Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

A Rare Glimpse at a Legend Before the Phenomenon

In this newly restored 1996 conversation from Tony Tellado’s original radio program — co‑hosted with Ernest Lilley — George R.R. Martin joins the show just as A Game of Thrones is beginning its journey into the world. Long before the global phenomenon, before the adaptations and cultural tidal wave, Martin speaks with the candor and enthusiasm of a writer who knows he’s building something ambitious but has no idea how far it will reach.

This archival episode, now presented on Exploring Humanity Through Sci‑Fi, offers a remarkable snapshot of Martin’s creative philosophy at a pivotal moment in his career.

Highlights From the Conversation

🖋️ On Writing Novels

🧬 On His Favorite Characters

🔥 On Writing Evil

Save 17% On Plus Today

 

In this episode of Rewind, we return to the enchanted, mysterious, and emotionally rich world of Once Upon a Time—the series that reimagined fairy tales for a modern audience while grounding them in the very human struggles of identity, destiny, and redemption.

Set in the fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine, the show begins with a startling revelation: the residents are actually fairy‑tale characters ripped from their magical realms and cursed to live ordinary lives with no memory of who they once were. Through its signature dual‑timeline storytelling, the series explored the hidden pasts of beloved characters—from Snow White to Rumpelstiltskin—and the ways their fairy‑tale histories shaped their present‑day lives.

This episode features conversations with Jennifer Morrison, who brought emotional depth and grit to Emma Swan, and showrunners Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, the creative minds who fused Disney’s iconic storybook legacy with bold, serialized fantasy drama.

SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

 

In this episode, Tony sits down with two visionary forces shaping the future of visual storytelling: Rachel Meinerding and Nicole Hendrix Herman, co-founders of the Concept Art Association. Together, they’ve helped elevate the craft, visibility, and advocacy of concept artists across film, television, and games—championing the people who imagine worlds long before cameras roll.

This conversation is a deep dive into creativity, career evolution, and the fight to ensure artists receive the recognition they deserve.

Save 17% On Plus Today

 

 

Featuring Eric McCormack on Jack Nash, Alien Viruses, and the Thrill of a Classic Techno‑Thriller

I revisit the 2008 mini‑series adaptation of Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain — a story that blends hard science, government secrecy, and the terrifying possibility of an extraterrestrial pathogen.

This look‑back is built from a press conference at the time of release, featuring Eric McCormack, who stepped into the role of investigative cable‑news reporter Jack Nash. Nash becomes the unlikely first witness to a fallen satellite and the classified alien microorganism known as Andromeda — a discovery that pulls him into a crisis far bigger than any breaking‑news cycle.

🎙️ Eric McCormack on Becoming Jack Nash

McCormack reflects on crafting a reporter who is both dogged and deeply human. He shares:

• His inspiration for Jack Nash — a blend of real‑world journalists, classic conspiracy thrillers, and the relentless curiosity that drives people to chase truth even when it puts them in danger.

SAVE 17% On Plus, Now

 

In this episode, Tony Tellado Zooms  with the rising stars in London as they step into three of the most beloved characters in modern fantasy: Jaxon Knopf as Harry Potter, Rhys Mulligan as Ron Weasley, and Nina Barker‑Francis as Hermione Granger. Together, they unpack the emotional core of the trio’s journey—friendship, fear, growing up, and the quiet moments that shape legends.

This conversation goes beyond wands and wizardry. It’s about the human story beneath the magic.

✨ Inside the Episode

⚡ Harry & Ron: When Friendship Fractures

Jaxon and Rhys open up about portraying the tension between Harry and Ron

📚 Hermione’s Transformation

Nina Barker‑Francis reflects on Hermione’s evolution from brilliant girl to young woman finding her voice.

🔥 The Scene Before the Showdown

The most difficult moment to film wasn’t the confrontation with the one‑who‑must‑not‑be‑named—it was the quiet, intimate scene right before it.

Listen to a commericial free episode on Plus and save 17%

In this special episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci‑Fi, Tony sits down with one of the most influential — and often unsung — figures in modern space exploration: Gentry Lee, Chief Engineer for Planetary Exploration at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and longtime collaborator of Arthur C. Clarke.

Lee’s fingerprints are on some of humanity’s most iconic voyages into the unknown:

• the Viking missions, which delivered the first close‑up look at Mars

But Lee is more than an engineer. He’s a storyteller. A philosopher. A bridge between the scientific frontier and the imaginative frontier. His collaborations with Arthur C. Clarke helped define the future before it arrived, and his friendships with figures like Carl Sagan shaped the way we dream about the cosmos.

Save 17% On Plus Today

In this episode of Byte, Tony sits down with actor Aleks Paunovic, who brings the legendary Cyclops Polyphemus to life in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Known for his towering presence and emotional depth, Aleks delivers a performance that’s equal parts monstrous, tragic, and unexpectedly human.

From the challenges of prosthetics and heat to the delicate balance of myth and emotion, Aleks shares how he approached one of Greek mythology’s most iconic figures—and why Polyphemus is more than just a beast.

Save 17% On Plus Today

 

In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Lynn Collins revisits her experience starring as Dejah Thoris in Disney’s John Carter. More than a decade after its release, the film continues to spark passionate debate and enduring fan support. Lynn opens up about the whirlwind of expectations, the challenges of marketing a genre epic, and the emotional journey of portraying a warrior princess on Mars.

Save 17% On Plus, Today

Tony talked with actor, voice performer, and entrepreneur Carlos Navarro — a multi‑hyphenate talent whose journey spans blockbuster franchises, hit television, radio, and now his own creative studio.

Navarro is best known to The Walking Dead fans as Alvaro, a loyal member of King Ezekiel’s army during the Kingdom’s pivotal battles. His grounded, human performance helped bring emotional weight to one of the show’s most community‑driven storylines.

Marvel fans will also recognize him as Enrique, one of the unforgettable Tracksuit Mafia members in Hawkeye. Navarro brings humor, menace, and surprising heart to the role, adding texture to one of the MCU’s most memorable street‑level ensembles.

Save 17% On Plus Today

This month’s Explore Monthly dives into the biggest developments across sci‑fi, fantasy, comics, and horror — from long‑awaited adaptations to surprising industry shifts, bold casting moves, and the strange, delightful corners of genre storytelling that keep fans buzzing.

🛡️ God of War TV Series – Casting the Gods

🧛 New Vampire Horror Comedy Sinks Its Teeth In

🚀 Blake’s 7 Reboot – A Cult Classic Reborn

🪄 Harry Potter Audio – New Voices Enter the Wizarding World

💀 Fallout – The Ghoul’s Betrayal

👻 Supernatural’s Shift in Focus

🔥 Delroy Lindo on Sinners

🧪 Stranger Things – The Inspiration Behind Mr. What’s It

🪓 Texas Chainsaw Massacre – The TV Series

🧟 Christian Bale on His Make‑Up for The Bride

🖖 Starfleet Academy – The Real‑World Inspirations

🌊 Avatar Dominates Special Effects Award Nominations

🎭 Leads for Women Dropped in 2025 – Industry Trends

🍬 Saccharine – Variety’s Horror Review

⚔️ This Month’s List – Characters of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

SAVE 17% ON PLUS, TODAY