PODCAST · society
Solarpunk Prompts
by James Tomasino
What is Solarpunk? Why does it matter? In this series we discuss Solarpunk as a movement within art, literature, and activism. We explore its themes and talk about what separates it from its genre peers. Each episode explores a writing prompt set in a Solarpunk aesthetic with examples and inspirations from our world today. Based upon story prompts created by Paweł Ngei. Episode transcripts available here New logo and cover image by Natalia Vish (CC-BY-SA 4.0)
Episodes
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Special - Interview with Ada Palmer: History of ideas and our climate imaginations
This is a special episode - instead of a regular writing prompt, it’s a recording of an interview with professor Ada Palmer from Bazyliszek convention in Warsaw, Poland in July 2025. Professor Ada Palmer, a well-acclaimed historian of ideas, set the action of her science fiction series “Terra...
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The Tailors
The Tailors A new tailor joins a community with different ideas from the previous one. How will the community react? What sort of role will they fill in a future of sustainability and harmony with the local environment? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Tailors...
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The Tower
The Tower Displaced people are moved into a new sustainable climate-controlled tower designed to help them find community. For some it’s a dream come true, for others a culture shock. How will this setting come to life as a vision for a Solarpunk future? How can we envision a better way of living...
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The Epidemiologists
The Epidemiologists How will a Solarpunk future address community distrust in public health? How will we restore faith in vaccines or heal the long history of abuse of minority and indiginous peoples? Is it hopeless? Today’s episode of Solarpunk Prompts takes a look at difficult themes and…
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The Miners
The Miners Rare earth metals are essential for our modern life, whether in EV motors, cell phones, or in electronics in general. Mining these metals is notoriously difficult and dirty. How might a Solarpunk future address this issue? How might we get there from where we are today? Through this...
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The Pharmacists
The Pharmacists How will access to pharmaceuticals impact the Solarpunk future? In this prompt we explore data miners seeking to liberate the data buried by intellectual property to find new cures and hopes for their communities. We also discuss the state of the pharma industry in the global…
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The Disabled Community
The Disabled Community How will our Solarpunk future be shaped by the tenacity and activism of the disabled community? What role does inclusivity and accessibility play in creating that future vision? What new challenges await us all? Special thanks to Martyna Lysiakiewicz for a sensitivity read....
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The Moonshot
The Moonshot How can Solarpunk address the problems of a massive project, like travel to the moon? Will the genre crumble under the need for macro-level power and industry? Come explore the latest story prompt and dream of a future together. Transcript:...
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Season 2 Introduction
Season 2 Introduction Welcome back to season two of Solarpunk Prompts. In this brief introduction to the season we talk about the “punk” in Solarpunk, and the need for continuity between our world today and the good place to come. Transcript:...
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The Dirigible
The Dirigible In this episode we take the skies and travel between distant settlements with an anarchist crew on our beautiful balloon. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Dirigible Links mentioned: vacuum airship Online relationships are real Music from: Jean…
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The Ship
The Ship In this episode we set sail on a cargoship of the future. What does a trade mission look like in Solarpunk? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Ship Links mentioned: From Steampunk to Solarpunk MS Beluga Skysails Inflatable sails Fuel from biomass Music...
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The Henchmen
The Henchmen In this episode a group of henchmen hired to work for a billionare on his post-apocalyptic stronghold inherit the keys from their former boss. They explore their options at community building and outreach with the surrounding towns as communities collide. Transcript:...
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The Beekeepers
The Beekeepers In this episode we explore the relationships between humans and machines, discuss some of the ethical dangers of AI, and how a balanced relationship with technology might present itself in a Solarpunk setting. Transcript:...
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The Expedition
The Expedition In this episode we journey from the Global South, the starting place of Solarpunk, to help a suffering North facing the Great InterneT Collapse. What unique qualities can they bring to the situation? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Expedition...
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The Fire Brigade
The Fire Brigade In this episode we muse about the role of the military in a world without war. What comes next for these highly trained individuals and groups? How might they turn those skills toward new types of community service? Transcript:...
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The Chefs
The Chefs In this episode we explore a world facing a meat shortage and discuss the sustainability of food practices. You also get to hear me try to phoenetically speak Korean. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Chefs Links mentioned: Greenpeace points out -...
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The Archivists
The Archivists Today’s episode explores the loss of cultural history, local and indigenous knowledge. How can a Solarpunk perspective help us see past Western colonialism and find value in new, old places. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Archivists Links...
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The Electronics Graveyard
The Electronics Graveyard In today’s episode: Reduce, reuse, recycle. What does that look like in a Solarpunk world? How does the trash of one age become a resource for the next? And how realistic are our expectations for that type of lifestyle? Transcript:...
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The Great Infrastructure Project
The Great Infrastructure Project Maintaining infrastructure is hard even when your governments are stable. In this episode we explore the reality of crumbling infrastructure on a small town and envision an optimistic future where collaboration overcomes the challenges. Transcript:...
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The Experts
The Experts In this episode we discuss isolation and its toll. We also talk about a different kind of community and the power and freedom it brings to the lonely. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Experts Links mentioned: Lonely Conservationists -...
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The Hackerspace
The Hackerspace In this episode we discuss hackers, hacker culture, and hackerspaces before using this setting for the basis of our latest writing prompt. What does playful discovery have to do with Solarpunk? Can we find a modal for the future in these communities of today? Transcript:...
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The Canteen
The Canteen In this episode our writing prompt brings us to the mess hall of an isolated scientific community surrounded by difficult conditions. We explore the justaposition of these challenges in their mission with the everyday humanity of their unique culture. Transcript:...
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The Community Center
The Community Center In this episode our writing prompt explores the transformative power of libraries and community centers. With the power to train communities and empower them with knowledge, what would happen if such a place grew into a place sought by pilgrims for inner truth? Transcript:...
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The Refugee Camp
The Refugee Camp In this episode our writing prompt takes us to a near-future town that has grown out of a refugee camp. We discuss refugee camps today, community organizations, makers, and the creation that comes from them. We also discuss creole languages and the truths they reveal about a...
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An Introduction
What is Solarpunk and why should we care? Why would I want to write Solarpunk stories? In this introduction video I talk briefly about what Solarpunk is and why it is important to create new stories with its unique optimistic framing. This video sets the stage for a series of videos with…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What is Solarpunk? Why does it matter?
In this series we discuss Solarpunk as a movement within art, literature, and activism. We explore its themes and talk about what separates it from its genre peers. Each episode explores a writing prompt set in a Solarpunk aesthetic with examples and inspirations from our world today.
Based upon story prompts created by Paweł Ngei.
Episode transcripts available here
New logo and cover image by Natalia Vish (CC-BY-SA 4.0)
HOSTED BY
James Tomasino
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Solarpunk Prompts have?
Solarpunk Prompts currently has 25 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Solarpunk Prompts about?
What is Solarpunk? Why does it matter? In this series we discuss Solarpunk as a movement within art, literature, and activism. We explore its themes and talk about what separates it from its genre peers. Each episode explores a writing prompt set in a Solarpunk aesthetic with examples and...
How often does Solarpunk Prompts release new episodes?
Solarpunk Prompts has 25 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Solarpunk Prompts?
You can listen to Solarpunk Prompts on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Solarpunk Prompts?
Solarpunk Prompts is created and hosted by James Tomasino.
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