Space the Nation

This show is an incredible delight. I have loved both of the hosts for many, many years. The two of them together is a wonderful melange of rigorous academic discussion and just plain fun. Dan is arch and funny and smart, and Ana is brilliant and penetrating and passionate. The subject matter is fun, and ranges from classic science fiction to movies of the day, from international relations to necessary critiques of capitalism. I love this show, and you will too.

I have the strangest relationship to the show. Early on, whenever they reviewed something I had read myself lol I felt very frustrated, listening. It struck me as shallow, pretentious, and dismissive of alternative points of view and perspectives on art and literature. It got to the point where, if I recognize the work that they’re discussing as something I’ve read, especially if I really liked it, I just have to skip it. But, weirdly, I find the show engaging, entertaining, and comforting whenever they’re discussing something I haven’t read or watched before. I’ve even gotten some good recommendations for works that I went on to very much enjoy. I can’t really explain this dichotomy. Perhaps the host can using some high-powered social-science lens.

Been listening for a while. My background is in international space policy and I love sci-fi, so this podcast is extremely up my alley.

Great discussions of SciFi and SciFi-adjacent film, TV, and novels. They do the heavy lifting and provide a humorous and thoughtful discussion about these works through the lens of political science.