Hello, friends! It is I, your friendly neighborhood Lila, back at it again with the blogging shtick! Welcome back! It’s day number I’ve-lost-complete-sense-of-time of quarantine and I’m managing to hold it all together by a thread. Okay, okay, okay, so maybe I’m not holding it together at all, but that’s all semantics! Anyhoo!

One of the pieces of that thread that may (or may not) be helping me hold it together is our good ol’ friend, escapism. It’s great! And one of my favorite forms of escapism is fictional audio drama podcasts! For those not in the know and who thought podcasts were strictly non-fiction, audio drama podcasts are basically serialized stories, generally told with a full cast and sound effects. They’re kinda like an old school radio drama or a more in depth, ongoing audiobook. Basically, they’re an awesome form of fiction to immerse yourself in! And today I’m recommending five of my favorite fiction podcasts to escape into during this quarantine!

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THE BRIGHT SESSIONS

You know, all these superhero movies and shows posit that these previously ordinary teens and adults who one day all of a sudden find themselves with the weight of potentially life-saving superpowers on their shoulders can generally just continue their lives as fairly well-adjusted individuals, but doesn’t that sound kind of…oh, i don’t know…kind of like unbelievable BS? If you agree with that sentiment, then The Bright Sessions just might be the podcast for you! The Bright Sessions is a YA sci fi audio drama following the recordings of Dr. Joan Bright, a psychologist who exclusively works with young folks with special abilities. Fresh and fun, The Bright Sessions is a must-listen for all lovers of fiction!

TANIS

TANIS is…oh, boy, honestly, I’m not really sure what TANIS is…Luckily, I’m not alone in that regard, because figuring out what exactly TANIS is is what the mysterious sci fi/fantasy podcast TANIS is all about! Follow along with our intrepid narrator, podcaster Nic Silver, as he investigates a disparate string of events and clues surrounding the mysterious TANIS. What is TANIS? Or, maybe, who is it?? Or, perhaps, where is it??? We don’t know yet, but whatever/whoever/wherever TANIS is, we’re gonna find it and figure it out!

THE BRIDGE

On The Bridge, we’re invited to listen along to a radio show made for those crossing The Transcontinental Bridge, a futuristic, innovative bridge crossing the ocean and connecting the continents and where things tend to get, well, let’s just say, more than a little weird. The radio show is hosted by Etta, a bored DJ enamored with Bridge-specific lore and who’s possibly hiding a secret or two of her own. She’s working at one of the watchtowers along The Bridge along with her supervisor, a Bridge Travel Agent, and the watchtower groundskeeper. We accompany this weird team as things at the watchtower get a little wild. Full of endearingly quirky characters and lots of twists and turns, The Bridge is a fiction podcast that’ll suck you in right from the get go!

ARS PARADOXICA

Imagine this: You’re a physicist who is working on an experiment when BAM! It all goes terribly wrong and next thing you know, you find yourself stranded and alone in the World War II era US, trapped under a magnifying glass by a government which wants to know who you are, how you got there, and what you are doing there! Well, that’s what ars Paradoxica is all about! One moment physicist Sally Grissom was working on an experiment and the next—POOF!—welcome to the 1940s! We follow Sally as she navigates the dangerous web of working for the US government as a scientist in the World War II era. Full of intrigue and interesting twists, ars Paradoxica is an awesome option for those looking to escape into a fun and engrossing distraction!

KALILA STORMFIRE’S ECONOMICAL MAGICK SERVICES

Of all the podcasts I’m recommending today, Kalila Stormfire’s Economical Magick Services is probably lowest on the “intensity” scale, but highest on the “calming and cozy fiction” scale and that is precisely why I adore the show! The podcast follows Kalila Stormfire, a young witch who’s been excommunicated from her coven (for mysterious, unknown reasons), as she strikes out on her own and sets up a business where customers can purchase her magical assistance. And, of course, magical shenanigans ensue! But trouble pops up on the horizon when Kalila discovers that an unknown someone seems determined to shut her down. Who wants Kalila’s business shuttered? And, besides the mysterious dissenter, how will Kalila’s business live to see another day? You’ll have to listen to this sweet, soft, cozy podcast to find out!

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Well, dear friends, that is all for today! I hope you liked my recommendations and/or found a new fiction podcast to listen to! I know this is such a rough time for everyone and hopefully I’ve been able to add a bit of cheer to your life! Until next time!

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SPILL THE BEANS, FRIENDS!

• Do you listen to podcasts?
• If so, what are some of your favorites?
• If not, do you think you’ll try them out sometime?