Reading the Hugo winners, one guest at a time.
This is a Seth’s Picks episode, the very highly regarded, though not much honored at the time Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson. It’s like Ready Player One, but without all the references or terrible writing. (It’s not really like RPO at all, and that’s a very good thing.) This is one of my shorter episodes, … Continue reading "Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson, with guest Leah Borden"
While I was recording with my TMTYR co-hosts, I realized I never recorded a reaction to my 2025 Hugo nomination, so I just sprang it on them (they were already in the know about the nomination because I can’t keep a secret from them). Thanks so much to everyone who nominated this podcast!
Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Book/Coffee!: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sethheasled Support Me on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/hugospodcast Pick a Book off the Mondo List and contact me: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s6JbgvwCB3ptr2cDZWWaEHvbc-BEmC5Y5avdf2kaLqQ/edit?usp=sharing This time it's another Zoomed Out, Subgenre Spotlight episode on Sports Science Fiction. Joining me for this discussion is Christopher Garcia of Journey Planet and the Drink Tank fanzines. An unedited transcript … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Sports SFF, with Chris Garcia"
My guest and I discuss a Hugo-nominee, Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi. I haven’t been loving Scalzi’s recent books, but I loved this one. This episode includes an unedited transcript that will be updated at a later time. Spoiler talk starts at 15:24 Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Book/Coffee!: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sethheasled Support Me … Continue reading "Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi (with guest Tony [redacted])"
This time it's another Zoomed Out, Author Deep Dive episode on Lloyd Alexander. Joining me for this discussion is Jared Crossley, creator of the Lloyd Alexander documentary on YouTube. This episode includes an unedited transcript which will be updated at a later time. Segments and time codes: (03:00) – Intro to Lloyd Alexander (08:00) – … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Lloyd Alexander, with Jared Crossley"
Just a quick look back at everything I read in 2024, including a bit of podcast reading, lots of graphic novels, and more than a little leisure reading. Video link here: https://youtu.be/9A2p_9y3TvE Adjoa Andoh is the narrator of Translation State and she's an absolute beast. My Year in Books: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2024/2459540# (or my 2024 Reading Challenge): … Continue reading "My 2024 in books!"
Guest Evan Bradtke joins me for a fairly lengthy discussion of CS Lewis’s Space Trilogy (more aptly called the Cosmic Trilogy), all three volumes of which were nominated for the Retro Hugo. It’s a normal-ish episode, with the exception being that we discuss all three books in some detail. The books are, to me, less accessibly … Continue reading "The Space Trilogy, by CS Lewis (feat. Evan Bradtke)"
In this bonus episode, Michael Gabriel and I discuss (at length) live action Superman, particularly the recently-ended CW show Superman & Lois, with stops along the way to talk about our histories with Superman, the Arrowverse, and some comic book recommendations for anyone who's interested in reading a few Superman books. Topics Covered: Michael's social … Continue reading "“We’re all Superman to somebody, sometime,” a conversation about live-action Superman with Michael Gabriel"
Follow me on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/sheasley.bsky.social This time it's another Zoomed Out, Subgenre Spotlight episode on Military Science Fiction. Joining me for this discussion is returning guest William Bregnard from Future War Stories. An unedited transcript is included with this episode. A more polished transcript will be posted at a later date. Segments and time codes: … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Military Science Fiction, with William from Future War Stories"
Andy Parry from Sci-Fi Around the World joins me for a Seth’s Picks episode about Blindness, by Nobel-winner Jose Saramago. The book was originally published in Portuguese, which made Andy the perfect guest due to his international SF project. It’s a tough read for content reasons, including violence and sexual violence, but it’s one of … Continue reading "Blindness, by José Saramago (feat. Andy Parry)"
“Is this gonna be another stand-up fight, sir, or another bug hunt?” Well, neither really. It's an October surprise! We've got Aliens, Colonial Marines, and four people who love the 1986 movie Aliens. Joining me for the discussion are my sister Megan Cutter, former guest / fellow podcaster Mandy Self, and fellow Portland-area podcaster Luke … Continue reading "Bonus: Aliens (1986 movie) discussion panel"
This time it's another Zoomed Out episode, focusing on Jules Verne, who despite Seth's unforgiveable ignorance, was a French author who wrote in French. For this discussion, Emmanuel Dubois and Haley Zapal join to talk about a few of Verne's better known works, and Emmanuel gives us a few ideas for future reading. Ways to … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Jules Verne, with Emmanuel Dubois and Haley Zapal"
Amy Salley from Hugo, Girl!, joins me for a Seth’s picks episode about a book I’ve been wanting to read for years. It’s not science fiction, but it is award-winning, specifically a Pulitzer winner. It’s also in contention for Best Book I’ve Ever Read. We’ll return to normal SFF content in the next episode. But if … Continue reading "Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry (feat. Amy Salley from Hugo, Girl!)"
This time it's another Zoomed Out episode, focusing on Speculative Fiction in Translation (SFT), with guest Rachel Cordasco. Below I've captured some of her recommendations. There are some light spoilers in the episode, but nothing that should detract from your enjoyment of these books and authors. Notes & Links: Ways to support the podcast: Buy … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Speculative Fiction In Translation, with Rachel Cordasco"
I’ve been listening to Joe’s podcast (the Poscast) and reading his books for years, and I’d originally reached out to him, hoping to get him on to discuss Brittle Innings, a Hugo-nominee but also a baseball book. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the bandwidth for extracurricular reading, but he had time to do a podcast with … Continue reading "Why We Love Baseball (and Football), with Joe Posnanski"
Returning guest Paul Williams joins me for a discussion of the 2001 winner of the World Fantasy Award, Declare, by Paul Williams. Secret history, espionage, and fantasy all wrapped into one terrific novel. Spoiler talk starts at 15:03 Notes & Links: Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Book/Coffee!: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sethheasled Support Me on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/hugospodcast Pick … Continue reading "Declare, by Tim Powers (feat. Paul Williams)"
Legend says he’s still reading lists of books to this day. JW Wartick has read all of the Hugo-winning novels, but he’s also read all the Nebula winners, and all the Hugo-nominated novels. To say he’s a voracious reader is to vastly understate the case. But he’s also my friend, and I asked him to … Continue reading "“Other people walk their dog, and I walk my book,” a conversation with JW Wartick"
Damo Mac Choiligh joins me for a deep look at Scottish SF author Iain M. Banks. Some reading recommendations and notes (not all of these are mentioned in the discussion): Banks 101: The Culture Series: Other SF: Mainstream Fiction: Themes: Advanced Banks: Weird Fiction: The Culture Series: Other SF: Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/130411676997908
Mandy Self joins me once again to discuss A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle. This is a “Seth's Picks” episode, but it's also an award-winner, having won the Newberry Award in 1963. We get into spoilers about 15 minutes in. Mandy's links:https://twitter.com/Brown_Ajahhttps://twitter.com/MandymoniumPod “Ticky Tacky little boxes” referenced by Mandy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Boxes Ways to support the … Continue reading "A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle (feat. Mandy Self)"
My little sister Katie joins me for an informal discussion of her favorite subgenre, Urban Fantasy. This isn’t perhaps as scholarly as previous Zoomed Out episodes, just an off-the-cuff discussion with my sister. Sorry for the doggies’ panting that occasionally shows up in the background. The dogs love Katie and couldn’t stop snuggling up to … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Urban Fantasy, with Katie Heasley"
With the sad news of Vernor Vinge’s recent passing, I decided (at Olav’s prompting) to host a short-notice discussion panel about Vinge’s work. This podcast has previously covered his three Hugo-winning novels, but we go a bit deeper here, giving some other recommendations for Vinge reading. I’m mostly just here to facilitate, and more than … Continue reading "Vernor Vinge Tribute episode"
Lori from Hugo, Girl!, and Juan (frequent bonus episode guest) join Peter and me to discuss our picks for the 2024 Oscars.
Peter Kuskie, son of my co-host Colin from TMTYR (and brother of my theme music composer), and also childhood friend of my son, joins me in person for a discussion of Andy Weir’s 2022 Hugo-nominated novel Project Hail Mary. We get into spoilers about 14 minutes in. Comps: Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me … Continue reading "Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir (feat. Peter Kuskie)"
It’s been almost exactly a year since multiple-time guest of the podcast, Michael Gabriel, finished the World Marathon Challenge (Seven Days, Seven Marathons on Seven Continents), and I asked him to chat with me about the whole experience. it’s not science fiction related, but I just like to chat with interesting people, so this is … Continue reading "“Oh, I have a new limp now!”, a conversation about the World Marathon Challenge with Michael Gabriel"
This is a “Seth’s picks” episode of the podcast, still Science Fiction related this time, with the classic 1959 nuclear war novel Alas, Babylon. Joining me for the podcast is returning guest Mitch Wagner. I noticed there are some pops and crackles on Mitch’s audio, and I did my best to clear them up, but … Continue reading "Alas, Babylon, by Pat Frank (feat. Mitch Wagner)"
Ethan asked to do a favorite movies of 2023 episode with me. Since we recorded, we’ve both started watching stuff for our Oscars episode, so there’s definitely stuff we’d have done differently if we recorded today. Our Letterboxd profiles: https://letterboxd.com/sethheasley/ https://letterboxd.com/bevold/ Ethan's List: 10. The Killer 9. Barbie 8. Creed 3 7. Mission: Impossible: Dead … Continue reading "Bonus: Favorite 2023 Movies (with Ethan Heasley)"
Dr. Audrey Isabel Taylor joins me for a look at the work of Patricia A. McKillip. Time codes included for the major sections, as well as two mini-discussions of McKillip’s World Fantasy Award winners. Checking those off the list! A transcript is available for this episode. Intro to Audrey Taylor (02:22) Intro to McKillip (07:53) … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Patricia A. McKillip, with Dr. Audrey Taylor"
In the first of hopefully many Subgenre Spotlights, Bob Morrell joins me for a discussion on Pandemic Fiction. Who doesn’t want to think about pandemics? Trigger warning for anyone who isn’t ready to talk about pandemics. Here we focus mostly on COVID-19 but also there’s substantial discussion of AIDS, so be warned. Links & Notes: … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob Morrell"
Seth is joined by Darryl Cunningham, author of these tremendously interesting Graphic Nonfiction Titles: Darryl’s Links:https://myriadeditions.com/creator/darryl-cunningham//https://www.patreon.com/acmedarrylhttps://twitter.com/AcmeDarrylhttps://bsky.app/profile/acmedarryl.bsky.social
Seth is joined by Sarah Elkins to discuss the 1998 Nebula Award winner for Best Novel, The Moon and the Sun, by Vonda McIntyre. Just a more or less typical episode. Financially support this podcast (and others by Seth): Patreon (ongoing support): https://www.patreon.com/hugospodcast Buy Me a Coffee (one-time or ongoing): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sethheasled Time Codes: Start – … Continue reading "The Moon and the Sun, by Vonda McIntyre (feat. Sarah Elkins)"
Juan Sanmiguel, Sarah Elkins, Ivor Watkins, and Lacey Jane Wolfe join me for a discussion of the major nominees in the fiction categories. We don’t cover them exhaustively, just touching on the titles we enjoyed.
Alec Nevala-Lee, author of the stellar biographies Astounding and Inventor of the Future joins me for a discussion on Isaac Asimov, the author and his work. All discussions of the works mentioned stay fairly spoiler-lite. Asimov 101: Advanced Asimov: Alec’s Links:
In the first episode of Hugos There 2.0, Seth is joined by returning guest Emmanuel Dubois to discuss The Planet of the Apes, by Pierre Boulle, the 1963 novel (originally written in French) that spawned a major film franchise. Emmanuel’s links: https://twitter.com/manu_photo https://twitter.com/lafayettepod Notes/Mentions: https://www.lafayettepodcast.com/1969630/13073537-de-gaulle-jfk-and-the-new-world-order-with-sean-j-mclaughlin Micromégas, by Voltaire
I collected questions thru my Hugos There Future Survey, and this is the episode in which I answer them! My recording setup: Links: https://www.thehugoawards.org/the-voting-system/Lady Business Hugo Award Sheet of Doom!: https://bit.ly/hugoaward2023https://nebulas.sfwa.org/
Hugos There 1.0 is in the bank, so what’s next for this space? Seth goes into his thought process about what comes next, along with some feedback from listeners on what they’d like to see, laying out what he’ll do for Hugos There 2.0. Time codes: Here’s the Mondo List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s6JbgvwCB3ptr2cDZWWaEHvbc-BEmC5Y5avdf2kaLqQ/
Hey all, a fun announcement: This podcast is a finalist for the 2023 Hugo Award for Best Fancast! Woo! My buddy Colin jumped on a quick call with me since he was the one who noticed the nominations were announced. Thanks to everyone who nominated, and congrats and best of luck to the other nominees! … Continue reading "Shortlisted!"
Ann and Alice from the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast join me for a discussion of the 1981 winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Joan Vinge’s The Snow Queen, which is a better book than The Wanderer, thank the Lady. The next episode you’ll see in the feed is my “What’s Next?” episode, … Continue reading "HT#78: The Snow Queen, by Joan D. Vinge (feat. The Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast)"
Seth is joined by Brian Collins to discuss the 1965 Hugo winner, Fritz Leiber’s The Wanderer. Start – 15:00 Intro through “Why this book?” 15:01 – 28:08 Non-Spoiler discussion 28:09 – end Spoiler discussion Take my Future of the Podcast survey! https://forms.gle/ycoyiAEv5CEjXHXE6 Brians’s links: Website: https://sffremembrance.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bdcollins_1995 Mastodon: @bdcollins@wandering.shop Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Atlas_Nebula/ Notes & Mentions: … Continue reading "HT#77: The Wanderer, by Fritz Leiber (feat. Brian Collins)"
Seth is joined by Andy Parry, creator of the SciFi Around the World blog and podcast to talk about how he came up with the idea for the project, and how it’s going so far. He also administers a fun Hugo-based quiz to Seth. Links & Notes: Blog: https://scifiaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/ Books mentioned: The Three Body Problem, … Continue reading "SciFi Around the World, with Andy Parry"
Seth is joined by Dr. Sue Vazakas to discuss the 2020 Retro Hugo winner (for the year 1945), Leigh Brackett’s Shadow Over Mars. Start – 21:02 Intro through “Why this book?” (along with additional background) 21:03 – 31:44 Non-Spoiler discussion 31:45 – end Spoiler discussion Take my Future of the Podcast survey! https://forms.gle/ycoyiAEv5CEjXHXE6 Sue’s links: … Continue reading "HT#76: Shadow Over Mars, by Leigh Brackett (feat. Dr. Sue Vazakas)"
Dr. Paul Brians, retired professor of literature (including SF) from Washington State University, joins me for a discussion of his website and book, as well as SFF movies and books, and some more recent reading recommendations outside the genre. Find the book here: https://wmjasco.com/william-james-company/22-common-errors-in-english-usage-3rd-ed.html Links: Paul’s WSU website (includes links to the common errors site … Continue reading "Common Errors in English Usage, with Dr. Paul Brians"
Seth is joined by 2022 Hugo Award-winning Fan Writer, Cora Buhlert, to discuss the winner of the 2022 Hugo Award for Best Novel, Arkady Martine’s A Desolation Called Peace. Start – 10:24 Intro through “Why this book?” 10:25 – 28:15 Non-Spoiler discussion 28:16 – end Spoiler discussion 1:00:54 Upcoming survey announcement Cora’s links: http://corabuhlert.comhttps://twitter.com/corabuhlerthttp://galacticjourney.org/ Notes … Continue reading "HT#75: A Desolation Called Peace, by Arkady Martine (feat. Cora Buhlert)"
It’s Lent season as this episode is posted, and what better genre show to consider than the excellent Netflix limited series, Midnight Mass. This is just four Christian engineers discussing an awesome series that delves into interesting religious and philosophical topics, wrapped into a super compelling narrative. Joining me are Mandy Self and Scott Danielson, … Continue reading "Bonus Episode! Midnight Mass discussion panel"
Cross-posting this episode to the main Hugos feed. It’s not Hugo-related, but it *is* award related, and I’d be shocked if at least one film on the Oscars list didn’t make it into the Hugo nominees this year. Let me know if you like this kind of thing being thrown into the feed. I know … Continue reading "Cross-post: Oscars 2023 (from Brief & Not So Brief)"
This isn’t a typical episode, but when you have David Brin on your podcast, you just kind of want to let him talk. So we occasionally touch on Robert A. Heinlein’s Beyond This Horizon, which won the 2018 Retro Hugo for Best Novel. But mostly we just chat. No real spoiler section for this discussion, … Continue reading "HT#74: Beyond This Horizon, by Robert A. Heinlein (feat. David Brin)"
During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, I joined Adrian and Matt from Spectology for a draft of our favorite underrated SFF movies. As it happens, each of us had not seen at least one entry on another person’s list. So I decided to bring the guys on for a follow-up in which we … Continue reading "Spectology “Underrated SFF Movies” Reunion"
This is a project that got lost on my computer (through neglect, not technology) for a long time. Dan Smith from Coffee In Space joins me for a discussion of the allure of Apocalyptic Fiction. Dan’s podcast is here: https://www.coffeeinspacepodcast.com Some titles mentioned in the podcast: A Canticle For Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller Alas, Babylon, … Continue reading "“We seem to not want a utopia”: A Conversation With S. Daniel Smith"
Seth is joined by repeat guest (of other Hugos There content) Sarah Elkins to discuss the winner of the 2004 Hugo Award for Best Novel, Lois McMaster Bujold’s Paladin of Souls. Start – 9:39 Intro through “Why this book?” 9:40 – 31:41 Non-Spoiler discussion 31:42 – end Spoiler discussion Notes & Mentions: Chaucer, The Canturbury … Continue reading "HT#73: Paladin of Souls, by Lois McMaster Bujold (feat. Sarah Elkins)"
A little bit of bonus content here. Dr. Jim Woosley, author of “Terraforming Ganymede: Science and Technology in Robert A. Heinlein’s Farmer in the Sky,” joins me for a conversation about his history as a SFF fan (books and film), and about his essay included in the Baen version of Farmer in the Sky.
Seth is joined by Rick Childs to discuss the winner of the 2001 Retro Hugo for Best Novel (for 1951), Robert A. Heinlein’s Farmer in the Sky. Start – 6:15 Intro through “Why this book?” 6:16 – 20:43 Non-Spoiler discussion 20:44 – end Spoiler discussion Notes & Mentions: Rick’s links: https://twitter.com/SmartassSciFihttps://twitter.com/bank_doc
Seth is joined by Andrea Johnson of RetroRockets to discuss the winner of the 2016 Retro Hugo for Best Novel (for 1941), AE Van Vogt’s Slan. Start – 9:28 Intro through “Why this book?” 9:29 – 21:59 Non-Spoiler discussion 22:00 – end Spoiler discussion Notes & Mentions: The Regeneration Trilogy, by Stephanie Saulter The Bourne … Continue reading "HT#71: Slan, by A.E. Van Vogt (feat. Andrea Johnson)"
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
