Podcasts about Speculative fiction

The Cygnus Awards Hall of Fame is here! Join us in celebrating the most recent Chanticleer Sci-Fi Grand Prize Winners and all things Speculative Fiction!

Today, seeking refuge in Black Horror and Afro-Futurism. Then, the directors of “Freaky Tales.” And, authors who are looking into the near future with their fiction.

John Maytham is joined by Warwick Eccles, Development Executive at award winning South African production house Mannequin Films, to explore the chilling world of Good Hope, the debut political thriller by Nick Clelland, recently optioned for screen adaptation. Set in a dystopian version of Cape Town, now an independent and heavily surveilled Cape Republic, the novel imagines a society where public executions coincide with the Noon Gun and only the qualified may vote Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stories featured in this episode:Negation by KC Grifant - https://scifiwri.com/ -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by the Jenna Hanchey -So I Guess I'm Not an Actual Person Anymore by Franco Amati -https://francoamatiwrites.com -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by Jean-Paul Garnier -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com -https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054

Rarely do we see literature tackling South Asia and India's biggest social issue: caste, and particularly anti-caste justice. A newly published groundbreaking anthology aims to change that.

We're back to finish our discussion of the climactic fifth book of the Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson - Wind and Truth. We still have many thoughts. Timestamps 0:01:12 The Shattered Plains Story 0:13:43 Dalinar & Navani's Story 0:37:08 Shallan, Renarin, Rlain story 0:54:27 Satisfying Endings 1:44:53 Predictions 2:10:19 Theories for real We'll finish our broad overview of the remaining areas of the story, a lot of Sigzil and Dalinar. We'll of course discuss how the series ends and where we go from here. And please forgive us for having a hard time remembering which is Favilar and which is Gavinor

In this special bonus episode of Geek Freaks, Frank is joined by acclaimed comic book writer Aubrey Sitterson to explore the radical, sci-fi world of Free Planet, his new series from Image Comics. Known for his bold storytelling and politically rich narratives, Aubrey takes us deep into the philosophical core of Free Planet, unpacking its themes of revolution, freedom, and the cost of building a better world. With deep dives into the creative process, the influence of history and anthropology, and the collaboration with artist Jed Dougherty, this episode is packed with insight and fire. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 – Intro: Why this bonus episode matters 00:19 – Who is Aubrey Sitterson? Background and work 01:03 – The concept behind Free Planet 02:08 – Revolution, history, and political roots 04:30 – Defining real freedom and post-war challenges 07:53 – Layouts, spreads, and comic as object 09:46 – Balancing personal drama with large-scale politics 12:30 – Research-driven worldbuilding over aesthetics 18:06 – Interpersonal conflict as a reflection of ideology 22:34 – Creative process with Jed Dougherty 25:54 – Lettering innovations and character voice 28:01 – The unreliable narrator and historical context 34:11 – Print vs digital: Why Free Planet demands paper 43:01 – Final reflections and what's next Key Takeaways: Aubrey Sitterson uses Free Planet to challenge conventional ideas of freedom and revolution. The comic is deeply researched, pulling from real-world political and cultural movements. Free Planet is built as a print-first experience, with double-page spreads, maps, and dense visual storytelling. The creative team—Jed Dougherty, Taylor Esposito, and Vittorio Astone—elevate the book's layered vision. The book includes in-world historical commentary that questions neutrality and narrative control. Sitterson aims to create work that demands attention and resists passive reading. Quotes: “The only freedom worth having is the freedom you fight for.” – Aubrey Sitterson “We made Free Planet for people who want to sit with something and really think.” – Aubrey “Talon's fan reaction was so strong, I had to restructure the story just to give him more space.” – Aubrey “There's a difference between mimicking aesthetics and actually building something from the same roots.” – Aubrey Call to Action: Love these kinds of deep-dive interviews? Subscribe to Geek Freaks, leave a review, and share this episode using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Bonus episodes like this are just one of the many ways we celebrate creators and storytellers in geek culture. Links and Resources: All news and updates from this episode at GeekFreaksPodcast.com Pick up Free Planet from Image Comics — Available now at your local comic shop! Follow Us: Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Facebook: Geek Freaks Podcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions: Got a favorite indie comic or creator you think we should feature? Let us know on social or at GeekFreaksPodcast.com! Apple Podcast Tags: comics, sci-fi comics, Free Planet, Aubrey Sitterson, Image Comics, political comics, comic book creators, independent comics, comic interviews, revolutionary stories, space opera, speculative fiction, graphic novels, comic book podcast

The Realm Makers' Writer's Convention and Fan Expo are premier events for Christians writing in the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction genres. On this episode, we discuss the guests and content one can find at these world-class events.  www.realmmakers.com Support Nerdy Folks:  Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/nerdyfolks Website: https://www.nerdyfolks.com Tax Deductible Gift: http://www.globalstudentinc.com/seipel-anderson Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U8AU6JNDRH6KN Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NerdyFolks  

The Realm Makers' Writer's Convention and Fan Expo are premier events for Christians writing in the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction genres. On this episode, we discuss the guests and content one can find at these world-class events.  www.realmmakers.com Support Nerdy Folks:  Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/nerdyfolks Website: https://www.nerdyfolks.com Tax Deductible Gift: http://www.globalstudentinc.com/seipel-anderson Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U8AU6JNDRH6KN Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NerdyFolks  

The climactic fifth book of the Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson has arrived, and we... we have thoughts. Quite a few of them! Join us as we discuss what worked, what didn't, which characters had the best stories, and ideas about what will happen in the future as the first arc of this series concludes. The episode was so long (there is a lot of book in this book, after all) we wanted to split it into two parts. Timestamps:0:06:04    Succinct Summar(ies) 0:24:08    Going Into the Book 0:44:52    Early Impressions 1:03:32    Kaladin and Szeth's Story 1:18:10    Adolin in Azimir 1:30:01    Jasnah in Thaylenah We'll start off by discussing the pre-book, as it were- an overview of the cosmere, the history of Roshar, and the first 4 books in the series. Then we discuss our expectations and how the book starts, before getting into each geographical area in this book and the major plotlines there. We only get halfway through this endeavor before the end of the episode Links to other material discussed The "Kaladin is Jesus!" summary of Way of Kings Explanation Point's Apothecary Diaries Video

In the first part of this new column about the alt-right and Speculative Fiction fandom, we get to know the author of the groundbreaking discussion, Speculative Witeness. Alan and Jordan discuss gateway genre authors, JRR Tolkien, transgressive science fiction, how SF fans experience time differently, how Jordan started studying the alt-right in conjunction with Speculative Fiction, Jordan's relationship to fandom, becoming a Hugo finalist, the treatment of genre in acadamia, the history of fascism in Speculative Fiction, neo-nazis relationship to fandom, Alan also continues his feud with Diane over Robert Heinlein vs. Phillip K Dick, and much more.  Geek Temporalities and the Spirit of Captial can be found here. You can find a copy of Speculative Whiteness here.

The dragons are back! Join us for an exciting season delving into new writing topics and speculative fiction takes.   This week, Jules and Madeleine take a look at the 'nice guy' trope. While the term is relatively new, the character type is not, cropping up in Shakespeare, Austen and even in folklore. While this was a character archetype introduced originally to balance the over-muscled, over-sexed and under-brained macho male lead of the seventies and eighties, writers took their collective eye off the ball and things went south pretty quickly. So what is a 'nice guy' and why does something so innocuous sounding carry so much collective dirt? Find out in part one of a two part episode. On the slab this week: Friends, Little Women - L M Montgomery, Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

In this week's Author Diary, I've been continuing work on my Speculative Fiction collections, sorting through short stories and getting everything ready for release.The first collection, Influenced, is now available to pre-order on all major ebook platforms. It's packed with dark, satirical tales that twist reality in unsettling—and sometimes all-too-familiar—ways.I also talk about watching The Residence, a fun and clever murder mystery set in the White House—highly recommended if you enjoy sharp dialogue and political intrigue with your whodunnits.Plus, don't forget: you can download my short story collection Optimised for free at joncronshaw.com/optimised.#AuthorDiary #SpeculativeFiction #InfluencedBook #FreeShortStory #Optimised #TheResidenceNetflix #MurderMysterySeries #SatiricalFiction #DarkSpeculativeFiction #BookPreOrder

Scott Minor and his wife founded the Realm Makers Writer's Conference, which is now one of the premier events in the country for Christians who are writing sci-fi, fantasy and speculative fiction. Now, they have added a fan expo with a full lineup of incredible guests. It's all happening on July 18-20th, 2025 in Grand Rapids Michigan. Tickets and information can be found at www.realmmakers.com  Would you consider supporting Nerdy Folks? Here are ways to get in touch and to give:  Website: https://www.nerdyfolks.com Tax Deductible Gift: http://www.globalstudentinc.com/seipel-anderson Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U8AU6JNDRH6KN Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NerdyFolks Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/nerdyfolks  

Scott Minor and his wife founded the Realm Makers Writer's Conference, which is now one of the premier events in the country for Christians who are writing sci-fi, fantasy and speculative fiction. Now, they have added a fan expo with a full lineup of incredible guests. It's all happening on July 18-20th, 2025 in Grand Rapids Michigan. Tickets and information can be found at www.realmmakers.com  Would you consider supporting Nerdy Folks? Here are ways to get in touch and to give:  Website: https://www.nerdyfolks.com Tax Deductible Gift: http://www.globalstudentinc.com/seipel-anderson Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U8AU6JNDRH6KN Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NerdyFolks Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/nerdyfolks  

Randee Dawn. Take a walk with me down Fascination Street, as I get to know Randee dawn. Randee is a journalist and author. In this episode we get to know Randee from her early days in Bensonhurst Brookly, to her NPR day, and even her beginnings as a music journalist. Randee shares stories about working with The Trashcan Sinatras, and Adam Schlesinger. She tells us about how her music fan attitude led to her working with the band Ivy, which turned into some really fascinating online blog projects. Then we discuss how she came to write for Alternative Press magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, and Soap Opera Digest, basically at the same time. In her soap opera journalism career, she covered: One Life To Live, Another World, and maybe just a bit on Passions!. Naturally I ask her about her interviewing Vincent D'Onofrio about the Forest Witaker TV show The Godfather of Harlem. Even though Randee made a bit of a name for herself writing Law & Order speculative fiction, that didn't come up in her interview with Vincent. Finally, we dive into Randee's books! Besides having developed an audience in the speculative fiction area, Randee Dawn has written a bunch of books. Her fun and dynamic storytelling has gotten her multiple novels published in a relatively short period of time. 'Tune In Tomorrow', 'Don't Touch That Dial', 'Leave No Trace', and 'The Only Song Worth Singing' have catapulted Randee into a new level of popularity. These novels have become so popular that the publishers are dying for more! Check out all of her work at RandeeDawn.com and find her on all the socials at Randee Dawn. Randee continues to write for Today.com, Variety, The Envelope, and The L.A. Times.

“I'm always really fascinated by what gets trimmed off the edges. And because there's gold in there sometimes. And why would a creative professional choose to include this, but not that?” -- Jasper Ezekiel In this How To Write the Future episode, host Beth Barany chats with speculative fiction writer Jasper Ezekiel, and talks about what parts of our story worlds we include in our fiction and what gets left out including balancing story elements for the reader experience. About Jasper EzekielJasper Ezekiel is a queer author from the SF Bay Area. He's a jack of all trades, writing poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and plays. He's also a visual artist who specializes in illustration, a fiber artist with dreams of being a pattern creator, and a big ol' goofball. His first book of poetry, Good, Clean Mania was published in 2023. You can find it on multiple platforms here: https://books2read.com/u/3Gp5gOSocial media links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s8nicangel/My personal Substack: https://jasperezekiel.substack.com/My writing Substack:https://jasperezekielk.substack.com/ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCASTThe How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace. Hosted by Beth Barany, science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. We cover tips for fiction writers and get curious about the future of humanity.ABOUT BETH BARANYBeth Barany, an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist, teaches novelists how to write, edit, and publish their books as a coach, teacher, consultant, and developmental editor.RESOURCESGET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HEREFree World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadec. 2025 BETH BARANYhttps://bethbarany.com/Questions? Comments? Send us a text!--CONNECTContact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580Email: beth@bethbarany.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/CREDITSEDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3jMUSIC: Uppbeat.ioDISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

Stories featured in this episode:A Love Story by Thomas Broderick - hhttps://www.broderickwriter.com/ -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by the Jean-Paul Garnier -A Locked Box, Bound with Chains, Buried Six Feet Deep by Jenna Hanchey- https://jennahanchey.com/ -music by TSG - https://tsgmusic.bandcamp.com/ -read by the author -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com -https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054

This week has been all about juggling projects and getting things ready for some exciting releases. I've been busy preparing my short stories for a new podcast — Speculative Fiction Tales. You can find it on your favourite podcast app or over on my YouTube channel.I'm also gearing up for the launch of two books next week:

In episode #135 Veronica and Laurie dissect what goes into creating a great story villain, and share news, events and grants for the writing community. Laurie gets the long straw and has a chat with fabulous sci-fic and fantasy author S.F. Sowter.Book spotlights:A Night So Dark and Full of Stars by Nikky Lee - fantasy/sci-fi/horrorThe Rarkyn's Fall by Nikky Lee - fantasyOut of Time: Roaring into Queensland by Bruce Lowery - memoirAgnes: A childhood betrayed and reclaimed by Judy King - memoirFame & Other Disasters by Maria P Frino - contemporaryIntro - 00:57Industry news - 14:16Book spotlights - 19:30Author Interview - 34:27Post interview chat - 1:24:12Quotes - 1:29:30Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Holly Goddard Jones is an author and educator best known for literary fiction. She was a recipient of The Fellowship of Southern Writers' Hillsdale Prize for Excellence in Fiction and the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers' Award, and her work has appeared in several literary publications, including The Best American Mystery Stories, New Stories from the South, and Tin House magazine, in addition to two of her own short story collections and two novels. In the 2010s, while teaching at a residency in a highly wooded part of Tenessee, Jones was inspired to write a horror story about an insidious species of ticks that carry a horrifying deadly disease. That story became a novel, rooted in the climate crisis, in which Jones explored not just the horror of the ticks themselves, but how the inequities baked into our existing socioeconomic system might look in the face of a serious existential threat.

Muriel Leung is a recipient of fellowships to Kundiman, VONA/Voices Workshop and the Community of Writers, and she has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her writing can be found in The Baffler, Cream City Review, Gulf Coast, The Collagist, and the Fairy Tale Review, among others. Her first book of poetry, Bone Confetti, won the 2015 Noemi Press Book Award. Of it, one reviewer said, “It made the words into a bell, and the bell made me stop what I was doing.” I spoke to Muriel in 2021 about her poetry collection, Imagine Us, the Swarm, in which she explored racialized labor and the death of her father. In this episode, I talk to Muriel about her debut novel, How to Fall in Love in a Time of Unnameable Disaster, which came out this past October. It follows Mira, a 20-something queer woman living in a New York City beset by weekly acid rainstorms, as she moves in with her mother and grieves the death of her girlfriend, who refused to leave the deteriorating apartment they both shared.

Hilary Leicther's particular brand of surrealist fiction takes metaphors and makes them tangible. Her debut novel, Temporary, followed a nameless, archetypal temp worker from one gig to the next. As the jobs grow progressively stranger, their strangeness bleeds into her personal life. In this episode, I talk to Leichter about her new novel, Terrace Story, in which a struggling family find a spacious terrace — one that seems to defy the laws of physics — behind the linen closet of their tiny, New York apartment. It is a novel about the impact each of us has on the world around us, and the hidden depths we all contain.

7 Year Anniversary Episode -Stories from the pages of Apex Magazine -https://www.apex-magazine.com -Then Came the Ghost of My Dead Mother, Antikleia by Nadia Radovich - https://www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-magazine/post/then-came-the-ghost-of-my-dead-mother-antikleia -music by Doctor Auxiliary - https://doctorauxiliary.bandcamp.com -read by Jenna Hanchey -What Happens When a Planet Falls From the Sky? by Danny Cherry, Jr. - https://www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-magazine/author/danny-cherry-jr-2 -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by the Jean-Paul Garnier & Jenna Hanchey -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com -https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054

Ted is joined by Maggie Su, whose debut novel, Blob: A Love Story, was published in January to praise from The New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly (starred review), The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and Goodreads, among others.Maggie and Ted begin by discussing the short story and dramatic origins of Blob, which is a work of speculative fiction about a young woman who tries to mold a sentient blob into her perfect partner. The conversation then turns to the challenge of starting again from scratch for book number two, a project where Maggie has found that some but not all of the practices she used to create Blob are useful to her this time around.Still speculative fiction, this new novel is more inspired by the horror genre, and Maggie explains why she's taking it as an opportunity to push herself to depart from writing in the first person. She and Ted talk about the nuances of trying to tell a story from different POV styles, the relevance of her work as a journal editor to her own writing process, and finding the particular feedback environment that suits your own creativity. Episode Links:Maggie's Debut: Blob: A Love StoryMaggie's Instagram: @litmagrejectWorking Drafts episodes and info for requesting transcripts as well as more details about Ted and his books are available on his website, thetedfox.com.

Today I bring you an interview with Speculative Fiction author Alyssa Hazel. We talk about our insecurities as authors! You can connect with Alyssa here: Remember, the eBook for Nightshade Unicorn Forerunner is FREE until, well, today's the last day. Go grab it on Amazon, or anywhere else! ============================================== ➤Weekly Book Giveaway: ➤Stay Connected: ============================ … Continue reading S4E9: Author Insecurities with Author Alyssa Hazel The post S4E9: Author Insecurities with Author Alyssa Hazel first appeared on Grendhill Media.

“ I would say I live in this space with my Janey McCallister Space Station Mystery series. I think a lot about the sweet spot between current technology and future speculation.”In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and award-winning science fiction author, Beth Barany, discusses how science fiction and fantasy can inspire social change and presents eight potential topics for future episodes, including AI characters, climate fiction, and Afrofuturism, inviting audience participation through voting on your favorite.1 - Writing Speculative Fiction for Social Change2 - World Building in Climate Fiction3 - AI and Robot Characters in Fiction4 - Afro-futurism and Cultural Narratives5 - Space Opera and Interstellar Societies6 - Near Future Technology in Fiction7 - Time Travel Narratives8 - Biotech and Future MedicineCast your vote on which topics you'd like to see highlighted by emailing beth@bethbarany.com or connecting on Instagram @BethBarany or taking the poll here: https://bethbarany.com/htwtfpoll25ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCASTThe How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace. Hosted by Beth Barany, science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. We cover tips for fiction writers and get curious about the future of humanity.ABOUT BETH BARANYBeth Barany, an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist, teaches novelists how to write, edit, and publish their books as a coach, teacher, consultant, and developmental editor.RESOURCESGET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HEREFree World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION by Kerry-Ann McDadec. 2025 BETH BARANYhttps://bethbarany.com/Questions? Comments? Send us a text!--CONNECTContact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580Email: beth@bethbarany.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/CREDITSEDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3jMUSIC: Uppbeat.ioDISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

Science Explainer: That is a term that has come out in the last bit of years to explain someone or to describe somebody who shares about science to the general public.In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and science fiction author Beth Barany shares more of her “Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (Part 2)” and the types of science they share including orbital mechanics and exploring the unexpected. YouTubers mentioned in this episode:Scott Manley: https://www.youtube.com/@ScottManleyUniverse Today - Frasier Cain: https://www.youtube.com/@frasercainJoe Scott: https://www.youtube.com/@joescottSciShow: https://www.youtube.com/@SciShowJust Have A Think (Dave Borlace): https://www.youtube.com/@JustHaveaThinkABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE  PODCASTThe How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace. Hosted by Beth Barany, science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. We cover tips for fiction writers and get curious about the future of humanity.ABOUT BETH BARANYBeth Barany, an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist, teaches novelists how to write, edit, and publish their books as a coach, teacher, consultant, and developmental editor.RESOURCESGET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HEREFree World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadec. 2025 BETH BARANYhttps://bethbarany.com/Questions? Comments? Send us a text!--CONNECTContact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580Email: beth@bethbarany.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/CREDITSEDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3jMUSIC: Uppbeat.ioDISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

Author R.B. Kelly discusses her debut sci fi novel, Edge of Heaven, and its sequel, On the Brink. Rachael began the first draft of the story when she was only fifteen years old. Always a fan of Terry Pratchett, Rachael loves his notion of inspiration particles sleeting through the universe. What was her own inspiration particle for these books? An imaginary vision of a city built on top of another city. A long-time fan of speculative fiction and being deeply impressed by the movie, Blade Runner, Rachael set about trying to write the story surrounding that city on top of a city. Edge of Heaven went through too many iterations for Rachael to count, but she always knew it was the story she was meant to write.

Linghun by Ai Jiang is set in the mysterious HOME, a suburb of Toronto, where the residents live among the ghosts. Winqi, a high school senior, must navigate her new town, where grief cuts everyone off from the rest of the world.  Recommended in this episode: “The Center for Immortality Research” in Your Utopia by Bora Chung) and Mike Chen's Here and Now and Then NEWS: We have a Bookshop.org shop now! Find all of our favorite books at our shop–and help out small businesses.  UP NEXT: So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison  Buy our books here, including our newest Toil and Trouble.

It's episode 208 and time for us to talk about our Reading Resolutions for 2025! We discuss our love of spreadsheets, the churn of books in public libraries, literacy, unschooling, and more!  You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system. In this episode Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray

“As you may have noticed, these are all women science explainers and scientists, because I really want to highlight women doing science.”In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and science fiction author Beth Barany shares her “Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (Part 1)” and the types of science they share including physical experiments and educational demonstrations. Sabine Hossenfelder: https://www.youtube.com/@SabineHossenfelderPhysics Girl, Diana Cowern: https://www.youtube.com/@physicsgirlGeo Girl:, Rachel Phillips: https://www.youtube.com/@GEOGIRLDr. Becky (Dr Becky Smethurst): https://www.youtube.com/@DrBeckySpace Weather Woman, Dr. Tamitha Skov: https://www.youtube.com/@TamithaSkovRESOURCESGET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HEREFree World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadec. 2025 BETH BARANYhttps://bethbarany.com/Questions? Comments? Send us a text!--CONNECTContact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580Email: beth@bethbarany.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/CREDITSEDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3jMUSIC: Uppbeat.ioDISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

Stories featured in this episode:Press Release from a Utopia on the Way Down by Marisca Pichette - https://www.mariscapichette.com/ -music by TSG - https://tsgmusic.bandcamp.com/ -read by Jenna Hanchey -The Thing You Never Were by Eric Fomley - https://ericfomleyblog.wordpress.com/ -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by the Jean-Paul Garnier -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com -https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054 -

Send us a textEscape from Kharkiv is one of the short stories included in Mitchell Lüthi's latest collection, Aberrants, available now. The audiobook, performed by George Weightman, is coming soon to Audible.Support the show

“Because It's grounded on a very simple principle. Story, well told, well crafted, well structured, will have a pattern of ebb and flow. The ebb is where the tension builds up, and the flow is where it releases.”-- Leon Conrad In this episode of How to Write The Future podcast, host, Beth Barany talks to award winning author and tutor Leon Conrad where they discuss story structure, storytelling techniques, and how to map story structure for individual characters.ABOUT LEON CONRADLeon Conrad grew up among the souks and bazaars of Egypt. Early encounters with storytelling from a living 'Arabian Nights'-type oral tradition started him on a life-long quest to explore the unique power the human voice has to inspire. A talented pianist and linguist, he studied music in London, UK, working with opera singers and musical theatre performers. He studied storytelling with Shonaleigh Cumbers, a Jewish storyteller from a living oral tradition.As an author, his ground-breaking book 'Story and Structure: A complete guide' has won several literary awards including the IPNE Nonfiction Book of the Year and was shortlisted for The People's Book Prize. Leon set up The Unknown Storyteller Project in 2018 to help writers use story structure techniques to craft tighter stories and to spot and fix plot holes more effectively.As a tutor, he works with gifted and talented students age 7+ , helping many to publish their work independently and traditionally. He runs courses for writers of all ages.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhyDoesStoryStory/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeonConradInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unknownstorytellerproject/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-conrad/RESOURCESStory and Structure: A Complete Guide by Leon Conradhttps://www.amazon.com/Story-Structure-Complete-Leon-Conrad/dp/1906069255/Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadec. 2025 BETH BARANYhttps://bethbaQuestions? Comments? Send us a text!--CONNECTContact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580Email: beth@bethbarany.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/CREDITSEDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3jMUSIC: Uppbeat.ioDISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

 ”What if we could travel to a different galaxy? And then that's what the book is about. What if there were superheroes in the world? What if women ruled the world? Those types of things— It's the what if question and the answers.”— Kristin NolandIn this episode, How To Write the Future podcast host, Beth Barany, talks to developmental and line editor Kristin Noland about the definition of speculative fiction, the importance of setting, and how asking “what if” can have a big impact on your world-building and story development.ABOUT KRISTIN NOLANDKristin is a developmental and line editor who works with women authors of speculative and crime fiction and guides them on how to structure and tighten up their novels so they can give readers an entertaining and immersive experience. She's edited over seventy books, including two bestsellers. With her caring and encouraging editing style, she helps authors create engaging and exciting novels!Collection of free author resources, including a worldbuilding guide and an editing flowchart. https://www.nolandediting.com/author-resourcesWebsite: https://www.nolandediting.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristin.noland.146/X: https://twitter.com/KristinNoland99Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noland_editingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinnoland/You can follow Kristin on Threads at noland_editingABOUT BETH BARANYBeth Barany, an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist, teaches novelists how to write, edit, and publish their books as a coach, teacher, consultant, and developmental editor.RESOURCESRelated Episode: What If… and Your Brain: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2022/11/07/18-what-if-and-your-brain/Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadec. 2025 BETH BARANYhttps://bethbarany.com/Questions? Comments? Send us a text!--CONNECTContact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580Email: beth@bethbarany.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/CREDITSEDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3jMUSIC: Uppbeat.ioDISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

Stories featured in this episode:Proceed to the Route by Elad Haber - https://eladhaber.com/ -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by Jenna Hanchey -Farewell Jupiter by Toshiya Kamei - music by Fall Precauxions - https://doctorauxiliary.bandcamp.com  -read by the Jean-Paul Garnier -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com -https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054

In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas dive into the finale of Skeleton Crew. They discuss the show's nostalgic adventure vibe, comparing it to classics like The Goonies, and analyze the growth of its young characters. The episode also delves into the series' unique storytelling choices, memorable moments, and potential for a second season or spin-offs. Frank and Thomas reflect on the themes of hope, bravery, and camaraderie, offering insightful commentary for fans of Star Wars and epic storytelling. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and initial thoughts on Skeleton Crew finale. 00:42 - Discussion on the Supervisor reveal and classic sci-fi influences. 02:11 - Character development and standout performances by the cast. 04:45 - Nostalgic comparisons to The Goonies and other influences. 08:23 - Key moments: Neil's bravery, family dynamics, and high-stakes action. 14:17 - Exploration of themes: growth, parental trust, and opening new worlds. 20:12 - Speculations about a potential season two or spin-off adventures. 26:00 - Visuals, music, and emotional storytelling in the finale. 30:04 - Final thoughts on Skeleton Crew and its place in Star Wars canon. Takeaways The Supervisor twist, while predictable, felt true to classic sci-fi. The young cast delivered stellar performances, evoking genuine emotions. Nostalgic adventure vibes reminiscent of The Goonies and original Star Wars trilogy. Themes of growth, bravery, and family stood out as central to the story. The series balanced simplicity with depth, creating a show accessible for all ages. Potential spin-offs could explore the galaxy's wider implications on the crew's journey. Memorable Quotes “This show felt more like the original trilogy than anything else we've gotten since.” – Thomas “Watching the kids grow and the parents recognize that growth was the heart of this finale.” – Frank “The vault of gold was such a visually stunning moment; it felt infinite, like the possibilities for this story.” – Thomas “It's the hopeful message of looking at the stars and seeing endless possibilities that makes Skeleton Crew special.” – Frank Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us on social media to share your thoughts and stay updated on upcoming shows! Tags Skeleton Crew, Star Wars, Disney+, Jude Law, sci-fi, adventure, family, nostalgia, The Goonies, season finale, Challenge Accepted, Frank Lourence, Thomas Craig, podcast, reviews, speculative fiction, fantasy series.

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki’s website: https://odekpeki.com He is on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/penprince.bsky.social and Twitter (note there is an underbar):  @Penprince_ Caezik Books is the publisher in North America: https://x.com/CaezikBooks

Stories featured in this episode:When the Water Stops by Eugen Bacon - https://eugenbacon.com/blog/ -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by Jean-Paul L. Garnier -Due Date by Jean-Paul L. Garnier - music by TSG - https://tsgmusic.bandcamp.com/ -read by the author -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com - https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054

Dr Liza Bauer is the scientific manager of the Panel on Planetary Thinking project at the University of Giessen in Germany, having recently completed a PhD on literary animal studies at the same institution. In this episode, we discuss her book Livestock and Literature: Reimagining Postanimal Companion Species, which was published by Palgrave Macmillan as part of their series Palgrave Studies in Animals and Literature in 2024. This episode is brought to you by the Animal Politics book series at Sydney University Press.

Episode 466 - Damian Serbu - History Teacher Turned Author of LGBTQIA+ horror and speculative fictionAbout the authorDamian Serbu is an author of LGBTQIA+ horror and speculative fiction. After over twenty years of teaching history at the collegiate level, he now writes full time. He lives in the Chicagoland area with his husband and two dogs.Book: Witch in the WindA winter storm blows through Salem, Massachusetts, setting young witch Alexander MacBeth on a perilous path to adulthood as his dying mother gifts him an heirloom and pleads for him to use it to survive.To do so, he will need to perfect his inherited witchcraft to protect himself from those who want him dead. In his journey to adulthood, he falls in love with dashing nobleman Crispin Nottingham. Abandoned by Crispin and pursued by the Puritans, he finds he must harness the wind to assist his escape and flee his homeland aboard a pirate ship led by the handsome captain, Henri the Twisted.Struggling against distrustful pirates, an evil witch, and his continued longing for Crispin, Alexander sharpens his magical skills and falls into a romance with Henri. Chaos and danger confront him at every turn, even as he searches for love and belonging. A new sail on the horizon may signal hope or more danger than ever before—if Alexander can survive to meet his future.https://damianserbu.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

How to write an identity not your own! Also: on inhabiting your character, on easy reading being damned hard writing, on grounding the reader in a scene, and expecting that you WILL make mistakes (and that's okay.) Alex Temblador is the Mixed Latine award-winning author of Writing An Identity Not Your Own, Secrets of the Casa Rosada and Half Outlaw. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a contributor to Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology. Her work has also appeared in PALABRITAS, D Magazine, and Colorado Review. Alex has taught creative writing seminars, workshops, and classes with the Women's Fiction Writers Association, WritingWorkshops.com, the Writer's League of Texas, and more, as well as spoken about diversity in the literary world with Macmillan, Texas Library Association, Abydos Learning Conference, and at many other festivals, conferences, and universities. Links mentioned: ✏️ Write More, Worry Less: A Year of Pressure-Free ProductivityJan 4, 2025 - CLICK HERE for the details! Don't miss the early-bird pricing, good till Dec 10th!NZ Ahead with Liz and Brian Story Magic - Lower Your Expectations

treehugger podcast is 5 years old this month! In this episode, we sit down with Christopher Brown, author of A Natural History of Empty Lots, to uncover the stories hidden in the overlooked spaces of our cities. Christopher shares his unique perspective on urban landscapes—vacant lots, overgrown alleys, and forgotten corners—revealing the vibrant ecosystems and cultural narratives thriving within them. Drawing on his experience as a speculative fiction writer, he challenges us to rethink the value of these unintentional landscapes and their role in shaping our connection to the wider world. We discuss themes from his book, including the intersections of biodiversity, ecological restoration, and the unexpected beauty found in urban spaces. Christopher also reflects on how his dystopian fiction background shaped his views on resilience, adaptation, and our responsibility to imagine better futures. Whether you're an urban dweller, a nature enthusiast, or just curious about the life teeming in the margins of your city, this conversation will leave you inspired to see your environment through a new lens. Links and Resources Christopher Brown's Website: christopherbrown.com Field Notes: Reports from Edgelands Living Planet Index 2024 Report Christopher's Book, A Natural History of Empty Lots: Find it here Connect with Us Treehugger Podcast on Instagram: @treehuggerpod Twitter: @treehuggerpod Facebook: Treehugger Podcast Music for this episode provided by Kevin Macleod and Go By Ocean  

Stories featured in this episode:Weapons Test by Eric Fomley - https://ericfomleyblog.wordpress.com/ -music by TSG - https://tsgmusic.bandcamp.com/ -read by Jean-Paul L. Garnier -Tree Love by Adele Gardner - http://www.gardnercastle.com -music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by Jenna Hanchey -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com -https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054

Lagrange Point by Alan Stroud published by Flame Tree Press 2023 Terra by Allen Stroud published by Flame Tree Press 2023 Hellweg's Keep by Justin Holley published by Flame Tree Press 2023 The Day and Night Books of Mardou Fox by Nisi Shawl published by Rosarium Publishing October 2024 One Eye Opened in that Other Place by Christi Nogle published by Flame Tree Press 2024 Women of Horror and Speculative Fiction in Their Own Words: Conversations with Authors and Editors edited by Sebastien Doubinsky and Christina Kkona published 2024 by Bloomsbury Academic

In this conversation, the participants discuss their reading experiences for the month of October, sharing insights on various books, including graphic novels and fantasy literature. They delve into themes of world-building, the impact of different genres, and personal preferences in reading. The discussion also touches on the influence of classic works like Harry Potter and Lovecraft, as well as contemporary issues such as addiction in literature. This conversation delves into various themes surrounding horror storytelling, the influence of literary figures like Lovecraft, the evolution of comic book narratives, and the complexities of fandom dynamics. The speakers discuss the impact of dark themes in comics, the future of comic book universes, and the disconnect between comic adaptations in movies and their source material. They also explore the decline in comic book sales, the role of digital media, and the importance of consumer-friendly formats in the comic industry. In this conversation, the participants explore the financial aspects of hobbies, particularly focusing on games like Magic the Gathering. They discuss the balance between enjoyment and spending, the impact of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), and the importance of community in engaging with hobbies. The conversation also touches on the digital versus physical gaming experience, reflections on the value of enjoyment versus productivity, and creative alternatives like customization and proxies in gaming. In this conversation, the participants discuss various themes surrounding media consumption, including the challenges of accessing streaming services, the value of physical media in a digital age, and the evolution of iconic characters like the Joker. They also share their thoughts on Colin Farrell's performances and recommend movies, while looking forward to upcoming reads and media. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement and the shared experiences of the participants.Send us a textSupport the showPageChewing.comPAGECHEWING: Comics & Manga PodcastFilm Chewing PodcastLens Chewing on YouTubeSpeculative Speculations PodcastBuy me a coffeeLinktreeJoin Riverside.fm

Dive into the enigmatic world of John Titor, a self-proclaimed time traveler from 2036, whose cryptic messages about the future once captivated the internet. "Chronicles of Tomorrow: The John Titor Revelations" explores the tangled web of Titor's predictions, from civil wars to technological crises, and the chilling accuracy with which some of these visions seem to align with our current reality. Each episode dissects a segment of Titor's claims, examines the social and scientific implications, and brings in expert voices to demystify one of the internet's most intriguing mysteries. Whether a skeptic or a believer, join us as we unravel the past, present, and future according to John Titor—decoding what's real, what's possible, and what's merely a ripple in time.(00:00-01:08) John Titor was discussed by Oliver Williams, who managed a website compiling Titor's online postings from 2000 about time travel from 2036, discussing events like mad cow disease and civil war.(01:37-02:10) Titor claimed to be from 2036, using forums and chat rooms to discuss his time machine and make predictions about future catastrophes, stirring much interest and skepticism online.(04:25-05:30) He described a bleak future with civil wars and a World War III, leading him to time travel back to 1975 to retrieve a computer necessary for addressing a Y2K issue in his timeline.(08:02-09:09) Titor gave specific predictions about geopolitical changes, like China's dominance over Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, and discussed the non-fixed nature of time, suggesting future events could be altered.(18:10-19:32) Over several months, Titor engaged with internet users, answering questions about time travel and future events, sometimes showing frustration with skepticism towards his claims.

From the pages of Radon Journal - https://www.radonjournal.com/ -Stories featured in this episode:Tonight We're Wearing Waste Bags by Elena Sichrovsky - https://www.elenasichrovsky.com/ -music by Patrick Urn - https://morlox.bandcamp.com/ -read by Jenna Hanchey -Dreamer, Passenger, Partner by Colin Alexander - music by Phog Masheeen - https://phogmasheeen.com/ -read by Jean-Paul L. Garnier -theme music by Dain Luscombe -Simultaneous Times is a monthly science fiction podcast produced by Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree, CA. -https://www.spacecowboybooks.com -https://ko-fi.com/spacecowboybooks7054

What role does creativity play in navigating an unpredictable world?On this episode, I sit down with Carissa Carter and Scott Doorley, both professors at the Stanford d.school. Together, they've co-authored Assembling Tomorrow, a fascinating exploration of how design influences the future, especially amidst the rapid rise of emerging technologies like AI and synthetic biology. We discuss how design shapes the environments we live and work in and why getting it right can help people make better, safer, and more ethical choices.Our conversation dives into some intriguing concepts like “mischievous materials” and the role that design fiction plays in imagining the future. Carissa and Scott share their insights into the power of speculative fiction, demonstrating how it can help us predict and adapt to the future consequences of today's decisions. We also discuss how design often starts as fiction and evolves into real-world innovations and how emotions and make-believe play crucial roles in the creative process. Lastly, we discuss the ethical implications of design and the importance of considering all possible outcomes—positive and negative—when creating new tools or systems. The discussion is both a hopeful and realistic look at how designers, and indeed all of us, can better navigate an increasingly unpredictable world. Biography of the Guests: Carissa Carter is a designer, geoscientist, and the academic director at the Stanford d.school. She teaches design courses focused on emerging technologies, climate change, and data visualization, helping students apply design thinking to complex, real-world challenges. Carissa is passionate about exploring how design can foster creativity, ethical decision-making, and positive societal impact. Scott Doorley is the creative director at the Stanford d.school, where he oversees a wide array of projects, including books, workspaces, digital products, and initiatives aimed at shaping the future of learning and design. A designer and writer, Scott has a deep interest in how design can be used as a tool for understanding and influencing human behaviour, particularly in times of rapid technological and societal change.Together, Carissa and Scott have co-authored Assembling Tomorrow, a book that delves into how emerging technologies influence human behaviour, decision-making, and ethics. They use the power of storytelling and speculative fiction to imagine future scenarios and provoke thought on how design can guide us through an increasingly complex world.LinksCarissa's profile - https://dschool.stanford.edu/team-directory/carissa-l-carterScott's profile - https://dschool.stanford.edu/team-directory/scott-doorleyThe Stanford d School - https://dschool.stanford.edu/Assembling Tomorrow and other d School books - https://dschool.stanford.edu/booksAI-Generated Timestamp Summary[00:00:00] Introduction and welcome [00:00:33] How design shapes our environments and influences decision-making[00:01:00] Introduction to Stanford d.school and the work of Carissa and Scott [00:01:41] Overview of Assembling Tomorrow and its exploration of emerging tech[00:02:20] Ethical implications of design and the influence of emerging technologies [00:03:16] Carissa and Scott introduce themselves and their work[00:04:36] The role of ambiguity in design and navigating uncertainty[00:06:24] Emotions and make-believe in the design process [00:08:19] Importance of seeing the full impact of design decisions[00:10:07] The dynamic of young versus experienced creators in technology[00:15:35] Speculative fiction as a tool for imagining future design consequences [00:17:23] The process behind creating Assembling Tomorrow[00:22:04] Strategies for solving complex problems in an unpredictable world[00:23:14] Embracing awkwardness and aiming for imperfection in design [00:26:35] Need to adapt to more organic, unpredictable processes in design [00:33:04] Developing an ethical mindset within design education[00:36:00] Generational shift in attitudes towards ethical design[00:45:11] Visuals and illustrations as tools for engaging readers in design concepts