Back so soon? Yes, we are, with our first offseason bonus episode! Today on Post-Apocalyptia, we're looking at a 1985, low-budget film from New Zealand that is surprisingly popular: The Quiet Earth! Zac Hobson believes he's the last man on Earth. But when he finds out he isn't, that relief is marred by a disquieting truth: He may be at fault for the apocalypse--and it's going to happen again! Survivor's guilt, anyone? This and more, on The Quiet Earth! Join us there, at the end of the world. The Quiet Earth can be streamed on Tubi, the Roku Channel, and Midnight Pulp; rented or purchased on Am
Our season finale has arrived! This week on Post-Apocalyptia, we look at Alfonso Cuarón's 2006 film, Children of Men. We'll talk about terrorism, assisted suicide, and the death of the world's youngest person. We have combat, long action sequences, and perhaps the most fundamentally human apocalypse we've ever seen: The end of fertility and birth. And we'll ask ourselves, what keeps people going when the end is inevitable? This and more, in the season two finale of Post-Apocalyptia, Children of Men! Join us there, at the end of the world. Children of Men is available for rent and purchase on v
Today on Post-Apocalyptia, Marley joins us to pick up where we left off last season: We're looking at the Netflix series, Sweet Tooth, season two! We're checking in on Gus, Big Man, and all the hybrid children you can handle. We'll battle the Last Men, make new allies, and suffer terrible losses. And we'll ask ourselves: What is it all about--loyalty, or ambition? This and more, in season two of Sweet Tooth! Join us there, at the end of the world. Sweet Tooth is available on Netflix. Don't want to watch season one to catch up? You can listen to our episode on it, here, or on your favorite podc
Today on Post-Apocalyptia, we have something special. The story we're covering occurs on this very day--August 4th, 2026--and that is an opportunity we can't pass up! Professor David Perlmutter joins us again to talk about Ray Bradbury's 1950 short story, "There Will Come Soft Rains". We'll talk about the end of humanity, and the persistence of humanity's works. We'll think about the history that led to this story, and the perception of post-apocalyptic literature in the next generation. And we'll ask ourselves: Did Bradbury aim to predict the future here, or to prevent it? It's an occasion 76
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: We're saving our regular episode, and for a very good reason! On August 4, we will be looking at Ray Bradbury's 1950 short story, "There Will Come Soft Rains". It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cover a story on the very date that it takes place--and we can't pass that up! In the meantime, enjoy this bonus episode on the life and work of Sara Teasdale, and her poem of the same title, which is featured in Bradbury's story. Listen in as we talk about Sara's 1917 classic poem, "There Will Come Soft Rains"...and come back Tuesday, to join us there, at the end o
We're back! This week, we're looking at our second alien invasion of the season, in the 2018 film, A Quiet Place. We'll talk about sign language and sonic weapons, family and forgiveness, and just what makes an alien invasion story believable. And we'll ponder the question: What will we do for those we love when we're faced with the end of the world? This and more, in A Quiet Place! Join us there, at the end of the world. A Quiet Place is streaming on Paramount Plus, and can be rented and purchased on other services, or on DVD and Blu-Ray. Post-Apocalyptia can be found on most podcast apps, an
This week, Claire Weaver of the Days Gone Podcast joins us to talk about the 2019 video game by Bend Studio, Days Gone! We'll talk about antiheroes and Freakers, soldiers, and cultists, and the best characterization in any game we've covered yet. We'll travel the Oregon wilderness and take on Hordes of Freaks (don't call them zombies!), and regain our--that is, Deacon St. John's--own humanity. And we'll ask ourselves the question that's on every fan's mind: Why doesn't this game have a sequel?! This and more, in Days Gone. Join us there, at the end of the world! Days Gone can be purchased for
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: Professor David Perlmutter returns to talk about the saddest book we've ever read: Nevil Shute's 1957 novel, On The Beach! And its movie adaptations, as well. We'll look at grief, fate, time, and how people approach them. We'll take a ride on the last submarine in service, and the fastest car in Australia. And we'll ask ourselves the only question left that matters: How do you live when you see the end coming? This week, no one gets out alive, in a true end-of-the-world story, On The Beach! Join us there, at the end of the world! On The Beach has remained in prin
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: We look at a lesser-known film by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, 1973's Genesis II! We'll talk about suspended animation, mutants, and the third World War. We'll look at high tech subway lines, '70s sex appeal, and the ugly specter of slavery. And we'll ask ourselves: Just what's it take to get a show on the air, anyway? This and more, in Gene Roddenberry's Genesis II! Join us there, at the end of the world. Genesis II can be watched for free on the Roku Channel, or for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and other services; it can also be purchased on DV
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: We return to Mid-World, with the third book in Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, The Waste Lands! We'll meet up with Roland the last gunslinger and his ka-tet as they find the path of the Beam, and make their way to the crumbling city of Lud. We'll learn the layout of the world, and more clues about the apocalypse that created it--and we'll end with a showdown with an insane supercomputer. This and more, in The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands! Join us there, at the end of the world. The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands is currently in print, and may be purchas
Welcome back! Today Michael Lee joins us to talk about the 2013 video game masterpiece from Naughty Dog, The Last of Us, Part I! We'll look at a brand new type of zombie, and a chance at a cure. We'll talk about fatherhood, trust, and lies, and we'll look at whether it's the humans or the infected who are the real danger. And we'll ask the most pressing question: What is it with 2013 games impaling their protagonists? This and more, in The Last of Us, Part I! Join us there, at the end of the world. The Last of Us, Part I is available on Playstation 3, 4, and 5, and on PC via Steam and Epic. Po
We're back! Today, musician and streamer RemmyLebo joins us to wrap up our look at Richard Matheson's I Am Legend with the final film adaptation, 2007's (appropriately titled) I Am Legend! We'll talk about vampires vs. zombies, basement labs, and just how highly ranked you have to be to build professional defenses. We'll compare with the other versions of the story, and look at the social anxieties that made this version happen. And we'll ask ourselves the most urgent question: Can we expect a sequel? This and more on Post-Apocalyptia, as we look at I Am Legend! Join us there, at the end of th
We're back! Today in this special bonus episode, we continue down the trail of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend with the second of its three adaptations: 1971's The Omega Man, starring Moses himself, Charlton Heston. We'll compare the movie with the novella and with its predecessor, and talk about racial issues in 1970s film (bet you didn't see THAT coming!) We'll discuss the relative success of each adaptation, and the ways this film deviates from the original, and we'll ask ourselves the most difficult question: How do you make a serious movie in spite of Charlton Heston's sex appeal? This and
We're back! Today in this special bonus episode, we continue down the trail of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend with the first of its three adaptations: 1964's The Last Man on Earth, starring Vincent Price. We'll compare the movie with the novella, and talk about the urge to soften the blow. We'll discuss Matheson's favorites versus Price's favorites, and we'll ask ourselves the question we least expected: Vampires, in a church? This and more, in this bonus look at The Last Man on Earth! Join us there, at the end of the world. The Last Man on Earth is in the public domain, and is available on DV
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: James Gomes of the Jimbo Radio podcast joins us to talk about Richard Matheson's 1954 novella, I Am Legend! We'll talk about vampires, germ theory, and the last man on earth. We'll look at military service and PTSD; the power of purpose; and even a little hysterical blindness. And we'll ask ourselves, why can't a movie go all in on the ending? This and more, in I Am Legend! Join us there, at the end of the world! I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson, can be purchased at most booksellers, in print, ebook, and audiobook formats. The Tor/Forge 2007 interview with Richar
We're back, and visiting a new part of the world! Today, let's take a look at the Russian response to the apocalypse, in 4A Games' 2010 game, Metro 2033! We'll talk about psychic mutants, bullets as currency, and winged demons. And we'll ask ourselves, could we actually survive the apocalypse in a subway system? All this and more in Metro 2033 (and its remaster, 2014's Metro 2033 Redux)! Join us there, at the end of the world. Metro 2033 is available on PC, Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consoles. Post-Apocalyptia can be found on most podcast apps, and on our website at https://www.pos
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: We go way back to a cautionary tale from more than a century ago, in E.M. Forster's "The Machine Stops"! We talk about AI, conformity, and a world that wasn't ready for social media--and whether ours is. And we ask the question: Where do we draw our lines? Because when the Machine stops, it may well take us with it! All this and more, in "The Machine Stops". Join us there, at the end of the world! "The Machine Stops" is in the public domain, and can be read for free at the Project Gutenberg website, here. Or, listen to our audiobook version here, or in your favor
Today on a special bonus episode of Post-Apocalyptia: Enjoy this audiobook of the story we'll be covering this weekend, E.M. Forster's 1909 short story, "The Machine Stops"! And join us on Sunday for our discussion of this disturbingly prophetic story, on our regular weekly episode. Join us there, at the end of the world! Post-Apocalyptia can be found on most podcast apps, and on our website at https://www.postapocalyptia.com. We can also be found on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter/X, Bluesky, and Reddit. Have a story you'd like to see us feature? Or, want to join us as a
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: The zombies have evolved! In Danny Boyle's 2002 film, 28 Days Later, we'll check out a new breed of zombies. They don't want to eat you, they just want to kill you--and they're fast enough and angry enough to do it. The Rage virus takes over England, and we're here to see just how badly that works out (spoiler: it's VERY bad!). All this and more, in 28 Days Later! Join us there, at the end of the world! 28 Days Later is available for rent and purchase on various streaming services, and available for purchase on VHS, DVD, and BluRay. Post-Apocalyptia can be found
What does it take to ruin a life? We'll find out today on Post-Apocalyptia, as we look at the most famous episode of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone, "Time Enough At Last"! We'll talk about relationships, duty, and the love of reading; and we'll ask ourselves, what good is survival if everything you love is gone? All this and more, as we accompany nearsighted bank teller Henry Bemis (played by the fantastic Burgess Meredith) into the Twilight Zone. Join us there, at the end of the world! The Twilight Zone is available for for paid subscription streaming on Paramount+, and for free with ads on
This week on Post-Apocalyptia: Sony and Guerrilla Games' 2017 video game, Horizon Zero Dawn! We'll look at two firsts: Our first environmental collapse, and our first total extinction. We'll talk about artificial intelligence, the evils of corporations, and destruction of our own making. Then we'll counter that with the challenge of rebuilding, and the power of hope! And we'll wrap it up with a close call on a second apocalypse. All this and more, in Horizon Zero Dawn! Join us there, at the end of the world. Horizon Zero Dawn is developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive En
We're back, with Part 2 of Pat Frank's 1959 classic novel, Alas, Babylon! In Part 2, Professor David Perlmutter and I talk about the makings of a truly good leader; the value of dying skills; and the power of community. We'll see our characters navigate racial issues, enforce order, and bury one of their own. And in the end, they'll ask themselves: Will they stay, or will they go? (With apologies to The Clash, of course.) This and more, in Part 2 of Alas, Babylon! Join us there, at the end of the world. Alas, Babylon has remained in print since its publication, and is available from most books
We're back, and asking ourselves: How does a small town survive the apocalypse on its own? Professor David Perlmutter returns today to talk about Pat Frank's classic 1959 novel of the nuclear apocalypse, Alas, Babylon! In Part 1, we'll talk about the necessities for survival; the Cold War and the nuclear threat; and the risk of being a forward thinker in a backward time. We'll meet our characters, and see how they manage to escape not just death in the apocalypse, but the degradation of the aftermath. And we'll ask the question on everyone's mind on "The Day": What's all this money really wort
Welcome to Post-Apocalyptia! This week, we take a break from our normal schedule for the holiday weekend, and bring you this special bonus episode instead. We'll look at something brand new, and I mean REALLY new: Jim Swiss's audio drama, The Carrington Doctrine! We'll join Colin as he leaves audio logs at the end of the world, or something like it--but he can't be sure, because he's joined a sun-worshipping cult in the forest. And that's the normal part! Things only get weirder from there. Season 1 of The Carrington Doctrine is out now--join us there, at the end of the world! The Carrington D
We're back! This week, Windy joins us again as we look at George Romero's second zombie film, 1978's Dawn of the Dead! Things get serious in Pennsylvania, as there's no room in Hell, and the dead walk the Earth...and go to the mall, while they're at it. We'll talk about special effects, fluorescent blood, and the pros and cons of mall life. We'll weigh the power of movie bans versus the power of profit, in the most profitable movie in the franchise. All this and more, in Dawn of the Dead! Join us there, at the end of the world! Dawn of the Dead (1978) is available for purchase or rental on var
