Alternate Futures

What if the future of our cities isn't flying cars—but better bicycles? In the very first episode of the Alternate Futures: Beyond Fiction series, I sit down with designer, entrepreneur, and future thinker Jens Martin Skibsted to explore how thoughtful design can reshape the way we live, move, and build tomorrow's world. As founder of Biomega, former Vice Chair of the World Economic Forum&...

What if the street corner doomsayers turned out to be right? Author and musician Wayne Faust and I explore the ideas behind his Calek's Tale trilogy —a compelling blend of post-apocalyptic science fiction, coming-of-age adventure, and philosophical exploration. Our conversation ranges from the double-edged sword of technology to cult psychology, the appeal of certainty in uncertain times, and...

What if the greatest threat posed by artificial intelligence isn't that machines become evil—but that they inherit humanity's flaws? In this episode of Alternate Futures , I chat with Peter McAllister, engineer scientist turned technology manager , and author of The Code , a science fiction thriller that began as dystopian fiction and now feels uncomfortably close to current events. Drawin...

What happens when a former Homeland Security medical intelligence analyst turns a global pandemic into science fiction? Former Department of Homeland Security Medical Intelligence Analyst Helen Hynson Vettori joins me as we explore the real-world experiences that inspired her Black Swan trilogy — a near-future political sci-fi series shaped by emergency management, biological preparedness, cyber w...

Indie sci-fi collective Darkly Lem — five authors writing under one unified pseudonym — discuss their Transmentation series and the broader Many Worlds shared-universe project. They outline a consequence-driven multiverse of interdimensional societies defined by competing values, political systems, and internal power struggles, contrasting it with the MCU’s approach and explaining how they maintai...

Retired Royal Australian Air Force wing commander John R. Carlos talks with me about his debut novel Cryonic Dreams: Awakening and the real-world experiences that shaped its themes of control, surveillance, and ethical clarity. John shares insights from his 42-year military career in administration and logistics, including deployments to Egypt, the Middle East, and Sudan, and describes a post-COVI...

Narrative Designer and video game developer Eira A Ekre joins me as we explore the deeper layers of narrative design, the immersive power of video games, and the growing role of machines in shaping how we think, create, and live. Our conversation about storytelling quickly expands into something more: how interactive worlds influence identity, how structured narratives guide behaviour, and whether...

Applied science fiction collaborator and zoefuturism writer Stephen Oram joins me to explore how policy, technology, and evolving culture shape the futures we imagine. We chat about his work as a former UK Department for Education policy lead, and the UK’s post‑EU search for identity, before exploring his collaborations with scientists — using bespoke fiction to spark public engagement. Stephen ex...

Swedish video game industry veteran David Polfeldt—former managing director at Massive Entertainment—has recently channelled some of his energy into rediscovering the youthful excitement of creativity through his science fiction writing and the creation of Lil Factory, a design-led press publishing limited-edition sci-fi/fantasy books. In this episode, we delve into Sweden’s changing social fabric...

Australian writer Alistair Conwell transforms four degrees across business and psychology, and years of transformative travel through Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent into his novel The Circadian Web: The Space of Time. We discuss how his experiences have influenced his thoughts on topics ranging from the Audible Life Stream and meditation to quantum physics, from consciousness...

Former chief inspector, hostage negotiator, and emergency responder GS Morgan has turned indie sci-fi creator with his debut novel, 'Kris:PR Deus Ex Homine'. In this episode, we navigate his gritty tale of genetic supremacy, cybernetic warfare, and the philosophical descent into posthumanism, to explore the ethical dilemmas of CRISPR technology, the implications of AI on society, and the r...

Cybersecurity by day, author by night, Greg Woolford explores the intersection of technology and philosophy in his debut novel, The Maker's Heir, where an AI's path leads from quiet companionship to existential questions. In this episode, we discuss the ethical responsibilities of creating a self-aware entity, the intersection of AI and human emotion, and how AI may redefine our societal r...

DL Young is a Pushcart Prize nominee and Independent Press Award winner known for his fast-paced science fiction novels. In this episode, we delve into his latest trilogy, 'Empire and Ashes,' which weaves together elements of space opera, political intrigue, and espionage. We also explore the vast world-building involved, including alien races, advanced technologies, and star gates. Young...

Michael Bianco has turned some his attention from engineering fruit preservation technology to crafting Orion's Seed, a pulse-pounding thriller that features an historical power struggle, ancient mysteries, and extraterrestrial visitors from the depths of history. Our conversation spans the frozen wastelands of Antarctica to the most inaccessible places on Earth. We also discuss powerful shado...

Born out of an offhand comment post-back surgery, Paul's debut novel Black Void explores a catastrophic experiment at CERN, resulting in a technology that erases matter instantly. Paul shares his journey from a career in technology and business to becoming a sci-fi author, as well as details about his research trips and the challenges of marketing a self-published book. We also discuss the mor...

Tony Bible shares his humble beginnings, his writing inspirations, and his love for football and role-playing games. We delve into the intriguing tale of 'The Photo Jumper,' where protagonist Allister McClamroch transports himself into photographs in an attempt to solve his best friend's murder. Join us in a discussion about world-building, time travel, and the implications of an AI-dr...

Stephan Mohamed, award-winning author and spoken word performer, takes us through his eclectic journey in creative writing sharing tips on editing and publishing. Discover the surreal and mind-bending world of his latest novel, 'The House on Utopia Way,' a noir detective tale set in a city where reality is fragmented. This episode explores the influences of internet echo chambers, the evol...

In this episode, I sit down with M. Lazslo to discuss his evocative novel 'Anastasia's Midnight Song.' We delve into the creation of a richly detailed, cross-genre tale set during World War I, where characters grapple with schizophrenia and blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Laszlo shares insights on historical settings, the impact of music and technology on the human psyche, a...

In this episode, I interview LG Jenkins, author of the new adult dystopian Merit Hunters series. Discover the intriguing world of 'The Sun of Endless Days,' where merit points dictate every aspect of life, and explore the inspirations behind Jenkins' gripping tales. This episode, recorded live at the Harrogate Library, delves into the pressures of modern society, the challenges of writ...

In this episode, I chat with Brent Golembiewski, a retired US Air Force veteran turned indie sci-fi author. Brent shares fascinating stories from his military career, including his time working on electronic warfare and flying Huey helicopters. He also dives into his transition to writing, discussing his Flat Earth Trilogy, the captivating middle-grade 'Central Fire' series debuting with &...

In this episode, I dive into a fascinating conversation with Ben Paris, an experienced NASA consultant and science museum executive director. We explore his work, including his novel 'Mars Armor Forged' and the complexities of human colonization on Mars. Ben shares his thoughts on political intrigue, the potential of synesthetic heroes in fiction, and the future of humanity in the face of...

Ovid Vesper fought in one of the worst battles of the U.S. civil war where he was almost killed in an explosion. As he returned to the land of the living, something came with him and it's been following him on his journey to reconnect with post-war America, ever since. In this episode, I chat with Frederic S Durbin about the history and themes underpinning his latest novel The Country Under He...

Imagine being able to see 5 seconds into the future and being able to chose the path you want from the myriad of posibilities. Preble Jeffereson has that ability and he knows how to use it. So, what could stop such a person? In part two of my chat with Alexander Boldizar, we delve more into the philosophical ideas behind The Man Who Saw Seconds. We discuss Laplace's Demon and whether omniscien...

Being able to see 5 seconds into the future may not seem like much, but in Alexander Boldizar's latest novel, The Man Who Saw Seconds, it's enough to change the world. This fast-paced story explores the dynamics of power structures, the line between good and evil, and the power of family. And it invites the reader to consider some serious questions: Can you return to what you were after yo...

Sean Robins' latest, Echoes of Extinction, the opening novel of his Voidwalkers Chronicles series, lives up to its title, serving up hefty doses of near extinction events. But it's not all doom and gloom. Canadian ex-pat Robins also seasons his story with an abundance of fun pop culture references, a sardonic AI companion, and the toughest Canadian to explore the galaxy. I chat with Sean a...