Escape Pod

1,110

The Original Science Fiction Podcast

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • Mixtape Stories
    Great variety of quality stories
    Escape Pod is one of those go-to podcasts that provides a wide variety of quality stories from various authors. I also enjoy the short commentary at the end of a story’s impact and relevance to our world.
  • eldrithcpossumcat
    Local woman really loves this podcast
    Man, nice little tasty nugget sized sci-fi is so tremendous!
  • PolloGis
    Wonderful
    Episodes contain thoughtful stories, with unique characters and delightfully unusual scenarios, that are narrated by clear and engaging voice actors. The team involved in curating the stories, narrators, hosts, and quotes of the day really put together a beautiful experience. Thank you! Edit: I read some previous reviews that complain about the “LGBTQ agenda” or whatever…as an LGBTQ agenda enthusiast, I really deeply enjoy and appreciate the diverse characters on the stories selected for this podcast. Thank you, again!
  • Sciencegoth
    Joy and wonder
    I listen to escape pod while I’m doing repetitive work in the lab, and I love it because it brings me joy and sadness and great new worlds while I am also doing my own science. Almost every story is a banger. I love that they make an active effort to include marginalized voices as authors, narrators, and editors, it’s music to my soul.
  • tired father
    Escape Pod is the best! Thought provoking stories and excellent readers.
    Escape pod is my first choice among all the story podcasts that i listen to. The story is very tremendously in style for usually thought-provoking, and almost always captivating. Excellent readers.
  • bevillej
    Just a fantastic listen, everytime
    The mothership of the Escape Artists podcast family. The variety in the back catalog is amazing, all consistently high quality SciFi. With the sister podcasts, Podcastle (fantasy) and PseudoPod (horror), there are hours and hours of auditory joy.
  • MaroonedOnEarth
    Brilliant sci-fi stories read by awesome narrators
    There isn’t enough good things I can say about Escape Pod. I binge listened to it during the pandemic. It was indeed an escape for me. I love the diverse and talented writers and adore the amazing hosts and narrators, especially Mur Lafferty, SB Divya, and Tina Connolly. Thanks to everyone who makes this amazing podcast happen!
  • Caitla
    Story selection feels stale
    Their story selection needs work. Feels like they’re chasing a quota, not really looking for anything that is either unique or easy to enjoy.
  • PromisingNewcomer
    Long time listener
    Strange to think it’s been over a decade! I love the variety which continues to introduce new authors and ideas.
  • nospammers2010
    Started great, but...
    I enjoyed it when it was just about good sci-fi, but once the original host had a sex change, the show seems more and more to feel the need to promote alternative sexuality and awkward pronouns. I just want great stories.
  • Mommabird25
    No longer my favorite podcast
    Lately, it seems like every story has been told by a woman who totally over-acts. I like a narrator who delivers a story without interpreting the content. Because when they add too much inflection, It destroys any reason for me to use my imagination, and robs my ability to visualize the action. At first, I was thrilled to enjoy the inclusion of so many talented women, but now it’s swung too far and is excluding local voice actors who have worked so hard to have, ummm, work. When the pendulum swings too far in one direction, It has no choice but to swing the other way. Please escape pod editors, please put some balance back into this podcast!
  • i care a lot
    Great stories, so-so quality
    The stories are reliably thought-provoking and engaging but the audio quality is all over the place. Sometimes great and others so bad that I have skipped stories that I know I would have loved otherwise. This is a five-star podcast with two-star audio. I rounded up and hope they find a way to fix the audio soon.
  • DavidCFar
    Great stuff
    A variety of science fiction material well written with solid narration and audio quality. Flashback episodes with editor comments provide some interesting insight into stories that have stood out from the crowd.
  • Optimist runner
    Sadly, in decline
    Escape Pod used to have memorable and powerful stories. In the past year or two it’s been mostly social dramas with minimal SF shown in. But there are still occasional gems.
  • xyzzy43509
    Escape as fast as you can from this crap
    Unsubscribe as fast as possible. What once was entertaining sci-fi has become someone’s soapbox to push leftist crap. Now you hear poorly written stories with banal plots that are conspicuously retrofitted with identity politics. Yep those folks made a big left turn and are in the ditch. Don’t waste your time on this or any other escape artist podcast.
  • Mary Carroll
    Podcast I’ve listened to faithfully for 7 years
    Fabulous. You must subscribe. I’m hard of hearing so I enable Bluetooth and crank It up. So worth it. Just found You tube Dust. 15 minute films from many countries. Of 20 so far only 2 have not been captioned. Check it out. Same caliber.
  • Roonechr
    A Great Escape
    Great production quality and the best Sci-Fi short fiction out there!
  • IceLore
    Unfortunately not as stand out as it used to be.
    Production quality is good, but the content isn’t as good as it used to be. When I started listening years ago, EscapePod was top notch and the stories were varied and interesting. A lot more “pure” Sci Fi: lots of classic space operas, aliens, and exploration of the human condition. Seems like it’s a bit of a crap shot on what kind of story you’re going to get from EP now - way too many soft options chosen, and very few stand out/memorable stories. Still worth a listen, but speculative fiction podcasts like ClarkesWorld have far surpassed EscapePod in quality content.
  • Catalyst 1143
    Consolidated
    Excellent story. Thank you. George
  • JFG42
    Listener
    Have been listening to these stories for years and they do a fantastic job of picking great stories.
  • Hapi Djus
    Used to be much better
    Narrator selection got sloppy, production of stories went down, writing just turned into typical SJW narrative parroting without a nod to increasing quality. Sad to say goodbye after over a decade.
  • K-loe
    Loved it in the early days but the agenda is to obvious
    I listened since the episodes were in their early 200s I loved the stories and how they are presented, but lately I’m just getting tired on how hard they push the LGBT agenda. A large portion of their selected stories are aimed at that. I feel that a large portion of the stories are selected less on well written content and more on if it has an LGBT message in it.
  • deams66
    Thank you!!
    These stories have brought me so much joy! As far as current stories... the “ Rule of Three” blew me away! Thank you! Thank you!
  • knockonkyle
    Long time fan having troube
    As a far left leaning individual I regret saying that there has been some sort of progressive left take over of this podcast and the content is going downhill in a number of ways. Why does every story have to cater to an extreme minority within the sci-fi culture? This is driving a wedge in the community.
  • davidautrey
    the pod experience
    good readers, wide range of authors, have even started listening to the intro music
  • Akloki
    SJW fiction
    Has ALL Sci-Fi devolved into homogenous social justice warrior fan fiction? Does EVERY story HAVE to be an orgy of pop culture virtue? 80s and 90s Sci-Fi was full of, well, Sci-Fi. 90% of the stories are just depressing social commentary. History will not judge these times kindly. This is just sad Update 4/1/2020 Just listened to the host give step by step instructions to a cat lady on how to kill her cat hating neighbor with oleander and not get caught. WTactualF?
  • in memory of my pop
    Phenomenal
    Have been listening for over ten years, ever since my father showed me this beautiful collection of stories when I was small. He’s no longer around, but I continue to be amazed by the content here. I was blown away by ‘A Box, a Pocket, a Spaceman’. Thank you, all of you who make hearing gems like this one possible.
  • Opal Castmin
    So much fun!
    Escape Pod tends to run fun and funny stories, though occasionally you'll hear darker and more serious fare. I've been enjoying this podcast for years, especially the Hugo nominees they've sometimes run. A favorite fun story from the archives is "How I Mounted Goldie" (actual title is longer). A dark and fascinating one is "Run, Bakri Says." Mur Lafferty and Alasdair Stuart are gems.
  • Altered St.
    5/5
    Top notch SF that everyone can enjoy. Makes my Friday commute so much better. Thank you to everyone involved and keep up the good work!
  • Otterkit
    Gorgeous.
    Gorgeous. Simple as that. Every story is powerful, and every one will take you to new places.
  • sparkle542
    No ads, listener-supported sci-fi stories
    The production value is great. I like the hosts and most of the readers are pretty good, but like with any story podcast the stories themselves are hit and miss. I’m not fond of Young Adult fiction in any genre, and there’s quite a bit of that here. But that’s just my personal preference. That being said, I look forward to the stories every week and support them on Patreon.
  • dumbphoneupgrade
    After years, I regretfully I unsub intersectionality kills again
    I have been in denial for a while now It started pretty slowly when they started adding stories with far left progressive politics. Now it’s every story And it’s not even well written propaganda It’s mostly crap I’ve been a fan for more than 10 years And miss story time when it used to be genuine
  • Onetruegeorge
    A labor of love
    This podcast is very obviously a labor of love made by people who are passionate about good science fiction. No ads, no annoying “personalities”, just a new short story every week with a short intro and outro from the producers. Some of the stories on here have stuck with me for years. Give it a listen!
  • KayakOtter
    Interesting stories that entertain and make you think
    I like this podcast. Interesting stories, every once in a while I will skip one. Good audio quality. Love the intro and exit music. Worth your time to listen if you like Sci-Fi. Try it!
  • Pixelgugu
    Top notch!
    I wish I’d found these sooner. Became a patron so I can do my part to make sure the stories keep coming.
  • JP@90
    Long-time subscriber
    I’ve been listening to Escape Pod since the second year, and I’ve been a regular supporter for 4-5 years now. I love that they have a mix of lesser-known, up-and-coming, and heavyweight sci-fi authors and, with a handful of exceptions, the production quality is superb. The stories they choose are real diamonds. And I’m highly amused by the 4chan dudebros who are crying because they found out sci-fi isn’t 100% straight, white, or male. Because, you know, the world isn’t. Sci-fi has always been about what could be and if you aren’t curious or willing to be a bit uncomfortable, it’s not for you. That’s cool-they can miss out. But you shouldn’t!
  • flyfan1004
    Was a great Podcast, stay away from the current incarnation
    Started listening several years ago and was a great way to hear a selection of Science Fiction. But, that was the past and the current incarnation of this podcast is garbage. Just a bunch of pretentious SJW’s trying to shove their viewpoint down your throat. Having the correct views or being part of a “oppressed” group has become more important then being able to write a good story.
  • Monkey Trick
    I’m done
    I want a fun escape not a bunch of intersectional nonsense. SJWs have ruined this. Nice production tho.
  • A f1049
    Favorite SciFi Podcast
    Each and every show I listen to sticks in my memory and flavors conversations and thoughts for weeks and months following. Appreciate the variation in styles, themes, authors and perspective.
  • Homeri
    Best sci-fi podcast out there!
    I’m a huge fan of escape pod and have been listening for several years. Their range of story types severely expands my world of listening and the quality of their episodes is top notch.
  • PJmorristown
    Noble fiction
    The team at Escape Artists is not in pursuit of a cheap thrill but deep stories that enthrall us, sometimes allowing the chill of space to creep into our bones and sometimes letting us feel the warmth of a new sun circled by twin planets in galaxies far away. Open minded on genders, race and class. A rye laugh occasionally.
  • depthjunkie76
    Fantastic SF
    Great stories, with fantastic narration
  • Sugarpond
    Great stories that stay with you
    I love this podcast and think they do a great job curating the stories. If you love sci fi or just short stories, subscribe!
  • Sudzy723
    Long time subscriber no more
    I have been a long time devotee if Escape Pod and love the stories they have brought to me over the years. That being said the near constant battering of identity politics has soured me to their content. I want fiction for escape from the crazy world for a while. I am sorry to see them go as they have been a big part of my life on the road, but I need to for my sanity.
  • Hovasocia
    So in love!!
    This podcast helps me through my brainless day job, which I do 6days a week. Love the wide range of themes in sci-if. Any chance this may come to Spotify?? Cheers!
  • EvenThisNicknameHasBeenTaken
    The first, still the best!
    Dangerous decibels of star-shattering surf-rock. Fresh stories of improbable futures. Better than breakfast with whats-her-name.
  • Soon To Be Donator
    AMAZING
    One of the best science fiction podcast out there.
  • thetank59
    Was great now just a pc machine not sf anymore
    This was one of my favorite podcasts, but the new editors have an agenda and good storytelling is not the first item on the list. I was once a supporter but now feel I am not welcome to listen.
  • Aeia
    New science fiction every week
    I am a longtime subscriber and I just love getting new, innovative science fiction every single week, right to my phone. The stories make you THINK and the narration is superb.
  • Gussie Fink-Nottle
    Not worth your time
    Escape Pod has had a long history of choosing bad stories with stupid endings, but it’s really accelerated over the past few years. After the original host went crazy (because reading a story into a mic once a week is apparently super stressful) and left things really started going downhill. From the irritating Mur Lafferty, who uses the most ridiculously pretentious sign-off (“Be mighty”) since Dan Rather’s “Courage,” to the vapid musings of Alasdair Whatshisface on the stories, to the series of nasal dweebs that read story feedback (and whom I always envision as fedora wearers), there’s not much to recommend the podcast. Not even the Voice of God himself, Norm Sherman, could save it. At this point, maybe one in twenty of the stories is worth listening to. Your time would be way better spent with other fiction podcasts—particularly Sherman’s “Drabblecast." UPDATE: The podcast continues to get worse. Now there's something called "Dibbeya" or "Dibya" reading feedback. It sounds "special" if you know what I mean. The stories are just awful and the production values are getting even more amateurish.
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