Best Steph R Long Podcasts (2026)

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610. Megan McArdle, host of Reasonably Optimistic 1:03:14

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4d ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle joins us to discuss her favorite science fiction and her new podcast Reasonably Optimistic. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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609. Stephen King Movies: The Running Man, The Long Walk, The Dead Zone, The Mist (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Tom Gerencer) 2:05:01

19d ago2:05:01

2:05:01

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the Stephen King movie adaptations The Running Man, The Long Walk, The Dead Zone, and The Mist. Time stamps: The Running Man (17:44), The Long Walk (47:14), The Dead Zone (1:10:45), The Mist (1:30:20). Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. L…

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608. The Best of Larry Niven Part 3 Review (with Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:40:34

27d ago1:40:34

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 Falls” (44:00), “The Return of William Proxmire” (49:43), “Limits” (57:45), “Smut Talk” (1:07:21), “The Missing Mass” (1:12:35), “Caut…

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607. Jean-Claude Van Damme Movies: Timecop, Universal Soldier, Cyborg, Replicant (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Tom Gerencer) 2:01:34

2M ago2:01:34

2:01:34

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the Jean-Claude Van Damme movies Timecop, Universal Soldier, Cyborg, and Replicant. Time stamps: Timecop (15:21), Universal Soldier (41:27), Cyborg (1:01:35), Replicant (1:19:53). Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your a…

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606. Alien: Earth Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha) 1:51:44

2M ago1:51:44

1:51:44

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Anthony Ha join us to discuss Season 1 of the FX series Alien: Earth, a prequel to the classic films Alien and Aliens. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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605. The Best of Greg Egan Part 3 Review (with Anthony Ha) 1:54:14

3M ago1:54:14

1:54:14

Anthony Ha joins us to discuss the last six stories from the book The Best of Greg Egan. Stories discussed: "Crystal Nights" (1:27), "Zero for Conduct" (19:18), "Uncanny Valley" (37:31), "Bit Players" (52:11), "3-adica" (1:05:17), "Instantiation" (1:19:51). Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more …

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604. The Best of Greg Egan Part 2 Review (with Anthony Ha) 1:43:52

3M ago1:43:52

1:43:52

Anthony Ha joins us to discuss six more stories from the book The Best of Greg Egan. Stories discussed: “Silver Fire” (1:30), “Reasons to be Cheerful” (16:42), “Oceanic” (28:10), “Oracle” (44:19), “Singleton” (1:04:54), “Dark Integers” (1:16:32). Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your …

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603. The History of Sword & Sorcery (with Philip Gelatt, Morgan Galen King) 1:30:58

4M ago1:30:58

1:30:58

Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King, creators of The Spine of Night, join us to discuss the book Flame and Crimson: A History of Sword and Sorcery by Brian Murphy. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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602. The Best of Larry Niven Part 2 Review (with Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:41:44

4M ago1:41:44

1:41:44

Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss nine more stories from the book The Best of Larry Niven. Stories discussed: “Inconstant Moon” (1:34), “Rammer” (18:42), “Cloak of Anarchy” (27:42), “The Fourth Profession” (38:22), “Flash Crowd” (47:59), “The Defenseless Dead” (59:37), “Flight of the Horse” (1:15:55), “The Hole Man” (1:22:29), “Night on Mispec…

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601. Fantastic Fiction at KGB (with Matthew Kressel) 1:43:10

5M ago1:43:10

1:43:10

Matthew Kressel joins us to discuss Fantastic Fiction at KGB, a monthly science fiction reading series in New York City. Support the Fantastic Fiction at KGB fundraiser over at www.gofundme.com/f/fantastic-fiction-reading-series-at-the-kgb-bar. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad…

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600. Steph Grossman, co-host of The Basement Girls 1:38:30

5M ago1:38:30

1:38:30

In this special 600th episode David Barr Kirtley interviews his wife Steph Grossman, short story writer and co-host of the Basement Girls horror podcast. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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599. The Clarion Writers' Workshop (with Tom Gerencer) 1:30:11

5M ago1:30:11

1:30:11

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the book Storyteller: Writing Lessons and More from 27 Years of the Clarion Writers’ Workshop by Kate Wilhelm. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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598. The Story of Elden Ring (with Matt London) 1:29:14

6M ago1:29:14

1:29:14

Matt London joins us to discuss narrative design, George R. R. Martin, and the new book Grace Given: The Mythology of Elden Ring by George Truscott. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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597. Matthew Kressel, author of Histories Within Us and Space Trucker Jess 1:28:40

6M ago1:28:40

1:28:40

Matthew Kressel joins us to discuss his short story collection Histories Within Us and his new novel Space Trucker Jess. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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596. God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert Review 1:46:26

7M ago1:46:26

1:46:26

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert, the fourth book in the Dune series. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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595. The Business of Science Fiction (with Tom Gerencer) 1:10:47

7M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the book The Business of Science Fiction by Mike Resnick and Barry N. Malzberg. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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594. Andor Season 2 Review (with Andrea Kail, Erin Lindsey, Matt London) 1:26:36

8M ago1:26:36

1:26:36

Andrea Kail, Erin Lindsey, and Matt London join us to discuss Season 2 of the Disney+ series Andor, a prequel to the movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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Sacred Redirection 8:27

8M ago8:27

8:27

Hey, family. It’s been a minute, I know. So if you have a moment to get cozy, I have some life updates I'm excited to share with you. This finale episode is part reflection, part love letter, part sacred pause. I’m sharing why the mic went quiet after February, what’s been stirring beneath the surface, and how life rerouted me into a space I didn’t…

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593. Roger Zelazny's Writing Advice (with Warren Lapine) 1:08:55

8M ago1:08:55

1:08:55

Warren Lapine joins us to discuss editing the book On Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy by Roger Zelazny. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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592. The Best of Greg Egan Part 1 Review (with Anthony Ha) 2:24:07

8M ago2:24:07

2:24:07

Anthony Ha joins us to discuss the first eight stories in the book The Best of Greg Egan, part of the SF Masterworks series of science fiction classics. Stories discussed: "Learning to Be Me" (20:42), "Axiomatic" (44:03), "Appropriate Love" (50:10), "Into Darkness" (1:00:30), "Unstable Orbits in the Space of Lies" (1:14:47), "Closer" (1:26:42), "Ch…

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591. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 3 Review (with Tom Gerencer) 2:39:59

9M ago2:39:59

2:39:59

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the book The Top of the Volcano: The Award-Winning Stories of Harlan Ellison, which contains 11 stories not included in Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits. Stories discussed: "A Boy and His Dog" (1:39), "The Region Between" (37:12), "Basilisk" (48:29), "Adrift Just Off the Islets of Langerhans: Latitude 38° 54' N, Longi…

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590. The Best of Larry Niven Part 1 Review (with Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:48:40

9M ago1:48:40

1:48:40

Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss the first nine stories in the book The Best of Larry Niven, edited by Jonathan Strahan. Stories discussed: "Becalmed in Hell" (5:10), "Bordered in Black" (17:54), "Neutron Star" (26:35), "The Soft Weapon" (38:16), "The Jigsaw Man" (56:27), "The Deadlier Weapon" (1:02:55), "All the Myriad Ways" (1:08:16), "Not …

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589. Dune Prophecy Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna) 1:37:16

10M ago1:37:16

1:37:16

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss Season 1 of the HBO series Dune: Prophecy, a prequel set 10,000 years before the events of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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588. The Urth of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe Review (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer) 1:27:33

10M ago1:27:33

1:27:33

James Wynn and Craig Brewer, hosts of the ReReading Wolfe podcast, join us to discuss Gene Wolfe’s classic novel The Urth of the New Sun, a sequel to The Book of the New Sun. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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587. Movie Review: Dark City, Strange Days, The Thirteenth Floor, Looker, Alphaville 1:51:20

11M ago1:51:20

1:51:20

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the science fiction noir movies Dark City, Strange Days, The Thirteenth Floor, Looker, and Alphaville. Time stamps: Dark City (3:25), Strange Days (28:55), The Thirteenth Floor (48:19), Looker (1:00:43), Alphaville (1:16:19). Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over…

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Rewriting the Stories That Hold You Back 13:29

11M ago13:29

13:29

I don't know who needs to hear this, but the stories you’ve been telling yourself about who you are and what you’re capable of aren’t even true. In this episode, we dive deep into the narratives that limit us, questioning the doubts and fears that shape our lives. The good news is you have the power to rewrite them—and I'm hoping this episode helps…

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Surrendering to the Unfolding: Aging Up & Letting Go of Timelines 8:25

11M ago8:25

8:25

Sometimes everything you thought was a setback is actually a sign that you’re exactly where you need to be. In this episode, I’m reflecting on turning 35—not as a milestone, but as a moment of deep surrender. I used to have a vision of who I’d be by now, and honestly? It doesn’t match my reality. But instead of resisting, I’m learning to lean in, t…

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586. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 2 Review (with Tom Gerencer) 1:58:04

11M ago1:58:04

1:58:04

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the second half of book Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits. Stories discussed: "On the Downhill Side" (2:34), "Paladin of the Lost Hour" (12:00), "The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World" (30:08), "I'm Looking for Kadak" (39:10), "How Interesting: A Tiny Man" (48:42), "Djinn, No Chaser" (59:36), "How's the…

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Transforming Pain Into Purpose: Finding Meaning in Life’s Challenges 14:24

12M ago14:24

14:24

What if your struggles weren’t meant to break you but to guide you? In this episode, we’re diving into the idea that pain—whether personal or collective—can be a powerful teacher if we let it. From global crises and political unrest to deeply personal battles, the weight of the world can feel overwhelming. Together, we’ll pause to honor these chall…

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Aligned and Liberated: Unlocking Your Purpose and Decolonizing Wellness Through Dharma’s Wisdom 19:49

12M ago19:49

19:49

What are you here to do? What’s your soul’s purpose? In this episode, I’m diving into dharma—the unique path you’re meant to walk in this lifetime. In Ayurveda, dharma is more than just purpose; it’s the essence of who you are and why you’re here. But reconnecting with your dharma isn’t just about personal fulfillment—it’s a radical act of resistan…

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585. Philip Gelatt, writer of The Europa Report and The Spine of Night 1:05:22

1y ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Philip Gelatt joins us to discuss writing the hard science fiction film The Europa Report and the animated sword & sorcery film The Spine of Night. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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New Year, Same You: Remembering Who You Are, and Why You Don't Need to Reinvent Yourself to Grow 14:14

1y ago14:14

14:14

As we step into 2025, it’s easy to get swept up in all the “new year, new me” energy—but what if there’s a different way to approach growth? In this episode, I’m flipping the narrative on reinvention and sharing my journey from chasing external validation to embracing self-acceptance rooted in remembrance. Together, we’ll unpack how societal pressu…

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Welcome to Season 3 of In Case Nobody Told You 1:24

1y ago1:24

1:24

Hey y’all, it’s been a minute—but we’re back! In Case Nobody Told You is here for a brand-new season, and I’m so excited to reconnect with you. Over the past year, I’ve been deep in my own transformation—letting go of old layers, stepping into new truths, and gathering lessons I’m ready to share. This season, we’re diving deeper than before—breakin…

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584. The Making of Secret Level (with J.T. Petty) 58:45

1y ago58:45

58:45

J.T. Petty joins us to discuss serving as executive producer on the new Amazon series Secret Level, a collection of animated shorts set in the worlds of popular video games. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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583. Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits Part 1 Review (with Tom Gerencer) 1:57:08

1y ago1:57:08

1:57:08

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the first half of the book Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits, edited by J. Michael Straczynski. Stories discussed: "'Repent Harlequin,' Said the Ticktockman" (13:08), "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" (26:00), "The Deathbird" (37:17), "Chatting with Anubis" (47:39), "The Whimper of Whipped Dogs" (51:29), "Jefty is F…

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582. The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe Review (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer) 1:32:12

1y ago1:32:12

1:32:12

James Wynn and Craig Brewer, hosts of the ReReading Wolfe podcast, join us to discuss Gene Wolfe’s classic novel The Fifth Head of Cerberus, about two planets that may or may not be inhabited by shapeshifting aliens. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm…

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581. Andrew Niccol Movies: Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone, In Time, Anon 1:56:51

1y ago1:56:51

1:56:51

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the movies Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone, In Time, and Anon, all of which were written by Andrew Niccol. Time stamps: Gattaca (11:57), The Truman Show (45:09), Simone (1:03:13), In Time (1:18:08), Anon (1:25:59). Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreo…

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580. New Mexico Science Fiction Writers (with Melinda M. Snodgrass) 1:23:59

1y ago1:23:59

1:23:59

Melinda M. Snodgrass joins us to discuss the New Mexico Mafia, a tight-knit community of fantasy & science fiction writers that formed in New Mexico in the 1970s and 1980s, a group that included George R. R. Martin, Roger Zelazny, Stephen R. Donaldson, and Fred Saberhagen. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/ge…

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579. The Future of Demographic Collapse (with Malcolm Collins) 1:17:54

1y ago1:17:54

1:17:54

Malcolm Collins, co-host of the Based Camp podcast, joins us to discuss future scenarios involving demographic collapse, genetic engineering, and AI. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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578. Terminator Zero Season 1 Review (with Daniel H. Wilson, Zach Chapman) 1:24:50

1+ y ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Daniel H. Wilson and Zach Chapman join us to discuss the Netflix series Terminator Zero, an animated spinoff of the classic films Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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577. The Best of Roger Zelazny Review (with Tom Gerencer) 2:29:54

1+ y ago2:29:54

2:29:54

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the book The Best of Roger Zelazny, part of the SF Masterworks series of science fiction classics. Stories discussed: "Corrida" (20:04), "LOKI 72181" (24:05), "The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth" (27:08), "The Great Slow Kings" (35:21), "Permafrost" (38:56), "Home is the Hangman" (44:13), "He Who Shapes" …

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576. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein Review (with Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, Robby Soave) 1:30:51

1+ y ago1:30:51

1:30:51

Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, and Robby Soave join us to discuss Robert Heinlein’s classic novel Stranger in a Strange Land, about a young man raised by Martians. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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575. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke Review (with Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha, Sara Lynn Michener) 1:16:50

1+ y ago1:16:50

1:16:50

Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha, and Sara Lynn Michener join us to discuss Arthur C. Clarke’s classic novel Rendezvous with Rama, about astronauts exploring a giant alien spacecraft. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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574. A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge Review (with Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:16:10

1+ y ago1:16:10

1:16:10

Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, and Mercurio D. Rivera join us to discuss Vernor Vinge’s classic 1999 novel A Deepness in the Sky, a prequel to his novel A Fire Upon the Deep. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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573. Robert Charles Wilson on Science Fiction and Atheism 42:14

1+ y ago42:14

42:14

Robert Charles Wilson joins us to discuss his books The Perseids and Other Stories and Owning the Unknown: A Science Fiction Writer Explores Atheism, Agnosticism, and the Idea of God. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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572. Scavengers Reign Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Zach Chapman, Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:34:05

1+ y ago1:34:05

1:34:05

Andrea Kail, Zach Chapman, and Mercurio D. Rivera join us to discuss the animated series Scavengers Reign, about a group of survivors stranded on an alien planet. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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571. Civil War Movie Review (with Myke Cole, Michael Livingston) 1:26:45

1+ y ago1:26:45

1:26:45

Myke Cole and Michael Livingston join us to discuss the new Alex Garland movie Civil War, about a civil war breaking out in modern day America. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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570. Invincible Seasons 1 and 2 Review (with Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, Zach Chapman) 1:25:06

1+ y ago1:25:06

1:25:06

Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, and Zach Chapman join us to discuss Seasons 1 and 2 of the animated series Invincible, about a teenager's difficult relationship with his superhero father. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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569. Lionel Shriver, author of Mania and Abominations: Selected Essays from a Career of Courting Self-Destruction 59:17

1+ y ago59:17

59:17

Lionel Shriver, author of We Need to Talk About Kevin, joins us to discuss her new books Mania and Abominations: Selected Essays from a Career of Courting Self-Destruction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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568. Children of Dune Miniseries Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna) 1:25:54

1+ y ago1:25:54

1:25:54

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss the 2003 miniseries Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune, which adapts the second and third Dune novels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley