
You don’t need to save the world to be the hero of a story

Hi, I’m Bear Wiseman
Welcome to the Wiseman Wiki Wormhole that is my website!
(I’m clearly very photogenic!)
This is my little personal corner of the internet—a chaos space where the too-many things in my brain spawn to life. Whether it’s random flash fiction, critical reviews of anything under the sun, or deep-dive podcast interviews about art and geekdom, you’ll find it here... somewhere. Here’s a quick guide!
Creative Writing: From the low-fantasy world of The Vitmar Chronicles, to the emotionally rich Islands of Nightsea children’s series, and into deep personal prose, writing is the heart and soul of who I am.
Bear’s Reviews: I started out in music journalism, but it was too restricting, so I went solo and branched out! I review everything from albums and live events, TV & movies, games of all sorts, the odd book, and even an occasional eco-friendly product.
Off the Record Interviews: Band interviews! I try to steer away from generic release-season chats and dig deeper into artistry itself, but sometimes the release cycle wins. Either way, it’s all a little on and off the record.
Gathering of Geeks: A podcast where the coolest people in the world tell me about how and why they became such glorious geeks.
Personal Musings: From travel blogs to deeper insights and music scene advice, my personal blog is where I put my deeper thoughts on life, writing, and everything in between. Oh, and sometimes my friends hijack the mic, and I enable this!

The Vitmar Chronicles vol I: An Ending & A Beginning
~ OUT NOW ~
The Vitmar Chronicles vol I: An Ending & A Beginning ~ OUT NOW ~
My 2008 fantasy opus, “The Vitmar Chronicles,” finally sees the light of day! This is a low fantasy slice-of-life story that promotes the idea that you don’t need to save the world to be the hero of your own story.
There will be monsters…

Bear’s Creative Writing
In this excerpt from The Vitmar Chronicles: Volume I - An Ending & A Beginning, Kaldor confronts Gabriel about recent decisions, setting off a chain of events that shakes him to his core and leaves both brothers grappling with the consequences.
This piece was based on what I believed to be the internal (and likely subconscious) logic of three friends… people I care about who have wrestled with intense self-hatred. One of them said it was “100% accurate.”
It’s ugly. It’s honest. And it’s not a cry for help. It’s a portrait of how self-loathing thinks. If you recognize parts of yourself in here… I see you. You’re not alone. And you’re not beyond healing, no matter what your brain says.
Content warning: intrusive thoughts, self-hatred, and emotional intensity.
I wrote this story in July 2023, the day I stepped away from Tuonela Magazine and suddenly found myself overwhelmed by “grelief.” I was sitting in the sauna, crying and listening to Auri’s “Pearl Diving,” and thinking about what it means to form unexpected, life-giving friendships.
This piece came from that moment: a tribute to a friend who inspired me when I didn’t know I needed inspiring.
It’s a story about taking a risk on friendship with someone who gets it. About being seen and daring to seek beauty together.
After the Shatterclysm obliterates the multiverse, a recently deceased soul and their quiet psychopomp drift through the endless darkness, unsure where existence ends or if anything is to follow.
A Nightsea short story about endings, memory, and quiet new beginnings.
After the Shatterclysm destroys the multiverse, existence is trying to reset… but for many survivors, grief and loss still linger like open wounds. The singer helps them heal through song, one soul at a time... though the cost may be more than anyone expects.
A Nightsea short story about survival, sacrifice, and the quiet power of care.
This was written instantly after the last time I ever spoke with my adoptive son. At the time, he was still alive, but had chosen the path of destruction over redemption. He passed away five months later.
This poem is a farewell, an explosion of anger and grief, and a expression of love that never stopped.
This was written based on a F(r)iction prompt for my adoptive son, Riku, during a time when he was starting to believe he could be loved.
It made him cry, and he asked me, “How do you see this?”
I told him, “Because you showed me.”
This is a letter to him, but it’s also for anyone who’s ever felt like too much and not enough at the same time. You are seen. You are loved.
This story is a metaphor for love.
I wrote it for my adoptive son, Riku, some time after we met, when our connection was still fragile but filled with potential. The Bear Forge imagines a world where love is an act of co-creation: slow, intentional, sometimes volatile, and always worth the effort.
It made him feel things. I hope it does the same for you.
This piece was written in under ten minutes based on a F(r)iction prompt. It reflects on the many small, magical influences that led me toward storytelling, from Tolkien and video games to music, tabletop roleplay, and my mother’s quiet encouragement. It’s a story, a memory, and a kind of spell.
A Discord songwriting challenge led me back to a forest I visited in 2009: Brocéliande, the legendary woods of Merlin and the Vale of No Return. I decided to write a piece inspired by its mythic aura, and play with alliteration while I was at it. The result is something between lyrics and spellcraft, steeped in old trees, fae vibes, and the kind of magic that lingers in language.

Bear Reviews Albums & Live Events
My first trip to the Finnish National Opera was anything but predictable. DJ Hapan Korppu’s collaboration with T(r)anssi brought weird, wild magic to a world I’d never stepped into before. T(r)anssi runs from April 11th-May 15th, 2025.
Have you ever wondered what happened to Turisas? Me too! So since I’ve worked in the Finnish metal industry for over 10 years, I keep my ears open for any news on this particular subject. So here are my theories (and a few truths) and what happened to Turisas.
Yet another orchestra blows my mind with video game music! My review of the Tampere Philharmonic’s Game On live performance at Tampere-talo on March 28th, 2025, will take you through the whole flow of the event.
On tour again! Check out my crew blog from selling merch on Marko Hietala’s album release tour for “Roses from the Deep,” covering the Finnish leg from February 7th-15th, 2025.
A night of chiptune innovation! This live report of arottenbit, Machinae Supremacy, and Master Boot Record in Helsinki will take you through the overall vibe and highlights of this unexpected yet totally killer event.
A review of Marko Hietala’s second solo album, “Roses from the Deep,” out February 7th, 2025
A music review of Lasse Soundblaster’s debut album, “On tapahtumassa räjähdys,” out January 23rd, 2025

Personal Musings (blog)
Words matter, but so does the message. This article explores how we balance linguistic precision with emotional honesty in conversations about patriarchy and justice.
Part 2 of the Broken Body series: an honest yet painful reckoning with how patriarchy shaped my relationship with my physical self.
Part 1 of the Broken Body Series: From negligence after whiplash through a few years as a CrossFit athlete, and landing in spinal spasms, my physical health journey explores just how little Western medicine really gets us and why it failed me completely.
The fourth and final installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 19th-21st, 2025
The third installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 18th, 2025
The second installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 17th, 2025
The first installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 14-16th, 2025
So, you’re finally meeting that artist who changed your life—amazing! This guide covers how to be a respectful fan, make the most of the moment, and not ruin it (for anyone).
A guest travel blog from Vantaa, Turku, Tampere, Lappeenranta, and Helsinki from Kathy Criswell

Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks continues its second season! Season 02, episode 03 starts with special geek Vincent Lilium of SulfuriS! The main topics include geekdom, how JK Rowling should STFU, Star Wars, Avatar (The Last Airbender & Legend of Korra) and its new remake, the live action One Piece remake, alchemy, and so very much more!
Gathering of Geeks: Trivia Showdown featuring Robin La Joy, Johanna Kurela, and Martijn Westerholt of Eye of Melian
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks’ cotinues its second season after a brief hiatus! Season 02, episode 02 starts with special geek James Edward Raggi IV, a fellow former metal media owner! The episode starts with him sharing his history in music and OSR and continues as we discuss controversy, music, and games!
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks reaches its second season after a brief hiatus! Season 02, episode 01 starts with special geek Kathy Criswell, a visual and written artist! The main topics include Xena: Warrior Princess, being book-obsessed kids, life online in the ‘90s, online fanclubs and collections, early internet videos and misheard lyrics, extended universes, and positivity, art, and passion!
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks podcast continues! Episode 15 wraps up the first year with special geek Andy Gillion, a heavy metal and somewhat geeky musician! The main topics include growing up a little bit different, going through religions and bullying, and of course, a little bit of retro gaming!
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks podcast continues! Episode 14 features special geek May Lo, who is a multifaceted artist! The main topics include modeling and art, including makeup and body image, being a geek generally, TTRPGs (Mörk Borg, Dungeons & Dragons, Avatar), Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra, and being fantasy-lovers who have grown more and more interested in sci-fi over the years.
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks podcast continues! Episode 13 features special geek John Mondelli aka John Sprocket of The Cog Is Dead. The main topics include steampunk, being a weird kid who doesn’t fit in, music making, filmmaking, voice acting and voice actors, the convention scene in America, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks podcast continues! Episode 12 features special geeks Henna Helasvuo and Lasse Turunen of Pihka is My Name. The main topics include Miyazaki and Pixar movies, video games (like Legend of Zelda), A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and much more!
Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks podcast continues! Episode 11 features special geek artist & graphic designer Jouni Koponen. The main topics cover a lot of territory, including video games, movies, and tabletop roleplaying games. Spoiler warnings for some games and series, but nothing too new/relevant.

Off the Record with Bear Wiseman
This On the Record Interview with Arjen Lucassen and Robert Soeterboek (Plan Nine, Ayreon, Star One, etc.) by Bear Wiseman talks about “The Long-Lost Songs” and “01011001: Live Beneath the Waves,” Arjen and Robert’s meeting and multiple collaborations, the live Ayreon shows, Arjen’s collaboration with Simone Simons, and the ultimate shenanigans of Damian Wilson. Watch here or listen on streaming services.
This Off the Record Holiday Special Interview with Johanna & Timo Kurkela and Troy Donockley by Bear Wiseman talks about childhood memories, favorite holiday songs, and why people should consider trying Brussel sprouts with marmite as a seasonal dish. Watch here or listen on streaming services!
This Off the Record Interview with Marianne Heikkinen & Salla-Marja Hätinen of Rabbit Cult by Bear Wiseman discusses how they met and began collaborating, their evolution from Saruru to Rabbit Cult, and what they stand for and where they’re taking things. Watch here or listen on streaming services!
This On the Record Interview with Sami Hinkka of Ensiferum by Bear Wiseman discusses the band’s early days, “Winter Storm Vigilantes,” Sami’s creative writing endeavors, and cats. Watch here or listen on streaming services!
This Off the Record Interview with Mikko Salovaara of Kiuas by Bear Wiseman discusses weird moments from the band’s history, “Samooja: Pyhiinvaellus,” and their slow comeback. Watch here or listen on streaming services!
This Off the Record Interview with Tuomas Holopainen of Nightwish by Bear Wiseman discusses the band’s evolution over time, the power and magic of art and life, how his band inspires him, and how life led to the making of “Yesterwynde.” Watch here or listen on streaming services!
This Off the Record Interview with Timo Kurkela by Bear Wiseman discusses his musical history, his new single “Nuori sydän”, and the struggles and pressures that artists put on themselves and what it does to us over time. Watch here or listen on streaming services!
This Off the Record podcast interview with Anniina Lotvonen & Tomi Raikaslehto of Vies Vignette by Bear Wiseman discusses the band’s inception and history, naming your genre when your sound is chaotic, and some noteworthy songs from their recent album, “Among & Around.” Watch here or listen on streaming services!
This guest emailer Off the Record Interview with Johanna Kurkela & Johanna Iivanainen of Altamullan Road by Kathy Criswell discusses their 2024 tour, what inspires them, and what they love about making music together. Read it here!
This Off the Record podcast interview with Juhis Kauppinen of Merta by Bear Wiseman discusses the band’s inception and name, developing a sound that perfectly blends metal and pop, their three releases, “Kokonainen,” “Minä,” and “Virta.” Watch here or listen on streaming services!

Bear Wiseman’s Gathering of Geeks continues its second season! Season 02, episode 04 stars special geek Miikka Hujanen of Crimson Sun! The main topics include