Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
@utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social
A podcast about utopia and dystopia hosted by @matthewleggatt.bsky.social and @dystopiajunkie.bsky.social. Each episode we interview a different thinker in the field of Utopian and Dystopian studies. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
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Episode 17: Halloween Special (Season 2 Finale) - Dystopia and Horror
spotify.link
Here it is! Episode 17. Our Halloween Special. Liam and I discuss the relationship between dystopia and horror. We're taking a short break in preparation for season 3, with exciting things to come. If you enjoyed season 2 let us know in a comment. Rate, Subscribe, blah!
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
Lovely to see our episode on play and games in utopia/dystopia featured here. We had a great time chatting with Stefano!
🏹The Hunger Games builds its narrative around a fictional game. What can the (fictional) games we play reveal about the values held by society?
🎙️ @gua-le-ni.com chats with @matthewleggatt.bsky.social & @dystopiajunkie.bsky.social on @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social
🔗 www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/li...
🎙️ @gua-le-ni.com chats with @matthewleggatt.bsky.social & @dystopiajunkie.bsky.social on @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social
🔗 www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/li...
Utopia, Play, and Fictional Games: A conversation with Prof. Stefano Gualeni
How do fictional games work as world-building tools and what can the games we play reveal?
www.um.edu.mt
November 20, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Lovely to see our episode on play and games in utopia/dystopia featured here. We had a great time chatting with Stefano!
We may currently be on a short break but that doesn't mean the action stops. I've just finished recording a future interview with the brilliant Amy Brookes. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you in future. It's on utopia, science fiction, and architecture. I had a great time chatting to Amy!
November 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
We may currently be on a short break but that doesn't mean the action stops. I've just finished recording a future interview with the brilliant Amy Brookes. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you in future. It's on utopia, science fiction, and architecture. I had a great time chatting to Amy!
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
I was recently interviewed by the Library and Cultural Services Team at the University of Essex about making my new book open access. Here's a link to our discussion of Utopian Variations: Utopia in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture. www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2...
Sean Seeger: Q&A on Open Access Publication | Blog | University of Essex
Our Open Access team interviews Dr Sean Seeger, Senior Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Literature at the University of Essex, who recently published his monograph 'Utopian Variations: Utopia in Li...
www.essex.ac.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I was recently interviewed by the Library and Cultural Services Team at the University of Essex about making my new book open access. Here's a link to our discussion of Utopian Variations: Utopia in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture. www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2...
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
Lesson my 9-month old is currently learning... it's quicker to destroy something than to put it together!
November 9, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Lesson my 9-month old is currently learning... it's quicker to destroy something than to put it together!
Not ready to let go of Spooky Season yet? Listen to our episode on dystopia and horror. In particular we cover Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, Ray Bradbury's The Veldt, and A Clockwork Orange!
Here it is! Episode 17. Our Halloween Special. Liam and I discuss the relationship between dystopia and horror. We're taking a short break in preparation for season 3, with exciting things to come. If you enjoyed season 2 let us know in a comment. Rate, Subscribe, blah!
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
Episode 17: Halloween Special (Season 2 Finale) - Dystopia and Horror
spotify.link
November 3, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Not ready to let go of Spooky Season yet? Listen to our episode on dystopia and horror. In particular we cover Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, Ray Bradbury's The Veldt, and A Clockwork Orange!
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
Excellent season finale of @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social especially for lovers of Shirley Jackson and Ray Bradbury. Have a lovely hiatus. spotify.link/H455l0j3WXb #horror #scifi #dystopia #utopia
Episode 17: Halloween Special (Season 2 Finale) - Dystopia and Horror
spotify.link
November 1, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Excellent season finale of @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social especially for lovers of Shirley Jackson and Ray Bradbury. Have a lovely hiatus. spotify.link/H455l0j3WXb #horror #scifi #dystopia #utopia
Here it is! Episode 17. Our Halloween Special. Liam and I discuss the relationship between dystopia and horror. We're taking a short break in preparation for season 3, with exciting things to come. If you enjoyed season 2 let us know in a comment. Rate, Subscribe, blah!
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
Episode 17: Halloween Special (Season 2 Finale) - Dystopia and Horror
spotify.link
October 31, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Here it is! Episode 17. Our Halloween Special. Liam and I discuss the relationship between dystopia and horror. We're taking a short break in preparation for season 3, with exciting things to come. If you enjoyed season 2 let us know in a comment. Rate, Subscribe, blah!
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
spotify.link/s1McUJfzUXb
Happy Halloween! Our Halloween episode goes live today at 10am BST. In it, Liam and I explore the connection between dystopia and horror. We hope you enjoy!
October 31, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Happy Halloween! Our Halloween episode goes live today at 10am BST. In it, Liam and I explore the connection between dystopia and horror. We hope you enjoy!
Spooky tales incoming... Our Halloween episode is dropping on, you guessed it, Friday 31st at 10am!
two dogs dressed up for halloween are sitting next to each other on a porch .
ALT: two dogs dressed up for halloween are sitting next to each other on a porch .
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Spooky tales incoming... Our Halloween episode is dropping on, you guessed it, Friday 31st at 10am!
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
Thrilled and delighted to say that my new book, Utopian Variations: Utopia in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture, is now out! Thanks to the University of Essex's open access fund, it's available via open access too. You can download the full book for free here: www.peterlang.com/document/156...
Peter Lang Verlag - Utopian Variations
Utopian Variations is a comparative critical study of a variety of kinds of utopia and utopian discourse. Rather than focusing on more familiar forms ...
www.peterlang.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Thrilled and delighted to say that my new book, Utopian Variations: Utopia in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture, is now out! Thanks to the University of Essex's open access fund, it's available via open access too. You can download the full book for free here: www.peterlang.com/document/156...
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
In case you missed it, I talked about my latest novel - a speculative sci-fi detective story - at the 'Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast.' Check it out! :)
>> youtu.be/eFW_XltfW-k?... <<
@indigitalgames.bsky.social @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social @matthewleggatt.bsky.social
>> youtu.be/eFW_XltfW-k?... <<
@indigitalgames.bsky.social @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social @matthewleggatt.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 7:19 AM
In case you missed it, I talked about my latest novel - a speculative sci-fi detective story - at the 'Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast.' Check it out! :)
>> youtu.be/eFW_XltfW-k?... <<
@indigitalgames.bsky.social @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social @matthewleggatt.bsky.social
>> youtu.be/eFW_XltfW-k?... <<
@indigitalgames.bsky.social @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social @matthewleggatt.bsky.social
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
We've had such fun curating the Utopias Reading Group - @aoifemod.bsky.social. Now you can see the list of utopias we've discussed:
blogs.ncl.ac.uk/nu-cusp/utop...
blogs.ncl.ac.uk/nu-cusp/utop...
Utopias Reading Group | NU Cluster for Utopian, Speculative and Prefigurative Research
blogs.ncl.ac.uk
October 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
We've had such fun curating the Utopias Reading Group - @aoifemod.bsky.social. Now you can see the list of utopias we've discussed:
blogs.ncl.ac.uk/nu-cusp/utop...
blogs.ncl.ac.uk/nu-cusp/utop...
Just finished some recording. It's spooky season so in the next episode we discuss the overlap between horror and dystopia. We chatted about three texts in particular. Planning to drop this one in time for Halloween.
October 17, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Just finished some recording. It's spooky season so in the next episode we discuss the overlap between horror and dystopia. We chatted about three texts in particular. Planning to drop this one in time for Halloween.
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
I know there were some on here asking for the contents list and chapter titles before when I first posted the book cover. Well, the website for the book now has those details. Full list found here. In short, a lot of wonderful contributors and a range of great topics.
sunypress.edu/Books/W/Wast...
sunypress.edu/Books/W/Wast...
Wastelands and Wonderlands
sunypress.edu
October 15, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I know there were some on here asking for the contents list and chapter titles before when I first posted the book cover. Well, the website for the book now has those details. Full list found here. In short, a lot of wonderful contributors and a range of great topics.
sunypress.edu/Books/W/Wast...
sunypress.edu/Books/W/Wast...
Episode 16 on all things playful in utopian and dystopian fiction is available to stream now via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. We had a lot of fun talking to the brilliant Stefano Gualeni. Take a listen and let us know what you think.
open.spotify.com/episode/3Pz0...
open.spotify.com/episode/3Pz0...
October 8, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Episode 16 on all things playful in utopian and dystopian fiction is available to stream now via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. We had a lot of fun talking to the brilliant Stefano Gualeni. Take a listen and let us know what you think.
open.spotify.com/episode/3Pz0...
open.spotify.com/episode/3Pz0...
A year ago we posted the first episode of the podcast, uncertain what to do with it, if anyone would want to be interviewed by us, or if anyone would listen. This afternoon we'll be posting our 16th episode and have met some fabulous scholars along the way! The lesson is... collaboration is awesome!
October 8, 2025 at 6:38 AM
A year ago we posted the first episode of the podcast, uncertain what to do with it, if anyone would want to be interviewed by us, or if anyone would listen. This afternoon we'll be posting our 16th episode and have met some fabulous scholars along the way! The lesson is... collaboration is awesome!
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
New episode of @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social landing on Wednesday and given its close connection to my own research on play in utopian and dystopian fiction and the fact it marks a year since we started the podcast it's certainly a special one for me.
October 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
New episode of @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social landing on Wednesday and given its close connection to my own research on play in utopian and dystopian fiction and the fact it marks a year since we started the podcast it's certainly a special one for me.
Recording yesterday for our next episode. It's our 16th but it also marks a year since we started the podcast. If you've enjoyed what we've been doing please take a few moments to rate the podcast. It helps us out with the dystopian algorithm.
September 27, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Recording yesterday for our next episode. It's our 16th but it also marks a year since we started the podcast. If you've enjoyed what we've been doing please take a few moments to rate the podcast. It helps us out with the dystopian algorithm.
Had a great chat with Stefano Gualeni @gua-le-ni.com yesterday morning recording an interview for the next episode of the podcast. Going to be a fun one discussing, among other things, play and games in utopia/dystopia!
a man in a suit is singing into a microphone with his mouth open
ALT: a man in a suit is singing into a microphone with his mouth open
media.tenor.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Had a great chat with Stefano Gualeni @gua-le-ni.com yesterday morning recording an interview for the next episode of the podcast. Going to be a fun one discussing, among other things, play and games in utopia/dystopia!
We all love bureaucracy, right? Here it is for your enjoyment... bureaucratic utopias and dystopias with Daniel Jenkin Smith. Please rate, subscribe, recommend, and all that other bureaucratic nonsense!
open.spotify.com/episode/3mD0...
open.spotify.com/episode/3mD0...
Episode 15: Daniel Jenkin-Smith, Bureaucracy, Utopia, Dystopia
open.spotify.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
We all love bureaucracy, right? Here it is for your enjoyment... bureaucratic utopias and dystopias with Daniel Jenkin Smith. Please rate, subscribe, recommend, and all that other bureaucratic nonsense!
open.spotify.com/episode/3mD0...
open.spotify.com/episode/3mD0...
Episode 15 drops this afternoon, 1pm BST. It should be fun. An episode about bureaucratic utopias/dystopias featuring an interview with Daniel Jenkin Smith, author of The Rise of Office Literature and co-host of @smfmspodcast.bsky.social.
a man in a suit and tie stands in front of a sign that says the work is mysterious
ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands in front of a sign that says the work is mysterious
media.tenor.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Episode 15 drops this afternoon, 1pm BST. It should be fun. An episode about bureaucratic utopias/dystopias featuring an interview with Daniel Jenkin Smith, author of The Rise of Office Literature and co-host of @smfmspodcast.bsky.social.
We'll be recording this with guest @gua-le-ni.com in just over a week! Will be a fun one!
Been out in the wild for a month today! Hope to be doing one or two things to promote over the next few months starting with an episode about play on the pod and a small book launch event in Winchester. Play in Utopian and Dystopian Fiction | Home www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
Play in Utopian and Dystopian Fiction | Home
Matthew Leggatt is Senior Lecturer in English and American Literature at the University of Winchester, UK. He is the author of two monographs, one edited collection, and numerous articles and book chapters. He is also the editor of the forthcoming collection Wastelands and Wonderlands: Essays on Utopian and Dystopian Film and Literature (SUNY Press, 2026) and co-hosts the Utopian and Dystopian Fictions podcast.
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 7:26 AM
We'll be recording this with guest @gua-le-ni.com in just over a week! Will be a fun one!
Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast
Cover art is in! Wastelands and Wonderlands coming in April. Massive thanks to the creative team at SUNY for another brilliant cover! This has some amazing contribs and I can't wait for you to read their work!
September 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Cover art is in! Wastelands and Wonderlands coming in April. Massive thanks to the creative team at SUNY for another brilliant cover! This has some amazing contribs and I can't wait for you to read their work!
A week today we'll be putting out our next episode and you can listen to me chatting about bureaucratic dystopias (and utopias) with @dcjenkin-smith.bsky.social of @smfmspodcast.bsky.social 'fame'!... I use fame in scare quotes because I know he'd want me to!
September 10, 2025 at 6:41 AM
A week today we'll be putting out our next episode and you can listen to me chatting about bureaucratic dystopias (and utopias) with @dcjenkin-smith.bsky.social of @smfmspodcast.bsky.social 'fame'!... I use fame in scare quotes because I know he'd want me to!