The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast &#8211; Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

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Death Walks on Mars by Alan J. Ramm Jan 18, 2026

Show notes

On the deadly sands of Mars, a grieving pioneer turns survival into a ruthless game of patience, grit, and vengeance. As the desert closes in, every mile reveals who is truly prepared to face death. Death Walks on Mars by Alan J. Ramm. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

A slightly belated—but very enthusiastic—thank you to TLD, who bought us a coffee before Christmas and somehow managed to wait patiently while we finally caught up. About a month ago, TLD sent along this message from Canada:

“A Merry Early Christmas to you from Canada!”

Well… Merry Very Belated Christmas, TLD!

Seriously though, thank you. We truly appreciate you—and everyone who supports the podcast by buying us a coffee. It helps keep the vintage sci-fi flowing. If you’d like to buy us a coffee too, you’ll find the link in the description.

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Alan J. Ramm makes his debut on the podcast today, joining the ever-growing—and slightly mysterious—list of science fiction authors we know almost nothing about.

Alan John Ramm was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1914 and passed away in 1985. Somewhere in between, he wrote four science fiction short stories in the 1950s… and then vanished quietly into the pages of pulp history.

And that—believe it or not—is the complete Alan J. Ramm biography.

From Imagination Stories in February 1958 comes the last of his stories, which can be found on page 66, Death Walks on Mars by Alan J. Ramm

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, They took years to build the rocket and minutes to launch it, sending two ordinary men where three others had vanished forever. Officially, it was a simple trip around the moon. Unofficially, it was a gamble born of desperation, pride, and a belief that ignorance might succeed where genius had failed. They Reached For The Moon by William Oberfield.

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An Eye for the Ladies by Milton Lesser Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

A down-on-his-luck private detective takes the strangest case of his life when an alien asks him to track down his missing wife. What follows is a whirlwind of body-swapping, mistaken identities, and temptation that’s far more complicated than it first appears. An Eye for the Ladies by Milton Lesser. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is now #1 in 34 countries — and it’s all because of you.

We’ve reached the top spot in South Korea and we’re knocking on the door of #1 in several other countries around the world. What started as a passion for forgotten and underrated vintage science fiction has become a truly global community of listeners.

None of this happens without you. Your ratings and reviews, your shares on social media, and the simple act of telling a friend all make a real difference. Every listen helps bring these classic stories back to life — and helps the podcast continue to grow.

Thank you for being part of the Lost Sci-Fi journey. We’re just getting started.

Milton Lesser isn’t making his debut on the podcast. But he has been featured more than you think. Most of the time we credited one of his aliases, there was, Prison of a Billion Years and Planet of Doom by C. H. Thames and Stop, You're Killing Me! by Darius John Granger. The only story Milton Lesser was given credit for was Pariah.

There are more stories by Lesser on the way and from now on if he wrote it, we will give him credit for it. Today’s tale can be found in Fantastic Magazine in October 1956 on page 60, An Eye for the Ladies by Milton Lesser

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, On the deadly sands of Mars, a grieving pioneer turns survival into a ruthless game of patience, grit, and vengeance. As the desert closes in, every mile reveals who is truly prepared to face death. Death Walks on Mars by Alan J. Ramm.

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The Wounded by Philip José Farmer Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

A violin-carrying stranger moves quietly through glittering parties, leaving invisible wounds that only a rare few can truly see. But when someone finally recognizes who — and what — he really is, everything he thought he controlled begins to unravel. The Wounded by Philip José Farmer. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

We’re going live again on Thursday, January 15th at 8 PM in London, streaming on Facebook and YouTube. We hope you will join us, and yes there will be science fiction trivia.

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Today on the podcast, we welcome a true original making his debut — Philip José Farmer.

Farmer was born on January 26, 1918, in North Terre Haute, Indiana, and his love of science fiction started early. Like so many writers of his generation, he fell hard for the pulp magazines as a kid, discovering worlds that were stranger, bolder, and more imaginative than anything around him.

Over his career, Farmer wrote almost 60 novels and over 100 short stories, constantly pushing the boundaries of what science fiction could talk about — from religion and sexuality to identity and mythology. He won multiple Hugo Awards, including one for his groundbreaking novel To Your Scattered Bodies Go, and later received the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America.

Philip José Farmer was hugely influential because he refused to play it safe. He expanded the emotional and intellectual range of science fiction — and today, we’re finally welcoming his voice to the Lost Sci-Fi universe with a story that first appeared in Fantastic Universe magazine in October 1954. Turn to page 69, The Wounded by Philip José Farmer…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A down-on-his-luck private detective takes the strangest case of his life when an alien asks him to track down his missing wife. What follows is a whirlwind of body-swapping, mistaken identities, and temptation that’s far more complicated than it first appears. An Eye for the Ladies by Stephen Marlowe.

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The Vegans Were Curious by Winston Marks Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

A curious Sirian pauses on his journey to investigate strange, nuclear-playing creatures on a small blue planet. What begins as a casual study becomes a hilarious, dangerous, and eye-opening lesson in humanity. The Vegans Were Curious by Winston Marks. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

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Sue the Librarian recently bought us three coffees and shared this message: What a fine narrator you are! These great stories deserve someone who really knows what he's doing; I can always differentiate characters and am always caught up in what's going on. (One of my fave podcasts, and I listen to a lot of them.) Enormous thanks! Thank you Sue!! We appreciate you.

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Winston Marks was a frequent contributor in the early days of the podcast but we haven’t heard from him in a while. From Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy in December 1954 we will find our story on page 80, The Vegans Were Curious by Winston Marks…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A violin-carrying stranger moves quietly through glittering parties, leaving invisible wounds that only a rare few can truly see. But when someone finally recognizes who — and what — he really is, everything he thought he controlled begins to unravel. The Wounded by Philip José Farmer.

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Martian Homecoming by Frank Belknap Long Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

A restless ex-boxer on Mars is haunted by memories of Earth and tempted by impossible dreams. When a deadly Martian creature invades the colony, he must face both the illusion and the truth about what “home” really means. Martian Homecoming by Frank Belknap Long. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

We’re going LIVE! Thursday, January 8 at 8 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Facebook and YouTube.

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Something exciting is happening — listeners from the UK, Ireland, Spain, Finland, Denmark and all across Europe are discovering The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast! We don’t know exactly what triggered the surge, but we’re so grateful you’re here. And we love seeing so many of you join our FREE weekly newsletter. If you haven’t signed up yet, just use the link in the description or visit LostSciFi.com.

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Frank Belknap Long is starting to feel like an old friend. This marks the seventh story by this remarkable author that we’ve featured on the podcast. First published in Future Combined with Science Fiction Stories in March 1951, we turn to page 70 for Martian Homecoming by Frank Belknap Long.

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A curious Sirian pauses on his journey to investigate strange, nuclear-playing creatures on a small blue planet. What begins as a casual study becomes a hilarious, dangerous, and eye-opening lesson in humanity. The Vegans Were Curious by Winston Marks.

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The Tunnel Under the World by Ferderik Pohl Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Guy Burckhardt wakes from a violent dream to find his town subtly—but profoundly—wrong. As June 15th repeats itself, he begins to realize that reality itself may be manufactured. The Tunnel Under the World by Frederik Pohl. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Today’s story is awesome! Originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction in January 1955, we will find it on page 6, The Tunnel Under the World by Frederik Pohl…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A restless ex-boxer on Mars is haunted by memories of Earth and tempted by impossible dreams. When a deadly Martian creature invades the colony, he must face both the illusion and the truth about what “home” really means. Martian Homecoming by Frank Belknap Long.

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The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

A routine emergency mission becomes an unforgiving test of physics, law, and human conscience. When one hidden mistake is discovered, a pilot must face a decision that no training could ever prepare him for. The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Today’s episode marks a major milestone. Although it’s episode 465, it features the 500th story ever presented on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Over the years, some episodes have included two stories—and occasionally even more—but this one stands apart.

What makes it especially meaningful to me is simple: out of all the remarkable stories we’ve shared during nearly four years of the podcast, this is my personal favorite. When it was first published, the story sparked intense backlash. Many readers were furious, and author Tom Godwin received no shortage of criticism. In just a few moments, you’ll understand exactly why.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email at scott@lostscifi.com.

Open your copy of Astounding Science Fiction, August 1954, to page 62, The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin.…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Guy Burckhardt wakes from a violent dream to find his town subtly—but profoundly—wrong. As June 15th repeats itself, he begins to realize that reality itself may be manufactured. The Tunnel Under the World by Frederik Pohl.

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The Shambler From the Stars by Robert Bloch Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

A struggling writer’s obsession with forbidden knowledge leads him to a discovery no human mind was meant to grasp. One reckless act opens a doorway to something vast, unseen, and utterly indifferent to human life. The Shambler From The Stars by Robert Bloch. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

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I don’t usually do this, but today we’re making an exception. I want to talk about the next story on the podcast—not today’s episode, but the one that follows.

When this story was first published, readers flooded the magazine with letters of protest. They called the author cold. They called the story cruel. They argued it should never have been written the way it was.

Decades later, that same story is considered a cornerstone of hard science fiction. It’s taught, debated, and regularly included on lists of the most important science-fiction stories ever written.

You don’t want to miss this one.

Robert Bloch returns today with a story that first appeared on page 368 in Weird Tales magazine in September 1935, The Shambler From The Stars by Robert Bloch.…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A routine emergency mission becomes an unforgiving test of physics, law, and human conscience. When one hidden mistake is discovered, a pilot must face a decision that no training could ever prepare him for. The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin.

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The Grip of Death by Robert Bloch Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

A young man plots a quiet inheritance in a decaying waterfront mansion haunted by whispers, rituals, and an uncle who knows far too much. When murder collides with forbidden knowledge, the price of impatience becomes far more than death. The Grip of Death by Robert Bloch. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

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How did we release more than 460 episodes without narrating a story by Robert Bloch? That oversight ends today. Born in Chicago in 1917, Bloch is best remembered for Psycho, the novel that became Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film—but that was only one chapter in a remarkable career.

Bloch wrote more than 30 novels and hundreds of short stories, publishing his first tale at just 17. His love of the strange began early: at age ten, when his aunt offered to buy him any magazine he wanted, he chose the August 1927 issue of Weird Tales. Years later, speaking at the First World Fantasy Convention in 1975, Bloch recalled waking early on release day and sprinting to a tobacco-and-magazine shop to buy the latest issue—sometimes sneaking it home under his coat if the cover was especially scandalous.

Today’s story didn’t appear in Weird Tales, but it is unquestionably a weird tale. From Strange Stories, December 1939, turn to page 85—The Grip of Death by Robert Bloch.…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A struggling writer’s obsession with forbidden knowledge leads him to a discovery no human mind was meant to grasp. One reckless act opens a doorway to something vast, unseen, and utterly indifferent to human life. The Shambler From The Stars by Robert Bloch.

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