Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

byTony Tellado

FictionScience

Take a journey to explore our humanity through science fiction, horror, fantasy and comics to learn about what makes us human. In this every changing world, it’s not as simple as it sounds.

Episodes(40 episodes)

Season 18 - Episode 1
Rewind: Person of Interest with Caviezel, Chapman, Henson, Plageman, Acker & Shahi
The Early Days Of A Groundbreaking Series In this Rewind episode, Tony revisits the formative era of Person of Interest, when the show was still defining its identity — a fusion of crime drama, artificial intelligence, and moral complexity. Recorded at the start of its run, these conversations capture the cast and creators as they shaped what would become one of television’s most influential sci‑fi thrillers. Jim Caviezel-The Mystery Of John Reese Kevin Chapman - Detective Fusco's Grit  Taraji P. Henson  - Detective Carter - A sense of justice grounded Executive producer...
Published: Sep 1, 2026Duration: 38m 49s
Season 17 - Episode 24
Rewind: From Dusk Till Dawn TV Series with Cotrona & González
REVISTING A CULT WORLD REBORN FOR TV In this Rewind episode, Tony heads back to New York Comic Con for an inside look at the TV adaptation of From Dusk Till Dawn, the pulpy, supernatural crime saga reimagined for a new generation. The cast reflects on expanding the mythology, deepening character arcs, and honoring the wild, genre‑bending spirit of the original film. D.J. Cotrona discusses stepping into the role of Seth Gecko Eiza González shares how she approached transforming Santanico from an iconic film presence into a fully realized character with agency, vulnerability, and power.  “U...
Published: Aug 31, 2026Duration: 18m 55s
Episode 126
Dog Stars: Josh Brolin, Ridley Scott & Guy Pearce
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox In this follow‑up Byte episode, Tony continues exploring the stark, emotional universe of Dog Stars, shifting focus to the film’s broader creative backbone. Through conversations with Josh Brolin, Ridley Scott, and Guy Pearce, we dig into the film’s layered performances, world‑building, and the philosophical undercurrent that drives its tension and humanity. Josh Brolin discusses the emotional architecture of his character Ridley Scott talks the appeal for him to direct Dog Stars Guy Pearce brings his trademark intensity to Dog Stars Unlock the universe with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus...
Published: Aug 30, 2026Duration: 7m 22s
Byte Dog Stars:Elordi, Scott & Qualley
Dog Stars: Jacob Elordi, Ridley Scott and Margaret Qualley Courtesy of 20th Century Fox In the first of a pair of Byte episodes, Tony dives into the world of Dog Stars, the bold new sci‑fi drama blending isolation, hope, and the fragile bonds that keep humanity alive. Through exclusive conversations with the film’s stars and director, we explore how the story’s intimate emotional core is elevated by sweeping cinematic ambition. Jacob Elordi opens up about crafting a performance rooted in vulnerability and quiet resilience. Director Ridley Scott gives his take on zombies. Margaret Qualley shares how sh...
Published: Aug 29, 2026Duration: 3m 38s
Season 17 - Episode 23
Pen Densham: Photography & Iconic Storytelling
Pen Densham returns to my podcast with a deeply personal conversation about Qualia, his new book of impressionistic nature photography — a collection born from capturing images in the most unlikely places, from Hawaiian surf to shimmering reflections and experimental long‑exposure landscapes. Pen Densham returns to Sci‑Fi Talk with a deeply personal conversation about Qualia, his new book of impressionistic nature photography — a collection born from capturing images in the most unlikely places, from Hawaiian surf to shimmering reflections and experimental long‑exposure landscapes. Densham shares the behind‑the‑scenes story of a key scene in Robin...
Published: Aug 28, 2026Duration: 29m 6s
Season 17 - Episode 23
The Terminator Chronicles Of Garret Dillahunt
Garret Dillahunt reflects on joining the Terminator franchise through Cromartie — one of the most chilling, relentless cyborgs in The Sarah Connor Chronicles. He breaks down how he approached the physicality, precision, and eerie calm required to play a machine built for one purpose. We explore how he found humanity within the inhuman, how the show’s tone shaped his performance, and what it meant to step into a legacy defined by iconic characters, mythology, and fan expectations. Long before his turns in Fear The Walking Dead and Lanterns, Dillahunt was already proving his range — shifting from ge...
Published: Aug 27, 2026Duration: 50m 18s
Season 17 - Episode 22
Retro: DC 10th Anniversary Movie Collection
The DC Animated Movie Universe didn’t just celebrate ten years — it marked a turning point. This retrospective revisits how the creative team unified standalone films into a shared continuity, aligning animation style, character arcs, and story events across multiple releases. What began as bold experimentation became a defining era for DC’s animated storytelling. our conversations at New York Comic Con brought together the architects and performers who shaped this era: Bruce W. Timm  Alan Burnett   James Tucker Vanessa Marshall  James Krieg  Jason O’Mara  ...
Published: Aug 26, 2026Duration: 22m 8s
Season 17 - Episode 21
Dark Matter Season Two
Interviews with Jennifer Connelly, Joel Edgerton & VFX Supervisor John Heller In this episode, Tony steps back into the fractured realities of Dark Matter — Blake Crouch’s mind‑bending multiverse thriller — to explore the emotional, philosophical, and technical layers shaping Season Two. Jennifer Connelly and Joel Edgerton return to reflect on the consequences of the Box, the expanding moral terrain of identity and choice, and how Season Two pushes their characters into even more volatile territory. As a bonus, Tony is joined by John Heller, the Visual Effects Supervisor from Season One, who breaks down the...
Published: Aug 25, 2026Duration: 18m 59s
Season 17 - Episode 20
Building Worlds Lost to Time: Russell Dodgson on Prehistoric Planet
Tony Zoomed with Russell Dodgson, Visual Effects Supervisor and Sequence Director for Prehistoric Planet. Season Three expands the show’s ambition in every direction — more creatures, more environments, more scientific nuance — and Russell walks through how his team pushes CG to the edge of believability. From saber‑toothed predators to deadly otters, from La Brea Tar Pits reconstructions to planet‑scale environmental enhancement, Russell reveals how natural history filmmaking becomes cinematic world‑building. The conversation also dives into his earlier work on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the National Geographic series Mars, and the Emmy‑winning Black Mirror e...
Published: Aug 24, 2026Duration: 22m 57s
Byte — D23 Spotlight: Vision Quest, Percy Jackson, and Ahsoka Season Two
At D23, the future of genre storytelling feels electric — and in this special episode of Byte, Tony brings listeners inside the heart of the celebration with exclusive conversations courtesy of Disney. From the Marvel multiverse to Camp Half‑Blood to the far reaches of the galaxy, this episode showcases three creators and performers stepping into defining new chapters of their characters. Paul Bettany, who returns to explore one of Marvel’s most enigmatic and emotionally rich characters. Bettany reflects on the evolving identity of Vision, From the halls of D23 to the shores of Camp Half‑Blood, Walker S...
Published: Aug 23, 2026Duration: 4m 16s
Byte — D23: Ahsoka Season Two
At D23, the galaxy feels closer than ever — and in this special episode of Byte, Tony brings listeners inside the celebration with exclusive conversations courtesy of Disney+. With Dave Filoni, Hayden Christensen, and Rosario Dawson all taking the stage, this episode captures the anticipation, emotion, and creative fire powering Ahsoka Season Two.  “Beyond the bright lights of sci‑fi lies a deeper truth. Full episodes, behind‑the‑scenes footage, interviews, and  clips — all unlocked for $1.99 a month, with your first month free. Sci‑Fi Talk Plus. Step into the dark.”
Published: Aug 22, 2026Duration: 4m 34s
Season 17 - Episode 19
The Stunts Of Fallout: Power Suits
Tony Zooms  with Tim Soergel, Emmy‑nominated stunt performer for Fallout, whose work inside the iconic Power Armor helped define the series’ brutal, immersive action. Tim shares what it’s really like to embody one of the most recognizable figures in the Fallout universe — from the physical toll to the creative thrill — and how the stunt team brought the wasteland to life with authenticity and grit. Inside The Power Armor  The physical challenges — weight, heat, restricted movement, and the mental discipline required Daily coping strategies — staying centered, staying safe, staying sharp Working alongsid...
Published: Aug 21, 2026Duration: 25m 28s
Season 17 - Episode 18
Colby Hollman: The Dead's Wes: From Artist to Warrior
Colby Hollman is a vivid, thoughtful dive into one of Fear the Walking Dead’s most quietly powerful character arcs. As Wes, Hollman brought a rare blend of idealism, artistic sensitivity, and hardened survival instinct to the series—an evolution that mirrors the shifting moral landscape of the Walking Dead Universe itself. Colby reflects on Wes’s journey from a guarded, paint‑wielding loner to a committed fighter shaped by grief, community, and the brutal realities of the apocalypse. “Unlock the universe — podcast plus video. Sci‑Fi Talk Plus. Try it free.”
Published: Aug 20, 2026Duration: 17m 48s
Season 16 - Episode 17
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' Sean Konrad
In this episode, Tony connects over Zoom with Sean Konrad, Visual Effects Supervisor on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, for a sweeping conversation that spans the MonsterVerse, Marvel, and even Avatar. Konrad breaks down the artistry, engineering, and emotional logic behind bringing Kong, Godzilla, and the newly introduced Titan X to life—while also reflecting on his earlier work on Deadpool 2, Loki, and his consulting role on James Cameron’s Avatar. SAVE 17% ON PLUS
Published: Aug 19, 2026Duration: 26m 18s
Season 17 - Episode 16
Villains - Secrets From Unexpected Places
Tony chats with directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen to dig into the twisted, darkly comedic world of Villains—their breakout thriller starring Bill Skarsgård, Maika Monroe, and Jeffrey Donovan. What begins as a simple home invasion spirals into a surreal nightmare when two amateur criminals stumble into a secret their victims will do anything to protect. The conversation opens with Berk and Olsen sharing how crucial it was to bring Maika Monroe into the project—and how her instincts, presence, and genre experience helped define the film’s emotional core. SAVE 17% ON PLUS  
Published: Aug 18, 2026Duration: 15m 50s
Season 17 - Episode 5
Scoring the Prehistoric Planet World: Kara Talve & Anže Rozman
Tony zooms with composers Kara Talve and Anže Rozman, the musical architects behind Prehistoric Planet. Their score blends cutting‑edge experimentation with classical orchestral storytelling — all in service of bringing long‑extinct creatures to life through sound. From building instruments out of 3D‑printed fossil replicas to designing orchestral combinations that convey scale, movement, and behavior, Kara and Anže reveal how they crafted a sonic world that feels both scientifically grounded and emotionally resonant. Highlights:  Fossil‑Inspired Instruments Simulating Dinosaur Voices Orchestral World‑Building Movement as Music Balancing Science and Emotion “Sci‑Fi Talk Plus...
Published: Aug 17, 2026Duration: 18m 2s
BYTE — Coyote vs. Acme:
Featuring Dave Green, Eric Bauza, John Cena, Lana Condor & Will Forte Audio courtesy of Warner Bros. Tony brings you the creative team and cast of Coyote vs. Acme, exploring how they brought one of animation’s most iconic characters — Wile E. Coyote — into a new era of storytelling. Director Dave Green and stars Eric Bauza, John Cena, Lana Condor, and Will Forte dive into character interpretation, comedic philosophy, emotional beats, and the timeless cultural impact of the Looney Tunes universe. This episode blends nostalgia, craft, and the surprising heart behind a film built on car...
Published: Aug 16, 2026Duration: 10m 53s
BYTE — X‑Men ’97 Finale Screening Event
Featuring the Cast & Executive Producers of X‑Men ’97 Audio courtesy of Disney+ Recorded live at the X‑Men ’97 Finale Screening Event, this episode of Byte captures the voices behind Marvel’s most emotionally charged animated revival. Tony brings you legacy performers, new‑era cast members, and the executive producers who shaped the show’s modern identity. Across the conversations, the cast reflects on their characters, the finale’s emotional stakes, and the enduring cultural power of the X‑Men — icons of identity, resistance, community, and hope. Red Carpet Voices A.J. LoCascio — Gambit...
Published: Aug 15, 2026Duration: 9m 23s
Season 16 - Episode 8
Rewind — Inside The Watch
A Conversation with Executive Producer Simon Allen Reinventing Ankh‑Morpork for a New Medium The Watch is one of the most daring and divisive fantasy adaptations of the last decade — a punk‑rock, genre‑bending police procedural inspired by Terry Pratchett’s Ankh‑Morpork City Watch. Developed by BBC Studios for BBC America, the series premiered 3 January 2021 and later arrived on BBC iPlayer on 1 July 2021, introducing viewers to a world where crime, chaos, magic, satire, and rebellion collide. In this episode of Rewind, Tony chatted with Simon Allen, the executive producer who led the charge i...
Published: Aug 14, 2026Duration: 27m 27s
Season 17 - Episode 14
Rewind — Special Episode: The End Is Nye
Bill Nye & Brannon Braga on Science, Disasters, and the Stories That Save Lives In this special edition of Rewind, Tony explores the explosive, urgent, and deeply scientific world of The End Is Nye — a series that confronts real natural disasters and shows how science can help us survive, adapt, and rebuild. This episode features two conversations woven together: Bill Nye, host of The End Is Nye, on the science behind extreme weather, natural disasters, and the solutions that can protect us. Brannon Braga, executive producer, on crafting six disaster scenarios, balancing fe...
Published: Aug 13, 2026Duration: 32m 4s