What if we find evidence of an alien civilization, but there’s no one left to answer?

In this short bonus deep dive, astronomer and SETI researcher Dr. Stephen DiKerby explores a possibility the movies visit less often: first contact with something its makers left behind. A distant signal, an abandoned probe, or ancient technology could tell us we aren’t alone without offering anyone to talk to.

From the Drake equation and the lifespan of technological civilizations to Voyager’s messages from Earth, we explore what might survive across cosmic time, whether the intelligence we encounter could be mechanical, and who gets to speak for humanity if we decide to introduce ourselves. Entrusting that last decision to an eccentric billionaire may deserve a little discussion.

Want the whole story? Listen to Season 1, Episode 2: NOIC Goes to the Movies: Summer Alien Invasion Special for more from Stephen and our other guests on first contact, alien movies, and what those stories reveal about us.

About our featured expert

Dr. Stephen DiKerby is an astronomer and postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University. His work explores the high-energy universe and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, including how we might detect technology built by other civilizations.

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Why do some of us love being scared, while others can't even watch a crime show before bed?

Just in time for Halloween, journalist, author, and X-Ray Vision co-host Rosie Knight returns to talk about our strange relationship with horror. From the movies that frightened us as kids to the books that still keep us awake, we explore what makes horror so irresistible, why knowing how the scares work doesn't always help, and what a chainsaw-wielding maniac might have to teach us about hope.

Plus, crawl spaces. Rosie has questions about crawl spaces. Frankly, so do we.

Want the whole story? Listen to Season 1, Episode 10: Psychology of Fear | How Hope Can Save You for more from Rosie and our other experts on fear, courage, and hope.

About our featured expert

Rosie Knight is a journalist, author, and pop culture critic covering film, television, comics, and genre storytelling. She co-hosts X-Ray Vision, a podcast about movies, television, comics, and pop culture.

Explore No One Is Coming

For full episodes, expert resources, and more:

https://nooneiscomingpodcast.com

Follow us for new episodes, bonus deep dives, and more stories about the unexpected:

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-one-is-coming-podcast/

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A locked door is one thing. The helpful person standing beside it is where Jenny Radcliffe comes in.

In this short bonus deep dive, ethical social engineer Jenny Radcliffe, known as “The People Hacker,” explains how she’s hired to get past security by understanding the humans responsible for it. With permission, considerable preparation, and enough charm to make opening the door seem like your idea, she exposes vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them.

Jenny reveals how personal interests become tailored approaches, how familiarity quietly turns into trust, and why being convinced you’re too clever to be conned gives someone an excellent place to start. It’s a funny, unsettling look at how ordinary human instincts can work against us—and why you can enjoy the compliment and still leave the door locked.

Want the whole story? Listen to Season 1, Episode 5: Scams — The Urgency Trap for more from Jenny and our other experts on how scams work, why they succeed, and how to interrupt them.

About our featured expert

Jenny Radcliffe is an ethical social engineer, speaker, and author of People Hacker. Businesses hire her to test their security using psychology, persuasion, and physical infiltration. She’s also the host of The Human Factor, a podcast exploring the human side of security.

Explore No One Is Coming

For full episodes, expert resources, and more:

https://nooneiscomingpodcast.com

Follow us for new episodes, bonus deep dives, and more stories about the unexpected:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nooneiscomingpodcast/
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• LinkedIn: No One Is Coming

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.