Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast

Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast

Author: David Barr Kirtley Language: English Episodes: 100
Hosted by David Barr Kirtley, author of "Save Me Plz and Other Stories," Geek's Guide to the Galaxy-A Science Fiction Podcast is a long-running conversation at the intersection of storytelling, science, and pop culture. Each episode features in-depth discussions with a remarkable roster of creators and thinkers, from legendary authors like Neil Gaiman, Ursula K. Le Guin, George R. R. Martin, and Margaret Atwood to scientists and personalities such as Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye, and Richard Dawkins. The tone is thoughtful and engaging, more like a great conversation at a convention than a formal interview. Listeners get to hear these influential figures explore the ideas that fuel their work, dissect the nuances of genre fiction, and share personal insights on the stories and science that shape our world. It’s a deep dive for anyone curious about the mechanics of imagination and the real-world impact of speculative ideas. The podcast has earned its place on recommended lists from outlets like NPR, The Guardian, and Wired precisely because of its consistent quality and genuine passion for the subject. While the standard episodes are freely available, ad-free listening is offered as a benefit to direct supporters. At its core, this is a show built on the belief that the "geek" lens-one of deep curiosity and enthusiasm-offers a uniquely valuable way to examine everything from blockbuster films to cosmic questions.
Episodes
617. Creatures of Light and Darkness by Roger Zelazny Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:11
Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss Roger Zelazny’s classic novel Creatures of Light and Darkness, about a cosmic war between godlike beings. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporte…
616. The Best of Kim Stanley Robinson Part 2 Review (with Anthony Ha) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:13:51
Anthony Ha joins us to discuss the second half of the book The Best of Kim Stanley Robinson. Stories discussed: "The Translator" (1:38), "Glacier" (14:57), "The Lunatics" (27:34), "Zurich" (45:56), "Vinland the Dream" (5…
615. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:44
John Joseph Adams, Rajan Khanna, and Christopher M. Cevasco join us to discuss Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a new HBO series set 100 years before Game of Thrones. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid…
614. Jonathan Kay: Pluribus and Cancel Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:24
Jonathan Kay joins us to discuss Season 1 of the Apple TV+ series Pluribus, about an alien virus that transforms most of humanity into an extremely cheerful hive mind, and his book Panics and Persecutions, which explores…
613. The Best of Kim Stanley Robinson Part 1 Review (with Anthony Ha) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:46
Anthony Ha joins us to discuss the first half of the book The Best of Kim Stanley Robinson. Stories discussed: “Venice Drowned” (10:53), “Ridge Running” (19:25), “Before I Wake” (26:55), “Black Air” (34:18), “The Lucky S…
612. David P. Silverman: Science Fiction and Atheism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:12
David P. Silverman, author of Fighting God: An Atheist Manifesto for a Religious World, joins us to discuss his new science fiction novella Darkshiner. Topics discussed: David's childhood, Star Trek and Trekkies, science…
610. Megan McArdle, host of Reasonably Optimistic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:14
Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle joins us to discuss her favorite science fiction and her new podcast Reasonably Optimistic. Topics discussed: Robert Heinlein and libertarianism, working in book publishing, Lord o…
608. The Best of Larry Niven Part 3 Review (with Mercurio D. Rivera) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:34
Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss the last nine stories from the book The Best of Larry Niven. Stories discussed: “Flatlander” (2:06), “The Borderland of Sol” (17:15), “The Magic Goes Away” (31:40), “A Teardrop Fall…