As always, I present a diverse variety of audio drama (or audio fiction podcasts) for people who are new or seasoned to the whole community. There’s horror, science fiction, and more featured on this month’s round up. Hope you’re able to find something to pique your interest and fill your morning, night, or afternoon. 

For past months’ round ups, here’s the past three months’ Radio at the End of the World articles: March, February, and January. I write a new list every month after listening through tons of different audio fiction and audio drama podcasts. To keep up to date, follow my writing here. 

SCIENCE FICTION

Dispatch from the Desert Planet

Recently a reader reached out to me and noted that the title of this series, Radio at the End of the World, sounds like the title for an actual audio drama. If it was, it’d be Dispatch from the Desert Planet. Fictional news and music broadcast to over 200 planets, space stations, and terraformed meteors. But it’s more than that. More than fiction or an audio drama. In a way, it’s political and hopeful, inspiring. “Tech Talks/Space Serenade” was the first episode that I listened to and was instantly hooked by the use of fictional radio broadcasts to build and create a world, universe, and diverse set of cultures. That was their last episode back in February, so I hope they’ll be back soon. Until then, there are over 20 episodes to listen to and support. 

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Website | Transcripts

HORROR

Malevolent

I love it when a piece resonates, when its form and content play and feed off of each other. In Malevolent, Arkham investigator Arthur Lester becomes host to a strange entity from a dark world and must embark on solving his own case. Now, this isn’t a normal possession. The being that takes up residence in Arthur seizes his eyes. So, the two have to work together, one explaining the world to the other so that he may connect the clues that will lead him back to some sort of normalcy. This relationship means that a lot of the descriptions and world building is told by one of the characters, casting light onto the unseen. In most audio dramas and fictions when this is done, it’s sort of a necessary part of audio. But Malevolent made it a part of the show, world mechanics, and storyline, creating an element that changes and is untrustworthy. This alone makes the audio drama constantly have a feeling of what is real, what is actually happening, and who to trust. 

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Website

The Slaughterhouse Stories Podcast

Part fiction, part poetry, and part horror content chest, The Slaughterhouse Stories Podcast is one of those creepypasta archive shows that digs up horrifying stories from across the web. Some people love those types of horror stories and others don’t, they find them to be too scary or not scary enough. The stories and poems read on The Slaughterhouse Stories Podcast are dark if not scary. The one thing that I didn’t like about it is the intro song that featured a lot of screaming. In headphones, it’s a bit much. The music beneath the screaming is pretty creepy and reminded me of the 90’s Goosebumps show. What I love about these types of shows is that you may come across the same story twice, but the telling is different, like the story’s grown. When it comes to creepypastas, that makes them creepier and plays into their urban legend.

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Website

CHILDREN’S

What if World – Stories for Kids

Imaginative stories start with the simple question of “What if …”. With that, you can build worlds, create people, and spark unforgettable adventures. Cool, huh? What if World – Stories for Kids is built around that premise. They deliver wonderous stories filled with wild scenarios to make kids laugh, think, and explore the world around them in new and interesting ways. The funny acting paired with these stories adds an entertaining layer to already captivating pieces. In April, they released several episodes from “What if a cat and a wizard were best friends?” and “What if parents went to school and kids went to work?”, both great episodes but don’t stop there, the whole series is perfect for young listeners. 

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Website | Transcripts

MUSICAL

In Strange Woods

So, I love musicals, and somehow, it’s taken me this long to listen to my first musical audio drama. Well, I am really glad that it was In Strange Woods. Not only did it open up a whole new listening experience for me, but the story itself knocked me out, as well. I even cried a couple of times, out of sadness and because music tends to bust me open like that. In the 5-episode series that ended back in January, the show follows the tragedy and aftermath of a teen dying in the woods. Through their sister’s commitment to see how something so stark could happen to someone so young, her and several friends train to get lost in the woods in order to see if they can find their way home. Catchy pop songs can’t always save us, but I won’t give away the ending to this audio drama musical. 

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Website | Transcripts 

DARK MYSTERY

Eastmouth

Another first listen for me this past month was the dark mystery audio drama Eastmouth packed with spooky and strange audio effects. The show follows a broadcaster stationed in a town with lots of secrets and hidden passages and a town council that’s been up to more than community services. The fact that I listened to this audio drama podcast while playing the horror game The Forest only added to the experience. Eastmouth puts out a new episode every month, and I’m patiently waiting for the follow up to April’s episode “Zero Sum Game (Part 1)”. It left the characters in danger and gave another few pieces in the puzzle of what the hell is going on in their town. 

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Website

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.

Related posts:

Best Podcasts for Kids and Pre-teens The 15 Best Game of Thrones Podcasts Every Fan Needs to Listen To Daily News Podcasts Hit the Mainstream
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