Podcast
Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi
Hosted by Tony Tellado · EN
Where Imagination Meets What It Means To Be Human
127episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Journey to Arrakis — Episode 3: Brian Herbert
1w ago00:46:19Tap to summarizeBrian Herbert reflects on the extraordinary process of interpreting and expanding the notes his father left behind. He discusses: The discovery of Frank Herbert’s outline for the final Dune novel The emotional weight of continuing a story his father began Collaborating with Kevin J. Anderson to honor the original intent while expanding the universe Featured Audio: A Moment from the Dune Audio Series Courtesy of Macmillan Audio, listeners hear a vivid excerpt from the Dune Audio series — a moment that captures the tension, mysticism, and grandeur of the later Dune novels. This immersive clip anchors the conversation in the sound and spirit of Arrakis, offering a sensory bridge between the Herbert legacy and the world they created. SAVE 17% ON PLUS
Transcribe →
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Redemption in a Dystopian Gotham
1w ago00:19:52Tap to summarizeTony revisits the red carpet for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, the two‑part animated epic directed by Jay Oliva and adapted from Frank Miller’s seminal 1986 comic. Released in 2012 and 2013, the films depict a dystopian Gotham where an aging, battle‑scarred Bruce Wayne, now 55, is forced out of retirement as the city collapses under violence, corruption, and moral decay. Conversations with David Selby (Commissioner Gordon), Jay Oliva, and legendary voice director Andrea Romano capture the creative energy behind a story that reshaped how audiences understand Batman — not as a symbol of youth and invincibility, but as a man confronting time, trauma, and the consequences of a lifetime of war. Setting the Stage: Gotham in Decline Ten years after Batman’s disappearance, Gotham is overrun by the Mutants, a violent gang whose rise symbolizes societal collapse. Bruce Wayne, haunted by the death of Jason Todd, struggles with aging, guilt, and the fading relevance of his mission. The film’s dystopian tone reflects Miller’s original intent: a world where institutions fail, heroes fracture, and morality becomes a battlefield. The Dark Knight Returns is a cornerstone of modern superhero storytelling — a meditation on identity, legacy, and the human cost of heroism. SAVE 17% ON PLUS
Transcribe →
Clappers and Takes — Episode One
2w ago00:23:19Tap to summarizeIndie Sci‑Fi, Horror & Fantasy Spotlight Two indie films that approach fear, identity, and the unknown from completely different angles. One is cosmic terror in the woods; the other is a psychological fantasy that turns romance into revelation. Together, they showcase why indie genre filmmaking remains one of the most daring corners of cinema. Extraterrestrial — Colin Minihan’s Alien Terror in the Trees A cabin getaway becomes a nightmare when a group of friends witness a mysterious crash in the woods. What they find isn’t debris — it’s an alien spacecraft, complete with footprints leading away from the impact site. A conversation with Colin Minihan explores how he built tension from isolation, paranoia, and the fear of breaking a cosmic pact. Minihan’s approach blends classic alien‑abduction dread with indie grit, making Extraterrestrial a standout for fans of grounded sci‑fi horror. Where to watch: Prime Video and Netflix. Reflections — Anthony Khaseria’s Dark Fantasy of Self‑Confrontation A beautiful couple enters a charming café expecting a romantic evening. Instead, they discover a hidden mirror that doesn’t show their ideal selves — it shows the truth they’ve been avoiding. In Reflections, the mirror becomes a portal into a malefic cycle, trapping the couple in a loop where they must confront their inner demons. The film blends fantasy with psychological horror, offering moments that feel almost like a Harry Potter‑style magical reveal, except the magic here exposes unsettling realities rather than wish fulfillment. Khaseria’s award‑winning short uses minimalism, atmosphere, and emotional precision to create a story that lingers long after the final frame. It’s a reminder that fantasy can be intimate — and terrifying — when it turns inward. Where to watch: YouTube SAVE 17% On PLUS
Transcribe →
Byte - My Most Popular Shorts on YouTube
2w ago00:08:57Tap to summarizeEnjoy these popular shorts. Maybe they work because they hit the sweet spot — iconic genre performers reflecting on character evolution, emotional truth, and the moments that shaped fan‑favorite stories. This set feels like a curated anthology of sci‑fi, fantasy, and horror insight, each clip delivering a sharp, memorable beat. Included Are: Alexander Skarsgård — The Evolution of Murderbot David Dastmalchian — Keeping Humanity Lynn Collins — Revisiting John Carter Andrew Robinson — Garak & Bashir’s First Meeting Andrew Lincoln — What Drew Him to The Walking Dead SAVE 17% ON PLUS
Transcribe →
Byte — Evil Dead Burn
2w ago00:08:51Tap to summarizeThis episode digs into the newest, blood‑splattered chapter of the Evil Dead legacy — a story that twists grief, family, and demonic possession into a brutal, character‑driven nightmare. With exclusive audio from Warner Bros. and interviews that illuminate the film’s creative choices, Evil Dead Burn becomes a showcase of how the franchise keeps evolving while staying ferociously true to its roots. The film centers on a woman reeling from the loss of her husband. Seeking refuge, she retreats to stay with her in‑laws — hoping for comfort, stability, and a chance to breathe again. Instead, she finds herself trapped in a home where the familiar becomes monstrous. One by one, her in‑laws transform into deadites, twisting the bonds of family into weapons of terror. As she fights to survive, she discovers a chilling truth embedded in the film’s core theme. The vows she took in life — survive even in death. Interviews & Creative Insights Luciane Buchanan — Becoming a Deadite Tandi Wright & Madeleine Davey — Building the Family Dynamic George Pullar & Erroll Shand — The Art of Prosthetics Hunter Doohan — Playing Joseph Souheila Yacoub — The Mystery of Alice Sébastien Vanicek — Connecting Burn to Evil Dead Lore & Making Something New Connecting Burn to the established lore without repeating what’s been done Crafting something unique, with new rules, new emotional stakes, and a fresh visual identity Vanicek explains how he honored the franchise’s DNA — the Book, the deadites, the brutality — while pushing the mythology into new territory. SAVE 17% ON PLUS
Transcribe →
A Look at Planet Of The Apes
2w ago00:10:06Tap to summarizeThis episode dives deep into the creation of Planet of the Apes (1968), tracing how a bold, philosophical sci‑fi concept became one of cinema’s most iconic films. You walk listeners through the production journey, the evolution of the script, the artistry behind the apes, and spotlight three characters whose performances shaped the franchise’s legacy. Topics include: Budget realities forced a dramatic pivot: the ape society became pre‑industrial, leaning into horses, huts, and tribal hierarchy. Filming Locations - The production leaned heavily on rugged, natural environments: The Score - Jerry Goldsmith’s avant‑garde composition Shooting The Finale Design Forced perspective shots Matte painting enhancements SAVE MONTHLY ON SCI-Fi TALK PLUS
Transcribe →
Explore Monthly July 2026
2w ago00:09:15Tap to summarizeJuly’s episode is stacked — major franchise updates, bold creative swings, industry losses, and one of the biggest “power rankings” lists in fandom history. This edition gives your listeners a clean, high‑impact overview of what’s shaping genre storytelling right now. The Stories This Month Silo Season Three Supergirl — Screenwriter Speaks My Take On Supergirl House of the Dragon Robert Eggers’ Werwulf Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 Writer The Death of Robin Hood — Make‑Up & Costumes An Absolute Batman Series CBR’s “40 Strongest Fictional Characters of All Time” SAVE MONTHLY ON PLUS WITH A LOW PRICE
Transcribe →
Rewind — Falling Skies Season Three
2w ago00:52:19Tap to summarizeSeason Three of Falling Skies opens with a bold time jump, dropping the 2nd Mass into a radically changed world. Charleston has become a fledgling capital, Tom Mason is now President, and humanity is attempting to rebuild while still under the shadow of alien occupation. But the biggest shift is the uneasy alliance with the Volm, a mysterious extraterrestrial race promising salvation from the Espheni. Their arrival brings hope, suspicion, and a new layer of political tension — especially as the 2nd Mass discovers that peace is far from guaranteed. This Comic‑Con roundtable captures the cast and creators reflecting on the season’s expanded mythology, evolving characters, and the moral complexity of fighting alongside one alien race to defeat another. SAVE 17% ON PLUS
Transcribe →
Bear McCreary: The Sound of Epic Worlds
2w ago00:19:18Tap to summarizeA roundtable with Bear McCreary at San Diego Comic‑Con is a gift — he’s one of the few composers whose work doesn’t just accompany genre storytelling, it defines it. Bear McCreary, the Emmy‑nominated composer whose music has shaped some of the most influential genre stories of the last two decades. With six Emmy nominations and a résumé that spans space opera, pirate adventure, apocalyptic horror, dystopian sci‑fi, and high fantasy, McCreary’s work has become synonymous with emotional depth and world‑building through sound. SAVE 17% ON PLUS
Transcribe →
The Walking Dead — Medina Senghore on Annie Smith
3w ago00:14:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Tony chattged with Medina Senghore, who brought quiet strength and emotional clarity to Annie Smith in The Walking Dead’s final season. Introduced in Season 11, Episode 13 (“Warlords”), Annie emerges as a respected figure within the Riverbend/Riverside community, offering counsel, stability, and moral grounding during one of the show’s most politically volatile arcs. Though her time on the series is brief, Annie’s presence reshapes the emotional landscape around Negan, revealing a side of him defined not by brutality, but by responsibility, partnership, and the terrifying hope of a future. Her performance balances warmth with resilience — a survivor who has already made peace with the world’s darkness and refuses to let it define her family’s future. SAVE 17% ON PLUS WITH COMMERICIAL FREE EXCLUSIVES
Transcribe →