Jeff Kirby • Storyteller
Creating a fun and unpredictable fantasy adventure with the Cool Story Guys podcast
Launched in 2021 with my friend and writing partner Ethan Moses, the Cool Story Guys podcast is a collaborative writing project where major plot points are determined by RPG-style dice rolls. Episodes alternate between traditional podcasts with humorous discussions about the writing process and audiobook-style performances of the story. Before every chapter, we each roll a 20-sided die, and the corresponding plot point from our Fate Index must be included in that chapter. Once a specific outcome is used, it is replaced in the Fate Index with a listener submission, letting those who are enjoying the story interact and have a part in shaping the way it unfolds.
This podcast has been a particularly fun endeavor, as it utilizes a variety of skills I’ve picked up throughout my creative career. In addition to writing an ongoing story with new chapters released biweekly, there is also the audio production element of recording and editing each podcast, and I score each audiobook chapter with original music and unique theme songs. The chapters are also available to download on the website, which requires regular updates and fresh graphic design flourishes with every new batch of episodes. It’s a real labor of love, but I couldn’t be happier with how it is turning out.