What if the best tool for building fictional worlds wasn’t a writing craft book, but a century of real cultural research?

Ask an Anthropologist About Worldbuilding is a live Q&A series where I sit down with experts from across disciplines and translate their knowledge into practical worldbuilding tools through an anthropological lens. Some guests are authors and craft experts. Some are scientists, historians, and specialists in fields you might not expect. All of them have something that makes fictional worlds feel more real.

New episodes stream live on YouTube and are archived here. Bring your worldbuilding questions.

Biology and the Body ft. Kyra Wellstrom Forensic anthropologist and co-author of Build Better Worlds, Kyra joins me to answer your questions about bodies, decay, and all the visceral details that make fictional worlds feel real. Streaming live March 26, 2026 at 7pm MDT.

Hearth and Home in Worldbuilding ft. Stant Litore Author of Write Worlds Your Readers Won’t Forget and the inspiration behind the Emmy-nominated Love Death and Robots episode Running with the Tyrannosaur, Stant joins me to explore what makes a fictional world feel like home. We cover solastalgia, ancient Roman domestic space, Keith Basso’s concept of place, and why character wounds are the engine of the best plot choices.

Worldbuilding with Anthropology: Writing Cultures, Myths, and Believable Societies A solo deep dive into how anthropological thinking builds more coherent fictional cultures. Covers myth structures, social organization, and what makes a society feel lived-in rather than invented.

Ask an Anthropologist About Worldbuilding: Live Q&A for Writers and Creators The inaugural episode. An open Q&A exploring how anthropology applies to fiction writing, game design, and filmmaking.

Want to go deeper?

Build Better Worlds: An Introduction to Anthropology for Game Designers, Fiction Writers, and Filmmakers is the most comprehensive resource I have put together on anthropological worldbuilding. Co-written with forensic anthropologist Kyra Wellstrom, it gives you the building blocks for creating more authentic and immersive worlds based on real social science.

Need One on One Help?

If you want hands-on help with your specific project, I offer worldbuilding consultations. The first 15 minutes are free and can change your world forever.