Post-Apocalyptia

Welcome to the season one finale of the Post-Apocalyptia Podcast! Today, we're looking at the big one, the story that started it all for me: Stephen King's 1978 novel, The Stand! In the first part of this two-part episode, we'll talk about the Superflu, also known as Captain Trips, and the devastation it brings to the world. We'll meet our cast of characters, and learn what happens to them as they assemble into the forces of good a...

This week, we take a look at another video game, and another fully fictional world, in Nintendo's 2017 smash hit video game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! We'll talk heroes and villains; princesses and powers; magic and (the) Master Sword, as we save the kingdom of Hyrule from Calamity Ganon! We'll talk about what it's like when your apocalypse is both war and supernatural. Plus, we'll look at ten thousand years and more...

This week, we look at a "near miss" apocalypse, and add aliens to our list, with a famous science-fiction novel by Russian authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky: 1972's Roadside Picnic! We'll talk about stalkers, empties, and a golden sphere--not to mention corruption at all levels of society. And we'll ask ourselves: Would the aliens even notice us? And just what are our lives worth, anyway? This and more, in this week's episode. Jo...

This week, I'm joined by not one, but two guests, as we look at Netflix's 2021 drama, Sweet Tooth! We'll talk about deadly diseases, hybrid humans, and duplicitous doctors--not to mention a truly "Big Man". And what really makes a family anyway--birth, or choice? We'll walk through season one of this television series, and end on our first real cliffhanger. Join us there, at the end of the world!

Sweet Tooth is available on Netflix...

This week, join me as I talk about 1975's film by L.Q. Jones, starring Don Johnson, A Boy and His Dog! We'll talk about impossible distances, loose morals, and a telepathic pet; "Over the Hill" vs. "Downunder"; and possibly the most heinous pun in movie history. Plus, what's up with the Committee, anyway? Join me there, at the end of the world!

This film is Rated R, and is not appropriate for children. This episode is also explicit...

This week, we take a look at the 2022 video game by BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive, Stray! We'll talk about cats with personality, robots with even more, and that most rare of post-apocalypses: the post-human world. We'll ponder the logic of a domed city, and wonder where this game might go if a sequel were to happen. And did I mention cats?? (For the cat lovers in the crowd, of course.) Join me there, at the end of th...

This week, we look at one of the bleakest stories we'll ever cover: Cormac McCarthy's famous 2006 novel, The Road! We'll talk about nuclear winter, the flame of civilization, and the love of a parent. Plus, I'll confess to something truly shocking: How much I hate this book--even while I still respect it. And yes, that scene will get a mention (you know the one, and if you don't, we're going to ruin your day today!). Join us for on...

This week, join me for a look at an obscure but fascinating dystopian action film: 1981's The Last Chase, starring Lee Majors and Burgess Meredith! Windy joins me again to talk about the 1970s energy crisis, mobility as freedom, and authoritarianism. Plus, we'll look at that most unusual of artifacts: an '80s action film with no romance?! We'll also get nostalgic as we talk about our late father, who introduced us to this and many ...

This week, Windy returns to join me and talk about Sam Esmail's 2023 film, Leave the World Behind! We'll talk about misanthropy, infrastructure collapse, and the Friends season finale (yes, really). We'll meet our first true doomsday prepper, and learn about Havana Syndrome; and we'll ask ourselves, what's the cheapest way to take down a country? Join us there, at the end of the world!

Stranger Things, genre, and story structure, a...

This week, we return to the post-nuclear world of Fallout, with the 1998 video game sequel by Interplay Entertainment and Black Isle Studios, Fallout 2! Say goodbye to our old friend the Vault Dweller, and say hello to his grandchild, the Chosen One. We'll discover a new antagonist and a new nation, and learn about the source of entirely too many mutations: The Forced Evolutionary Virus, or FEV. Plus, we'll talk about the legacy of...

This week, we look at what may be the bleakest post-apocalypse we'll ever cover: Harlan Ellison's famous 1967 short story, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream! We'll talk about godlike machines, internet thought experiments, and some serious body horror. And, we'll ask the one question we all know better than to ask: What's the worst that could happen? Walk in the shoes of the last survivors of humanity, and consider why MAAAAYBE ar...

This week, we look at another fully fictional world, in one of my lifelong favorite stories: Stephen King's 1982 novel, The Gunslinger! We'll talk about determination, dying worlds, and the desert to end all deserts. Plus, one of the most famous first lines in modern literature! Join us there, at the end of the world.

List of changes to the 2003 revision of The Gunslinger.

Questions, requests, suggestions, and comments can be email...

This week, I'm joined by my sister, Windy, and her friend, Alex, to look at a true milestone of the post-apocalyptic genre: 1979's Mad Max! Which, despite setting the pace for the genre, somehow manages to be something completely other than post-apocalyptic. But no matter; we'll talk about biker gangs, fuel shortages, and Australian slang, and ask ourselves the truly important questions, like: Who is the Dark One, anyway? Join us t...

This week I'm joined by my son, Ethan, to take a look at our first post-apocalypse set in an entirely fictional world: the 2001 Squaresoft (now Square Enix) Playstation 2 video game, Final Fantasy X! It's machines vs. magic in an island paradise that was destroyed a thousand years ago. We'll talk about sacrifice, the afterlife, and the power of religion--not to mention the most terrifying laugh in history. Plus, everyone has daddy ...

We go all the way back to 1949 for this week's story: George R. Stewart's novel, Earth Abides! We'll talk about fatal plagues, survival vs. living, and a man with a hammer--and, just how hard can it be to survive an apocalypse in California? This and more in today's episode. Join us there, at the end of the world!

Questions, requests, suggestions, and comments can be emailed to us at postapocalyptiapodcast@gmail.com.

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We have a guest this week! We'll take a look at Kevin Costner's other post-apocalyptic movie, 1995's Waterworld! We'll talk about men with gills, scenery-chewing villains, and quick-witted children, and we'll ask the question: What's up with that kid's tattoo, anyway? Also: Have we finally found an apocalypse that no one could survive, if it happened in our world? Join us there, at the end of the world!

Questions, requests, suggest...

This week, we talk about the first in a historic line of post-apocalyptic video games: Interplay's 1997 classic, Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game! We'll talk about retro-futurism, forced evolution, and the easiest nuclear apocalypse to survive--as long as you don't mind a little radiation. Join us there, at the end of the world!

Questions, requests, suggestions, and comments can be emailed to us at postapocalyptiapodcast@g...