety of the stands?

Interpersonal Relativity: Mapping the bridge between one person’s agony and another’s understanding. Can empathy exist without identical experience?

The Pain of Freedom: We dismantle the paradox of the cage. For an animal—or a human—that has only ever known captivity, is 'Freedom' a gift, or a new, sharper form of pain?

The Verdict:

A multifaceted exploration of the 'Shadow' and the 'Sovereign.' This is not a conversation about healing; it is a conversation about Truth.

In this episode, I sit down with debut novelist and crisis communications consultant John David. His first novel, The Bystander, didn't just hit the market—it dominated it, being named one of the Best Thrillers of 2025 and winning the Page Turner Award.

We move past the surface and get into the technicalities of the industry:

The Agent Hunt: The specific process of finding and securing a literary agent in today's market.

Commercial Fiction: How to bridge the gap between creative storytelling and a marketable product.

The Publishing Path: Navigating the differences between traditional, self, and hybrid publishing models.

John’s background in high-stakes PR gives him a unique lens on narrative tension and reputation. Whether you are an aspiring author or interested in the mechanics of the entertainment industry, this conversation provides a roadmap for the 2026 landscape.