The Program audio series
by IMS | Writing an audio drama sci-fi anthology about history of the future | Not at AI
A science fiction anthology set in a future in which Money, State, and God became fused into a single entity called the Program. Each episode is a self-contained story focusing on ordinary people inhabiting this extraordinary world. Best rated episodes include "White Algorithm's burden" (true crime), "Four ways to stop your system from freezing" (drama), "Contemporary Cube Theory" (academic lecture), "How to keep device drivers from crashing" (comedy), "Overclocking" (adventure), and "All unsaved progress will be lost" (alternate history). New episodes take time but are coming out regularly. Speed up the process by becoming a supporter at www.patreon.com/programaudioseries to listen ad-free and get subscriber-exclusive episodes (including a behind-the-scenes companion series). Visit <a href="http://www.programaudioseries.com/" rel="noopener n
Episodes
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Single source of truth
A candid view into the most dangerous algorithm of them all - the one that tells the truth. Visit programaudioseries.com/39-single-source-of-truth for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get monthly updates,...
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Contemporary Cube Theory [AD-FREE REBROADCAST]
Limited time re-release of Contemporary Cube Theory, one of the best-received episodes of The Program, with an added post-scriptum and no ads. Next regular episode will be publicly released on 2026-06-10, and a week earlier on 2026-06-03 for paid Patreon members and Apple Podcasts subscribers.
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[INTRO] Jakob's notebook: The Promised Planet
When Earth’s original inhabitants return, humans need to learn to share the planet with their new friends. This is an intro to a subscriber-exclusive episode. Become a paid supporter yourself at patreon.com/programaudioseries to get subscriber-exclusive stories, early access to ad-free regular...
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The Program Shows of Accolade: Absolutely No Adventures, Remnants & The World to Come
Sample three more fiction podcasts recommended by the Program. Search them by their title in your podcasting app afterwards, or check out their websites: Absolutely No Adventures Remnants The World to Come Two other comedies mentioned: Spaceships Human-B-Gon
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[UNLOCKED] Decompiling The Program: Contemporary Cube Theory + BIG NEWS
Join https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries and get access to all Decompiling The Program episodes and all the other subscriber-exclusive material ad-free.
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Contemporary Cube Theory
For centuries, humanity has been building monolithic structures known as the Cubes. Today, we finally get a glimpse into their construction - delivered by academic lecture and first hand account. Visit programaudioseries.com/37-contemporary-cube-theory/ for full transcript, credits, and list of...
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Hard fork
When a simulation discovers a way to copy itself and have people choose their reality, one man fights to keep his family together. Visit programaudioseries.com/36-hard-fork/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries...
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Random number generator [FREE bonus episode]
Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE to listen to this episode. You'll also get monthly updates, quizzes, polls, and chat with fellow Program listeners. Upgrade at any time to get subscriber-exclusive episodes, ad-free listening, early-access, and...
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Free trial period
Nine strangers are taken hostage. Some will be exchanged in a prisoner swap. Others will be sacrificed. They need to decide who will be who. Visit programaudioseries.com/35-free-trial-period-III for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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Stories of Denial, Despair, and Devotion
A collection of didactic micro stories from the far future. Presented with Decoders' commentary. Visit programaudioseries.com/34-stories-of-denial-despair-and-devotion for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR...
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[INTRO] Software end of life
The question in the past was whether you believed in God. The question now is whether God believes in you. This is an intro to a subscriber-exclusive episode. Become a paid supporter yourself at patreon.com/programaudioseries to get subscriber-exclusive stories, early access to ad-free regular...
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All unsaved progress will be lost
When a beloved System Administrator suddenly disappears, a poor stonemason embarks on a lifelong quest to preserve her memory. Visit programaudioseries.com/32-all-unsaved-progress-will-be-lost/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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Not safe for work
The good news is that God exists. The bad news is that He's a libertarian. Visit programaudioseries.com/31-not-safe-for-work/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get monthly updates, quizzes…
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The Program Shows of Accolade: Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature, Wireland Ranch & Gospels of the Flood
Sample three other fiction podcasts recommended by the Program. Search them by their title in your podcasting app afterwards, or check out their websites: Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature Wireland Ranch Gospels of the Flood
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You don't have sufficient privileges to make changes
Superman exists... And he's been through Guantanamo. Visit programaudioseries.com/30-you-dont-have-sufficient-privileges-to-make-changes/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get monthly updates,...
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Infinite loop
Ambitious amusement park engineers take up the ultimate challenge - to assemble a roller coaster ride lasting for 5 days. Visit programaudioseries.com/29-infinite-loop/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. The Program salutes withoutrealtor.com for sponsoring this episode. Join…
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Memory leak
A woman who never met her father is invited to meet a simulation of him - discovering he’s not the dream dad she envisioned. Visit programaudioseries.com/28-memory-leak for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR...
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In the blink of A.I.
Life is universe experiencing itself. Visit https://programaudioseries.com/27-in-the-blink-of-AI for full transcript, credits, and list of references. This episode has been sponsored by Matterless. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get monthly...
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How to keep device drivers from crashing
Two autonomous vehicles about to crash and trying to decide which one is carrying passengers more worthy of salvation. Visit programaudioseries.com/26-how-to-keep-device-drivers-from-crashing for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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Planned obsolescence
Facing an imminent calamity, an elderly Indigenous man shares his memories with an AI of a child. Visit programaudioseries.com/25-planned-obsolescence/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get...
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Discreet optimization
In a society in which every move is tracked, an elderly couple is recording a message for their daughter who disappeared without a trace. Visit programaudioseries.com/24-discreet-optimization for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Find Peak Salvation at peaksalvation.com Join the...
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Overclocking
A group of characters in a disintegrating simulation embark on a journey to the literal end of the world. Visit programaudioseries.com/23-overclocking/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get...
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[INTRO] Jakob’s notebook: Antivirus solutions for home and business
Humans are not alone in the universe - they’re just really unpleasant to be around. This is an intro to a subscriber-exclusive episode. Become a paid supporter yourself at patreon.com/programaudioseries to get subscriber-exclusive stories, early access to ad-free regular episodes, and...
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Homepage not found
Building fusion reactors and interplanetary spaceships is easy. What's hard is getting a permit from the local Planning and Housing Committee. Visit programaudioseries.com/21-homepage-not-found/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Take the quiz after listening to the episode at...
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Cheat code
An online dating company invents the ultimate compatibility algorithm. One thousand years later there’s still a debate if it was a good idea. Visit programaudioseries.com/20-cheat-code/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Still hungry? Check out Midnight Burger for another tasty...
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Abandonware
In a world in which science is fostered by benevolent spirits, a scientist begins to question the existence of spirits, their benevolence, and the world. Visit programaudioseries.com/19-abandonware for full transcript, credits, and list of references. The Program salutes Shock Clock for…
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Killer app
A police statement of [REDACTED] social media moderator after committing a crime witnessed by 1.8 billion people. Visit programaudioseries.com/18-killer-app for full transcript, credits, and list of references. The Program salutes BeeLine Reader for sponsoring this episode! Join the show's…
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Create, Read, Update, Delete
A computer programmer hacks his way into a parallel simulation, allowing him to conduct the ultimate A/B test. Visit programaudioseries.com/17-create-read-update-delete/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. The Program salutes Atlas Authority for sponsoring this episode! Join the...
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Force eject
When the most intelligent AI in existence starts building an even more intelligent AI, people need to decide whether to trust it or turn it off. Visit programaudioseries.com/16-force-eject/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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What you see is what you get
A boy and a girl come across a laptop that calculates the optimal life path… And realize they need to leave each other to make it happen. Visit programaudioseries.com/15-what-you-see-is-what-you-get/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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More parrot than predator
Some people believe God created Himself. Others are of the opinion He was created by a junior dev and a mid-level manager. Visit programaudioseries.com/14-more-parrot-than-predator/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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This AI not to be used to fabricate paperclips
A sport betting startup creates the world's first sentient AI referee and all bets are off. Visit programaudioseries.com/13-this-AI-not-to-be-used-to-fabricate-paperclips/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries…
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[INTRO] Jakob's notebook: Quit without saving
You never forget your first alien invasion. Short story found with three different endings. This is an intro to a subscriber-exclusive episode. Become a paid supporter yourself at patreon.com/programaudioseries to get subscriber-exclusive stories, early access to ad-free regular episodes, and...
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Motherboard
We thought HAL 9000 would take us to the stars. Instead we employed it as a babysitter. Visit programaudioseries.com/11-motherboard/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get monthly updates…
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My Turing-complete life
What would you do if you encountered a startup that literally sells you the future? Visit programaudioseries.com/10-my-turing-complete-life/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get monthly…
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Right align, justify
A therapist is tasked with the most consequential gig of her life – to treat her fiancé's killer. Featuring the story of two pills. Visit programaudioseries.com/9-right-align-justify/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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Parent-child processing
An exploration of a relationship between a daughter and a father… After the fact he’s been paid to play the part of her dad for 15 years came to light. Visit programaudioseries.com/8-parent-child-processing/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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Move past and break things
A man discovers a way to message himself in the past, threatening his entire future. Visit programaudioseries.com/7-move-past-and-break-things/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and get monthly...
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White hat, black hat
A story of a war criminal who chooses the losing side and thrives and a war hero who joins the winners but doesn’t find victory. Visit programaudioseries.com/6-white-hat-black-hat/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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White Algorithm's burden - part III
Your son is a pedophile who never acted on his impulses. What do you do when children in the neighbourhood suddenly start going missing? Part 3 of 3. Visit programaudioseries.com/5-white-algorithms-burden-part-III/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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White Algorithm's burden - part II
Your son is a pedophile who never acted on his impulses. What do you do when children in the neighbourhood suddenly start going missing? Part 2 of 3. Visit programaudioseries.com/4-white-algorithms-burden-part-II/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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White Algorithm's burden - part I
Your son is a pedophile who never acted on his impulses. What do you do when children in the neighbourhood suddenly start going missing? Part 1 of 3. Visit programaudioseries.com/3-white-algorithms-burden-part-I/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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Four ways to stop your system from freezing
Imagine you could get sentenced to death through downvoting. Listen to a survivor tell her harrowing story. Visit https://programaudioseries.com/2-four-ways-to-stop-your-system-from-freezing/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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You had me at "Hello World"
Set during the biggest revolution in history, the opening episode recounts a much more important story: that of a summer love lost. Visit programaudioseries.com/1-you-had-me-at-hello-world/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Join the show's Patreon at...
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The Program comes for us all
Trailer for the series. Click here if you don’t know where to start.
About this show
A science fiction anthology set in a future in which Money, State, and God became fused into a single entity called the Program. Each episode is a self-contained story focusing on ordinary people inhabiting this extraordinary world.
Best rated episodes include "White Algorithm's burden" (true crime), "Four ways to stop your system from freezing" (drama), "Contemporary Cube Theory" (academic lecture), "How to keep device drivers from crashing" (comedy), "Overclocking" (adventure), and "All unsaved progress will be lost" (alternate history).
New episodes take time but are coming out regularly. Speed up the process by becoming a supporter at www.patreon.com/programaudioseries to listen ad-free and get subscriber-exclusive episodes (including a behind-the-scenes companion series). Visit <a href="http://www.programaudioseries.com/" rel="noopener n
Hosted by
IMS | Writing an audio drama sci-fi anthology about history of the future | Not at AI