In the series finale, I interview Dr. Lisa Yaszek, a sci-fi historian from Georgia Tech, about where we can expect science fiction to go in the future. Dr. Yaszek's recommendations: Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson The Matrix Sunspot Jungle, ed. Bill Campbell Other works discussed: Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor "The Sixth World" by Nanobah Becker The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley The Universe of Xuya series by Aliette de Bodard Unstoppable series by Charlie Jane Anders

Okay, not exactly all classics and not exactly lightning either, but in this episode, I discuss four books that I wanted to talk about in Season 1, but never got around to. Book recommendation: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes Other books discussed: Helliconia Trilogy by Brian Aldiss The Road by Cormac McCarthy Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard

In this episode, I discuss the precise nature of space opera, its origins, and its path through the history of sci-fi up to the current resurgence it's had in recent years. Book recommendation: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Not quite as space-themed as I intended, but these are the latest stories about aliens and comets and such. Movie recommendation: Dune (2021) Other works discussed: Greenland Don't Look Up Moonfall (anti-recommended) The Tomorrow War The Firefly tie-in novels

In this episode, I interview Donna Barba Higuera, author of the Newbery winning sci-fi novel, The Last Cuentista (which I've previously recommended). Donna's book recommendation: Reclaim the Stars, edited by Zoraida Córdova Donna's website

In this episode, I take one more look at children's science fiction by surveying the winners of the prestigious Newbery Medal. Book recommendation: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera Other books discussed: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien The Giver by Lois Lowry When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

In this episode, I explore sci-fi works that focus on the idea of the multiverse. Prospective book recommendation (I'm putting it on my own list): The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter PBS Space Time on the many worlds interpretation Other works discussed: The Number of the Beast by Robert Heinlein Sliders Rick and Morty DC Comics Marvel Comics

In this episode, I give an overview of recent action movies in the sci-fi genre. Movie recommendation: Everything Everywhere All at Once Other movies discussed: Tenet Free Guy The Matrix: Resurrections

In this episode, I bring back my cohost Greg for a conversion about how science fiction has shaped video games, and vice versa. Classic game recommendation: Chrono Trigger Ahoy finds the "first" video game.

I catch up on the sci-fi movies for kids that have come out in the pandemic era. Movie recommendation: The Mitchells vs. the Machines Background on Lightyear here and here. Other films discussed: Sonic the Hedgehog Over the Moon Flora and Ulysses Space Jam: A New Legacy Strange World Lightyear

In this episode, I give an overview of the different ways that religion and religious themes are used in science fiction. Book recommendation: Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny My review of A Case of Conscience. Other works discussed: Riverworld series by Philip Jose Farmer A Case of Conscience by James Blish Terra Ignota series by Ada Palmer

I interview Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, Curator and Chair of Space History at the National Air and Space Museum about her new book, Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight. Media recommendation: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

In this episode, I interview Gary Bengier, former CFO of eBay and author of Unfettered Journey, a novel about philosophy and artificial intelligence. Gary's book recommendation: Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky

Complementing my Marvel catch-up, I review the new DC superhero movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation: DC League of Super-Pets Other movies discussed: Wonder Woman 1984 Black Adam Zack Snyder's Justice League The Batman

I interview Nick Nocturne, host of the YouTube channel Night Mind about the emerging genre of unfiction and its relation to science fiction. Nick's recommendations: PBhere (sci-fi) Diminish (non-sci-fi)

In the podcast's first panel interview, I speak to two Stephen King scholars, Simon Brown and Regina Hansen, about King's illustrious career and influence on science fiction. Book and movie recommendation: The Dead Zone.

In the first of three horror-themed episodes for October, I discuss one class work that I passed over before and one new work. Recommendation: The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham Other work discussed: Jordan Peele's Nope

Techno-thrillers are a surprisingly fuzzy category that sits at the border of sci-fi and suspense. In this episode, I give an overview of the subgenre and the different ways it can be classified. Book recommendation: Delta-v by Daniel Suarez Sam Boush on the categories of techno-thrillers. My review of Delta-v. Other books discussed: The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

As part of my catch-up series, I review the Marvel movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation: The New Mutants. (I really think it's underrated.)

Experimenting with a new format, my friend Greg and I have a conversation about anime and its place in the science fiction genre. TV recommendation: Cowboy Bebop Movie recommendation: Castle in the Sky: Laputa

I interview Dr. Paul Frommer, the creator of the Na'vi language from Avatar as well as Barsoomian from Disney's John Carter. Prospective movie recommendation: Avatar: The Way of Water Dr. Frommer's blog.

In this second catch-up episode, I talk about the most recent monster movies (and one novel) to come out and their place in science fiction as a whole. Movie recommendation: Love and Monsters My YouTube video on the physics of giant monsters. Other works discussed: The Color out of Space (2019) Underwater (2020) Godzilla vs. Kong Jurassic World Dominion Monster Hunter (2020) The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi