Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast

@utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social

320 followers 710 following 60 posts

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.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 21d

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...

Episode 15: Daniel Jenkin-Smith, Bureaucracy, Utopia, Dystopia

open.spotify.com

1 3 3

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 16h

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...

2 3

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 20h

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!

1 5

Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast

Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 3d

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.

4 5

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 11d

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.

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 14d

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

1 6

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 21d

Thanks for giving up your time! Your form of pedantry is welcome on our pod any time!

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 21d

Episode 15: Daniel Jenkin-Smith, Bureaucracy, Utopia, Dystopia

open.spotify.com

1 3 3

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 21d

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

2 6

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 23d

We'll be recording this with guest @gua-le-ni.com in just over a week! Will be a fun one!

Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 23d

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

1 3

Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast

Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 26d

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!

4 11 43

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 28d

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!

4 2

Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast

Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · Sep 5

The copy edits for the Wastelands and Wonderlands: Utopias and Dystopias in Film and Literature edited collection have just landed! Exciting, but I'm certainly going to have a busy few weeks!

a black and white photo of alice in wonderland standing next to a wooden sign that says `` to wonderland '' .

ALT: a black and white photo of alice in wonderland standing next to a wooden sign that says `` to wonderland '' .

media.tenor.com

2 6

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Sep 5

Missed a trick... surely it should be Ministry of Peace?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Trump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of War

The US president has sought to refocus the department on

www.bbc.co.uk

1 2

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Sep 4

If you're following Le Guin bot then you really should be following the podcast!

Ursula K. Le Guin Bot @leguinbot.bsky.social · Sep 4

The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting.

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Sep 4

Crazy to think that in a month we'll be marking a year since Liam and I started the podcast! We've had some amazing guests in that time! Massive thanks to everyone who has supported us.

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Sep 4

Was instinctively going to hit 'like' then decided that really wasn't appropriate!

Reposted by Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast

Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · Sep 1

Unfortunately, I can't make this as it's a bit of a distance but if you live anywhere nearby you should definitely drop in for this. Two great speakers and I'm currently reading Stefano's book which is so interesting!

Florence Smith Nicholls @florencesn.bsky.social · Sep 1

I'll be joining @gua-le-ni.com at Village Books in Leeds on 11th September to talk about his book What We Owe The Dead, especially the fascinating game archaeology in it 👀

Poster for event:
What We Owe The Dead
Book presentation and in conversation with Stefano Gualeni and Florence Smith Nicholls
Thurs 11th September
6-8pm
Village
10-12 Thornton's Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6LQ

1 2 2

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 30

It sounds great. I've added it to my lengthy goodreads list.

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 30

We'll have to get you on the pod at some point! Glad you liked that episode. Dan is a fantastic scholar and I'm lucky to have worked very close to him over the last 12 years. I expect we'll do another film specific episode in the not too distant future. We have lots of interesting stuff lined up.

1 1

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 30

Thanks Daniel, really appreciate the shout out. Glad you're enjoying what we're doing!

1 1

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 28

Love the title... although aren't all algorithms murder algorithms?

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 27

Well, you'll enjoy our next episode then for sure as we have Daniel Jenkin-Smith guesting on bureaucratic dystopias/utopias! I relatively recently read Frankenstein in Baghdad which was another interesting modern retelling. Also, you might like Ling Ma's Severance if you don't already know it!

1 1

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 27

Thanks Daniel, hope you enjoy the pod and do get in touch if you have any thoughts about it. This sounds like a great premise for a novel! I'll add it to my extensive TBR list...

1 1

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 27

Thanks, Adam! Hope you enjoy!

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · Aug 27

Here it is, episode 14. An interview with scholar Athira Unni about, among other things, postcolonial dystopias (particularly from South Asia and the Caribbean) and social reproduction theory. Please consider subscribing, reviewing, and rating the pod. open.spotify.com/episode/3cbZ...

Episode 14: Athira Unni, Postcolonial Dystopias and Social Reproduction Theory

open.spotify.com

5 8