Radio at the End of the World: Audio Fiction and Drama Podcast Roundup June 2021
I’ve said it once and I’ll keep saying it: I love queer content.
Queer characters, storylines, creators, and themes show up a lot in the Radio at the End of the World (RaEnWo) roundups. But since it’s been a year of these and pride month, I wanted to do a list that was only LGBTQ+ focused. One that shined a light on past podcasts featured and new ones.
Even though this is coming out in July, weeks after most places have traded their rainbow flags for American ones, it’s still important. Not just for people like me whose pride flags never come down (or whose rainbows never run), but for the people who are curious about what it’s like to love outside of the lines, and support those who do.
SCIENCE FICTION
The Strange Case of Starship Iris
(Lesbian WLW representation, transgender representation)
The Strange Case of Starship Iris has appeared once before on RaEnWo because, like I said previously, the type of queer science fiction the show depicts is what I’m all about. The show follows a crew of smugglers in a galaxy far in the future as they scratch out an existence in the war-torn stars. There’s a lot of LGBTQ+ representation over the two seasons. That’s what makes The Strange Case of Starship Iris one of those queer audio drama podcasts that I think everyone should listen to. Being able to hear how these characters express, challenge, and live with their identities not only gives hope to the future but can help others find the words to their own stories.
Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Stitcher | Website
Strange Horizons, “Women Want Me, Fish Fear Me” by Paris Green
(Transgender representation)
Strange Horizons is a hub for great, thought-provoking science fiction, fantasy, horror, and stories of the weird. It is a weekly magazine that also has an audio fiction podcast where they select stories and poems from their issues to offer them a second life. May was Strange Horizon’s Trans Special Issue, featuring work by trans authors and editors. I could be biased because I’ve been a fan and copy/associate editor of the magazine for several years now, and they never disappoint. Their trans issue is another stellar array of stories, in particular, Paris Green’s “Women Want Me, Fish Fear Me”. The science fiction story combines sex work with body modifications and gene splicing to deliver a one-of-a-kind very queer, very speculative story. Plus, I’ll never see that saying the same way again.
Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Website | Transcript
Mission to Zyxx
(Queer representation)
Improv, like all comedy, is hit or miss. Mission to Zyxx, an improvised science fiction audio drama about a team of space ambassadors traveling to various planets to create diplomatic relationships, is an absolute hit. Hilarious and filled with queer characters and aliens and space travel and talking ships. It’s got a lot working for it, and I’m not going to lie, I thought that there would be too much going on, but I was amazingly surprised and impressed at how well each character and bit flowed from one to the next. There are five seasons going back to 2018 so it’s a great show to dive into from the beginning and catch up. Like The Strange Case of Starship Iris, Mission to Zyxx has a lot of different LGBTQ+ identities represented on the show from nonbinary to ace.
Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Stitcher | Website
FICTION
Moonface
(Gay representation, MLM representation)
Though Moonface ended back in 2019 the audio drama fiction podcast is one of those shows that never loses its flavor. It’s as relevant and impactful now as it was back then if not more so. The six-episode podcast follows a young Korean American gay man as he tries to come out to his mother who doesn’t speak the same language. It’s hard to fully describe how this show resonates and depicts contemporary queer life and love where despite being out, you’re never really out. This mixed with the touching scenes between the main character’s friends and mother make this a drama worth repeating. Though the main focus is on a gay man, there are more queer identities represented throughout the show.
Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Stitcher | Website
Read more: The 22 Best Podcasts of 2019
COMEDY
Light Hearts
(Ace, queer, lesbian, and gay representation)
Light Hearts is a supernatural comedy audio drama about a business owner who opens up a queer space that happens to also be haunted by ambivalent spirits. But the show’s about a lot more than that. It’s about queer community building and safe places, about consent and friendships and finding a space that accepts and appreciates who we are. The creators of Light Hearts could have made the show simply about the ghosts haunting the space or about starting a queer café/bar/event and art space. They didn’t, though. Instead, they created a dynamic show that’s both parts hilarious and heartwarming. Out of the podcasts I whittled through this past month, Light Hearts—and all the rest—was definitely one of my favorites.
Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Stitcher | Website | Transcripts
ROMANCE
Majoring in Me
(Gay representation, MLM representation)
Another return from a previous list is Majoring in Me. The gay audio drama deals with Black gay love, a topic that isn’t given a lot of facetime making it feel necessary, especially during Pride Month. Majoring in Me follows a college freshman as he navigates school, friends, and love. A podcast that goes beyond showcasing queer Black joy and love, Majoring in Me tackles themes of undergraduate life and navigating deep adult relationships for the first time. With conflict and issues mixed in throughout the two-season show, Majoring in Me is a great romantic podcast for listeners who love those awkward first love moments and the fallout that can come from them. The second just ended in May and wrapped up with some behind-the-scenes interviews that help listeners connect with the people who voice the characters on the podcast.
Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Stitcher | Website
Read more: PRIDE: The Podcasts That Queered Me
FANTASY
Lightspeed Magazine Podcast, “Wild Bill’s Last Stand” by Kyle Muntz
(Gay representation, MLM representation)
This story appeared in Lightspeed’s July 2018 issue. I’d like to say that what pulled me to this story was the idea of hot and steamy cowboys living in a gay town for others like them, but really what it was, was the Big Iron character of Wild Bill. That and the way the narrator’s voice lends itself to the fantasy western that is Kyle Muntz’ “Wild Bill’s Last Stand” to the reader. Muntz spends less time in the forest of world-building and more time showing the reader who the characters are through their relationships and life choices. The intimate pillow talk moments are just that small and intimate. They are realistically heartwarming even though the conversation matter is dark. As far as gay fantasy westerns go, “Wild Bill’s Last Stand” is a memorable best.
As always, if you are the creator or writer for an audio drama or audio fiction podcast, please drop me a line through my site, on Twitter, or in my inbox. Let me know what you’re working on and putting out into the world. I can’t guarantee it’ll make it on one of these roundups, but I can guarantee that I’ll listen to it with an open mind and excitement for your words.
I also insist that you go beyond listening to these podcasts but support them by sharing them with other people, donating to the creators, or subscribing as a returning listener. These acts of support not only show the creators that people are into what they are creating, but it also helps ensure these podcasts keep getting made.
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