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Artwork for Geek's Guide to the Galaxy

Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast

David Barr Kirtley
Science Fiction
Roger Zelazny
Harlan Ellison
Artificial Intelligence
Larry Niven
Greg Egan
For All Mankind
Time Travel
Space Exploration
Fantasy
Fallout
Atheism
Kim Stanley Robinson
Invincible
Video Games
Star Wars
Terminator Zero
Dune: Part Two
Frank Herbert
Speculative Fiction

** Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks ** Host David Barr Kirtley, author of the book Save Me Plz and Other Stories, talks geek culture with guests such as Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Margaret Atwood, Richard Dawkins, Simon Pegg, Amanda Knox, Andrew Yang, Joyce Carol Oates, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Ursula K. Le Guin. Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy has ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes619Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for Geek's Guide to the Galaxy

Latest Episodes

Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss Vernor Vinge’s classic novella “True Names” as well as the first nine stories in the book The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge. Stories Discussed: “Bookworm, Run!” (4:12), “The Accomplice” (14:55), “True Names”... more

Chris Avellone, writer on Fallout 2 and Fallout: New Vegas, joins us to discuss the role of storytelling in the Fallout series of post-apocalyptic video games. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks.

Learn mo... more

Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss Roger Zelazny’s classic novel Creatures of Light and Darkness, about a cosmic war between godlike beings. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. more

Anthony Ha joins us to discuss the second half of the book The Best of Kim Stanley Robinson. Stories discussed: "The Translator" (1:38), "Glacier" (14:57), "The Lunatics" (27:34), "Zurich" (45:56), "Vinland the Dream" (58:34), "A History of the Twent... more

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Recent Guests

Chris Avellone
Video game writer and designer known for Fallout series (e.g., Fallout 1, Fallout 2, Fallout New Vegas)
Video game industry
Episode: 618. The Story of Fallout (with Chris Avellone)
Tom Gerencer
Author and editor, frequent guest
Author, Discovery Channel book author
Episode: 617. Creatures of Light and Darkness by Roger Zelazny Review
Rajan Khanna
Author and game designer, frequent guest
Author, Kobold Press
Episode: 617. Creatures of Light and Darkness by Roger Zelazny Review
Andrea Kail
Writer with Egyptian mythology expertise, frequent guest
Pixelberry Studios (writer)
Episode: 617. Creatures of Light and Darkness by Roger Zelazny Review
Christopher M. Cevasco
Author; RPG writer and co-creator of various game materials
Kobold Press; Sapere Books
Episode: 615. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Review
Jonathan Kay
Author and journalist, Quillette senior editor
Quillette
Episode: 614. Jonathan Kay: Pluribus and Cancel Culture
David P. Silverman
Prominent atheist activist and author
Atheists for Liberty
Episode: 612. David P. Silverman: Science Fiction and Atheism
Megan McArdle
Opinion writer at The Washington Post, author of 'The Upside of Down'
The Washington Post
Episode: 610. Megan McArdle, host of Reasonably Optimistic
Anthony Ha
Writer and weekend editor at TechCrunch, co-host of the podcast Original Content
TechCrunch
Episode: 604. The Best of Greg Egan Part 2 Review (with Anthony Ha)

Host

David Barr Kirtley
Host of the show

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Stephen King Movies

    Another home run episode. Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer are the A-Team of GGTTG’s panelists. Insightful observations, meaningful analysis, and respectful critiques result in a fascinating walk through some of King’s most memorable movie adaptations. If you enjoyed this episode, check out all the previous episodes this panel has produced!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heber Blakenhorn
    United States5 months ago
  • Paid subscriber still ads

    I enjoy this podcast very much, which is why I have been a supporter for years. Any way to get me the subscriber feed? The ads are so jarring… I don’t use patreon, I pay you directly through your website. I would appreciate never having to hear ads here again! 😅

    Other than that, keep geeking out! 🖖

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    katkutter1
    United States6 months ago
  • More awesome movies

    As a bricklayer I drive a couple hours to work and a couple back home. This podcast gives me the comfort of the things my friends and family discuss when we are together. I have listened to every podcast in the library (some 2 or 3 times) to fill that drive. I’m waiting now for more awesome (or awesomely bad) movie reviews. I do have a suggestion, as I feel some movies that use theology as the mythology, and are to me, a different sort of fantasy. This group of movies would be perfect for a r... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Spocktiberius
    United States7 months ago
  • GREG EGAN 2

    GREG EGAN 2 JUST DROPPED LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sarah477
    United States8 months ago
  • Exceptional.

    Not too long ago I just finished re-listening to the podcast and I see why I love this podcast. David is truly an amazing writer and speaker and quite humorous. He balances all the speakers in a great way where everyone is heard. Truly keep up the amazing work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric M. Targaryen
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners frequently highlight high-quality interviews with notable SF/F creators.
Some feedback notes audio quality or delivery as an area for improvement in certain episodes.
Audience praises the show for deep, rigorous discussions and strong guest panels.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#176
Spain/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#245
Singapore/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

619. The Best of Vernor Vinge Part 1 Review (with Mercurio D. Rivera)
Q: Any thoughts on the frame narrative in The Peddler's Apprentice?
Mercurio highlighted the frame as weak and difficult to follow, noting it often distracts from the main plot, and suggested the frame didn't contribute meaningfully to the present-to-past payoff.
619. The Best of Vernor Vinge Part 1 Review (with Mercurio D. Rivera)
Q: What stood out about True Names for you?
David found it immersive and groundbreaking, with a gripping set-up of government blackmail, online war between hackers, and a twist that artificial intelligence and the 'true name' concept gave powerful stakes far ahead of its time.
619. The Best of Vernor Vinge Part 1 Review (with Mercurio D. Rivera)
Q: David, what did you think of Bookworm Run?
Mercurio enjoyed the clever premise of an uplifted chimp with a computer-linked brain, saw strong world-building like cheap fusion energy, and appreciated the twist that the true focus was the chimp rather than the human perspective.
618. The Story of Fallout (with Chris Avellone)
Q: How did you approach humor in Fallout 1 and Fallout 2 to balance tone with gameplay?
Humor had to be embedded in the world and not break the fourth wall; Fallout 2 suffered from too many in-jokes and modern references, which undermined the environment, so later iterations adopted stricter guidelines to keep humor self-contained and contextually relevant.
618. The Story of Fallout (with Chris Avellone)
Q: What do you think about the influence of Canticle for Leibowitz on Fallout 1 and its development?
Canticle for Leibowitz inspired themes and world-building that informed Fallout's post-apocalyptic setting, with elements like priesthoods worshipping technology shaping early design, though Fallout ultimately created its own setting while echoing those influences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Geek's Guide to the Galaxy

What is Geek's Guide to the Galaxy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deeply analytical SF and fantasy discussion show that blends author interviews with panel-driven analyses of books, films, and games. Across episodes, the focus tends to be on storytelling craft, world-building, and the cultural impact of genre works, with recurring attention to adaptation, speculative tech, and the intersection of politics and nerd culture. Notable strengths include long-form conversations with diverse guests—from prolific authors to game designers and critics—paired with thoughtful debate among a rotating panel. The show often straddles both classic and contemporary material, offering both rigorous critique and accessible recommendations for fans and aspiring creators alike.

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How many listeners does Geek's Guide to the Galaxy get?

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How many subscribers and views does Geek's Guide to the Galaxy have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Geek's Guide to the Galaxy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Geek's Guide to the Galaxy:

1. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
2. Imaginary Worlds
3. Unspooled
4. On the Media
5. Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

How many episodes of Geek's Guide to the Galaxy are there?

Geek's Guide to the Galaxy launched 16 years ago and published 619 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Geek's Guide to the Galaxy?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Geek's Guide to the Galaxy?

Recent guests on Geek's Guide to the Galaxy include:

1. Chris Avellone
2. Tom Gerencer
3. Rajan Khanna
4. Andrea Kail
5. Christopher M. Cevasco
6. Jonathan Kay
7. David P. Silverman
8. Megan McArdle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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