In this episode of Cast of Wonders, the narrator grapples with the aftermath of a school shooting and her newfound ability to raise the dead. She attends funerals, confronts community reactions, and explores the potential and ethical implications of her powers. The story delves into grief, trauma, and the struggle to find meaning amidst tragedy, questioning the true impact of her actions and the lingering connections to those lost.
In a town devoted to a long-dead god, Dallas seeks to reclaim his voice, stolen in childhood, and escape the oppressive control of the Godmouth. He finds solace in a forbidden romance with Slate, but the Godmouth's influence threatens to tear them apart. Dallas must confront his father and the town's dark secret to save Slate and break free from the suffocating silence.
El episodio de Cast of Wonders presenta una conmovedora historia sobre la relación madre-hija, la aceptación y la mitología familiar. Se explora la experiencia de Mako, una joven que descubre su identidad única y el legado de sus antepasados, mientras que su madre comparte una antigua leyenda relacionada con las buceadoras de perlas y un misterioso kimono.
Lyrica, born with a destiny to become the next phoenix and carry the world, grapples with an impossible choice: embrace her fate or choose a human life. Torn between duty and her desire for connection, she struggles with loneliness and the sacrifices demanded by her role. Ultimately, love and selflessness guide her decision, leading to a poignant and transformative moment.
In this episode of Cast of Wonders, a performer grapples with the overwhelming exhaustion and sacrifices demanded by their career, made heavier by the knowledge of their parents' struggles. A dark stranger offers a tempting deal, promising an escape from the protagonist's pain. Ultimately, the protagonist rejects the offer and chooses to return to their roots, finding strength in family and heritage even amidst shattered dreams.
Author : Jamie Lackey Narrator : Jason Arquin Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 631: Sometimes It Happens That Way is a Cast of Wonders original. Sometimes it happens that way by Jamie Lackey I stood on the platform bundled up in one of my pa’s old work coats, […] Source
Author : Kate Francia Narrator : Katherine Inskip Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Augur Magazine issue 6.2 in December 2023. Poets of Painswick by Kate Francia Monday, 1st of June Dear Mama, I am sorry to tell you that Fanny is out hunting Poets again. It’s such a […] Source
Author : Eleanor Glewwe Narrator : Diane Severson Mori Host : Alicia Caporaso Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 629: The Otter Woman’s Daughter is a Cast of Wonders original. Off-screen historical domestic violence The Otter Woman’s Daughter by Eleanor Glewwe In the stories, when the selkie finds her skin, she always leaves […] Source
Author : Charlie Jane Anders Narrator : Marguerite Kenner Host : Ryn Yee Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in the anthology A People’s Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams, and in Cast of Wonders 593 in July 2024 Image by Mirko Stödter from Pixabay War, political […] Source
Author : Beth Goder Narrator : Katrin Kania Host : Alicia Caporaso Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Diabolical Plots, April 2024, and as Cast of Wonders 604 in September 2024 The Restaurant of Object Permanence by Beth Goder Kazia files a folder of correspondence and closes the manuscript box. She leaves the […] Source
Author : Liam Hogan Narrator : Matt Dovey Host : Becca Miles Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Previously published by The Dragon’s Roost Press, December 2022, and as Cast of Wonders 601, August 2024 Episode image by intographics from Pixabay Bullying; implied neglect Bokrug and the Boy by Liam Hogan “You know we don’t […] Source
Author : Emma Victoria Narrator : Tanja Milojevic Host : Jeremy Carter Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 587, May 2024 The Game of Mao by Emma Victoria The Game of Mao has only one rule: don’t explain the rules to the game of Mao. It’s the only rule we […] Source
Author : A. W. Prihandita Narrator : Omega Francis Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Colonialism; Generational Trauma My Mother’s Voice and the Shadow by A. W. Prihandita I pressed my palm onto my chest and said, “Marie.” I pointed at my mother, took a deep breath and braved her abyssal eyes, […] Source
Author : Dan Peacock & Rachel Peacock Narrator : Mike Boris Host : Amy Brennan Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 583, April 2024 Image by Aleksandar Cvetanović from Pixabay The Cat That Worked From Home by Dan Peacock and Rachel Peacock Macaroni’s workstation is set up just the way […] Source
Author : Olivia B. Chan Narrator : Justine Eyre Host : Rebecca Ahn Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 582, April 2024 Bombs, terrorism Open Skies and Hellfire by Olivia B. Chan I liked to think of myself as a morally sound individual. It was easier to do when I […] Source
Author : Plangdi Neple Narrator : Brent Lambert Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Cast of Wonders 580 in April 2024 Transphobia, abusive parents Bodies of Sand and Blood by Plangdi Neple Sneaking into your father’s shrine is one of the most stupid things you have ever done, yet […] Source
Author : Megan Ng Narrator : Amanda Ching Host : Denise Sudell Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 577, February 2024 Abusive relationships, dysfunctional families Fording the Milky Way by Megan Ng There’s a festival celebrated in China that’s dedicated to young lovers. It is not one celebrated here, but […] Source
Author : David Hankins Narrator : Alyson Grauer Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter This story was originally published in DreamForge Magazine in March 2022 and later won the 2022 Critters Readers Choice Award for “Best Magical Realism Short Story.” Image by Slava Sidorov from Pixabay A Properly Spiced Gingerbread by David […] Source
Author : M. K. Hutchins Narrator : Kat Kourbeti Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 618: Beneath the Unreal Gardens of the Virtual Villa is a Cast of Wonders original. Beneath the Unreal Gardens of the Virtual Villa By M.K. Hutchins Self-defense class in the virtual reality sim is […] Source
Author : Alexander Hewitt Narrator : Joe Moran Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 617: Emily is a Cast of Wonders original. Emily by Alexander Hewitt The bell jingled as we left the creepy little doll shop. The store owner smiled from behind the counter, one of those off-putting, […] Source
Author : Wen Wen Yang Narrator : Pine Gonzalez Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 616: Worse than a Wolf is a Cast of Wonders original. Content warning for implied past sexual assault Worse than a Wolf by Wen Wen Yang The sound of the metal grinding against the […] Source
Author : Matt Tighe Narrator : Dan Absalonson Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 615: Optimal Care is a Cast of Wonders original. Content Warning: Terminal illness of a young person 2076 words Optimal Care by Matt Tighe “Hey T! You about?” James rounds the corner of the kitchen, […] Source
Author : Sarina Dorie Narrator : Tina Connolly Hosts : Alasdair Stuart and Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 614: T-Rex Tex-Mex is a Cast of Wonders original. Implied murder Additional audio production by Summer Brooks of EscapePod Trick-or-treaters: Rebecca Ahn, Amy Brennan, Katherine Inskip, Samuel Poots, Ryn Richmond 531 words […] Source
Author : Jenny Hart Narrator : Katherine Inskip Hosts : Katherine Inskip and Laura Pearlman Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 613: The Gingerbread House is a Cast of Wonders original. Off-screen death Additional audio production by Wilson Fowlie of CatsCast Trick-or-treaters: Rebecca Ahn, Amy Brennan, Katherine Inskip, Samuel Poots, Ryn Richmond 1248 […] Source
Author : H. K. Payne Narrator : Eric Valdes Host : Matt Dovey Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 612: The Illusionist’s Tent is a Cast of Wonders original. Additional audio production by Eric Valdes of Podcastle Trick-or-treaters: Rebecca Ahn, Amy Brennan, Katherine Inskip, Samuel Poots, Ryn Richmond 1360 words The Illusionist’s Tent […] Source
Author : Alex Dal Piaz Narrator : Alex Hofelich Host : Kat Day Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 611: The Gobstomper is a Cast of Wonders original. Dentists, teeth, trauma Additional audio production by Chelsea Davis of Pseudopod. Trick-or-treaters: Rebecca Ahn, Amy Brennan, Katherine Inskip, Samuel Poots, Ryn Richmond 2130 words The […] Source
Author : Elisabeth Ring Narrator : Dani Daly Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 610: What Cannot Be Cured, Must Be Endured is a Cast of Wonders original. 2992 words What Cannot Be Cured Must Be Endured by Elisabeth Ring They say if you take the old scarecrow out […] Source
Author : E. M. Dasche Narrator : Bryce Dahle Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 609: Devil’s Food is a Cast of Wonders original. Bullying Image by Dennis Wilkinson Devil’s Food by E. M. Dasche Tristan was not what you might call a traditional evil sorcerer. For one thing, […] Source
Author : A. N. Pinckard Narrator : Marie Brennan Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 608: The light that became a star is a Cast of Wonders original. The Light That Became A Star by A.N. Pinckard The old monk of the temple warned us not to go to […] Source
Author : Hugh Walpole Narrator : Louise Hewitt Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Art (Riding Donkeys on the Beach) by Isaac Israels Originally published in the short story collection The Silver Thorn in 1928 The Little Donkeys with the Crimson Saddles by Hugh Walpole The little donkeys went past the shop-window […] Source
