The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

Three desperate thieves steal a machine that promises access to a hidden realm where every invention already exists, but what waits there responds to the minds that enter it. Butch Conners sees the score of a lifetime ahead of him, unaware that some doors lead somewhere far stranger than treasure. The Thought Machine by Ray Cummings. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast keeps growing and growing like never before. We are now the #1 science fiction podcast in Italy, Vietnam, Nigeria and Germany! That’s 43 countries where we have hit #1. Thank you for taking us to new heights far greater than we ever imagined.

We love narrating stories by Ray Cummings. This is the 6th story by this amazing author on our podcast.

First published 103 years and 5 days ago in Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 26, 1923 on page 762, The Thought Machine by Ray Cummings…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A stubborn mountain resort owner discovers that certain tourists will go to impossible lengths to protect their favorite fishing spot. Charlie Buckner suddenly finds himself bargaining with visitors who can erase memories, burn buildings, and still care more about trout than secrecy. The One That Got Away by Chad Oliver.

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Alfred Pendray has one chance to warn Earth before an enemy weapon turns the Sun into a killing firestorm, but every path home carries a price no sane man would willingly pay. Drifting alone through a shattered warship, he faces a calculation that grows more terrifying the closer he gets to solving it. The Measure of a Man by Randall Garrett. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

From the April 1960 issue of Astounding/Analog Science Fact & Fiction on page 110, The Measure of a Man by Randall Garrett…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Three desperate thieves steal a machine that promises access to a hidden realm where every invention already exists, but what waits there responds to the minds that enter it. Butch Conners sees the score of a lifetime ahead of him, unaware that some doors lead somewhere far stranger than treasure. The Thought Machine by Ray Cummings.

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A brilliant scientist uncovers evidence that humanity’s greatest technological triumph may already have marked Earth for execution. As governments race toward bigger weapons and tighter control, one terrifying question remains: what happens if the planet itself wants the infection destroyed? The Gray Cloud by Walter Kubilius. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

You are listening to the #1 science fiction podcast in Russia! That makes 39 countries where we have hit #1. Thank you for all that you do! For the 5 star ratings and reviews, for sharing The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast on social media and with your friends. You have made us #1 in 39 countries and we will continue to do our best to honor these amazing authors and incredible stories by narrating every story to the best of our ability. Thank you!

Walter Kubilius is making his Lost Sci-Fi Podcast debut. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1918 which wouldn’t normally be weird, except for the fact that the author of yesterday’s story, Leo P. Kelley was also born in Wilkes-Barre. We didn’t plan it that way.

Kubilius wrote 25 sci-fi short stories from 1941 to 1953.

Published in the pages of the March 1951 issue of Future Combined with Science Fiction Stories on page 44, The Gray Cloud by Walter Kubilius…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Alfred Pendray has one chance to warn Earth before an enemy weapon turns the Sun into a killing firestorm, but every path home carries a price no sane man would willingly pay. Drifting alone through a shattered warship, he faces a calculation that grows more terrifying the closer he gets to solving it. The Measure of a Man by Randall Garrett.

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In a future where every craving can be simulated and every discomfort erased, one aging man risks humiliation to remind people what genuine joy once felt like. What begins as a desperate act inside a sterile circus quickly forces an audience to rediscover something they didn’t realize they had lost. The Human Element by Leo P. Kelley. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Never heard of Leo P. Kelley? Neither had I. But once I started digging into his work, I discovered he was far more prolific than I expected. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1928, Kelley wrote ten science fiction novels and roughly thirty-five short stories.

Science fiction wasn’t his only genre. He also penned more than twenty Western novels during his writing career.

From If Worlds of Science Fiction in June 1957 on page 106, The Human Element by Leo P. Kelley…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A brilliant scientist uncovers evidence that humanity’s greatest technological triumph may already have marked Earth for execution. As governments race toward bigger weapons and tighter control, one terrifying question remains: what happens if the planet itself wants the infection destroyed? The Gray Cloud by Walter Kubilius.

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Ernie Combs spends his life hiding a secret that turns every friendship into a risk and every crowded street into dangerous territory. When he finally meets someone who seems to understand him completely, one terrible discovery forces him to decide whether he truly wanted acceptance—or only the chance to feel normal. Cast The First Shadow by Marc Brandel. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

A huge thank you to our listeners in Thailand for taking The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast to #1! 🇹🇭🚀

Thailand becomes the 38th country where Lost Sci-Fi has reached the top spot. Thank you for listening, sharing the podcast and helping us reach listeners all around the world.

Marc Brandel is making his debut on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast and it will probably be his only appearance. He was born Marcus James Beresford in London, England in 1919.

Today’s story is his only published science fiction short story, although he wrote five science fiction novels. He was also the son of author J. D. Beresford, making this the first time I can remember that we’ve narrated stories by both a father and son on the podcast.

We’ll feature a story by J. D. Beresford as a bonus episode for Lost Sci-Fi Premium subscribers in the next few days.

Although our story was published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in April 1955 it first appeared in a magazine with Marilyn Monroe on the cover. Not many science fiction authors can say that!

From the May 1953 issue of Cosmopolitan on page 92, Cast The First Shadow by Marc Brandel…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, In a future where every craving can be simulated and every discomfort erased, one aging man risks humiliation to remind people what genuine joy once felt like. What begins as a desperate act inside a sterile circus quickly forces an audience to rediscover something they didn’t realize they had lost. The Human Element by Leo P. Kelley.

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