May the 4th be with you, friends! Sarah and Brad are celebrating Star Wars Day with the fifth annual "Friends of the 4th" special where we share our favorite memories from the past 365 days in Star Wars. Join us in our trip down memory lane as we reflect on the past and the future of our fandom experience. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Thank you to all of our Patrons, including our...

The Force itself sickens in the latest High Republic young-adult novel “Defy the Storm” by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland. We discuss Vernestra Rwoh emerging from solitude, Avon Starros on her quest for revenge, Mari San Tekka's path beyond the edge of the galaxy, and more. Plus, what's next for solving the Nameless problem? Independent Bookstore of the Week: Scrawl Books (Reston, VA) Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree:...

Calling all Jedi: this is the Scarlet Skull! Join us for our discussion on the latest High Republic middle-grade novel "Escape from Valo" by Daniel José Older and Alyssa Wong. We dive into this journey full of grief, fear, attachment, and compassion by looking through the eyes of Ram Jomaram and the three Jedi Padawans that he takes under his wing. Independent Bookstore of the Week: Violet Valley Bookstore (Water Valley, MS) Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter:...

In this week's coverage of The Bad Batch, we're discussing the long-awaited return of Asajj Ventress, local Florida Men (aka Wrecker and Hunter), and a stressful two-parter on both Mount Tantiss and Pabu! Spoilers ahead for episodes 308-311. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Thank you to all of our Patrons, including our Luminous Beings: Brian, Emma, Jenn, Lee-Ann, Lucy, Ruth, Travis,...

⁠Alyssa Wong⁠ joins the podcast to discuss their debut High Republic novel ESCAPE FROM VALO, which is a wildly fun and heartfelt middle-grade story alongside Daniel José Older. Spoiler warning: we talk about key plot points from the entirety of the book. We definitely recommend reading Alyssa's award-winning short-fiction story 'Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers' ⁠here⁠. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree:...

This is about power, and who's allowed to use it. The first official trailer for THE ACOLYTE has finally arrived and we're foaming at the mouth! We're picking apart every detail one could find in two minutes of footage and what we know about the characters thus far. We also highlight some of the brilliant Leslye Headland quotes making the rounds about power, institutions, and emotional catharsis. Sources include Star Wars.com, Collider, and The Hollywood Reporter. Website:...

We continue our coverage of The Bad Batch season three with episodes four through seven including an action-packed two-parter! We talk about emotional reunions, clone rebellion and identity, and more proof that Tech lives! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Thank you to all of our Patrons, including our Luminous Beings: Brian, Emma, Jenn, Lee-Ann, Lucy, Ruth, Travis, Topher, and...

The Bad Batch returns for their final ride in the third and final season! We're discussing the three-part premiere with friend of the show Mollie (@DarthMaullie) as we unpack the secrets of Project Necromancer, speculate about the Batch's endgame, yell over this arc's thrilling conclusion, and more. Check out Mollie's Etsy store here, which includes the coveted Cute Gunray pin. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Linktree:...

We welcome digital illustrator Ella (@cherriielle) whose dream of creating official High Republic artwork is now *bangs the Daniel José Older gavel* CANON! After manifesting it two years ago, Ella finally had the opportunity to create a variant cover for "The High Republic Adventures" issue no. 3 featuring Zeen Mrala, Svi'no Atchapat, and Sian Holt. Ella shares why her Star Wars journey began with an Instagram follow, how she got comfortable with her art style, why she loves the High...

It's a High Republic party and everyone, and we mean everyone, is invited! This week, we're talking with authors Amy Richau and Megan Crouse about their work on "The High Republic Character Encylopedia" from DK Publishing. We reflect on the High Republic's three-year anniversary, why this era is special to so many fans, and what went into researching this book — and yes, there's even a tiny bit of #EggTalk in here. Thank you DK Publishing for providing us with a review copy and organizing...

In celebration of the four-year anniversary of the STAR WARS RESISTANCE series finale, we're joined by the duo of Chris "Doc" Wyatt and Kevin Burke, who co-wrote five episodes across both seasons. They discuss their time in the writer's room at Skywalker Ranch with Dave Filoni, the show's depiction of fascism and how it resonates with the 'Andor' series, and much more! Note: this episode was recorded during the 2023 WGA strike and several days prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. In solidarity...

Travel with us to a galaxy far, far away as we embark on the journey of a lifetime! Comic writer Tommy Stella joins us to see who can build the best Star Tours adventure. In this friendly competition, we select a pilot, dive deep into the lore of our rides, and choose six destinations among the following categories: the High Republic; the prequel, original trilogy, and sequel eras; live-action and animated television; and a special "wild card" selection. Visit the Rad as Heck website here....

Lucasfilm junior creative executive Emily Shkoukani joins us to talk about their work on "DAWN OF REBELLION," the latest Star Wars visual guide they co-authored alongside Pablo Hidalgo that covers the 19 years following Revenge of the Sith. Thank you to DK Publishing for the review copy! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/friendsoftheforce Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsOfForce Bluesky:...

It's the beginning of the end as we take our first steps into The High Republic Phase 3 with "The Eye of Darkness" by George Mann. We discuss the identity crises weighing down on Elzar Mann and Avar Kriss, the game of chess between the Republic and the Nihil, hope surviving in the darkest of times, why turning fear into strength is the key to the Nameless problem, and more. Independent Bookstore of the Week: The Bookshop (Nashville, TN) Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Join...

Star Wars author George Mann joined us on Life Day to celebrate the release of his newest book "The Eye of Darkness," which kicks off The High Republic Phase 3 one year after the events of Phase 1. We discuss Avar Kriss and the weight of expectations, Marchion Ro's methods and motivations, Elzar Mann reeling from the loss of Stellan, and more. Plus, we get a very small tease of George's next book "Tears of the Nameless." Spoiler Warning: spoiler talk begins around the 23:00 mark. Website:...

We are so back baby! With the launch of The High Republic Phase 3: Trials of the Jedi, we're previewing what's to come for our heroes as we reunite with them one year after the fall of Starlight Beacon. What exactly are the "trials" of the Jedi? Is confronting fear the destiny of a Jedi? How exactly do we solve the Nameless problem? We're exploring all of these ideas and so much more as we try to define the Jedi's role in the galaxy. Plus, we recap some (old) NYCC news and discuss several...

Adam Lance Garcia joins the podcast to reunite us with the beloved Dexter Jettster in his short story "The Veteran" — featured in 'From A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi.' We discuss Dex's appearances across multiple eras, the guilt he carries from one Kamino saberdart, and the Empire's end reigniting hope for a brighter future. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/friendsoftheforce Twitter:...

We're diving into "Tales of Light and Life," the newest short-story anthology spanning all three phases of the High Republic, to discuss where our characters have been, where they may be going, and the aftermath of Starlight Beacon's fall. Note: this episode was recorded during the 2023 ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAG-AFTRA strike⁠⁠⁠⁠. Without the actors currently on strike, Star Wars wouldn't have been made possible. Consider helping out through the Entertainment Community Fund ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Website:...

This week's episode is a gift freely given! We're joined by author Tessa Gratton whose short story "A Closed Fist Has No Claws" appears in the newest young-adult anthology 'Tales of Light and Life.' We dive into the continuation of Marda Ro's path, planting the seeds of Nihil ideology, writing in second-person POV, the definition of "home" in the High Republic era, and much more! Note: this episode was recorded during the 2023 ⁠⁠WGA⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠SAG-AFTRA strike⁠⁠⁠. Without the writers and...

This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Del Rey / Random House Worlds senior editor Tom Hoeler, who has worked on numerous Star Wars publishing projects including the most recent anthology “From A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi.” Tom shares his insights into the making-of process on all three entries as well as the opportunities that come about with 40 stories from 40 authors. Thank you to Random House Worlds for our review copies. Note: this episode was recorded during...

Delilah S. Dawson joins us to discuss "Star Wars Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade," which marks her first full-length Star Wars novel since 2019. We cover Iskat Akaris' fall to the Dark Side, the Jedi as instruments of war, the appeal of Inquisitor-focused stories, and more. Thank you to Random House Worlds for our review copies. Note: this episode was recorded during the 2023 WGA and ⁠SAG-AFTRA strike⁠. Without the writers and actors currently on strike, Star Wars wouldn't have been...

The High Republic Phase 2 comes to a shocking conclusion in "Path of Vengeance" by Cavan Scott, and we're excited to finally chat about it! We dive into the Path of the Open Hand's transformation into the Nihil, Marda and Yana's conflicting motives, Matty's greatest test yet in the face of fear, and much more. Plus, we turn #EggTalk all the way up by defining the sin done to the Nameless, Planet X's paracausal properties, and, most importantly, why Azlin Rell is the key to all of this (!!!)....

Ready, set, go! It's time for the Hyperspace Chase as we dive into 'Quest for Planet X,' the latest High Republic middle-grade novel by Tessa Gratton. We explore themes of acceptance and independence through Rooper, Dass, and Sky; the privatization of hyperspace lanes in an age of exploration; Planet X's origins and its similarities to the Garden of Eden as a paradise; and much more! Independent Bookstores of the Week: The Salt Eaters Bookshop (Inglewood, CA) Thank you to Disney Books for...

Jump into the world of ‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ as we chat with actress Debra Wilson, the voice behind Jedi Master Cere Junda! We discuss her awakening in 1977 after seeing Star Wars forty-plus times in the theater, how she approached the role of Cere, what it means to rebuild the Jedi's legacy, her emotional last day on the set of Survivor, and much more. SPOILER WARNING: We dive into heavy Jedi: Survivor spoilers related to Cere at 42:00 in case you haven't had a chance to play the game....