Best Cognitive Recalibration Podcasts (2025)

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Superman Review 37:49

7d ago37:49

37:49

Superman (2025) Review – A Bold Reboot or Just Another Cape? 🦸‍♂️ We're back after a hiatus to talk about one of the most anticipated superhero films of the year – James Gunn’s Superman (2025). Is this the hopeful new beginning the DC Universe needed? We discuss our spoiler-free thoughts, dive deep into character portrayals, compare this reboot to …

1
E60 - Addictive Personality feat. Cindy L. Sell 48:43

5d ago48:43

48:43

Send us a text This week, we are joined by award-winning author Cindy L. Sell to talk about her second novel, Embers Rising, and a foray into the spicy with Tales from Dessos. Cindy is a fantastic author and friend of the podcast, having appeared on several episodes in the past. Her debut novel, Remnants of a Scarlet Flame will be $0.99 beginning 8…

1
What If: Vacation of a Lifetime 20:17

19d ago20:17

20:17

Send us a text What if magical islands appeared in conjunction with celestial events? Derrick has a new novella ready for preorder! Nambra releases on August 1st, 2025! Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, which includes The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qetran Revival. He can be found as @D…

1
What If: Transfiguration for Civillians 33:36

1M ago33:36

33:36

Send us a text What if people could change into animals, but only the mundane ones? This is our question of the week. Derrick has a new novella ready for preorder! Nambra releases on August 1st, 2025! Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, which includes The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qetra…

1
What If: The Value of Story 36:56

2M ago36:56

36:56

Send us a text What if stories were used as currency? This is our question of the week, as we also discuss pushing through writer's block and creatively named foods. Derrick's new series of writing guides is here! Ebooks are available now, and paperbacks are available via Amazon! Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy …

1
What If: Cognitive Recalibration 34:48

3M ago34:48

34:48

Send us a text What if dreams were the only way to remember? It's not good, but we talk about it anyway. Derrick's new series of writing guides is here! Ebooks are available now, and paperbacks are available via Amazon! Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, which includes The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran…

1
What If: Stab Them with Style 45:07

3M ago45:07

45:07

Send us a text What if enchanted weapons had personalities and were sentient? We discuss that, imagine anime girls, and much more! Derrick's new series of writing guides is here! Ebooks are available now, and paperbacks are available via Amazon! Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, which includes The Trials o…

1
What is happening with Star Wars? 59:51

3M ago59:51

59:51

Is the Force still with us? In this episode, we're joined by long-time Star Wars fan Bhaskar to break down the current state of the franchise—from the highs of Andor to the lows of The Acolyte. We talk about the Disney+ overload, the trilogy that derailed itself, the missed opportunities, and whether it's time for a creative hiatus. There's plenty …

1
What If: Reality Check 31:48

3M ago31:48

31:48

Send us a text What if the laws of reality were rewritten every decade? That is our question, along with a bad movie review and Derrick's most hated character. Derrick's new series of writing guides is here! Ebooks are available now, and paperbacks are available via Amazon! Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series…

1
Deadpool & Wolverine Review 37:23

4M ago37:23

37:23

💥 Deadpool & Wolverine has finally arrived… and we’re (fashionably) late to the party! Recorded right after release, we’re finally dropping this long-overdue review along with a juicy MCU deep dive. From D23 announcements (Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom?!) to Deadpool cameos, future Marvel line-ups, and a full breakdown of our Japan theme park ad…

1
What If: Ripples in the World 29:00

4M ago29:00

29:00

Send us a text Editor's Note: Apologies for the delay between episodes. We are working to remedy the situation and return to our regular schedule, but for now, life has other plans. Until then, we will upload as often as possible. What if water led to different dimensions? That is our question this week. We also discuss how different people build t…

1
Mickey 17 | Snow White 29:34

4M ago29:34

29:34

🎙 Mickey 17, Snow White, Novocaine & Ne Zha 2 | Sci-Fi, Disney Flops & Action Twists We're back with a stacked episode! Sravan and Tarun dive into Bong Joon Ho’s latest sci-fi dark comedy Mickey 17, unpack the controversial Snow White (2025) live-action reboot, spotlight the action-packed rom-com Novocaine, and review China's record-breaking animat…

1
Captain America: Brave New World Review 28:13

5M ago28:13

28:13

Our first movie review of 2025 is here! We finally watched Captain America: Brave New World—but was it worth the wait? We dive into the strengths, weaknesses, action sequences, and Marvel’s future. Is Anthony Mackie a great Captain America? Was Red Hulk worth the hype? Does this movie set up anything important for the MCU? 🎧 Tune in for our spoiler…

1
What If: The Mind of a Shadow 29:59

5M ago29:59

29:59

Send us a text What If shadows were sentient? That is our question, along with a crash course on organizing your world, and Derrick's fizzy pink cocktail. Derrick's new non-fiction books, The Elements of Creation: World-Building for a Fantasy Setting & Unforgettable: Creating Characters that Live Beyond the Page, are here! Ebooks are available now,…

1
Most Anticipated for 2025 28:08

5M ago28:08

28:08

We're back in 2025! Sravan and Tarun break down their most anticipated movies and TV shows of the year—including Superman, Fantastic Four, Mortal Kombat 2, Knives Out 3, and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning! Which movies are must-watch, and which ones are we skipping? Tune in for a genre-by-genre breakdown and our hottest takes on 2025 cinem…

1
What If: Future Past 34:48

6M ago34:48

34:48

Send us a text What If time worked differently in various regions, causing age regression and forgotten futures? That is our question, along with a crash course on Adulting and Xtina's new World Wiki! Derrick's new non-fiction books, The Elements of Creation: World-Building for a Fantasy Setting & Unforgettable: Creating Characters that Live Beyond…

1
What If: Home Free 36:16

6M ago36:16

36:16

Send us a text What If cities were sentient and adapted to the needs of their inhabitants? That is our question, along with a crash course on Scotch tasting, Derrick's crazy voices, and an exciting announcement! Derrick's new non-fiction book, The Elements of Creation: World-Building for a Fantasy Setting, is here! Ebooks are available now, and a p…

1
Kraven the Hunter Review 27:20

7M ago27:20

27:20

Sravan and Tarun return to discuss Kraven the Hunter—a film that may just be the final installment of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Is it a roaring success or a flop? Tune in to hear their thoughts on this “masterpiece”! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lY3O4QbceY4 Timestamps: 0:34 - Introduction to Kraven the Hunter 1:02 - Production and Context 2…

1
Christmas Special 2024 1:24:14

7M ago1:24:14

1:24:14

Celebrate the holidays with our annual Christmas Special! 🎄 This year, we’ve doubled the fun with four reviews of Christmas-themed films, featuring our special guests. Sravan and Tarun are joined by Bhaskar and Kireeti for a lively discussion about their picks for the best (and maybe the worst!) holiday movies. Tune in for festive fun, film insight…

1
What If: Mythomorphosis 41:11

8M ago41:11

41:11

Send us a text What If mythical creatures were real, but their appearance changed based on the beliefs of the people viewing them? That is our question, along with a lengthy aside on the importance of setting, Derrick's crazy voices, and an exciting announcement! Derrick's new non-fiction book, The Elements of Creation: World-Building for a Fantasy…

1
What If: Elements of Creation 39:33

9M ago39:33

39:33

Send us a text What is World Building? This week we take a slight detour and reorient the show toward world-building - What parts of writing do we consider world-building, and how do we implement them? M.J. Lindsey is a published author of novellas, and shorts, and has just released her debut novel A Distortion of Fate. She can be found at threebug…

1
What If: One of These is a Walrus 30:11

10M ago30:11

30:11

Send us a text What if elemental beings controlled the elements? Also, Walruses (Walri?). M.J. Lindsey is a published author of novellas, and shorts, and has just released her debut novel A Distortion of Fate. She can be found at threebugspublishing.com. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The …

1
Joker: Folie à Deux Review 27:56

10M ago27:56

27:56

Joker: Folie à Deux – Did it live up to the hype? 🎬 With Joaquin Phoenix returning and Lady Gaga stepping into Harley Quinn's shoes, this sequel took an unexpected twist into musical territory. Sravan and Taran break down what worked (hint: not much) and what didn’t (hint: almost everything). Is it worth a watch? Find out in our full review! 🎧 Watc…

1
What If: Storms of the Past (Featuring Cindy L. Sell) 41:40

10M ago41:40

41:40

Send us a text What if Sentient storms existed that could be harnessed and used? That is the question this week, along with a discussion of when to write that nagging scene. Cindy L. Sell joins us this week to talk about her debut novel and writing process and play a quick game with us. She is a fantastic author and friend of the podcast having app…

1
What If: To Dance with Penguins 47:56

11M ago47:56

47:56

Send us a text What if people could explore hidden dimensions in art? That is the question this week, along with a ramble on POV and children's innermost thoughts. Cindy L. Sell is a fantastic author and friend of the podcast having appeared on several episodes in the past. Her debut novel, Remnants of a Scarlet Flame is available now! She can be f…

1
What If: Toxic Shock 28:44

1y ago28:44

28:44

Send us a text What if mundane natural phenomena were toxic? That is the question this week, along with a new addition to the team. M.J. Lindsey is a published author of novellas, shorts, and is planning to release Tapestry in the near future. She can be found at threebugspublishing.com. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson P…

1
Throwback: Chasing Squirrels 1:01:35

1y ago1:01:35

1:01:35

Send us a text Due to life and the July 4th Holiday, we offer a well-preserved throwback rather than a fresh episode. Learn more about Derrick and Xtina as we interview each other and - as always - chase a few squirrels. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran…

1
What If: Seeing Stars 24:16

1y ago24:16

24:16

Send us a text What if the light of the stars held memories? That is the question this week, along with how writer's block can actually be productive and weird movies. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qetran Revival. He can be found at his …

1
What If: When Myth Becomes Fantasy 28:00

1y ago28:00

28:00

Send us a text What if Hercules appeared in your fantasy world? That is the question this week, along with Mark Twain, military history, and the importance of POV to a story. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qetran Revival. He can be found …

1
What If: City of Secrets 40:42

1y ago40:42

40:42

Send us a text What if an underground city full of advanced technology were discovered? That is the question this week, along with info dumps, beer choices, and the finer points of whisky. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qetran Revival. He…

1
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Review 1:39:10

1y ago1:39:10

1:39:10

In this episode, we are joined by special guest Bhaskar to analyze Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. We explore the cinematic history of Godzilla and Kong before diving into the character dynamics and narrative depth of the latest film. We also review the latest instalment in the Ghostbusters franchise Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Watch on YouTube: …

1
What If: To the Moon 33:50

1+ y ago33:50

33:50

Send us a text What if the moon had a profound influence on magic? That is the question this week, along with color theory, problems inherent with translations, and creative Jenga. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qetran Revival. He can be …

1
What If: Counterpoint 35:22

1+ y ago35:22

35:22

Send us a text What a magical artifact appeared in our world that could change the nature of magic? That is the question this week, along with the nature of beer, and how we've been growing as writers. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qetra…

1
What If: Use the Force 56:20

1+ y ago56:20

56:20

Send us a text What if our characters found themselves in the Star Wars universe? This week, that is the question at hand as we discuss the expanded universe, the merits of alpha and beta readers, and interesting cans. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran O…

1
Dune: Part 2 Review 1:24:43

1+ y ago1:24:43

1:24:43

In this episode, we are joined by returning Kireeti and we deeply analyze "Dune: Part 2" discussing its visual grandeur, character arcs, and pacing. We venture into spoilers in the second half of the episode and dissect character motivations and narrative intricacies, comparing themes with other works. We also review the Netflix show "Avatar: The L…

1
What If: No Power in the 'Verse 26:25

1+ y ago26:25

26:25

Send us a text This week we take our exercise in theoretical world-building to new heights by discussing the world surrounding Joss Whedon's Firefly, and what would happen if everyone's favorite tight-pantsed captain and crew couldn't lie. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiars…

1
Madame Web Review 42:58

1+ y ago42:58

42:58

In this episode, we discuss the Sony's Spider-Man Universe Universe and "Madame Web." We critique the film's flaws in dialogue, acting, and storytelling. We covers character dynamics, plot holes, and CGI quality, offering insights into its strengths and weaknesses within the superhero film landscape. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cb5i1e3LkKc T…

1
What If: Jack the Ripoff 33:35

1+ y ago33:35

33:35

Send us a text What if a Jack the Ripper-style serial killer began plaguing our fictional worlds? That is the question this week as we ponder healthcare, un-healthcare, and the motives of serial killers. Derrick is a working photographer and author of the Crimson Prophecy series, consisting of The Trials of Tiarsus, Berylis, Qetran Odyssey, and Qet…

1
Argylle Review 23:11

1+ y ago23:11

23:11

In this episode, we analyse Matthew Vaughn's film "Argylle." We explore various aspects of the film, including the cast, plot twists, character development, and execution. Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/GcIpayxfo3U Timestamps: 0:00:35 Introduction 0:02:19 Non-Spoilers Discussion 0:10:51 Comparing Ratings 0:11:52 A book has been written from thi…

1
What If: Walk off the Earth 36:29

1+ y ago36:29

36:29

Send us a text Derrick here - This episode was plagued with issues and the recording is cut a little bit short. I apologize for the issues and hope to have things back to normal next time. For now, thank you for your patience and thank you for listening. This week we learn that technology isn't everything, that the world spins on, and that Derrick …

1
What If: Meep! - Featuring E.R. Donaldson 52:43

1+ y ago52:43

52:43

Send us a text We journey across a sea of nightmares populated by fuzzy puppets as we cast our books with characters from the oft-beloved - or despised - muppet universe. Joining us this week is fantasy author E. R. Donaldson. He talks about his work and the violence intrinsic to parenthood. He can be found at his website www.mythicnorthpress.com D…

1
Best of 2023 | Most Anticipated for 2024 41:49

1+ y ago41:49

41:49

Happy New Year! In this episode of Cognitive Recalibration, we discuss our top five favourite movies of 2023 and our least favourite. We also delve into box office numbers for 2023 and look forward to upcoming movies in 2024 like Dune: Part 2, Deadpool 3, Kraven the Hunter, and Venom 3. Timestamps: 0:00:34 New Year, New Episode: Looking Back at 202…

1
What If: Archeological Anthropology 36:30

1+ y ago36:30

36:30

Send us a text This week we adventure into the bowels of the earth and talk about what our worlds would look like if our main characters and societies lived underground. Last of the Breed - Louis L'amour - Highly recommended story of a Sioux/Cheyenne Cold War-era American fighter pilot shot down over Soviet Russia and his struggle to follow the anc…

1
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom | Rebel Moon | Godzilla Minus One 47:23

1+ y ago47:23

47:23

In this episode, we discuss Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Rebel Moon and Godzilla Minus One. Directed by James Wan, known for horror films and the previous Aquaman instalment, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom serves as the final film in the DC Extended Universe before a new DC universe begins. Rebel Moon is Zach Snyder's attempt at creating a Star Wars…

1
What If: Contextual Resolutions with Meg Lindsey and Cindy L. Sell 39:35

1+ y ago39:35

39:35

Send us a text A new year has begun, and we have not one, but two very special guests on this episode! Meg Lindsey returns to grace us with her presence, and Cindy L. Sell joins us for the very first time! With our motley crew of authors assembled, we talk about media - books and movies - from 2023 that taught us something about writing. Hooked: Wr…

1
Christmas Special 2023 29:38

1+ y ago29:38

29:38

It's the most wonderful time of the year, this time we are talking about two Christmas movies, the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Holiday". Timestamps: (3:28) - It's a Wonderful Life (16:25) - The Holiday The equipment we use: Rode Podmic: https://amzn.to/2LSeJPb Rodecaster Pro: https://amzn.to/3bLykLP Rode PSA1 Boom Arm: https://amzn.to/…

1
Wonka | Blue Beetle | Boy and the Heron Reviews 37:25

1+ y ago37:25

37:25

In this we review the latest release "Wonka", along with the previous DC release "Blue Beetle". We also discuss the latest instalment in the Hunger Games franchise, "Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" along with Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki's last film "The Boy and the Heron". Timestamps: (1:48) - Blue Beetle (9:14) - Hunger Game…

1
What If: Enter the Underworld 30:27

1+ y ago30:27

30:27

Send us a text This week, Derrick and Xtina discuss underground civilizations and confess their derivative work. Derrick's Top Secret Project #1 has been revealed! Ten Levels Down is part of the 2023 Inkfort Press Publishing Derby. A list of this year's published titles can be found here. This sarcastic, nerdtastic, GameLIT novella can be found on …

1
The Marvels Review 56:42

1+ y ago56:42

56:42

In this episode we review the latest MCU release "The Marvels" and we are joined by returning guest Brian Sherlock to discuss the movie. Timestamps: (1:41) - Spoiler Free Review (17:25) - Spoiler Talk The equipment we use: Rode Podmic: https://amzn.to/2LSeJPb Rodecaster Pro: https://amzn.to/3bLykLP Rode PSA1 Boom Arm: https://amzn.to/2M0ujIp XLR Ca…

1
Secret Invasion Review 52:45

1+ y ago52:45

52:45

In this episode we review Marvel's latest Disney+ series Secret Invasion along with Haunting in Venice, The Nun II, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 and Haunted Mansion. Timestamps: (0:58) - Secret Invasion (19:16) - Haunted Mansion (26:40) - The Nun II (35:56) - My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (42:47) - Haunting in Venice The equipment we use: Rode Podmic: h…

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