Best Flash Forward Presents Podcasts (2025)

Can I make my digital alter ego go to work for me? The answer to that question involves autocorrect, child actors, and resurrecting the dead for a blockbuster franchise.

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Should I give my dog human intelligence? 28:44

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9M ago28:44

28:44

Should I give my dog human intelligence? The answer to that question involves bird terraforming, cats as health inspectors, and dreams of an ant-like society.

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Can I ask my partner to stop eating Soylent? 30:13

9M ago30:13

30:13

Can I ask my partner to stop eating so much Soylent? The answer to that question involves pre-chopped garlic, slam poetry, and a little bit of cannibalism.

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Should I move to an off-the-grid commune? 29:12

10M ago29:12

29:12

Should I move to an off-the-grid commune? The answer to that question involves train schedules, queer breakups, and an interview with our future selves.

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COMING SOON: Season Two 1:53

10M ago1:53

1:53

After four years away, Advice for and from the Future is coming back. New hosts! New questions! New chaos! New episodes drop next week.

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INTRODUCING: The Wanderer 11:50

4+ y ago11:50

11:50

Hello Open World listeners! We're back in your feeds and excited to share with you the latest project from T.H. Ponders, who sound designed and adapted the two original pieces you heard in Open World. Introducing: The Wanderer. The Wanderer is a predominantly single-narrator queer fairy tale audio drama about being separated from the ones you love …

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Should I sublimate to another dimension? 34:17

5y ago34:17

34:17

Should I sublimate to another dimension? What does that even mean? Are there other dimensions? What about wormholes? And what if, instead of trying to use physics to get away from it all, you actually faced your fears? Featuring physics and metaphysics wisdom from Dr. Katie Mack, author of The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking) and an or…

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I’ll Have You Know 1:03:59

5y ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Today we take a trip to dreamland, and think about what the future can be if you finally take the leap. This episode features an original adaptation of the short story "I'll Have You Know," by Charlie Jane Anders, originally published by MIT Tech Review on August 21, 2018. Adaptation and sound design by T.H. Ponders. Cast: El - Cap Blackard Dr. Wee…

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Voyager Found 32:26

5y ago32:26

32:26

Today’s episode is about finding life that's like us, but not like us at all. This episode features Voyager Found, originally published by The Truth on May 14th, 2014, followed by a conversation with Jonathan Mitchell. Credits: Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney. ✨ Open World is a partnership between Philo's Future Media and Flash Forward …

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ED7A93 - Pink Carnation 56:17

5y ago56:17

56:17

Today’s episode is about how to connect when everything is disconnected. This episode features "ED7A93 - Pink Carnation," originally published by HEXADEC on June 29, 2020, followed by a conversation with Wil Williams and Anne Baird. "ED7A93 - Pink Carnation" was written, produced and sound designed by Wil Williams. Credits: Anne Baird - Emery Katie…

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Can I ask my friend to turn off her Alexa? 37:21

5y ago37:21

37:21

Can I ask my friend to turn off her Alexa when I go to her house? To answer that question, Dr. Simone Browne joins the show to talk about privacy, ethics, and whose job it is to convince someone to not opt into surveillance. 〰️〰️〰️ More information and show notes here 〰️〰️〰️ Advice For And From The Future is written, edited and performed by Rose Ev…

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This Planet Needs A Name 54:36

5y ago54:36

54:36

Today’s episode is about giving everything up and leaving it all behind. This episode features four installments from This Planet Needs a Name, originally published in December 2019 and January 2020, followed by an interview with the creator Evan Tess Murray. This Planet Needs a Name, was created by Evan Tess Murray. Original composition, sound des…

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Deeplight 48:30

5y ago48:30

48:30

Today’s episode is about light, darkness, change, conservation and choices. Featuring the WORLD DEBUT of Deeplight, by Stephanie Spence. Deeplight Credits: Writer and creator: Stephanie Spence Sound Design: Sadah Espii Proctor Voice actor for Halo: Vyn Vox Voice actor for Kite: Julia Schifini More info & show notes ✨ Open World is a partnership bet…

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Robot and Crow 1:01:09

5y ago1:01:09

1:01:09

Today’s episode is all about public health and inter-species friendship. Featuring an original audio drama adaptation of “When Robot and Crow Saved East St. Louis” by Annalee Newitz, adapted by T.H. Ponders, followed by an interview with the author and adapter. 🚀 full show notes & more this way 🚀 Cast: Robot — Julia Morizawa Kayla — Taylor Hosking …

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60 Minutes through Space 46:07

5y ago46:07

46:07

Today’s episode is all about space, family, and Afofuturism. Featuring 60 Minutes Through Space, and a conversation with Adetola Abdulkadir and Safiyah Cheatam. 🚀 This episode features 60 Minutes Through Space, originally published by Obsidian Podcast on 10/28/2019. 60 Minutes Through Space was written and produced by Adetola Abdulkadir and Safiyah…

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How can I stay hopeful? (Introducing: Open World) 48:04

5y ago48:04

48:04

The futurology shop is closed for repairs today (pesky robot put a hole in the wall) so please enjoy the first episode of Open World, a new show about hope, the future, and how to get there. This episode features a reading from The City We Became, by N.K. Jemisin, scored by T.H. Ponders, followed by a conversation with Jemisin and Glitch CEO Anil D…

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The City We Became 45:28

5y ago45:28

45:28

Welcome to the first episode of Open World, featuring a reading by the incredible NK Jemisin, and a conversation with her and Glitch CEO Anil Dash. We talk cities, hope, and why tech people should read better sci-fi. This episode features a reading from The City We Became, by NK Jemisin, scored by T.H. Ponders. ✨ Open World is a partnership between…

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How can I avoid dating my relatives? 37:22

5y ago37:22

37:22

Today's question comes from a future where humans live a long, long time. And some of them might want to date. But how do you make sure you're not actually dating someone you're related to? And what's the point of dating anyway? To find out, I call Dr. Janina Jeff, a geneticist and senior scientist at Illumina, as well as the host of a podcast call…

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COMING SOON: Open World 2:07

5y ago2:07

2:07

Open World is a fiction anthology podcast about how science and technology serve as a backdrop for imagining a better future, helping us envision the positive influence that science and tech can play in a real future. By speaking to the pressing concerns of our times through love, friendship, community, compassion, and sustainability, the host will…

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Should I start a bug farm? 44:23

5y ago44:23

44:23

Are bugs the food of the future? Should I start a bug farm? What’s the best way to cook them? All that and more on today’s episode, featuring the amazing Soleil Ho, food critic at the San Francisco Chronicle, host of the podcast Extra Spicy, and founder of the podcast Racist Sandwich. 〰️〰️〰️ More information and show notes here 〰️〰️〰️ Advice For An…

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Should I let my company put a chip in my hand? 39:43

5y ago39:43

39:43

Today’s question is about just how much to trust your boss. Should you let them implant a chip in your hand? To answer that question, I talked to Stacy-Marie Ishmael, journalist, editor, and career advice-giver. You can read Stacy-Marie’s newsletter here. 〰️〰️〰️ More information and show notes here 〰️〰️〰️ Advice For And From The Future is written, …

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Should I get my DNA sequenced? 43:32

5y ago43:32

43:32

Today’s episode is about proof, identity and DNA. What are you looking for, when you look for your heritage? What can DNA really tell you? And who decides which forms of proof are required when? To answer this question, we spoke with Dr. Alondra Nelson, president of the Social Science Research Council and Harold F. Linder Professor at the Institute…

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How can I fight fake news? 40:23

5y ago40:23

40:23

On today’s trip to and from the future, we’re considering questions of truth, reality, and how to be a good sharer of news. How do you avoid sharing fake information? How do you tell what’s real and what’s not? In this swirling vortex of disinformation, how can you make sure you’re not contributing to the problem? To help guide us through the swamp…

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Should I cryopreserve my dog? 41:47

5y ago41:47

41:47

Today's advice question: Should you cryopreserve your dog? To answer that conundrum, Rose spoke with Ace Tilton Ratcliff, a writer and the co-founder of Haper's Promise. Ace wrote about their experience with pet cryopreservation here: "Cryonics, Dakota the Dog, and the Hope of Forever." Advice For And From The Future is written, edited and performe…

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Should I have a child? 31:31

5y ago31:31

31:31

Is it okay to bring a child into the world, if the world is on fire both literally and figuratively? What are the ethics of having babies given climate change? Should I, personally, have a kid? This question has become more and more common, and on today’s episode Rose talks to Meehan Crist, writer-in-residence in Biological Sciences at Columbia Uni…

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Should I follow my partner to Mars? 26:05

5+ y ago26:05

26:05

What happens when your partner wants to flee this planet, and you want to stay? Is wanting to go to Mars basically saying you want to break up? Can you have a long, long, long distance relationship? Is a five-year date a terrible idea? To answer this interplanetary conundrum, Rose calls up Andrea Silenzi, host and creator of the dating podcast Why …

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COMING SOON: Advice For And From The Future 2:34

5+ y ago2:34

2:34

Should I follow my boyfriend to Mars? Can I ask my friend to turn off her Alexa when I come over? Is it okay to have kids? You have questions, and on Advice for and from the Future, we have answers. And when we don’t have answers, we have educated guesses. With the help of experts, time travelers, and a handful of inanimate objects, we'll take on y…

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Episode 27 - Tuesday's Suck Too 49:54

7y ago49:54

49:54

Being a teenager is tough. We know we wouldn’t go back to that time given the choice - sadly for Brenda Ann Spencer though, she is 16. Doubly sad for Brenda is her father is an alcoholic creep who makes her sleep with him on a mattress on the floor. Even more sad for Brenda, she is secretly suicidal, but has no one to talk to about it. And if you c…

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Episode 26 - Grumblers 48:19

7y ago48:19

48:19

We're both tired and we don't record on Sundays. Also - this bitch is crazy. Jump on board the mothership with Valentina de Andrade and listen in as Chelsea forces herself to talk about this wretched woman who believes aliens are Jesus. Yup, sounds about right. No fancy drinks this time - just grapefruit mimosas and a mic drop. Literally.…

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Episode 25 - Slenderbender 1:27:56

7y ago1:27:56

1:27:56

He’s tall as the trees and will grab you with ease, It won’t help you to struggle just beg and appease. His suit's dark as night, he’ll wrap you up tightLook into his face and see something's not right. Don’t try and run, the fun isn’t doneSlender Man's game has now just begun. Chelsea has the mystery, Pamela the factsOne internet search history, a…

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Episode 24 - DHL That Sh!t 1:04:19

7y ago1:04:19

1:04:19

We all struggle with the rumors about millennials - some of us are so close in age to them ourselves. But in young Gypsy’s case you won’t be able to help but sympathize and rage against her situation. Dee-Dee is a doting and quick to concern mother who has the confidence of many doctors as to how best to treat her constantly sick daughter. Confined…

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Episode 23 - A Fireside Chat 56:49

7y ago56:49

56:49

Karla Homolka doesn’t have much of a personal history, but her history gets personal. Betrothed to a charming and dapper man reminiscent of Patrick Batemen, she begins her life away from her family, fully invested in dark sadistic fantasies. Throughout the torrid trial we learn how uninvolved or rather how much of a partner in crime she was to the …

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Episode 22 - Meet Me At The Morgue 58:26

7y ago58:26

58:26

When Leonarda Cianciulli’s mother cursed her marriage, she thought very little of it. Ah young love, what could go wrong? Apparently everything. Child after child failed to survive. Miscarriages, still births, infant after infant dead. An astonishing 14 out of 17 children perished. The curse, it seems, was real. In WWII ravaged Italy, paralyzed by …

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Episode 21 - Mezzanine 29 53:12

7y ago53:12

53:12

All we can say is grab a drink (seriously, right now)- this week's episode will leave you needing one - as Pamela states multiple times throughout “viewer discretion is advised.” Enriqueta Martí rocked Barcelona’s history books by being accused of not only procuring children for illegal sex trafficking, but by butchering and saving the remains of c…

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Episode 20 - Chalet, You Stay! 59:29

7y ago59:29

59:29

She was destined for stardom, lucky in love and fortunate to have three healthy children. She had it all - what more could a girl want? On a Sunday in April, Claudine Longet’s picture perfect life took a turn for the unexpected. To this day, more than 40 years later, questions still remain unanswered. After Claudine's amicable divorce from her firs…

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Episode 19 - Tim, Where Ya At? 54:34

7y ago54:34

54:34

It’s Chelsea’s episode this week and that means one thing: we don’t have a clue what this ladies back story is. Waneta and Tim Hoyt tragically lost all five of their biological children within months of each being born. Only their adopted son, Jay, seemed to thrive. The doctors all claimed SIDS was the culprit until 20 years later, Waneta was arres…

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Episode 18 - Voodon't 1:12:00

7y ago1:12:00

1:12:00

No screams penetrated the thick Louisiana air on any of the nights each family was brutally slain. It wasn’t until the alarm was sounded in the morning that anyone thought to feel fear, or to even latch their windows at night. It seemed the murders would never stop. Month after month, family after family found in disturbing poses, heads opened or c…

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Episode 17 - Don't Play In The Cellar 49:17

7y ago49:17

49:17

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but Vera Renczi may be the exception, for everyone seemed to proclaim her beauty. A childhood and upbringing shrouded in mystery, not much is known about this Romanian looker except her appetite for jealous murder. Vera was a passionate lover and seduced many suitors into her home and affections. She w…

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Episode 16 - It's A Woman! 1:00:44

7y ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Let’s Get Ready to Rumblllllleeeee!!!!!!! Come on down to Mexico City for a wrestling event you’ll never forget. Juana Barazza started this crazy life as an abused child from a tormented mother. Never knowing familial love, never learning to read or write, she grew to be a well-adjusted young woman...or so we thought. Juana entered the wrestling wo…

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Episode 15 - 27 Minutes O' Good Me 27:43

7y ago27:43

27:43

Listen, it’s a holiday week. We get it. Offices are closed, the beach and booze are calling, and the sun is blazing. Hamburgers are turning juicy on the grill and you don’t have time to listen to entire hour of murder right now since your friends and family are sitting right next to you. So here’s 27 minutes of a murder obsessed lady we know very l…

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Episode 14 - Head For A Head 56:13

7y ago56:13

56:13

This week just drink straight from the bottle. Naturally, Pamela will bring you a sordid tale that ends even worse than it begins. Prepare for a story of a woman that starts in abuse and ends in her returning the favors she suffered throughout her entire childhood. You may have heard of the Sunset Strip Killers, but not like this. Taken mostly from…

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Episode 13 - Two Cokes And A Bag Of Cheetos 47:29

7+ y ago47:29

47:29

When we think of grandmothers, we can literally smell homemade cookies baking. We can smell the Chanel perfume and see the pearls in their ears. The skin on their hands is withered and thin, but so soft it seems it could break open at the lightest tap. We think of hot soup and caring nurturing words. Call us old fashioned, but we don’t typically th…

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Episode 12 - A Whole New World 59:28

7+ y ago59:28

59:28

We all dread getting older. Our bodies slowly wrinkling and dimpling, joints curl in on themselves and eyes glaze over with milky cataracts. Our memories will start to dwindle and fade with murky recollections appearing like rippled images in a pond. But through all this we know there are establishments in place where we can rest out our remaining …

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Episode 11 - Snakes On A Canoe 54:17

7+ y ago54:17

54:17

The beginning will sound familiar: young girl grows up in a tumultuous and abusive house hold and is placed in a different home. Even the middle will have a familiar ring to it: the girl grows into a woman and has a child. She marries multiple times throughout her life and opens up a successful nail salon. She has friends and regular clients and a …

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Episode 10 - The Feminine Idea Of Nurturance 1:16:29

7+ y ago1:16:29

1:16:29

From 1933 to 1945, 17 million people were captured, tortured, tormented, and slaughtered, dragged away from families never to be whole again, under Adolf Hitler’s rule in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. 17 million people in concentration camps. Madison Square Garden in New York City holds 20,000 people. The Colosseum in Ancient Rome held 50,000.…

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Episode 9 - O Holy Night 1:40:38

7+ y ago1:40:38

1:40:38

September of 2006 Travis Alexander threw on a suit, and strolled through the warm Las Vegas air into a banquet for his job at prepaid legal services. A faithful member of the Mormon church, and a motivational speaker, Travis was a catch. However, it was Jodi Arias that was caught. Blonde hair, blue eyed and fiery, Jodi took Travis’s breath away...a…