Cool Story Guys
110 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsCool Story Guys is a creative writing podcast and fantasy adventure audiobook where major plot points are determined by RPG-style dice rolls. Join hosts Jeff and Ethan for humorous discussions about the storytelling process and an ongoing collaborative fantasy tale inspired by the unpredictability of role-playing games and actual play podcasts.
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Episodes
Cool Story Guys S01E30: Chapter 15 - Interfacing
October 25, 2021 07:05 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBSkeptical of the Nemarus' plan, Danvers meets with Hallister and discovers the story he was told regarding the Shift was not the whole truth.
Cool Story Guys 030: Chapter 15 - Interfacing
October 25, 2021 07:05 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBSkeptical of the Nemarus' plan, Danvers meets with Hallister and discovers the story he was told regarding the Shift was not the whole truth.
Cool Story Guys S01E29: Accidental Batman
October 25, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBIt's our October Spooktacular episode, with resident horror master Ethan taking over the reigns to make Jeff play a spooky game inventing the perfect monster. Spoiler alert: the perfect monster is named "Carol." Other topics include how Ethan inadvertently added some Bruce Wayne backstory to our book, how we missed the boat and now can never name our world, and the unveiling of our inevitable anime tie-in "Anti-Magi Devil Boy."
Cool Story Guys 029: Accidental Batman
October 25, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBIt's our October Spooktacular episode, with resident horror master Ethan taking over the reigns to make Jeff play a spooky game inventing the perfect monster. Spoiler alert: the perfect monster is named "Carol." Other topics include how Ethan inadvertently added some Bruce Wayne backstory to our book, how we missed the boat and now can never name our world, and the unveiling of our inevitable anime tie-in "Anti-Magi Devil Boy."
Cool Story Guys S01E28: Chapter 14 - A Sting from the Past
October 11, 2021 07:05 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBDeep underground with the Irapa, Finnegan relives a traumatic experience from his past in a vivid dream, but key aspects of the memory have changed in startling ways. Although it's clear his emotions are being manipulated, his grip on reality begins to slip away as corruption takes hold.
Cool Story Guys 028: Chapter 14 - A Sting from the Past
October 11, 2021 07:05 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBDeep underground with the Irapa, Finnegan relives a traumatic experience from his past in a vivid dream, but key aspects of the memory have changed in startling ways. Although it's clear his emotions are being manipulated, his grip on reality begins to slip away as corruption takes hold.
Cool Story Guys 027: Danny Elfman Bathroom Theme
October 11, 2021 07:00 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBInspired by some nebulous lists of dogs, we play a new game called "More or Less" in which we decide whether there is too much or not enough of things like romance and going to the bathroom in books, TV, and movies. Other topics include how all of the protagonists in our story are old people, the realization that everything Jeff imagines is somehow related to the X-Men, and the ecstasy and agony of shredding our vocal cords to perform crab voice.
Cool Story Guys S01E27: Danny Elfman Bathroom Theme
October 11, 2021 07:00 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBInspired by some nebulous lists of dogs, we play a new game called "More or Less" in which we decide whether there is too much or not enough of things like romance and going to the bathroom in books, TV, and movies. Other topics include how all of the protagonists in our story are old people, the realization that everything Jeff imagines is somehow related to the X-Men, and the ecstasy and agony of shredding our vocal cords to perform crab voice.
Cool Story Guys S01E26: Chapter 13 - Vertical Migration
September 27, 2021 07:05 - 40 minutes - 36.6 MBSearching for containment shrines, Elinea and the blind wanderer discover a dangerous new threat from the underworld.
Cool Story Guys 026: Chapter 13 - Vertical Migration
September 27, 2021 07:05 - 40 minutes - 36.6 MBSearching for containment shrines, Elinea and the blind wanderer discover a dangerous new threat from the underworld.
Cool Story Guys 025: Fully-Realized Manchild
September 27, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31.1 MBWe take a look at some of our biggest literary pet peeves, ranging from merely annoying to completely story-ruining. Other topics include the morality of fooling around for old souls in young bodies, the movie "Big" and its terrible precedent for examining such morally-questionable situations, and how Ethan is definitely NOT a scientist.
Cool Story Guys S01E25: Fully-Realized Manchild
September 27, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31.1 MBWe take a look at some of our biggest literary pet peeves, ranging from merely annoying to completely story-ruining. Other topics include the morality of fooling around for old souls in young bodies, the movie "Big" and its terrible precedent for examining such morally-questionable situations, and how Ethan is definitely NOT a scientist.
Cool Story Guys 024: Chapter 12 - Sins of the Callans
September 06, 2021 07:05 - 28 minutes - 26 MBDanvers is led to the underwater city of Vandenala, where Adan lays out her plan for counteracting the Shift and saving Laureena.
Cool Story Guys S01E24: Chapter 12 - Sins of the Callans
September 06, 2021 07:05 - 28 minutes - 26 MBDanvers is led to the underwater city of Vandenala, where Adan lays out her plan for counteracting the Shift and saving Laureena.
Cool Story Guys 023: The Fantastic Names of Notable Men
September 06, 2021 07:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MBIn honor of the possibility that someone might accidentally stumble upon our fantasy writing podcast while looking for fantasy football, we have created a new game called "the Fantastic Names of Notable Men." In it, Ethan has to guess which names on Jeff's list are from fantasy and sci-fi books and which are the names of actual NFL players. Play along at home! Other topics include how we are too fragile to play contact sports anymore, a lot of talk about Dune, and how Jeff is always looking ...
Cool Story Guys S01E23: The Fantastic Names of Notable Men
September 06, 2021 07:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MBIn honor of the possibility that someone might accidentally stumble upon our fantasy writing podcast while looking for fantasy football, we have created a new game called "the Fantastic Names of Notable Men." In it, Ethan has to guess which names on Jeff's list are from fantasy and sci-fi books and which are the names of actual NFL players. Play along at home! Other topics include how we are too fragile to play contact sports anymore, a lot of talk about Dune, and how Jeff is always looking ...
Cool Story Guys 022: Chapter 11 - Working as One
August 23, 2021 07:05 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBBefore the Shift, Laureena was insightful, fiercely competitive, and a loyal friend. How much of her personality and agency remain after years possessed by an embittered primordial deity?
Cool Story Guys S01E22: Chapter 11 - Working as One
August 23, 2021 07:05 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBBefore the Shift, Laureena was insightful, fiercely competitive, and a loyal friend. How much of her personality and agency remain after years possessed by an embittered primordial deity?
Cool Story Guys S01E21: Goofball Tank
August 23, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBLooking over NPR's list of the best fantasy and science fiction of the last decade, we realize that we probably aren't reading enough books, and discuss whether reading or writing has the better return on time investment for aspiring storytellers. Other topics include capsules of cat urine, whether Ethan's general lack of dexterity means he can't be a rogue, and whether or not our story is doing anything to enrich the minds of our listeners.
Cool Story Guys 021: Goofball Tank
August 23, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBLooking over NPR's list of the best fantasy and science fiction of the last decade, we realize that we probably aren't reading enough books, and discuss whether reading or writing has the better return on time investment for aspiring storytellers. Other topics include capsules of cat urine, whether Ethan's general lack of dexterity means he can't be a rogue, and whether or not our story is doing anything to enrich the minds of our listeners.
Cool Story Guys S01E20: Chapter Ten - Beneath the Surface
July 26, 2021 07:05 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBFinnegan explores the smoldering wreckage of the Irapa village, looking for clues that will lead him to Laureena. With a snowstorm bearing down and a host of unfriendly characters trying to do him harm, the ex-soldier worries he might have bitten off more than he can chew.
Cool Story Guys 020: Chapter Ten - Beneath the Surface
July 26, 2021 07:05 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBFinnegan explores the smoldering wreckage of the Irapa village, looking for clues that will lead him to Laureena. With a snowstorm bearing down and a host of unfriendly characters trying to do him harm, the ex-soldier worries he might have bitten off more than he can chew.
Cool Story Guys S01E19: Protocol for Beefin' It
July 26, 2021 07:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBBig life changes are underway for the Cool Story Guys: Ethan is moving back to America, threatening to dispel the magic and magnetism of our face-to-face recording sessions. In anticipation of our podcast inevitably becoming awful, we discuss the etiquette of content creators addressing the fact that they've made something terrible. Other topics include fretting about consistency, revelation as a guise to pretend that you knew what you were doing all along, and though it's not exactly a topi...
Cool Story Guys 019: Protocol for Beefin' It
July 26, 2021 07:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBBig life changes are underway for the Cool Story Guys: Ethan is moving back to America, threatening to dispel the magic and magnetism of our face-to-face recording sessions. In anticipation of our podcast inevitably becoming awful, we discuss the etiquette of content creators addressing the fact that they've made something terrible. Other topics include fretting about consistency, revelation as a guise to pretend that you knew what you were doing all along, and though it's not exactly a topi...
Cool Story Guys S01E18: Chapter Nine - Banishment Realms
June 14, 2021 07:05 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBElinea navigates the perilous island of Vlyk, finding herself in constant danger thanks the loss of her abilities and a new, unpredictable appendage. Seeking shelter and knowledge from a sequestered Magi named Corrilous Hallister, she discovers the man isn't at all what she expected him to be.
Cool Story Guys 018: Chapter Nine - Banishment Realms
June 14, 2021 07:05 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBElinea navigates the perilous island of Vlyk, finding herself in constant danger thanks the loss of her abilities and a new, unpredictable appendage. Seeking shelter and knowledge from a sequestered Magi named Corrilous Hallister, she discovers the man isn't at all what she expected him to be.
Cool Story Guys 017: Lazy, Sexy Bugs
June 14, 2021 07:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBLots of bug talk in this episode! Discussing Ethan's crab- and insect-heavy chapter is a perfect reason to talk all about the swarm of cicadas overtaking much of the United States and how he's going to have to deal with the bug swarm on his trip home to Indiana. Other topics include which sizes of things are the most frightening, how lobsters and crabs are basically just sea spiders, and deciding between two excellent submissions to the Fate Index from one generous listener.
Cool Story Guys S01E17: Lazy, Sexy Bugs
June 14, 2021 07:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBLots of bug talk in this episode! Discussing Ethan's crab- and insect-heavy chapter is a perfect reason to talk all about the swarm of cicadas overtaking much of the United States and how he's going to have to deal with the bug swarm on his trip home to Indiana. Other topics include which sizes of things are the most frightening, how lobsters and crabs are basically just sea spiders, and deciding between two excellent submissions to the Fate Index from one generous listener.
Cool Story Guys 016: Chapter Eight - The Loss of Self
May 31, 2021 07:05 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBDisfigured and bewildered, a woman awakens encased inside a massive mollusk shell. Someone - or something - has been regenerating her broken body in a bizarre laboratory deep beneath the ground, but for what purpose?
Cool Story Guys S01E16: Chapter Eight - The Loss of Self
May 31, 2021 07:05 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBDisfigured and bewildered, a woman awakens encased inside a massive mollusk shell. Someone - or something - has been regenerating her broken body in a bizarre laboratory deep beneath the ground, but for what purpose?
Cool Story Guys S01E15: Animorph Tummyache
May 31, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBAfter Ethan's son develops Beast Tongue and speaks with a duck, we discuss the very real probability that humans will someday be able to communicate with animals, as well as other fantasies that may eventually become realities. Other topics include our favorite X-Men powers and how Jeff turned Danvers into a mutant, Ethan being afraid of his guts getting all scrunched up if he transformed into a bird, and new ideas for the Fate Index submitted by our parents.
Cool Story Guys 015: Animorph Tummyache
May 31, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBAfter Ethan's son develops Beast Tongue and speaks with a duck, we discuss the very real probability that humans will someday be able to communicate with animals, as well as other fantasies that may eventually become realities. Other topics include our favorite X-Men powers and how Jeff turned Danvers into a mutant, Ethan being afraid of his guts getting all scrunched up if he transformed into a bird, and new ideas for the Fate Index submitted by our parents.
Cool Story Guys 014: Chapter Seven - Context Clues
May 17, 2021 07:05 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBWhen the Capitol Islands military forces reveal unsettling tactics for relocating the Touched to the mainland, Danvers escapes from Delvorn with the Sea Mother and is forced to make life-altering decisions in order to continue with her on her quest.
Cool Story Guys S01E14: Chapter Seven - Context Clues
May 17, 2021 07:05 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBWhen the Capitol Islands military forces reveal unsettling tactics for relocating the Touched to the mainland, Danvers escapes from Delvorn with the Sea Mother and is forced to make life-altering decisions in order to continue with her on her quest.
Cool Story Guys 013: Idea Pillaged
May 17, 2021 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBAfter learning that one of our big original ideas is now being used by a much more legitimate media venture, we discuss the idea of do-overs and whether or not we'd indulge in them if we had the option. Other topics include Ethan adding bureaucracy to our fantasy tale, the difficulty of dealing with time jumps, and a soon-to-be canon Shrek and Donkey cameo.
Cool Story Guys S01E13: Idea Pillaged
May 17, 2021 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBAfter learning that one of our big original ideas is now being used by a much more legitimate media venture, we discuss the idea of do-overs and whether or not we'd indulge in them if we had the option. Other topics include Ethan adding bureaucracy to our fantasy tale, the difficulty of dealing with time jumps, and a soon-to-be canon Shrek and Donkey cameo.
Cool Story Guys 012: Chapter Six - The Sea Mothers' Blessing
May 03, 2021 07:05 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBFaullen Danvers has spent his life on the sea, always mindful to honor its protectors thanks to customs passed down by his father. When the future of Delvorn is compromised, will the Sea Mothers hear his call?
Cool Story Guys S01E12: Chapter Six - The Sea Mothers' Blessing
May 03, 2021 07:05 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBFaullen Danvers has spent his life on the sea, always mindful to honor its protectors thanks to customs passed down by his father. When the future of Delvorn is compromised, will the Sea Mothers hear his call?
Cool Story Guys S01E11: Post-Apocalyptic Candy Currency
May 03, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBDesperate to be anywhere other than inside our urban apartments, we discuss the idea of using fantasy as an escape, and how our story isn't a particularly inviting travel destination. Other topics include what exactly constitutes a "monster," Jeff's Haribo Hierarchy, and a new segment about how we're terrible at Twitter.
Cool Story Guys 011: Post-Apocalyptic Candy Currency
May 03, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBDesperate to be anywhere other than inside our urban apartments, we discuss the idea of using fantasy as an escape, and how our story isn't a particularly inviting travel destination. Other topics include what exactly constitutes a "monster," Jeff's Haribo Hierarchy, and a new segment about how we're terrible at Twitter.
Cool Story Guys 010: Chapter Five - Coffee and the Paper
April 19, 2021 07:05 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBAn outlander comes to the Northern Plateaus looking for leads on a powerful girl whose actions threaten to topple a world that has already been thrown perilously off balance.
Cool Story Guys S01E10: Chapter Five - Coffee and the Paper
April 19, 2021 07:05 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBAn outlander comes to the Northern Plateaus looking for leads on a powerful girl whose actions threaten to topple a world that has already been thrown perilously off balance.
Cool Story Guys 009: La Femme Magenta
April 19, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBThe Fate Index's bloodlust has left us in a precarious situation. Where do we go from here? How can we possibly salvage this miserably-paced story and sell it to Netflix or Amazon? Other topics include which stories we'd like to see on the big and small screen and how fantasy death is a bit more malleable than non-fantasy death.
Cool Story Guys S01E09: La Femme Magenta
April 19, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBThe Fate Index's bloodlust has left us in a precarious situation. Where do we go from here? How can we possibly salvage this miserably-paced story and sell it to Netflix or Amazon? Other topics include which stories we'd like to see on the big and small screen and how fantasy death is a bit more malleable than non-fantasy death.
Cool Story Guys 008: Chapter Four - The Storm Still Rages
April 05, 2021 07:05 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBShaken from her vision in the cavern, fear begins to cloud the mind of the crimson woman, causing her abilities to falter when Koa desperately needs her assistance.
Cool Story Guys S01E08: Chapter Four - The Storm Still Rages
April 05, 2021 07:05 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBShaken from her vision in the cavern, fear begins to cloud the mind of the crimson woman, causing her abilities to falter when Koa desperately needs her assistance.
Cool Story Guys 007: Tween Romance Revue
April 05, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBWe are forced to deal with the war crimes the Fate Index forced us to commit in Chapter 3 and the fact that our dice rolls so far have been such unrelenting bummers. Other topics include a gacha backpack full of tuna and flaming swords and Jeff's terrible X-Men power.
Cool Story Guys S01E07: Tween Romance Revue
April 05, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBWe are forced to deal with the war crimes the Fate Index forced us to commit in Chapter 3 and the fact that our dice rolls so far have been such unrelenting bummers. Other topics include a gacha backpack full of tuna and flaming swords and Jeff's terrible X-Men power.
Cool Story Guys S01E06: Chapter Three - The Heart of the Flame
March 18, 2021 08:05 - 41 minutes - 38 MBWith Morwell unconscious and her grandfather missing, Laureena must improvise with what is available on the wrecked trawler and bide her time until help arrives. When she meets another marooned boy named Calix, a deep friendship is quickly forged, and the two decide to take their survival into their own hands.
Cool Story Guys 006: Chapter Three - The Heart of the Flame
March 18, 2021 08:05 - 41 minutes - 38 MBWith Morwell unconscious and her grandfather missing, Laureena must improvise with what is available on the wrecked trawler and bide her time until help arrives. When she meets another marooned boy named Calix, a deep friendship is quickly forged, and the two decide to take their survival into their own hands.