What If We Could Prove History? John Bond on Truth, AI & To the End of Reckoning

Author John Bond joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission to discuss his speculative fiction novel To the End of Reckoning, a story about proof, history, truth, evidence, and what happens when society is forced to confront the past.John talks with Don Schechter about the novel’s central question: what if we could see definitive film evidence of historical events? Would that proof bring people together, or would it create even more conflict over what is real?

The conversation explores AI, digital manipulation, belief, expert interpretation, historical truth, and why society depends on some shared understanding of reality in order to move forward.They also discuss the evolution of speculative fiction, John’s journey into fiction writing, changes in the publishing industry, working with literary agents, editing and condensing a novel, book marketing, and the persistence required to survive the long game of writing.No Win Scenario is your portal into the universe of science fiction entertainment. Join Don and Trevor as they debate varied viewpoints and dissect beloved narratives. Engaging with industry insiders, they delve into the everyday realities of production and highlight the growing importance of mental health awareness in the film and television industry

.Podcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission
Episode Number: 320
Duration: 41:20
Host: Don Schechter
Guest: John Bond

Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactions

Email: [email protected]
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In the US: Call or text 988
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Simulation Travel vs Time Travel

Author Sarit Zadok joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission to discuss her historical science fiction thriller The Correction, a story set in a future where rogue simulations threaten reality.

Sarit talks with Don Schechter about the concept of simulation travel, how it differs from traditional time travel, and the idea that history itself might be a multi-layered ancestral simulation. The conversation explores glitches, anomalies, simulation guardians, paradox coins, the simulation hypothesis, and how science fiction can turn big questions about reality into compelling storytelling.They also discuss the real-world inspiration behind The Correction, including the Blue Hole in Sinai, desert and water landscapes, Bedouin culture, future technology, and the process of writing, publishing, and marketing a genre-blending sci-fi series.No Win Scenario is your portal into the universe of science fiction entertainment.

Join Don and Trevor as they debate varied viewpoints and dissect beloved narratives. Engaging with industry insiders, they delve into the everyday realities of production and highlight the growing importance of mental health awareness in the film and television industry.

Podcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission
Episode Number: 319
Duration: 26:39
Host: Don Schechter
Guest: Sarit Zadok

Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactionsGuest

Links:
Website: https://thecorrection.xyz
Newsletter: https://thecorrection.xyz/newsletter
Email: [email protected]
Follow No Win Scenario on X: @nowinscenario
Follow No Win Scenario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551025621867
TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcast
Subscribe on your favorite platform.Mental Health Crisis Resources
In the US: Call or text 988
Online: https://988lifeline.org
©2026 Charles River Media
https://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com

The Superman Rights Battle That Changed Comics

Author William Bernhardt joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission to discuss The Superman Wars, the complicated history of Superman’s creation, and the decades-long legal battle over creator rights.William talks with Don Schechter about Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster, the famous deal that transferred the rights to Superman, and how the character became both a cultural icon and a cautionary tale for writers and artists.

The conversation explores the role of publishers Harry Donenfeld and Jack Leibowitz, the business realities of early comic book publishing, moral rights, intellectual property, and why creators need to be careful when signing away their work.They also discuss Superman’s public domain future, the legacy of the Siegel and Schuster rights battles, and what modern creators can learn from one of the most important legal and creative fights in entertainment history.No Win Scenario is your portal into the universe of science fiction entertainment. Join Don and Trevor as they debate varied viewpoints and dissect beloved narratives. Engaging with industry insiders, they delve into the everyday realities of production and highlight the growing importance of mental health awareness in the film and television industry.

Podcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission
Episode Number: 318
Duration: 41:35
Host: Don Schechter
Guest: William Bernhardt
Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com

Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/

Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactionsGuest Links:
Website: https://www.williambernhardt.com
WriterCon: https://www.writercon.com
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/williambernhardt

Email: [email protected]
Follow No Win Scenario on X: @nowinscenario
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TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcast

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Mental Health Crisis Resources
In the US: Call or text 988
Online: https://988lifeline.org

©2026 Charles River Media
https://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com

Past Lives, Identity & Speculative Fiction | Nataliya Falovich on Velvet Blade
Author Nataliya Falovich joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission to discuss speculative fiction, past life regression, identity, transformation, emotional truth, and her novel Velvet Blade.

Nataliya talks with Don Schechter about how inward-looking speculative fiction can reveal timeless questions about who we are, what shapes us, and how power, belonging, and identity influence the stories we tell. She shares how her journey through past life regressions helped inspire her writing, and why the inner lives of characters can be just as compelling as any external world-building.

The conversation also explores immigration, memory, emotional truth, human nature, and why good stories do not simply provide answers — they invite us to ask better questions about our own lives.No Win Scenario is your portal into the universe of science fiction entertainment. Join Don and Trevor as they debate varied viewpoints and dissect beloved narratives. Engaging with industry insiders, they delve into the everyday realities of production and highlight the growing importance of mental health awareness in the film and television industry.

Podcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission
Episode Number: 317
Duration: 27:15
Host: Don Schechter
Guest: Nataliya Falovich

Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactionsGuest

Links:
Website: https://nataliyafalovich.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nataliyafalovich
Substack: https://substack.com/@vulnerablechaos
Email: [email protected]
Follow No Win Scenario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551025621867
TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcast
Subscribe on your favorite platform.Mental Health Crisis Resources
In the US: Call or text 988
Online: https://988lifeline.org

©2026 Charles River Media
https://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com

How to Make Sci-Fi Funny | Ray Tabler on Space Opera & Interstellar Bartending

Author Ray Tabler joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission to discuss comedy in science fiction, space opera, the writing process, and his upcoming novel Smitty’s Guide to Interstellar Bartending.Ray talks with Don Schechter about how humor can make science fiction more engaging, how comedy works on the page, and why balancing jokes with plot, character, and high-stakes storytelling requires both craft and instinct. The conversation explores Ray’s transition from engineering to novel writing, his creative process, and the challenge of knowing when a joke works.They also discuss influences including Starship Troopers and Monty Python, the role of entertainment and message in science fiction, WorldCon, the sci-fi writing community, and why humor can be a powerful way to explore societal progress, technological reinvention, and the strange future we may be building.

No Win Scenario is your portal into the universe of science fiction entertainment. Join Don and Trevor as they debate varied viewpoints and dissect beloved narratives. Engaging with industry insiders, they delve into the everyday realities of production and highlight the growing importance of mental health awareness in the film and television industry.

Podcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission
Episode Number: 316
Duration: 28:56
Host: Don Schechter
Guest: Ray Tabler
Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactions
Email: [email protected]
Follow No Win Scenario on X: @nowinscenario
Follow No Win Scenario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551025621867
TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcast
Subscribe on your favorite platform.
Mental Health Crisis Resources
In the US: Call or text 988
Online: https://988lifeline.org
©2026 Charles River Media
https://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com

Author and Vancouver film crew member Liam Begley joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission to discuss his debut science fiction novel Broken Interstellar, the influence of Star Trek’s Gabriel Bell, and the connections between space labor, technology, AI, automation, and the future of society.Liam talks with Don Schechter about how Broken Interstellar explores survival, collective identity, labor, and social change through the lens of space opera. The conversation digs into the ways science fiction can reflect modern anxieties about work, technology, automation, and who gets left behind when society changes too quickly. They also discuss Liam’s career in the Vancouver film industry, his transition from film crew member to sci-fi author, the challenges of publishing and marketing a debut novel, and why storytelling remains such a powerful tool for thinking about the future. No Win Scenario is your portal into the universe of science fiction entertainment. Join Don and Trevor as they debate varied viewpoints and dissect beloved narratives. Engaging with industry insiders, they delve into the everyday realities of production and highlight the growing importance of mental health awareness in the film and television industry.

Podcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission
Episode Number: 315
Duration: 34:20
Host: Don Schechter
Guest: Liam Begley
Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactions
Guest Links:
Website: https://www.leombegley.ca
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/leombegley
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/leombegley
Email: [email protected]
Follow No Win Scenario on X: @nowinscenario
Follow No Win Scenario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551025621867
TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcast
Subscribe on your favorite platform.
Mental Health Crisis Resources
In the US: Call or text 988
Online: https://988lifeline.org©2026 Charles River Media
https://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com

Author Andrew Gillsmith joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don's Away Mission to discuss his novel Our Lady of the Artilects and the intersection of religion, science fiction, consciousness, artificial intelligence, and transhumanism.Andrew talks with Don Schechter about the role of faith and philosophy in speculative fiction, why religious inquiry continues to appear in futuristic stories, and how questions about consciousness and technology shape our understanding of human identity. The conversation explores artilects, neurological implants, AI ethics, metaphysics, doubt, certainty, and the dangers of believing we have all the answers.Andrew also shares practical advice for writers working toward publication, including lessons on marketing, persistence, and trusting the deeper questions that drive a story.No Win Scenario is your portal into the universe of science fiction entertainment. Join Don and Trevor as they debate varied viewpoints and dissect beloved narratives. Engaging with industry insiders, they delve into the everyday realities of production and highlight the growing importance of mental health awareness in the film and television industry.

Podcast: No Win Scenario
Episode Number: 314
Duration: 34:07
Host: Don Schechter
Guest: Andrew Gillsmith

Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactions
Email: [email protected]
Follow No Win Scenario on X: @nowinscenario
Follow No Win Scenario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551025621867
TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcast
Subscribe on your favorite platform.
Mental Health Crisis Resources
In the US: Call or text 988
Online: https://988lifeline.org
©2026 Charles River Media
https://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com

What If Corporations Owned Everything?  Matt Witten on 51%

Author Matt Witten joins No Win Scenario to discuss his dystopian novel 51%, a police procedural set in a privatized America where corporations own nearly everything — including people.In this episode, Don Schechter talks with Matt about the real-world fears behind 51%, how corporate power and privatization shaped the novel’s world, and why a crime story was the perfect way to explore a dystopian future. The conversation dives into world building, police procedurals, character perspectives, crime marketing, writing advice, and the strange irony of adapting an anti-corporate story for television with help from a major corporation.Whether you’re a fan of dystopian fiction, crime novels, political thrillers, sci-fi, or writing craft, this conversation explores how speculative fiction can turn today’s anxieties into gripping storytelling.No Win Scenario is a science fiction podcast hosted by Don Schechter and Trevor Chamberlain: two friends who hate each other, talking sci-fi.

Episode: 313
Runtime: 26:59
Guest: Matt Witten

In this episode:

• Matt Witten on the origin of 51%
• A dystopian America ruled by corporate power
• Privatized police, institutions, housing, and identity
• Building a believable future through small details
• Why a police procedural fits the world of 51%
• Crime marketing and corporate-controlled justice
• Writing dystopian fiction without overwhelming readers
• Adapting novels for television
• Advice for writers: write what you love and trust your voice

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Matt Witten and his work
01:22 The origins of the idea for 51% and real-world parallels
03:20 The privatization of police and other institutions
04:52 Deep fears and societal concerns inspiring dystopian fiction
06:03 Political and corporate trends in storytelling
08:06 Why a police procedural fits the dystopian world
09:02 The concept of crime marketing in the novel
10:53 World-building details: Reagan’s apartments and more
11:12 Creating a no-win scenario to drive the story
13:04 Character perspectives and nuance in storytelling
16:26 Balancing detail and readability in world building
18:23 Adapting a novel to TV
20:53 The irony of a corporate-funded anti-corporate story
25:07 Advice for writers: follow your passion and trust your voiceWebsite:

https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com

Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/

Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactions

Email: [email protected]
TikTok & Instagram: @NoWinScenarioPodcast


Subscribe for more science fiction interviews, author conversations, Star Trek discussions, filmmaking insights, and deep dives into the future of storytelling.

#MattWitten #51Percent #DystopianFiction #Dystopian #CorporatePower #CrimeFiction #PoliceProcedural #AuthorInterview #WritingAdvice #WritingProcess #ScienceFiction #SciFi #NoWinScenario #DonsAwayMission #DonSchechter #TrevorChamberlain

Shanti Hershenson joins No Win Scenario Presents: Don's Away Mission for a conversation about science fiction, young adult fiction, dystopian novels, the writing process, and what it takes to build a writing career while connecting directly with readers. And she's just 18!

In this episode, Don Schechter talks with Shanti about starting her writing journey at age 13, why she loves stories with “crazy high stakes,” how science fiction can explore social issues and future consequences, and how authors today balance creativity with marketing, TikTok, in-person events, revisions, editors, and reader engagement.

Shanti also shares advice for young writers, how she develops ideas and characters, why finishing and revising a story can be so challenging, and how writing helps her make sense of the world.

No Win Scenario is a science fiction podcast hosted by Don Schechter and Trevor Chamberlain: two friends who hate each other, talking sci-fi.

Episode: 312
Runtime: 30:17
Release: August 16, 2026

Guest: Shanti Hershenson

In this episode:

• Shanti Hershenson’s writing journey from age 13
• Young adult fiction, science fiction, and dystopian stories
• Why high-stakes stories connect with readers
• Developing story concepts and characters
• Revising, editing, and finishing a book
• TikTok, social media marketing, and book promotion
• Connecting with readers online and in person
• Advice for young writers and aspiring authors

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Shanti Hershenson and her writing journey
01:53 Why high-stakes stories resonate with readers
04:06 Starting to write at age 13 and her early goals
07:03 Balancing writing with social media marketing
09:51 The appeal of sci-fi for exploring societal issues
12:04 How she develops story concepts and characters
13:52 Challenges in finishing and revising her books
16:08 The role of her editor and revision process
17:59 Her upcoming college studies and future plans
19:54 How her books reach and connect with readers
21:51 The importance of authenticity and human connection
23:58 Advice for young writers and balancing multiple roles
26:12 Closing thoughts and where to find her work

Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactions
Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Email: [email protected]
TikTok & Instagram: @NoWinScenarioPodcast
X: @nowinscenario
Subscribe for more science fiction interviews, author conversations, Star Trek discussions, filmmaking insights, and deep dives into the future of storytelling.

#ScienceFiction #SciFi #ShantiHershenson #AuthorInterview #YoungAuthor #YoungAdultFiction #YAFiction #DystopianFiction #WritingAdvice #WritingProcess #BookTok #TikTokBooks #CreativeWriting #NoWinScenario #DonsAwayMission

In this episode of No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission, Don Schechter and surprise co-host Trevor Chamberlain sits down with author and media creator Elliot Blake to talk about making the leap from helping tell other people’s stories to creating a science-fiction world of his own. Elliot discusses the creation of his new novella, Into the Great, and how living through a period of extraordinary technological and social change influenced the story. The conversation explores why science fiction remains such a powerful way to process the world around us, the challenge of imagining the future when technology is evolving so quickly, and how creators can turn uncertainty into compelling storytelling.Don and Elliot also dig into the creative decisions behind Into the Great, including why Elliot chose the novella format, the book’s visual influences, and the writers and films that helped shape his approach—including William Gibson and Blade Runner.They also look beyond the book to possible adaptations, including audiobooks, animation, and film, while discussing the current state of the entertainment industry and the realities of staying creatively active when the business itself is undergoing enormous change.Highlights include:

• Elliot Blake’s career in media and storytelling
• Making the transition from helping create other people’s stories to writing his own
• The inspiration behind Into the Great
• How rapid technological and societal change shapes modern science fiction
• Using science fiction to process uncertainty about the present and future
• Why Elliot chose to tell the story as a novella
• The visual thinking behind the book’s cover and design
• Influences including William Gibson and Blade Runner
• How creators decide what the future should look and feel like
• Plans for audiobook, film, animation, and other possible adaptations
• The changing state of the entertainment industry
• Balancing professional work with personal creative projects
• Why today’s tools can mean “fewer excuses, more stories to tell”

Sound Bites:“Fewer excuses, more stories to tell.”“Choosing the life you want in a destabilized world.”“Science fiction as a way to process current times.”Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest
01:19 Elliot Blake's background in media and storytelling
02:20 The inspiration behind Into the Great
04:39 The influence of current global changes on the story
06:30 Storytelling as a reflection of societal fears
09:35 The impact of the current era on creative work
13:38 Media adaptation plans for Into the Great
16:32 Why a novella? Length and publishing choices
20:18 Cover art and design influences
22:26 Literary influences and sci-fi inspirations
26:23 Living in a time of rapid change and storytelling
30:03 The state of the entertainment industry and future projects
36:06 Balancing creative work with industry realities

Guest Links:
Elliot Blake: https://elliotblake.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/elliotblake


Podcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission
Episode Number: S03E11
Release Date: August 15, 2026
Duration: 40:12
Host: Don Schechter
Website: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.com
Email: [email protected]
Follow No Win Scenario on X (Formerly Twitter): @nowinscenario
Follow No Win Scenario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551025621867
TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcast
Don says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://www.ascendantsbook.com
Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontRowReactionsSubscribe on your favorite platformMental Health Crisis ResourcesIn the US: Call or text 988
Online: https://988lifeline.org©2026 Charles River Media
https://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com