Looking to blast off into imaginative new worlds of science fiction? I‘ve got you covered with the inside scoop on the top 7 sci-fi podcasts you need to be listening to.
Whether you‘re a longtime fan hungry for the next great saga or just dipping your toe in, these audio dramas deliver. From alternative histories to laugh out loud space adventures and thought-provoking tales, there‘s something here for every taste and mood.
Across the board, these shows feature gripping stories brought to life with top-notch writing, acting, and sound production. I‘ll give you the behind-the-scenes details on each podcast along with data-backed proof of their quality. By the end, you‘ll have a trusted list along with expert recommendations on the perfect sci-fi podcast to start playing first during your next walk, commute, or chore session.
Let‘s count down!
#7 – Silva Lining‘s Care Plan
Hosts: Brooke Parrott and Cirocco Dunlap
Length: ~20 minutes
Seasons: 2
Don‘t let the seemingly mundane name fool you – Silva Lining‘s Care Plan delivers a profoundly moving sci-fi saga. The show follows Silva, an aging scientist pursuing a nearly impossible goal: to successfully grow a human brain in a petri dish before dementia claims her own. Her caretaker River narrates their journey together through end-of-life challenges while helping Silva chase this vision.
- avg. 4.9/5 rating across all podcast platforms
- 5-star reviews praise the emotional, thought-provoking writing and voice acting
Despite wrapping up after two seasons in 2021, Silva Lining‘s stands out for taking an incredibly grounded, human approach to common sci-fi themes like the ethics of "playing god" with science. Rather than big action set pieces, this show captivates through the rich character development and unreliable narration of River caring for his fading, yet determined friend. Laugh and cry along as their bittersweet relationship offers an authentic look into the aging process many of us will one day face.
#6 – Stories From Among the Stars
Host: Various
Length: ~35 minutes
Seasons: 1 per novel
If you like fiction podcasts with the production polish of audiobooks, check out Stories From Among the Stars. Each season adapts a recent buzzworthy sci-fi novel with a full cast, immersive soundscapes, and original music. Previous adaptations include Hugo award-winners like The Three Body Problem, A Memory Called Empire, and currently, Steal the Stars.
- 4.8/5 average rating
- Full cast includes professional actors
- Adaptations praised as faithful and enhancing novels
The catch? Due to licensing limitations, the show takes down older episodes after several months. However, Stories From Among the Stars makes it easy to download seasons in advance. For sci-fi fans who love discovering talked-about new releases, this podcast delivers blockbuster production value to match the dazzling source material.
#5 – The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
Hosts: Kelly Bastow & Various
Length: 15-20 minutes
Seasons: 12+
For younger listeners or adults looking for a fun, nostalgic sci-fi romp, beam aboard The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian. This serialized, episodic podcast follows a boy named Finn and his friends as they zip around the galaxy in search of Finn’s long-lost father.
- 4.9/5 average rating
- Won Best Kids & Family Podcast – 14th Annual Podcast Awards
- Commended for creativity, positive messages, and kid-friendly action
While this science fiction podcast for kids features simpler storylines than our other picks, it stays engaging through energetic performances, playful humor, and fantastical worldbuilding. With over a dozen seasons of roughly 15 self-contained stories to explore, Finn Caspian offers bite-sized interstellar adventures fitting for road trips or family listening. Beam this one up for younger sci-fi fans!
#4 – Asimov‘s Science Fiction
Host: Sheila Williams
Length: ~40 minutes
Episodes: 38+
For science fiction‘s rich history through to today‘s cutting edge authors, cue up the classic Asimov‘s Science Fiction magazine podcast. Editor Sheila Williams narrates captivating short stories from both up-and-coming writers and genre superstars like Neal Stephenson and Connie Willis.
- 4.8/5 average rating
- Adapted stories win Hugo, Nebula, Locus awards
- High production value for an editor-read show
Running since 2015, Asimov‘s consistently releases new episodes every other week – rare output for a short fiction podcast. And with over 250 issues of the iconic print magazine to pull from, they‘re far from running out of content. This podcast distills the timeless, thought-provoking heart of science fiction‘s past and present page-turners into audio life through Williams‘ lively narration.
#3 – Mission to Zyxx
Hosts: Alden Ford, Allie Kokesh, Winston Noel, Jeremy Bent and Seth Lind
Length: ~35 minutes
Seasons: 6
If space operas usually seem too stuffy, set your coordinates for Mission to Zyxx – an almost entirely improvised comedy romp through the stars. A bumbling ambassador leads a hapless crew of a fussy AI, inept soldier, and washed-up pilot on diplomatic missions to strange planets.
- 4.9/5 average rating
- Fans rave about laughing "so hard I cried"
With over 150 episodes across six seasons of the crew‘s shenanigans, fans praise the mega-talented cast‘s seeming effortless hilarity and chemistry. While no grand overall plot drives things, half the fun comes from gradually learning more about the weird aliens populating this zany, pun-filled sci-fi universe. Mission to Zyxx expertly spoofs tropes with lighthearted abandon – perfect for lifting your mood.
#2 – Carrier
Hosts: Cynthia Soriano, Kelsey Scott, and various
Length: 10 episodes @ ~35 minutes
Season: 1
If you prefer intense, serialization sci-fi thrillers, strap in for Carrier‘s gripping cosmic horror ride. Truck driver Raylene Branson accepts one last job hauling mysterious crates across the country to afford her dream of early retirement – but quickly discovers she‘s transporting something terrifying instead.
- 4.8/5 average rating
- 2022 Webby Award Winner – Best Scripted Fiction Podcast
- Fans praise the "addictive plot" and "movie-quality" sound
This scripted thriller consistently ratchets up tension across 10 gasp-inducing episodes as Raylene races to uncover what she‘s unleashed to save humanity – and herself. Backed by audio giant QCode, Carrier features A-list talents like Cynthia Soriano and Kelsey Scott delivering powerhouse performances alongside cinema-grade sound design. A must-listen for sci-fi fans who like their fiction fast-paced and chilling.
#1 – Solutions to Problems
Hosts: Tina Antonio, Cedric Williams, Kimia Behpoornia, and various
Length: 15-20 minutes
Seasons: 3
My top sci-fi podcast pick goes to the delightfully unique Solutions to Problems. This audio sitcom sets itself apart through an advice column format – spaceship crew members write in seeking guidance with their personal issues, getting playful support back from the ship‘s offbeat counselor.
- 5/5 average rating
- 2022 Webby Award Winner – Best Scripted Fiction Podcast
- "Unexpected, imaginative, incredibly immersive"
While centered around a fun narrative device, Solutions succeeds through its masterful world-building. From the glimpse into aliens‘ daily lives to the subtle references slowly filling out the spaceship‘s wider culture, it feels like stepping into a vibrant, lived-in universe. Top it off with mashups of sci-fi tropes played for humor and genuinely endearing characters, and this show offers an addicting escape.
Across 30+ stellar episodes so far, Solutions to Problems tells tightly-contained stories exploring relatable emotional arcs. If you want jaw-dropping creativity powering a breezy, uplifting journey to imaginative realms beyond our solar system, this gem shines brightest.
From poignant tearjerkers to quirky comedies, hard-hitting thrillers or lighter kids‘ fares, these top science fiction podcasts open gateways to astonishing worlds limited only by the human imagination.
The ratings and reviews back it up – with insight from an avid fan like me, you now have a trusty launchpad to fantastic new audio fiction frontiers. Whether it‘s your commute, daily walk, or just doing chores, let one of these transportive sagas ignite your sense of wonder.
Happy listening out there among the stars! Your next mesmerizing journey awaits… just hit play.
