#monstrous agonies

[sexiestpodcastcharacter]

Sexiest Podcast Character 2024 — Scripted Bracket — Round 1

Propaganda

Jonathan Harker (Re: Dracula):

Jonathan Harker was submitted without propaganda.

Mod Note: This is only the Jonathan Harker from the podcast Re: Dracula. Do not vote on the basis of any other Jonathan Harker.

Mab (Monstrous Agonies):

Queen of the fey, fabulous, frequent not-quite nemesis of the Presenter of the podcast, then ally against capitalism

[aarlone]

In no particular order, these are some of my top audio dramas that kept me company during 2024.

1 Breathing Space: This is one of my favorite flavors of sci-fi. It is a series I have been savoring, and I do intend to relisten through at some point - because I listen to podcasts while working, it's easy for me to miss things. I haven't finished the whole series, but Breathing Space is definitely worth coming back to.

2 Monstrous Agonies: Monstrous Agonies was one of the few podcasts I didn't only listen to while on the clock. It is the perfect length for me to put on two episodes while chopping veggies for dinner, and an absolute delight every time.

3 InCo: Another podcast that shone, despite my inability to pick up on all the cool things going on. Another one I look forward to returning to.

4 StarTripper!!: Just thinking about StarTripper!! makes me smile. It is utterly charming.

5 Gastronaut: Incredible premise, executed beautifully. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

6 Paired: Paired is a longtime favorite of mine, and was one of a handful of relistens I did this year. I love Pairy. I hope she got to set a deer on fire.

7 Travelling Light: How much do I love Travelling Light? Every morning, I update my podcatcher and decide what to listen to based on that morning update. Travelling Light is the only one that gets downloaded as soon as I see an announcement that it's out. It's the only one that gets bumped to the next pod in the queue when listening.

8 The Green Horizon: Please I need to know where I can find more Irish-made audio dramas, this show fills the Motherfocloir-shaped hole in my life and I'm going to be finished with it soon.

9 Birds Of Empire: This show deserves better than for me to listen to while I'm at work. It's outstanding on several levels.

10 Metropolis: The first few episodes of Metropolis have set a high bar for this series. It is starting off strong, and I'm quite glad to be along for the ride.

11 October Jones & Fish With Legs: I've said this before, but OJ&FWL will fundamentally alter the way you say "mimosa" and that is just the beginning of this show's delights.

12 World Gone Wrong: The dialogue, both in terms of the writing and its performance, is so goddamn fluid and natural, if it weren't for the subject matter, I could have been convinced that this is a nonfiction chat pod between two besties.

[podcast-official]

i was so not prepared for monstrous agonies to hit me with "i'm not going to tell you how to feel about your identity. i'm not going to tell you how to live your life. what i will tell you is this: there is no amount of 'normal' you can become that will wash the river from your skin. you're soaked to the bone, my dear."

[knovesstorytelling]

Am I wrong tho

[radicalreliablerandomness]

Podcast Rec Masterpost

I've been asked a couple times for podcast recommendations so I thought I'd post a compilation of some shows and a bit of info about them. Most shows I talk about are tagged below (I ran out of tags) so you can look through fan content as well if you're not one to care about spoilers. My asks are still open for personalized recs if you send me some others that you've listened to just because I love you, yes that's right! You. The person reading this right now!

Here goes!

Dungeons And Daddies *not a BDSM podcast

This show is a dnd actual play podcast. The first season is about four dads from our world lost in the Forgotten Realms in search of their lost sons. It’s a comedy but as with all comedies, you will cry by the end of it. It's super easy to get into with great chemistry between all the cast players and the dm, no prior knowledge of dnd is necessary. They do invoke slight horror sometimes so do keep an eye out for content warnings. Season 1 has 68.5 episodes along with bonus content and a mini campaign in between seasons 1 and 2. Season 2 is currently ongoing. Transcripts available.

The Bright Sessions

This is a science fiction podcast. The premise is a collection of clinical recordings of superpowered people's therapy sessions. The plot gets more interesting and convoluted as you get further in. Incredible voice acting filled with emotion. Does have some heavier discussions so be on the lookout for content warnings. It has 7 seasons (the last two are technically not part of the first five seasons' plot) and is completed. Transcripts available.

Hello From the Hallowoods

A post-apocalyptic fiction podcast. A beautifully written and preformed podcast that explores identity, religion, and other themes in vignettes throughout this haunted world narrated by an omniscient being. Some heavier topics are included so check the content warning before each episode. Seasons 1 and 2 are completed and season 3 will be done soon. Transcripts available.

The Magnus Archives

A horror fiction podcast. A well written chronological story told through anthology which seem to be tape recordings from a paranormal investigation institute. Incredible writing and actors that really bring it to life. This is horror so make sure to check the content warnings. The show is completed at 5 seasons. Transcripts available.

Neighbourly

Another horror fiction podcast! An interesting look into all the houses on Little Street and their peculiarities. Some more peculiar than others. The podcast is absolutely delightful with a horribly fun narrator. I would suggest checking the content warnings as some episodes are more intense than others. The show has 2 completed seasons. Transcripts available.

The Fall of the House of Sunshine

A musical mystery fiction podcast. The first season is about an investigation on the murder of a beloved host of a children's tooth-themed show. That's all I can say without spoilers. There are 3 incredible seasons along with short stories in between each season. Transcripts available until halfway through season 2.

Welcome to Nightvale

Possibly the most well known science fiction podcast, it really speaks for itself but I'll do my spiel anyways. Recorded as snippets of a daily radio broadcast, the show details the weird goings on in this strange desert town of Nightvale. Narrated almost completely by the radio host's smooth voice. It's ongoing and is currently sitting at 233 episodes. Transcripts available.

The Two Princes

A fictional queer romance podcast. It takes place in that special part of fiction that always starts with "once upon a time," it feels like a story book almost. The show is based around two boys meeting in the woods. Spoiler alert: they fall in love. It's just a cute feel good show. The podcast is complete at 3 seasons. Spotify auto-generated transcripts available.

What's the Frequency?

A self described psychedelic noir podcast. It's an absolute blast even if it is a bit hard to follow. Takes place in the 1940s in LA when all radio broadcasts were turned to static. You kind of just have to go with it until you get to the end. Completed at 12 episodes. Transcripts available.

Story Break

A writer's room podcast. The basic concept behind Story Break is 3 Hollywood writers in a room together take a prompt and try to make a story for it in an hour. There are many laughs in this podcast and just all around good humor and vibes. The show is complete at 169 episodes plus two full movie scripts. No transcript.

Who Killed Avril Lavigne

A science fiction podcast. It's about a time traveling pop punk loser and that's all you need to know. It's a podmusical so you'll be getting great nostalgic pop punk type songs along with crying from laughing so hard. Completed at 8 episodes. No transcript.

The Behemoth

A fiction podcast. Based around an unexplainable creature emerging from the ocean and how the world, and one girl in particular, deal with this phenomenon. It is pretty short with the longest episode being about 12 minutes. Completed at 20 episodes. No transcript.

Rude Tales of Magic

A dnd actual play podcast. It is mainly focused on the actual roleplay and story telling as opposed to the actual play. A handful of college students from Polaris University fuck the world up by completing a hazing ritual which in this case is a supposedly demon summoning. Obviously now they need to fix the world. Currently 64 episodes and ongoing. No transcript.

Midnight Burger

A very well written fiction podcast. It’s about a time/space traveling diner where the employees try to help solve a problem every place they land. Think Doctor Who adjacent vibes but with more drama. There is an overarching plot that comes together so look out for that. It has incredible characters that are really nicely fleshed out. You’ll somehow like and hate all of them as much as possible in the best way. Currently has 29 episodes of the main feed and a 9 episode mini-series. Transcript available.

Monstrous Agonies

A fiction podcast. It’s an radio advice segment on a station for “liminal Britain” aka the monstrous world to put it plainly. It’s really chill and comforting. There’s very good advice there and the intermittent ad reads will have you giggling to yourself. Episodes are on the shorter side, averaging about 15 minutes each. It does have some heavier discussions so make sure to check the content warnings. The show is completed at 111 episodes through 3 seasons. Transcripts available.

Desert Skies

A fiction podcast. The voice acting in this one is incredible, it’s the same person the whole time. The show as a whole is also just super well done. The premise is that when you die you show up on a highway and get to this astral pit stop. I’m not going to spoil it anymore you just have to experience it. There is an additional show, Desert Skies FM that's a buddy to this one. I recommend listening to both. Season 1 was completed at 12 episodes. Transcripts available.

Wooden Overcoats

A sitcom dramedy podcast. The show is about two siblings that run a funeral home on an island. It used to be the only one, it isn’t anymore. It has a wacky cast of characters and even wackier plot points. The dialogue can be a little hard to get used to at the beginning but once you get into it it flows easily. The show is completed at 4 seasons. Transcripts available.

Greater Boston

An audio drama podcast. It's set in Boston if you couldn't tell from the title and starts with the death of a man on a rollercoaster. It blends real life with some subtle (and at times not-so-subtle) fantasy elements. It's currently at 4 completed seasons. Transcript available.

Gay Future

A science fiction podcast. In a world where everyone is gay in the future we focus on this one straight kid. Following his journey to destroy the government who are making everyone gay. This is a satire by the way. 1 season completed at 6 episodes. No transcripts.

Death by Dying

A dark comedy podcast. The show follows an obituary writer while he does things that are totally under the jurisdiction of his job. A well written and preformed show. There are a lot of laughs and obviously some heartbreaks as well. Currently 1 completed season with season 2 sitting at 2 episodes for a bit now. Transcript available.

Not Another D&D Podcast

An actual play dnd podcast. This one's more mainstream than my other podcasts so I don't talk about it as much but that doesn't mean it's not incredible. The first campaign is about 3 adventurers off to save the world. Obviously. It can be a bit slow in the beginning but anything past the second half of the first season is incredible. There's humor, drama, love, and much more. The DM is also just incredible. 1 completed season, a couple mini campaigns, and the second season is currently at 43 episodes. No transcripts.

Forgive Me!

A fiction podcast. It starts based around vignettes of confessionals in this small town taken by a new father in the local church. An overarching plot is present but it's generally a feel good, sweet and simple show. They have 2 complete seasons with season 3 currently at 9 episodes. Transcripts available.

Real Housewives of D&D

An actual play dnd podcast. This show is based around the concept of a "Real Housewives..." type show but you don't need to know anything about those to listen to this. It's about 4 reality TV stars thrown into a magical fantasy world with no knowledge of how to get home. There's drama, excitement, danger, and lots more. The first season was just completed at 16 episodes. Transcripts available.

The Silt Verses

A horror fiction podcast. Two people who worship a banned god travel together up a river in a pilgrimage. There is incredible worldbuilding in this show along with acting and sound design. This is horror and a very good one at that so make sure you check content warnings. Season 1 and 2 are completed and season 3 is at 2 episodes so far. Transcripts available.

The Land Whale Murders

A comedy fiction podcast. It takes place in the year 1899 and is about a pair of friends? maybe not, that metaphorically explore the world they're living in. It is a commentary on the world we live in and the problems in it through a hilarious and wacky cast. There are currently 17 episodes between both seasons 1 and 2. Transcripts available.

Elaine's Cooking for the Soul

A post-apocalyptic cooking podcast. The show is about a dentist who makes her way through the fallout of an apocalypse while also making a cooking podcast. It does have depictions of violence, war, and dentistry so check out the content warnings. There are 2 completed seasons. No transcripts.

Fawx and Stallion

A mystery podcast. If you hate Sherlock Holmes you'll love this podcast. Also if you love Sherlock Holmes you'll love this podcast. It's based around the detectives who live across the street from Holmes at 224B Baker street. It's pretty goofy. Season 1 is completed. Transcripts available.

The Amelia Project

A fiction podcast. Follow the shenanigans of this death-faking organization as they take in new clients and hear their stories. It does develop an actual overarching plot later on but every second is fun. Seasons 1-4 have been completed and season 5 is in progress. Transcripts available.

A Voice From Darkness

A horror podcast. It's centered around a radio show hosted by Dr. Malcolm Ryder, Parapsychologist. He helps people who call into his show with supernatural problems, gives PSAs and warnings about strange happenings, and more. Season 1 is completed and season 2 is at 9 episodes. Transcripts available.

Station Arcadia

A dystopian fiction podcast. Formatted through a radio show, it tells the story of a world that's slowly dying. There are vignettes of different characters through different areas of the world. Season 1 is completed at 25 episodes. Transcripts available.

Margaret's Garden

A science fiction podcast. It has two plots running at the same time which keeps you on your toes but makes for an intriguing story line. In one plot line, two agents are sent to investigate the strange happenings of a weird little long abandoned town. Simultaneously, we hear from the past of that town as it catches up to the agents. Completed at 10 episodes. Transcripts available.

Camp Here & There

A horror comedy podcast. It's recorded as a set of daily announcements over a loudspeaker at a totally normal summer camp. The announcements are made by the camp nurse and he's also totally normal. I promise. Make sure to check in with the content warnings as some topics are a little mature or graphic. There are currently 34 episodes. Transcripts available.

Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye

A companion horror podcast. This is actually a bit meta because it is the result of a youtube series. This show is the one the podcast hosts in the series release, it's definitely worth both the watch and the listen though. It's got werewolves and drama. Completed at 10 episodes of video and 10 of the podcast. No transcripts.

I am in Eskew

A horror podcast. It's about a man who's trapped in a city where the buildings always change and the rain never stops. There's a weird monotonous creeping horror in this show that just draws you in. Check for content warnings definitely. Completed at 30 episodes. Transcripts available.

Traveling Light

A comfy cozy fiction podcast. It follows The Traveller on their exploration through space, visiting alien planets and collecting stories to send back to their community. For supporters of the show, it almost functions as a choose-your-own-adventure with choices to vote on and listener submissions. It's made by the same people as Monstrous Agonies so if you enjoyed that, you'd enjoy this and vice versa. There are currently 16 episodes. Transcripts available.

Not yet described but still recommended:

Eeler’s Choice

The Secret of St Kilda

The Endless Ocean

The Department of Variance of Somewhere, Ohio

The Sword & The Stoner

World Gone Wrong: a fictional chat show about friendship at the end of the world

Travelling Light

Waterlogged

Brimstone Valley Mall

[thenightfolknetwork]

Hello! You have a problem. You were cursed by a witch to only be able to communicate in second person. This is annoying, but manageable. However, the curse turned out a bit strong, and anyone who tries to talk to you will ALSO only be able to communicate in second person while communicating with you.

You will be honest, you kind of totally deserved the curse. You were rude to the witch on your date and acted VERY self-centered and didn't ask her about herself, very bad etiquette, etcetera. You're honestly fine with just riding the curse out at least for a while longer, it's a good reminder that you aren't perfect and growth is a constant process.

But you're pretty sure that the extra-strength whammy is probably very disconcerting for anyone you're trying to talk to, especially if they're not expecting it, and it's making your job as a call center tech support advisor VERY confusing for everyone involved. And you'd just text the witch to go, hey, you understand that curses are meant to be inconvenient and this is all part of the lesson and whatnot, but you don't think it's fair to strangers who need help with their iPhones, so could you maybe adjust that a bit? But he blocked you on Grindr and you don't know how to get in contact with him elsewise, so you're making a hail mary by trying to call into TNN.

You're pretty sure you don't actually need advice but you'd appreciate it if maybe you could get the word out that if anyone knows a witch in Southpoole with a rocking body, GREAT tongue, bit of a lisp, and mottled brown scales, PLEASE have him contact you about this and also you're sorry--no, sorry, YOU'RE sorry--agh, whatever, you get what you mean.

You can certainly see how- Ah. Yes, you see the problem. You had been somewhat optimistic the curse might not extend to this more removed form of communication, but it seems you were mistaken.

You can certainly get the word out on your platforms – if any of your other followers recognise the individual in question based on that rather… enthusiastic description, please do encourage them to get in touch with the author of this letter at their earliest convenience.

.You say you're willing to ride out the curse until its natural end. That is entirely up to you, of course. However, you would like to note that mild to moderate curses can often be lifted by other practitioners without too much trouble.

If the curse grows overly wearisome or hasn't lifted by itself in, say, two months time, you recommend seeking out a local practitioner and having the curse ended that way. As always, do make sure any practitioner you hire for such work has a proper license, and steer clear of anyone making overblown claims about their abilities.

Finally, while you are generally of the opinion that curses are a rather tasteless way of handling interpersonal conflicts, you must allow, they can be rather effective.

You hope you have learnt your lesson as well as you claim, and that you will be more considerate in the future – or at the very least, save your rudeness for dates who can't call on dark powers to inflict weird suffering upon you in retaliation.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[monstrousproductions]

Can I get a pat on the head and a "Well done, Hero" please? Because I spent today transferring domains and setting up redirects and then updating the Monstrous Agonies show-notes (all 131 of them!) so they link to the Monstrous Productions website and the new transcripts that are all hosted over there and I'm very very proud of myself 🥰

[boombox-fuckboy]

Don't know anyone here? Pick one and go listen!

Am I missing your favourite? Are they from a fantasy? Let me know!

[that-dragon-lady]

Fellow creatures I am once again recommending one of my FAVOURITE podcasts, Monstrous Agonies by Hero over at @monstrousproductions

Especially now that I'm here in the alterhuman community, I really really cannot recommend this podcast enough. You all will almost certainly love it, and even more, I think you'll find some comfort and maybe even advice in it that you won't find elsewhere.

MA is a (fictional) advice podcast where a radio host answers writren-in submissions from the 'creature community.' And while this may be a little more leaning towards otherkin, I think a lot of therians will enjoy it too. Especially fellow werewolves.

I've found a lot of comfort in this podcast and I'm re-listening to it currently and finding even more reason to love it now.

Anyway. Please go listen. Hero is a fantastic and wonderful storyteller. You won't regret it.

[vestaclinicpod]

Audio Drama Sunday - 12th January ✨

I have a long coach journey this evening so expecting to get most of my week’s listening done tonight! Here’s what I’ve listened to so far!

📻 @monstrousproductions Being on nights this week almost always means that I tune in to The Night Folk Network aka Monstrous Agonies! There’s something so soothing about listening in the early hours of the morning and the show never fails to make me feel better about myself 🫶

🔎 @224bbaker (15) Good GOD, I love this show. It’s just so healing to have so many silly things happening in my ears, I listened to it twice. And goodness, look what the cat dragged in this episode (Dr John Watson, I’m referring to you)!!! It is killing me that we might never know what he fumed to Lucius about because Peppermint’s only gone and bloody died!!!!! Not ideal!!! I love how Archie’s attempt at the cold shoulder immediately melted when he realised how dumb James had been. He’s just like me for real!!

Also, due to recent posts on the show’s tumblr, I have accidentally convinced myself that Fitzy is Sebastian Moran in disguise trying to get close enough to kill John Watson. This is based on nothing more than my own headcanons for the guy BUT I will be listening closely for more evidence!!! 👂🕵🏻

🦋 @remnantspod (23) ohh this was a soft one!! Am I right in thinking that Stephen Grenville was the son of Eliza and Andriy?? I don’t know what this means for the overarching plot but it was a very lovely story in itself. It’s nice to have a seemingly lovely person enter the narrative. Honestly, Andriy wasn’t the only one thinking that he’d been shot or something. Head trauma is particularly troublesome in this show!! The acting in this episode gave *just* not enough away for me to be sure if the Apprentice remembers his most recent reincarnation (if that’s even close to the right term). As always, I can’t wait for more!

🗺 Tales From the Low City (14) @tales-from-the-low-city Maybe I was just young and naive when I first started season one of the show but, blimey, things have gotten dark in The Low City. I really love the world building in this show. The actions of individuals and society as a whole fit together so cohesively! The cause and effect makes sense and it makes everything feel gut-wrenchingly realistic. A horrible secret was uncovered at the end of this episode and it seems the residents of the city have a big decision to make about their future . . .

🍾 @ameliapodcast (40) An escape plan! Via Paris! So exciting!! 🍫☕️ How The Interviewer was nimble enough to pull off Sleeping Beauty after months of being in a cell, I’ll never know. I get a cramp just getting up to make another cup of tea.

Have a great week!!

[mintytea-exe]

my top podcasts of the year !!! yay

[haveyouheardthispodcast]

Propaganda below the cut:

This is framed as a late-night radio show offering advice for the paranormal/supernatural/cryptid and the like of the world. Thoughtful and empathetic, the advice and scenarios featured can often feel rather familiar to anyone who's ever felt like they were sitting on the outside of "normal".

[romanticslimecreature]

Podcast listeners! Do you usually do stuff while you listen to podcasts or listen to podcasts while you do stuff?

This was going to be a poll, but I'm going to keep it as an open answer thing! Do you usually set out to listen to a podcast as the primary activity and do something (play a phone game, play with a stim toy, etc) to keep your focus on the podcast? Do you set out to do chores and put on a podcast as background listening? Do you do both about equally often? Do you have different podcasts for either balance? Tell me about your podcast-listening routines!

I'll go firet - I often "do stuff while I listen to podcasts." I have certain games on my phone that are mindless enough that they serve the need of having something to do with my hands and leave enough focus for the podcast itself to be the primary activity. For some podcasts, especially more episodic ones, I also like to "listen to podcasts while I do stuff," particularly cleaning or cooking. When I have something that needs to get done that can be a little hard to focus on or get started, a podcast can keep me company!

Feel free to use this as an excuse to tell me about your favorite podcasts too! Let's get the word out! :D

[candlecoo-sideb-art]

My TMA Oh Everlong au and the Monstrous Agonies would be in the same universe if the night folk had a secret underground society.

[the-worm-wiggles]

As it's aro visibility day I would love to give a long list of canonically aro podcast characters, unfortunately aromantic is by far the smallest category in my queer podcast characters list, so all I can offer you is

Friday Rescher, Hello From The Hallowoods

A few letter senders, Monstrous Agonies

And maaybe The Audio Tour Guide, The Mistholme Museum of Mystery, Morbidity and Mortality, I seem to remember something saying that it's aroace but I don't remember that ever being explicitly said in canon, more of a "it's AI and doesn't understand attraction" thing

That being said, there are obviously many podcasts I have never listened to, so I'm sure there are others out there...somewhere

[thenightfolknetwork]

There is a god in my attic and it speaks to me in the dead of the night, whispering secrets that taste like putrid meat on my tongue.

There is a god in my attic, it says with a half forgotten tongue about its gifts for me: the wounds on my hands, the eye on my tongue, the delicate crown of bird bones around my head. There is a god in my attic, it speaks and I dream of pregnant cows and blood pressure and copper and molding roots. I wake up craving the taste of flesh. I wake up eating my own lips.

There is a god in my attic, it demands prayer in honey and flies and corpses. It says to me close my eyes, it sings 'i will make a saint of you'

There is a god in my attic and it is growing impatient.

There is a god in my attic, dear friend, and I don't know why I am so scared of becoming holy.

Well, my dear, what can I say except, “Congratulations!” It's not every day one is selected to become the vessel of a living god, let alone for a mouldering, half-dead thing that speaks in the language of bone and fungus. What an exciting turn of events!

I appreciate this might feel like a rather abrupt departure from whatever plans you may have had for your life. A little nervousness is to be expected. But really, how else were you going to spend the next however-many decades - paying rent?!

Now, I understand there has been some rather virulent propaganda against radically non-conformist faiths being spread online in the last few years. A reminder to all our followers that @thesiltverses are not a reliable source of information about apotheosis or exultation, and their representation of non-traditional sainthood is generally considered to be ignorant at best, downright offensive at worst. I urge you not to pay such hollow-minded nonsense any heed.

As for you, dear reader, put aside your fears. There is a god in your attic, friend! A hungry, vengeful god who seeks to transform your very flesh into a tool fit snugly in its many-fingered hand! Opportunities like that don't come along every day.

I will leave you with an excerpt from one of my favourite poems – the Summer Day, by the creature community's unofficial laureate, Mary Oliver:

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Maybe eat a few people or whatever. Maybe inflict great and terrible wonders upon the whimpering flesh of the earth. Get a little weird with it maybe!

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]