Best Iain Anderson Podcasts (2024)

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Direct: Iain McGilchrist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher, Researcher and Literary Scholar 55:28

7d ago55:28

55:28

In this interview, John speaks with Iain McGilchrist about the differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain and their impact on our perception and interaction with the world. Iain explains that the left hemisphere focuses on details and immediate tasks, while the right hemisphere maintains a broad, vigilant awareness of the envir…

1
Declare, by Tim Powers (feat. Paul Williams) 59:38

1h ago59:38

59:38

Returning guest Paul Williams joins me for a discussion of the 2001 winner of the World Fantasy Award, Declare, by Paul Williams. Secret history, espionage, and fantasy all wrapped into one terrific novel. Spoiler talk starts at 15:03 Notes & Links: Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Book/Coffee!: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sethheasled Support…

1
#118 Schlock and awe: The Paradox Men (1953) by Charles L. Harness 7:47

17h ago7:47

7:47

Get in touch with a text message! Charles L. Harness' 1953 novel The Paradox Men was originally published under the title Flight Into Yesterday. It is a classic example of elevated pulp, which features swordfights, superpowers, voyages to the sun, and a strange furry creature that can speak - if only to speak the phrase "don't go..." The Paradox Me…

1
#117: Man and machine: “A Meeting with Medusa” (1971) and The Medusa Chronicles (2016) 7:28

5d ago7:28

7:28

Get in touch with a text message! Originally published in the December 1971 issue of Playboy, “A Meeting With Medusa” is generally thought of as Clarke’s last significant shorter work. Notably, it won the Nebula Award for Best Novella the following year. It was also an early inspiration for two of Clarke’s successors in the British SF scene. 45 yea…

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“Other people walk their dog, and I walk my book,” a conversation with JW Wartick 1:00:15

18d ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Legend says he’s still reading lists of books to this day. JW Wartick has read all of the Hugo-winning novels, but he’s also read all the Nebula winners, and all the Hugo-nominated novels. To say he’s a voracious reader is to vastly understate the case. But he’s also my friend, and I asked him to … Continue reading "“Other people walk their dog, an…

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Conversations: Peter Court and Walter Purio, Experts in Maritime Security 1:04:34

21d ago1:04:34

1:04:34

In this interview, John Anderson speaks with Peter Court and Walter Purio, experts in maritime security, about Australia’s vulnerabilities in shipping logistics and maritime defence. They highlight Australia’s lack of domestically registered international trading ships, leaving the country heavily reliant on foreign vessels. They also examine the e…

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#116 End of days: The Forge of God (1987) by Greg Bear 7:44

22d ago7:44

7:44

Get in touch with a text message! In The Forge of God (1987), the Earth’s demise is an inevitability. Greg Bear’s novel of apocalypse was published when he was establishing himself as a leader of American hard SF in the 1980s. This is a sophisticated, chillingly believable, and scientifically rigorous view of the end of the world. Crucially, Bear i…

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Zoomed Out: Iain M. Banks, with Damian Mac Choiligh 1:33:10

28d ago1:33:10

1:33:10

Damo Mac Choiligh joins me for a deep look at Scottish SF author Iain M. Banks. Some reading recommendations and notes (not all of these are mentioned in the discussion): Banks 101: The Culture Series: Other SF: Mainstream Fiction: Themes: Advanced Banks: Weird Fiction: The Culture Series: Other SF: Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1304116769…

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#115 Faith in the stars: To Open the Sky (1967) by Robert Silverberg 7:55

1M ago7:55

7:55

Get in touch with a text message! Robert Silverberg's To Open the Sky (1967) combines five pre-planned stories originally published in Galaxy magazine in 1965 and 1966, it is an interestingly structured piece of work published at a time when Silverberg was just entering his own personal golden age. It also combines themes of religion, psychic power…

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Direct: Alexander Downer AC, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia 1:15:39

1M ago1:15:39

1:15:39

In this conversation, John joins Alexander Downer to explore the significant geopolitical challenges of today, drawing comparisons to the dangerous period of the 1930s. Alexander warns of potential large-scale conflicts stemming from entanglements in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for a strong, principled ap…

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Direct: Dennis Prager, Commentator and Author 1:04:33

2M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Dennis Prager joins John to explore the deepening divisions in America today. Concerned with the destructive tendencies of left-wing movements, Dennis points to growing difficulties for young men and women who are deprived of the structure and blessings of Western civilisation. He emphasises that while these issues are daunting, despair is not an o…

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#114 A Thousand Worlds: Dying of the Light (1977) and Tuf Voyaging (1986) by George R.R. Martin 11:20

1M ago11:20

11:20

Get in touch with a text message! George R.R. Martin is easily one of the best-known, most successful, and wealthiest genre writers still working today - albeit slowly. While Martin is a giant of modern fantasy writing, even some of his ardent fans may not be aware that he first made an impact in science fiction. This episode first covers his debut…

1
Direct: With Victor Davis Hanson, Historian, Commentator and Author 1:24:23

2M ago1:24:23

1:24:23

Professor Hanson joins John to discuss his new book The End of Everything, as well as the considerable unrest across America in the lead up to the 2024 Presidential election. They unpack the recent turmoil in higher education and its aggravation due to the unchecked left-wing ideology of those in leadership. They also discuss the unassailable appea…

1
#113 A pair of Aces: The Atlantic Abomination (1960) and Sanctuary in the Sky (1960) by John Brunner 10:14

2M ago10:14

10:14

Get in touch with a text message! John Brunner was a startlingly prolific British writer of science fiction, whose reputation rests on four acclaimed books he published from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. However, earlier in his career he wrote many SF adventures which while less ambitious, are a rich source of pulp excitement. This episode focus…

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Direct: With Dr Albert Mohler, Author, Commentator and Theologian 58:07

2M ago58:07

58:07

In this interview, John talks to highly esteemed author, commentator and theologian, Dr Albert Mohler. Dr Mohler and John discuss the political history and landscape of America in the lead up to the 2024 presidential election. Dr Mohler explores Christian perspectives on American politics, including the difficult choice both President Trump and Bid…

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#112 Empire in time: The Fall of Chronopolis (1974) by Barrington J. Bayley 7:34

2M ago7:34

7:34

Get in touch with a text message! Pure SF pulp, The Fall of Chronopolis (1974) is the fifth novel by British author Barrington J. Bayley. While it superficially resembles a space opera, it is really more of what could be called a "time opera". The Chronotic Empire rules hundreds of years of human history, using powerful time-ships to head off threa…

1
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle (feat. Mandy Self) 1:10:01

2M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

Mandy Self joins me once again to discuss A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle. This is a “Seth’s Picks” episode, but it’s also an award-winner, having won the Newberry Award in 1963. We get into spoilers about 15 minutes in. Mandy’s links:https://twitter.com/Brown_Ajahhttps://twitter.com/MandymoniumPod “Ticky Tacky little boxes” referenced by Ma…

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#111 SF’s greatest partnership? Three novels by Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbluth (1952 - 1959) 17:34

2M ago17:34

17:34

Get in touch with a text message! This special feature episode focuses on three novels written in partnership by Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbbluth - The Space Merchants (1952), Gladiator-at-Law (1955), and Wolfbane (1959). Each unique in their own way, these three books are classics of the genre in the 1950s. They are the products of a special …

1
Direct: With Helen Joyce, Author and Journalist

2M ago

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In this interview, John is joined by author and journalist Helen Joyce to discuss the recent Cass review and its revelations that medical treatment for children with gender confusion has rested on ‘shaky foundations’. John and Helen talk about the history of transgenderism, where it stems from and where it is going. Helen explores the demographics …

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#110 Outside context problem: Excession (1996) by Iain M. Banks 8:13

3M ago8:13

8:13

Get in touch with a text message! Winner of the BSFA Award for Best Novel, Excession (1996) is the fourth novel in Iain M. Banks ever-popular Culture series of SF novels. In this entry, the awesome power of the post-scarcity Culture civilisation is challenged by two linked threats. One is the increasing aggression of a cruel species, the Affront. T…

1
Direct: with Dave Rubin, Political Commentator and Talk Show Host 1:04:16

3M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

In this interview, John talks to Dave Rubin, author, TV personality and political commentator. John and Dave discuss the current political landscape of America, commenting on the upcoming US election in a time of deep polarisation. Dave examines the ineptitude found in the political class, and the contrasting roles of Generation X and Z for securin…

1
#109 No brakes: Tau Zero (1970) by Poul Anderson 10:45

3M ago10:45

10:45

Get in touch with a text message! Poul Anderson's Tau Zero, published in 1970, is a landmark of hard SF which pushes out far further, beyond the Milky Way and into the frightening emptiness of intergalactic space. It also deals memorably with time dilation, and a vast spain of eons. Significantly, Anderson does all of this in a scientifically convi…

1
#108 Fashion victim: The Garments of Caean (1976) by Barrington J. Bayley 8:58

3M ago8:58

8:58

Get in touch with a text message! The Garments of Caean is a science fiction novel by the British author Barrington J. Bayley (1937 - 2008). It forms a part of his classic run of unusual and energetic books in the mid-1970s, and is included in guide 100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels. This is a space opera with an odd hook - it is about clothes, …

1
Zoomed Out: Urban Fantasy, with Katie Heasley 59:01

3M ago59:01

59:01

My little sister Katie joins me for an informal discussion of her favorite subgenre, Urban Fantasy. This isn’t perhaps as scholarly as previous Zoomed Out episodes, just an off-the-cuff discussion with my sister. Sorry for the doggies’ panting that occasionally shows up in the background. The dogs love Katie and couldn’t stop snuggling up to … Cont…

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Direct: With Molly Worthen, Christian Historian and Journalist

3M ago

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In this interview John speaks with Molly Worthen, a highly acclaimed religious historian and journalist. They explore religious liberty, separation of church and state, and the impact of Christianity on America. Molly also speaks about her journey from thoughtful pragmatist to Christian convert, which has only occurred in recent years.…

1
Vernor Vinge Tribute episode 1:04:49

3M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

With the sad news of Vernor Vinge’s recent passing, I decided (at Olav’s prompting) to host a short-notice discussion panel about Vinge’s work. This podcast has previously covered his three Hugo-winning novels, but we go a bit deeper here, giving some other recommendations for Vinge reading. I’m mostly just here to facilitate, and more than … Conti…

1
#107 Living with the dead: The Falling Woman (1986) by Pat Murphy 8:17

3M ago8:17

8:17

Get in touch with a text message! American fantasy in the 1980s is often associated with big, bloated series of novels steeped in Tolkien and Dungeons and Dragons. The Falling Woman is something very different. It isn't set in some imagined world stuck in the middle ages - the story occurs in contemporary Mexico, in and around an archaelogical dig …

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#106 Raising Titans: Imperial Earth (1975) by Arthur C. Clarke 13:43

3M ago13:43

13:43

Get in touch with a text message! Imperial Earth is the second of three novels Arthur C. Clarke published during the 1970s - and of those three, it is the least well-known. The main focus of this episode is to assess this tale of 2276, which takes in the quincentennial of the United States, a technological utopia, and Clarke's coy take on sexuality…

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Conversations: Konstantin Kisin, Podcaster, Comedian & Commentator IV 59:46

4M ago59:46

59:46

John sits down with Konstantin Kisin to discuss a variety of topics, from the war in Ukraine, to multiculturalism and the gradual decline of the West, as well as what it’s like to grow up on a farm. Raised in the Soviet Union, Konstantin is not persuaded by leftist visions of utopia, and exhorts reasonable people to speak out against the ‘woke mob’…

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Oscars 2024 (feat. Lori Anderson, Juan Sanmiguel, and Peter Knoch) 1:27:50

4M ago1:27:50

1:27:50

Lori from Hugo, Girl!, and Juan (frequent bonus episode guest) join Peter and me to discuss our picks for the 2024 Oscars.By Hugos There Podcast

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Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir (feat. Peter Kuskie) 1:11:49

4M ago1:11:49

1:11:49

Peter Kuskie, son of my co-host Colin from TMTYR (and brother of my theme music composer), and also childhood friend of my son, joins me in person for a discussion of Andy Weir’s 2022 Hugo-nominated novel Project Hail Mary. We get into spoilers about 14 minutes in. Comps: Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me … Continue reading "Project Hail Mary, by…

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Conversations: With Danny Kruger, British Politician and Author 40:34

4M ago40:34

40:34

In this interview, John sits down with Conservative MP Danny Kruger at the recent ARC conference to discuss his role in the rise of 'New Conservatism'.Danny argues that over time the UK government has drifted away from the will of the people, eroding traditional values and focusing on global over domestic interests. This shift has provided an oppor…

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