logo
episode-header-image
Yesterday
24m 47s

The Holes by Michael Shaara

SCOTT MILLER
About this episode

A routine survey of an unremarkable planet spirals into dread as two explorers discover a network of perfectly round holes that seem to defy nature, physics, and common sense. What begins as scientific curiosity soon becomes a race to understand what’s growing beneath the sand—and why the holes are widening. The Holes by Michael Shaara. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.


This has been an absolutely incredible week. Just days ago we became the #1 science fiction podcast in Finland—then Denmark—and at the same time we returned to #1 in Kenya. The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast has now reached the #1 spot in 32 countries, something we never even imagined when we started this journey.


We’ve also crossed roughly 1,000 ratings and reviews across all platforms, with an amazing 4.9 out of 5 average. You made that happen. Your ratings, your reviews, and every time you share the show have pushed us to the top in Finland, Denmark, Kenya, and 29 other countries.


Wherever you live and however you listen, thank you for helping us achieve something extraordinary. Our promise is simple—we’ll honor your support by continuing to bring you the very best in vintage science fiction. The mission is the same as it was when we began, I will narrate vintage sci-fi and share these amazing stories with you for the rest of my life.


Every once in a while, I start narrating a story and enjoy it so much that I have to stop, step out of the booth, and search for more by the same author. It happened again today while recording today’s tale. So there’s another story by Michael Shaara in our next episode.


What begins as a routine planetary survey turns strange when two explorers encounter perfectly round shafts that plunge into impossible depths. Their instruments fail, their assumptions crumble, and the truth they uncover is something neither of them could prepare for.


Crack open the June 1954 edition of Fantastic and turn to page 116, The Holes by Michael Shaara…


Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A desperate Contact Man races to secure a planetary trade contract, only to discover a world ruled entirely by astrology and fear. When a disastrous landing sends him spiraling into the underworld of Mert, he must outwit fate itself to survive — and change the future. Conquest Over Time by Michael Shaara.


Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/

☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcast

Twitter - https://x.com/LostSciFiPod

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy


❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee

$200 Someone

$100 Tony from the Future

$75 James Van Maanenberg

$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener

$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener

$15 Every Month Someone

$15 Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener

$10 Anonymous Listener

$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue

$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 20
The Last Weapon by Robert Sheckley
<p>A desperate treasure hunt on the frozen surface of Mars turns explosive when three men uncover the legendary weapons of a vanished civilization. But the greatest danger is not what the Martians left behind — it’s the ambition boiling inside the humans who find it. The Last Wea ... Show More
24m 25s
Nov 20
The Last Weapon by Robert Sheckley
<p>A desperate treasure hunt on the frozen surface of Mars turns explosive when three men uncover the legendary weapons of a vanished civilization. But the greatest danger is not what the Martians left behind — it’s the ambition boiling inside the humans who find it. The Last Wea ... Show More
24m 25s
Nov 17
The Nine Billion Names Of God by Arthur C. Clarke
<p>A team of engineers travels to a remote Tibetan monastery to install a computer meant to complete a centuries-long sacred task. But as the machine nears the end of its work, the engineers realize the monks believe its final output will trigger something far greater than they e ... Show More
21m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 8
The Adventure of Black Peter: Part One
In a lonely cabin on the edge of the woods, a retired sea captain lies dead, pinned to the wall by his own harpoon. But no one weeps for Peter Carey—a violent drunk who terrorised his family, neighbours, and colleagues. With a list of enemies that stretches from the Arctic Seas t ... Show More
33m 50s
Oct 7
The Hound of the Baskervilles - Part Three
THREE BROKEN THREADS - Our stalker was becoming more present. Sherlock was determined to close this case as quickly as possible as he still attempted to clean up the mess from our previous adventure... But his theories and his threads were fraying... Part 3 of 10 This episode con ... Show More
42m 40s
Apr 2025
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton: Part One
Sherlock comes face-to-face with the criminal he calls “the worst man in London”: Charles Augustus Milverton. This ruthlessly efficient blackmailer has slithered out of the law’s grasp for decades, his prey preferring to remain silent rather than have their secrets aired in publi ... Show More
27m 56s
Sep 30
The Hound of the Baskervilles - Part Two
THE MISSING SHOE - Dr. Jamie Mortimer had rediscovered his tenacity in the moments before Sir Charles Baskerville's funeral... I however had discovered that we were being followed. An unwelcome distraction as we met the last of the Baskervilles. Part 2 of 5 (vol i) This episode c ... Show More
38m 16s
Apr 2025
Charles Augustus Milverton - Part One
THE SLITHERING SERPENT - Penny returned to us and it wasn't the apology that we were grateful for. It was the lead. A lead to the man who harvests the world's secrets. Quite how we could stomach even just a few minutes with this enormous wanker is still slightly beyond my compreh ... Show More
40m 19s
Jan 2025
Black Peter - Part Two
THE WIDOW'S TALE - We had discovered and examined the body of Peter Orwell Carey otherwise known as 'Black Peter'. It was a gruesome death in baffling circumstances... We wanted answers from Mrs. Carey - and she was all too willing to give them. Part 2 of 3 This episode contai ... Show More
32m 59s
Jul 2025
Book Club: Let's Talk About 'The Catch,' by Yrsa Daley-Ward
<p>In this month’s installment of the Book Review Book Club, we’re discussing “The Catch,” the debut novel by the poet and memoirist Yrsa Daley-Ward. The book is a psychological thriller that follows semi-estranged twin sisters, Clara and Dempsey, who were babies when their mothe ... Show More
52m 25s
Mar 2025
S22 Ep14: NoSleep Podcast S22E14
<div>It's Episode 14 of Season 22. The voices are calling with tales of evanescent existences.<br> <strong><br> "The Crow"</strong> written by Lucy Waskiewicz (Story starts around 00:03:45)<br> Produced by: <a href="http://auralstimulation.net/">Jeff Clement</a><br> Cast: Narrato ... Show More
1h 7m
Sep 28
S23 Ep13: NoSleep Podcast S23E13
<div>It's Episode 13 of Season 23. Tune in to WNSP for tales about unsettling imaginations.<br> <strong><br> "Calm Springs"</strong> written by C.D. Vazquez (Story starts around 00:05:00)<br> Produced by: <a href="http://auralstimulation.net/">Jeff Clement</a><br> Cast: James - P ... Show More
1h 42m