Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast

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Author David Barr Kirtley talks geek culture with guests such as Neil Gaiman (#253), George R. R. Martin (#22), Richard Dawkins (#46), Paul Krugman (#61), Bill Nye (#273), Margaret Atwood (#94), Neil deGrasse Tyson (#32), and Joyce Carol Oates (#202). The A.V. Club calls the show, "An informative an…

David Barr Kirtley and John Joseph Adams


    • May 26, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 15m AVG DURATION
    • 653 EPISODES

    4.5 from 873 ratings Listeners of Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast that love the show mention: john joseph, guide to the galaxy, david and john, john and dave, geek's, science fiction and fantasy, dave and john, sff, interviews and discussions, orson scott card, panel discussions, barr, sci fi fantasy, john and david, george rr martin, post interview, fantasy and science fiction, simon pegg, paul krugman, scifi fantasy.


    Ivy Insights

    The Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast is a must-listen for any sci-fi fan. This podcast covers a wide range of topics, including discussions of classic novels, reviews of modern works, and interviews and panel discussions with interesting guests. Host David Barr Kirtley has a great interview style and asks insightful questions that delve into the world of sci-fi. Overall, it's a fantastic podcast that offers something for every fan of the genre.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the variety of content it offers. Whether you're interested in classic sci-fi novels or want to explore new works, there's something here for everyone. The interviews are always interesting, and Kirtley's preparation and knowledge shine through in his thoughtful questions. The panel discussions are also highly engaging, even when discussing TV series or movies that you may not have seen. It's an all-around enjoyable podcast that keeps you informed and entertained.

    However, one potential flaw is that the podcast can be very US-centric at times. While there is a wealth of good science fiction and fantasy from South America, Asia, and Europe, it would be great to hear more about these regions on the show. Expanding the scope to include more international voices would make the podcast even better.

    In conclusion, The Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in sci-fi and fantasy literature. It offers in-depth discussions, insightful interviews, and recommendations that will expand your knowledge of the genre. Despite its potential US-centric focus, it remains an educational and entertaining podcast that is worth listening to for any fan of science fiction.



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    Latest episodes from Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast

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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 86:36


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    593. Roger Zelazny's Writing Advice (with Warren Lapine)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 68:55


    Warren Lapine joins us to discuss editing the book On Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy by Roger Zelazny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    592. The Best of Greg Egan Part 1 (with Anthony Ha)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 144:07


    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), "Chaff" (1:38:50), "Luminous" (1:52:12). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    591. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 3 (with Tom Gerencer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 159:59


    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, Longitude 77° 00' 13" W (53:57), Croatoan (1:05:55), Count the Clock that Tells the Time (1:16:45), With Virgil Oddum at the East Pole (1:32:30), Soft Monkey (1:41:43), The Function of Dream Sleep (1:47:38), The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore (2:01:01), The Human Operators (2:11:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    590. The Best of Larry Niven Part 1 (with Mercurio D. Rivera)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 108:40


    Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss the first nine stories in the short story collection 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 Long Before the End" (1:19:48), "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" (1:28:01). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2025 97:16


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    hbo dune prophecy frank herbert kail matthew kressel rajan khanna
    588. The Urth of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe Book Club (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 87:33


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 111:20


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    586. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 2 (with Tom Gerencer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 118:04


    Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the second half of the new short story collection Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits, edited by J. Michael Straczynski. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    585. Philip Gelatt, writer of The Europa Report and The Spine of Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 65:22


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    583. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 1 (with Tom Gerencer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 117:08


    Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the first half of the new short story collection Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits, edited by J. Michael Straczynski. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    582. The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe Book Club (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 92:12


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 116:51


    Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the movies Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone, In Time, and Anon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    580. The New Mexico Mafia (with Melinda M. Snodgrass)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 83:59


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    new mexico mafia roger zelazny stephen r donaldson melinda m snodgrass
    579. The Future of Demographic Collapse (with Malcolm Collins)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 77:54


    Malcolm Collins, co-host of the Based Camp podcast, joins us to discuss future scenarios involving demographic collapse, genetic engineering, and AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 84:50


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Paternity Leave

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 0:33


    Geek's Guide to the Galaxy host David Barr Kirtley and his wife Steph Grossman just had their first baby, so our schedule will probably be unpredictable for the next few weeks. For updates, watch geeksguideshow.com or follow us on Patreon over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    577. The Best of Roger Zelazny (with Tom Gerencer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024 149:54


    Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the short story collection The Best of Roger Zelazny, part of the SF Masterworks series of science fiction classics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    576. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein Book Club (with Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, Robby Soave)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 90:51


    Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, and Robby Soave join us to discuss Robert Heinlein's classic novel Stranger in a Strange Land, about a human being raised by Martians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    575. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke Book Club (with Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha, Sara Lynn Michener)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2024 76:50


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    574. A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge Book Club (with Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, Mercurio D. Rivera)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 76:10


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    573. Robert Charles Wilson on Science Fiction and Atheism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 94:05


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    571. Civil War Movie Review (with Myke Cole, Michael Livingston)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 86:45


    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.

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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 85:07


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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 59:18


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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2024 85:55


    children fantasy dune science fiction miniseries john harrison kail matthew kressel david barr kirtley rajan khanna
    567. Téa Obreht, author of The Morningside

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 58:28


    566. Fallout Season 1 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Theresa DeLucci, Zach Chapman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 89:13


    565. David Sirota, co-creator of Don't Look Up and author of Back to Our Future: How the 1980s Explain the World We Live in Now–Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 55:34


    564. Teresa Sutherland, writer of The Wind and director of Lovely, Dark, and Deep

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 63:18


    563. Dune: Part Two Movie Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 91:27


    movies fantasy dune science fiction denis villeneuve dune part two kail matthew kressel david barr kirtley rajan khanna
    562. 1899 Season 1 Review (with Erin Lindsey, Andrea Kail, Ruairi Carroll)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 90:45


    561. Amanda Knox and Christopher Robinson, hosts of Labyrinths

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 64:54


    560. For All Mankind Seasons 3 and 4 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2024 93:06


    559. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert Book Club (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 87:15


    children fantasy dune book club science fiction frank herbert kail matthew kressel david barr kirtley rajan khanna
    558. Bodies TV Show Review (with Erin Lindsey, Andrea Kail, Ruairi Carroll)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 97:01


    557. John Joseph Adams on Baldur's Gate III

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2023 97:24


    556. For All Mankind Seasons 1 and 2 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 97:24


    555. Kyle Newman on Dungeons and Dragons and Star Wars

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 56:52


    554. Andrew Yang, co-author of The Last Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 51:31


    553. David Cronenberg Movies: Scanners, Videodrome, The Fly, Existenz, Crimes of the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 97:30


    552. Greg Lukianoff, co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All―But There Is a Solution

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 63:57


    551. Blindsight by Peter Watts Book Club (with Theresa DeLucci, Sam J. Miller, Seth Dickinson)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 89:45


    550. Abby Goldsmith, author of Majority

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 64:48


    549. Movie Review: Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Anomalisa, I'm Thinking of Ending Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 105:51


    548. Susan Palwick, author of The Fate of Mice and All Worlds Are Real

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 69:49


    fantasy fate worlds science fiction mice david barr kirtley susan palwick
    547. Ian Livingstone on Games Workshop and Fighting Fantasy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 60:55


    546. John Romero, co-creator of Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3D

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 61:40


    545. Silo Season 1 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 89:23


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