THE WORLDS OF JOE SHANNON

Episode #480 · Written by Frank M. Robinson · Narrated by Scott Miller

Some people drift through life with the quiet sense that they were meant for something else. In The Worlds of Joe Shannon, that feeling becomes the foundation for a radical idea — one that promises relief without judgment and escape without struggle.

The story balances humor and unease as it explores how ordinary dissatisfaction can turn into something far more powerful. What starts as an act of empathy grows into a social experiment, revealing how thin the line can be between compassion and catastrophe.

Rather than focusing on spectacle, the story centers on people: their regrets, their private dreams, and the moments when they wonder if starting over somewhere else might solve everything. The emotional stakes rise quietly, making the consequences feel personal, inevitable, and haunting.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frank M. Robinson was a versatile science fiction writer whose work often examined the moral responsibility that comes with innovation. He had a particular talent for grounding bold ideas in everyday settings, allowing readers to see themselves in the outcomes.

The Worlds of Joe Shannon reflects Robinson’s enduring interest in how progress reshapes society — not through villains or disasters, but through choices that feel reasonable at the time. It remains a powerful example of classic science fiction that asks timeless questions about belonging, escape, and what makes a world worth living in.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to The Worlds of Joe Shannon by Frank M. Robinson — a haunting vintage science fiction short story exploring escape, belonging, and unintended consequences.

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The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked #1 in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.3 million listens, introducing classic science fiction to a global audience of devoted fans.

Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.

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