Podcaster Profiles: Ayesha Khan From Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever*

This is THE person listeners want to produce the best sci-fi podcast out there. Here’s her quote: “When I watched Terminator 2 at the age of 13, I really wanted to be like Sarah Conner: Strong, resilient and defiant. I despise the gym but have gone regularly to the gym most of my life because Sarah Conner would not want to see me getting weak for the impending apocalypse! I must not let her down. But realistically, it seems like a lot of hard work. I would much rather be a captain or crew member on a Federation starship or perhaps Doc Emmett Brown from Back to the Future. Something where the adventures involve fewer death machines chasing me incessantly.”

That person is Ayesha Khan, creator and host of Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever, whose continuing mission is to explore strange old films, seek out the experts, and boldly bring them to you.

The Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever* podcast, which began in March 2024, looks back at more than a century of films, beginning in 1902 and working towards the future. Each episode focuses on a film, director, or theme and brings in experts to discuss its history, politics, and influences.

Each episode brings in experts to discuss the history, politics, and influences. Here’s the thing about science fiction movies. People unfamiliar with the science-fiction (sci-fi) movie genre tend to focus on popular franchises like Star Wars or Star Trek.

Yet hundreds of standalone sci-fi films still shine brightly today like a supernova, blinding us with their artistic vision, concept of the future, or descent into a nightmarish apocalypse.

Some of the best sci-fi movies ever made include 2001, Planet Of The Apes, Forbidden Planet, Terminator 2, Aliens, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and, for a comedic break, Galaxy Quest.

The genre is so rich in exceptional filmmaking that Ayesha Khan may never run out of sci-fi films to discuss. 

“We will begin our journey with an episode dedicated to discovering what science fiction is. Then, we moved to Paris in 1902 to watch and discuss the first sci-fi film ever: Le Voyage Dans La Lune. Occasionally, we will take some detours,” said Ayesha Khan at the genesis of the podcast.

Who would take on such a massive project? Ayesha Khan, that’s who. She has been exceeding expectations for her entire life.

Ayesha tells us: “I grew up on a council estate in the Midlands, UK, in the 80s where being brown was very much noticed (usually not in a positive way). I was fortunate to have great friends and many amazing adventures in the classic “kids riding on bikes and exploring forests” kind of way. As a teenager, probably like many (most?) adolescents, I felt like an outsider and was desperate to move away from the small town. I went to the outskirts of London to study fine art at university.”

Ayesha continues: “I am a multimedia producer by profession, and I freelance alongside my own podcasting. I also paint and dabble in multimedia art, but the podcast is my main focus. (I have children, a partner I thoroughly enjoy hanging out with, and friends I barely see! Apologies to them if they are reading this.).

But like all of us, Ayesha has experienced her challenges. She shares: “I spend a lot of time trying to structure the chaos that courses through my veins. I never understood why until an ADHD diagnosis three years ago changed my life. No points for guessing that I love science fiction films and history and enjoy learning about society, culture and politics. I adore films, music, and creativity of all sorts. I’m an optimist despite being very affected by the mess of the world, although, like everyone, there are days when the optimism definitely fades!”

We asked Ayesha how she came up with the podcast concept, and like many of us, the idea sprang to mind in a moment of crisis. 

Ayesha says: “I’ve always loved my work, but back in 2021, after a very tiring week of juggling multiple podcasts, I was at the end of my tether. I collapsed on my bed, and a question came to me: What podcast would you love to work on for the rest of your life? Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever* was born. It’s word for word, the thought that came into my head at the time. (The asterisk had to be added later.) I didn’t act on the idea for years, but I don’t think I could have resisted it forever as it kept harassing me. In the last few months leading up to the launch date, it almost felt like it had taken over, and I wasn’t at the wheel!”

In the podcast, Ayesha began at, well, the beginning. In the first episode, released on March 30, 2024, she spoke to science fiction scholars Lisa Yaszek and Glynn Morgan about the definitions of this well-known genre. What is the difference between science fiction and fantasy? Are superhero movies sci-fi? Are the ‘we’ the real monsters? 

Ayesha remembers: “Lisa Yaszek was the first person to agree to come on the show. She is such an accomplished science fiction academic, and I will always be grateful for that first yes.”

Finding guests for the show is often a daunting task for independent podcasters. Ayesha comments: “I’ve been extremely lucky with my guests! They are so fascinating and fun to speak to. Importantly, they’re happy to share their knowledge on the show, which is wonderful! The more I learn about the topic, the more I realize how accomplished they are, as I read a lot of their research.”

Ayesha says: “I was also very lucky to have renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman on the podcast talking about his favorite sci-fi film, The Creator. Having theoretical physicist Claudia de Rham explain the science of Interstellar was like a dream. More for me, I imagine. She had to sit there and explain Nobel Prize-level physics to an absolute layperson, me.”

Ayesha also observes: “The science fiction academic community seems small, and many of the guests tend to know each other. Having people like Jay Telotte or Barry Keith Grant, who have been writing about these topics for decades and forging the way for the genre to become a topic of study, probably helps attract other guests. I feel many of the people I have on the show are just extremely enthusiastic about the topics they love and want to share.”

As an experienced independent podcaster, Ayesha knows the constant challenges. She notes: “I’ve been producing for a while, and I think a large part of that is approaching guests repeatedly and often being told no or getting ghosted, but that’s just the nature of the job. You keep trying till someone says yes.”

In the fifth episode, Khan tackled Metropolis. In 1927, Fritz Lang made what is considered one of the greatest films of all time. It is based on a story by Thea Von Harbou, his wife at the time, who went on to collaborate with the Nazi Party on multiple films. 

Ayesha explains: “The ongoing influence of Metropolis on film is immense. Films like Blade Runner, Fifth Element, Frankenstein, Batman, and more recently, Poor Things have all been influenced by it. And yet, the film itself was not a hit.”

Ayesha Khan is an excellent host with an evident passion for the topic. What I so admire about her hosting skills is how she focuses on the social, cultural, racial, and gender implications of these films. To be clear, for those who haven’t listened (And you should), this is not a rewatch podcast where Ayesha and her guests review the film plot point by plot point.

Instead, Ayesha and her guests discuss how the themes, plot points, and character development—or lack thereof—mirror the societal issues of that period.

Ayesha continues: “Each episode plans to put the film I watch into the context of the time, society, and people it was borne of. I do the research, I find the experts, and I bring them to the listeners. And then you all cheer or chase me with pitchforks. To clarify, I would prefer the former. But alas, sometimes the things we create have unexpected consequences.”

For example, in the episode on King Kong, they discuss racism, misogyny, and the “Beauty and the Beast” trope so effectively exploited in the film. 

One of the best episodes was the one covering “The Thing From Another World” by famed director Howard Hawks. The guests, Jay Telotte and Marc Longenecker, discussed how the film reeks of the paranoia endemic to the Cold War era. 

In Them, the 1954 bug sci-fi film, Ayesha points out that female characters have made some gains. One of the main characters is a female scientist who doesn’t shirk away from danger or action. That’s unlike early sci-fi efforts, where women were portrayed as helpless creatures whose main role was to scream at the sight of the monster. 

In the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” episode, Ayesha and her guests discuss how the film tackles capitalism versus communism, the conformity of the 50s, McCarthyism, and even having a woman, AKA Becky, play a divorcee, which was a step forward in social dynamics.

On the technical side of podcasting, Ayesha shares: “I just set up my store room with acoustic foam, fixed a power outlet, painted a wall, and got to work. It’s not the perfect audio/video setup, but the hope is that the content is informative and engaging enough for people to stick around.”

Ayesha also connects with other successful podcasters.

Ayesha says: “I know Em from the Verbal Diorama podcast! We were both winners of the Ear Worthy podcast awards in 2024, and she reached out to me on social media. I was thrilled as I don’t know many independent podcasters; it can be an isolating experience. I requested a Zoom, and we chatted for a long time. I love her podcast and appreciate the time, research, and effort she puts into making such a high-quality show (especially while juggling everything else). The first episode I listened to was the one on The Bourne Identity, which was so engaging and well-researched. If you love film, listen to her podcast!”

We asked Ayesha about her favorite activities when she’s not podcasting and working. 

“I love watching films, reading, music, having long conversations, and laughing a lot. I want to understand our weird world and what it all could mean. I develop interests and habits at a rapid pace (perhaps due to ADHD). I want to do more, learn more, explore and experiment. I also need a lot of alone time. Time is generally a nuisance for me. I feel I don’t have enough, and I never know what pace it's running at today.

Ayesha confesses: “I have always loved sci-fi films. I spent much of the early 90s watching Star Trek: The Next Generation, which my best friend would record for me on VHS tapes because we didn’t have cable or satellite TV. I would receive five episodes every weekend and watch them back to back, and then we’d discuss them in detail every Monday at school.

At the bottom of the show notes for every episode, Ayesha gives listeners links to where to find the next film. Ayesha promises, "Every once in a while, we’ll take a break from the studious business of watching science fiction films and speak to some people about their favorite sci-fi film or discuss a science fiction theme or topic.”

I highly recommend Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever* if you’re a sci-fi fan. If you’re not a sci-fi fan, Ayesha’s show can definitely bring you into the fold with its smart, thoughtful, and captivating discussions. Ayesha Khan is fascinating and passionate about the topic, and she mixes humor with her erudite and engrossing sci-fi exchanges.

When asked, ‘Where would you like your podcast to go?’ Ayesha answers: “Boldy, where no podcast has gone before! Or perhaps just to the point where I can make it my entire job. (It’s already my entire personality, although I perhaps need to dial back on that a little bit.) In the future, I would love to do a live podcast episode with a screening followed by a discussion, but that sounds very logistically intimidating right now!”

I’ll let Ayesha Khan end with her request of listeners: “I would be thrilled if you would join me on my intergalactic journey. The great thing about this intrepid adventure is that you can participate while sitting on a sofa, cozily dressed in pajamas. But don’t let me limit you. You could also wear your best Klingon regalia or dress like a mad scientist. The point is, you can wear what you like.”