Futureverse Podcast

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran sit down with acclaimed author Sam J. Miller. They explore themes of dystopia, activism, and the intersection of technology and nature while reflecting on the realities of marginalized communities, the impact of AI governance, and the hopeful resilience of people in the face of adversity.The full transcript is available on the episode page. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran sit down with acclaimed author and scientist, Naomi Oreskes. They delve into the world of climate communication, from historical turning points to the influence of money and ideology in climate denial. She also shares insights from her books and discusses the hurdles of addressing capitalism in the climate conversation and the power of fiction in tackling climate issues and the urgent need for effective science communication.The full transcript is available on the episode page. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview author Jeff VanderMeer to discuss, among many things, his latest novel, Absolution, the unexpected fourth installment of the Southern Reach series. The conversation explores the tangled web of human-environment relationships and how novels can serve as testing grounds for exploring ecological and psychological ideas. VanderMeer also talks about why he challenges the very terminology of “climate fiction” — he’s quite convincing!The full transcript is available on the episode page. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview author Stephen Markley to dive deep into his novel, The Deluge. Through a meticulous exploration of a progressively destabilizing world, Markley illustrates the possible futures we might face if we fail to act on climate now.They also discuss the American-centric narrative, climate denialism, surveillance capitalism, and the political dimensions of climate action. Time stamps and the full transcript are available on the episode page. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview Edan Lepucki about her works of climate fiction, including her novel California and her short story "There's No Place Like Home."Their discussion probes the intersections of climate fiction, personal relationships, and societal dynamics in a changing world. From fears of societal regression to the intricacies of world-building, Lepucki shares how climate change informs her narratives, seamlessly weaving environmental concerns into the fabric of her character-driven stories and challenges readers to confront the fragility of progress and the complexity of human nature amidst a backdrop of environmental catastrophes.Time stamps and the full transcript are available on the episode page. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview acclaimed author, TC Boyle. The conversation dives into the climatic and biological challenges facing our planet and how they provide both a warning and an invitation to consider the permanence of life amidst human-induced environmental changes.  Time stamps and the full transcript are available on the episode page. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview American novelist and essayist Nathaniel Rich. Listen as they delve into the complexities of climate activism, political challenges, and literary reflections on the environmental crisis through Rich’s climate-inflected fiction and nonfiction works. Discover how literature grapples with the post-natural world, offering narratives that challenge traditional views of wilderness and human impact. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the urgent need for nuanced storytelling and meaningful policy responses in the face of environmental upheaval.The full transcript is available on the episode page. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview poet and author Janice Pariat. They chat about her latest novel, "Everything the Light Touches," and how her passion for nature and the environment has influenced her writing. Pariat reflects on the power of storytelling and hope in addressing climate change and emphasizes the importance of love, care, and taking a long-term approach in tackling the ecological crisis.The full transcript is available on the episode page. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran continue the conversation with author and visionary Kim Stanley Robinson. In Part 2, they discuss utopia (!), with Robinson pointing out that surviving the 21st century without a mass extinction event is the first step toward a utopian future.The full transcript is available on the episode page.This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview Kim Stanley Robinson, known for his visionary works that explore themes of ecology, politics, and human interaction with the environment. In this episode, Robinson discusses the persistence of climate denial and skepticism, even after 30 years of scientific research and evidence, and emphasizes the importance of community in addressing climate change and finding solutions.Time stamps and the full transcript are on the episode page.This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In the latest episode of Futureverse, we interview Omar El Akkad, an award-winning Egyptian-Canadian journalist and author.Omar’s most recent novel, What Strange Paradise, tells the story of those at the core of the refugee crisis. It explores themes including assimilation, identity, inequality, empathy, and the impact of climate change on society. In our conversation, Omar also delves into how his journalism career has influenced his fiction writing and the themes explored in What Strange Paradise.Time stamps and the full transcript are below. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

In the latest episode of Futureverse, hosts Molly and Ramanan interview Ruthanna Emrys, an acclaimed author known for her thought-provoking Lovecraftian novels.We were so excited to talk to Emrys for our second episode. Her unique perspective about the future, the importance of parenthood and children, and how social justice intersects with climate change is incredibly enlightening and refreshing. Find more of her work here.Like in all of her books, her latest novel A Half-Built Garden challenges inherent biases and explores themes of empathy, humanity, chosen family, and otherness in the context of climate change. During our conversation, Ruthanna emphasizes the importance of adapting to new problems and the idea that there is no utopian point where everything is solved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth

James Bradley is an essayist, novelist and critic, and the acclaimed author of several climate fiction novels including Clade, Ghost Species, and the young adult trilogy The Change. In this conversation, James, Molly and Ramanan discuss Clade, capitalism, and the importance of hope in the face of climate disaster. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.futureverse.earth