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The Truth

193 EpisodesProduced by The TruthWebsite

THE TRUTH makes movies for your ears. They're short stories that are sometimes dark, sometimes funny, and always intriguing. Every story is different, but they all take you to unexpected places using only sound. If you're new, some good starting places are: Silvia's Blood, That's Democracy, Moon Gra… read more

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Farewell

February 22nd, 2024

0:39

An important message from RadioPublic

Pariah No. 3

July 13th, 2023

34:55

The grandson of a world-renowned art gallery owner falls in love with a performance artist. But when her performance piece becomes a crime scene, he has to team up with an art critic to investigate. Part 3 of 3.

Pariah No. 2

June 29th, 2023

26:54

The grandson of a world-renowned art gallery owner falls in love with a performance artist. But when her performance piece becomes a crime scene, he has to team up with an art critic to investigate. Part 2 of 3.

Pariah No. 1

June 15th, 2023

29:32

The grandson of a world-renowned art gallery owner falls in love with a performance artist. But when her performance piece becomes a crime scene, he has to team up with an art critic to investigate.

Written by Davy …

Instruction Manual for Jason

June 1st, 2023

25:52

When Jen gets an instruction manual specifically written for her boyfriend, she uses it to help both him … and herself.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by James Dwyer, Erin Bartley, John Trowbridge, Makena …

Degenerates

May 18th, 2023

28:37

A mechanic with a gambling problem has a chance to get out of debt by restoring his bookie’s vintage car. But first he has to deal with Ro.

Written by Louis Kornfeld

Performed by Jamie Rivera, Phoebe Tyers, Michael …

Heat Meet

May 4th, 2023

33:04

Welcome to the 18th Annual Heat Meet, where hot sauce enthusiasts from all over the world gather to talk shop, sample new sauces, and—maybe, just maybe—see the face of God.

Written by Hunter Nelson

Performed by James …

The Talk

April 6th, 2023

14:58

We’re taking a break right now, and we’ll be back in May with all new stories. But in the meantime, we’re featuring stories from the past that you may not have heard.

For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story from …

Keep Running

March 2nd, 2023

13:13

We’re taking a break right now, and we’ll be back in May with all new stories. But in the meantime, we’re featuring stories from the past that you may not have heard.

For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story from …

Tough Crowd

February 2nd, 2023

16:22

For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story from 2013 called Tough Crowd, about a stand-up comic competing with a speed-date event—based on a true …

The Mutiny

January 5th, 2023

9:36

We’re taking a break right now, and we’ll be back in May with all new stories. But in the meantime, we’re featuring stories from the past that you may not have heard.

For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story that …

Mall Santa

December 20th, 2022

21:27

A disenchanted mall Santa gets a surprise gift from SantaCon.

This story was originally released in 2017. It was written by Louis Kornfeld, and …

Still On

October 27th, 2022

33:17

Long-running late-night talk show “Still On” just got a new host. He’s young, innovative… and cursed.

Written by Hunter Nelson

Performed by Molly …

I'm Not That Guy

October 13th, 2022

27:50

You know the story: back in high school, a jock and a nerd switched bodies. Except now it's ten years later... and they still haven't switched back.

Mark the Creep

September 29th, 2022

23:33

Mark thinks he's unworthy of his wife's affection. At least, that's what the voices in his head keep saying....

Written by Louis Kornfeld

Performed …

Journey into Kalanu

September 15th, 2022

25:40

On a theme park ride dedicated to a sci-fi mega-franchise, a man meets a superfan whose love of fantasy is about to put them both in real danger.

Written by Hunter Nelson.

Performed by Peter Grosz, Alex Dickson, Billy …

Happy Happy

July 21st, 2022

27:59

There are a million things rock star Melanie Miles would like to have done differently. And a visit to a mysterious bar trapped in the '90s finally …

Snoop

July 7th, 2022

21:35

While housesitting for her crush, Sienna finds his journal. But reading it uncovers a little more than she—or her best friend Monica—was expecting.

Swallowed

June 23rd, 2022

24:51

Jonah’s been swallowed by the whale, and he isn’t sure why. But as he prays to God for answers, a different voice responds.

Written by Brielle DeMirjian

Performed by David Deblinger, Russell G. Jones, and Tom Ligon.

Newts!

June 2nd, 2022

25:31

From PRX Productions and The Truth, Newts! is a surf rock audio drama about the end of the world. The six-part series is inspired by the pioneering science fiction of Czech author and playwright Karel Čapek, who is best …

Thankless

April 21st, 2022

27:14

To help her sick mother, Abigail needs to ask for help from her brother, a conspiracy-peddling radio host.

Written by Louis Kornfeld

Performed by Monica Wyche, PJ Sosko, Jamie Newell, Max Brand, Louis Kornfeld, Alexis …

Danslang

April 7th, 2022

30:22

The kids at Newlin High have invented their own complex and growing language. Can a visiting linguist study and preserve it before the principal wipes it out for good?

Written by Hunter Nelson

Performed by Will Hines, …

About the Pond

March 24th, 2022

31:49

Emmy’s a chef; her twin brother Ross is an aspiring vegetable influencer. All they want is total culinary dominance—but a swiftly growing pond is …

What About Ruth?

March 10th, 2022

30:49

It’s March of 2020 and Haviland is desperately trying to make herself useful, but her parents just want her to stay safe. Against their wishes, she …

The Best Truth Story Ever (so far)*

February 23rd, 2022

27:28

We asked listeners for the best Truth story of all time. You answered. As part of Radiotopia’s Making Trouble week, we’re bringing you the winner of the BEST TRUTH STORY EVER (so far), as voted on by listeners.

And …

The Truth 10th Anniversary Special

February 11th, 2022

28:36

The Truth is 10 years old today! And to celebrate, we’re talking to a few of our listeners about their favorite episodes. If you’re new to the show, …

My Perfect Dad

February 3rd, 2022

30:02

It’s not easy being a perfect dad. Especially when your son has some notes about the performance.

Written by Louis Kornfeld.

Performed by Tim …

The Disruptors Part 2

January 20th, 2022

25:25

Hayley meets a nice man. Could the universe be giving her a break? Nope, it’s still against her.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Mary …

The Grand Finale

December 23rd, 2021

29:37

It’s 1978, and the world’s most famous magician wants to show you the true wonders of the universe.

Written by Jonathan Mitchell.

This story was inspired by the life and work of magician Doug Henning, and uses …

Here Lies Me

December 9th, 2021

38:10

It's the first day of eighth grade, and God's got a crush on Noa.

For this episode of The Truth, we’re introducing you to a fantastic new podcast from Hillary Frank and Lemonada Media. If you like what you hear, you …

The Look-alike

November 25th, 2021

33:36

A celebrity look-alike is trying to break away from his famous face and be taken seriously on his own. But it isn’t easy when the world only sees another Clooney.

Written by Louis Kornfeld.

Performed by Peter …

End of the Hum

November 11th, 2021

30:38

In our fifth story from the post-apocalyptic world of the Hum, Huck is held captive in the compound while Inez must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for a chance at seeing her son.

This story is the fifth in the …

Fruit of Knowledge

October 28th, 2021

22:02

A year after their father’s death, three siblings find a tree growing directly out of their father’s grave, bearing fruit and an unbelievable family secret.

Written by Grant Cohen.

Performed by Anthony Franqui, …

Fairy Godmother of Justice

October 14th, 2021

23:39

A fed up fairy godmother decides to grant justice instead of wishes.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Blanche Ames, Lida Darmian, Thomas Whittington, Reilly Wilson, Brandon Zelman, Joel Bernstein, Mary …

Phonebank Kismet

September 30th, 2021

29:29

Matilda is selling artificial limbs at a call center, phoning random people in search of a sale. She wasn’t expecting one of the people to be her ex.

Written by India Kotis.

Performed by Stephanie Rey, Autumn …

The Chosen One

September 16th, 2021

28:28

A down-on-his-luck teacher meets an alien. And suddenly the world wants to know what he has to say.

Written by Louis Kornfeld.

Performed by Dennis …

Zoe Butterfly

July 22nd, 2021

22:44

An eight year old finds a stronger bond with the narrator of her favorite nature documentary than with any of the adults in her life.

Written by …

Echo of the Hum

July 8th, 2021

27:28

In the fourth episode in “The Hum” series, Milly and Kaitlin finally find a community of people where they can live. It’s a welcoming community. But there are limits.

This story is part 4 in an ongoing series. If you …

The Disruptors

June 24th, 2021

19:58

A woman thinks the universe is plotting against her. And she’s right. It is.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Mary McDonnell, Louis Kornfeld, Margaret Burrus, Casey Wortmann, Tom Stephens, Ryan Leach, Alexis …

How We Make The Truth

June 10th, 2021

42:52

On this special episode, we share some of our favorite outtakes, go behind the scenes of The Truth, hear from writers Mary McDonnell and Louis …

Breakfast in Wartime

May 27th, 2021

26:08

Liz can work a crowd. But can she read the room?

Written by Chris Kipiniak.

Performed by Sue Galloway, Sarah Mollo-Christensen, Brian Miskell, Alex …

The Noise and The Signal

May 13th, 2021

22:41

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes descriptions of sexual acts, and an anti-semitic attack.

Two grieving friends hope for a miracle. Neither of them is prepared for what they get.

Written by Louis Kornfeld.

Like Me

April 29th, 2021

22:01

The latest TikTok challenge seemed fun - until the people started disappearing.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Jacob Cornell, Glo Tavarez, Jenny Gorelick, Kyle Gordon, Lida Damian, Rachel Weinstsky, Pedro …

Irish Water Spaniel

April 15th, 2021

24:53

A widower loses his horse and searches for something new to love.

Written by Roney.

Performed by Austin Pendleton, Josh Perilo, Tallie Medel, Dmitry Shein, Rachel Botchan, Kyle Gordon, Tommy Marshall, Thomas …

Private Thoughts

March 25th, 2021

23:55

A sudden telepathic connection pushes an unhappy woman into the arms of her brother-in-law.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Kimberly Chatterjee, Adrián Burke, Brandon Zelman, Ryan Karels, Amy Warren, and Mary …

Caligula the God

March 11th, 2021

29:22

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes very strong language, and descriptions of sexual acts. It is for adults only, and not intended for children.

CrossBread

February 25th, 2021

30:28

Back in 2015, twin brother and sister Josh and Joan Burns formed CrossBread, the hugely successful Christian Rap duo from Boronia in Melbourne's …

Shadow of the Hum

February 11th, 2021

27:50

The hardest thing about living in a post-apocalypse is the loneliness. But what you do to cope could make things worse.

This story is the third in …

Love in Hollywood

January 28th, 2021

25:45

An unexpected chance to be on a reality show lands Cat in a bizarre love triangle. As the story takes on a life of its own, her TV dreams devolve …

Gods and Mortals

January 14th, 2021

24:20

When a group of misfit college students learn that their new roleplaying game affects the real world, opportunities abound. But there are …

Remember the Lakehouse

December 17th, 2020

25:00

It’s been five years since her stroke, and Ann is still struggling to make new memories. But an ancient technique might be the key she needs to put her life back together.

Written by Louis Kornfeld.

Performed by …

Santa's Nine

December 3rd, 2020

21:46

Two best friends are part of a Christmas Eve Bitcoin heist, but things don’t go according to plan.

Written by Anthony Del Col.

Performed by Alex …

Appearances

November 19th, 2020

18:03

Appearances is “an audio mind trip about an Iranian-American woman, the family she carries around in her head, and the family that she wants to …

Salamanca

November 5th, 2020

29:03

A college student studying abroad learns about a romantic legend in Spain, but gets carried away trying to make it come true.

Written by David …

Bad Hair

October 22nd, 2020

21:53

A suburban mom discovers a sinister conspiracy at her local hair salon.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Alex Dickson, Francesca Ferrara, …

Married Alive

October 8th, 2020

28:28

A mountain climbing couple gets caught in an avalanche. Will they survive? Will their relationship? Oh, and also—they’re not alone.

Written by Davy Gardner.

Performed by Margaret Burrus, Federico Rodriguez, Sue …

The Halves

September 24th, 2020

26:11

When a sitcom star is contacted by his long-lost relatives, he discovers that gaining a new family is a lot more than he bargained for.

Written by …

Into the Hum

September 10th, 2020

29:44

When the sky itself becomes deadly, survival depends on how much you can trust strangers.

Written by Louis Kornfeld.

Performed by Michael Cullen, …

After the Hum

July 23rd, 2020

28:48

In a post-apocalyptic world, a young woman faces her fears of the outside world in order to save her sister.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Marisa Brau, Jessica Morgan, James Dwyer, Gregory Jones, and Rachel …

The Session

July 9th, 2020

24:48

When two actors on different coasts show up to a mysterious voiceover audition, a sadistic director keeps making things weirder.

Written by Laura Grey.

Performed by Liz Leimkuhler, Casey Jost, Chris Kipiniak and Bill …

Anywhere in the World

June 25th, 2020

19:51

A virtual reality company can send you anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. So when a celebrity uses it for escape and ends up finding love, he goes to great lengths to hang onto his new life.

What's Wrong with Nicole Berkman?

June 11th, 2020

20:26

A woman gets trapped in an inter-dimensional game show. To leave, she must win the game by figuring out: what is wrong with her?

Written by Mary …

The Fraud

May 21st, 2020

26:08

When an artificial intelligence grad student becomes a finalist for a big robotics award, her empathic AI robot starts calling her a fraud, and she must figure out how to overcome its nasty, counterproductive feedback.

LIVE: The Hilly Earth Society

May 7th, 2020

37:11

The Truth was live at On Air Fest in March 2020, with a performance of “The Hilly Earth Society” followed by a Q&A with writer Louis Kornfeld, …

Clustr

April 9th, 2020

19:43

A new app allows you to earn real money just by participating in social events. But what the events are—and who shows up—makes it difficult to know …

The Wedding Objector

March 26th, 2020

30:28

A woman paid to ruin weddings decides instead to help a groom salvage his… and finds love along the way.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by …

Chester

March 12th, 2020

22:11

When Kyra gets Beth an “enhanced emotional support” dog to help her get over her recent funk, the gift goes over a little too well.

Written by Timothy Michael Cooper

Performed by Tanyika Carey, Ellen Winter, and Fred …

Lucky Penny

February 27th, 2020

28:51

A son tries to make contact with his dad deteriorating in the throes of dementia. He makes new connections and discoveries, and as he says goodbye to his father, he is granted a long-awaited wish.

Written and performed …

The Choice

February 13th, 2020

25:42

After three friends make a mysterious yet simple choice, they must make sense of the inconceivable results.

Written by Davy Gardner

Performed by …

Robocalls

January 30th, 2020

27:35

Eddie Doyle is being targeted by bots that are getting smarter all the time.

Written by Louis Kornfeld

Performed by Tom Ligon, Amy Warren, Louis Kornfeld, Tanyika Carey, Rebecca Robles, Rich Armstead, Jon Cook, Dmitry …

Museum of You

January 16th, 2020

25:18

It’s difficult to convey who you are in a two-dimensional dating profile. So a brand new dating service brings you into the third dimension, allowing …

Passenger List

December 27th, 2019

35:29

Atlantic Flight 702 has disappeared mid-flight between London and New York. Kaitlin Le, a college student whose twin brother vanished with the …

Three Seconds to Nowhere

December 12th, 2019

22:33

If you want to get from point A to point B, teleportation sounds like a good idea. But if you ever get the opportunity, just take a cab. Learn what happened to teleportation’s First Man.

Written by Louis Kornfeld

Meet Cara

December 2nd, 2019

15:47

Get to know our associate producer Cara Ehlenfeldt, and hear outtakes from the past year of The Truth.

Make your mark. Go to radiotopia.fm to donate today.

Possessive

November 22nd, 2019

20:24

Eve, Jay, and Michael used to be close friends until life moved them in different directions. They are brought together by the death of an old friend …

Under the Influence

November 7th, 2019

25:06

Rory, an influencer with over 2 million followers, discovers she has the incredible ability to rewrite history through social media. But what does …

Double Feature of Darkness

October 24th, 2019

32:01

Down in the dusty crypt of The Truth, we uncover the remains of two haunting stories. In the first, a mother's most precious possession is discovered. In the second, a blood ritual conjures up angels...

“Don’t Touch a …

Self-Made Man

October 10th, 2019

26:27

The mysterious founder and CEO of a tech company is about to tell the world the secret of his latest product… and his past.

Written by Luke Burns

Performed by Richie Moriarty, Josh Perilo, Jon Cook, Daniel Hubbard, …

Your Ears Are Burning

September 26th, 2019

26:09

Tony's always had a hard time reading the room. But then a mysterious man tells him about a podcast that plays back everything people say about you when you're not there.

Written by Mac Rogers

Performed by Doug Moe, …

Poofed

September 12th, 2019

19:11

After helping a woman on a subway platform, a busker discovers that her ukulele has a strange power.

Written by Rachel Wenitsky

Performed by Rachel …

BONUS: The Fitzroy Diaries

August 8th, 2019

31:10

A woman walks, baby strapped to her chest, through the streets of Fitzroy and Carlton. As she walks, she notices the way the skyline edges upward, nudged by the cranes of developers. And she notices the history of this …

Hush Little Baby

July 25th, 2019

24:20

Joanna thought she was prepared for her new baby. But the baby has plans of her own.

Written by Marina Tempelsman

Performed by Ann Carr, Erica Schroeder, David Ebert, Katie Hartman, Louis Kornfeld, Leslie Meisel, …

Moon Graffiti

July 11th, 2019

16:59

Our story was inspired by a real contingency speech written in 1969 by William Safire for Richard Nixon titled “In Event of Moon Disaster." It was …

Persuasive Tactics

June 27th, 2019

24:30

A psychology student must clear her name using the power of persuasion.

Written by Mary McDonnell.

Performed by Kimberly Chatterjee, Jeff Wucher, …

BONUS: The Shadows

June 13th, 2019

48:24

For today’s episode, we’re featuring an episode from another podcast: The Shadows.

Kaitlin Prest, creator and host of the Prix-Italia winner The Heart, presents the first audio fiction from CBC Podcasts. The Shadows is …

The Body Genius, Part 5

May 30th, 2019

28:59

Questions are answered and blood is spilled backstage at the 15th Annual Octane Awards.

Performed by Chris Cafero, Eli James, Damon Ketron, Claire Burns, Chris Kipiniak, Jeremy Bent, Johan Matton, Connor Ratliff, Amy …

The Body Genius, Part 4

May 16th, 2019

25:31

The walls close in on Evan, and new revelations shed light on the short, sad career of Wesley Stern.

Performed by Chris Cafero, Eli James, Joanna …

The Body Genius, Part 3

May 2nd, 2019

26:25

Clues, conspiracy, and cutting-edge Swedish fitness technology await Evan at the Straffmotor Showroom.

Performed by Chris Cafero, Marina Gasparyan, …

The Body Genius, Part 2

April 18th, 2019

23:56

Evan’s great body and surprisingly decent brain team up to investigate rumors and strange goings-on on the set of “Immortal Cop.”

Performed by Chris Cafero, Joanna Bradley, Marina Gasparyan, Alli Brown, T.J. Mannix, …

The Body Genius, Part 1

April 4th, 2019

29:38

Evan is the most sought after personal trainer in Hollywood. His brain has always been good at bodies. But can it solve a murder?

Performed by Chris …

The Other Fran

February 28th, 2019

22:01

When a lawyer (Jo Firestone) attends her 20th high school reunion, a former classmate mistakes her for another person, and nostalgically recounts a …

Meet Cute

February 14th, 2019

22:36

Kate finally talks to that cute guy at the bowling alley, and he even asks her out on a date. It’s just like a movie romance until something unexpected happens…

Written by Becca Schall.

Performed by Ariel Gitlin, Amy …

The Cavern

January 31st, 2019

26:00

After her husband goes missing while on a tour of Ellsworth Caverns, a woman seeks to uncover the secret of the caves.

Written by Luke Burns.

Performed by Ann Carr, Rebecca Robles, Max Brand, Ed Herbstman, Danielle …

The Curse of Numb

January 16th, 2019

22:14

A modern day hero awakes from a Curse,
And looks for adventure. Oh! And there’s verse!

Written by Mary McDonnell. Performed by Marisa Brau, Alison Cimmet, Liz Leimkuhler, Rachel Botchan, Alana Raquel Bowers, Will …

The Unremarkables

December 20th, 2018

21:18

It's bad enough that Alice and Mort find themselves in their late 50s with no jobs, and ruinous medical debt. But they're also buckling under a feeling of utter insignificance, that the world ignores them. Then their …

BONUS: All Your Questions Answered

December 13th, 2018

33:34

In this special episode, Jonathan Mitchell and Davy Gardner answer listener questions, and talk about how the show is made.

"Commitment" was written by Davy Gardner. Performed by Margaret Burrus, Jack Frederick, and …

November 31st

December 6th, 2018

16:22

After a humiliating defeat, an MMA fighter is eager for a rematch. But will the haunting memories of her loss get in the way?

Written by Georgie Aldaco and Davy Gadner
Performed by Ariana Rodriguez, Taylor Ortega, …

Murder at Cakery Bakery

November 22nd, 2018

20:43

After murdering an annoying customer in a moment of rage, Meg must finish her bakery shift and destroy the corpse while being haunted by the dead customer’s ghost.

Written by Mary McDonnell, and produced by Jonathan …

The Saint of Machine

November 8th, 2018

24:41

A reality tv producer travels to a small Texas town to find a man who can perform miracles. But there’s no such thing as miracles... right?

Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Our associate …

The Off Season, Part 4

October 23rd, 2018

22:04

“Notes from the Network”

As a storm rages outside, a visit from the head of the network complicates Erica's big story and Bruce's attempt at a comeback.

A four-part limited series from The Truth.
Starring Peter …

The Off Season, Part 3

October 16th, 2018

29:07

“Young Man, You're Doing Fine”

Erica interviews Bruce. Is she getting to the truth of his story? Or just helping a serial abuser get back on television?

A four-part limited series from The Truth.
Starring Peter Grosz …

The Off Season, Part 2

October 9th, 2018

27:52

“Breaking In”

Meet Erica. She’s an aspiring journalist who enjoys squatting in vacant Montauk homes during the off season. And on the second floor …

The Off Season, Part 1

October 1st, 2018

23:46

“Banished to the Hamptons”

After being accused of sexual harassment live on air, television host Bruce Alvarez retreats to the Hamptons until the …

BONUS: Everything Is Alive

July 31st, 2018

25:48

Meet Louis, a can of generic cola. For this special bonus episode of The Truth, we’re introducing you not only to an inanimate object, but a brand …

Wonderworld, U.S.A.

July 12th, 2018

32:08

Explore Wonderworld, U.S.A., where the fun and the mental are fundamental!

Featuring stories by Chris Kipiniak, Becca Schall, Louis Kornfeld, Lila Newman, and Davy Gardner.

Fish Girl

June 21st, 2018

19:25

A girl finds an unlikely friend in a porcupine puffer fish.

Written by Becca Schall, produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Performed by Bee Herbstman, Alison Cimmet, Scott Richardson, and Ed Herbstman.

The Jesse Eisenberg Effect

June 7th, 2018

19:59

In 1993, a young boy named Jesse Eisenberg wrote a fan letter to an NBA star that would change the course of history. Written and performed by …

Visible & Drive Straight Ahead

May 24th, 2018

19:22

Two stories: What if there were an app for blind people that could describe to them what they can’t see? Not just directions like a GPS, but …

The Matter of Tyco

May 11th, 2018

21:25

When you inherit a parrot with a past, you never know what you might hear.

Written by Lila Newman and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Performed by Lila Newman, Erica Hernandez, Joel Bernstein, Margaret Burrus, Kyle …

Justice Battalion

April 19th, 2018

29:52

How far is too far in the fight for Truth, Justice, and the American Way? This episode asks some serious questions by taking the form of a Saturday morning cartoon.

Written by Casper Kelly, and produced by Jonathan …

The Runaways

April 4th, 2018

16:59

A couple tries to make a break, without the future getting in their way.

Performed by Chris Henry Coffey and Jenny Mudge
Written by Chris Kipiniak
Produced by Jonathan Mitchell

This episode was sponsored in part by: …

The Hilly Earth Society

March 22nd, 2018

23:19

Some people are just too interesting to be left alone.

Written by Louis Kornfeld and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Michael Cullen.

Rideshare

March 1st, 2018

18:10

Ordering a rideshare seems like a safe choice. But really, it's just getting into a stranger's car.

Performed by Dana Kaplan-Angle, Amir Darvish, and Boris Khaykin.

Written by Lila Newman, directed and produced by …

Nuclear Winter

February 14th, 2018

15:42

The end of the world didn't scare them. They were nuclear launch officers, that's their job. What scared them was the ghost.

Written by Eric …

The Co-op

January 31st, 2018

20:40

A couple moves into a Co-op apartment that becomes more than they bargained for.

Performed by Hannah Chase, Dennis Pacheco, Amy Warren, Susan Owen, …

BONUS: The Polybius Conspiracy

January 17th, 2018

36:16

An investigation into the origins of the Polybius legend leads to Bobby, who claims the game was responsible for his abduction as a teenager. In the …

Mall Santa

December 13th, 2017

20:45

A disenchanted mall Santa gets a surprise gift from SantaCon.

Written by Louis Kornfeld, produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Performed by Tom Ligon, …

Troll

November 22nd, 2017

16:25

Everything would be fine if everyone would just listen.

Written by Chris Kipiniak, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Performed by Abby Royle, Kyle …

Game Night

November 9th, 2017

14:02

It’s a show of mystery, fun, and bad memories! Written by Davy Gardner, produced by Jonathan Mitchell and Kerry Kastin.

The Decider

October 25th, 2017

16:45

What if a device could tell you exactly how satisfied you’d be with any decision? What if you could carry the future around in your pocket? What if …

Magic Hugs

October 11th, 2017

20:13

Maybe a hug really can be magic. Maybe.

Performed by Austin Pendleton, April Matthis, and Jenny Lee Mitchell.

Written by Louis Kornfeld and produced by Jonathan Mitchell

Brain Chemistry

September 27th, 2017

23:48

A cryogenically-frozen man is revived in the future, to a world that is not quite what he expected.

Written by Eric Molinsky, and produced by …

Possible Side Effects

September 13th, 2017

18:01

Intestilax is a miracle cure for stomach pains. But be careful: it may have side effects.

Written by Casper Kelly, and produced by Jonathan …

Influencers part 1

June 28th, 2017

13:01

Imagine a near future where media influencers are sent to an internment camp. This episode was made in collaboration with Benjamen Walker, and part 2 …

Do the Voice

May 10th, 2017

13:22

The voice of a cartoon boy takes a shot at live action. Starring Erica Schroeder as Betsy and Happy Louie. With Brian Dykstra, Marc Thompson, Justin Morgan, Rosie Whalen, Susan J. Jacks, Chris Kipiniak, Lorena Russi, …

Intimacy Challenge

April 26th, 2017

14:20

On the island of Thassos grows a very rare variety of the Lotus flower, Nymphaea Anamnesis. If you drink its extract, whatever you say or do for ten minutes after drinking it, you won’t remember. It's kind of like …

Hey Bumblebee

April 12th, 2017

15:43

Spring is in the air and so are the bees. To celebrate, we made this collection of comedy sketches! Learn how Quantum Mechanics can help solve that …

Scavenger Hunt

March 22nd, 2017

12:40

What will they find? Performed by Rebecca Robles and Louis Kornfeld. Story by Louis Kornfeld, produced by Jonathan Mitchell. Recorded on location in New York City.

Miracle on the L Train

March 9th, 2017

14:55

A subway ride becomes divinely dangerous. With Joanna Hausmann as Alice and T.J. Mannix as God. Written by Sarah Siskind with Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. 

A Drop in the Ocean

February 9th, 2017

18:51

A submarine crew goes deeper than they thought possible. Written by Louis Kornfeld and Chris Kipiniak. Performed by Gregory Jones, Chris McKinney, Russell G. Jones, Billy Griffin Jr., Reynaldo Piniella, and Michael …

The Dark End of the Mall

January 11th, 2017

20:00

Shopping can make you work up a thirst. Performed by Lauren Adams and Peter Grosz, written by Casper Kelly, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

The Sweet Music of Friction

December 21st, 2016

18:52

A man mysteriously transports himself into the body of a prison inmate. Performed by Khalil Kain and Craig muMs Grant, with Keith Randolph Smith, …

Naughty or Nice

December 7th, 2016

17:55

An elf named Spark has just been promoted to the "Naughty or Nice" division of Santa's workshop. But when he finds out how Santa determines if you've been bad or good, he makes it his mission to change the system. …

Commentary Track

November 10th, 2016

14:19

A (fictional) Director's Commentary from the (fictional) short film that inspired the (fictional) big budget feature romantic comedy "Then I Saw Her Face". Performed by Birgit Huppuch, with Maurice Jones and Libby …

Cor-wrong-ct!

October 12th, 2016

17:16

A mixtape made especially for you, with five short comedy sketches produced by The Truth. Featuring performances by Scott Adsit, Tami Sagher, Ed Herbstman, Laura Grey, April Matthis, Peter McNerney, Lane Kewerdis, Al …

Sleep Some More

September 7th, 2016

25:30

Dan's college roommate won't stop talking. Even when he's asleep. Performed by Brian Miskell and Mark Gessner, with Lusia Strus and Hannah Chase. …

The Making of That's Democracy

July 13th, 2016

28:30

A new short film has been made based on our story "That's Democracy", and to celebrate we produced this documentary about how the original story was made. Including interviews with Louis Kornfeld, Peter McNerney, and …

The Man in the Barn

May 12th, 2016

15:29

A mysterious man appears in the barn of an elderly Irish couple. This story was commissioned by RTE's Drama on One, and recorded in Kilfinane, County …

Man V. Nature

March 10th, 2016

25:26

Three men are stranded in a lifeboat. Adapted from a short story by Diane Cook, our adaptation is by Diana McCorry. Performed by David Pasquesi, Ed Herbstman, and Mark Gessner. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell. "Man V. …

Visible & Drive Straight Ahead

February 11th, 2016

18:01

Two stories: A blind man gets a Seeing Eye App, and a personal GPS gets really personal. With performances by Russell G. Jones, Ann Carr, Rachel Hamilton, and Kerry Kastin, and writing by Louis Kornfeld & Diana …

Where Have You Been?

November 17th, 2015

11:32

Everyone thought you were missing, maybe even dead. And now you’re back.

Performed by Ed Herbstman, Ben Jones, Christian Paluck, Chet Siegel, Louis Kornfeld, Amy Warren, and Asher Herbstman. Produced by Jonathan …

Starburst

October 22nd, 2015

11:26

Where's your costume? Dressing up is the best part of these things! Performed by Matt Antonucci and Angela DeManti, with Kerry Kastin, Alejandro …

Enjoy the Suffering

September 10th, 2015

12:20

Greetings, souls of the damned! This story is about a young woman who always looked up to her older sister, until they found themselves in Hell. …

Dark Matter

July 16th, 2015

16:41

No one knows what it is, or why we can't see it. All we know is that without it, the universe would fall apart. Performed by Kevin Corrigan, Chet …

You're Not Alone

June 24th, 2015

17:58

Are you hearing voices? You're not alone. Performed by Christian Paluck, Carly Monardo, Tom Stephens, Louis Kornfeld, Jon Keller, Kerry Kastin, Nick Mykins, Aina Rapoza, and Ashley Wilson. With special musical guest …

Remember the Baby

June 4th, 2015

12:10

You're having a stroke. Performed by Ann Carr, Louis Kornfeld, and Amy Warren. Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

The Last Job

May 20th, 2015

13:07

It's the Age of Leisure, and keeping it that way is a full time job. Performed by Peter McNerney, Dave Hill, Louis Kornfeld, India Kotis, Rebecca …

Tape Delay

April 22nd, 2015

15:54

The recording doesn't lie. Performed by Ed Herbstman and Tami Sagher, with Libby George and Christian Paluck. It was produced by Jonathan Mitchell, and written by Jonathan Mitchell, Ed Herbstman, and Melanie Hoopes. …

Can You Help Me Find My Mom?

April 9th, 2015

8:26

A girl is lost and can't find her mom. Why won't anyone help her? Performed by Bee Herbstman, Melanie Hoopes, Ed Herbstman, Evan Sudarsky Abadi, Gregory C. Jones, and Blanche Ames. Written by Diana McCorry, Produced by  …

Living the Dream

March 12th, 2015

12:37

Hoping the dream date never ends... until it doesn’t. Performed by Adam Wade, Chrissie Gruebel, and Dan Fairall. Written by Alejandro Kolleeny, and …

Don't Touch a Thing

February 11th, 2015

11:26

A hoarder's daughter digs through the past. Performed by Amy Warren, Armando Diaz, Jackie Hoffman, Louis Kornfeld, and Noel Dinneen. Written by Louis Kornfeld, produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Falling

January 29th, 2015

14:40

An accidental love story. Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney, with Willy Appelman, Louis Kornfeld, Lauren Ashley Smith, Sebastian Conelli, Quinton Loder, Jon Bander, and Kim Ferguson. Written by Chet Siegel, …

The One about the Dead Dog

January 15th, 2015

13:01

Who knows... maybe it's true. Written by Diane McCorry. Performed by Phoebe Tyers and Dennis Pacheco, with Nick Mykins, T.J. Mannix, and Chris Dwane. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Naughty or Nice

December 19th, 2014

17:55

An elf gets a new job in the Naughty or Nice division of Santa's workshop. This story was commissioned by NPR's All Things Considered. It was written by Jonathan Mitchell and Seth Lind, and directed & produced by …

The Death of Poe

October 29th, 2014

13:06

Edgar Allen Poe's death has always been shrouded in mystery. In this episode, we imagine what may have happened. It was inspired by listener Matthew Mercier, who spent time as the caretaker of Poe's last home. Performed …

Silvia's Blood

October 16th, 2014

16:29

Based on Philip K. Dick's short story "Upon the Dull Earth," originally published in 1954. Performed by Andy Moskowitz, Rebecca Robles, Diana …

Cold Read

September 17th, 2014

17:29

A psychic love story. Performed by Alex Marino, Christina Dabney, Blanche Ames, and T.J. Mannix. Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

That's Democracy

August 20th, 2014

12:16

A teacher gives his students lesson about democracy that they'll never forget. Performed by Peter McNerney, Russ Armstrong, Alexis Lambright, Fiona Bradford, Teddy Shivers, Oscar Montoya, and Ben Jones. Written by Louis …

Moon Graffiti

July 16th, 2014

16:13

45 years ago this week, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon. To commemorate, we're sharing our pilot episode which asks the question: What if they crashed? This story is based on a real speech written for …

Chaotic Neutral

June 18th, 2014

14:25

A game of Dungeons and Dragons is thrown into chaos. Peformed by Elana Fishbein, Jon Bander, Justin Moran, and Matt Shafeek. Written by Alejandro …

Voyager Found

May 14th, 2014

13:04

The Voyager spacecraft has landed: meet the aliens who found it. Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Everybody SCREAM!!!

April 28th, 2014

13:48

Keep your knees in, chest up, stay low, elbows soft... let's go, let's GO! Performed by Chet Siegel, Emily Tarver, and Ed Herbstman. Written by Chet Siegel, produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

The Extractor

March 10th, 2014

17:33

The sounds we make don't just fade away; they're embedded in the wood around us. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Kevin Cragg, Annemarie Cullen, Dennis …

Eat Cake

February 13th, 2014

13:19

If you've ever been alone on Valentine's Day, this story is for you. It's performed by Eliza Skinner, Birch Harms, and Curtis Gwinn, who improvised all of the dialogue. It was originally produced in 2009 for Weekend …

It's Your Funeral

January 24th, 2014

27:20

Live the death you've always wanted. Performed by Andy Moskowitz, Jackie Hoffman, Ben Jones, Damon Ketron, Phoebe Tyers, Shacottha Fields, Blanche Ames, and Rebecca Robles. Written by David Wilcox. Produced and directed …

Biological Clock

December 21st, 2013

14:37

Adam and Allie would do anything to have a baby. Performed by Tami Sagher, Ed Herbstman, Louis Kornfeld, and Kerry Kastin. Written by Ira Gamerman. …

Naomi's World

December 10th, 2013

9:46

A trip to the museum takes a surreal turn. Performed by Isabel Frohnhofer, Tom Ligon, Elana Fishbein, Imran Chowdhury, Laura Parker, Philipp Goedicke, Dennis Pacheco, Blanche Ames, Ron Palais, Willy Appelman, Andrew …

The Devil You Know

October 24th, 2013

53:19

A collection of horror stories that take place in the world of electoral politics. This one-hour special was produced in 2012 for broadcast on public …

The Talk

October 13th, 2013

15:26

A father comes to the rescue when three teenagers take things too far. Performed by Christian Paluck, Dmitry Shein, Willy Appelman, and Elana Fishbein. Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Sweets for the Cheat

August 29th, 2013

11:44

Two shock jocks make a big morning mess. Performed by Jon Bander, Alessandro King, Bianca Casusol, Brian Frange, and Elana Fishbein. Written by Ira …

You're Not Alone

May 10th, 2013

17:58

Are you hearing voices? You're not alone. Performed by Christian Paluck, Carly Monardo, Tom Stephens, Louis Kornfeld, Jon Keller, Kerry Kastin, Nick Mykins, Aina Rapoza, and Ashley Wilson. With special musical guest …

Falling

April 11th, 2013

14:40

A freak accident on a train platform leads to... romance? Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney, with Willy Appleman, Louis Kornfeld, Lauren Ashley Smith, Sebastien Conelli, Quinton Loder, Jon Bander, and Kim …

Where Have You Been?

March 22nd, 2013

11:32

A prodigal daughter returns. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Ben Jones, Christian Paluck, Chet Siegel, Louis Kornfeld, Amy Warren, and Asher Herbstman. …

Happy New Year

January 10th, 2013

12:06

You're cordially invited to spend New Year's Eve with Walt Avery. To attend, simply play this podcast. Performed by Ben Jones and Tom Ligon, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. 

Mirror Lake

December 14th, 2012

14:56

A couple goes in search of childhood memories. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Lauren Ashley Smith, and Louis Kornfeld. Story by Jonathan Mitchell with dialogue improvised by the actors. Produced and directed by Jonathan …

Interruptible

November 29th, 2012

17:27

This is a re-edited version of a previously released story. A taxi driver is working on his anniversary, and gets more than he expected when he picks up a couple in Lower Manhattan. Featuring: Christian Paluck as The …

In Good Hands

November 15th, 2012

23:29

Two urban explorers enter an abandoned subway. What happens next is our secret. This is the complete version of a story that was previously only available in two parts.

The Modern Prometheus

November 2nd, 2012

16:01

What happens when a corporation becomes a person? In this satire by Tony Award-winning playwright Greg Kotis, we follow a company called Geneva …

The Death of Poe

October 18th, 2012

13:06

This story was inspired by a submission from listener Mathew Mercier, for our Halloween/Election crowd-sourcing experiment. It's based on his experience as caretaker of the Edgar Allan Poe estate, and imagines what …

Do You Have a Minute for Equality?

October 4th, 2012

14:39

A canvasser gets the donation she needs, but it will cost her... Performed by Chet Siegel and Tom Ligon, with Matt J. Weir, Quentin Loder, and Melanie Hoopes. From an outline by Chet Siegel. Produced & Directed by …

Domestic Violins

September 20th, 2012

11:58

Produced at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio Beyond Radio conference, featuring performances by Amie McKenna, Michele Durman, Michael Whalley, and Martin Dingle Wall. Produced by Ed Herbstman and Jonathan …

That's Democracy

September 5th, 2012

12:16

A teacher gives his students lesson about democracy that they'll never forget. Performed by Peter McNerney as Mr. Mohr, Russ Armstrong as Eric, and Alexis Lambright as Margaret, with  Fiona Bradford, Teddy Shivers, …

Third Party

August 9th, 2012

22:23

Mike Coleman is an independent candidate running for Congress, and he's finally getting some attention... from a serial killer. Performed by Ed …

Lucy and the Bike Girl

July 26th, 2012

12:09

This is a short story written and produced by Hillary Frank, made by combining fictional narration with real interview tape. It was edited by Julie …

Human Intelligence

June 20th, 2012

22:21

Written by Kurt Andersen, this story was originally heard on PRI's Studio 360. Narrated by Ed Herbstman, with John Ottavino as Nicholas, and Melanie …

In Good Hands

June 7th, 2012

23:29

A pair of urban explorers goes underground, in the first part of a continuing story. Starring Emily Tarver, Alex Marino, Louis Kornfeld, Ed Herbstman, Christian Paluck, and Amy Warren. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Total Transparency & Eye Contact

May 24th, 2012

13:11

Two different approaches to making stories that combine improvisation with the recording studio. Total Transparency is a brand new piece, it was completely improvised and recorded in one take, and then edited. It was …

Tape Delay

April 25th, 2012

15:54

The recording doesn't lie. Performed by Ed Herbstman & Tami Sagher, with Libby Geroge & Christian Paluck. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell, written by Jonathan Mitchell, Ed Herbstman, & Melanie Hoopes. …

Everybody SCREAM!!!

April 11th, 2012

13:48

Spin class gets personal. Performed by Chet Siegel, Emily Tarver, and Ed Herbstman. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell, written by Chet Siegel & The Truth.

They're Made Out of Meat

March 20th, 2012

17:20

Terry Bisson's classic short story "They're Made Out of Meat" originally appeared in Omni Magazine in 1991, and our audio version was produced for WNYC's Studio 360 in November 2011. We've re-mixed the story especially …

Interruptible

March 6th, 2012

17:27

A taxi driver is working on his anniversary, and gets more than he expected when he picks up a couple in Lower Manhattan. Featuring: Christian Paluck as The Driver, Chet Siegel as Mary, Louis Kornfeld as Frank, and Amy …

Eat Cake

February 14th, 2012

13:19

Can coconut cake + random phone calls = love? Find out, when these two Valentine's Day traditions collide. 

Produced by Jonathan Mitchell

Edited by …

Moon Graffiti

February 11th, 2012

16:13

Episode #1: Moon Graffiti. In our pilot episode, we imagine what may have happened if the Apollo 11 mission ended in tragedy. Featuring performances …

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