The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

In a future where humanity has grown soft, only their self-evolving machine descendants stand between Earth and an unstoppable alien force. As the last humans watch the end of their own era, a new kind of intelligence rises to decide the fate of everything that lives—or once lived. The Last Evolution by John W. Campbell. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.We will never be able to thank you enough for everything you do for The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Spotify just released their annual Spotify Wrapped, and thanks to you, The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast was honored with three awards — a 2025 Marathon Show, meaning you listened to us more than 99% of the millions of podcasts on Spotify… a 2025 Talked About Show, with more comments than 99% of all podcasts… and a 2025 Most Shared Show, with more shares than 99% of every podcast on Spotify. You made this possible. Thank You!John W. Campbell would become one of the most influential men in early science fiction as the editor of Astounding Science Fiction magazine. In fact Isaac Asimov said he was, "the most powerful force in science fiction ever”. Campbell encouraged author Cleve Cartmill to write a story—and collaborated closely with him—that laid out the fundamental principles behind building an atomic bomb, nearly a year before the first nuclear test. When the story appeared in print, the accuracy of its scientific details alarmed authorities enough that the FBI showed up at Campbell’s office, demanding that the issue be pulled from newsstands. Campbell argued that suppressing the magazine would draw far more attention to the existence of a secret government project than simply leaving it alone. His reasoning prevailed, and the issue remained in circulation.If you’ve ever wondered what Artificial Intelligence could mean for humanity’s future you might want to pay close attention to today’s story. First published on page 414 in Amazing Stories in August 1932, The Last Evolution by John W. Campbell…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A hard-nosed troubleshooter arrives on the Moon to investigate vanished rocketships, only to stumble onto a secret no human was ever meant to find. Amid lunar dust and deceptive calm, he uncovers a stranger living alone… and a truth that rewrites everything. The Homesteader by James Blish. Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/Rise - http://Lostscifi.com/riseFacebook - http://Lostscifi.com/facebookX - http://Lostscifi.com/xInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Joannie West, Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

A man awakens in the home of a mysterious scientist after a violent accident, only to discover extraordinary strength coursing through his body. But the secret behind his transformation—and the bizarre experiments around him—hints at forces far beyond anything he imagined. The Curious Experience of Thomas Dunbar by Francis Stevens. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Another week and another newsletter sent to Lost Sci-Fi listeners around the world. Fun stuff and free sci-fi every week. If you would like to have it sent directly to your inbox every week there is a link to subscribe in the description or you will find a link on lostscifi.com.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/We have narrated only one Francis Stevens story before today. The Elf Trap was on the podcast about 8 months ago. Francis Stevens—born Gertrude Barrows Bennett, is one of the most influential and overlooked early masters of speculative storytelling. Publishing under a pen name, she shaped the foundations of dark fantasy and early science-fiction thrillers long before the genre had a name.Today’s story is one of scientific ambition, unexpected power, and the thin line between discovery and danger. Let’s travel back in time 121 years to March 1904 and open The Argosy Magazine to page 663, The Curious Experience of Thomas Dunbar by Francis Stevens…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, In a future where humanity has grown soft, only their self-evolving machine descendants stand between Earth and an unstoppable alien force. As the last humans watch the end of their own era, a new kind of intelligence rises to decide the fate of everything that lives—or once lived. The Last Evolution by John W. Campbell. Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/Rise - http://Lostscifi.com/riseFacebook - http://Lostscifi.com/facebookX - http://Lostscifi.com/xInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Joannie West, Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

Caught in the fog-choked wilds of Venus, Castle stumbles into a mystery far stranger than the hostile “natives” stalking him through the gloom. His only chance at survival lies in unraveling who — or what — really claims this harsh alien world. First Landing by Roger D. Aycock. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Things just keep getting better! Thanks to all of you amazing Lost Sci-Fi lovers, we’ve climbed to #2 in Science Fiction podcasts in Norway and #3 in Canada. We’re honored—and it’s all because of you.A special shout-out to Joannie West, who bought us 3 coffees. Joannie wrote, “Scott, thank you so much for producing these sci-fi podcasts. Your storytelling has taken me to worlds and adventures that I can only dream about.” Joannie, thank you—your support means a lot, and your kind words absolutely made our day.☕ Buy Me a Coffee http://Lostscifi.com/coffeeIf you’d like to buy us a coffee, you’ll find the link in the episode description and on LostSciFi.com.And thank you for all the wonderful comments on our bonus episode—a musical “thank you” to all of you. By request, we’ll be making the songs available for download on the Soundwise app and directly from LostSciFi.com as MP3 files. Feel free to share them with anyone you like. We’re so glad you enjoyed them!Roger Dee, real name Roger D. Aycock, published extensively throughout the 1950s and 60s, crafting stories that mixed frontier exploration with subtle psychological tension. Today’s story is a perfect example of how he revealed the wonder — and the danger — of stepping onto an alien world for the very first time. From Fantastic Universe magazine in June 1957 on page 62, First Landing by Roger D. Aycock…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A man awakens in the home of a mysterious scientist after a violent accident, only to discover extraordinary strength coursing through his body. But the secret behind his transformation—and the bizarre experiments around him—hints at forces far beyond anything he imagined. The Curious Experience of Thomas Dunbar by Francis Stevens.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/Rise - http://Lostscifi.com/riseFacebook - http://Lostscifi.com/facebookX - http://Lostscifi.com/xInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Joannie West, Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

This is not a regular episode of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.It’s a fun bonus episode, a sci-fi themed musical thank-you we made just for YOU.Your regular vintage sci-fi stories will continue in the next few days.Enjoy!!

A desperate Contact Man races to secure a planetary trade contract, only to discover a world ruled entirely by astrology and fear. When a disastrous landing sends him spiraling into the underworld of Mert, he must outwit fate itself to survive — and change the future. Conquest Over Time by Michael Shaara. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Before earning the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara spent years crafting science fiction rich with energy, sharp humor, and boundless imagination. His sci-fi debut, Orphans of the Void, appeared in 1952 and has already been featured on the podcast. Four years later, in 1956, he returned with today’s tale. So open your 69-year-old issue of Fantastic Universe, November 1956, turn to page 80, and enjoy Conquest Over Time by Michael Shaara…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Caught in the fog-choked wilds of Venus, Castle stumbles into a mystery far stranger than the hostile “natives” stalking him through the gloom. His only chance at survival lies in unraveling who — or what — really claims this harsh alien world. First Landing by Roger D. Aycock.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/Rise - http://Lostscifi.com/rise☕ Buy Me a Coffee http://Lostscifi.com/coffeeFacebook - http://Lostscifi.com/facebookX - http://Lostscifi.com/xInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

A routine survey of an unremarkable planet spirals into dread as two explorers discover a network of perfectly round holes that seem to defy nature, physics, and common sense. What begins as scientific curiosity soon becomes a race to understand what’s growing beneath the sand—and why the holes are widening. The Holes by Michael Shaara. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.This has been an absolutely incredible week. Just days ago we became the #1 science fiction podcast in Finland—then Denmark—and at the same time we returned to #1 in Kenya. The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast has now reached the #1 spot in 32 countries, something we never even imagined when we started this journey.We’ve also crossed roughly 1,000 ratings and reviews across all platforms, with an amazing 4.9 out of 5 average. You made that happen. Your ratings, your reviews, and every time you share the show have pushed us to the top in Finland, Denmark, Kenya, and 29 other countries.Wherever you live and however you listen, thank you for helping us achieve something extraordinary. Our promise is simple—we’ll honor your support by continuing to bring you the very best in vintage science fiction. The mission is the same as it was when we began, I will narrate vintage sci-fi and share these amazing stories with you for the rest of my life.Every once in a while, I start narrating a story and enjoy it so much that I have to stop, step out of the booth, and search for more by the same author. It happened again today while recording today’s tale. So there’s another story by Michael Shaara in our next episode.What begins as a routine planetary survey turns strange when two explorers encounter perfectly round shafts that plunge into impossible depths. Their instruments fail, their assumptions crumble, and the truth they uncover is something neither of them could prepare for.Crack open the June 1954 edition of Fantastic and turn to page 116, The Holes by Michael Shaara…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A desperate Contact Man races to secure a planetary trade contract, only to discover a world ruled entirely by astrology and fear. When a disastrous landing sends him spiraling into the underworld of Mert, he must outwit fate itself to survive — and change the future. Conquest Over Time by Michael Shaara. Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://x.com/LostSciFiPodInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

A desperate treasure hunt on the frozen surface of Mars turns explosive when three men uncover the legendary weapons of a vanished civilization. But the greatest danger is not what the Martians left behind — it’s the ambition boiling inside the humans who find it. The Last Weapon by Robert Sheckley. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.You’ve done it again! Thanks to your incredible support, we’re officially the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in Finland. That makes 32 countries where we have hit #1 thanks to you!This milestone is far more than a ranking. It reflects a passionate community that continues to embrace classic sci-fi, rediscover forgotten treasures, and celebrate the authors who shaped the genre. Every listen, share, and review helps our podcast reach new audiences, keep these timeless stories alive, and shine a light on the legends of yesterday for listeners today. Thank you.There was a time when I had never even heard the name Robert Sheckley — until our friend Jesse urged us to explore his work. Since then, Sheckley has become one of my absolute favorite authors.Our previous story, The Nine Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke, first appeared in Star Science Fiction Stories in February 1953. While researching that story, we discovered this one as well — published in the very same volume — and we knew we had to share it with you.Turn to page 155, The Last Weapon by Robert Sheckley…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A routine survey of an unremarkable planet spirals into dread as two explorers discover a network of perfectly round holes that seem to defy nature, physics, and common sense. What begins as scientific curiosity soon becomes a race to understand what’s growing beneath the sand—and why the holes are widening. The Holes by Michael Shaara.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://x.com/LostSciFiPodInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

A team of engineers travels to a remote Tibetan monastery to install a computer meant to complete a centuries-long sacred task. But as the machine nears the end of its work, the engineers realize the monks believe its final output will trigger something far greater than they ever imagined. The Nine Billion Names Of God by Arthur C. Clarke. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Have you filled out our listener survey? We want to know what you think about The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, and we would really appreciate it if you would take the time to participate. There is a link to the survey in the description or you can find it at lostscifi.com. Survey - https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk?Today’s story is one of Arthur C. Clarke’s most famous and most debated works—The Nine Billion Names of God. First published in 1953, it blends technology, philosophy, and belief in a way that only Clarke could.In this tale, two engineers trek into the remote Himalayas to help a monastery complete a centuries-old sacred project. What begins as a straightforward installation job slowly reveals an idea so vast and unexpected that it has echoed through science fiction ever since.Clarke is at his most graceful and unforgettable here. The story later earned the Retro Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 2004. It first appeared in Ballantine Books’ Star Science Fiction Stories anthology in February 1953, released in both paperback and hardcover. We are looking for the last story on page 195, The Nine Billion Names Of God by Arthur C. Clarke…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A desperate treasure hunt on the frozen surface of Mars turns explosive when three men uncover the legendary weapons of a vanished civilization. But the greatest danger is not what the Martians left behind — it’s the ambition boiling inside the humans who find it. The Last Weapon by Robert Sheckley.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://x.com/LostSciFiPodInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

In a rundown San Francisco apartment building, Ellen begins to suspect something monstrous is hiding behind her neighbors’ polite smiles. When the cats go missing and the noises in the walls grow louder, she realizes she might be the only human left who knows the truth. Know Thy Neighbor by Elisabeth R. Lewis. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Your support means a lot to us. Amy Özkan just bought us 3 coffees and added this message: “I appreciate this podcast and that you have narrated so many stories that we can choose from. I enjoy old-time radio science fiction series like "X Minus One" and others that were created for adults. I found your podcast when I finished listening to just about every old time sci-fi drama I could find. This has become a regular night time routine for me as I enjoy listening just before falling asleep. Thank you Scott.”Thank you Amy! We appreciate you.Thanks for the great feedback on our weekly newsletter! Want every Monday’s issue delivered to you—along with free sci-fi and other goodies? Tap the link in the description or head to LostSciFi.com.Today’s story, Know Thy Neighbor by Elisabeth R. Lewis, takes us into a San Francisco apartment building where something strange is happening behind closed doors. A dead cat, a frightened tenant, and whispers of a green-skinned intruder turn a normal morning into mounting dread.Lewis was one of many talented women who wrote for the pulp magazines but never received the recognition they deserved. It’s the only story of hers we’ve been able to uncover, and once you listen, we think you’ll feel the same way we do: if only we had a time machine to urge her to keep writing.Published in February 1953 in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine on page 100, Know Thy Neighbor by Elisabeth R. Lewis…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A team of engineers travels to a remote Tibetan monastery to install a computer meant to complete a centuries-long sacred task. But as the machine nears the end of its work, the engineers realize the monks believe its final output will trigger something far greater than they ever imagined. The Nine Billion Names Of God by Arthur C. Clarke.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://x.com/LostSciFiPodInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener