85. From Homeland Security to Sci-Fi Storytelling with Helen Hynson-Vettori

What if becoming more human is the real challenge of the technological age?In this episode of Alternate Futures, Kestral Gaian and I explore the intersection of science fiction, software, ethics and imagination. Drawing on decades in the technology industry, Kestral discusses the human side of software development, the ethics of programming, the culture of Silicon Valley, the power of marketing to shape society, and why today's AI tools may be far less intelligent—and far more influential—than many people believe. Together we explore creativity in an increasingly automated world, the value of making imperfect art, and why science fiction remains one of humanity's best ways of exploring uncertain futures.We delve into Kestral's new science fiction series, The Reality Quake Saga, beginning with The Boy From Elsewhere, leading to discussions about alternate realities, hidden histories, worldbuilding, and the enduring influence of classics TV science fiction such as Sliders and Crime Traveller.We also discuss how science fiction helps us grapple with the unknown; gender, reproduction, long-term space settlement; and what the future of human society might look like.As always, there are the Big QuestionsBooks of his we discuss: The Boy from Elsewhere (Reality Quake Saga)https://kestr.al/alternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

What if the real cyberpunk dystopia isn't waiting for us in the future—but is already taking shape today?In this episode of the Alternate Futures Podcast, I sit down with debut science fiction author and AI startup executive JP Prince for one of the most thought-provoking conversations I've had about artificial intelligence, corporate power, and the future we're rapidly creating. Drawing on years of experience in venture-backed startups and the AI industry, JP explores why the biggest risks of AI aren't the algorithms themselves, but the incentives, hype, and systems that shape how they're built and deployed. We discuss AI hallucinations, venture capital, cognitive surrender, corporate influence, and why today's technology landscape increasingly resembles the cyberpunk worlds science fiction has warned us about for decades.All of this forms the backdrop for JP's upcoming debut novel (available only in audiobook at the time this was released) The Mess, a near-future cyberpunk thriller exploring corporate dominance, political power, and the consequences of unchecked capitalism.We also discuss why writing is about the journey rather than the output, whether AI belongs in the creative process, recording audiobooks, experimenting through independent publishing, and how organisations can evolve into powerful systems that shape the people inside them.As usual, there are the Big Questions.Books of his we discuss: The Messhttps://www.jpprince.com/alternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

What if the future of our cities isn't flying cars—but better bicycles?In the very first episode of the Alternate Futures: Beyond Fiction series, I sit down with designer, entrepreneur, and future thinker Jens Martin Skibsted to explore how thoughtful design can reshape the way we live, move, and build tomorrow's world.As founder of Biomega, former Vice Chair of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Design and Innovation, member of the Global Futures Council on Entrepreneurship, and a leading voice in sustainable mobility, Jens Martin has spent decades turning bold ideas into reality. From creating an entirely new category of designer bicycles to helping shape international conversations about innovation, entrepreneurship, and urban futures, his perspective bridges practical experience with long-term thinking.Together we discuss what really happens inside the World Economic Forum's think tanks, why bicycles may have a far bigger role in the future than most people realise, how cities can become healthier and more liveable, why autonomous cars may not solve congestion after all, and how design thinking can help tackle some of society's biggest challenges. Along the way, Jens Martin also reflects on balancing career success with family, the surprising story behind Biomega, and why one of his few regrets is simply that he "didn't dance enough."Yes there are still the Big Questions.Books of his we discuss: Expand, Stretching the Future by Designhttps://biomega.co/alternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

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 trilogyhttps://waynefaustauthor.com/alternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

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.comalternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

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 Shockhttps://www.helenhynsonvettori.com/alternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

Indie sci-fi collective Darkly Lem — five authors writing under one unified pseudonym — discuss their Transmentation series and the broader Many Worlds shared-universe project. They outline a consequence-driven multiverse of interdimensional societies defined by competing values, political systems, and internal power struggles, contrasting it with the MCU’s approach and explaining how they maintain stakes by focusing on worlds and societies rather than preserving characters.They explain how they collaborate through twice-weekly meetings, a large living “bible”, intensive multi-pass editing, and evolving drafting methods including assignment, co-writing, and “exquisite corpse.” They outline how Many Worlds began as Cadwell Turnbull’s project and has grown to over 20 authors, and aims to connect short stories and novels via a meta-narrative.We also discuss multiversal traveler mechanisms, personal proxies, identity “meshing,” and the complexities of social governance and different times and scales of a society's development.Books of his we discuss: Transmentation: Transience, Transmentation: Transgressionhttps://www.manyworldsforum.com/alternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

Retired Royal Australian Air Force wing commander John R. Carlos talks with me about his debut novel Cryonic Dreams: Awakening and the real-world experiences that shaped its themes of control, surveillance, and ethical clarity. John shares insights from his 42-year military career in administration and logistics, including deployments to Egypt, the Middle East, and Sudan, and describes a post-COVID political shift that intensified his focus on authoritarian drift.He then unpacks his structured worldbuilding method—mind map, key variables framework, and timeline—used to extrapolate a plausible dystopian future, and present the story’s core themes of authoritarian control. We also discuss cryonics science, propulsion ideas, hybrid publishing and marketing, and broader questions about collapse, neo/techno-feudalism, perpetual war, and whether the West can recover a “classical center” through citizen-led resistance.Books of his we discuss: Cryonic Dreams: Awakeningjohnrcarlos.com.aualternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

Narrative Designer and video game developer Eira A Ekre joins me as we explore the deeper layers of narrative design, the immersive power of video games, and the growing role of machines in shaping how we think, create, and live. Our conversation about storytelling quickly expands into something more: how interactive worlds influence identity, how structured narratives guide behaviour, and whether our increasing reliance on technology is quietly rewriting what it means to be human.We dive into the craft of building meaningful stories, the unique storytelling potential of video games as a medium, and the philosophical edge where creativity meets control.We also explore existential questions about machine dependence, autonomy, and whether the systems we build are beginning to guide us more than we guide them.Books of hers we discuss: Mimeographlinkedin.com/in/eira-a-ekre-1a700a35/alternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.uk

Applied science fiction collaborator and zoefuturism writer Stephen Oram joins me to explore how policy, technology, and evolving culture shape the futures we imagine. We chat about his work as a former UK Department for Education policy lead, and the UK’s post‑EU search for identity, before exploring his collaborations with scientists — using bespoke fiction to spark public engagement. Stephen explains zoefuturism, an emerging lens on constant becoming and relational life, and contrasts it with much of modern transhumanism.We also discuss whether humanity has a future without AI, cyber-organic ecosystems, and whether humanity should settle other worlds.Books of his we discuss: Brain Fruit, We Are Not Anonymous, Fluencestephenoram.netnudgethefuture.substack.comalternatefutures.substack.comalternatefutures.co.ukalternatefuturespodcast.wordpress.com