Mulling It Over - with Brandon Mull

In the second episode with bestselling author Christopher Paolini, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto talk with Christopher about writing compelling character relationships and how those relationships drive a story forward. They also discuss upcoming film and television projects connected to both authors’ work, and what it’s like seeing stories move from page to screen. It’s a fun conversation about...

In this episode, Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown are joined by bestselling author Janci Patterson to talk about how she got started as a writer. Janci shares her path to publication, the challenges she faced along the way, and the lessons she learned while building a successful writing career. It’s an encouraging conversation for aspiring authors looking to take the next step in thei...

In the first of two episodes with bestselling author Christopher Paolini, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto talk about the origins of Eragon , how Christopher got started as a writer, and the process of building an epic fantasy series. They also dive into outlining, preparation, and the different ways authors organize massive stories before they ever reach the page. It’s a fun and insightful convers...

In the third and final episode of this series with Kaela Rivera, Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown talk about writing horror for middle grade readers. Kaela and Shelly both have novels in the genre, and they discuss how to balance scares with heart, tension with age-appropriate storytelling, and what makes spooky stories resonate with younger audiences. It’s a fun and insightful conver...

In this episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto sit down with independent author Aaron N. Hall to talk about the world of self-publishing. They discuss the freedom and challenges of going independent, building an audience without a traditional publisher, and what it takes to succeed as an indie author. It’s an insightful conversation for anyone considering forging their own path in publishing.

In this episode, Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown continue their conversation with Kaela Rivera, exploring how her Mexican heritage shapes her storytelling. Kaela shares how culture, family history, and personal experience influence her characters and themes. It’s a meaningful discussion about identity, authenticity, and writing from the heart.

In this listener-requested episode, Brandon Mull, Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown talk about learning disabilities, with a special focus on Jason’s personal journey with dyslexia and synesthesia. Together, they discuss the challenges, misconceptions, and unexpected strengths that can come with thinking differently. It’s an honest and encouraging conversation about creativity, resilie...

In the first of three episodes with author Kaela Rivera , Jason Conforto, Chad Morris, and Shelly Brown talk with Kaela about her writing journey and her initial resistance to revisions. Together, they explore learning to embrace feedback, the growth that comes through rewriting, and how revisions ultimately make a story stronger. It’s an honest and encouraging conversation about becoming a better...

In this episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto are joined by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown to talk about some exciting changes to Mulling it Over . While Brandon will continue his monthly episodes, Jason, Chad, and Shelly will also begin hosting additional interviews to bring even more content to the show. Most of the conversation focuses on how writers keep readers interested and engaged from be...

In the final episode of their three-part series with bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen , Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto talk about the editing process—what it looks like, how to survive it, and how it strengthens a story. Jennifer also shares valuable advice for aspiring writers, from handling rejection to finding your voice. It’s an honest and encouraging conversation full of wisdom for wri...

In this second episode with bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen , Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto explore the art of building tension in a story—without relying solely on violence or high-stakes action. Jennifer shares how she keeps readers on the edge of their seats using tools like pacing, emotional stakes, character dynamics, and surprising plot turns. It’s a masterclass in storytelling from...

In the first of three episodes with bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen ( The False Prince , Resistance ), Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto talk with Jennifer about how she got started in writing, how she blends research with imagination in both fantasy and historical fiction, and her experiences connecting with young readers. It’s an inspiring look at the heart and craft behind her stories

In this special live episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto take the stage at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention , joined by publisher Chris Schoebinger . Most of the episode features Brandon answering audience questions about writing, creativity, and the publishing process. It’s an engaging and candid conversation that gives fans an inside look at Brandon’s approach to storytelling

In this special live episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto take the stage at the Quills Conference , joined by guests Candace J. Thomas and Lisa Mangum . Together, they talk about how to make the most of attending a writing conference—everything from networking and feedback to inspiration and finding your community. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a conference regular, this episode...

In this episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto welcome back bestselling author Ally Condie for an in-depth discussion on the nuts and bolts of writing. They dive into plotting compelling stories, working with editors, and the importance of rewrites in crafting a polished book. Packed with practical advice and candid insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to strengthen their...

In this episode, Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto are joined by bestselling author Ally Condie ( Matched , Atlantia ) for a deep dive into higher education and how it shapes a writer’s journey. Ally shares her experiences studying and teaching creative writing, the impact of academia on her career, and how education can empower authors to explore new genres and grow their craft. It’s an inspiring l...

In this episode, Brandon Mull flips the script and interviews his co-host, Jason Conforto , about building a career in the creative world. From filmmaking and podcasting to game design, Jason shares stories from behind the scenes, lessons learned, and what it takes to turn creativity into a livelihood.

In this episode, Jason Conforto and Brandon Mull sit down with actor Charan Prabhakar to explore the art of bringing characters to life on screen. From embodying personalities to discovering a character's truth, Charan shares how acting intersects with storytelling—and how his own journey has shaped his performances. Whether you're a writer, actor, or fan of great characters, this episode...

In this episode, Jason Conforto and Brandon Mull are joined by twins Jon and Dan Heder. You probably know Jon from Napoleon Dynamite , but together the Heder brothers have been creating animated projects and writing stories in some unexpected ways. They talk about what it’s like to collaborate as twins, how writing for animation differs from writing books, and how inspiration can come from the mos...

In this episode, Jason Conforto and Brandon Mull are joined by a crowd full of Mulligans for the live book release party for The Gorgon's Fury (Tales of Newel and Doren, a Fablehaven Adventure). Join them as they speak directly to the audience about the newest book from Brandon and the Fablehaven universe!  Edited by Karter Brown https://www.audiodesignstudios.com/

In this episode, Jason Conforto and Brandon Mull are joined by Chris Schoebinger, the publisher at Shadow Mountain who took a chance on Brandon’s very first book, Fablehaven . Chris shares his perspective on what makes a book stand out, the process of launching a new series, and how he’s worked with Brandon to bring so many of his beloved stories to life. Together, they discuss the relationship be...

In this episode, Jason Conforto and Brandon Mull are joined by Brandon’s editor—and wife—Erlyn Mull. Together, they explore the vital role editing plays in crafting a compelling story, from refining characters to perfecting pacing. Erlyn shares what it’s like working closely with Brandon, balancing their personal and professional lives, and the unique insights she brings to his writing process. Th...

In this episode, Jason Conforto and Brandon Mull dive into the world of possibilities, exploring alternate directions Brandon’s books could have gone but didn’t. Inspired by a submitted question, they discuss the creative decisions, discarded ideas, and “what if” scenarios that might have taken his stories in entirely different directions. It’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process...

In the final episode of our three-part series with Shelly Brown and Chad Morris, we take a trip down memory lane with Brandon Mull to their days performing in BYU’s comedy group, Divine Comedy . Together, they share how their experiences in sketch comedy have shaped their writing careers and continue to influence their work today. Get ready for a fun and insightful conversation on the power of hum...

Brandon Mull and Jason Conforto are once again joined by Shelly Brown and Chad Morris to discuss writing with purpose and empathy. In this heartfelt episode, they explore the importance of being sensitive to the unique challenges of middle-grade audiences. Shelly and Chad also share the touching story behind their book Mustaches for Maddie , which is inspired by their daughter’s real-life battle w...