Fiction Science

Latest Episodes:

Quantum physicist explains the mysteries of time Aug 31, 2026

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British physicist Jim Al-Khalili, author of "On Time: The Physics That Makes the Universe Tick," discusses why time flows in only one direction, and why time travel into the past is highly unlikely - but not yet completely ruled out.

How 'Star City' reimagined the Soviet space race Jul 10, 2026

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Cinematographer Brendan Uegama discusses how he and his teammates created a fictional world for "Star City," an Apple TV series that traces a dramatically different version of the U.S.-Soviet space race.

The facts and fiction of UFO 'Disclosure Day' Jun 12, 2026

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A podcast double-feature delves into scientific and social issues raised by the "Disclosure Day" movie. Our guests are Adam Kirsch, author of "We Want to Believe"; and Meg Charlton, author of an alien-abduction novel titled "Voyagers."

Sci-fi pioneer's final novel bridges cultures May 15, 2026

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Nisi Shawl discusses the genesis of "The Curve of the World," a newly published novel about an ancient odyssey from Crete to the Pacific Northwest that science-fiction pioneer Vonda N. McIntyre finished writing just before her death in 2019.

The real 'Project Hail Mary': Looking for E.T. Mar 10, 2026

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SETI astronomer Seth Shostak talks about the parallels between the alien connection in "Project Hail Mary" and the real-world search for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Occupy Mars? Or the moon? Get a reality check Feb 17, 2026

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Now Elon Musk wants to build a city on the moon before building a city on Mars. Biologist Scott Solomon, author of a new book titled "Becoming Martian," sizes up the prospects for building a city anywhere that's beyond Earth.

Why NASA is going nuclear on the moon Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Aerospace consultant Roger Myers explains why space nuclear power will play a big role in the competition between the U.S. and China to establish bases on the moon in the 2030s.

Pluto shines as a science-fiction star Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Space scientist Les Johnson tells the story behind his role in creating "Pluto," the last novel in sci-fi master Ben Bova's Grand Tour series and one of the first works of fiction to incorporate revelations from NASA's New Horizons mission.

Native American legends are woven into a UFO tale Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Cherokee science-fiction author Daniel H. Wilson blends ancient tales about extraterrestrials with up-to-date speculation about alien visitations in a new novel called "Hole in the Sky."

'Rocket Dreams' and rocket realities Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Washington Post staff writer Christian Davenport, author of "Rocket Dreams," discusses the parallel space races between America and China, and between Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

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