Podcast Episodes

The Future of Science Fiction Conventions

Season 1 Episode 186

We love science fiction and fantasy conventions — especially the ones that are run by fans, for fans. But they haven't changed much since the 1970s in many ways, and the world has moved on. So we ask…

Published on 11 hours ago

We're Still Traumatized By This Writing Debate

Not long ago, everybody was arguing about whether characters need to be "relatable". We get to the bottom of a debate that still makes us intensely grouchy. Plus we talk to one of our favorite writer…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Episode 184: Spooky Season Books and Hellbenders

Episode 184

It's time to light a fire and curl up with a cup of cocoa and a terrifying book full of creepy shit -- or escaping from creepy shit. We've got recommendations for what to read this season! Plus, cont…

Published on 4 weeks ago

Three Ways of Looking at Bruce Lee (with Jeff Chang)

Season 1 Episode 183

Bruce Lee changed American pop culture forever, and his incredible legacy is more relevant than ever. But how did he go from child actor in Hong Kong to one of the most important action-movie stars o…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Encore Episode: Silicon Valley vs. Science Fiction: ChatGPT

For our summer vacation, we're re-upping the first in our "Silicon Valley vs. Science Fiction" series from 2023, about how Silicon Valley appropriates and misinterprets science fiction. Silicon Valle…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Encore Episode: Obsessed with Battlestar Galactica

Season 1

Charlie Jane and Annalee are on book tour(s), so we're re-upping one of our favorite episodes from 2023. At that time, we were celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the rebooted version of Battles…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

Robots! Witches! Annalee and Charlie Jane talk about their new books

It's a double book birthday! Annalee has just released Automatic Noodle, a wonderfully cozy book about robots who've survived a devastating war and now just want to run a noodle restaurant. And in 12…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Murderbot and the Stories That Heal Us

Season 1 Episode 181

It's scary out there — so thank goodness we're taking comfort in some wondrous books, TV shows, comics and movies. What makes a story comforting? And why is a dark horror story sometimes better comfo…

Published on 3 months ago

The Invisible Chain that Holds Us Together (w/ Alexis Madrigal)

Season 1 Episode 180

We keep hearing about the supply chain lately... but what is it? And how do all these shipping containers moving around the world shape our lives? We talk to Alexis Madrigal, author of the brand new …

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Cute Body Horror

Season 1 Episode 179

We've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we're talking to Cirocco Dunlap, the showrunner of The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, easily one of our favorite shows right now…

Published on 4 months ago