Sci-Fi Book Pod

Kandas Rodarte
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Science Fiction book podcast for nerds and geeks who like to read. Co-hosted by Gen-X spouses, Kandas & Shane Rodarte. Each episode features a thoughtful discussion around one work of speculative fiction.

  1. Ender's Shadow ft. Mahlena Rae Johnson

    5 MAR

    Ender's Shadow ft. Mahlena Rae Johnson

    Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card — the companion novel to Ender's Game that most people sleep on is arguably the better book. Visiting dignitary Mahlena Rae Johnson joins Space Admiral Kandas and Space Cadet Shane 2nd Class to discuss why Bean is the real hero of the Enderverse. Bean is the kid who did the work while Ender got the credit. He was smarter than everyone in the room, nobody wanted to acknowledge it, and he was perfectly fine with that. Sound familiar? We talk about why Bean resonates in a way Ender never quite does, what it means to own a name someone gave you as an insult, and what a street kid toddler has to do with saving the universe. We also get into the stuff that doesn't hold up. Orson Scott Card's anti-LGBTQ record is well documented, and we don't skip over it. Neither do we skip over the naked children, the child prostitution, and a few other choices that somehow made it into what people call a kids' book. The movie quietly fixed some of it. Card never did. And somewhere in the middle of all that, Shane introduces the R2-D2 Effect, we figure out why sci-fi always lands on the Catholic Church, and Mahlena makes a point about the gatekeepers of American storytelling that none of us could argue with. This is Season 2, Episode 1. We made it, y'all. Sci-Fi Book Pod is the show where our visiting dignitaries pick the book, we all read it, and then we gather to talk about it. No summaries. No lecture. Just a real conversation about sci-fi and what it says about the world we're actually living in. Purchase Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4coKRUY (affiliate) Find books by Mahlena Rae Johnson on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MTGQgQ (affiliate) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  2. Season 2 Sneak Peek

    26 FEB

    Season 2 Sneak Peek

    Season one of Sci-Fi Book Pod was a full-spectrum sci-fi experiment—some books soared, some crashed, and at least one “broke a lot of things.” In this Season 2 teaser, host Kandas Rodarte looks back at the most memorable moments, what worked, what didn’t, and how the show is evolving. You’ll hear about favorite and least favorite reads from season one, why Project Hail Mary still holds the top spot in Kandas’s sci-fi heart, and how listener feedback is shaping future picks. Then we look ahead to season two’s lineup, including Ender’s Shadow, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Parable of the Sower, and other classic and contemporary sci-fi books that dig into ethics, power, survival, and what it means to be human. If you love smart, accessible sci-fi conversations (with a few spicy opinions), this sneak peek will help you decide what to read next and which episodes to queue up first. Hit follow, share this trailer with a fellow book nerd, and send us your season two suggestions so we can add them to the TBR orbit. Chapters:00:00 Season One Recap and Highlights05:46 Favorite and Least Favorite Books08:07 Looking Ahead to Season Two11:43 Audience Engagement and Book Suggestions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    15 min
  3. Discussing 'A Swiftly Tilting Planet' by Madeleine L'Engle with Valerie Friedlander

    8 JAN

    Discussing 'A Swiftly Tilting Planet' by Madeleine L'Engle with Valerie Friedlander

    Can one act of hatred really end the world—and can compassion rewrite that future? In this episode of Sci‑Fi Book Pod, Kandas, Space Cadet Shane, and visiting dignitary Valerie Friedlander dive into Madeleine L’Engle’s A Swiftly Tilting Planet to unpack time travel, nuclear war anxiety, and what it means to be a “good ancestor.”​ Along the way, they explore generational trauma, the butterfly effect, and the tension between control and empathy. You’ll hear reflections on ancestry, healing backwards through time, and why everyday kindness might be the most powerful tool for changing the future we actually live in.​ Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Time Travel and Moral Responsibility(00:45) The Relevance of Nuclear War in Literature(02:10) Healing Generationally: A Sociological Perspective(05:22) The Butterfly Effect and Time Travel(08:56) Acts of Hatred and Their Impact on Society(13:38) Exploring Ancestry and Healing Wounds(18:06) Good vs. Evil: The Moral Dilemma in Time Travel(20:18) The Power of Compassion in Understanding Others(22:00) The Consequences of Nuclear War and Human Behavior(23:32) The Butterfly Effect and Human Actions(26:19) The Importance of Kindness(28:53) Being Present and the Dance of Life(30:19) Generational Trauma and the Fear of Scarcity​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  4. Book Review: 'A Wind in the Door' by Madeleine L'Engle with Valerie Friedlander

    18/12/2025

    Book Review: 'A Wind in the Door' by Madeleine L'Engle with Valerie Friedlander

    In this episode of Sci-Fi Book Pod, Space Admiral Kandas Rodarte is joined by sociologist and life coach Valerie Friedlander to unpack A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle. Together, we explore how this deceptively slim sci-fi novel tackles big human questions about communication, individuality, community, and what it really means to be seen. We talk about the role of teachers and mentors, why kindness matters more than control, and how naming and recognition become acts of resistance in a world that pressures people to conform. This conversation looks at A Wind in the Door not as a science textbook, but as a story about connection at every scale. From the microscopic to the cosmic, L’Engle reminds us that identity, love, and belonging are not abstract ideas. They’re choices we make in relationship with one another. If you loved A Wrinkle in Time, this episode offers a thoughtful, adult rereading of its powerful sequel and why it still resonates today. Chapters00:00 Introduction to cosmic battles and themes02:53 Exploring identity and individuality05:23 Communication and connection07:00 Contrasting perspectives on the book07:41 Support, community, and belonging09:02 Navigating the concept of nothingness10:18 Space and the human body12:35 Collaboration and creative spaces15:04 Community roles and responsibility15:32 Teachers and learning16:07 Acts of kindness19:33 Naming and identity22:01 Teachers in unlikely places23:12 Audiobook narration and storytelling About Our Guest Valerie Friedlander is a sociologist, life coach, and host of Mindset Unlimited. She helps people examine the rules they've internalized, navigate personal transitions, and create lives aligned with their values. Website: ⁠https://valeriefriedlander.com⁠ Mindset Unlimited Podcast: ⁠https://valeriefriedlander.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  5. Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle with Valerie Friedlander

    04/12/2025

    Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle with Valerie Friedlander

    Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is far more than a children's classic. It's a layered exploration of conformity, authoritarian culture, individuality, and the courage to embrace one's flaws. In this episode of Sci-Fi Book Pod, Space Admiral Kandas Rodarte and Space Cadet Shane (2nd Class) are joined by sociologist Valerie Friedlander for a deep dive into the themes that make this book enduring and unexpectedly relevant. Together, we examine Meg Murry's journey, the tension between belonging and fitting in, why authoritarian systems fear individuality, and how love functions as the story's central force. Whether you're revisiting this novel or reading it for the first time as an adult, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on its messages. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:15 Why Valerie Chose A Wrinkle in Time 05:40 Meg's Flaws as Strength 09:10 Authoritarianism in Fiction and Real Life 15:00 Belonging vs Fitting In 20:55 Why Love Is the Ultimate Power 26:50 Conformity and the Danger of Sameness 33:00 Art, Gatekeeping, and Creativity 40:00 Final Thoughts & About Valerie About Our Guest Valerie Friedlander is a sociologist, life coach, and host of Mindset Unlimited. She helps people examine the rules they've internalized, navigate personal transitions, and create lives aligned with their values. Website: https://valeriefriedlander.com Mindset Unlimited Podcast: https://valeriefriedlander.com/podcast/ Purchase A Wrinkle in Time Amazon: https://amzn.to/447GOr1 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/111345/9780312367541 We may earn a small commission when you use these links, at no additional cost to you. Listen & Subscribe to Sci-Fi Book Pod https://scifibookpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  6. Book Review: 'Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart' by Steven Erikson with Patrick Lugo

    20/11/2025

    Book Review: 'Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart' by Steven Erikson with Patrick Lugo

    Space Admiral Kandas and Space Cadet Shane welcome visiting dignitary Patrick Lugo to discuss Steven Erikson's standalone science fiction novel "Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart." When a mysterious alien AI arrives offering humanity a utopian paradise with no war, poverty, or disease, the biggest question becomes: Can we get out of our own way? Erikson, best known for his epic ten-book Malazan fantasy series, brings his background as an archaeologist and anthropologist to this character-driven first contact story. Published in 2018, the novel examines humanity through multiple perspectives across the globe, from science fiction writers and bank robbers to child soldiers and abusive spouses, all coping with an "intervention event" that changes everything overnight. The conversation explores deep themes including the role of free time in human creativity, what happens when scarcity and profit margins disappear, religious versus spiritual responses to transformation, and whether this seemingly benevolent AI might actually be recruiting humanity as its attack force against the mysterious Grays. Patrick Lugo shares insights into why Erikson's work resonates with creators, discussing how removing constraints like marketability and survival needs could unleash human potential. The group debates whether the novel presents the origin story of Star Trek's Federation or something far more sinister. Despite ending on a massive cliffhanger with ruins discovered on Mars and the Moon, Erikson never wrote a sequel, leaving readers to imagine their own continuation of humanity's journey into space. Guest Patrick Lugo is a career artist, former art director for Kung Fu Magazine, and creator of the graphic novel series Tiger's Tale. His upcoming comic book Undead Kung Fu Ghost Killer combines martial arts with zombie horror themes. Key Topics Discussed: First contact scenarios and intervention events The human condition through an anthropological lens Character-driven storytelling across global perspectives Utopian futures and their hidden costs The relationship between free time and creativity Religious and spiritual transformation Media manipulation and corporate control The mysterious Grays as a recurring sci-fi antagonist Why the book's 2018 publication feels dated in 2025 Independent comic creation and storytelling Find Patrick Lugo at https://plugoarts.com Book Details: Title: Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart Author: Steven Erikson Published: 2018 Genre: Science Fiction, First Contact Purchase the Book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4o1oqqQ We may earn a small commission when you use our link to make a purchase, as not extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting indie podcasting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min
  7. Book Review: 'The Ivanhoe Gambit' by Simon Hawke with JV Hilliard

    06/11/2025

    Book Review: 'The Ivanhoe Gambit' by Simon Hawke with JV Hilliard

    What happens when futuristic soldiers travel back to medieval England, cheat at jousting with advanced weapons, and accidentally kill the wrong people? Spoiler alert: the timeline splits, history rewrites itself, and someone has to clean up the mess before the future disappears forever. Our guest is JV Hilliard, fantasy author of The Warminster Saga series and publisher of Altered Reality Magazine, an online platform that gives 200+ speculative fiction authors a place to share their work without traditional publishing gatekeepers. Joe's been a friend of the show since appearing on Gratitude Geek, and today he's here to discuss the book that got him hooked on science fantasy as a teenager. In this episode, we discuss The Ivanhoe Gambit by Simon Hawke, the first book in the Time Wars series that blends time travel, medieval history, and science fiction. When soldiers are sent back to observe the famous Ivanhoe joust during the era of King John, Richard the Lionheart, and Robin Hood, everything goes wrong and they must fix the timeline before it's too late. We explore why this 1980s time travel series still resonates today, how Hawke balances historical accuracy with science fantasy, and what makes a time travel story work. Joe shares insights on world building in fantasy versus science fiction, the art of showing instead of telling in speculative fiction, and why platforms like Altered Reality Magazine matter for independent authors trying to bypass traditional publishing. Whether you're a fan of time travel stories, historical fiction, or just love a fast-paced adventure that makes you curious about real history, this episode offers book recommendations and writing insights you won't want to miss. Topics we cover: Time travel paradoxes and timeline splitting How The Ivanhoe Gambit teaches history through fiction Science fantasy versus pure science fiction World building techniques for authors The multiverse before Marvel made it cool Why independent publishing platforms matter Book series perfect for young adult readers Runtime: 43:54 Connect with JV Hilliard: Website: https://jvhilliard.com Altered Reality Magazine: https://www.alteredrealitymag.com/ The Warminster Saga (book series): https://amzn.to/4oR95tN Available on Amazon and major audiobook platforms Find The Ivanhoe Gambit: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WEptlu Audiobook: Available on major platforms More Sci-Fi Book Pod: Website: https://scifibookpod.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/scifibookpod YouTube: https://youtube.com/@scifibookpod JV Hilliard's previous appearance: Gratitude Geek Podcast: https://youtu.be/8HvaKTzmVjQ?si=ruC93Mi401bSRbuV Books and series mentioned in this episode: The Ivanhoe Gambit by Simon Hawke (Time Wars Series, Book 1): https://amzn.to/3WEptlu Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: https://amzn.to/4hIQJc9 Dune by Frank Herbert: https://amzn.to/3LlGPBe The Magic of Xanth series by Piers Anthony: https://amzn.to/3JgCvCI 11/22/63 by Stephen King: https://amzn.to/47FjfH8 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Sci-Fi Book Pod so you never miss our sci-fi book discussions and author interviews. Follow us on Instagram @scifibookpod and YouTube @scifibookpod for behind-the-scenes content. Want more time travel discussions? Check out our previous episodes at https://scifibookpod.com Have a sci-fi book recommendation? Drop it in the comments or send us a message on Instagram. We're always looking for our next read! Hosted by Kandas Rodarte (Space Admiral Kandas) and Shane Rodarte (Space Cadet Shane 2nd Class) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
  8. Book Review: 'Dune' by Frank Herbert - with Adam Heereen

    23/10/2025

    Book Review: 'Dune' by Frank Herbert - with Adam Heereen

    Strap in for a deep dive into Frank Herbert's 1965 masterpiece Dune, the sprawling sci-fi epic that defined a genre and continues to spawn adaptations decades later. In this speculative fiction podcast episode, Space Admiral Kandas and Space Cadet Shane 2nd Class are joined by guest Adam Heeren to explore the desert planet Arrakis, where water is worth more than gold and giant sandworms rule the dunes. From space feudalism to ecological warnings, from the Bene Gesserit's thousand-year breeding program to Paul Atreides' reluctant messiah complex, this book delivers on every level—whether you're here for the philosophical themes or just the awesome worms. Our hosts discuss how Dune's themes remain eerily relevant 60 years later, compare the various film adaptations, and debate whether fear really is the mind-killer. Plus: why reading Dune at 14 hits different than at 55, and how Frank Herbert built a universe so rich you'll want to revisit it for life. Buy the Book Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/111345/9780441013593 Amazon: https://amzn.to/47g2m5y We may earn a small commission when you purchase through these links. Thanks for supporting Sci-Fi Book Pod! Spoiler Alert Sci-Fi Book Pod is hosted by a middle-aged married couple who go deep into the plot. If you haven't read the book yet, proceed at your own risk. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Opening Chaos 04:06 - Why Adam Chose Dune 09:58 - Cultural Influences: Lawrence of Arabia Meets Space Opera 15:42 - Foreshadowing & Literary Techniques 21:58 - The Orange Catholic Bible & World-Building 27:58 - Reading Dune at Different Ages 34:20 - Movie Adaptations: From Lynch to Villeneuve 42:06 - Fear is the Mind-Killer: Final Thoughts 48:00 - Guest Spotlight: Prismatic Venus Fitness GUEST SPOTLIGHT: Adam Heeren's wife Brittany runs Prismatic Venus Fitness, specializing in pre and postnatal fitness. Check out her Wednesday Wellness Deep Brief podcast and visit https://www.prismaticvenusfitness.com/ More from Sci-Fi Book Pod 🌌 Never miss an episode: https://scifibookpod.com 🎙️ Hosted by the Space Admiral Kandas and her loyal Space Cadet, 2nd Class, Shane. 🛸 Subscribe on your favorite podcast player and geek out with us: https://pod.link/1820246467 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
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About

Science Fiction book podcast for nerds and geeks who like to read. Co-hosted by Gen-X spouses, Kandas & Shane Rodarte. Each episode features a thoughtful discussion around one work of speculative fiction.

Information

  • Creator
    Kandas Rodarte
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Sci-Fi Book Pod