Best 1950s Science Fiction Podcasts (2024)

1
The Luckiest Man Alive! by William Morrison - A Classic Science Fiction Short Story from the 1950s 17:09

3h ago17:09

17:09

The Luckiest Man Alive–obviously, will be the man who’s chosen “Mister Earth”! The Luckiest Man Alive by William Morrison, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thank you for your support. There are many ways you can show your support for The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Dave Wiseman chose to buy is 5 coffees and he had this to say, “As Tina turner once …

1
mini-cast: John Agar 4:12

2d ago4:12

4:12

This episode is about the B-grade actor John Agar who is famous for a handful of sci-fi films from the 50s. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edward-franklin-german/support

1
An Enemy of Peace by Robert Silverberg - Apocalyptic Sci-Fi 30:41

1h ago30:41

30:41

When enemies of peace threaten the System, they must be eliminated. There are many ways to do this. And if all else fails, you can always go to war with them. An Enemy of Peace by Robert Silverberg, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. The February 1957 issue of Fantastic magazine contained a story we heard not that long ago, The Mystery of Dene…

1
Until Life Do Us Part by Winston Marks - Immortality Science Fiction 26:21

2d ago26:21

26:21

It's a long life, when you’re immortal. To retain sanity you've got to be unemotional. To be unemotional, you can't fall in love… Until Life Do Us Part by Winston Marks, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thank you for listening to our podcast and for your incredible reviews. We’re getting more comments than ever on YouTube. Phantomwelds says,…

1
Oh, Rats! by Miriam Allen DeFord - Science Fiction Rats 26:33

2h ago26:33

26:33

Orthedrin, maxiton and glutamic acid—they were the prescription that made him king of his world! Oh, Rats! By Miriam Allen De Ford, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. This is a great vintage science fiction story. You’ll find it in the December 1961 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine on page 68, Oh, Rats! By Miriam Allen De Ford… Next on…

1
#125 Future faith: Let the Fire Fall (1969) by Kate Wilhelm and Strength of Stones (1981) by Greg Bear 8:20

3h ago8:20

8:20

This episode covers two quite different science fiction novels by two quite different writers, published more than a decade apart. What links them is their emphasis on religious themes. Let the Fire Fall by Kate Wilhelm was published in 1969, and is largely forgotten. Set in a near-contemporary world, it deals with alien visitation and a manipulati…

1
The Inquisitor by Robert Silverberg - Science Fiction Grand Master Robert Silverberg Short Story 17:49

32m ago17:49

17:49

It wasn't that Kroll enjoyed watching the traitors broken in body and spirit. But why did they keep insisting they were innocent before—The Inquisitor. By Robert Silverberg, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Science Fiction Grand Master Robert Silverberg has been on the podcast many times with The Mystery of Deneb IV, Never Trust a Thief, Pla…

1
The Deadly Dust by Murray Leinster - The Third Story in the Bud Gregory Saga 1:38:39

1h ago1:38:39

1:38:39

When Geiger counters all over America went into too-high gear, Dr. David Murfree knew there was only one man to see–Bud Gregory, the hillbilly genius of the atom! The Deadly Dust by Murray Leinster, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thanks to Peetee Bee who gave us a 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts Great Britain. “Well narrated. My…

1
Lazarus Come Forth by Ray Bradbury - 1940s Ray Bradbury Short Story 33:34

29m ago33:34

33:34

The Morgue Ship had gleaned information from space that would end the three hundred year war, knowledge that would defeat the aggressor Martians—if Brandon could carry it to Earth. Lazarus Come Forth by Ray Bradbury, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We’ll find today’s story in the Winter 1944 issue of Planet Stories magazine. Peruse the page…

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Adjustment Team by Philip K. Dick - Early Philip Dick Short Story 1:01:34

3m ago1:01:34

1:01:34

Something went wrong… and Ed Fletcher got mixed up in the biggest thing in his life. Adjustment Team by Philip K. Dick, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Another day and another Philip K. Dick story that became a movie. If Adjustment Team doesn’t ring a bell, maybe The Adjustment Bureau will. The Adjustment Bureau starring Matt Damon and Emil…

1
No Shield From the Dead by Gordon R. Dickson - The Golden Age of Science Fiction 20:16

1h ago20:16

20:16

No conceivable force could penetrate Terri's shield. Yet he was defenseless. No Shield from the Dead by Gordon R. Dickson, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We’re excited to welcome Gordon R. Dickson to our podcast for the first time today. Dickson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1923. After his father died, he and his mother moved t…

1
Someday by Isaac Asimov - The Early Days of Sci Fi 24:36

17m ago24:36

24:36

The thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts… but those of a frustrated machine are longer–and deadlier! Someday by Isaac Asimov, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. This is one of my favorite stories. As you’re listening ask yourself what movie or movies this Isaac Asimov story may have inspired. Then comment, on the platforms where you can, …

1
Defense Mech by Ray Bradbury - The Early Days of Science Fiction 36:08

13m ago36:08

36:08

Halloway stared down at Earth, and his brain tore loose and screamed, Man, man, how'd you get in a mess like this, in a rocket a million miles past the moon, shooting for Mars and danger and terror and maybe death. Defense Mech by Ray Bradbury, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We continue to receive many requests every week for more Ray Brad…

1
Blank? by Randall Garrett - The Early Days of Science Fiction 19:38

12d ago19:38

19:38

Amnesia? Well, maybe—but how and where had he earned that $50,000? Blank? By Randall Garrett, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thanks to Irma Stolfo on Apple Podcasts Australia who left us a 5 Star review! “Simply the best. Scott your work is outstanding. I love sci-fi now and am especially hooked on these vintage short stories. Quick and ea…

1
The Akkra Case by Miriam Allen DeFord - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1960s 31:35

8d ago31:35

31:35

In a future society where murder is almost unheard of, the mysterious death of a young girl in Central Park shocks the public and puzzles investigators. The Akkra Case by Miriam Allen de Ford, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Miriam Allen DeFord has never been on our podcast until today. Born in 1888, in Philadelphia, she is best known for h…

1
Gun For Hire by Mack Reynolds - Short Sci-Fi Story From the 1960s 39:03

1d ago39:03

39:03

A gun is an interesting weapon; it can be hired, of course, and naturally doesn't care who hires it. Something much the same can be said of the gunman, too… Gun For Hire by Mack Reynolds, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Analog Science Fiction and Fact Magazine has been published under a number of different titles, starting as Astounding Sto…

1
The Man Who Found Out by Roger D. Aycock - Sci-Fi Short Stories From the 1950s 23:25

2d ago23:25

23:25

It's one thing to blow a bubble of glib, journalistic lies. Quite another to have that bubble burst in a nightmarish, green beyond. The Man Who Found Out by Roger D. Aycock, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thanks to Earp Unpaso who gave us our first 5 Star review on Apple Podcasts Finland.“Absolutely Great. I found this podcast about a year…

1
Derelict by Alan E. Nourse - Sci Fi Short Stories From the 1950s 53:58

5d ago53:58

53:58

What was the mystery of this great ship from the dark, deep reaches of space? For, within its death-filled chambers—was the avenue of life! Derelict by Alan E. Nourse, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We heard Alan E. Nourse three times in the first thirty-four episodes of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast but he hasn’t been heard from in almost two y…

1
#124 Moral hazard: Preferred Risk (1955) by Frederik Pohl and Lester del Rey 8:44

5d ago8:44

8:44

Back in episode 111, I took a trip back to the 1950s, and looked at three books written collaboratively by Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbluth. The first two of these, The Space Merchants and Gladiator-at-Law, are major landmarks in the development of social science fiction. In 1955, while that collaboration was ongoing, Frederik Pohl published an…

1
Second Census by John Victor Peterson - Sci Fi Short Story From the 1950s 32:23

5d ago32:23

32:23

Quintuplets alone would be bad enough, without a census taker who could count them in advance! Second Census by John Victor Peterson, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We’ve done it once again, found an author that we know almost nothing about. We don’t know when or where he was born or when he passed. But John Victor Peterson wrote more than…

1
Travel by Wire by Arthur C. Clarke - The First Published Story by Arthur C. Clarke 16:09

7d ago16:09

16:09

Travel by Wire by Arthur C. Clark, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Today on the podcast you will hear the very first published story written by then 19 year old Arthur C. Clarke. It’s a story we probably never would have discovered if not for sci-fi aficionado Jesse Willis. In fact, there are many stories you have heard that he has shared w…

1
Undersea Guardians by Ray Bradbury - Early Ray Bradbury Short Stories 42:25

15d ago42:25

42:25

All of us have a purpose in life; among us are those whose duty is to act as guardians for those who have a mission to perform. Undersea Guardians by Ray Bradbury, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Today’s story appeared on the cover of Amazing Stories in December 1944. Turn to page 12, Undersea Guardians by Ray Bradbury… Next on The Lost Sci…

1
Saknarth by Donald A. Wollheim - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1940s 17:26

10d ago17:26

17:26

The Master Astrologer was willing to give his life—if only the torch of what little learning existed in the land could be passed on. Saknarth by Donald A. Wollheim, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Let’s turn back the clock 82 years to the Spring 1942 issue of Science Fiction Quarterly. This is our second story from that issue, not that long…

1
On the Fourth Planet by J. F. Bone - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1960s 50:02

22d ago50:02

50:02

To Kworn the object was a roadblock, threatening his life. But it was also a high road to a magnificent future! On the Fourth Planet by J. F. Bone, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Another 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts Australia, psiberlife says, “Excellent. The best reader you could hope for with the best stories.” Thanks psibe…

1
#123 In love with death: Rogue Moon (1960) by Algis Budrys 9:05

14d ago9:05

9:05

Originally published in 1960, Rogue Moon is an excellent novel by the Lithuanian-American author, critic, and editor Algis Budrys. If you read classic science fiction and encounter contemporary reviews of those books, you are sure to have heard Budrys' name. He was a major critic of SF for many years. However he was also a highly capable writer of …

1
The Unseen Blushers by Alfred Bester - Time Travel Short Science Fiction Story From the 1940s 24:32

29d ago24:32

24:32

Out of time he came–to steal unpublished stories and leave immortality as his payment. The Unseen Blushers by Alfred Bester, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Bester is back, Alfred Bester that is. We heard from him not that long ago with a terrific tale, Fondly Fahrenheit. If you missed it I highly recommend you give it a listen. The Unseen …

1
#122 Suffering for art: Meridian Days (1992) by Eric Brown 8:14

22d ago8:14

8:14

A debut novel which deals with guilt, art, and suspicious happenings on a troubled colony founded on matter transmission. The British SF author Eric Brown passed away in March 2023. He first came to prominence through his short fiction in the 1980s. Following the publication of his first collection, Brown was given the chance to put out his first n…

1
Absolutely No Paradox by Lester Del Rey - A Time Travel Sci Fi Short Story From the 1950s 12:12

21d ago12:12

12:12

If time-travel is possible, then why haven't we been visited by people from the future? But Pete LeFranc found the answer to that… Absolutely No Paradox by Lester Del Rey, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Lester Del Rey was the 11th Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master, the SFWA presented him with the award in 1991. There have onl…

1
The Beast of Boredom by Richard R. Smith - A Martian and Time Travel 32:01

26d ago32:01

32:01

The Beast of Boredom wasn't a weapon or a bribe, as he thought. But it was the most ingenious trap of all time! The Beast of Boredom by Richard R. Smith, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thanks to Tif Love who bought us a coffee and says, “I listen to your podcast, and absolutely love it. So I just listened to “All the Girls were Nude” and I…

1
The Beast-Helper by Frank Belknap Long - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1930s 33:51

25d ago33:51

33:51

The story of a dictator who sought to hold power by allying himself psychically with a powerful beast. The Beast-Helper by Frank Belknap Long, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Let’s turn back the clock almost 90 years to August 1934 and open Weird Tales Magazine to page 204, The Beast-Helper by Frank Belknap Long… Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Pod…

1
The Time of Cold by Mary Carlson - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1960s 20:00

1M ago20:00

20:00

Queer creatures! They fled the life-giving sun and hid where even tin froze solid! The Time of Cold by Mary Carlson, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. If Mary Carlson was a singer we would call her a one hit wonder. As an author we don't have a catchy phrase to describe her but we do know she is exactly why we created The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.…

1
Miracle by Ray Cummings - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1940s 33:15

24d ago33:15

33:15

A summons from yesterday, a promise from tomorrow–they had commanded Alan Dane to tear apart the pages of history–to save his unborn son! Miracle by Ray Cummings, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Author Ray Cummings returns to the podcast today. Previous episodes featured his work with Space-Wolf and The Man Who Killed the World. Cummings fi…

1
#121 Seeing is believing: A Wreath of Stars (1976) by Bob Shaw 8:16

27d ago8:16

8:16

What if we share our world with a different intelligent species, but are separated from them by a failure of perception? And what if that gap could be bridged by a new technology, a new way of seeing? That is the premise of Bob Shaw's 1976 novel A Wreath of Stars. In his ninth novel, the Northern Irish writer combined his interest in optics with sp…

1
The Ghosts of the Heaviside Layer by Lord Dunsany - Lord Dunsany Short Stories 37:42

28d ago37:42

37:42

When he discovered something mysterious in his ancient castle he asked a scientist for help. It worked! In fact, it worked too well. Ghosts of the Heaviside Layer by Lord Dunsany, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany, we know him as Lord Dunsany the incredibly prolific author who published…

1
Farewell Message by David Mason - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1950s 12:03

29d ago12:03

12:03

V'gu found Earth primitive and crude. Its hydrogen bombs, for instance... Farewell Message by David Mason, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We say hello to another new vintage sci-fi author today on the podcast. Author David Mason was actually Samuel Mason, born in 1924 although we don’t know his birthplace and we know very little about him.…

1
Inside the Comet by Arthur C. Clarke - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1960s 28:31

1M ago28:31

28:31

When George was given the chance to board the Challenger and chase after the most spectacular sight ever to appear in the heavens he could hardly believe his luck, but be careful what you wish for. Inside the Comet by Arthur C. Clarke, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Arthur C. Clarke needs no introduction, he is one of the most requested au…

1
Starlight! by Isaac Asimov - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1960s 11:09

1M ago11:09

11:09

You asked for more super short stories and we listened. From Scientific American magazine in October 1962 Starlight! By Isaac Asimov… Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, When George was given the chance to board the Challenger and chase after the most spectacular sight ever to appear in the heavens he could hardly believe his luck, but be careful what…

1
The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick - Early Philip K. Dick Short Stories 1:21:45

1M ago1:21:45

1:21:45

The powers of earth had finally exterminated the last of the horrible tribes of mutant freaks spawned by atomic war. Menace to homo sapien supremacy was about ended—but not quite. For out of the countryside came a great golden, godlike youth whose extraordinary mutant powers, combining the world's oldest and newest methods of survival, promised a n…

1
Way of a Rebel by Walter M. Miller - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1950s 37:24

1M ago37:24

37:24

No one knows the heart of a rebel until his own search for the reason of right or wrong is made. Lieutenant Laskell found the answer to his own personal rebellion deep beneath a turbulent Atlantic, and somehow, when the time came, his decision wasn't too difficult… Way of a Rebel by Walter M. Miller, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We’ve he…

1
The Nameless City by H. P. Lovecraft - HP Lovecraft Short Stories 40:38

1M ago40:38

40:38

It lay silent and dead under the cold desert moon, but what strange race inhabited the abyss beneath those cyclopean ruin? The Nameless City by H. P. Lovecraft, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Howard Phillips Lovecraft was born in 1890 in Providence Rhode Island. If you like weird, wacky, horror fantasy science fiction, Lovecraft could be j…

1
#120 Cities at war: Oath of Fealty (1981) by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle 9:08

1M ago9:08

9:08

In a recent episode, we looked at Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth, who formed the most important science fiction writing team of the 1950s. This instalment looks at a key book by a dominant collaboration of the 1970s and 1980s - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. These right-wing hard SF authors worked together on numerous books, and even collaborat…

1
The City of Singing Flame by Clark Ashton Smith - Classic Science Fiction Short Stories from Weird Tales Magazine 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

In the city of strange wonders, the lure of the flame drew them on and on… destruction loomed ahead… The City of Singing Flame by Clark Ashton Smith, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Today marks the debut of Clark Ashton Smith on our podcast. Smith was born in California in 1893. He was an insatiable reader with a photographic memory. He rea…

1
The Mystery of Deneb IV by Robert Silverberg - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1950s 30:00

2M ago30:00

30:00

When Dave Carter tried to rescue the Denebians he found himself in a den of thieves. And he had cause to remember Shakespeare's observation: “He who steals my purse steals trash.” The Mystery of Deneb IV by Robert Silverberg, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Special thanks to Bromite Thrip who bought us 5 cups of coffee! Thanks for your cont…

1
#119: A case of consciousness: The Soul of the Robot (1974) by Barrington J. Bayley 8:37

1M ago8:37

8:37

Barrington J. Bayley's novel The Soul of the Robot (1974) fits within the wider context of robot stories in SF - these include Isaac Asimov's influential tales from the 1940s, and the more subversive work of John Sladek in the 1980s. The protagonist of Bayley's novel, the fully conscious robot Jasperodus, can be seen as a kind of middle ground betw…

1
Atomic Station by Frank Belknap Long - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1940s 46:48

2M ago46:48

46:48

When the energy of Earth’s experimental station in space runs amuck, scientist Roger Sheldon puts up a big battle! Atomic Station by Frank Belknap Long, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. This is the second appearance on the podcast for Frank Belknap Long. You may remember the Time Travel story The Man From Time. Today’s titillating tale is fr…

1
You Risk Your Life by Joseph Slotkin - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1950s 33:39

1M ago33:39

33:39

This was the audience participation show that couldn’t be topped! You Risk Your Life by Joseph Slotkin, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. If the name Joseph Slotkin rings a bell you’ve been with us since the very beginning of the podcast. Episode 3, which was released on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 featured two stories, And All The Girls Wer…

1
Changeling by Ray Bradbury - Ray Bradbury Short Story from the 1940s 24:00

1M ago24:00

24:00

Leonard–or the thing that had been Leonard–must be destroyed! Changeling by Ray Bradbury, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. There are many ways to support our podcast and we are thankful no matter how you choose to show your support. Apple Podcasts listener An Unremarkable Sinner gave us 5 stars on and says, “Amazing Stories. The story choice…

1
Gangway for Homer by George R. Hahn - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1940s 34:23

1M ago34:23

34:23

Here is an epic worthy of you, immortal bard. Arise, oh Homer, and hearken to the classic saga of Achilles Maravain! Gangway for Homer by George R. Hahn, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. An unusual story for you today on the podcast and another debut of an author who isn’t very well known. To be fair almost nobody knows anything about him. H…

1
Slave of Eternity by Roger D. Aycock - Robot Sci Fi Short Story From the 1950s 20:46

1M ago20:46

20:46

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth ... these were the familiar laws of man—Far more fiendish was Heric's punishment—eternal life for the death he'd taken! Slave of Eternity by Roger D. Aycock, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. This is the first time Roger D. Aycock has been on the podcast. Aycock was born in Georgia in 1914. Writing under…

1
The Deep Hole To China by Robert Sheckley 11:56

2M ago11:56

11:56

It’s remarkable what a bright, eager youngster can accomplish with just a pail and a shovel. The Deep Hole to China by Robert Sheckley, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. You asked for it, and here it is another super short story. From Fantastic Universe Magazine in June 1955 on page 125, The Deep Hole to China by Robert Sheckley… Next on The …

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1950s Science Fiction Podcasts

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