The Storming Journey

We discuss whether Kaladin’s actions through the highstorm are an act of surrender, and how his story may be a deliberate parallel to the end of Jesus Christ’s mortal life. Covers Chapters 34-35 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. Wikipedia page on the “ Dark Night of the Soul ” ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Night_of_the_Soul ) Jen Lehmann’s Instagram (http...

What evidence convinces us to believe? Does it matter how that evidence is presented?  Covers Chapter 33 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The story of Korihor and Alma can be found in Alma 30 of the Book of Mormon (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/30?lang=eng) The Three Nephites: Saints, Service, and Supernatural Legend ( https://b...

There’s a difference between qualms and regrets! Plus, we explore how community interactions can make someone feel qualm-y. Covers Chapters 31-32 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The story of Nephi and Laban can be found in 1 Nephi 4 , with additional context given in the first 3 chapters of 1 Nephi. ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1...

Sadeas’ warcamp is really just a corporation if you think about it.  Covers Chapter 30 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield (https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780316253031) Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D .Cover art is by Artur Mósca . This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation wi...

Differentiating between reason, persuasion, and arguing, we discuss the process of scholarship and approaches to religion. Covers Chapter 29 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “Why Language Models Hallucinate,” Kalai, et al. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395339045_Why_Language_Models_Hallucinate) “I Asked a Mormon Scholar About Brandon Sanderson’s Rel...

Returning from our brief hiatus, we go on a mini-vacation with Rysn, Axies, and Szeth in the second set of interludes. We examine how the three approach cultures that are not their own.  Covers Interludes 4-6 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “Children who say hand dryers ‘hurt my ears’ are correct: A real-world study examining the loudness of automated hand dry...

Dalinar considers his purpose in life, so we consider why Sanderson put this chapter as the last one in Part 2. Also, what is the purpose of the Stormlight Archive books as a whole?  Covers Chapter 28 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The show will be on hiatus until the beginning of June! Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D . Cover art is by botanicax ....

We debate the difference between a cartel and a union, but more importantly, we discuss how honesty is relative and may not be the highest virtue. Covers Chapter 27 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “First Vision Accounts,” LDS Gospel Topics essay (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/first-vision-accounts?lang=eng) Music is &quo...

Dalinar tries his best to answer pressing questions about his future by doing some of his favorite things.  Covers Chapter 26 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “ Flow state ,” Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology) ) The ADHD Anti-Planner from Dani Donovan ( https://www.anti-planner.com/ ) The Sacred and the Profane by Mircea Eliade (https:/...

Covers Chapter 25 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. 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: Uncertainty Sacred Reading Method: First Oath Recording Date: March 7, 2026 Websit...

Hierarchy is a very Mormon-coded topic, so it’s not hard to see the connections to Mormon experiences in this chapter. Of course, we can’t help but confront the question of “Is hierarchy worth the trouble?” Covers Chapter 24 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “Outside the Mormon Hierarchy” by Derr and Derr ( https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/outside-the-mo...

We explore the variety of work that we see (or don't see) in this chapter and share a brand new reading method. Covers Chapter 23 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. El’s cross stitch Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/glitchy.stitcher/) “Bullshit Jobs” by If Books Could Kill ( https://www.buzzsprout.com/2040953/episodes/18794155-bullshit-jobs ) “The Most Mo...

Covers Chapter 22 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. Music is "Storm Steel" by Luiza_D.Cover art is by botanicaxu: https://x.com/BotanicaXu/status/1421446531706605570?s=20This is an unofficial, fan-made podcast that has no affiliation with Brandon Sanderson or Dragonsteel. Ardent: AdamWorldsinger: LizVeristitalian: ElTheme: InanitySacred Reading Method:...

Trauma makes us grow calluses, but shouldn’t make us callous. We consider how to navigate our own traumatic experiences and the trauma of those around us. Covers Chapters 20 and 21 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “Mental health tool, which includes Tetris, stops intrusive flashbacks” ( https://wellcome.org/insights/articles/mental-health-tool-which-includes-te...

When Dalinar gets put in an unfamiliar situation, it’s not him that’s fearful—it’s those around him. Even personifications of human concepts can be terrified. Covers Chapter 19 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. Sesame Street guidance on offering age-appropriate comfort ( https://www.instagram.com/p/DT_kWPtDHyQ/ ) Sesame Street’s page for helping children through...

We discuss whether characters deal with their regrets in healthy ways and how those regrets affect them. Everyone regrets everything in the Stormlight Archive, but we didn’t regret recording this, and you won’t regret listening to it!  Covers Chapter 18 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “ New Guidance on Bible Translations for Latter-day Saints ” (https://newsro...

An analysis of what it means to be merciful and whether or not you can be truly merciful under systems of oppression. Covers Chapter 17 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare ( https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780743477567 ) Les Miserables by Victor Hugo ( https://bookshop.org/a/117742/9780451419439 ) The Hiding Place by Co...

In a battle for Kaladin’s future which will win: a rock, a spear, or a scalpel? Does Kal even get a say? Covers Chapter 16 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “Such, Such Were the Joys” by George Orwell ( https://archive.org/details/suchsuchwerejoys0000geor_c1u9/page/12/mode/2up ) “The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Adichie( https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Let’s talk Alethi gender expression, whether the Kholin family makes good choices, and seatbelts! Covers Chapter 15 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. “Some People Hated Seatbelts in the 1950s and They Actually Had a Good Reason” - Mercedes Streeter The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher Music is "Storm Steel&q...

We ask ourselves whether Kaladin’s definition of authority is an accurate one, and consider our own experiences interacting with authority, especially within Mormonism. Covers Chapter 14 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The citation for the Leading Edge poem (which is not actually about koloss): Benjamin Blackhurst, "The Feruchemist in Love," Leading...

“Cease squabbling and unite them” We finally enter Part Two, where we’re introduced to even more of the characters we’ve come to know and love…or hate. What does it mean that the chapter itself is titled “Unity” but disunity is an inherent part of these character relationships? Covers Chapters 12 and 13 of The Way of Kings from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. Episode 3 Patreon-exclusi...

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...

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-...

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 “Embed...

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, fa...