What if the street corner doomsayers turned out to be right?

Author and musician Wayne Faust and I explore the ideas behind his Calek's Tale trilogy—a compelling blend of post-apocalyptic science fiction, coming-of-age adventure, and philosophical exploration. Our conversation ranges from the double-edged sword of technology to cult psychology, the appeal of certainty in uncertain times, and the eternal tension between tradition and progress.

We also discuss why people follow charismatic leaders, whether society can ever put dangerous technologies "back in the box," and how science fiction allows us to ask difficult questions about the future before we are forced to live through the answers.

As usual, there are the Big Questions.

Books of his we discuss: The Calek's Tale trilogy

https://waynefaustauthor.com/

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What if the greatest threat posed by artificial intelligence isn't that machines become evil—but that they inherit humanity's flaws?

In this episode of Alternate Futures, I chat with Peter McAllister, engineer scientist turned technology manager , and author of The Code, a science fiction thriller that began as dystopian fiction and now feels uncomfortably close to current events. Drawing on decades of experience working at the intersection of technology, business, and people, Peter shares his thoughts on the promises and dangers of AI, automation, corporate decision-making, and humanity's tendency to embrace powerful technologies before fully understanding their consequences.

We discuss the AI boom, the disconnect between technology leaders and decision makers, the ethics of machine intelligence, and whether we may be creating the next intelligent species on Earth. We also explore nanotechnology, self-improving systems, unconscious bias in AI training, technological evolution, AI rights, and the possibility that our machine creations may one day judge us by the way we treated them.

Books of his we discuss: The Code: If your AI loses its mind, can it take meds?

https://www.petermcallisterauthor.com

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What happens when a former Homeland Security medical intelligence analyst turns a global pandemic into science fiction?

Former Department of Homeland Security Medical Intelligence Analyst Helen Hynson Vettori joins me as we explore the real-world experiences that inspired her Black Swan trilogy — a near-future political sci-fi series shaped by emergency management, biological preparedness, cyber warfare, and the fragile relationship between governments and public trust. From her time as a paramedic to Homeland Security analyst preparing for pandemics and biological incidents, Helen brings a unique insider perspective to the topics.

We discuss COVID-era decision making, the dangers of communication breakdown during crises, cyber warfare as a modern form of world conflict, and how societies respond when fear overtakes trust. We also dive into the worldbuilding behind Black Swan Impact: post–World War III geopolitics, future AI systems, lunar infrastructure, and the challenge of writing speculative fiction that feels uncomfortably plausible.

Books of hers we discuss: Black Swan Impact, Black Swan Shock

https://www.helenhynsonvettori.com/

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