The Truth
The TruthThe Truth
THE TRUTH makes movies for your ears. They're short stories that are sometimes dark, sometimes funny, and always intriguing. Every story is different, but they all take you to unexpected places using only sound. If you're new, some good starting places are: Silvia's Blood, That's Democracy, Moon Graffiti, Tape Delay, or whatever's most recent. Listening with headphones is encouraged! We're a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.
The Truth Podcast
THE TRUTH makes movies for your ears. They're short stories that are sometimes dark, sometimes funny, and always intriguing. Every story is different, but they all take you to unexpected places using only sound. If you're new, some good starting places are: Silvia's Blood, That's Democracy, Moon Graffiti, Tape Delay, or whatever's most recent. Listening with headphones is encouraged! We're a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.
The Truth Podcast
Written by Kurt Andersen, this story was originally heard on PRI's Studio 360. Narrated by Ed Herbstman, with John Ottavino as Nicholas, and Melanie Hoopes as Nancy. The story editor was David Krasnow. Produced and directed by Jonathan...
A new series about MLK Jr. and Howard Thurman
New on BBC Radio 4 from the director of The Truth
The performance of a lifetime.
Measuring the depth of perception.
In performance art, if you die you get buried.
Read thoroughly before attempting operation.
A vintage car and a second chance.
Every hot sauce is somebody’s path to enlightenment.
A father comes to the rescue when three teenagers take things a little too far.
Running from Wisconsin to Indiana: 80 miles, 12 hours, 1 day.
Comedy is hard.
The kids take a stand.
A disenchanted mall Santa gets a surprise gift from SantaCon.
All late-night TV needs is a little new blood.
He's a jock stuck in a nerd's body.
Cheater. Pervert. Bubble bath.
Real fans will get it.
At this bar, every night is ’90s night.
Make yourself comfortable. Go wild.
Jonah’s in a whale, but he’s not alone.
A surf rock audio drama about the end of the world.
Maybe you've heard of her brother?
Are you vohuuga mu hondan?
Happy birthday?
Nobody told her about a pandemic.
*as voted by listeners.
Our listeners discuss their favorites.
I just have a few notes.
This time, it's personal.
Everything is possible.
Middle school will bury you.
Trapped behind his own famous face.
It’s just waves.
Not all secrets stay buried.
Your wish is her command.
Closure is a phone call away
A very boring man has a very strange encounter.
No one has time for Zoe’s daydreams.
Will they finally be safe?
The universe is against you.
Get to know us!
Meanwhile, as the world was changing...
Is it all just noise?
You gonna do this new challenge?
Take care.
Gaze into each other’s eyes.
Tell him what he wants to hear.
A Christian Hip Hop duo's rise and fall.
Being alone can do strange things to a guy.
All’s fair in love and reality TV.
You could be The Greatest God.
It’s all in the memory palace.
‘Twas the heist before Christmas.
An introduction to a new series from Sharon Mashihi.
The plaza is where you find love.
Small talk. Big Consequences.
Freezing to death has its virtues.
Every family tree has hidden branches.
You can't run from the sky.
Face your fears.
A voiceover gig from hell.
Love in virtual reality.
Seriously: what is wrong with her?
You are a fraud.
Performed at On Air Fest 2020
The latest gig in the gig economy.
Who will make it to “I do”?
What if dogs could be more human?
I gave you everything I could.
You may choose yes or no.
Always ask if they’re real.
Curate your life story.
A missing plane. A cabin full of suspects. A search for the truth.
The story of teleportation's First Man.
She hears everything.
Friends forever ...and ever and ever.
An influencer finds unlimited influence.
Two stories come back from the dead.
He’s a self-made man. Literally.
What are they saying about you?
What if they all just... disappeared?
Dispatches from the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne.
Not every bundle of joy is a bundle of joy.
What if Apollo 11 crashed on the Moon?
How well do you understand people?
The anatomy of a relationship
A Good Body
Rivals
The Future of Fitness
The Film That Wouldn't Die
The Bad Breakfast
Jog your mind...
Falling in love is easy.
Where do you go when the lights go out?
A fairy tale about waking up.
One last shot at significance
How we make The Truth
You fall you gotta get back up.
The customer is always right. Until they’re dead.
There's no such thing as miracles... right?
Notes from the Network
Young Man, You're Doing Fine
Breaking In
Banished to the Hamptons
Meet Louis, a can of generic cola.
Where the fun and the mental are fundamental.
Don't tap on the glass.
How a 9-year-old boy changed the course of history.
A seeing eye app, and a *very* personal GPS.
Inherit a parrot with a past.
Form of: a Saturday morning cartoon!
Don't let the future get in your way.
Some people are just too interesting to be left alone.
Take a ride in a stranger's car.
Nuclear missile silos can be spooky. Especially when they're haunted.
Getting in was the easy part.
The Polybius Conspiracy is a seven-part series, from Radiotopia's Showcase.
Seasons greetings from the mall!
It feels good to feel better.
It's a show of mystery, fun, and bad memories!
Happiness is just a number.
Maybe a hug really can be magic. Maybe.
A cryogenically-frozen man is revived in the future, to a world that is not quite what he expected. Written by Eric Molinsky, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Scott Adsit, Amy Warren, and Ed Herbstman, with Anna Neu, Billy Griffin,...
Intestilax is a miracle cure for stomach pains. But be careful: it may have side effects. Written by Casper Kelly, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Adam Wade, Hannah Chase, Mariette Strauss, Elana Fishbein, Dennis Pacheco, Anne...
Imagine a near future where media influencers are sent to an internment camp. This episode was made in collaboration with Benjamen Walker, and part 2 is available now on his podcast Theory of Everything. Featuring Michael Delisle, Ann Carr, T.J....
The voice of a cartoon boy takes a shot at live action. Starring Erica Schroeder as Betsy and Happy Louie. With Brian Dykstra, Marc Thompson, Justin Morgan, Rosie Whalen, Susan J. Jacks, Chris Kipiniak, Lorena Russi, Eric Molinsky, Kerry Kastin, Asher...
On the island of Thassos grows a very rare variety of the Lotus flower, Nymphaea Anamnesis. If you drink its extract, whatever you say or do for ten minutes after drinking it, you won’t remember. It's kind of like Snapchat but "in life". On this...
Spring is in the air and so are the bees. To celebrate, we made this collection of comedy sketches! Learn how Quantum Mechanics can help solve that familiar dilemma: scone or muffin? Meet the most conscientious mom on the playground. And hear the only...
What will they find? Performed by Rebecca Robles and Louis Kornfeld. Story by Louis Kornfeld, produced by Jonathan Mitchell. Recorded on location in New York City.
A subway ride becomes divinely dangerous. With Joanna Hausmann as Alice and T.J. Mannix as God. Written by Sarah Siskind with Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
A submarine crew goes deeper than they thought possible. Written by Louis Kornfeld and Chris Kipiniak. Performed by Gregory Jones, Chris McKinney, Russell G. Jones, Billy Griffin Jr., Reynaldo Piniella, and Michael Cullen. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Shopping can make you work up a thirst. Performed by Lauren Adams and Peter Grosz, written by Casper Kelly, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
A man mysteriously transports himself into the body of a prison inmate. Performed by Khalil Kain and Craig muMs Grant, with Keith Randolph Smith, Shamika Cotton, Chris McKinney, Louis Kornfeld, and Jaymes Jorsling. Written by Jaymes Jorsling, produced...
An elf named Spark has just been promoted to the "Naughty or Nice" division of Santa's workshop. But when he finds out how Santa determines if you've been bad or good, he makes it his mission to change the system. Written by Jonathan Mitchell and Seth...
A (fictional) Director's Commentary from the (fictional) short film that inspired the (fictional) big budget feature romantic comedy "Then I Saw Her Face". Performed by Birgit Huppuch, with Maurice Jones and Libby Woodbridge. Written by Chris Kipiniak...
A mixtape made especially for you, with five short comedy sketches produced by The Truth. Featuring performances by Scott Adsit, Tami Sagher, Ed Herbstman, Laura Grey, April Matthis, Peter McNerney, Lane Kewerdis, Al King, Becca Schall, Willie...
Dan's college roommate won't stop talking. Even when he's asleep. Performed by Brian Miskell and Mark Gessner, with Lusia Strus and Hannah Chase. Written by Chris Kipiniak, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
A new short film has been made based on our story "That's Democracy", and to celebrate we produced this documentary about how the original story was made. Including interviews with Louis Kornfeld, Peter McNerney, and filmmakers Jon Bowden & Cliff...
A mysterious man appears in the barn of an elderly Irish couple. This story was commissioned by RTE's Drama on One, and recorded in Kilfinane, County Limerick, Ireland. Performed by Sarah Reynolds, Joe Mullins, Maeve McGrath, Diarmuid McIntyre, and...
Three men are stranded in a lifeboat. Adapted from a short story by Diane Cook, our adaptation is by Diana McCorry. Performed by David Pasquesi, Ed Herbstman, and Mark Gessner. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell. "Man V. Nature" is from the collection of...
Two stories: A blind man gets a Seeing Eye App, and a personal GPS gets really personal. With performances by Russell G. Jones, Ann Carr, Rachel Hamilton, and Kerry Kastin, and writing by Louis Kornfled & Diana McCorry, and Jonathan Goldstein,...
Everyone thought you were missing, maybe even dead. And now you’re back.
Performed by Ed Herbstman, Ben Jones, Christian Paluck, Chet Siegel, Louis Kornfeld, Amy Warren, and Asher Herbstman. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell. Also on this episode,...
Where's your costume? Dressing up is the best part of these things! Performed by Matt Antonucci and Angela DeManti, with Kerry Kastin, Alejandro Kolleeny, and Louis Kornfeld. Written by Louis Kornfeld and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Greetings, souls of the damned! This story is about a young woman who always looked up to her older sister, until they found themselves in Hell. Performed by Bianca Casusol, Kate Emswiler, Louis Kornfeld, Jake Hart, Blanche Ames, Jimmy...
No one knows what it is, or why we can't see it. All we know is that without it, the universe would fall apart. Performed by Kevin Corrigan, Chet Siegel, Ed Herbstman, Dennis Pacheco, Alexis Lambright, Rob Webber, and Anna Sale. Written by Diana...
Are you hearing voices? You're not alone. Performed by Christian Paluck, Carly Monardo, Tom Stephens, Louis Kornfeld, Jon Keller, Kerry Kastin, Nick Mykins, Aina Rapoza, and Ashley Wilson. With special musical guest Elizabeth Ziman (of Elizabeth and...
You're having a stroke. Performed by Ann Carr, Louis Kornfeld, and Amy Warren. Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
It's the Age of Leisure, and keeping it that way is a full time job. Performed by Peter McNerney, Dave Hill, Louis Kornfeld, India Kotis, Rebecca Robles, Alex Marino, Phoebe Tyers, T.J. Mannix, and Rupert Degas. Written and produced by Jonathan...
The recording doesn't lie. Performed by Ed Herbstman and Tami Sagher, with Libby George and Christian Paluck. It was produced by Jonathan Mitchell, and written by Jonathan Mitchell, Ed Herbstman, and Melanie Hoopes. This story originally aired on This...
A girl is lost and can't find her mom. Why won't anyone help her? Performed by Bee Herbstman, Melanie Hoopes, Ed Herbstman, Evan Sudarsky Abadi, Gregory C. Jones, and Blanche Ames. Written by Diana McCorry, Produced by Jonathan Mitchell....
Hoping the dream date never ends... until it doesn’t. Performed by Adam Wade, Chrissie Gruebel, and Dan Fairall. Written by Alejandro Kolleeny, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. http://www.thetruthpodcast.com
A hoarder's daughter digs through the past. Performed by Amy Warren, Armando Diaz, Jackie Hoffman, Louis Kornfeld, and Noel Dinneen. Written by Louis Kornfeld, produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
An accidental love story. Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney, with Willy Appelman, Louis Kornfeld, Lauren Ashley Smith, Sebastian Conelli, Quinton Loder, Jon Bander, and Kim Ferguson. Written by Chet Siegel, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Who knows... maybe it's true. Written by Diane McCorry. Performed by Phoebe Tyers and Dennis Pacheco, with Nick Mykins, T.J. Mannix, and Chris Dwane. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
An elf gets a new job in the Naughty or Nice division of Santa's workshop. This story was commissioned by NPR's All Things Considered. It was written by Jonathan Mitchell and Seth Lind, and directed & produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Edgar Allen Poe's death has always been shrouded in mystery. In this episode, we imagine what may have happened. It was inspired by listener Matthew Mercier, who spent time as the caretaker of Poe's last home. Performed by Christian Paluck, Ed...
Based on Philip K. Dick's short story "Upon the Dull Earth," originally published in 1954. Performed by Andy Moskowitz, Rebecca Robles, Diana McCorry, Ben Jones, and Al King. Produced and directed by Jonathan Mitchell.
A psychic love story. Performed by Alex Marino, Christina Dabney, Blanche Ames, and T.J. Mannix. Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
A teacher gives his students lesson about democracy that they'll never forget. Performed by Peter McNerney, Russ Armstrong, Alexis Lambright, Fiona Bradford, Teddy Shivers, Oscar Montoya, and Ben Jones. Written by Louis Kornfeld, produced by Jonathan...
45 years ago this week, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon. To commemorate, we're sharing our pilot episode which asks the question: What if they crashed? This story is based on a real speech written for Richard Nixon in 1969 called "In...
A game of Dungeons and Dragons is thrown into chaos. Peformed by Elana Fishbein, Jon Bander, Justin Moran, and Matt Shafeek. Written by Alejandro Kolleeny, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
The Voyager spacecraft has landed: meet the aliens who found it. Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Keep your knees in, chest up, stay low, elbows soft... let's go, let's GO! Performed by Chet Siegel, Emily Tarver, and Ed Herbstman. Written by Chet Siegel, produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
The sounds we make don't just fade away; they're embedded in the wood around us. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Kevin Cragg, Annemarie Cullen, Dennis Pacheco, and Rebecca Robles, with Melanie Hoopes, Bea Herbstman, Alex Marino, and Kerry Kastin. Music...
If you've ever been alone on Valentine's Day, this story is for you. It's performed by Eliza Skinner, Birch Harms, and Curtis Gwinn, who improvised all of the dialogue. It was originally produced in 2009 for Weekend Amercia, Hillary Frank was the...
Live the death you've always wanted. Performed by Andy Moskowitz, Jackie Hoffman, Ben Jones, Damon Ketron, Phoebe Tyres, Shacottha Fields, Blanche Ames, and Rebecca Robles. Written by David Wilcox. Produced and directed by Jonathan Mitchell.
Adam and Allie would do anything to have a baby. Performed by Tami Sagher, Ed Herbstman, Louis Kornfeld, and Kerry Kastin. Written by Ira Gamerman. Produced and directed by Jonathan Mitchell.
A trip to the museum takes a surreal turn. Performed by Isabel Frohnhofer, Tom Ligon, Elana Fishbein, Imran Chowdhury, Laura Parker, Philipp Goedicke, Dennis Pacheco, Blanche Ames, Ron Palais, Willy Appelman, Andrew Yurman-Glaser, and Phoebe Tyers....
A collection of horror stories that take place in the world of electoral politics. This one-hour special was produced in 2012 for broadcast on public radio, and made possible by the generous support of the Public Radio Exchange (prx.org) and...
A father comes to the rescue when three teenagers take things too far. Performed by Christian Paluck, Dmitry Shein, Willy Appelman, and Elana Fishbein. Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Two shock jocks make a big morning mess. Performed by Jon Bander, Alessandro King, Bianca Casusol, Brian Frange, and Elana Fishbein. Written by Ira Gamerman. Produced & directed by Jonathan Mitchell.
Are you hearing voices? You're not alone. Performed by Christian Paluck, Carly Monardo, Tom Stephens, Louis Kornfeld, Jon Keller, Kerry Kastin, Nick Mykins, Aina Rapoza, and Ashley Wilson. With special musical guest Elizabeth Ziman. Written by Louis...
A freak accident on a train platform leads to... romance? Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney, with Willy Appleman, Louis Kornfeld, Lauren Ashley-Smith, Sebastien Conelli, Quinton Loder, Jon Bander, and Kim Ferguson. Written by Chet Siegel and...
A prodigal daughter returns. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Ben Jones, Christian Paluck, Chet Siegel, Louis Kornfeld, Amy Warren, and Asher Herbstman. The story was developed collaboratively by The Truth, with dialogue improvised by the actors. Produced...
You're cordially invited to spend New Year's Eve with Walt Avery. To attend, simply play this podcast. Performed by Ben Jones and Tom Ligon, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
A couple goes in search of childhood memories. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Lauren Ashley Smith, and Louis Kornfeld. Story by Jonathan Mitchell with dialogue improvised by the actors. Produced and directed by Jonathan Mitchell.
This is a re-edited version of a previoulsy released story. A taxi driver is working on his anniversary, and gets more than he expected when he picks up a couple in Lower Manhattan. Featuring: Christian Paluck as The Driver, Chet Siegel as Mary, Louis...
Two urban explorers enter an abandoned subway. What happens next is our secret. This is the complete version of a story that was previously only available in two parts.
What happens when a corporation becomes a person? In this satire by Tony Award-winning playwright Greg Kotis, we follow a company called Geneva Mutual that becomes a sentient being. Performed by Louis Kornfeld, Rachel Hamilton, Tom Ligon, Chet Siegel,...
This story was inspired by a submission from listener Mathew Mercier, for our Halloween/Election crowd-sourcing experiment. It's based on his experience as caretaker of the Edgar Allan Poe estate, and imagines what Poe's last living hours may have...
A canvasser gets the donation she needs, but it will cost her... Performed by Chet Siegel and Tom Ligon, with Matt J. Weir, Quentin Loder, and Melanie Hoopes. From an outline by Chet Siegel. Produced & Directed by Jonathan Mitchell, with sound...
Produced at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio Beyond Radio conference, featuring performances by Amie McKenna, Michele Durman, Michael Whalley, and Martin Dingle Wall. Produced by Ed Herbstman and Jonathan Mitchell.
A teacher gives his students lesson about democracy that they'll never forget. Performed by Peter McNerney as Mr. Mohr, Russ Armstrong as Eric, and Alexis Lambright as Margaret, with Fiona Bradford, Teddy Shivers, Oscar Montoya, and Ben Jones as...
Mike Coleman is an independent candidate running for Congress, and he's finally getting some attention... from a serial killer. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Chet Siegel, Rick Adrews, Nick Kanellis, Louis Kornfeld, Amy Warren,...
This is a short story written and produced by Hillary Frank, made by combining fictional narration with real interview tape. It was edited by Julie Snyder, and orginally aired on This American Life.
A pair of urban explorers goes underground, in the first part of a continuing story. Starring Emily Tarver, Alex Marino, Louis Kornfeld, Ed Herbstman, Christian Paluck, and Amy Warren. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
Two different approaches to making stories that combine improvisation with the recording studio. Total Transparency is a brand new piece, it was completely improvised and recorded in one take, and then edited. It was made up on the spot by Chet...
The recording doesn't lie. Performed by Ed Herbstman & Tami Sagher, with Libby Geroge & Christian Paluck. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell, written by Jonathan Mitchell, Ed Herbstman, & Melanie Hoopes. Originally produced for This American...
Spin class gets personal. Performed by Chet Siegel, Emily Tarver, and Ed Herbstman. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell, written by Chet Siegel & The Truth.
Terry Bisson's classic short story "They're Made Out of Meat" originally appeared in Omni Magazine in 1991, and our audio version was produced for WNYC's Studio 360 in November 2011. We've re-mixed the story especially for this podcast, and it's...
A taxi driver is working on his anniversary, and gets more than he expected when he picks up a couple in Lower Manhattan. Featuring: Christian Paluck as The Driver, Chet Siegel as Mary, Louis Kornfeld as Frank, and Amy Warren as Morgan. With Ed...
Can coconut cake + random phone calls = love? Find out, when these two Valentine's Day traditions collide.
Produced by Jonathan Mitchell
Edited by Hillary Frank
Performed by Eliza Skinner, Birch Harms, and Curtis Gwinn
Additional voices: Pat...
Episode #1: Moon Graffiti. In our pilot episode, we imagine what may have happened if the Apollo 11 mission ended in tragedy. Featuring performances by Matt Evans, Ed Herbsman, and John Ottavino. Inspired by a real contingency speech written in 1969...
Human Intelligence
June 20, 201222min 21sec
Written by Kurt Andersen, this story was originally heard on PRI's Studio 360. Narrated by Ed Herbstman, with John Ottavino as Nicholas, and Melanie Hoopes as Nancy. The story editor was David Krasnow. Produced and directed by Jonathan Mitchell. The unabridged version was published in Stories: All New Tales, an anthology edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio.