I suck at mornings, so it was kind of rough to get up earlier than usual so I could make it to KTLA to be on the morning news. But I was so excited to be there, and so excited my new podcast was finally out in the world, I practically jumped out of bed when the alarm went off.
Two cups of coffee and one surprisingly smooth commute into Hollywood later, I made a post on Instagram while I was in the Sam Rubin green room:
I’ve been on national and international broadcasts. Once, I was the guy BBC World Service went to for the governor election when Schwarzenegger ran the first time. True story!
But I’m one of those kids who loved the local news when I was growing up. It felt like something everyone watched and talked about. I don’t know if that persists in the current media landscape, but being invited to KTLA to talk about It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton is a very big deal for me, easily as exciting and meaningful (maybe a little moreso) than all of that other stuff. While I wait to go on my inner child is doing zoomies while I do my best to maintain decorum in the green room.
It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton dropped today, and you can find it wherever you get your podcasts.
I had a fantastic time while I was there. I felt more comfortable, more focused, more present than I expected. I always get nervous and I always feel like I’m a beat behind the action because a big part of my attention is burned on tracking reactions — how much am I fucking up? — than it is on just enjoying the moment.
I did this thing where I reminded myself that I was invited, that I deserved to be there, and the thing I was there to promote is genuinely a good thing that I worked hard to make, so it’s totally cool to feel proud and enjoy talking about it. I even mostly listened to myself!
They were so wonderful to me. I have had interviews with people who are obviously just doing their jobs, who aren’t interested in me or what I’m talking about beyond whatever their producer prepped for them. This wasn’t that, at all. All of the anchors at the desk were just lovely! They were genuinely interested in me before the segment started (crazy, since they have so much on their minds and so much pressure being live) and stayed that way until I was finished. I was totally floored by how welcomed and celebrated I felt.
Can anyone else see how the news team is like YO THIS IS GREAT while my posture is just DONT FUCK UP WIL BE COOL AND STAND THERE LIKE A NORMAL PERSON MAKE SURE YOUR POSTURE IS GOOD SO NOBODY LAUGHS AT YOU ugh. I will eventually be able to pose like a human in one of these pictures, I promise.
Anyway, I had a blast. The producer who took these pictures (I lost her name; sorry she was lovely) told me my segment would be online, and when it is, I’ll link to it. EDIT: Here it is! https://ktla.com/video/wil-wheaton-describes-recording-his-own-podcast/10573518/
Late yesterday afternoon, one of my friends told me they loved the episode, and asked me how I was feeling. I tried to nail down and describe all the complex emotions (many of them conflicting) roiling around inside of me, and I settled on something like this: You don’t celebrate winning the game because you got a single in the first inning that didn’t even get a run across, but you absolutely celebrate your first single of the season, and hope that it’s one of the many things you need to do to eventually win the game. All the while, you try to find a way to enjoy the game, because playing the game is so much fun (and it’s what you’ve dreamed about doing forever), while also taking the job of playing the game seriously. There’s a LOT of game left, but our starter is looking great and the bat just feels very comfortable in my hands today, and I’m doing my best to stay out of my own head and just see the ball. I’m not even thinking about the stuff that’s out of my control. Yet.
It’s incomplete and imperfect, but so am I, so that’s what you get.
But for now, I just wanted everyone to know that my first episode, an absolutely magnificent story by the wonderful Caroline M Yoachim, is just a podcast, standing in front of an audience, asking them to listen to it.
Enormous thanks and gratitude to all of you who have listened, rated and reviewed, and told your friends. I wouldn’t have gotten on base without you, and you’re going to be a huge part of why I score any runs.
Two bits of business before I elbow and send.
First, the subscribe to my blog emails thingy:
And finally, the obligatory collection of links to subscribe to It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton:
Subscribe now at
- Apple Podcasts
- PocketCast
- Stitcher
- Spotify
- Pandora
- iHeart
- Amazon
- or grab the RSS directly from me right here.
Thanks for reading, everyone. I’m grateful for the opportunity to entertain you. It is a privilege that I do not take for granted.
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I just snort laughed at you picking on your self with your pose in the picture. I feel you. Every time I take a picture I think to myself “Why the F*ck is everyone else so photogenic!?”
Congrats on your segment and I hope your podcast is a great success! Also, former SoCal person here, who has always love KTLA! They always had the best local news show and they also did the best Rose Parade coverage every year! Anyway I look forward to listening to your podcast!
I love hearing your internal monologue! It’s so human. I also love your allusion to Notting Hill. Nice!
Loved the first story, and am looking forward to more. 🖖
I’ve listened to a few random episodes of a few random podcasts, made a few guest appearances on a friend’s podcast, and even briefly dabbled with doing my own, but in the grand scheme of audio, they’re really not my thing. In just the last couple days, I’ve had several friends actively lobbying me to check out some podcasts that might finally, truly, pique my interest, and it would thrill me to tell them that yours is the one that flipped the switch. It’s been a true pleasure to follow your career, and I wish you the greatest success on this new adventure!
We went to see John Scalzi Wednesday. He read his story about you being killed by Crocs (shoes). John was delightful and lovely, and shouted out your podcast when he was discussing you. We were thinking good thoughts your way this week.
I can’t wait to listen!
(Hope this comment goes through; my comments keep getting dropped into comment purgatory.)
That’s such a funny story, and it pairs so beautifully with the one I wrote. We had such a good time with that! I’m thrilled you got to see it.
Nothing wrong with good posture while everyone around you is slouched. It’s always hard to give yourself the grace you automatically give to others.
I appreciate that. Thank you. I should remember to be as gentle with myself as I am with others.
Loved the first episode. Great story and your narration actually gave me the feels in a few spots. Which is a rare thing in my cold stoic heart. Keep it up, looking forward to this ride.
Posts like this from Wil just make my heart happy 🙂
I enjoyed the first episode and looking forward to more.
I knew it would be great since previously heard you narrate one that was public domain. As I listened, I realized, hey I just read that! I started downloading from Project Gutenberg when I was out of work and that story was one I had downloaded from them. I started doing that because couldn’t afford to buy enough books to support my habit, so having free reading material is great.
I listened to the first episode of the podcast today and I just loved it! While crocheting a colorful sock, it was easy to picture the story you were telling. You are such a great story teller.
You made a thing! And a wonderful thing at that.
I listened to the first episode of the podcast today and I just loved it! While crocheting a colorful sock, it was easy to picture the story you were telling. You are such a great story teller.
You made a thing! And a wonderful thing at that.
Congrats! I subbed to your podcast and I loooooved the first episode. Can’t wait for more, thank you so much for doing this!
While I love everything about this, what I love most is seeing you so settled in your own soul. I truly, honestly and genuinely hope that this really is the real Wil shining through (it feels genuine, although part of me knows that the best authors (and yes, I put you in that category) can do this and still be faking until they are making it). I’m so very glad to see you being you, as hard as you can – and I’m floored that what that also means is wonderful stuff for us. Your fabulous narration (on books you didn’t write and now on stories you found yourself) and your writing (blog, print, social media and other) is always a bright spot in our sometimes very doom heavy day. Thanks Wil!
I’ve always enjoyed listening to you read, whether it was your own work or someone else’s.
I had some difficulty connecting to this first story on my first listen. I’ll give it another go and perhaps something I missed the first time through will make a connection for me.
I wondered as I listened to the story about your process when reading someone’s story regarding how to approach the material. Where do you choose to put emphasis and where to be more subtle. Do you worry if the author intended a particular emotion to be expressed in a scene, or if you are projecting your own interpretation. When acting, you have feedback from a director and even then the editor will select the take they feel works best. Reading a book is more personal, solitary.
Thanks for everything you’ve given us over the years. Good luck with this new project.
Loved the first story! It kept me entertained during a long run. All the details and threads were fun to follow, excellent choice. And I’m one of those people who will listen to anything you care to read 🙂
I loved your first episode! I wait anxiously for the rest.
Genuinely great work, Wil. You’re among the best.
I loved the first story – although I have to admit I spent much of the listen envisioning the flow chart the author must have needed to develop to work out the timelines! I’m not a podcast person, but this is like an audiobook that is perfectly timed for my commute, so I am hooked. Plus I like anything that helps me add to my list of authors to keep an eye on. Thank you!
The first episode felt like a delightful birthday present when I listened to it and I’m excited to listen to the follow up episodes. The story felt particularly poignant personally as I head towards a 25th anniversary and reflect on the road thus far. The storyline pairs well with “Never Met At All” by Aimee Carty. This project is exciting and I’m glad you made it. Keep it up internet stranger. You’re making something magic. 🙂
I listened to the podcast yesterday, after my daring son reminded me that I had forgotten up to that point. Thiscwas problematic because it meant I had to sit in my driveway for the last 10 minutes or so of the story because I was absolutely NOT pausing. Another son came out to my car trying to get my attention and I waved him down apologetically – again, I was NOT pausing. I quite literally sighed at the end; splendid story, splendidly read. I no longer miss Lavar Burton Reads quite so much. Thank you for living and working out your dream!
https://ktla.com/video/wil-wheaton-describes-recording-his-own-podcast/10573518/
There it is! Thank you, I’m updating the post right now.
KTLA video is up on their website, if anyone wants to watch. https://ktla.com/video/wil-wheaton-describes-recording-his-own-podcast/10573518/
Thank you!!
I am so happy for you, Wil!
I loved the episode so much! You truly are the successor to LeVar and in the best way. And it was a fabulous story!
I loved the first episode. Great story and great narration. There is something magical about having stories read to you. I can see these becoming my weekly mental health break to disappear from the world for awhile and go somewhere magical. Congratulations on your podcast. I’m already a big fan and ready for the next episode?
So incredibly wonderful and such a well deserved interview! I’m internally doing zoomies cause I’m just SO excited for you!!!!
You’re a big, bright, fabulous and fantastic star, Will! So, of course your storytelling is everything, in every way, all that we wanted as kids and now get to experience once again as adults! A HUGE thanks for that! Can’t wait for your next read!
It’s the first time in a very long time that there is a segment on the news that I would actually want to watch! Good job! I have listened to your first story on Storytime. To quote another favorite character, “Fascinating!” I listened with rapt attention. Since I listened through this site, have been unable to post a review except for this. I have since found your podcast on Audible, but it wants me to listen before allowing me to review. I will give it a few days break, and do just that. In the meantime, I look forward to your next podcast. Again, Good job! Thank you.
Wil I love that your podcast is reading stories. I met a lot of incredible writers on WordPress and dramatized (via old time radio like) their stories on a podcast Short Story Saturday that I did for a year. I look forward to listening to your podcast 😊
As someone who occasionally writes (definitely not a Writer) I appreciate good stories. Thanks in advance for the ones you choose
I do need to ask how you get over hating the sound of your recorded voice, though.
We are all so excited for you Wil!!!
I’m not finding it on YouTube Music. I don’t usually listen to podcasts, but I’m excited for this one!
Also, this might be a weird request, but my wife watches a lot of podcasts (Handsome, My Favorite Murder, Blocks, etc) on Youtube proper… Would you consider filming and posting the pod there, too?
Just thinking of ways to up your exposure.
For now, i’ma download the Apple music app.
Thanks for being an awesome human being <3
I don’t think we are on YouTube Music, so I hope you’ll consider one of the other options.
To your question: I never wanted this to be video, but I tried it to see how it felt, and it didn’t work for me. I really do not like performing on camera, so forcing myself to do exactly that on my own project that I started to make myself happy just defeats the entire purpose.
From a presentation point of view, also, I have to either focus on the material in front of me, or I have to relate to the audience in front of me (watching the camera). An enormous part of the joy and satisfaction I get from narrating is that I am not on camera, nobody is looking at me, and it’s just my voice bringing the work to life. I don’t ever think about the audience, just the work.
When I’m doing a show in a theatre, I can relate to the audience and work off the audience, but that only works when it’s live.
I’ve been listening to podcasts since 2005. As I listened I felt deja vu from 20 years ago to an episode of Escape Pod released in July 2006. The story then was I look forward to remembering you by Mur Lafferty (also a time travel love story). You should check it out. Thank you for the awesome podcast! I can’t wait for the next episode.
Loved the interview! I smiled all the way through it! I could feel your joy!
I’m glad you had a great day, Wil! 🙂
For what it’s worth, I think you are off to a wonderful start and I am looking forward to see where you go from here with your podcast!
Congratulations on your new podcast! I listened to the first episode on my morning walk through Vyšehrad park, here in Prague — perfect start to my Saturday. Can’t wait to hear more because you have excellent taste in stories (and a real gift for sharing them). Thank you so much!
I am 30 minutes into the first episode and am truly enjoying it. I, too, missed being read to, and I love that you are carrying the torch of sharing great stories.
Your reading brings anemotional presence to the story, and I am here for it!
I am excited for you and us!!
I started watching Stand By me again this morning and decided to look you up. Long ago you would come by our booth #2519 Bongo/The Simpsons at Comicon. I looked forward to your coming back but that only happened for a couple more years. However, your story links into the Multidiscilinary Exhibition on Depression I am putting on later this year. And since you understand depression from the inside you probably know that there is little group approach from the arts community to deal with it. When our event starts later this year we have artists, poets, musicians, NFL stars, Olympic medal winning track stars and also a deep look at Systemic Racism and depression. We also have my next door neighbor who discovered the genetic link to depression! Who knew? After discovering the genetic link, UCLA hired him away from Oxford to run the “Grand Challenge to solver depression”. Jonthan tells me this project is perfect for wha he is doing. Although there are people working away at solving depression, like you, like Gary Gulman, this is the beginning of bringing people together to move things forward. on solutions. i think this might be something for you to get involved in. I also have 38 years of something you also have. Perhaps you can send me a note.
GREAT first episode. Thank you for the delightful reading, Wil!
Loved the episode. Can’t wait for the next one!
To be honest Wil, I could listen to you read anything, so subscribing was a no brainer. That was a hell of a story and now I’m picking through the author’s blog.
As an aside, in my head Marty Hench looks like an older Colin Firth but sounds like you. Is that weird?
Thanks for making this.