Pratchat - a Terry Pratchett and Discworld book club

Splendid Chaps Productions · pratchatpodcast.com

Join writer Elizabeth Flux and comedian Ben McKenzie on their six(ish) year mission to read every Terry Pratchett novel – not just the Discworld ones! They’ll read one a month, and discuss them with special guests, puns and footnotes. Episodes released on the 8th of each month (Australian time); check pratchatpodcast.com and the end of each episode for notice of the next book, and send in questions to us via social media! The explicit tag represents a fairly average Australian level of coarse language.

123 episodes

1mo ago latest

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English language

Explicit rating

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Episodes 123

The Waiting Games (Discworld Noir delay)
1mo ago · 10:24
It’s another little episode about a delay – but this time, only until later this month! To tide you over, here’s a little bit cut from the full Discworld Noir chat, in which guest Leena van Deventer helps us recommend some other games. Some brief episode notes: The fan-made German Discworld adventure game is Ein Scheibenwelt-Adventure by Raphael Kirschke, published in 2003. Leena suggested looking in indie game directories, including the Interactive Fiction Archive, itch.io, and Steam. (Ben has a page on itch.io where you can find some of his tabletop RPGs.) Ben struggled to remember the name
We're Not Here to Folk Spiders (The Folklore of Discworld)
2mo ago · 2:05:07
Storyteller and librarian Roslyn Quin joins Liz and Ben to discover there’s nowt as queer as folklore, as we discuss Terry Pratchett’s 2008 (and 2009 and 2014) collaboration with folklorist Jacqueline Simpson, The Folklore of Discworld. Wherever there are folk, you’ll find folklore: the stories, traditions, superstitions and more that tell people who they are, and make up their world. The curious thing is, the folklore of a flat world swimming through space on the back of a giant turtle turns out to have a considerable amount in common with that of a round world orbiting a star… The Folklore o
The Folklore of Announcements
3mo ago · 2:59
Another brief announcement from Ben that our Folklore of Discworld episode has been delayed for a third month! We’re very sorry about this. Hopefully we’ll be back on track soon; watch this space. Ben mentioned the following active Discworld podcasts you could try out: DiscWorld Order, who most recently discsused The Fifth Elephant Dining Table Discworld, whose most recent book was also The Fifth Elephant, but also did an episode about the Wyrd Sisters animated series I’ve Never Read Discworld, who most recently discussed Monstrous Regiment Disc Coverers, currently closest to the end, with an
The Snail Trick (live special; Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch)
4mo ago · 1:16:53
Liz and Ben were once again fortunate to be guests of the Australian Discworld Convention – this time in Sydney! In this live recording from day two of Nullus Anxietas X: A Celebration of Witches, we discuss Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent’s 2023 book, Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch. (We previously interviewed Rhianna and Gabrielle about it in Pratchat74, “Hogswitch”.) Tiffany Aching has been a witch for some years now, and has been writing down what she’s learned. When she gets the opportunity to publish her work, and hopefully inspire a new generation of witches, she sends the
The Announcement of Folklore
4mo ago · 3:52
A brief announcement from Ben that our Folklore of Discworld episode has been delayed another month – but we’ll get you our live episode from the Australian Discworld Convention ASAP, later this month! Our interview with Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent about Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch can be found in #Pratchat74, “Hogswitch”, from January 2024. While we’re a bit quiet, why not check out some of the other Pratchett podcasts catalogued in The Guild of Recappers & Podcasters? (Most of the big podcasts should be up to date – let us know if we’ve missed anything, or contact Ben to
Rights. Justice. Action. Books. (women to read)
5mo ago · 51:32
Our March episode has been delayed. To mark International Women’s Day 2026, here’s a bonus episode in which Ben passes on recommendations of women to read if you like Terry Pratchett – mostly from listeners like you! You can find all the authors and podcasts mentioned in this episode below. The official home of International Women’s Day is unwomen.org – don’t let Google etc tell you otherwise. (00:02:41) The Grab Bag – authors recommended by one listener, in alphabetical order Charlie Jane Anders Margaret Atwood Lauren Buekes Kaliane Bradley Lois McMaster Bujold Stephanie Burgis C. J. Cherryh
Sand of the Scrounge Wizard (Discworld II: Missing, Presumed...!? computer game)
6mo ago · 2:18:20
Writer and game designer Kat Clay joins Liz and Ben to point and click on Rincewind once more, as we discuss the 1996 graphic adventure game Discworld II: Missing, Presumed…!? from Perfect Entertainment. When the wizard Windle Poons dies, no-one comes to collect his soul – and this isn’t the first time Death has been derelict in his duty. Something must be done, and the Archchancellor knows just the man for the job: so-called wizard and veteran videogame protagonist, Rincewind! Can he – that is to say, you – navigate an ever more fiendish chain of elaborate tasks to summon Death, and persuade
We Can Reference It For You Wholesale (The Discworld Companion)
7mo ago · 1:33:36
Liz and Ben do a little light Summer reading as they tackle one of the biggest Discworld books of all – Terry Pratchett and Stephen Briggs’ The Discworld Companion, in all its various editions (but mostly 2021’s The Ultimate Discworld Companion). From the Abbott of the History Monks, to dimensionally-displaced traveller Jack Zweiblumen, the Discworld Companion is an alphabetical encyclopaedia of everything Discworld! Flip to your favourite character, location or thing from across the Disc, and rediscover what made you fall in love with this world all over again. After Stephen Briggs started ad
Mind the Ginnungagap (Raising Steam)
8mo ago · 2:24:21
Psychologist Craig Hildebrand-Burke rejoins Liz and Ben as we don our flat caps and anoraks, as we make sense of Terry Pratchett’s penultimate Discworld novel, 2013’s Raising Steam. Dick Simnel has created Iron Girder, the Disc’s first steam engine – and he’s brought it to Ankh-Morpork seeking an investor. He finds one in Sir Harry King, who is keen to be known as the King of something other than what brought him his wealth. As excitement and interest in the “steam engines” starts to build, Lord Vetinari sees its potential – but only if someone oversees this new enterprise on behalf of the cit
An Awfully Teeny Weeny Adventure (Discworld the computer game)
9mo ago · 2:12:48
A cult of malcontents have summoned a dragon in Ankh-Morpork to topple the Patrician! And of course the only one who can save the city is...Rincewind? It’s a familiar story with a new twist as games journalist and PC Gamer editor Jody Macgregor joins Liz and Ben to talk about the 1995 point and click adventure game Discworld, as shouted at by Terry Pratchett!
They’re All Good Dragons, Bront (Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld)
10mo ago · 2:03:16
We’re discussing one fewer book with one fewer host than originally planned this month, but it’s all turned out pretty well as goblin-loving illustrator, educator and game designer Brendan Barnett joins Ben to discuss all the weird, weird creatures of Paul Kidby’s 2024 book, Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. (And don’t worry - Liz will be back next month!)
No episode for September 2025 #GNUKaos
11mo ago · 2:42
No episode this month, and a sad farewell to a beloved Pratcat.
Browsing Ben’s Bookshelf (bonus books)
1y ago · 25:59
Our August episode has been delayed! In this bonus bit of Pratchat to fill the gap, Ben takes us for a quick look at the stuff on his Pratchett shelves which probably won't make it into another episode.
Exclusive Possession: Ankh-Morpork Edition (Discworld: Ankh-Morpork board game)
1y ago · 1:39:36
The Patrician is missing! So of course Liz, Ben and guest Richard McKenzie have to go head-to-head for control of the biggest (and grossest) city on the Disc… Join us as we complete our collection of Discworld board games by discussing Martin Wallace’s 2011 design, Discworld: Ankh-Morpork.
Of the Watch the Last (Snuff)
1y ago · 2:57:38
Liz, Ben and guest Pratchett scholar Freyja Stokes head downriver to the Shires for an adventure featuring Vimeses, goblins, murderers, double meanings and one Wonderful Fanny. Join us as we discuss Terry Pratchett’s last Watch-focused Discworld novel, 2011’s Snuff.
A (Not So) Glorious Announcement
1y ago · 2:45
A very brief little episode to say that we won’t have any episodes in May. We didn’t want to leave you without anything at all! As Ben suggests, why not listen to The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret’s special 25th of May episode, “Gender on the Discworld”, released today? You can find it in all major podcast directories, at thetruthshallmakeyefret.com, and there’s even a video version on YouTube. Or you could listen to #Pratchat54, “The Land Before Vimes”, our 2022 episode about Night Watch. We’ll be back in June with #Pratchat86, our episode about Snuff. And we will be producing an all-questions Eee
Eight Days an Opening (The Ankh-Morpork Archives & The Discworld Almanak)
1y ago · 1:51:59
Liz and Ben venture into the archives and come back with their highlights from the diaries, yearbooks and guides to some of Ankh-Morpork's most famous instutions - plus that venerable publication, the ever-reliable Almanak!
AT LAST, SIR TERRY ("Shaking Hands with Death")
1y ago · 1:54:26
Liz, Ben and guest Myfanwy Coghill talk not about DEATH but death, and specifically the idea of being able to choose a good one for yourself, as we discuss Terry Pratchett's 2010 Richard Dimbleby lecture, "Shaking Hands with Death". This episode includes discussion of death, terminal illness, assisted dying and suicide.
Discworld: The Flamethrower (Discworld merchandise)
1y ago · 24:53
Our episode discussing The Ankh-Morpork Archives and The Discworld Almanak is delayed, so here Ben’s discussing some of the most interesting and fun Discworld merchandise that isn’t shaped like a book.
This Time for Ankh-Morpork (Unseen Academicals)
1y ago · 3:16:30
Pratchat United have added some real talent to the conversation with Dr Tansy Rayner Roberts PhD (Classics), which is just as well because a few late scoring questions from the Listeners look set to push things into extra time... Lots of excitement in this, Terry Pratchett’s 37th Discworld match, UNSEEN ACADEMICALS!
Clack Go the Gears (Clacks board game)
1y ago · 1:26:24
Welcome to the final round of selection for Grand Trunk Semaphore Clacks Operators! We only take the best, so you’re going to have to race the other candidates to show you have what it takes to send a message all the way to Genua faster than a speeding horse. You’ll be competing against potential “friends of Moist" Nicholas J Johnson and Lawrence Leung, current champion Elizabeth Flux, and distractible monologuer Ben McKenzie. We’ll be using the official simulation: BackSpindle Games’ CLACKS, based on Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal.
Only Fowls and Horses (“Hollywood Chickens” and “From the Horse’s Mouth")
1y ago · 1:56:38
Our Clacks were jammed this month, so here’s a Pratchat we prepared earlier: Dr Laura Jean McKay joins us to discuss talking animals, class relations, extreme evolution and existential dread as we talk about Terry Pratchett’s short stories “Hollywood Chickens” and “From the Horse’s Mouth”.
Always Believe in Your Golems (Making Money)
1y ago · 2:39:14
Pratchat moves onto the Stephanie Convery Standard as we discuss gold, obsession, wealth, money and small dogs with inappropriate toys. Yes, it's Terry Pratchett’s Making Money!
Cover Stamps (Discworld covers, Going Postal recap)
1y ago · 15:16
Our Making Money episode is delayed, so here’s a brief discussion of Ben’s favourite Discworld book covers, and a recap of the previous Moist von Lipwig book, Going Postal.
Unalive from Überwald (“Death and What Comes Next")
2y ago · 1:28:10
What’s got four legs, exists in a state of uncertainty, and probably contains quantum? The deathbed of a philosopher - though not for long, if a certain anthropomorphic personification has his way... Tansy Rayner Roberts and Karen J Carlisle join us live for this very special episode recorded live or dead (you’ll have to open the podcast to find out) at Nullus Anxietas IX in Adelaide, all about stories, Death and Terry Pratchett's final Death story, 2002’s “Death and What Comes Next”.

Episodes

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Pratchat - a Terry Pratchett and Discworld book club

Episodes 123

The Waiting Games (Discworld Noir delay)

We're Not Here to Folk Spiders (The Folklore of Discworld)

The Folklore of Announcements

The Snail Trick (live special; Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch)

The Announcement of Folklore

Rights. Justice. Action. Books. (women to read)

Sand of the Scrounge Wizard (Discworld II: Missing, Presumed...!? computer game)

We Can Reference It For You Wholesale (The Discworld Companion)

Mind the Ginnungagap (Raising Steam)

An Awfully Teeny Weeny Adventure (Discworld the computer game)

They’re All Good Dragons, Bront (Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld)

No episode for September 2025 #GNUKaos

Browsing Ben’s Bookshelf (bonus books)

Exclusive Possession: Ankh-Morpork Edition (Discworld: Ankh-Morpork board game)

Of the Watch the Last (Snuff)

A (Not So) Glorious Announcement

Eight Days an Opening (The Ankh-Morpork Archives & The Discworld Almanak)

AT LAST, SIR TERRY ("Shaking Hands with Death")

Discworld: The Flamethrower (Discworld merchandise)

This Time for Ankh-Morpork (Unseen Academicals)

Clack Go the Gears (Clacks board game)

Only Fowls and Horses (“Hollywood Chickens” and “From the Horse’s Mouth")

Always Believe in Your Golems (Making Money)

Cover Stamps (Discworld covers, Going Postal recap)

Unalive from Überwald (“Death and What Comes Next")

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Episodes 123

The Waiting Games (Discworld Noir delay)

We're Not Here to Folk Spiders (The Folklore of Discworld)

The Folklore of Announcements

The Snail Trick (live special; Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch)

The Announcement of Folklore

Rights. Justice. Action. Books. (women to read)

Sand of the Scrounge Wizard (Discworld II: Missing, Presumed...!? computer game)

We Can Reference It For You Wholesale (The Discworld Companion)

Mind the Ginnungagap (Raising Steam)

An Awfully Teeny Weeny Adventure (Discworld the computer game)

They’re All Good Dragons, Bront (Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld)

No episode for September 2025 #GNUKaos

Browsing Ben’s Bookshelf (bonus books)

Exclusive Possession: Ankh-Morpork Edition (Discworld: Ankh-Morpork board game)

Of the Watch the Last (Snuff)

A (Not So) Glorious Announcement

Eight Days an Opening (The Ankh-Morpork Archives & The Discworld Almanak)

AT LAST, SIR TERRY ("Shaking Hands with Death")

Discworld: The Flamethrower (Discworld merchandise)

This Time for Ankh-Morpork (Unseen Academicals)

Clack Go the Gears (Clacks board game)

Only Fowls and Horses (“Hollywood Chickens” and “From the Horse’s Mouth")

Always Believe in Your Golems (Making Money)

Cover Stamps (Discworld covers, Going Postal recap)

Unalive from Überwald (“Death and What Comes Next")