Here’s a polished-up version of Episode 2 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy. In this episode we interview Paolo Bacigalupi about global warming and young adult fiction, and John and I discuss the role of fantasy & science fiction in the classroom.

Episode 26 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy is now available. In this episode we chat with novelist Greg Bear and discuss alien invasion and medieval arms & armor.

Episode 25 of the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast is now available. This episode features an interview with Robert Kirkman, creator of the graphic novel series The Walking Dead, basis of the new hit series on AMC. John and I agree that these graphic novels are the best zombie story we’ve ever seen, and the TV show is quite good too so far. Kirkman’s first ever prose fiction publication, “Alone, Together,” appears in John’s new anthology The Living Dead 2 (alongside my story “The Skull-Faced City”). This episode also features John and me comparing notes on some of the zombie stuff we’ve watched recently.

Episode 24 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy is now available, featuring an interview with Charles Yu, author of the new novel How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe. Yu was named one of the Top 5 Writers Under 35 by the National Book Foundation, and his story “Standard Loneliness Package,” about a world in which people outsource their unpleasant experiences to India, just went live over on Lightspeed. This episode also features John and me chatting about some of our favorite time travel stories.

Episode 23 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy, featuring an interview with Catherynne M. Valente, is now available at io9.

OMFG it’s HERE:

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 21: African SF & Fantasy! Nollywood! Entomology!

Nnedi Okorafor, author of Who Fears Death, joins us to discuss attending Clarion, being a professor, and writing about Africa. Dave and John discuss fantasy & science fiction set in Africa.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 20: Climate Change! Geonengineering! Terraforming!

Eli Kintisch, author of the nonfiction book Hack the Planet, joins us to discuss some of the ambitious and risky geoengineering schemes that are being proposed to address climate change. Dave and John talk terraforming.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 19: Immortality! Automata! Consciousness Transfererence!

Robin Wasserman, author of the Young Adult science fiction novel Skinned, joins us to discuss hacking Harvard, working in publishing, and writing about the future. Dave and John try to figure out how to upload their minds.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 18: Organ Repossession! Con Men! Dystopian Satire!

Eric Garcia, author of Matchstick Men and Repo Men, joins us to discuss con men, dark comedy, and dinosaurs living among us. Dave and John talk violent satirical ’80s science fiction movies.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 17: Dragons! Fan Fiction! Copyright Law!

Naomi Novik, author of the bestselling Temeraire series (optioned by Peter Jackson!), joins us to discuss history, movies, and the Organization for Transformative Works. Dave and John talk dragons.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 16: Geek Rock! Mad Scientists vs. Zombies! Dave’s Alien Ancestry!

Jonathan Coulton, the geek troubadour behind the album Best. Concert. Ever, joins us to discuss building an online following, working with Valve software, and how you ruined everything. Dave and John discuss music for geeks.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 15: The Black Death! Archimedes! Counterfactuals!

Dan Carlin, host of the Hardcore History podcast, joins us to discuss the history of the future, the origins of the centaur legend, and what the Black Death can teach us about postapocalyptic fiction. Dave and John get medieval on your assumptions about historical fantasy.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 14: Fairies! Unicorns! Action Figures!

Holly Black, author of White Cat and The Spiderwick Chronicles, joins us to discuss scary trees, mobster magicians, and why unicorns are awesome. Dave and John battle evil internet fairies.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 13: Horror! Academia! Our Deepest, Darkest Fears!

John Langan, author of House of Windows, joins us to discuss Henry James, being a professor, and reading comic books in math class. Dave and John talk about what scares them.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 12: Hobbits! Balrogs! My Precious!

Corey Olsen, host of the popular podcast The Tolkien Professor, joins us to discuss hobbits, elves, and balrogs. Dave and John chat about Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 11: Star Wars! Ewoks! The Almighty Sarlacc!

Alexandre Philippe, director of the documentary The People vs. George Lucas, joins us to discuss Jar Jar Binks, movie merchandising, and death threats from Star Wars fans. Dave and John chat all things Star Wars.

The Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast, Episode 10: Space Battles! Giant Ants! Physics!

Tom Rogers, author of Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics, joins us to discuss leaping hulks, giant ants, and why shooting down alien spaceships is harder than it looks. Dave and John examine the role of science in science fiction.