The Truth

In this intriguing discussion, Mal Fleming, a mausoleum attendant who aids spirits in moving on, interviews the ghost of Meyer Emanuel. Meyer refuses to pass until the Dodgers return to Brooklyn, leading to playful banter about fantastical schemes to make it happen. They delve into the rich history of baseball fandom, family legacies, and the emotional weight of relocation. As they explore the pain tied to the Dodgers' move and the fear of the unknown, Mal ultimately helps Meyer find peace, wrapping up a poignant conversation about memory and loss.

Neil Verma, a scholar of audio drama and media studies at Northwestern, dives into the 1948 radio classic The Thing on the Fourble Board. He explores the unique narrative grammar of old-time radio, emphasizing how it evokes intimacy through sound. The duo discusses whether this vintage format resonates with modern audiences and unpacks Willis Cooper's storytelling patterns, including themes of environmental revenge and invisibility. Verma relates trilobite fossils to the ephemerality of radio, highlighting the materiality of listening in an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.

Julia Schroeder and John Sartori shine as performers in a scripted audio drama that explores a surreal first date. They hilariously banter about movie previews, only to find themselves increasingly unsettled as the trailers reflect their own fears about life, parenting, and identity. This leads to a comedic yet revealing confrontation after the show, where they candidly delve into their feelings about having kids. The night takes an unexpected twist when they discover babies in the backseat on their drive home, leaving them—and listeners—questioning reality.

In this intriguing narrative, Ms. Fern, an archive assistant at the Historical Remnants Department, stumbles upon a corrupted joke that sparks her curiosity. As she delves deeper, she explores the meaning of humor in a world where laughter is forbidden. Along the way, she tests theories about the joke, shares insights on laughter's social value, and faces scrutiny from her supervisors. Ms. Fern’s journey highlights the importance of humor, leading her to a transformative understanding of joy in a regulated society.

In a poignant tale of connection, Ann Carr portrays Rosie, a mother who believes music from her son speaks to her, while Peter Grosz's Tom is the emotionally distant father trapped in routine. Danielle Delgado's Phyllis guides Rosie in her musical journey, advocating for practice to unlock expression. The family navigates silence and misunderstandings, leading to a climactic performance titled 'Here I Am.' The story beautifully explores themes of grieving, reconnection, and the deep power of listening.

In a thrilling twist of fate, Perry Agar, the passionate owner of Perry's Submarine, teams up with NYPD Detective William Frazier to lure a notorious mob boss using his pinball expertise. Perry shares his deep love for pinball and the exciting strategy behind 'Operation Skill Shot.' They discuss the creative methods to pull off the sting, including using a rare pinball machine to attract the mobster's attention. Tension escalates as unexpected visitors challenge their plans, revealing the high stakes of blending gaming with crime-fighting.

On this episode, we're presenting two of our favorite stories: Silvia's Blood was originally released in 2014, and is based on a short story by Philip K. Dick titled, "Upon the Dull Earth." Moon Graffiti was the first episode of our show, which began in 2012. It was inspired by a speech written for Richard Nixon by William Safire titled, "In Event of Moon Disaster." We’re in the middle of a fundraising campaign to bring the show back in October. We have all new merch for sale, and for a limited time, we're taking pre-orders for a vinyl pressing of Silvia's Blood and Moon Graffiti. To see what we have to offer, go to: https://certifiedcrucial.com/truthshop We’re now taking pre-orders through June 30. The album cost is $40, and all of the profits will go to making a new season of The Truth.  And if you don't have $40, we're also selling buttons, stickers, and a brand new t-shirt design based on our logo. So if you love our stories and want to hear more, help us make a brand new season by pre-ordering your very own vinyl pressing of Silvia's Blood and Moon Graffiti right now. We're also taking donations, every little bit helps. Thank you so much! Follow The Truth on...INSTAGRAMBLUESKYTHREADSREDDIT And make sure you’re subscribed to The Truth in Apple or Spotify or wherever you listen so you don’t miss us when we return! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Written by Davy Gardner. Performed by Federico Rodriguez, Liz Leimkuhler, Ann Carr, Dmitry Shein, Amy Warren, Margaret Burrus, Woody Fu, and Hunter Nelson. Find The Truth at thetruthpodcast.com and @thetruthfiction on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Written by Davy Gardner. Performed by Federico Rodriguez, Liz Leimkuhler, Ann Carr, Amy Warren, Margaret Burrus, Dmitry Shein, Marisa Brau, Brian Morabito, Davy Gardner, Woody Fu, Zuri Washington, Mary McDonnell, and Louis Kornfeld. Find The Truth at thetruthpodcast.com and @thetruthfiction on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Gardner. Performed by Federico Rodriguez, Liz Leimkuhler, Ann Carr, Amy Warren, Margaret Burrus, Dmitry Shein, Marisa Brau, Brian Morabito, Davy Gardner, Hunter Nelson, and Woody Fu. Find The Truth at thetruthpodcast.com and @thetruthfiction on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices