The Magic of Awareness: Peter Gribble Talks The City of the Magicians

What happens when a peaceful society faces a brutal threat it never saw coming? In this episode, we talk with fantasy author Peter Gribble, creator of “The City of the Magicians” series and author of book one, Threat. Drawing from his background in psychology, history, and education, Gribble explores what happens when complacency meets chaos—and how intellect, strategy, and even a little magic might be the keys to survival. Set in a richly imagined world, Threat follows characters like Lilia, who finds herself drawn into an underground movement while searching for her mother’s manuscript. Set in a society that must adapt or fall, the story explores themes of pacifism, unity, and hidden resistance. Gribble also shares personal stories from his time growing up in postwar France, studying figures like Gandhi, and what magic means in both fantasy and real life. We also dive into his experience writing for gardening magazines, working in bookstores, and his views on how memory and awareness shape our lives and our stories. Whether you love fantasy with a psychological twist, or you're curious about the intersection of intellect and imagination, this conversation is for you.