The Program audio series

[INTRO] Jakob's notebook: The Promised Planet

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

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 episodes, and behind-the-scenes content, all for as little as $3/mo.

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The Program Shows of Accolade: Absolutely No Adventures, Remnants & The World to Come

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:00:00 GMT

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

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

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

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:38:24 GMT

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 references.

Check out Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature at modesofthoughtpodcast.com for more pseudoarchaeological lectures and alternative history stories.

Join the show's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/programaudioseries FOR FREE and 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 behind-the-scenes for as little as $3/mo.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 32 All unsaved progress will be lost.

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Hard fork

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:26:12 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 25 Planned obsolescence.

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Random number generator [FREE bonus episode]

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT

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 behind-the-scenes for as little as $3/mo.

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Free trial period

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 14:00:23 GMT

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-I II for full transcript, credits, and list of references.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 18 Killer app.

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Stories of Denial, Despair, and Devotion

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:00:46 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 29 Infinite loop.

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[INTRO] Software end of life

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:30:13 GMT

The question in the past was whether you believed in God. The question now is whether God believes in you.

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All unsaved progress will be lost

Wed, 29 May 2024 10:00:38 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 23 Overclocking.

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Not safe for work

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:30:04 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 33 Software end of life.

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The Program Shows of Accolade: Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature, Wireland Ranch & Gospels of the Flood

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 10:00:14 GMT

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

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:44 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 9 Right align, justify.

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Infinite loop

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:23 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 16 Force eject.

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Memory leak

Wed, 24 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 24 Discreet optimization.

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In the blink of A.I.

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 12:57:11 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 37 Contemporary Cube Theory.

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How to keep device drivers from crashing

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 08:27:53 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 31 Not safe for work.

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Planned obsolescence

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 09:59:27 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 11 Motherboard.

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Discreet optimization

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 09:05:09 GMT

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

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 1 You had me at Hello World.

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Overclocking

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:30:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 32 All unsaved progress will be lost.

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[INTRO] Jakob’s notebook: Antivirus solutions for home and business

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 10:35:00 GMT

Humans are not alone in the universe - they’re just really unpleasant to be around.

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Homepage not found

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 08:50:00 GMT

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 programaudioseries.com/quiz

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 10 My Turing-complete life.

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Cheat code

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:45:00 GMT

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 fiction podcast!

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Abandonware

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:25:00 GMT

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 sponsoring this episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 27 In the blink of AI.

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Killer app

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 08:45:00 GMT

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 30 You don't have sufficient privileges to make changes.

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Create, Read, Update, Delete

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:30:00 GMT

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 7 Move past and break things.

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Force eject

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:15:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 34 Stories of Denial, Despair, and Devotion.

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What you see is what you get

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 08:05:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 19 Abandonware.

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More parrot than predator

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 08:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 21 Homepage not found.

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This AI not to be used to fabricate paperclips

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 08:30:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 20 Cheat code.

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[INTRO] Jakob's notebook: Quit without saving

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

You never forget your first alien invasion. Short story found with three different endings.

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Motherboard

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 08:05:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 8 Parent-child processing.

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My Turing-complete life

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 08:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 26 How to stop device drivers from crashing.

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Right align, justify

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 09:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 3 White Algorithm's burden.

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Parent-child processing

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 09:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 15 What you see is what you get.

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Move past and break things

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 10:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 36 Hard fork.

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White hat, black hat

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 17:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 35 Free trial period.

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White Algorithm's burden - part III

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:00:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 37 Contemporary Cube Theory.

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White Algorithm's burden - part II

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:00:00 GMT

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.

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White Algorithm's burden - part I

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:00:00 GMT

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.

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Four ways to stop your system from freezing

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 18:25:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 7 Move past and break things.

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You had me at "Hello World"

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 18:05:00 GMT

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.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will probably enjoy ep 2 Four ways to stop your system from freezing.

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The Program comes for us all

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 04:30:00 GMT

Trailer for the series. Click here if you don’t know where to start.

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