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Artwork for LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE

LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE - Science Fiction and Fantasy Story Podcast (Sci-Fi | Audiobook | Short Stories)

Adamant Press
Identity
Science Fiction
Speculative Fiction
Fantasy
LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE
Artificial Intelligence
Skyboat Media
Love
Miracles
Ethics In Technology
Grief
Family Dynamics
Mythology
Transformation
True Love
Creation
Memory
Adam-Troy Castro
Darkness Between the Stars
An Elegy For the Former Things

Edited by bestselling anthologist John Joseph Adams, LIGHTSPEED is a Hugo Award-winning, critically-acclaimed digital magazine. In its pages, you'll find science fiction from near-future stories and sociological SF to far-future, star-spanning SF. Plus there's fantasy from epic sword-and-sorcery and contemporary urban tales to magical realism, science-fantasy, and folk tales. Each month, LIGHTSPEE... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes931Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE

Latest Episodes

This episode features "What Do You Mean The Nano-Bots Formed A Union??" by Joel W.D. Buxton (©2026 by Joel W.D. Buxton) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Of All Who Dream" by Adelehin Ijasan (©2026 by Adelehin Ijasan) read by Mirron Willis.

Learn more a... more

This episode features "The Age of Cancer" by Vajra Chandrasekera (©2026 by Vajra Chandrasekera) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Fragments of the Whole" by Brooke Bolander (©2026 by Brooke Bolander) read by Gabrielle de Cuir.

"Fragments of the Whole" ... more

This episode features "Infinite Wishes" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (©2026 by Kristine Kathryn Rusch) read by Judy Young and "Legs" by A.M. Maris (©2026 by A.M. Maris) read by Stefan Rudnicki.

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This episode features "Concerto for Wartime" by Sean Williams (©2026 by Sean Williams) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "If a Discarded God Can Change, So Can I" by V.M. Ayala (©2026 by V.M. Ayala) read by Roxanne Hernandez.

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

E. Catherine Tobler
Author of Hungry Like The
Author
Episode: "Hungry Like The" by E. Catherine Tobler + "The Assumption of Maria" by Max Gladstone
Max Gladstone
Author of The Assumption of Maria
Author
Episode: "Hungry Like The" by E. Catherine Tobler + "The Assumption of Maria" by Max Gladstone
Beesan Odeh
Author of Ash-Shūrā
Author, Lightspeed Magazine
Episode: "The Sharing of Some Familiar Song" by Adam-Troy Castro + "Ash-Shūrā" by Beesan Odeh
Marie Brennan
Former anthropologist and folklorist; Hugo Award–winning author
Author
Episode: "I Cut Off a Monster's Arm. AITA?" by Marie Brennan + "The Overview Initiative" by David Marino
David Marino
Writer and author; contributor to Lightspeed
Author
Episode: "I Cut Off a Monster's Arm. AITA?" by Marie Brennan + "The Overview Initiative" by David Marino
Alex Irvine
Author of An Oral History of the Schooner Key Invasion
Author
Episode: "Memeostasis" by Benjamin Rosenbaum + "An Oral History of the Schooner Key Invasion" by Alex Irvine
Justin C. Key
Author of Empathetic Psychosis; psychiatrist and speculative fiction writer
Self-identified in episode
Episode: "Time Management" by P.A. Cornell + "Empathetic Psychosis" by Justin C. Key
Andrea Kriz
Author of Update on Rules for the Spatiotemporal Use of Campus Spaces
Andrea Kriz (author)
Episode: "Update on Rules for the Spatiotemporal Use of Campus Spaces" by Andrea Kriz + "[Part 2] Six-Gun Vixen and the Machinist of Doom Valley" by Ashok K. Banker
Andrew Dana Hudson
Author of Dad Died on Discord
Author, Lightspeed Magazine stories
Episode: "Dad Died on Discord" by Andrew Dana Hudson + "[Part 1] Six-Gun Vixen and the Machinist of Doom Valley" by Ashok K. Banker

Hosts

Stefan Rudnicki
Narrator and co-producer with Skyboat Media; long-standing host/narrator across multiple shows.
Allison Bell-Buse
Host of the publication's story podcast with narration and guest context, part of production team.
Janina Edwards
Host of various Lightspeed Magazine story podcasts; guides episode flow and introduces segments.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 886 ratings
  • Always a wide selection of stories that make for a interesting listen.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    listener alan
    a year ago
  • stop with the political opinions

    I do not care about what politics you support or don’t support John Joseph Adams. I listen to fiction stories to escape that nonsense. Please stop complaining about politics or i’ll have to unfollow you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bekalorren
    United States2 years ago
  • Lights peed should avoid polluting the future with present day antisemitic bias. Let's hope that wisdom tribunals of the future won't look kindly on murders, kidnappings, and rapes of Jews.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    reviewer5
    2 years ago
  • So disillusioned

    This podcast was one of the bright spots that kept me going through the despairing months after the 2016 election. And now you are selling your souls by accepting political ads. I can no longer support the podcasts of John Joseph Adams.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Languorous Lass
    United States2 years ago
  • Best podcast ever

    Been here almost since the beginning and it’s been amazing to watch the writers that you feature blossom and grow. I hope you get everything you want in life whoever does this podcast because it’s wonderful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    P.TwoBears
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive feedback often mentions the strong host/narration and diverse author lineup.
Listeners consistently praise high-quality narration and production values.
Critiques vary about pacing or the intro segment, but overall appreciation for storytelling remains high.
Some reviewers push back against political content and sponsor reads; others highlight engaging stories and thoughtful critiques.

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Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE

What is LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A biweekly audio fiction program spotlighting science fiction and fantasy short stories, paired with host narration and high-quality narration by well-regarded voice performers. Episodes typically present two to three short works per show, often accompanied by author bios, production notes, and multiple sponsor reads, plus cross-promotions for related shows. The lineup features a rotating set of acclaimed authors and emerging voices, with themes ranging from power, memory, and identity to ethics, technology, and social critique. Notable strengths include polished narration, strong production values, and a consistent ability to blend intimate character-driven moments with wide-ranging speculative worldbuilding. A distinctive element is the e... more

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How many listeners does LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE get?

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How many subscribers and views does LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE have?

To see how many followers or subscribers LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE?

These podcasts share a similar audience with LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE:

1. Escape Pod
2. Clarkesworld Magazine
3. Beneath Ceaseless Skies Audio Fiction Podcasts
4. The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories
5. PseudoPod

How many episodes of LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE are there?

LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE launched 16 years ago and published 931 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 LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE?

Recent guests on LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE include:

1. E. Catherine Tobler
2. Max Gladstone
3. Beesan Odeh
4. Marie Brennan
5. David Marino
6. Alex Irvine
7. Justin C. Key
8. Andrea Kriz

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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