When you hear the word podcast, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of news, pop culture or an influencer interviewing other celebrities. Maybe you think of the heavily opinionated podcasts, or maybe you think of advice.
But this isn’t all podcasting is. For many people, instead of self-help, celebrity interviews or gossip, they turn to fiction podcasting. These usually involve episodes that are written out, scripted and plotted with worldbuilding and characters.
This artful podcasting is not new. If you’ve ever searched too far for a radio station, you may have come across some Old Time Radio. Although not technically podcasts, they resemble what we’ve grown to love (and also judge) today. A lot of these are suspenseful fantasy or crime, both with in-studio voice acting and Foley work. But if you’re driving and don’t want to be sucked into these, it can be easy to turn them off.
It can be hard to get into fiction podcasting. It isn’t like real conversations between people, about topics or things we can relate to, but they are still worth a listen. There are tons of genres, creators and voice actors, so if one doesn’t hit for you, you’re able to try a new one.
A lot of these podcasts resemble books. They can be split up into chapters, parts or seasons with titles so you never get lost. Many of them are long-form, spanning over multiple seasons, but others are shorter.
Are you interested in suspenseful, slow-paced horror with a large cast of close-knit characters? Try “The Magnus Archives,” created by Jonathan Sims and directed by Alexander J. Newall. The podcast centers around head archivist Jon Sims, who reviews unusual happenings throughout London.
While not technically paranormal, fans of the strange can enjoy this podcast. There are both readings of old stories and interviews with new characters. At first, this seems like a normal job in a different universe with episode-long standalone stories. But the farther you dive into this podcast, the more both you and Sims begin to realize the connections and the absolute terror of this universe.
Every character is artfully cast, and each episode brings not only complexity, but also enjoyment. As of right now, the podcast is completed with five seasons. However, there is also a spin-off that was released a few years back.
Another podcast, with the same eerie notes as "The Magnus Archives," is “Welcome to Night Vale.” Night Vale debuted in 2012, created by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. The podcast is a fictional radio show about the town of Night Vale, set in another universe where everything is normalized, but still strange.
There are stand-alone episodes, which the creators suggest you start with, or you can begin at the very beginning and hear the entire story play out. Also, at the end of each episode, there is a "weather report" that usually plays a smaller musician's music, which is amazing if you want to broaden your music taste as well.
Night Vale also has multiple books written by Fink and Cranor. These include “Welcome to Night Vale,” “It Devours!” and “The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your Home.”
Musical fans aren’t forgotten in the podcasting world either. “36 Questions” came out in 2017, starring Jonathan Groff and Jessie Shelton. Including three acts, the musical is based on a psychological finding that includes 36 questions meant to bring individuals closer together and make them fall in love.
Characters Judith Ford and Jase Connelly, a couple with a strained marriage, begin this experiment to reconnect. During this time, listeners learn dark truths, as well as emotional confessions. With a run time of 52 minutes, “36 Questions” is something you can listen to in one sitting, but also revisit whenever you’d like.
One last suggestion for fiction podcasting may come as a surprise. If you’re ever looking for something chill and low-stakes, “Nothing Much Happens” by Kathryn Nicolai may be worth a try.
In a calming voice, Nicolai takes you through short stories to help you fall asleep. The stories are with little detail, and even if you aren’t trying to fall asleep, it can be something to add into your routine to wind down for the day.
The next time you sit down to listen to a podcast, don’t let yourself get lost in reality. These four are not the only ones out there. There are creative pieces for everyone, and if you’re willing, it’s time to start searching and listening.
rj519724@ohio.edu
