Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast
** Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks ** Host David Barr Kirtley, author of the book Save Me Plz and Other Stories, talks geek culture with guests such as Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Richard Dawkins, Simon Pegg, Bill Nye, Margaret Atwood, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Ursula K. Le Guin. Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy has appeared on recommended podcast lists from NPR, The Guardian, Wired, The A.V. Club, BBC America, CBC Radio, WVXU, io9, Omni, The Strand, Library Journal, and Popular Mechanics. CBC Radio writes, "You may not think a podcast about science fiction and fantasy would be the place to go for political insight, but -- it is. Geek's Guide to the Galaxy manages to be more insightful about politics than many pundits." View a complete list of guests and topics at geeksguideshow.com/episodes/. Listen to the show on YouTube at youtube.com/@geeksguidetothegalaxy to easily skip ahead to our discussion of a particular movie or story.
Latest episodes
Aug 25, 2024 • 2h 30min
577. The Best of Roger Zelazny Review (with Tom Gerencer)
Tom Gerencer, author of *Think Like Google* and *Intergalactic Refrigerator Repairmen Seldom Carry Cash*, dives into the legacy of Roger Zelazny. They discuss Zelazny's influence on sci-fi and dissect notable works like *Doorways in the Sand*. The conversation touches on the challenges of story selection, the depth of unlikable narrators, and the psychological themes in *He Who Shapes*. Gerencer also explores how Zelazny's stories balance humanity and advanced AI, culminating in a celebration of the joy found in literary creation.
Aug 11, 2024 • 1h 31min
576. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein Review (with Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, Robby Soave)
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
Jul 27, 2024 • 1h 17min
575. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke Review (with Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha, Sara Lynn Michener)
Join Matthew Kressel, a noted science fiction writer, Anthony Ha, an influential media strategist, and Sara Lynn Michener, a passionate critic, as they explore Arthur C. Clarke's 'Rendezvous with Rama.' They discuss the allure of the unknown in sci-fi, contrasting Clarke's minimalist character development with modern storytelling. The conversation delves into the upcoming film adaptation, the challenges of maintaining narrative integrity, and the mysteries surrounding interstellar objects like Oumuamua. Their insights spark a thrilling exploration of humanity's quest for knowledge.
Jul 12, 2024 • 1h 16min
574. A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge Review (with Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, Mercurio D. Rivera)
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
Jul 1, 2024 • 42min
573. Robert Charles Wilson on Science Fiction and Atheism
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
Jun 14, 2024 • 1h 34min
572. Scavengers Reign Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Zach Chapman, Mercurio D. Rivera)
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
Jun 2, 2024 • 1h 27min
571. Civil War Movie Review (with Myke Cole, Michael Livingston)
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/adchoices
May 26, 2024 • 1h 25min
570. Invincible Seasons 1 and 2 Review (with Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, Zach Chapman)
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
May 24, 2024 • 59min
569. Lionel Shriver, author of Mania and Abominations: Selected Essays from a Career of Courting Self-Destruction
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/adchoices
May 18, 2024 • 1h 26min
568. Children of Dune Miniseries Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna)
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/adchoices
