Each week, Escape Pod delivers science fiction short stories from today's best authors. Listen today, and hear the new sound of science fiction!
Listeners of Escape Pod that love the show mention: escape pod, podcastle, escapepod, mur lafferty, pseudopod, escape artists, best sci fi podcast, alasdair, consistent quality, variety of science, fantasy and horror, dues, listener supported, sister podcasts, editorials, story i've, variety of authors, flash fiction, short fiction, also highly.
The Escape Pod podcast has been a staple in my listening rotation since it first started in 2005. This podcast offers a great variety of material, ranging from silly and fun stories to thought-provoking hard-science narratives. I initially discovered Escape Artists podcasts through Pseudopod and found Escape Pod to be the perfect addition to their lineup. While science fiction is not my favorite speculative fiction genre, this podcast manages to captivate me with its diverse mix of subgenres and the inclusion of both classic and contemporary works. The early episodes often dabbled in other genres as well, but they have since split off into separate horror and fantasy podcasts.
One of the best aspects of The Escape Pod podcast is its dedication to providing a range of contributors and characters. The stories are top-notch, handpicked by the team behind the podcast. Listening to these stories has brought me immense joy over the years, especially the recent gem "A Box, a Pocket, a Spaceman." The production value is also excellent, with great hosts and mostly good readers. Each episode is meticulously crafted, making for an immersive listening experience.
However, there are a couple of downsides to mention. As someone who is hard of hearing, I appreciate that Bluetooth can be enabled to crank up the volume on this podcast. However, there have been occasions where technical glitches have resulted in over 100 episodes being downloaded at once. This can be quite frustrating when trying to manage storage space on my device. Additionally, while the majority of stories are enjoyable, like any story podcast, some may not hit the mark for everyone's personal tastes. There is occasional Young Adult fiction that features in this podcast which may not appeal to all listeners.
In conclusion, The Escape Pod podcast stands out as an incredible labor of love made by passionate individuals dedicated to bringing quality science fiction content to their audience. With no ads or annoying personalities, this podcast delivers a new short story every week, introducing listeners to a vast array of authors and perspectives. Despite the occasional technical glitch and the possibility of stories not resonating with everyone, this podcast is definitely worth a listen for any sci-fi enthusiast. I only wish I had discovered it sooner and have since become a patron to ensure the continuation of these fantastic stories.
Author : Rachel Swirsky Narrator : Mur Lafferty Hosts : Alasdair Stuart and Norm Sherman Audio Producers : Adam Pracht and Mur Lafferty Eros, Philia, Agape originally appeared on Tor.com and first appeared on Escape Pod on Episode 250, July 22, 2010. Marital strife and implied child abuse Eros, Philia, Agape (Excerpt) By Rachel Swirsky The […] Source
Author : Kelsey Hutton Narrator : Samantha Loney Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Adam Pracht The Carina Nebula originally appeared in Analog Science Fiction & Fact, July/August 2023. Includes a few A-grade curses. The Carina Nebula By Kelsey Hutton I heard the soft shit shit shit just when I'd almost floated past the blue […] Source
Author : Alexis Ames Narrator : Eric Valdes Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Sanctuary” first appeared in Kyanite Press, Winter 2020 Don't miss “Sanctuary, Part 1” Sanctuary (Part 2) by Alexis Ames 3. Eilan slept for thirteen uneventful hours while I sat at the helm and wondered if it was possible […] Source
Author : Alexis Ames Narrator : Eric Valdes Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Sanctuary” first appeared in Kyanite Press, Winter 2020 Sanctuary (Part 1) by Alexis Ames 1. The king of the galaxy died the day before the biggest holiday of the year, and six hours before I was supposed to […] Source
Author : Jeremiah Tolbert Narrator : Serah Eley Hosts : Alasdair Stuart and Serah Eley Audio Producers : Adam Pracht and Serah Eley This, My Body originally appeared in Interzone 2005. Contains graphic sexual and culinary scenes. Rated X. This, My Body (Excerpt) By Jeremiah Tolbert I am the lover. I am the chef. I am the […] Source
Author : Esther Alter Narrators : Hugo Jackson, Jess Lewis, Serah Eley and Joe Moran Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 994: Magical Girl Antifa War Machine is an Escape Pod original. NSFW. Includes violence, death, mental health issues, global disaster, explicit sex, consensual BDSM, war trauma, a brief mention […] Source
Author : T. Kingfisher Narrator : Kevin M. Hayes Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Escape Pod 993: That Thing With Bob and the Crop Circles is an Escape Pod original. That Thing With Bob and the Crop Circles by T. Kingfisher So last Tuesday, long about noon, I found myself down […] Source
Author : Lyra Meurer Narrator : Rosie Sentman Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Nerves Into Circuits was originally published by Heartlines Spec on November 30, 2023 Includes mention of chronic pain and suicidal ideation. Nerves Into Circuits By Lyra Meurer Metal arms descend to press skin-soft conductor strips over my shoulders. […] Source
Author : P. A. Cornell Narrator : Isabel J. Kim Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Escape Pod 991: After the Rain is an Escape Pod original. After the Rain by P. A. Cornell I love a heavy summer storm. I love it when the rain falls so suddenly there's no avoiding […] Source
Author : Serah Eley Narrator : Paul S. Jenkins Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “The Malcontent” was originally published in Escape Pod 50 (April 2006) The Malcontent by Serah Eley Finally Nicholas summoned his overseers and all other servants who were mobile to his chamber. “You are merely robots,” Nicholas said, […] Source
Author : Jennifer Hudak Narrator : Kat Kourbeti Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 989: Holding Patterns is an Escape Pod original. Holding Patterns By Jennifer Hudak I dream about the trees sometimes. I think we all do, even though none of my generation were alive when the forest was […] Source
Author : Chris Campbell Narrator : Dominick Rabrun Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht In the Palace of Science originally appeared in Asimov's May/June 2024. In the Palace of Science (Part 2 of 2) By Chris Campbell (…Continued from Part 1) B-Side Track Five– The automaton was unfinished, but even in […] Source
Author : Chris Campbell Narrator : Dominick Rabrun Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht In the Palace of Science originally appeared in Asimov's May/June 2024. In the Palace of Science (Part 1 of 2) By Chris Campbell Track One– If you've found this recording, two things can be said for certain. The […] Source
Author : Hiron Ennes Narrator : Tatiana Grey Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Escape Pod 986: Lyra, From Many Angles is an Escape Pod original. Lyra, From Many Angles by Hiron Ennes When they came, it was in a craft the size of a golf ball. Smooth and round and perfectly […] Source
Author : Ryan Cole Narrator : Elie Hirschman Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Escape Pod 985: The Interdimensional Rift at the Lucky Sunrise Bingo Palace is an Escape Pod original. The Interdimensional Rift at the Lucky Sunrise Bingo Palace by Ryan Cole So I'm sitting there with Bubbee—the two of us […] Source
Author : Jonathan Sullivan Narrator : Serah Eley Hosts : Alasdair Stuart and Serah Eley Audio Producers : Adam Pracht and Serah Eley Imperial originally appeared in Monolith 6 and on Escape Pod episode 1 on May 12, 2005. Rated R. Contains profanity, sexual content, politics, and sarcasm. Jonathan Sullivan https://erincairns.com/ErinCairns/About/Press+Kit Serah Eley Serah Eley Adam Pracht […] Source
Author : Holly Schofield Narrator : Kae Mills Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “The Robot Whisperer” first appeared in Fighting for the Future cyberpunk-solarpunk anthology in 2023 The Robot Whisperer by Holly Schofield Emilia heard the door bang as Kore entered her workshop. Dishes clattered on the side bench. “Be there […] Source
Author : Lilly Harper Narrator : Kat Day Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 982: Twilight is an Escape Pod original. Includes themes of grief, loss, isolation, and mental health. Twilight By Lilly Harper Like the tide going out, the dream slipped between her toes and carried with it the […] Source
Author : Dale Smith Narrator : Louise Ratcliffe Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Joy” was previously published in Interzone Digital (June 2023) Joy by Dale Smith Joy knelt on the promenade, shifting the rifle into her shoulder to get a steadier shot. She did her best to ignore the waves crashing […] Source
Author : Erin Cairns Narrator : Devin Martin Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 980: Peace by Piece is an Escape Pod original. Erin Cairns https://erincairns.com/ErinCairns/About/Press+Kit Adam Pracht https://escapepod.org/people/adam-pracht/ Alasdair Stuart https://pseudopod.org/people/alasdair-stuart/ A Man Falls Into A Hole: A Meditation on Grace https://ceciliairene.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/a-man-falls-into-a-hole-a-meditation-on-grace/ Void Merch https://voidmerch.threadless.com/collections/escape-artists-inc-x-voidmerch-1 Hot Singles In Your […] Source
Author : Merc Fenn Wolfmoor Narrator : Joe Moran Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Steadyboi After the Apocalypse” first appeared in the collection Friends For Robots: Stories by Merc Fenn Wolfmoor (Robot Dinosaur Press, 2022) Steadyboi After the Apocalypse by Merc Fenn Wolfmoor You trudge through another wasteland town, sticking to […] Source
Author : Alasdair Stuart Narrator : Sarah Griffin Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 978: Oak Hill Lane is an Escape Pod original. Includes minor violence, homophobia, and swears. Oak Hill Lane By Alasdair Stuart The day the world ended, Scotch picked a fight. Not that there was much choice. […] Source
Author : Deborah L. Davitt Narrator : Ibba Armancas Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Reflected in Mirrored Skies” was published by Compelling Science Fiction (Special Kickstarter Companion issue Nov. 6, 2018) Mentions of plans to falsely claim a sexual assault as a cover excuse for a murder Reflected in Mirrored Skies […] Source
Author : Deborah L. Davitt Narrator : Ibba Armancas Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Reflected in Mirrored Skies” was published by Compelling Science Fiction (Special Kickstarter Companion issue Nov. 6, 2018) Reflected in Mirrored Skies by Deborah L. Davitt Above them, stars; below, the endless roil of leaden clouds that engulfed […] Source
Author : Bruce Holland Rogers Narrator : Evo Terra Hosts : Alasdair Stuart and Serah Eley Audio Producers : Adam Pracht and Serah Eley Don Ysidro first appeared in Polyphony 3, October 2003. Includes death rituals with possible disturbing imagery. Evo Terra's “The End” The Fiction Podcast Preservation Project Don Ysidro (Excerpt) By Bruce Holland […] Source
Author : A.P. Hawkins Narrator : Peter Adrian Behravesh Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 974: Once Abandoned is an Escape Pod original. Once Abandoned By A.P. Hawkins Sappel whistled as he walked to the construction site, the sound echoing off nearby buildings in a muffled way. It was early […] Source
Author : Simone Heller Narrator : Hugo Jackson Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Forever the Forest” was first published in “Life Beyond Us: An Original Anthology of SF Stories and Science Essays” (April 2023) Forever the Forest by Simone Heller It is known that the Rootless are only ever leaving. Always […] Source
Author : Craig Church Narrator : Rosie Sentman Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Escape Pod 972: The Bargain of Death and Saint Nicholas is an Escape Pod original. The Bargain of Death and Saint Nicholas by Craig Church “What's your favorite tale?” I ask, voice quivering. My audience of thieves and […] Source
Author : Greg van Eekhout Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “In the Late December” appeared in Strange Horizons, December 2003. This story was also a Nebula Award Nominee! Contains some dark Santa-related imagery, and the heat death of the universe. In the Late December by Greg van […] Source
Author : Cat Rambo Narrator : Tina Connolly Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Red in Tooth and Cog By Cat Rambo A phone can be so much. Your memory, your edge against boredom, your source of inspiration. There's always an app for whatever you need. Renee valued her phone accordingly, even […] Source
Author : Malon Edwards Narrators : Dominick Rabrun, Mandaly Louis-Charles, C.S.E. Cooney and Laurice White Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Code Switching originally appeared in If Wishes Were Obfuscation Codes and Other Stories – September 12, 2023. Contains racism, war, and grade-A cursing. Code Switching (Part 4 of 4) By Malon Edwards […] Source
Author : Malon Edwards Narrators : Dominick Rabrun and Mandaly Louis-Charles Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Code Switching originally appeared in If Wishes Were Obfuscation Codes and Other Stories – September 12, 2023. Contains racism, war, and grade-A cursing. Code Switching (Part 3 of 4) By Malon Edwards (…Continued from Part […] Source
Author : Malon Edwards Narrators : Dominick Rabrun, C.S.E. Cooney and Laurice White Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Code Switching originally appeared in If Wishes Were Obfuscation Codes and Other Stories – September 12, 2023. Contains racism, war, and grade-A cursing. Code Switching (Part 2 of 4) By Malon Edwards (…Continued from […] Source
Author : Malon Edwards Narrator : Dominick Rabrun Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Code Switching originally appeared in If Wishes Were Obfuscation Codes and Other Stories – September 12, 2023. Code Switching By Malon Edwards [JEAN-MICHEL] INTRO: ALL I'M EVER GON' DO IS STAY BLACK AND DIE JEAN-MICHEL FEAT. KINSLEY CHASE Kinsley […] Source
Author : Addison Smith Narrators : Andrew K. Hoe and Tina Connolly Hosts : Alasdair Stuart and Kat Day Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Escape Pod 965: T-Rex Tex Mex / Mother Death Learns a Trick is an Escape Pod original. T-Rex Tex Mex by Sarina Dorie “Whoa! Hold on, partner!” the host of the […] Source
Author : Greg van Eekhout Narrator : Anna Eley Hosts : Mur Lafferty and Serah Eley Audio Producers : Adam Pracht and Serah Eley Show and Tell originally appeared in Strange Horizons June 10, 2002. Contains mild scenes of violence. Show and Tell By Greg van Eekhout Teacher is an old-fashioned bug with a blue carapace and eyes […] Source
Author : Julia Rios Narrators : Abra Staffin-Wiebe and Tatiana Grey Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “To Catch a Flieff” was originally written as a bonus for backers of the Bridge to Elsewhere Kickstarter (an anthology of stories set on bridges of spaceships). Listen to Part 1: Escape Pod 962: To […] Source
Author : Julia Rios Narrators : Abra Staffin-Wiebe and Tatiana Grey Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “To Catch a Flieff” was originally written as a bonus for backers of the Bridge to Elsewhere Kickstarter (an anthology of stories set on bridges of spaceships). To Catch a Flieff by Julia Rios Alessia […] Source
Author : Larry Hodges Narrator : Mur Lafferty Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 961: Mathball is an Escape Pod original. Mathball By Larry Hodges You are a baseball fan, sitting in the centerfield seats eating an overpriced hot dog. You are wearing a baseball cap, but not a batting […] Source
Author : Benjamin C. Kinney Narrator : Heather Thomas Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Summer Brooks This story originally appeared in the anthology “The Internet Is Where The Robots Live Now” (Paper Dog Press, November 2018). Elegy of Carbon by Benjamin C. Kinney The miner birthed itself among rubble and vacuum, as it […] Source
Author : Arden Baker Narrators : Scott Campbell, Graeme Dunlop and Valerie Valdes Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 959: This Little War of Ours is an Escape Pod original. Brief mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation, and an apocalypse setting. This Little War of Ours By Arden Baker […] Source
Author : Marissa Lingen Narrator : The Word Whore Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Originally appeared in Analog (2011), and in Escape Pod 366 (Oct 2012) Some of Them Closer by Marissa Lingen Coming back to Earth was not the immediate shock they expected it to be for me. It was […] Source
Author : D.A. Xiaolin Spires Narrator : Rebecca Wei Hsieh Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Vault originally appeared in Clarkesworld, Issue 141 in June 2018. Vault (Part 2 of 2) By D.A. Xiaolin Spires (…Continued from Part 1) “Lukas?” Chenguang's voice echoes in this expanse of dark. A vortex of light opens to […] Source
Author : D.A. Xiaolin Spires Narrator : Rebecca Wei Hsieh Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Vault originally appeared in Clarkesworld, Issue 141 in June 2018. Vault (Part 1 of 2) By D.A. Xiaolin Spires Chenguang hikes up her sleeves before vaulting over the pile of fuzzy moss and greets Lukas with a nod. […] Source
Author : Sylvie Althoff Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Escape Pod 955: Endymion is an Escape Pod original. Contains transphobic slur, adult language, and brief but graphic violence Endymion by Sylvie Althoff It's green here—green and wet. The twittering of birds in the treetops pauses as one […] Source
Author : Samantha Henderson Narrator : Mur Lafferty Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Chandra's Game” originally appeared in Lone Star Stories (2009), and in Escape Pod 373. Chandra's Game by Samantha Henderson Joey Straphos, Papa Joe, told me once that Chandra's Game is a bitch of a city, fickle but generous […] Source
Author : Malka Older Narrator : Valerie Valdes Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Sturdy Ladders and Lanterns originally appeared in XPrize Current Futures anthology, 2019. Sturdy Ladders and Lanterns By Malka Older As a freelance marine behavioral researcher most of Natalia's jobs went something like this: She swam around in some […] Source
Author : Erin Brown Narrator : Cherrae L. Stuart Host : Tina Connolly Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Skyscrapers That Twist to the Sun” appeared in Fantasy Magazine Issue 87 (January 2023) Skyscrapers That Twist to the Sun by Erin Brown Shaundra took the small, empty cardboard box and swiveled on her work stool to […] Source
Author : Kristen Koopman Narrators : Ant Bacon, Valerie Valdes and Adam Pracht Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 951: The Scientist Does Not Look Back is an Escape Pod original. Death, grief and loss. The Scientist Does Not Look Back By Kristen Koopman Feb. 17, 3:40 AM. Audio notebook for […] Source
Author : James Patrick Kelly Narrators : A Kovacs, John Cmar and Pamela Quevillon Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Summer Brooks Appropriate for older teens and up due to erotic imagery and war criminal comeuppance Bad Dogs Escape By James Patrick Kelly /SFX/ CLOCK TICKING, FADE TO /SFX/ DOGS BARKING IN DISTANCE SAM: […] Source
Author : Brian Hugenbruch Narrator : Kyle Akers Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Adam Pracht Escape Pod 949: A Foundational Model for Talking to Girls is an Escape Pod original. A Foundational Model for Talking to Girls By Brian Hugenbruch “Hey Marty,” Mom asks, “got a moment?” I cringe whenever Mom's voice has […] Source
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