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

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

** 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 monthlyEpisodes626Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for Geek's Guide to the Galaxy

Latest Episodes

John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, and Rafael Jordan join us to discuss Season 1 of the Apple TV series Star City, a spin-off the alternate history sci-fi series For All Mankind. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patre... more

Adam Kirsch joins us to discuss his books We Want to Believe: How Aliens Went Mainstream and Why It Matters and The Revolt Against Humanity: Imagining a Future Without Us. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geek... more

Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, and Zach Chapman join us to discuss the Apple TV series Widow’s Bay, about a small-town mayor trying to turn his haunted island into a tourist destination. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patre... more

Jedediah Berry, author of The Manual of Detection and The Naming Song, joins us to discuss his new sword & sorcery novel Kill All Wizards. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks.

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Recent Guests

Adam Kirsch
Senior editor at The Atlantic; author of We Want to Believe and The Revolt Against Humanity
The Atlantic
Episode: 625. Why Do We Believe in Aliens? (with Adam Kirsch)
Zach Chapman
Writer and creator with background in fiction and comics
Episode: 624. Widow's Bay Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, Zach Chapman)
Jedediah Berry
Author of Kill All Wizards; writer and RPG designer
Nine Pin Press / Phantom Mill Games
Episode: 623. Jedediah Berry, author of Kill All Wizards
Philip Gelatt
Writer and director; guest for this episode
Episode: 622. Light by M. John Harrison Review (with Philip Gelatt)
John Joseph Adams
Producer, editor of Lightspeed Magazine; has edited many anthologies
Lightspeed Magazine; Time Traveler's Passport project
Episode: 621. For All Mankind Season 5 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan)
Sara Lynn Michener
Author and recurring guest on the show
Author; feminist and science fiction writer
Episode: 621. For All Mankind Season 5 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan)
Rafael Jordan
Writer/producer and creative collaborator on sci-fi projects
Salvage Marines; Creature from the Black Lagoon remake; Star City creator
Episode: 621. For All Mankind Season 5 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan)
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

Host

David Barr Kirtley
Host of the show (longtime SF/F podcaster and writer).

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Widow’s Bay Ep.

    You guys were on fire. Humorous. Insightful. Interesting. Diversity of opinions. Bravo! Thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Armando'sGeek1939
    United States25 days ago
  • Gross

    Bizarre pro-AI writing podcast where they praised a no talent goof that had to use Ai to write a novel and treat it as normal. Idiots.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Thedriver2016
    Canada4 months ago
  • 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 States10 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 States10 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

A few critics note inconsistent pacing or host delivery critiques in some episodes.
The show's breadth, from novels to films, keeps evolving and insightful.
Consistently deep, well-prepared discussions with excellent guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#104
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#229
Finland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

623. Jedediah Berry, author of Kill All Wizards
Q: What about Hexley, his sidekick?
Hexley is a semi-retired thief who acts as Gotchimus's foil and facilitator, helping him navigate social hierarchies while trading stories as a framing device that threads the book's multiple sections together.
623. Jedediah Berry, author of Kill All Wizards
Q: All right. Tell us about Gotchimus, your Conan-like protagonist. What's he like?
Gotchimus is a barbarian warrior who infiltrates high society to confront the wizards, torn between raw strength and fascination with the trappings of civilization; his journey blends revenge with a moral exploration of power and belonging.
623. Jedediah Berry, author of Kill All Wizards
Q: Say a little bit more about the narrator because the narrator sort of hedges about whether to describe gore and stuff like that.
The guest explains that the narrator intentionally maintains a prissy, observer-like voice to critique violence in the story, using asides to the reader to balance the savagery with a civilized perspective.
622. Light by M. John Harrison Review (with Philip Gelatt)
Q: Is Light hard science fiction or not, and how does Harrison navigate those boundaries?
It's more adjacent than strictly hard sci-fi; Harrison can name-drop real concepts with confidence, but the world ultimately acts as a vehicle for cosmic horror and philosophical inquiry, not a textbook of science.
622. Light by M. John Harrison Review (with Philip Gelatt)
Q: So Phil, what was it like when you picked up Light for the first time? Did it strike you immediately?
The first impression was strong; the opening chapter grabbed me with its oddity and the unsettling tone, and I stayed hooked despite the initial sense of being dropped into a dense, alien world.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 long-running inquiry into science fiction and fantasy across books, films, TV, and games, featuring in-depth author interviews, rigorous panel discussions, and genre-wide analysis. Episodes frequently explore adaptation processes, world-building, thematic undercurrents, and the cultural impact of SF/F, with a mix of author spotlights, cinematic critiques, and craft-focused conversations. Notable strengths include a prepared, panel-driven format, a broad roster of high-profile guests, and a willingness to tackle difficult topics from technology and politics to representation and myth. Potential listeners can expect thoughtful discourse, niche insights for SF enthusiasts, and recommendations that often spark further reading or viewing.

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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. Imaginary Worlds
2. Political Reality
3. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
4. MonsterTalk
5. Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever*

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

Geek's Guide to the Galaxy launched 16 years ago and published 626 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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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. Adam Kirsch
2. Zach Chapman
3. Jedediah Berry
4. Philip Gelatt
5. John Joseph Adams
6. Sara Lynn Michener
7. Rafael Jordan
8. Chris Avellone

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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