What happens to society when everyone on Earth goes sterile, and there’s no future generation to hand things off to or better the world for? Andrew Young and Josh Jennings join to discuss the film “Children of Men”. 

Dennis Taylor’s “Bobiverse” comedically follows the exploits of an engineer whose mind is uploaded into a self-replicating probe, which becomes its own civilization of Bobs.  Tom Merritt joins to discuss the implications of immortality, and when…

Justin Robert Young comes on to discuss “Doctor Who,” arguably the most successful science fiction program (along with Star Trek) in history, and the most popular scifi program in Britain.

Jordan Morris is the author of “Bubble” and the co-host of “Jordan, Jesse Go!” on Maximum Fun. He joins the show to discuss culture and economic satire… in space.

I have a new book out! . Arguably the funniest book ever written about the horribleness which is LA. Here are two quick readings from what is about to become your new favorite coffee table book. You can find “Los Angeles is Hideous: Poems About…

In a world where you can download memories directly into your brain, how can you determine what’s reality and what’s artifice?  Jay Mutzafi returns to discuss implanted memories in science fiction, from “Total Recall” to “Rick and Morty.” 

“Logan’s Run” (1976) explores a society where everyone dies aged 30. In the most campy, over-the-top 70s scifi romp imaginable, it explores fear of ageing, fear of death, fear of infantalization… and fear of Baby Boomers.

M. R. Carey is the author of “The Girl with All the Gifts” (previously discussed on this program) as well as the Koli Trilogy. He joins the show, along with Ashland Viscosi, to talk about his approach to science fiction.  To see Carey’s books and…

“Gattaca” (1997) explores a dystopian future where inequality is staggering–and genetic. Andrew Mayne joins the show to discuss the implications of genetic engineering and to what extent it should be avoided morally or prohibited legally.

Andy Weir, author of “The Martian,” joins the program to talk about science fiction, technology, and his new book “Project Hail Mary”  You can find his book, as well as others discussed on the program, by going to

Dr. H. A. Hellyer gained international attention (and flak) when he compared Jedi monks to Sufi Islamic warriors in an article for CNN. He joins the show to discuss parallels between the Force and Islamic mysticism, why Star Wars is a cross-cultural…

The science fiction of Kurt Vonnegut was permeated by ethics and politics, not the least of which included socialism, opposition to war, secularism, and being nice to people in general. Royce Sharp joins to discuss.

“Galaxy Quest” is the greatest parody of Star Trek imaginable… without technically being Star Trek. Nick Sperdute and Erin Macdonald join the show to discuss what makes the show so memorable–and hilarious. Links to the film and the referenced…

“Hyperion” by Dan Simmons projects Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales onto a distant scifi future. Katherine Mangu-Ward joins to discuss the multiple characters who make their away on a deadly pilgrimage to meet the Shrike—a robot monster who moves…

Michael Weiss, editor-at-large at The Daily Beast, joins the show to discuss Darth Vader: why he’s such a compelling malefactor, the deep inner conflict and tumult which motivates him, and the mythological figures the dark lord of the Sith represents.

“Watchmen” kicks off with the Tulsa Race Massacre, which defines the central theme of the rest of the series: race. Hannibal Johnson is the author of “Black Wall Street 100–An American City Grapples With Its Historical Racial Trauma,” as well as…

Brian Brushwood joins the show to discuss “Watchmen,” the televised sequel to the film and book, “The Watchmen.” Topics include: underlying tensions in the show, is Dr. Manhattan a stupid character, and was Ozymandias right?  This is Part One of…

“Demolition Man” is a cult classic, wherein Sylvester Stallone gets thawed out in the near future to stop Wesley Snipes from destroying Los Angeles. Society is bifurcated into infantilized virginal technocrats up top, and rat-eating, free-thinking…

In “Clans of the Alphane Moon” by Philip K. Dick, a planet is colonized as an insane asylum, then abandoned, so that its inmates develop their own society and cultures. Tom Merritt, host of “Sword and Laser” joins to answer: what happens when…

“Mad Max: Fury Road” is the height of post-apocalyptic wasteland glam–everyone is really getting into skulls, cars, and neo-Viking lore. Not to mention it may be the greatest feminist film in science fiction.  Scott Johnson of Frogpants Studios…