Imagine a world where you enjoy the commute to work, hoping for an extra delay here or there so you can finish the musings of an epic Fantasy or Science Fiction show. The average work commute is roughly an hour per day. Instead of languishing to arrive home, why not listen to great audio content on topics you know and love?
There are thousands of free podcasts to download, and it can be difficult to sort out the good from the mediocre. We have assembled a list of 12 great Fantasy & Science Fiction podcasts that will make your commute or lazy Sunday a little bit better. Enjoy!
Sword & Laser
No book is safe from witty banter and hilarious critique in this show. Sword & Laser discusses all kind of cool topics in their lively podcast centering on Fantasy & Sci-Fi works.
Watch this show if you love Fantasy & Sci-Fi novels, listening to interesting discussions on subjects like, "Why You Should Welcome The Robot", and for recommendations on the best and worst new novels to read.
Hosted by: Veronica Belmont & Tom Merritt Website: http://swordandlaser.com
StarShipSofa: The Audio Science Fiction Magazine
Do you love short Science Fiction stories? If so, StarShipSofa is the podcast for you. The show is hosted by a fellow with an awesome Geordie accent (you could mistake it for Scottish). Each podcast features an epic short story read by a guest narrator. After the story, you can expect a lively discussion by numerous authors and Sci-Fi enthusiasts.
Hosted by: Tony Smith Website: http://www.starshipsofa.com
The Once and Future Nerd
The Once and Future Nerd is a delightful audioplay podcast. If you are entrenched by Dungeons & Dragons, role-playing games, knights, wizards, and Tolkien-like characters, this is the perfect storytelling podcast for you.The Once and Future Nerd is a single ongoing story with new episodes released every other week. Each character in the show is voiced by their own voice actor, and have their own Dungeons and Dragons like characteristics and weapons. The Once and Future Nerd was a nominee for Best Podcast in 2015 by The Geekie Awards. Hosted by: Rhiannon Angell, Garrett Armyn, Dan Dobransky, Lily Drexler, Hayes Dunlap, Anya Gibian, Ian Harkins, Emily Kuckuk, Paul Notice, Frank Queris, Julie Reed, Gregory Schulz, Perry Strong, Dylan Uremovich Website: http://onceandfuturenerd.com
Geek’s Guide to The Galaxy
Geek’s Guide to The Galaxy is a heavyweight content packed podcast presented by Wired.com. The show is filled with fantastic guests ranging from George R.R. Martin to Simon Pegg, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The podcast covers a wide variety of topics with lively discussions; such as, Could Superheroes be Sued?, which features a panel of law experts familiar with superheroes. If you are looking for a little-bit-of-everything type of podcast, Geek’s Guide to The Galaxy hits the spot.Hosted by: David Kirtley Website: http://geeksguideshow.com
Relic Radio: Science Fiction
There is nothing on the radio today that can match the sheer quality, sound effects, and amazing voice actors from the radio day of old. Relic Radio is a podcast that replays select stories from classic radio shows.
As soon as you start the podcast, you feel like you have been transported back in time, drawn into a captivating Science Fiction tale that is sure to dazzle and delight. This show is for anyone looking for a good story to listen to, without all the banter, debate, or discussions found in other podcasts.
The Nerdist
If you haven’t heard of The Nerdist, you must be hiding in a post-apocalyptic bunker waiting for the zombie horde to devour us all. The Nerdist was founded by Chris Hardwick, who also hosts The Talking Dead on AMC and @midnight with Chris Hardwick.
The podcast primarily features well known comedians and entertainers of all nerdom genres. The show is great fun, and tends to ramble in all directions with Hardwick occasional whipping guests back on topic. The Nerdist is great for listeners looking for a free-ranging, light-hearted show that covers a wide variety of Fantasy & Sci-Fi news. Hosted by: Chris Hardwick, Jonah Ray, and Matt Mira Website: http://nerdist.com/podcasts
Slice of SciFi
Slice of SciFi is a weekly news podcast focusing on Science Fiction in all of its forms. You know you have a good podcast when Samuel L. Jackson credits your show saying, “I think it is very cool… without you guys no matter how much hell I raised… it wouldn’t have happened unless you got on the wagon and helped me do that.”
Slice of SciFi is great if you are looking for a program that covers all the latest scoops in Science Fiction. For over 5 years, the show was featured on satellite radio, and you can trust that they will deliver high quality content every week. Hosted by: Summer Brooks Website: http://www.sliceofscifi.com
Speculate!
Are you a writer or hardcore lover of Speculative Fiction? If so, you will certainly be interested in the podcast Speculate!. This show is hosted by two writers of speculative fiction and focuses on book reviews, author and artist interviews, and discussion of writing techniques.
Speculate! digs beneath the surface to bring in-depth commentary to their audience. If you are looking for a podcast to listen to as a creative writer or book lover, then this is the podcast for you. Hosted by: Gregory Wilson & Bradley Beaulieu Website: http://www.speculatesf.com
Gecken
Gecken is an epic radio talk show style podcast on all things geek. From Deadpool to Star Wars, and video games, Gecken covers all of your favorite nerd topics. A typical episode is basically an informed version of your friends entertainingly debating, arguing, and discussing the latest fandom related news. If you want something fun and geeky with lots of laughs, this podcast delivers. Hosted by: Crix Lee & Mayor Young Website: http://geeknation.com/podcast/gecken
Full of Sith
Are you a Star Wars fan? If so, it's about time you start listening up to become a Jedi Master, or Sith Lord. Full of Sith is a full featured program highlighting all the latest Star Wars news. These guys are experts, and go into epic conversations from material all over the Star Wars Galaxy. Young Padawans should be cautious, the host writes for StarWars.com and you may be subject to imperial propaganda from time to time. Hosted by: Mike Pilot, Bryan Young, and Consetta Parker Website: http://fullofsith.com
Geek History Lesson
Did you know Ant-Man was once a member of the Fantastic Four? If you did, it might have been because you watched the podcast Geek History Lesson. This podcast does an exceptional job at delving into all the geeky facts of your favorite fandoms. The hosts tend to keep the show topical, so you can learn all the awesome facts to drop on your friends before you watch the latest superhero movie or television show. If you are looking for something different and would like to brush up on your nerd IQ, this is the podcast for you. Hosted by: Ashley Robinson & Jason Inman Website: http://geekhistorylesson.libsyn.com, and Stitcher Radio here.
Drive To Work
If you play Magic: The Gathering, you need to immediately download Mark Rosewater’s Drive to Work podcast. I guarantee it is worth the time. His weekly podcast is the greatest Magic: The Gathering history and lore archive on the internet.
Mark has been an integral part of Magic: The Gathering since its inception, and is a walking talking inside encyclopedia on the game. In his podcast, he shares amazing inside stories about the early years of Magic that you can’t find anywhere else. If you love Magic: The Gathering, this is the definitive podcast that will make your commute an enjoyable one. Hosted by: Mark Rosewater Website: http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/tagged/Drive-to-Work and Player FM