If you (or someone you love) are struggling with mental health issues, consider requesting a free “Next Step” coin from Dragonsteel. This listing also has information about obtaining free mental health services through Nerd HQ’s partnership with TimelyCare. (https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/products/next-step-coin?variant=41557051670608)

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780525555377)

(While not directly referenced in this episode, John Green also often references Susan Sontag’s Illness as Metaphor [https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9781250374738])

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780440419518)

Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780767929714)

“The Fate of Ophelia” music video (focuses on “showgirls throughout the ages,” rather than the story of Ophelia specifically)

The tumblr posts that inspired many of El's thoughts about "The Fate of Ophelia" come from are this one from stardustizuku (https://www.tumblr.com/stardustizuku/797225939188760576/the-fate-of-ophelia-is-perhaps-the-most), and this one from cages-boxes-hunters-foxes (https://www.tumblr.com/cages-boxes-hunters-foxes/797599809938866176/very-confused-why-people-dont-get-the-ophelia?source=share).

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.

Cover art is Madison Coyne - https://suchbluesky.tumblr.com/post/138479416304/you-were-right-father-you-cant-save-men-by

This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel.

Ardent: Liz

Worldsinger: Adam

Veristitalian: El

Theme: Pain

Sacred Reading Method: Florilegia

Recording Date: 10/23/25

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube

Join us as we take a break from the heaviness of life with the scenic locations around Roshar. We consider the value of vacation and breaks…and suggest some level of justice for Took.

Covers Interludes 1-3 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

The first part of El’s debunking of The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson

Metamorphoses by Ovid

Brandon on the logic behind the interludes: 2012 Google Hangout response

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.

Cover art is conjchamberlain.

Ardent: Adam

Worldsinger: El

Veristitalian: Liz

Theme: Exploration

Sacred Reading Method:

Recording Date: 10/23/25

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube

Content warning: This episode briefly discusses suicidal ideation. If you are currently in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

We discuss (one of) Kaladin’s lowest moments and what it means to talk about pain, to cope with our own pain, and to sit with the pain of others.

And yes, El finally closed on her house at the end of December 2025.

Covers Chapters 9-11 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

If you (or someone you love) are struggling with mental health issues, consider requesting a free “Next Step” coin from Dragonsteel. This listing also has information about obtaining free mental health services through Nerd HQ’s partnership with TimelyCare. (https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/products/next-step-coin?variant=41557051670608)

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780525555377)

(While not directly referenced in this episode, John Green also often references Susan Sontag’s Illness as Metaphor [https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9781250374738])

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780440419518)

Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780767929714)

“The Fate of Ophelia” music video (focuses on “showgirls throughout the ages,” rather than the story of Ophelia specifically) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko70cExuzZM

The tumblr posts that inspired many of El's thoughts about "The Fate of Ophelia" come from are this one from stardustizuku (https://www.tumblr.com/stardustizuku/797225939188760576/the-fate-of-ophelia-is-perhaps-the-most), and this one from cages-boxes-hunters-foxes (https://www.tumblr.com/cages-boxes-hunters-foxes/797599809938866176/very-confused-why-people-dont-get-the-ophelia?source=share).

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.Cover art is Madison Coyne - https://suchbluesky.tumblr.com/post/138479416304/you-were-right-father-you-cant-save-men-by

This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel.

Ardent: Liz

Worldsinger: Adam

Veristitalian: El

Theme: Pain

Sacred Reading Method: Florilegia

Recording Date: 10/23/25

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube

Again, we’re asking questions of ourselves and the very nature of the themes we choose. This time we wonder whether persistence is a morally neutral trait, and whether morality of characteristics is more dependent on what you do with them than the characteristics themselves.

Covers Chapter 8 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

“Embedding Societal Values into Social Media Algorithms” by Bernstein, et. al.

For the kinds of rhetoric used in the LDS Church regarding media consumption, see, for example, the talk “Let Our Voices be Heard” given by M. Russell Ballard in October 2003.

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.

Cover art is by Lamaery.

This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel.

Ardent: El

Worldsinger: Liz

Veristitalian: Adam

Theme: Persistence

Sacred Reading Method: Likening

Recording Date: October 23, 2025

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube

Most of our time is spent discussing what excellence actually is and whether you can have excellence without comparison. Is excellence a burden? Is it a worthy goal? Is excellence even a real word at this point?

Covers Chapter 7 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.

Cover art is by shayndl_art.

This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel.

Ardent: Liz

Worldsinger: El

Veristitalian: Adam

Theme: Excellence

Sacred Reading Method: Kinmaking

Recording Date: October 3, 2025

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube

Kaladin finds himself at the Shattered Plains with some hope, but mostly endless suffering. We consider the human capacity to adapt, as well as how meeting people can be a journey rather than a destination.

Covers Chapter 6 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

The Martian by Andy Weir

“Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked”

The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt and illustrated by Tim Jonke

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.

Cover art is by Artur Mósca.

This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel.

Ardent: Adam

Worldsinger: Liz

Veristitalian: El

Theme: Circumstance

Sacred Reading Method: The First Oath

Recording Date: October 3, 2025

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube

Covers Chapter 5 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

There may not have been crying last episode, but there's certainly a lot of it in this one. We discuss the opportunities in all forms and how they impact the lives of Shallan, Jasnah, and other characters. El gives an overview of linguistic collocations and how they can help us better understand how words are used.

Corpus of Contemporary American English

Coppermind page for this chapter.

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.

Cover art is by Alex Allen.

This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel.

Ardent: El

Worldsinger: Adam

Veristitalian: Liz

Theme: Opportunity

Sacred Reading Method: Lectio Divina

Recording Date: October 3, 2025

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube

Covers Chapter 4 of The Way of Kings from the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

Kaladin’s conversations with Syl and Tvlakv inspired our discussion on bitterness and how to handle that feeling in our own lives. Using Syl’s questions as a guide, we view this chapter through the lens of a parable and ask ourselves why we cry.

This episode contains a very brief mention of suicidal ideation.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text 988 toll-free in the United States.

Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.

Cover art is by Thomas Weigl.

This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel.

Ardent: Liz

Worldsinger: Adam

Veristitalian: El

Theme: Bitterness

Sacred Reading Method: Parables

Recording Date: September 12, 2025

Website Episode Page (with transcription)

Mormon Terminology Page

The Storming Journey Website

Monetary Support:

Patreon (access to behind the scenes content, bonus episodes, and our Discord server [perks are tier-dependent])

TeePublic Store (shirts, hats, mugs, totes, and more!)

Bookshop.org Book Lists

Socials:

Bluesky

Instagram

Spotify

tumblr

YouTube