The Sandersonian Institute of Cosmere Studies

Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive is more than just the words on a page. He also included several pieces of art by incredible artists like Isaac Stewart, Ben McSweeney, and Dan dos Santos, all of which work together to fill out the world of Roshar and hide clues about things that are happening in the greater Cosmere. In this episode, the SICS hosts discuss this art and just what it all co...

We've already discussed Sanderson's first two Laws of Magic, and it's time to discuss the final one: "Expand what you already have before you add something new." We'd love to hear your thoughts on Sanderson's Three Laws of Magic! Let us know at cosmerestudies@gmail.com ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YGoGEWcE89qp1jrcnkaA1Nkd80Gic7uHGSJzbWY7itY/e...

Five books. Five prologues. Five perspectives. One dark night. In this episode, the SICS crew discusses just what happened on the night a king was brought down by the Assassin in White. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Chr_T4-YMbS67Lmz-CWADRhAnh0mAl2jt1Bd9_FjeMk/edit?usp=sharing ___ You can support The Sandersonian Institute of Cosmere Studies by...

Spoilers, spoilers, and more spoilers! In this episode, the Bill, Jordan, and Amy discuss Secret Project #4 from Brandon Sanderson's now-infamous Kickstarter campaign. And that's all we're going to say about it here. *Our apologies for the low-quality recording. We had technical difficulties and had to fall back on a backup. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/...

Brandon Sanderson keeps surprising us with bonus content, so the Sandersonian Institute of Cosmere Studies, of course, had to follow suit! In this bonus episode, the SICS crew discusses the new prologue to Stormlight Book #5, which Brandon released unexpectedly on the last day of his historic Kickstarter. So what did we learn in the final perspective on what happened on that day Szeth-son-son-Vall...

By now, you're probably aware of the Secret Projects Brandon has been talking about, but if you're not, this episode is chock-full of spoilers! So come listen to the SICS hosts' discussion of Brandon Sanderson Secret Project #3! (And that's all you're getting in this episode description!) ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17oiJYzUua8z1Vo6M84RLd7_g2...

Unless you've had your nose buried so deep in the Cosmere that you haven't been paying attention, you're probably already aware of the announcement Brandon Sanderson made on March 1, 2022. In this episode, The Sandersonian Instiute of Cosmere Studies hosts discuss the news. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cDM4nQXxROuElO3sGBfZaYrFKz_XbqhiHg_blrRa...

You may know him as the author of the John Cleaver, Partials, or Mirador series (among many others), cohost of  Writing Excuses , an iconic Game Master, or that other guy joking around with Brandon Sanderson on Intentionally Blank . In this episode, the SICS hosts are fortunate enough to get to sit down for a long chat with Auther, Dungeon Master, and all-around great guy Dan Wells. So join us! Yo...

It's time for another Sandersonian Institute art study! This time, we're going through all the art in Oathbringer . Yes, we know the art is mostly visual, so if you're listening to the audio version, make sure to have your copy of Oathbringer handy to look at all the pretty pictures! ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YEPOTv4DnYMfYCUSBpG44iMcgIdArR...

Ishar. The Herald of Luck and Patron of the Order of the Bondsmiths. One of the most fascinating and enigmatic characters from Brandon Sanderson's  Stormlight Archive . There's a lot to unpack here. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e35CwEvwjQjxd2ChWUFUwtClSrK43knzP_wikjZnRzs/edit?usp=sharing ___ You can support The Sandersonian Institute of Cosme...

Did you know that Alan Seawright from the  Cinema Therapy YouTube channel is a big Cosmere fan? Well he is, and Amy, Bill, and Jordan got to spend some time chatting with him on our show! He shared his views on the Cosmere, cinema, and just how he would like to combine the two. We really enjoyed the conversation and hope you will too! ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.g...

It's Episode #100! We actually made it! (But don't worry; we don't plan on stopping there!) To celebrate our 100th episode, author (and former student of Brandon Sanderson) Charlie N. Holmberg returns as a guest host! Charlie also co-hosts  Your Mom Writes Books , a podcast offering helpful advice to aspiring authors. Together in this episode, the four hosts play two games of Bring Your Own Book u...

It's time for Koloss Head-Munching Day again, and that means another State of the Sanderson report from Brandon and Team Dragonsteel! So come join the SICS hosts as we pick apart this year's mega-communication to geek out about new announcements and speculate about what else could be coming down the pipeline. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FShT...

Dragonsteel MiniCon 2021 is in the books, and the SICS crew had a  blast! In this episode, Bill, Amy, and Jordan discuss what stood out to them. We met a  lot of you listeners, and you were all amazing! Thanks to those who came by our booth, and if we didn't get to meet you this time, hopefully we'll meet you at a future convention! Seriously, though. Brandon can write incredible books, and his te...

#CosmereSpoilers Recorded live at Dragonsteel MiniCon 2021, this episode of The Sandersonian Institute of Cosmere Studies was much more free-flowing than others—a Q&A session where audience members presented their own aluminum foil hat theories. There was lots of fun discussion in a room full of Brandon Sanderson superfans! ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/d...

#CosmereSpoilers Taln is an absolute unit. You know it. We know it. So let's talk about Taln, his endurance, and some of the implications of a fact that Brandon revealed during an event this past July. Also, be sure to come to our panels or stop by Booth #402 at Dragonsteel MiniCon 2021 and say hi! We'd love to meet you. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/docu...

#CosmereSpoilers It's creepy season, and we're covering a creepy topic! In this episode, the SICS crew discusses, and theorizes on, the Deathrattles from the epigrams of  The Way of Kings . ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Omrl1p1zInkHaaIp6xi-YSLFZ-a5V6grpOf3N40JlJU/edit?usp=sharing ___ You can support The Sandersonian Institute of Cosmere Studie...

#CosmereSpoilers We're back on Roshar! The Sandersonian Institute of Cosmere Studies returns to Brandon Sanderson's  The Stormlight Archive to discuss one of the richest—yet most mysterious—ideas that Brandon has come up with. What sets the sapient spren of Roshar apart from the lesser spren—and from each other? We discuss that question and more in this episode about spren society. ___ This episod...

#ReckonersSpoilers Much to our surprise, even though  The Reckoners trilogy was complete, Brandon and coauthor Steven Michael Bohls had another entry planned. In this episode, the SICS crew discusses  Lux , the newest Reckoners novel following a different crew based in Texas! So join us for this Epic new tail! (Ha! Wait, what? We already used the "Epic" bit? Shoot...) So join us for the, um...  Lu...

#ReckonersSpoilers The time to discuss Epic (heh) conclusion to The Reckoners trilogy has come! The SICS crew has followed the Reckoners from Newcago to Babilar and now to Ildithia (formerly known as Atlanta) in Calamity . How are David and the other Reckoners handling the shocking events at the end of the previous book? What can we say in this description that isn't a  MASSIVE spoiler? And what t...

#ReckonersSpoilers The Reckoners discussion continues! The SICS crew has moved on to  Firefight and the Reckoners have moved on to Babilar, the waterlogged remains of Manhattan. (After a brief encounter with Mitosis, a powerful new Epic.) What is Regalia planning? Who is the mysterious Dawnslight? And what has Firefight been up to since the end of Book 1? ___ This episode's show notes can be found...

#SteelheartSpoilers The SICS crew is taking a brief break from the Cosmere to discuss one of Brandon Sanderson's non-Cosmere works. What if super powers were real? What if one day, suddenly, many people unexpectedly developed superpowers? Now, what if they were all evil? Welcome to Newcago, a post-apocalyptic, dystopian version of Chicago in this bleak world. For this episode, Bill, Amy, and Jorda...

#CosmereSpoilers The magic systems of the Cosmere are fascinating and diverse, but they all seem to have a thread in common: Intent. Magic doesn't happen by accident, and what you're intending to do can have a strong effect on the end result. Join Bill, Amy, and Jordan as they discuss Intent with a capital I, as well as the proper pronunciation of the word "twi'lek." ("Twi'lekian?") ___ This episo...

#CosmereSpoilers The Heralds of the Almighty are mysterious figures from Roshar's history. What happened to each of them? What are they all doing now? Join The Sandersonian Institute of Cosmere Studies as we discuss the fates of these legendary icons. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CmbYn519XBBtFrV3KisNqzFCRgBB6UF9oW-ojpZ8mQg/edit?usp=sharing __...

#CosmereSpoilers Vin and Lift, from  Mistborn and  The Stormlight Archive , respectively, have a lot in common—but they're very different, too! In this episode, the SICS crew discuss those similarities and differences, comparing and contrasting these two street kids and the paths they take. ___ This episode's show notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UuzU4Gs-uozBx40d5x4uC46...