NASA Vending Machine
Hosted by Dan Moren and Jason Snell
We came to podcast “For All Mankind!” Dan Moren and Jason Snell have the right stuff… to watch Apple TV’s space drama (and its spinoff, “Star City”) and break it down every week. Dramatic things are always happening around vending machines, if you didn’t notice.
Podcast art by Thom Zahler.
35 “Open Source” (S5E4)
It’s time for a new generation to take charge. Back on Earth, we meet a surprising new character with a deep “For All Mankind” lineage. On Mars, Dev gives Alex a pep talk that goes rapidly awry. Aleida deals with a serious Mars hangover. And when he discovers a nefarious plan that might change Mars forever, Alex puts his vending machine hacking skills to use.
Previous Episodes
-
April 9, 202634 “Home” (S5E3)
Young Ed! Old Ed! Hi Bob! Bye Ed! There’s so much to ponder in this special episode of “For All Mankind,” including Lee on the lam, Boyd’s Mars dating advice, Dev bonding with Alex over motorcycle maintenance, memories of Shane, and some surprise cameos.
-
April 2, 2026
33 “The Hard Six” (S5E2)
It was murder! On Mars! The discovery of a dead body last week leads to an inflammatory perp walk, a mysterious and unlogged cargo transfer, and an exciting car chase (but with hoppers). Also, there’s at least one more pasta night with the Baldwins. And maybe there’s life on Titan?
-
March 26, 2026
32 “First Light” (S5E1)
Get on your Mars bike and get ready to do some cool jumps! “For All Mankind” is back, and the NASA Vending Machine is restocked! But season 5 brings Domino’s and Starbucks to Mars, so who knows what else might be in store on the red planet? This episode helps us get reaquainted with the show, recaps what’s been going on in the decade since last season, and starts to put all the pieces in place for whatever story is about to be laid out before us.
-
January 17, 2024
31 S4 Exit Interview with Ben Nedivi & Matt Wolpert
With season 4 of “For All Mankind” in the books, we got a chance to spend a little time asking co-creators and showrunners Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert about the show in general, season four in particular, where the show might go if it’s renewed for future seasons, and (of course) why there are so many vending machines.
-
January 11, 2024
30 “Perestroika” (S4E10)
We say goodbye to season four by detailing the exciting and eventful finale, in which the counter-countermeasures are foiled by counter-counter-countermeasures… or are they? The tension between the crew and the authorities on Mars reaches a breaking point! Frantic typing occurs—but without typos! And Jason gets some strong “Babylon 5” vibes—in the best way. Comrades, there’s been a Martian vending machine right behind you all along!
-
January 4, 2024
39 “Brazil” (S4E9)
Everything gets tense as we rush toward the season finale. How many Star Trek shows are there in this universe? Was that a modem sound? Would it be better if the KGB and CIA worked together? And what’s more American than eating a McDonald’s burger in a motel?
-
December 28, 2023
28 “Legacy” (S4E8)
Listeners, thanks for reminding us what happened to that one character we thought was dead, because he’s very much not dead and in this episode. The Henry Hill of space shucks off his robe and turns right to warn Aleida about the peril Margo may be in! Meanwhile, on Mars, it’s time to plan a heist! Kelly may be about to make history, but Ed is absolutely a Bad Grandpa. We talk through all the permutations as “For All Mankind” rockets on toward its season finale.
-
December 21, 2023
27 “Crossing the Line” (S4E7)
So many lines being crossed! Ed’s rebellion encourages a worker revolt just as Kelly and Alex arrive on Mars. Meanwhile, Margo gets a new assignment, Aleida’s news appearance goes viral. And Dev spills some sugar and shows his true colors. If you were wondering if this season was in the truest bananas spirit “For All Mankind,” did the last line not clinch it for you?
-
December 14, 2023
26 “Leningrad” (S4E6)
It all comes to a head in St. Petersburg—er, Leningrad. Chekhov’s hotel accommodations are placed on the mantel. Margo is reminded who her employers are. And on mars, Ed continues to rebel. And what is an asteroid, if not a giant vending machine?
-
December 7, 2023
25 “Goldilocks” (S4E5)
It’s a gold rush in space! Okay, maybe an iridium rush, as everyone on Earth wants to grab Goldilocks, the $20 trillion asteroid. But things are more complicated than that, of course. Danielle is stuck in an episode of “Lost,” having flashbacks to dark times. Kelly and Aleida have to deal with a rash decision made by Dev. And is Ed Baldwin this season’s… villain?