Exploring Big Ideas Through Speculative Fiction - A Conversation with Diana Colleen

About this episode

Billy Dees interviews speculative fiction author Diana Colleen about her debut novel and the role of speculative fiction in addressing social issues.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes speculative fiction author Diana Colleen for a wide-ranging discussion that blends storytelling, philosophy, and current social issues. At the heart of the conversation is Colleen’s debut novel, They Could Be Saviors, a book built on a bold and provocative premise: what if saving the planet required confronting the immense power of billionaires? From the outset, the episode sets the tone for an open dialogue—one where differing viewpoints are not only acknowledged but explored with curiosity and respect. A central theme of the discussion is the role of speculative fiction as more than just entertainment. Colleen explains that the genre—encompassing science fiction, dystopian narratives, and climate fiction (“cli-fi”)—is rooted in “what if” questions that challenge readers to reimagine the future. Rather than focusing solely on bleak, dystopian outcomes, she advocates for stories that offer hope and agency. In her view, the narratives we consume shape how we perceive what’s possible, and by presenting more optimistic futures, authors can inspire readers to believe that meaningful change is still within…

People in this episode

Host: Billy Dees

Guest: Diana Colleen

Topics covered

• speculative fiction
• storytelling
• philosophy
• social issues
• wealth inequality
• innovation

Keywords

• speculative fiction
• Diana Colleen
• They Could Be Saviors
• storytelling
• wealth inequality
• cli-fi
• innovation

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: They Could Be Saviors

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