The Truth

The Truth makes short, cinematic stories meant to be listened to closely, like short films for your ears. Each episode is a brand new story with a new cast of characters, and a whole new world to explore. Some are suspenseful, others funny, or shocking, or uplifting. What you’re guaranteed is incredible performances, thoughtful writing, and detailed, immersive sound design that pulls you in and never lets go. If you're new, some good starting places are: The Joke, Operation Skillshot, Here I Am, Dark End of the Mall, Silvia's Blood, or Can You Help Me Find My Mom. Listening with headphones is recommended!

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Episodes 192

Higgenbaum's Mitzvah
10d ago · 35:33
We’ll have some brand new stories for you in September. But for this episode, we're introducing you to a podcast that I really love, the writing is very inventive, thoughtful and at times bizarre. It’s called Higgenbaum’s Mitzvah, which tells you nothing about the show. So to help you understand what it is, we’ll listen to a story called "Being Content." And stick around because in the second half, we’ll talk with the show’s creator Scott Pinkmountain about why he made this crazy thing. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll
BONUS: Inside "Do-Over"
1mo ago · 24:02
We’ll have some brand new stories for you in September. But in the mean time, here's an episode about where these stories come from and the ideas inside them. In the first half, Jonathan talks with writer Mary McDonnell about our story "Do-Over." If you haven't heard the story yet, this episode contains SPOILERS, so you'll want to listen to the story first. And for the second half, Jonathan's 10-year-old daughter takes over the show. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than tha
Remembering Tom Ligon
1mo ago · 35:42
Tom Ligon, one of the core performers of The Truth, died on June 26, 2026, at the age of 85. In this episode, we remember Tom's remarkable career on stage, in film, and on television, and share his final performance for The Truth, Robocalls. After the story, you'll also hear my favorite thing Tom ever recorded for us. Tom was a brilliant actor, a generous collaborator, and a wonderful person. We'll miss him dearly. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll b
There's Something I Need to Tell You
1mo ago · 47:49
We're taking a break from producing new stories, so in this episode we're featuring John Dryden's BBC series There's Something I Need to Tell You. It's a smart, suspenseful thriller that follows an ordinary couple whose vacation takes a very unexpected turn. After the first episode of the story, Jonathan talks with creator John Dryden about where the story came from, how he approaches audio drama, and the creative ideas behind his work. This story includes very strong language. Hear all five episodes of the series on the BBC website⁠, or by searching for "There's Something I Need to Tell You"
Do-Over
2mo ago · 27:16
A woman with severe social anxiety discovers that an AI therapy tool designed to prepare her for life may be keeping her from living it. Written by Mary McDonnell, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Tallie Medel, Joy Lyn Shaw, Kimberly Chatterjee, Peter McNerney, Donald Chang, and Bill Rohlfing. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thetruthpodcast.supportingcast.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Let's Not and Say We Did
2mo ago · 32:42
Jeff's open marriage is thriving, except for one problem: he can't bring himself to have sex with anyone other than his wife. Fortunately, his date has some ideas. Written by Mac Rogers, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Dennis Pacheco, Ann Carr, and Julia Schroeder. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thetruthpodcast.supportingcast.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order your vinyl co
Midnight Screening
3mo ago · 27:27
A daughter preparing a memorial for her late father sorts through his old video tapes, and begins to understand what his beloved neighborhood movie theater meant to him. Written by David Bluvband, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Chet Siegel, David Deblinger, Jim Wetzel, Jackie Hoffman, Sadie Mitchell, David Bluvband, Mary McDonnell, Mac Rogers, and Hunter Nelson. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of o
The Completist
3mo ago · 34:49
Two guys meet at a party and discover a shared obsession: an impossibly rare record by their favorite musician. Written by Hunter Nelson, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Josh Tobin, David Carl, Louis Kornfeld, Hunter Nelson, Mary McDonnell, Mac Rogers, Aimee Lutkin, and Michael Cullen. Featuring the songs “Ghost” and “Come Again,” written and performed by ⁠Dustin Lowman⁠⁠⁠⁠. Used by permission. You'll find full-length versions of the songs from this episode on our ⁠ad-free feed⁠. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, o
Don't Tell Alice
4mo ago · 31:16
The Truth is taking a break right now, and we’ll be back with all-new stories in May. So we're introducing you to another podcast. After 8 years, the hit fiction podcast Alice Isn't Dead returns with a new sequel series, Don't Tell Alice. Available wherever you get your podcasts, and ad-free and a week early on their Patreon. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thetruthpodcast.supportingcast.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ F
Love and Radio: Blood Memory
5mo ago · 38:25
The Truth is taking a break right now, and we’ll be back with all-new stories in May. So we're introducing you to another podcast. Love and Radio makes documentaries, these are all real people. They have a new series called "Blood Memory," and today we'll hear episode 1. You'll hear two women meet the same man in prison and walk away with decidedly different impressions of him. Listen to the 10-part series Love + Radio: Blood Memory wherever you get your podcasts. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without inte
Object Piece
5mo ago · 48:29
Object Piece is a radio drama recorded in a dried out lake bed in 1978. It's visceral and compelling, with incredible acting, and it was made by Erik Bauersfeld, one of the great audio dramatists of the late 20th century. First we'll hear the story, then we'll learn more about where it came from and how it was made. We'll talk to Randy Thom, whose 50-year career in film sound began with a job recording with Bauersfeld. We also talk with Jim McKee of Earwax Studios, who followed in Randy's footsteps. And we hear from Neil Verma, who teaches audio drama at Northwestern, and uses this story in hi
Garden of Evan
5mo ago · 33:12
A man searching for purpose discovers his compost pile has very strong opinions about productivity. Written by Mac Rogers, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Seth Lind, Kate Shine, Dan Chamberlain, Mac Rogers, Mary McDonnell, Hunter Nelson, Louis Kornfeld, and David Bluvband. Order your vinyl copy of Silvia's Blood and Moon Graffiti HERE. The records will only be available until supplies last. We are selling them for $50 each, and 100% of the proceeds go to pay the writers, actors, and production costs for our show. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad
The Spot off the Side of the Highway
6mo ago · 28:11
A group of teenagers go on late-night search for something no one’s sure is real. Written by Mary McDonnell, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Anna Aubry, Shenba Vairavan, Brendan Dewley, Jon Hudson, and Mary McDonnell. Recorded by Christian Cuciniello at Silver Sound in New York Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thetruthpodcast.supportingcast.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠
Forward, Darkspeed!
7mo ago · 44:00
A sci-fi writer inherits her mother’s legendary series and faces the impossible expectations that come with carrying a beloved story forward. Written by Hunter Nelson, directed and Sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Liz Leimkuhler as Laika , Michael Cullen as George, Jacob Williams as Jack, Hunter Nelson as Dan, Brian Morabito as Lincoln Server, Danielle Delgado as Louella Torvesson, Autumn Gomez-Tagle as Nicole, Louis Kornfeld as the Moderator, and David Bluvband and Mary McDonnell as the Fans. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year
Chez Vous
7mo ago · 28:36
A struggling writer joins her wealthy friends for an extravagant dinner at a restaurant that charges more than money. Written by Louis Kornfeld, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Mary McDonnell as Cassandra, Tess Frazier as Missy, Joseph Medeiros as Sebastian, Colton Caulfield as Francis, and Chris Kipiniak as the waiter. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠thetruthpodcast.supportingcast.fm⁠⁠⁠ Foll
The Thing on the Fourble Board
8mo ago · 38:26
Support The Truth by subscribing to our ad-free feed. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to: thetruthpodcast.supportingcast.fm On this episode, special guest Neil Verma tries to show Jonathan what there is to love about old-time radio drama by playing him the classic 1948 drama The Thing on the Fourble Board by Wyllis Cooper. Here’s a link to Neil Verma’s essay about The Thing on the Fourble Board. He also has two books you might like: Theater of the Mind, a study of how American radio drama
The Projectionists
9mo ago · 27:44
A date night takes a surprising turn when the movie previews become a little too familiar. Written by Davy Gardner, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Julia Schroeder and John Sartori, with Bill Rohlfing as the Movie Narrator. And as the movie actors: Nikki Thomas, India Kotis, Mary McDonnell, Louis Kornfeld, Amy Warren, Chris Cafero, Lauren Gamiel, and Max Brand Support The Truth by ⁠⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠
The Joke
9mo ago · 35:44
When an archivist in the future finds a single surviving joke, she risks her job to uncover its meaning, discovering forbidden laughter along the way. Written by Mary McDonnell, with direction, sound design, and original music by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Betsy Helmer, Josh Tobin, John Trowbridge, Alexandra Dickson, Brandon Zelman, Amanda Giobbi, Mary McDonnell, Davy Gardner, Hunter Nelson, Louis Kornfeld, and Cherie McMaster. Support The Truth by ⁠⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be suppor
Here I Am
10mo ago · 36:41
A mother who listens, a father who can’t, and a boy who’s simply trying to say: Here I Am. This is a musical drama about connection, silence, and the act of listening. Written by Louis Kornfeld, with direction, sound design, and original music by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Ann Carr as Rosie, Peter Grosz as Tom, Danielle Delgado as Phyllis, and Seth Gilman as Jason. If you believe in what we do, in stories that reward listening, you can support The Truth by ⁠subscribing to our ad-free feed⁠. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be
Operation Skill Shot
10mo ago · 44:18
A pinball obsessive is enlisted by the police to help lure a mob boss out of hiding, giving him a chance to prove that pinball isn't just a game. Written by Hunter Nelson, with direction, sound design, and original music by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by David Bluvband, Ben Rameaka, Samantha Nugent, Jordan Mahome, Drew Reilly, Sebastian Conelli, Josh Tobin, Bill Rohlfing, and David Deblinger. We're very excited to be making stories for you again! You can help make sure we're able to continue, by subscribing to our ad-free feed. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interrupti
Silvia's Blood and Moon Graffiti
1y ago · 36:44
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
Pariah No. 3
3y ago · 36:56
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
Pariah No. 2
3y ago · 30:01
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
Pariah No. 1
3y ago · 32:40
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
Instruction Manual for Jason
3y ago · 28:56
When Jen gets an instruction manual specifically written for her boyfriend, she uses it to help both him … and herself. Written by Mary McDonnell. Performed by James Dwyer, Erin Bartley, John Trowbridge, Makena Miller, Cherie McMaster, and Sadie Mitchell. Find The Truth at thetruthpodcast.com and @thetruthfiction on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episodes

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More Fiction shows

The Truth

Episodes 192

Higgenbaum's Mitzvah

BONUS: Inside "Do-Over"

Remembering Tom Ligon

There's Something I Need to Tell You

Do-Over

Let's Not and Say We Did

Midnight Screening

The Completist

Don't Tell Alice

Love and Radio: Blood Memory

Object Piece

Garden of Evan

The Spot off the Side of the Highway

Forward, Darkspeed!

Chez Vous

The Thing on the Fourble Board

The Projectionists

The Joke

Here I Am

Operation Skill Shot

Silvia's Blood and Moon Graffiti

Pariah No. 3

Pariah No. 2

Pariah No. 1

Instruction Manual for Jason

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Episodes 192

Higgenbaum's Mitzvah

BONUS: Inside "Do-Over"

Remembering Tom Ligon

There's Something I Need to Tell You

Do-Over

Let's Not and Say We Did

Midnight Screening

The Completist

Don't Tell Alice

Love and Radio: Blood Memory

Object Piece

Garden of Evan

The Spot off the Side of the Highway

Forward, Darkspeed!

Chez Vous

The Thing on the Fourble Board

The Projectionists

The Joke

Here I Am

Operation Skill Shot

Silvia's Blood and Moon Graffiti

Pariah No. 3

Pariah No. 2

Pariah No. 1

Instruction Manual for Jason