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

A routine emergency mission becomes an unforgiving test of physics, law, and human conscience. When one hidden mistake is discovered, a pilot must face a decision that no training could ever prepare him for. The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Today’s episode marks a major milestone. Although it’s episode 465, it features the 500th story ever presented on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Over the years, some episodes have included two stories—and occasionally even more—but this one stands apart.What makes it especially meaningful to me is simple: out of all the remarkable stories we’ve shared during nearly four years of the podcast, this is my personal favorite. When it was first published, the story sparked intense backlash. Many readers were furious, and author Tom Godwin received no shortage of criticism. In just a few moments, you’ll understand exactly why.We’d love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email at scott@lostscifi.com.Open your copy of Astounding Science Fiction, August 1954, to page 62, The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin.…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Guy Burckhardt wakes from a violent dream to find his town subtly—but profoundly—wrong. As June 15th repeats itself, he begins to realize that reality itself may be manufactured. The Tunnel Under the World by Frederik Pohl.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 Listenerhttps://lostscifi.com/podcast/the-cold-equations-by-tom-godwin-episode-465/

A struggling writer’s obsession with forbidden knowledge leads him to a discovery no human mind was meant to grasp. One reckless act opens a doorway to something vast, unseen, and utterly indifferent to human life. The Shambler From The Stars by Robert Bloch. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Haven’t mentioned Rise lately, the all in one wellness drink and the only product I have ever found to get rid of diabetic neuropathy pain. If you have neuropathy you know how awful it is. My pain was so intense it used to wake me up in the middle of the night and I couldn’t go back to sleep.Not anymore. That’s why I take Rise every day. If it didn’t work for me, I wouldn’t recommend it. One scoop a day, with over 50 natural ingredients, helps me stay energized, focused, and pain free and when you are almost 67, like I am that isn’t easy. It supports my immune system, my digestion, my mood, and even my joints.Since starting Rise, I’ve been pain free, felt more alive and more ready to embrace the day. It makes a difference for me.There’s a link in the description, or visit lostscifi.com and click on Rise to see what it can do for you.Rise - http://Lostscifi.com/riseI don’t usually do this, but today we’re making an exception. I want to talk about the next story on the podcast—not today’s episode, but the one that follows.When this story was first published, readers flooded the magazine with letters of protest. They called the author cold. They called the story cruel. They argued it should never have been written the way it was.Decades later, that same story is considered a cornerstone of hard science fiction. It’s taught, debated, and regularly included on lists of the most important science-fiction stories ever written.You don’t want to miss this one.Robert Bloch returns today with a story that first appeared on page 368 in Weird Tales magazine in September 1935, The Shambler From The Stars by Robert Bloch.…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A routine emergency mission becomes an unforgiving test of physics, law, and human conscience. When one hidden mistake is discovered, a pilot must face a decision that no training could ever prepare him for. The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin.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 Listenerhttps://lostscifi.com/podcast/the-shambler-from-the-stars-by-robert-bloch-episode-464/

A young man plots a quiet inheritance in a decaying waterfront mansion haunted by whispers, rituals, and an uncle who knows far too much. When murder collides with forbidden knowledge, the price of impatience becomes far more than death. The Grip of Death by Robert Bloch. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Another newsletter will be sent out in a few hours, free sci-fi and other fun stuff straight to your inbox every week. There is a link in the description and on LostSciFi.comNewsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/How did we release more than 460 episodes without narrating a story by Robert Bloch? That oversight ends today. Born in Chicago in 1917, Bloch is best remembered for Psycho, the novel that became Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film—but that was only one chapter in a remarkable career.Bloch wrote more than 30 novels and hundreds of short stories, publishing his first tale at just 17. His love of the strange began early: at age ten, when his aunt offered to buy him any magazine he wanted, he chose the August 1927 issue of Weird Tales. Years later, speaking at the First World Fantasy Convention in 1975, Bloch recalled waking early on release day and sprinting to a tobacco-and-magazine shop to buy the latest issue—sometimes sneaking it home under his coat if the cover was especially scandalous.Today’s story didn’t appear in Weird Tales, but it is unquestionably a weird tale. From Strange Stories, December 1939, turn to page 85—The Grip of Death by Robert Bloch.…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A struggling writer’s obsession with forbidden knowledge leads him to a discovery no human mind was meant to grasp. One reckless act opens a doorway to something vast, unseen, and utterly indifferent to human life. The Shambler From The Stars by Robert Bloch.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

The Roggs have finally surrendered, and an old freedom fighter sits across the table from the alien who once held his life in a whip’s shadow. On humanity’s long-awaited day of victory, one last, unexpected gesture will decide what kind of people we’ve truly become. Day Of Reckoning by Morton Klass. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Have you signed up for our newsletter? Every week, Lost Sci-Fi Weekly delivers behind-the-scenes moments, rare vintage science fiction, listener shout-outs, exclusive freebies, and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. It’s where the podcast goes deeper — celebrating forgotten classics and spotlighting legendary authors.If you love vintage science fiction, get our free newsletter. There is a link in the description on LostSciFi.comNewsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/I had never heard of Morton Klass but saw his name in the same issue of Fantastic Universe where we discovered First Landing. So I read the story and decided to share it with you. Turns out Morton Klass wrote 11 stories that were published in the 1950s, and one in the 60s. Born in Brooklyn in 1927, after his decade long stint writing science fiction, Morton Klass was a professor of anthropology at Barnard College, Columbia University.From Fantastic Universe in June 1957, on page 37, Day Of Reckoning by Morton Klass.…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A young man plots a quiet inheritance in a decaying waterfront mansion haunted by whispers, rituals, and an uncle who knows far too much. When murder collides with forbidden knowledge, the price of impatience becomes far more than death. The Grip of Death by Robert Bloch.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 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. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.James Blish is best remembered for works like A Case of Conscience which won the Hugo Award in 1959 for Best Novel, and for his influential Cities in Flight series. We have featured just one of Blish’s stories so far on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, King of the Hill, released a little over two years ago.From Thrilling Wonder Stories in June 1939, turn to page 135 for, The Homesteader by James Blish.…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, The Roggs have finally surrendered, and an old freedom fighter sits across the table from the alien who once held his life in a whip’s shadow. On humanity’s long-awaited day of victory, one last, unexpected gesture will decide what kind of people we’ve truly become. Day Of Reckoning by Morton Klass.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

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!!