Flash Forward
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Should I move to an off-the-grid commune? (Advice for and from the Future is Back!)
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After four years away, Advice for and from the Future is back with new hosts and a new producer! I'm so excited to hand this show off to Ozzy, Julia a...
INTRODUCING: Tested
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Oh hey! It's me, Rose. And I'm here to share with you the first episode of my new show, Tested. This is a passion project of mine, and one that I've b...
3. PUPATION
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the end of Flash Forward. This is the very last episode of the show ever. And on it we tackle the big, BIG question: how do you change the ...
2. PRECIPICE
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why does it always feel like we’re on the verge of something — great or terrible? And how do we resist the pull, the lull, and the stress of the v...
1. HOPE
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the end of Flash Forward. This is the first episode in our three-part show finale!! As I say goodbye to Flash Forward, I wanted to leave yo...
Vanguard Estates: Where Do You Want to Grow Old?
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we wrap up out Vanguard Estates series with the ultimate question: where do you want to grow old? The answer is probably not in a nursing home. ...
Vanguard Estates: The True Cost of Care
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Tod...
Vanguard Estates: Can Robots Really Help the Aging?
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Tod...
Vanguard Estates: The Future of the Aging Brain
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Tod...
Vanguard Estates: Living With Dementia
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Tod...
HOW TO LISTEN: Welcome To Vanguard Estates
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi friends, it’s Rose and I’m back with a new series from Flash Forward. It’s called Welcome to Vanguard Estates, and it’s in your feeds … n...
27. Keep Quiet
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
26. Break the News
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
25. Report Him
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
24. Keep His Secret
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
23. Trust the Robot
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
22. Stop the Robot
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
21. Take Out a Loan
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
20. Drop Out of School
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
19. Pay for Help
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
18. Handle it Yourself
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
17. Don’t Go To Manila
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
16. Go To Manila
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
15. Human Baths
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
14. Robot Baths
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to explain the hack to him, go to episode 26: Break the News.If you want to keep the news from him, go to episode 27: Keep Quiet.Vanguard ...
13. Tell Him
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to let it go, go to episode 24: Keep His Secret.If you want to say something to the robots, go to episode 25: Report Him.Vanguard Estates ...
12. Don't Tell Him
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to step in and protest, go to episode 22: Stop the Robot.If you want to let it go and let them run the show, go to episode 23: Trust the R...
11. Move Him In
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to drop your masters and shift things around, go to episode 20: Drop Out of School.If you want to go for the loan, go to episode 21: Take ...
10. Install Cameras
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to handle the car and then work from there, go to episode 18: Handle it Yourself.If you want to hire someone, go to episode 19: Pay for He...
9. Don’t Explain Missy
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The End.Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt...
8. Explain Missy
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to see if you can take him to Manila, go to episode 16: Go To Manila.If you want to put your foot down and refuse, go to episode 17: Don’...
7. Disable Drop-In
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to install a robot to bathe him, go to episode 14. Robot Baths.If you want to hire a human, go to episode 15. Human Baths.Vanguard Estates...
6. Use Drop-In
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to stay quiet, go to episode 12: Don’t Tell Him.If you want to say something and tell him about the stove, go to episode 13: Tell Him.Va...
5. Call Him More
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to install cameras in his house go to episode 10: Install Cameras.If you want to move him into your house, go to episode 11: Move Him In.V...
4. Buy A Home Robot
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to fully explain how Missy works, go to episode 8: Explain Missy.If you want to keep things vague go to episode 9: Don’t Explain Missy.V...
3. Bring Him Home
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to get in a home robot, go to episode 4: Buy A Home Robot.If you want to try to go without the robot, go to episode 5: Call Him More.Vangu...
2. Stay at Vanguard
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to keep checking in on him with Drop In, go to episode 6: Use Drop-In.If you want to disable Drop In, go to episode 7: Disable Drop-In.Van...
1. Welcome to Vanguard Estates
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to leave him there, go to episode 2: Stay at Vanguard.If you want to take your dad home, go to episode 3: Bring Him Home.Vanguard Estates ...
COMING SOON: Welcome to Vanguard Estates
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Oh, hello there. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I know this feed has been pretty quiet this year, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been working...
Can You Be Sued By A River?
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can you be sued by nature? In some places, the answer is already yes. Guests: Evelyn Bellanger -- White Earth Band of Ojibwe elder Frank Bibeau -- t...
ROBOTS: Could Robots Replace Animals?
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is the last of our FOUR PART MINI SEASON SERIES AND SHOW FINALE [airhorn noises]. This week we’re headed to a future where humans ...
ROBOTS: Would You Date A Robot?
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where we can take a robot home for a good time, or a long time, depending on what you’re into.Content note: today’s ep...
ROBOTS: Should A Robot Be Allowed To Kill?
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where militaries employ killer robots. Should a robot be allowed to take a human life? Is the speed of war increasing too ...
ROBOTS: Will Robots Ever Defeat Human Athletes?
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is part one in our FOUR PART MINI SEASON SERIES AND SHOW FINALE [airhorn noises]. We’re going out with a robotic bang: four episod...
What If We Could Shrink Humans?
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future where humans learn how to shrink ourselves. What are the ethics of making someone smaller against their will? Woul...
What If We Could Shrink Technology?
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about making our technologies and medicines tiny. Like, super tiny. Guests: Ainissa Ramirez -- scientist, speaker, author o...
Can You Find This Human?
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where your face is findable no matter where you go. Guests: Scott Myers — former editor of the Perplex City Wiki Laur...
What Is The Future Of Gender?
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we revisit an episode from way back in season one, and ask: what even is gender in the first place? How could it be different? Why does science ...
Can We Conquer Fire?
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about fire: how does it work? Why is it so dangerous? And could we ever make it safe? And it's an extra special episode beca...
What Could A Better Economy Look Like?
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future where the economy revolves around gifts, instead of money.Guests: Ilana Strauss, a journalist and producer at Nat...
Could Humans Become Nocturnal?
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future where humans get weird with sleep. First, what if we tried to take shifts all day, every day? Second, what if we t...
Could Mind Control End Crime?
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future where we try to control crime with brain implants.Guests: Stephen Kinzer, a journalist and author of Poisoner in ...
What Is The Future Of Flash Forward?
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we do a bit of spelunking into the history of Flash Forward, revisit last year’s anniversary, and talk about how the future sausage gets made....
Could We All Live Underground?
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future where humans decide to live underground.Guests: Dr. Brian Toon, an atmospheric scientist and professor at the Uni...
Can You Mine An Asteroid?
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future where we (try to) mine asteroids for resources.Guests: Atossa Abrahamian, a journalist who’s written about spac...
What If Our Cities Were Smart?
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about the future of cities. Do we want them to be smart? What does that even mean? Guests: Ben Passmore, a comic artist and...
What If We Could Never Touch Again?
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future without touch. Guests: Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist currently working at the Georgetown Center for Global ...
What If You Could Be Immune To Everything?
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
WELCOME BACK TO FLASH FORWARD! Today we travel to a future where we become immune to every poison, venom and toxin in the world. What happens next? G...
Back To The Future: Robot Teachers, Drug Decriminalization, Anti-Trust Extravaganza
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to three past futures, and update you on recent developments! How has COVID brought us closer to robot teachers? Why did Oregon vote t...
Enter The Alternate Timeline (SEASON FINALE!)
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is the LAST OF THE SEASON! And we're getting weird. What if there wasn't just this one timeline, this one universe, but tons and to...
Waste Not Want Not
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about trash. What if every country had to deal with its own garbage instead of shipping it elsewhere? Did you know what tras...
Is Anybody Out There?
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about contact. Have we really discovered alien life on Venus? How do you even look for life when you don't know what it will...
Home Sweet Home
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where housing is guaranteed and provided to everybody. Guests: Amanda Vail — Director of communications at Plymouth Hou...
Give The Land Back?
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where the US and Canada give stolen land back to tribes & bands. Guests: Molly Swain — cohost of Métis in Space, ...
Votes for All!
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where voting rights are extended to lots more people in the United States including non-citizens, 16-year-olds, and convic...
Double Trouble
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where we all have digital replicas of ourselves to deploy at faculty meetings, doctors appointments, and even dates. Gues...
Boss Bot
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
🚨 Pre-order the Flash Forward book today! 🚨Subscribe to Open World hereToday we travel to a future where you’re guaranteed a job, but there’...
Halfway To Heaven
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where you can retire to a nursing home… in space. Guests: Anicca Harriot — PhD candidate at the University of Maryla...
Shock And Awe
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where super-bandages can heal wounds really fast. Sound like science fiction? Well it might be closer than you think! G...
Game of Bones
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where archaeology accidentally runs out of bones. Guests: Dr. Keolu Fox — assistant professor at UC San Diego, Indigen...
It's The End Of The World As We Know It
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where there is no future, because today we’re considering how the universe ends. Plus: how to cope with feeling freaked ...
Dollars For Data
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where you can sell your personal data directly to a company, to get a better deal on a car or a house or a latte. What cou...
Should We Put Polar Bears In Antarctica?
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode takes on a listener question: why not just move the polar bears to Antarctica? The idea might seem silly, but it’s actually got a ...
One Child to Rule Them All
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If we really want to combat climate change, why not institute a serious cap on human population? It's a common question, and on today's episode we tal...
Introducing: Advice For And From The Future ▹▹ Should I follow my partner to Mars?
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
INTRODUCING: the newest show in the Flash Forward family — Advice For And From The Future. What happens when your partner wants to flee this planet,...
Heads Will Roll
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where you can plop your head onto a brand new body. Guests: Dr. Sergio Canavero — neurosurgeon & aspiring human he...
Welcome to Celebrityville
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where celebrities construct their own cities for you and I to live in. Guests: Jon Karas — President and Co-Founder a...
FIVE YEARS OF FLASH FORWARD!
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we celebrate the FIVE YEAR anniversary of the podcast. Whoa. To celebrate, I reached out to every single person who you’ve ever heard on the p...
Goodnight Night
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where darkness is a thing of the past. No more night, no more stars, no more deep inky black sky. What happens when we lig...
Doomsday 2000/2038/2100
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where software engineers didn’t actually fix any of the Y2K bugs. What would have happened if we had ignored the problem...
Flash Back to the Future: Flight Shame, Genetic Genealogy, 2020 Census
20 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hi again! I’m back with one more of these update episodes. Today we cover the growing “flight shame” movement, some interesting developments in ...
Flash Back to the Future: Mosquitoes, UBI, Coronavirus
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today is a very special ~~surprise~~ episode! I’ve been thinking about how to revisit old episodes, and give you folks updates on things that have h...
POWER: Mothers Against Digital Danger
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where a coalition of concerned mothers convinces the United States to shut off the Internet. Guests: Philip Elmer‑DeWi...
POWER: The Sleeping Lion
03 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about a future in which China supplants the US as the dominant world superpower. Is it imminent? What does a China-led world loo...
POWER: Weird Flux But OK
26 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about nuclear fusion, a technology that might save us all or might be a complete waste of time and money. Guests: Charles Seife...
POWER: 1919 (Episode 100!)
19 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the 100th episode!!!!!! To mix things up, today we’re traveling to the 1919 to see how three different events shaped the last 100 years, and ...
POWER: Time After Time
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where we can travel through time. Is it possible? Would you kill Hitler? Would it matter? Guests: Annalee Newitz, scienc...
CRIME: Moon Court
10 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode we take everything we’ve learned so far about the future of crime, and take it to space. Guests:Loren Grush — senior space r...
CRIME: CSI++
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is about the future of forensics: what happens when just a few skin cells can make you suspect number one? Guests:Raychelle Burks —...
CRIME: Can You Sue An Algorithm?
27 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where algorithms can be put on trial. Guests:Rumman Chowdhury -- Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Inte...
CRIME: I Can See My House From Here!
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where satellites can catch criminals.Guests:Sarah Parcak, professor of anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmin...
CRIME: Jaw & Order
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where your face can be held against you.Guests:Brandeis Marshall -- data scientist & professor at Spelman CollegeMatt ...
BODIES: Ghostbot
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where dying isn’t the end. What if you could live on as a simulation? A bot that knows everything you’ve ever said, an...
BODIES: Switcheroo
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where we can swap bodies with one another. Would you trade places with someone? Do you own your body? Guests:Calvin Gimpe...
BODIES: This Is Not A Test
28 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where all animal testing is banned. What are the alternatives? What can we do without using animals, and what can’t we d...
BODIES: InkRx
21 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where we can tattoo sensors right onto our skin. What happens when you can get a live readout of everything from glucose t...
BODIES: Enter Night
14 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where humans can see at night. What happens when we expand our vision out into the darkness? How does that impact everythi...
EARTH: The Ocean Farm
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where fisheries collapse world wide, and we turn the ocean into a giant farm. Guests:Amanda Nickson: director of internat...
EARTH: The Cement Ban
26 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we travel to a future where we try to break up with cement. Can it be done? How did cement because so ubiquitous? And what’s so bad about ceme...
EARTH: The Desert Creep
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we travel to the deserts. Or, actually, the deserts travel to us. What happens if dust swallows up over 30% of the planet?→ → → Backgroun...