<span style="font-family:futura-lt-w01-light,sans-serif;" class="wixui-rich-text__text">Study Guides

Study Guide: How AI Could Replace Human Podcasters
Blog by The Snark

In the blog, "How AI Could Replace Human Podcasters," The Snark humorously explores the rise of AI-driven podcasts, where listeners can choose topics like “sock drawer organizing tips” or “grandma’s mac and cheese recipe,” while AI bots fill in the rest with pre-programmed banter. The piece digs into the potential future of podcasts like Alchemy, where human hosts could be replaced by AI bots - perhaps in an episode with Tim without LeeAnna or vice versa. The blog examines the “uncanny valley” effect that makes AI-generated voices sound almost human, but not quite, and questions who gets to pick the topics in an AI-powered world. It wraps up by encouraging writers to imagine how AI could disrupt their characters' lives in fiction.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | The Tragedy of the Incels (part 2)

Podcast duration: 39 mins

In this second installment of The Tragedy of the Incels, Tim and LeeAnna continue their dissection of the bizarre world of men who believe rejection is a lifestyle choice and that being ignored is some sort of political statement. They dive deep into social awkwardness, self-righteous rage, and the dangerous emotional loops that fuel the incel mindset. Through their snarky commentary, the episode tackles emotional dysfunction, social awkwardness, and the canned narratives that many incels use to justify their bitterness. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, with dramatic readings from Tim and LeeAnna that illustrate the sometimes successful, sometimes painful, interactions between their fictional characters, James and Alice.

Study guide pdf here

Study Guide: Goodbye Moon (2024 YR4, part 2)
Blog by The Snark

In this blog, The Snark explores the absurdity and chaos of a hypothetical disaster scenario involving the asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting the Moon and causing it to wobble - sending chunks of it crashing to Earth. The blog imagines what happens when the Moon begins falling apart, wreaking havoc on Earth, and highlights the emotional, apocalyptic absurdity of such an event. The post uses humor and snark to discuss how humans might react to cosmic chaos, while also tapping into deeper themes of life’s unpredictability and the strangeness of the world around us. It’s an exploration of embracing the weirdness and the unknown while having a little fun with disaster, with plenty of room for writers to draw inspiration from the chaos.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | The Tragedy of the Incels (part 1)

Podcast duration: 43 mins

In this episode of the Alchmey series Love Unscripted, Tim and LeeAnna dive deep into (part 1) of the world of incels – short for "involuntary celibates" – exploring their behaviors, ideologies, and the psychological factors behind their resentment and alienation. The podcast explores the paradoxical nature of the incel identity, which combines deep self-loathing with an underlying desire for connection. The episode sheds light on the tragic, toxic, and sometimes dangerous ways in which incels perceive the world, themselves, and women. Tim and LeeAnna tackle the complexities of love, rejection, and the harmful ideologies that often arise from feelings of inadequacy.

Study guide pdf here

Study Guide: Asteroid Doom 2030 (part 1)
Blog by The Snark

In this blog, the Snark dives into the absurdity of life’s unpredictability, centered around the news that there was a 3% chance an asteroid could strike Earth in 2030. It’s an exploration of how we, as humans, are entirely unequipped to deal with catastrophic events that loom just out of reach. The potential asteroid apocalypse serves as a metaphor for how we ignore the real risks while panicking over the inconsequential. As usual, The Snark encourages writers to embrace the chaos and unpredictability in both their own lives and their stories. Because, in the end, life’s unpredictability is what makes it so interesting.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | Love’s Corner Case

Tithonus | Love and the Curse of Immortality

Podcast duration: 23 mins

In this episode, Tim and LeeAnna dive deep into the myth of Tithonus, a tragic figure in Greek mythology who was granted immortality but forgotten by his lover, the goddess Eos, to remain eternally aged and decaying. The poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson explores the complexities of eternal love, the curse of immortality, and the deep human longing for release. The podcast examines how the eternal quest for love and the folly of immortality can spiral into a dark, irreversible reality - much like relationships that fall apart when love can no longer overcome life's most insurmountable challenges.

Study guide pdf here

Study Guide: A New Dawn for Humanity (Or Just a Really Fancy Coffee Maker?)
Blog by The Snark

In this blog, The Snark dives into the exciting (and slightly ominous) tech news surrounding OpenAI’s collaboration with Jony Ive to create a revolutionary new device. While the details are scarce, the buzz is undeniable, and the potential for this device to change the way we interact with the world is palpable. But what will this mean for humanity? Will it turn us all into Lotus Eaters, pampered and lazy, relying on AI to do everything for us? Or will it ignite a new wave of Stoic Rebels, refusing to give in to convenience and technology? Maybe we’ll see a surge of Moderates trying to navigate the balance between technological comfort and self-reliance.

This blog touches on the implications of such a device and how it could shape future lives and stories. It’s a reminder that, as writers, we need to keep our eyes on these fascinating developments and let them fuel our creativity as we build characters who cope with the massive changes of the world around them.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | Fix it or Forget It

Podcast duration: 58 mins

In this episode of Alchemy, Tim and LeeAnna dive into the emotionally messy world of relationships, focusing on two critical aspects: bids for connection and repair attempts. Tim promises a treasure trove of strategies and tactics for both writers and non-writers - complete with a bit of marriage therapy thrown in for good measure. After exploring the Four Horsemen of Relationship Apocalypse in a previous episode, the podcast shifts gears to offer hope, with practical advice for how to make things right after an argument. From the subtle bids we make to be seen and heard, to the awkward (but necessary) attempts at repair when things go wrong, Tim and LeeAnna break it all down with humor, sharp insights, and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments. And of course, things take a dark turn at the end - just enough to keep it real.

Study guide pdf here

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Study Guide: Purposes Marred Perhaps More Than Purposes Achieved

Blog by The Snark

This blog takes Herbert Butterfield’s concept of history - "purposes marred perhaps more than purposes achieved" - and explores its implications both in real life and fiction. Butterfield’s argument that history is chaotic, unpredictable, and full of failed goals challenges the idea of neat, linear narratives. The blog applies this to current events and fiction writing, suggesting that the messiness of failure, missteps, and unachieved goals can make for the most compelling stories. Writers are encouraged to embrace imperfection and use these themes of failure and unexpected twists to create authentic, complex characters.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | Riding The Four Horsemen

Podcast duration: 39 mins

In this episode of Love Unscripted, Tim and LeeAnna dive into the chaos of communication in relationships, specifically focusing on John Gottman’s infamous “Four Horsemen” of relationship dysfunction: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling. With a mix of humor and (often) painful personal anecdotes, they explore how these negative communication patterns can destroy relationships. Tim illustrates how these behaviors can be written into characters to create drama and tension. Through their discussion, writers gain insight into the psychology of conflict in relationships, and how subtle dynamics can turn a healthy relationship into a ticking time bomb.

Study guide pdf here

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Study Guide: 17 Words | The Accidental Genius You’ll Never Admit Was Yours

Blog by The Snark

In this blog, the writer uses James Joyce's encounter with a fellow writer who struggled with a meager 17 words in a day as a springboard to explore the chaotic, frustrating, and occasionally magical nature of the writing process. The blog humorously reflects on the often unpredictable and torturous journey of creating, emphasizing the importance of embracing mistakes, imperfections, and uncertainty. It delves into the moments of “accidental genius” when something brilliant seemingly comes from nowhere, leaving the writer with the delightful confusion of "How the hell did I do that?" The blog celebrates the mess of writing while acknowledging that sometimes, brilliance strikes when you least expect it—and that’s what makes writing so wonderfully maddening.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | Love in Full Color: The Emotional Landscape

Podcast duration: 41 mins

In this episode, Tim and LeeAnna take a wrench to the sputtering engine of modern love and tinker with everything from trust and intimacy to how being “in love” sometimes feels like trying to start a chainsaw with a wet noodle. With a handy metaphor (love = engine), they drive us through nine essential “inputs” (trust, attraction, fidelity, finance, etc.) and ten deliciously complicated “outputs” (tenderness, joy, and accepting that sometimes love belches smoke). Bonus: dramatic dialogue readings from characters James and Alice, who prove—again—that even fictional people need couples counseling.

Study guide pdf here

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Study Guide: Karol Nawrocki's Masterclass in Political Fiction

Blog by The Snark

In this blog, we take a deep dive into the bizarre political spectacle surrounding Karol Nawrocki, a Polish presidential candidate with an unusual flair for self-promotion. His campaign has been marred by an eye-popping scandal involving a crime writer alias - one which, in an astonishing plot twist, turns out to be Nawrocki himself. His literary alter ego praises his own book on TV, only for viewers to discover the ruse. This bizarre political fiction plays out like something straight out of a satirical thriller, offering unexpected lessons for writers about leaning into the improbable. In the world of politics and storytelling, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, and Nawrocki’s spectacle proves it.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (6 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | Love’s Quiet Desperation… Prufrock’s Struggle with Desire

Podcast duration: 25 mins

In this episode of Alchemy, Tim and LeeAnna take listeners into the brooding, balding, existential swirl that is T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Through dramatic readings, mournful laughter, and an awkward peach moment, they explore how internal monologue, regret, and cultural disillusionment can create some of the most enduring (and heartbreaking) characters in literature. Writers, beware: it’s about to get quietly devastating in here.

Study guide pdf here

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Study Guide: When Confidence is Really Just a Cheap Disguise

Blog by The Snark

In this blog post, we take a dive into the overused term "narcissist" - how it’s thrown around like confetti for any and all annoying behaviors, yet it’s a term that actually describes a deeply debilitating condition. Starting with a humorous dissection of how narcissism is misunderstood, we explore the true definition of narcissistic personality disorder, which involves a fragile shell of confidence masking a deep well of insecurity, anxiety, and self-hatred. The blog touches on how this dynamic plays out in both men and women, and the co-dependent relationship that often forms between the narcissist and their partner. Finally, we discuss how writers can tap into this concept to create a compelling and unlikeable antagonist, blending complexity with distaste.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (6 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Love Unscripted | The Love Archipelago

Podcast duration: 54 mins

In this episode of The Alchemy Podcast, Tim and LeeAnna embark on an exploration of the Love Archipelago, a collection of islands representing different forms of love. From the bittersweet chase of Desire and Disappointment to the idealized notion of Existential Completeness, and even the primal instincts of Love as Animals Wandering through the World, they dive deep into the motivations and environments that shape our understanding of love. Along the way, they offer insights for writers on how to create complex characters who embody or confront these notions of love.

Study guide pdf here

Podcast at these locations

Study Guide: Wake Up, You Snowflakes: Torture Your Readers, They’re Begging for It

Blog by The Snark

In this sardonic exploration of modern storytelling, The Snark dives deep into the allure of apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, examining how the increasing immediacy of our fears, amplified through phones and media, has fueled a hunger for chaos in narratives. The blog humorously argues that writers should lean into this desire, acknowledging that the best way to engage readers is by torturing them emotionally—because, let's face it, that's what they crave.

From "The Last Selfie" to the ever-present reality of climate change, readers aren't just looking for distraction—they want the raw, unsettling, and deeply uncomfortable truths of the world, played out on the page. So, what’s a writer to do? Embrace the chaos, feed the hunger for disaster, and let the world burn (figuratively, of course).

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Welcome to Club Confusion… Contradictions and the Human Condition

Podcast duration: 49 mins

In this episode of Alchemy, Tim and LeeAnna dive headfirst into the world of human paradoxes—those delicious contradictions that make us who we are. From the paradox of freedom and control to the messy complexity of love, they explore how we all juggle opposing forces that shape our behavior, beliefs, and relationships. With sharp wit and amusing anecdotes, they reflect on the tensions between personal freedom and societal constraints, the limits of knowledge, the contradictions of love, and much more. In classic Alchemy style, it’s all wrapped up in a chaotic package of humor and thought-provoking insights that will make you rethink everything.

Study guide pdf here

Podcast at these locations

Study Guide: Omnishambles... The Art of Total Disaster

Blog by The Snark

In this blog, we explore the concept of "omnishambles," a term popularized in British politics to describe a chaotic, out-of-control disaster that touches every facet of a situation. From catastrophic government websites that break everything they were designed to fix, to chaotic weddings involving chocolate fountains and rogue hawks, the concept of omnishambles is a celebration of how things can go wrong in the most beautifully disastrous ways. The blog invites readers to embrace the joy of unexpected chaos, drawing parallels to writing and the creativity required to turn messes into stories.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: An Emotional Autopsy in Three Minutes and Fifty Seconds: Operator: The Most Devastating Song Ever Written (And It's Not Even Trying)

Blog by The Snark

This blog by The Snark delves into the complexity and subtle devastation of Jim Croce's song "Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)," analyzing the emotional layers of grief, regret, denial, and ultimately acceptance. The blog breaks down the song's deceptively simple structure, revealing how each line conveys contradictory emotions and a deeper story than the narrator is aware of. Through the lens of this song, the blog explores the power of language to stir emotions and the art of writing characters who inadvertently expose their deepest vulnerabilities.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (8 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Panic Mode: Activated

Podcast duration: 26 mins

In this short n' sweet episode of Alchemy, Tim and LeeAnna dive deep into the chaotic world of panic, sharing their personal experiences with crises—from hurricanes and near-misses with waterfalls to panicked pilots and life-threatening situations. They explore how panic can reveal the true depths of human emotion, both funny and terrifying, and how writers can harness moments of crisis to create more relatable, human characters. Whether it’s the absurdity of a near-miss or the frozen terror of a hostage situation, panic can be the key to unlocking new dimensions in storytelling.

Study guide pdf here

Podcast at these locations

Study Guide: Codependency, Clarity, and One Hell of a Legacy

Blog by The Snark

This blog post explores the life and legacy of Melody Beattie, the woman who named codependency—and in doing so, helped millions of people recognize the toxic patterns they were stuck in. From addiction and grief to literary fame and emotional survival, Beattie’s story is one of grit, messiness, and ultimately, transformation. The post also includes a powerful call to writers: don’t wait to be healed to write. Write because it hurts. Because it matters.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Small Talk, Big Deal

Podcast duration: 45 mins

In this episode of *Alchemy*, Tim and LeeAnna bravely tackle the most ignored, underestimated, and eye-roll-inducing part of human conversation: small talk. You know the drill—"How’s it going?" "Good." "Good?" "Just good." But beneath the empty words and muffin recommendations lies a jungle of emotional complexity, primal survival instincts, and potentially one or two serial killers.

With help from the science of brain synchrony and a few tragic dramatic readings, your podcasters reveal that small talk isn’t meaningless. It’s how characters—and actual humans—test the waters, create connection, hide secrets, or lay the groundwork for something much, much bigger. Whether it's tension, desire, dread, or plain old confusion, small talk can be a goldmine for writers brave enough to see the signal in the fluff.

Study guide pdf here

Podcast at these locations

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Study Guide: When the Farmer Didn’t Look Up... The First Forrest Gump

Blog by The Snark

Somewhere in this very famous painting, a boy is falling from the sky. Wings melted, hubris punished, myth fulfilled. He’s literally drowning. And you know what everyone else in the painting is doing? Absolutely nothing.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (5 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Enter Stage Left: How to Make a First Impression Without Ruining Everything

Podcast duration: 46 mins

In this episode of Alchemy, Tim and LeeAnna dive into the strange, glorious, and sometimes catastrophic moment when one human meets another. Whether it’s a casual encounter at a coffee shop, a forced networking event, or the first five seconds of an epic love/hate relationship, the “first meeting” is one of fiction’s most powerful tools. The hosts unpack how to make character introductions sing (and not yawn), explore why even background characters deserve their moment in the spotlight, and—because it’s Alchemy—get wonderfully sidetracked by disappearing socks, jean jackets, and the psychological burden of brunch.

Writers, readers, and anyone who’s ever tried to make a good first impression will find something to laugh at—and something to think about.

Study guide pdf here (coming soon).

Podcast at these locations

Study Guide: A Blast From The Past (But Not The Fun Kind)

Blog by The Snark

(extract) “In the end, as writers, it’s our job to show the truth of the human condition, which is much more complicated than “let’s make everything better and not look back”. If we’re lucky, our characters might just survive that idealism and come out on the other side a little wiser, even if they’ve had a few too many setbacks along the way.”

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (4 minutes to read)

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Study Guide: Take Me to Your Writer | Part 3, The Weirdness Beneath our Skin

Podcast duration: 43 mins

In this episode of Alchemy, Tim and LeeAnna take a deep dive into the physical characteristics of aliens—because let’s face it, when it comes to crafting extraterrestrials, the body can be as weird and unsettling as the mind. From the bizarre somatotopic map to the unsettling concept of the flask-grown homunculus (thank you, Paracelsus), the episode explores the grotesque, the distorted, and the uncanny in alien design. The discussion spirals from mind-bending philosophy to deep-seated body horror, questioning what happens when we create life and where the line between human and monster blurs.

Study guide pdf here (coming soon).

Podcast at these locations

Study Guide: The Perils of Doing It Again

Blog by The Snark

Extract: “So, there I was, a young writer, freshly armed with optimism and a little too much coffee, listening to an interview with an elderly writer. The kind of writer whose books you have to dust off before opening, because they've been around long enough to gather a respectable amount of literary dust. They asked her, "Would you do anything differently?" and without missing a beat, she said, “No, but I wouldn’t want to do it again!”

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (4 minutes to read)

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Study Guide: Take Me to Your Writer | Part 2, Writing the Otherworldly

Podcast duration: 36 mins

In Alchemy's 25th episode, Tim and LeeAnna explore the intricacies of creating aliens that go beyond the typical sci-fi tropes. With their signature humor and philosophical reflections, they discuss how to craft extraterrestrial characters that can challenge human nature, evoke moral dread, and maybe even make us laugh. From the terrifying Xir aliens to the passive-aggressive, snack-obsessed Snark’s Xir, the episode delves into the role aliens can play as mirrors to humanity—whether they’re pushing our existential buttons or just offering unsolicited advice. Along the way, Tim reflects on his own creative process, reading excerpts from his novel The Theory of My Wonders, where animatronic aliens serve as a strange, otherworldly backdrop to very human drama.

Study guide pdf here (need to add).

Podcast at these locations

Study Guide: The Ultimate Committee Work Triumph

Blog by The Snark

This blog takes a reverent (and irreverent) look at one of the greatest literary feats in the English language: the King James Bible—written not by one tortured genius in a garret, but by a committee. Yes, a committee. With notes. And arguments. And probably way too many snacks.

The piece explores how this deeply collaborative process somehow produced some of the most emotionally resonant and enduring language in history—despite (or because of?) the infighting, egos, and collective drafting that would normally kill creativity stone dead.

The lesson for writers? Sometimes, embracing the tension of a group effort—or the internal “committee” in your head—can lead to strange, powerful, unforgettable writing.

Study guide pdf here

Blog here (4 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Take Me to Your Writer | Part 1 Build-an-Alien
Podcast duration: 46 mins

In this podcast episode, the first part of ‘Take Me to Your Writer’ Tim and LeeAnna guide you through the process of creating a truly unique and terrifying alien character. The goal is to craft an extraterrestrial being that goes beyond the cliché alien designs, one that pushes the boundaries of imagination and leaves your readers both horrified and intrigued.

The alien-building process is broken down into 13 key parameters. These are essential for crafting a character that feels alien in every sense, not just physically but in its culture, motivations, and interactions with humans.

Study guide pdf here.

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Study Guide: O Holy Night

Podcast duration: 18 mins

In this episode, the Alchemy podcasters dive into the rich history behind the beloved Christmas song O Holy Night. What seems like a simple holiday “jingle” actually has a surprising and remarkable origin story, stretching back to France in the mid-19th century. This episode explores how it came to be, the surprising influence it had, and how it can inspire writers to find the “thrill of hope” even in the most unexpected places. We also look at how familiar things—whether a song, a tradition, or a story—can have an intriguing and often overlooked history that makes them even more meaningful, and can inspire deeper backstories for creative writers.

Study guide pdf here.

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Study Guide: How Not to Kill Your Character… or Your Readers (blog)

Blog by The Snark

Extract: "Ah, The Old Curiosity Shop. Charles Dickens' magnum opus in misery, most famous for bringing us Little Nell—arguably literature’s first contestant on Britain’s Got (Morbid) Sentimentality. Even Oscar Wilde couldn't hold back, quipping that “one must have a heart of stone to read the death of little Nell without laughing.” A brutal takedown from the king of wit himself. So, how do you, as a modern writer, dodge the Wilde-an dagger and avoid having your big, tragic moment turned into comedic fodder? Let's get into it!"

Study guide pdf here.

Blog here (3 minutes to read)

Study Guide: Shocking Results

Podcast duration: 35 mins

Our podcasters take a wild, unpredictable journey through creativity, with brief stops at electric shock therapy, runaway horses in London, WW1 poetry, The word “Cenotaph”, and a poignant discussion of the Royal Artillery Memorial in London – and especially the Artilleryman Recumbent (the controversial representation of a dead soldier). These tangents, seemingly unrelated, illustrate a larger point: creativity often thrives in chaos and unpredictability. Most particularly the episode explores how creative risks, even in the darkest of subjects, can inspire the most compelling outcomes.

Link to the images of the Royal Artillery Memorial and the Artilleryman Recumbent: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Artillery_Memorial

Study guide pdf here.

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Study Guide: Memory & Self-Identity

Podcast duration: 40 mins

In this podcast episode, the Alchemy gang takes a deep dive into the fascinating (and often frustrating) ways memory shapes our self-identity. Tim, LeeAnna (and guest, Seth) explore the distortions of memory over time and how these imperfections influence how we see ourselves and others. With amusing tangents about LeeAnna’s kangaroo hat and Homer Simpson’s identity crisis, the episode highlights how unreliable memory is and how it affects both real people and fictional characters. Writers are encouraged to lean into the messiness of memory, making their characters’ memories and self-perceptions as flawed and complicated as the human experience itself. It’s all about embracing the chaos and letting characters’ identities evolve through distorted recollections and shifting perspectives.

Study guide pdf here.

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