Imaginary Worlds is an episodic science fiction and fantasy podcast that deconstructs the genres and their themes.
Podcast creator and host Eric Molinsky worked in public radio for over a decade at WNYC and NPR, including work for the arts and culture program Studio 360. He was drawn to podcasting because of the creative freedom it provided compared to traditional broadcasting.
Molinsky deconstructs fantasy and science fiction stories to examine their real-world influences and implications. Before his career in audio, Molinsky worked as an animation storyboard artist for Nickelodeon cartoons, including Doug and Rugrats. This background in visual storytelling often informs his analysis of the technical aspects of world-building and film production.
The podcast releases content on a bi-weekly basis and utilizes a sound-rich, documentary-style format rather than a standard roundtable discussion. Each episode focuses on a specific trope or work within speculative fiction, seeking to understand the psychological reasons audiences suspend their disbelief.
Imaginary Worlds was on the 2016 list of best podcasts published by Business Insider. The podcast was also a 2017 top pick by The Christian Science Monitor. Charles Pulliam-Moore of Gizmodo included the podcast on a list of ten sci-fi and fantasy podcasts recommended for their depth and storytelling. Miranda Sawyer of The Guardian praised the show, stating that "Eric Molinsky is a clever and generous host who knows his stuff."
In late 2024, the podcast celebrated its 10th anniversary with a retrospective series exploring the evolution of the show and the speculative fiction landscape. As of 2025, production includes assistant producer Stephanie Billman and the launch of "Between Imaginary Worlds," a spin-off series featuring long-form interviews for the show's Patreon community. The podcast has continued to receive industry recognition, including a Gold Signal Award for Best Arts & Culture Podcast and a nomination for Best Indie Podcast at the Ambie Awards.