Podcast appearances and mentions of erika ensign

Eleven books later, our Awards Book Club has finally reached the end of the line. In this episode we cover our last uncovered book, “Shroud” by Adrian Tchaikovsky, recommend some Hugo-nominated short fiction, and rank all eleven books. Plus: What are we reading other than shortlisted novels?! See you next year. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Heather Berberet and Scott McNulty.

Tink Talks to a fire. Levithia is a clumsy climber. Cherish is surprisingly sneaky. K’ronng is unsurprisingly sneaky. Jaee gets everyone in trouble. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign, Kat Griffiths, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

Once again, we bring together some lovely, generous Kickstarter backers who helped make Uncanny Magazine Year 12 happen! Will the cards be kind to a first-timer? Will there be lots of sports and too much math? As always, it’s up to the luck of the dice! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Dan Moren, David Matthewman, Fred Paffhausen and Seb Pollard.

A new adventure begins, and we learn that it’s not always a good idea to bring a dog to a heist. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign, Kat Griffiths, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

In the return of the choose-your-edition edition of Random Pursuit, we bring back the same players with their same chosen editions, but this time we make sure they get more questions from their chosen edition. This is helpful…to some players… Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Dan Moren, Jason Snell, Kirsten Goruk, Monty Ashley and Shelly Brisbin.

In the return of the choose-your-edition edition of Random Pursuit, we bring back the same players with their same chosen editions, but this time we make sure they get more questions from their chosen edition. This is helpful…to some players… Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Dan Moren, Jason Snell, Kirsten Goruk, Monty Ashley and Shelly Brisbin.

Editor's Intro: Michael Damian Thomas Short Fiction: "The Cinema of Babel" by Sam J. Miller, as read by Matt Peters Poetry:  "I called the swan down" by Laura Cranehill, as read by Erika Ensign Interview: Michael Damian Thomas interviews Sam J. Miller   Want to join the Space Unicorn Ranger Corps? You can find new science fiction and fantasy stories, poetry, and nonfiction every month in Uncanny Magazine. Go to uncannymagazine.com or subscribe to the eBook version at weightlessbooks.com. This podcast was produced by Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky. Music created by Null Device and used with permission. Copyright © 2026 by Uncanny Magazine

Our awards shortlist book club rolls on with a selection of books we’re much more receptive to: “A Drop of Corruption” by Robert Jackson Bennett, “The Raven Scholar” by Antonia Hodgson, and The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow. Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Scott McNulty, Heather Berberet and Paul Weimer.

Our awards shortlist book club rolls on with a selection of books we’re much more receptive to: “A Drop of Corruption” by Robert Jackson Bennett, “The Raven Scholar” by Antonia Hodgson, and The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow. Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Scott McNulty, Heather Berberet and Paul Weimer.

It’s the 50th edition of Random Pursuit! Erika was too lazy to do anything that took extra work, so this is basically a regular episode. But we do have a new player — who even tried to study! Plus, it’s mostly Canadians — and all players who live in Commonwealth nations, so maybe we can call this a slightly belated Canada Day episode? Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Annette Wierstra, Ben Rice McCarthy, Jesse Reid, Sandra Wong and Sarah Murphy.

It’s the 50th edition of Random Pursuit! Erika was too lazy to do anything that took extra work, so this is basically a regular episode. But we do have a new player — who even tried to study! Plus, it’s mostly Canadians — and all players who live in Commonwealth nations, so maybe we can call this a slightly belated Canada Day episode? Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Annette Wierstra, Ben Rice McCarthy, Jesse Reid, Sandra Wong and Sarah Murphy.

This season finale features a good plan, a janky blankie, a lot of running, and some Gunk in the mix. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This season finale features a good plan, a janky blankie, a lot of running, and some Gunk in the mix. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

Editor's Intro: Michael Damian Thomas Short Fiction: "Leavetaking" by Tia Tashiro, as read by Erika Ensign Poetry:  "Instructions for Becoming Fire" by Chisomaga Umenyi, as read by Matt Peters Interview: and Michael Damian Thomas interviewing Tia Tashiro   Want to join the Space Unicorn Ranger Corps? You can find new science fiction and fantasy stories, poetry, and nonfiction every month in Uncanny Magazine. Go to uncannymagazine.com or subscribe to the eBook version at weightlessbooks.com. This podcast was produced by Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky. Music created by Null Device and used with permission. Copyright © 2026 by Uncanny Magazine

Erika and Steven are back with the usual Canada Day celebration. Happy Canada Day! Hope you like fleshy protrusions! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Steven and Erika continue the Canada Day marathon with more Zygons and our pal the Skarasen! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Erika and Steven continue the Canada Day celebration with great praise for Lis Sladen, as is right and proper. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Steven and Erika finish off the Canada Day marathon with Canada chat, follow-up, food talk, and eventually, discussion of this Doctor Who episode. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

This episode features a split-level dungeon, the most aggressive delivery service ever, and a mid-size ruckus. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode features a split-level dungeon, the most aggressive delivery service ever, and a mid-size ruckus. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode features a hole stuffed with pants, a potato-shaped puddle, and a greasy brain. What could go wrong? Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode features a hole stuffed with pants, a potato-shaped puddle, and a greasy brain. What could go wrong? Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

William Gibson Book Club reconvenes to close out the legendary Sprawl trilogy with “Mona Lisa Overdrive,” a book in which there are lots of vibes from a lot of people who are secondary characters in a story being driven by an AI that we never really meet. Robot art projects! Many overlapping jackets, none of them the same size! And a car ride to… the future?! We break it all down. Jason Snell with Antony Johnston, Erika Ensign, Lisa Schmeiser and Glenn Fleishman.

William Gibson Book Club reconvenes to close out the legendary Sprawl trilogy with “Mona Lisa Overdrive,” a book in which there are lots of vibes from a lot of people who are secondary characters in a story being driven by an AI that we never really meet. Robot art projects! Many overlapping jackets, none of them the same size! And a car ride to… the future?! We break it all down. Jason Snell with Antony Johnston, Erika Ensign, Lisa Schmeiser and Glenn Fleishman.

This episode, cobbled together from two recording sessions, features a chaotic escape, a police raid, a trip to the local sewer, and a food delivery gone wrong. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode, cobbled together from two recording sessions, features a chaotic escape, a police raid, a trip to the local sewer, and a food delivery gone wrong. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode features a lot of colon sass, a chance of tetanus, ding dong ditch, some sneaking around, many distractions, and so much gambling. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode features a lot of colon sass, a chance of tetanus, ding dong ditch, some sneaking around, many distractions, and so much gambling. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

Our survey of award-nominated novels rolls on with “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter,” “When We Were Real,” and “Sour Cherry.” Not gonna lie: we’re struggling with the reading a bit this year. But at least one of these novels threw us a lifeline. Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Heather Berberet and Paul Weimer.

Our survey of award-nominated novels rolls on with “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter,” “When We Were Real,” and “Sour Cherry.” Not gonna lie: we’re struggling with the reading a bit this year. But at least one of these novels threw us a lifeline. Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Heather Berberet and Paul Weimer.

This episode features a job offer from a bearded fop, party introductions, a search for a missing person, a second bar, more beards, some purple shopping, and a midnight stroll. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode features a job offer from a bearded fop, party introductions, a search for a missing person, a second bar, more beards, some purple shopping, and a midnight stroll. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

Editor's Intro: Michael Damian Thomas Short Fiction: "Immigrant Girl from the End of the World" by Hannah Yang, as read by Erika Ensign Poetry:  "Quorum" by Ceridwen Hall, as read by Matt Peters Interview: Michael Damian Thomas Interviews Hannah Yang   Want to join the Space Unicorn Ranger Corps? You can find new science fiction and fantasy stories, poetry, and nonfiction every month in Uncanny Magazine. Go to uncannymagazine.com or subscribe to the eBook version at weightlessbooks.com. This podcast was produced by Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky. Music created by Null Device and used with permission. Copyright © 2026 by Uncanny Magazine

We went out to the movies to see “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the first “Star Wars” film this decade. We had a really good time, thanks in large part to the charisma of many different puppets. (This is “Star Wars,” after all.) We aren’t without our criticisms—Is there ever really any danger? What is Sigourney Weaver doing?—but all in all, this film filled a Star Wars-shaped hole in our hearts. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Helene Wecker, Moisés Chiullán, Dan Moren and Brian Warren.

We went out to the movies to see “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the first “Star Wars” film this decade. We had a really good time, thanks in large part to the charisma of many different puppets. (This is “Star Wars,” after all.) We aren’t without our criticisms—Is there ever really any danger? What is Sigourney Weaver doing?—but all in all, this film filled a Star Wars-shaped hole in our hearts. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Helene Wecker, Moisés Chiullán, Dan Moren and Brian Warren.

Disregarding popular demand, Inestimable is back with another installment that pits panelists against numbers and Glenn against himself. Scorekeeper Tony helps keep chaos at bay—or causes more?—by insisting on the correct number of U.S. states, what a pyramid truly is, and why Americans are left handed. It’s in this don’t-miss episode of Inestimable that we will forgive you for missing. Glenn Fleishman and Tony Sindelar with Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Jean MacDonald and Shelly Brisbin.

Disregarding popular demand, Inestimable is back with another installment that pits panelists against numbers and Glenn against himself. Scorekeeper Tony helps keep chaos at bay—or causes more?—by insisting on the correct number of U.S. states, what a pyramid truly is, and why Americans are left handed. It’s in this don’t-miss episode of Inestimable that we will forgive you for missing. Glenn Fleishman and Tony Sindelar with Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Jean MacDonald and Shelly Brisbin.

We’re starting a new, longer campaign. Here are your dramatis personae for Dragon Heist: Aleen Simms as Zaratha Dreamstrike, the Orc monk - A reformed bully who went to monk school Dan Moren as Squeak, the Rock Gnome warlock - A wannabe chef who overclocked a grill Erika Ensign as Starah Jhasmine, the Halfling bard - A star reporter who also knows music Steve Lutz as Bun Bun the Barhareian, the Harengon barbarian - A bunnyman with no echo, but lots of puns Tiff Arment as Yikes, the Harengon rogue - An antlered bunny who collects … teeth? But they’re not really necessary because Tony is gonna run the campaign for himself. If you’re an Incomparable member, check your First Class feed for the members-only session 0 where everyone planned their characters … sort of. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

We’re starting a new, longer campaign. Here are your dramatis personae for Dragon Heist: Aleen Simms as Zaratha Dreamstrike, the Orc monk - A reformed bully who went to monk school Dan Moren as Squeak, the Rock Gnome warlock - A wannabe chef who overclocked a grill Erika Ensign as Starah Jhasmine, the Halfling bard - A star reporter who also knows music Steve Lutz as Bun Bun the Barhareian, the Harengon barbarian - A bunnyman with no echo, but lots of puns Tiff Arment as Yikes, the Harengon rogue - An antlered bunny who collects … teeth? But they’re not really necessary because Tony is gonna run the campaign for himself. If you’re an Incomparable member, check your First Class feed for the members-only session 0 where everyone planned their characters … sort of. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

Let’s travel 40 years back in time, to Chicago in 1986, where on one legendary day, a high school student named Ferris Bueller bends time and space, all in service of cheering up his best friend. We break down what makes “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” still work after all these years. Jason Snell with Cicero Holmes, Quinn Rose, Deborah Stanish, Erika Ensign and John Siracusa.

Let’s travel 40 years back in time, to Chicago in 1986, where on one legendary day, a high school student named Ferris Bueller bends time and space, all in service of cheering up his best friend. We break down what makes “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” still work after all these years. Jason Snell with Cicero Holmes, Quinn Rose, Deborah Stanish, Erika Ensign and John Siracusa.

Awards Book Club reconvenes for 2026, as we discuss Nebula-nominated novels “Katabasis” by R.F. Kuang, “Wearing the Lion” by John Wiswell, and “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor. The mood of the panel is… cautious. Also: What else are we reading? Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Heather Berberet, Scott McNulty and Paul Weimer.

Awards Book Club reconvenes for 2026, as we discuss Nebula-nominated novels “Katabasis” by R.F. Kuang, “Wearing the Lion” by John Wiswell, and “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor. The mood of the panel is… cautious. Also: What else are we reading? Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Heather Berberet, Scott McNulty and Paul Weimer.

Editor's Intro: Michael Damian Thomas Short Fiction: "The Snatchers" by Eugenia Triantafyllou, as read by Matt Peters Poetry:  "A Mermaid Looks at 40" by Fran Wilde, as read by Erika Ensign Interview: Michael Damian Thomas Interviews Eugenia Triantafyllou   Want to join the Space Unicorn Ranger Corps? You can find new science fiction and fantasy stories, poetry, and nonfiction every month in Uncanny Magazine. Go to uncannymagazine.com or subscribe to the eBook version at weightlessbooks.com. This podcast was produced by Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky. Music created by Null Device and used with permission. Copyright © 2026 by Uncanny Magazine

A special Book Club panel provides an overview of Lois McMaster Bujold’s excellent Penric & Desdemona series of fantasy novellas (plus one novel). This series gives its characters time to learn, grow, and age. It’s got some perspectives you don’t see very often in fantasy fiction. We love it and think you will, too. Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Kat Benesh and Dan Moren.

We complete our run through blades with “Blade Runner 2049,” a late sequel in which Ryan Gosling plays a replicant detective searching for an explosive secret that could change everything… and is unsurprisingly tied to characters from “Blade Runner.” We discuss why a replicant might need a holographic girlfriend, Jared Leto’s eyes, and once again, if Deckard is a replicant or not and why that really doesn’t matter. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Erika Ensign, Dan Moren and Monty Ashley.

In this thrilling conclusion, someone unexpected pays a visit to the final battle, someone expected performs a ritual, and (almost) everyone gets nicknames. Tony Sindelar with Bryan Guffey, Erika Ensign, Jason Snell, Mikah Sargent and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton.

No voiceovers! More unicorns! Our journey deep into the futuristic world of 2019 Los Angeles continues with another look at “Blade Runner” — this time, it’s “The Final Cut” edition. Deckard’s identity revealed, sort of? Voiceovers removed! Superfans and sort-of-fans compare, contrast, and discuss. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Antony Johnston, Erika Ensign and Moisés Chiullán.

The battle with the Mummy Lord begins! Will the adventurers prevail? Or will the eyes have it? Tony Sindelar with Bryan Guffey, Erika Ensign, Jason Snell, Mikah Sargent and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton.

Hit the books and polish up your comm badges, because it’s time to go to school—“Starfleet Academy,” that is. We check in on the first season of Star Trek’s latest (and last, for now?) TV series, and find that despite the YA focus, it’s still just really good “Star Trek” that’s worth your attention. Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán and Tony Sindelar.