Fictional

Wizard of Oz: The Great and Terrible (Part 3 of 3) Oct 15, 2025 50:43 On the season six finale of Fictional, the Wicked Witch of the West is dead, but it came at a terrible cost. Still, Dorothy needs only to travel back to the Emerald City to finally make her way home. If only things were so simple. Adapted from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum: https://myths.link/oz Myths and Legends: https://www.mythpodcast.com

Wizard of Oz: Witchhunters (Part 2 of 3) Oct 1, 2025 42:38 Dorothy and the party make their way via crumbling yellow brick to the Emerald City, but all is not what it seems, and Oz, the Great and Terrible, has a gruesome request for them. Adapted from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum: https://myths.link/oz

Wizard of Oz: Defying Gravity (part 1 of 3) Sep 17, 2025 36:46 A girl from Kansas takes a ride on a cyclone to a bizarre, ridiculous, and dangerous land. Adapted from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum: https://myths.link/oz

Arsene Lupin: Unseen Sep 3, 2025 40:49 Two stories of Arsene Lupin. In the first, the Queen's necklace has gone missing from a locked and guarded room. On the second, a man just wants to relax on the train where he won't be crowded by loud, smoking people...or getting tied up and repeatedly punched in the face. Sources: Arsene Lupin: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/6133/pg6133-images.html

O. Henry: Desperate Men Aug 7, 2025 38:43 Two stories of crime and punishment and why kidnapping is wrong and dangerous but not for the reasons that you think. By American author O. Henry. Stories: The Ransom of Red Chief: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Whirligigs/The_Ransom_of_Red_Chief After Twenty Years: https://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/after-twenty-years/

Sherlock Holmes: Burn Jul 23, 2025 36:57 A man discovers something reading the paper on his train ride into London: he's wanted for murder. What does he do next? Lead police on a low-speed chase to 221B Baker Street. Say hi on discord: https://myths.link/discord

Edgar Allan Poe: The Forgotten Jul 9, 2025 36:38 Two stories from Edgar Allan Poe about the masks we wear and the work we do and the profound consequences of both. Today's stories were adapted from: "Hop-frog" by Edgar Allan Poe: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poe%27s_Tales_of_Mystery_and_Imagination/Hop-Frog "The Oval Portrait" by Edgar Allan Poe: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Works_of_the_Late_Edgar_Allan_Poe_(1850)/Volume_1/The_Oval_

Philip K. Dick: Veg Jun 25, 2025 35:49 Dr. Henry Harris has been called to the outpost for asteroid Y-3, humanity's first line of defense against a vast, strange galaxy, because there's a strange infection growing among the soldiers of the outpost: they think they're turning into plants. Adapted from "Piper in the Woods" by Philip K. Dick: (Warning, link NSFW as it contains a drawing of a nude alien) https://myths.link/piper

The Island of Doctor Moreau: The Mark of the Beast (part 2 of 2) Jun 11, 2025 41:41 The secret of the island is out, and Doctor Moreau is close to his greatest achievement. Will Edward Pendrick make it home, and, if he manages to get away from the island of horrors, what sort of man will he be when he returns? Adapted from "The Island of Doctor Moreau" by H.G. Wells. Connect with us on Discord: https://myth.links/discord Want ad-free episodes? Find us on Apple Podcasts or join t

The Island of Doctor Moreau: An Almost Religious Awe (part 1 of 2) Jun 11, 2025 42:24 When Edward Pendrick makes it into the lifeboat as the Lady Vain sinks, he thinks he's one of the lucky ones. Upon finding his way to the Island, populated with curious people, a reclusive genius, and his shamed assistant, he might question just how lucky he truly is. Adapted from "The Island of Doctor Moreau" by H.G. Wells. Connect with us on Discord: https://myth.links/discord Want ad-free epis

Special - Christmas Ghost Stories: Phantoms Dec 24, 2024 48:51 Hi! It's been awhile. Thanks for your patience. Today is a special episode and not the start of the next season, but a new season is coming in 2025. In Victorian England, they told ghost stories on Christmas. Today, we have three ghost stories from that era. The stories today were adapted by the Weisers from "The Old Portrait" by Hume Nisbet, "The Ghost's Summons" by Ada Buisson, and "Old Applejoy

Jack London: The You You Are Dec 1, 2022 32:06 Dr. Freddie Drummond is in a great position: a fulfilling job, a wonderful fiancée, and the respect of titans of industry. So...why is he going out at night, living a double life? Today's story was based on "South of the Slot" by Jack London.

Time Enough at Last: One for the Books Nov 10, 2022 27:14 Someday Henry Bemis is going to do it. Sometime he is going to go to that wonderful, glorious place and live the life of his dreams. The place? Well, the public library, of course. But...today is not that day. -- Today's episode was inspired by "Time Enough at Last" by Lynn Venable.

Nikolai Gogol: Nose Goes Oct 27, 2022 30:44 What happens when your nose leaves your face...and starts living a better life than you? Today's episode was adapted from the story "The Nose" by Nikolai Gogol. You can find the full text here. -- Looking for something else to listen to? Check out Best of the Worst! It used to be a segment on this show. Now it's a weekly mini-cast. https://www.nextpod.com/botw-subscribe

Edgar Allan Poe: Comorbid Oct 13, 2022 43:15 You receive a letter from an old friend. He isn't doing well. He invites you to visit him at his house. His house...that's eating him whole. Today's episode was inspired by "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Tolstoy: The Long Way Home May 19, 2022 42:29 Two men, a servant and his master, take a drive on a snowy evening. The experience will forever alter both of their lives. Adapted from "Master and Man" by Leo Tolstoy. -- If it sounds like it would be your thing, check out Mitos y Leyendas, Myths and Legends in Spanish! https://myths.link/mitos

Philip K. Dick: Fallout May 5, 2022 32:40 It's the 2010s and nuclear war between the US and the Soviet Union has forced humanity into bunkers, scorching the planet and leaving only the Leadys, the semi-sentient robot fighters, to continue to wage the war above against other Leadys. The humans below, however, think that their Leadys might have other motives... -- Adapted from "The Defenders" by Philip K. Dick.

Sherlock Holmes: Dealbreaker Apr 21, 2022 32:16 We learn which crime Sherlock Holmes thinks is the absolute worst...and it's not what you think it is. Also, the great detective tries his hand at crime himself. Once he crosses that line, will he be able to come back from it? -- Check out Best of the Worst! https://www.nextpod.com/botw

Alexander Pushkin: A Sure Thing Apr 7, 2022 35:25 A young woman working as a servant for a cruel countess falls in love with the man across the street. It seems like a fairy tale, but are there more sinister motivations at play? Adapted from " The Queen of Spades" by Alexander Pushkin

The Most Dangerous Game: The Hunted Mar 24, 2022 35:51 Sanger Rainsford, a big-game hunter, just wants to go home, but he finds himself on an island belonging to General Zaroff, a fellow hunter with twisted, unorthodox tastes. Sanger refuses to go along with Zaroff, but what will last longer, Sanger's adherence to his principles...or his life? Adapted by the Weisers from "The Most Dangerous Game" Read the original: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/O._H

E.M. Forster: Bit Rot Mar 10, 2022 40:17 Humanity is isolated for their own safety in their homes, but they settle in to communicate through world-wide messaging and video calls, and face-to-face, person-to-person interaction becomes rarer and rarer, to the point that it's uncomfortable and awkward. And no, the writer had no knowledge of the year 2020. E. M. Forster's prescient work of science fiction was first published in 1909. After a

Arsène Lupin: The Gentleman Feb 24, 2022 43:02 The story of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief, begins with him sending a letter to a baron with the exact date and time he will rob the man. The baron immediately contacts the best detective in France. ...oh and Arsène Lupin is actually in prison so the armed guards, locked gates, and flooded tunnels seem like overkill. But...this is Arsène Lupin, so, of course, the poor Baron doesn't even stand a ch

Edgar Allan Poe: The Masquerade Oct 31, 2020 34:52 A Halloween episode with two stories from the master of Gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe. Adapted by the Weisers from "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe

The Pale Man: Room 201 May 20, 2020 34:07 A professor checks in to a rundown hotel for a long vacation and becomes obsessed with another resident - a pale man who moves from room to room. Adapted by the Weisers from "The Pale Man" by Julius Long -- The shop: https://shop.bardic.fm -- Music: "Andelo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Velda Tallow" by Blue Dot Sessions Theme music by Breakmaster Cylinder

Philip K. Dick: Inhuman May 6, 2020 32:12 Lester's work has killed trillions, making way for humanity's march across the galaxy. But, after a trip off-world and witnessing a dead planet firsthand, he's now changed. Lester wants out. Will the government release their best scientist and, more importantly, did Lester even return from the wastes? -- The new site: https://fictional.fm -- The next story: A man goes to a country hotel for his su

Sherlock Holmes: The League May 6, 2020 30:05 A man comes to Sherlock Holmes with a development: he's making a lot of extra money each week solely because he has fiery red hair. For the famed detective, this is terrible news. -- Check out the new site: https://fictional.fm -- Music: "Vienna Beat" by Blue Dot Sessions "Evidence" by Raphael Costa "In the Box" by Blue Dot Sessions Theme song by Breakmaster Cylinder Adapted from "The Red-Headed L

Monte Cristo: Wait and Hope (part 6 of 6) Oct 9, 2018 01:01:54 Four men took part in the ruining of one life. Their reckoning is at hand. It all ends here. -- Sponsors: Bombas: Not only is it fun to say, but they are the most comfortable socks ever seriously if your feet could thank you they would. Go to http://www.Bombas.com/fictional and use the code FICTIONAL to get 20% off your first order. KiwiCo: KiwiCo creates super cool, hands-on projects for kids tha

Monte Cristo: A Million Secrets (part 5 of 6) Oct 2, 2018 47:21 The Count of Monte Cristo moves his pieces into place. His revenge is at hand. -- Sponsors: Hello Fresh: For a super-easy, super-delicious weeknight meal, check out Hello Fresh. Go to http://hellofresh/fictional60 and use the code FICTIONAL60 KiwiCo: KiwiCo creates super cool, hands-on projects for kids that make learning about science, technology, engineering, art, and math fun! To try them for f

Monte Cristo: No Ordinary Man (part 4 of 6) Sep 25, 2018 45:22 When we last left Edmond Dantes, he was sailing off into the sunset after rescuing one of the only friends he has left. Today's story begins 13 years later, after he's been transforming himself into the count of Monte Cristo, an enigmatic and ruthless nobleman who is heading to Paris to bring justice on the people who destroyed his life. -- Sponsors: KiwiCo creates super cool, hands-on

The Tempest: Brave New World (Part 2 of 2) Sep 18, 2018 34:22 All the pieces are in place. Everyone responsible for Prospero's exile is on the island. His island. It's time to take back what's his. -- Sponsors: Wolverine: The Long Night. Check this fantastic scripted podcast at https://www.wolverinepodcast.com/ Bombas: Not only is it fun to say, but they are the most comfortable socks ever seriously if your feet could thank you they would. Go to http://www.B

The Tempest: All the Devils are Here (part 1 of 2) Sep 11, 2018 34:39 Prospero can't remember the last time he slept. He can't remember the last time he saw his daughter or even how old she is. He has been working on one singular task for decades, and now he's nearly there. He's on the precipice of the greatest discovery of all time... ...and then someone kicks in the door. They're coming for him. -- Sponsors: The Great American Read starts September 11th at 8/7 Cen

Dracula: The Night King (part 3 of 3) Sep 4, 2018 56:29 Dracula has already claimed his first victim, and she is working on many more. Soon, the British Isles and then the rest of civilization will be one of two things: hunter or hunted. The few that Dracula chooses to turn will feed on the rest, and no one within 1000 miles of him knows it's coming. No one, that is, except for an unlikely alliance of people that will stop at nothing to put Dracula's r

Dracula: Holiday (part 2 of 3) Aug 28, 2018 45:40 Mina is distraught. Her friend is sick, hit by a strange and sudden anemia the day a ship came into port from the other side of the world - some province in Romania known as Transylvania. Worse, Jonathan, her fiancee, hasn't returned yet. He had gone to visit a nobleman on the continent, and he was now a month overdue. Mina wasn't the only one with problems, though. At the mental institution, a he

Dracula: Work Trip (part 1 of 3) Aug 21, 2018 33:14 Jonathan Harker is on a work trip, which means new and bizzare foods, people with interesting stories, and a meeting with a count that people seriously will not stop warning him about. He doesn't see what the fuss is about. It's just an old guy with a handlebar mustache who lives in the woods in a creepy castle surrounded by wolves. What could go wrong? -- Sponsor: Green Chef is a USDA-certified o

Sherlock Holmes: A Thousand Words Aug 14, 2018 32:11 Irene Adler. She's in one story, but she left such a permanent, indellible mark on Sherlock Holmes that he will now and forever refer to her as THE woman. Sherlock receives two visits in one night. One is expected: royalty with a problem that could alter the history of Europe. The other is a surprise: Watson, who's well on his way to a dad bod. -- Sponsor: Check out Levar Burton reads. If you like

Philip K. Dick: New Features Aug 7, 2018 51:20 In an alternate future, it's 1981 and the UN allies have been at war with the Soviet Union for six years. In that short amount of time, the world has been reduced to an irradiated husk of itself. Standing victorious over a fallen world, the Soviets unexpectedly find themselves overwhelmed by a new technology developed by the Allies. A technology that will turn the tide of the war. One that will ha

Frankenstein: Enough (Part 2 of 2) Apr 10, 2018 54:48 On the season 2 finale, Victor Frankenstein's creation is responsible for two deaths, but Victor fears that the body count isn't close to being finished. The battle between creator and creation will stretch over multiple continents, destroying lives and bringing up questions of our responsibility toward our creations, arrogance, and what it means to live a good life. !!! We're up for a Webby Peop

Frankenstein: Prometheus (Part 1 of 2) Apr 3, 2018 37:38 A lurching green monster that's afraid of fire with bolts in his neck. A hunchback assistant named Igor. A menacing, mustache twirling doctor. None of those things are in this episode. Instead, we have an eight-foot-tall introspective giant, a thoughtful, if dangerously ambitious child who doesn't understand the enormity of the task he's undertaking, and a world that's not ready for the consequenc

Kate Chopin: Promises Mar 27, 2018 28:40 A couple in early 1800s Louisiana is headed home when they spot something unusual by a pillar, something that will change their lives, and the lives of the most powerful family in town, forever. -- Sponsor: You have to check out Masterclass. You can learn from professionally produced videos of people who are (literally) the best in the world at their craft. Try the All-Access pass at http://www.ma

O. Henry: Winter is Coming Mar 20, 2018 32:57 Two stories by the U.S. writer O. Henry. In the first, a young woman is dying, pinning her hopes to a leaf dangling on a branch. In the second, ol' Soapy, a homeless man in New York City, is gearing up for a trip to his summer home: prison. A warm bed, three meals a day, and safety from harassment by people on the street. The only problem? He can't seem to get himself thrown in there. -- Sponsors:

Edgar Allen Poe: Madhouse Mar 13, 2018 28:12 Our humble hero just wanted to swing by a remote mental institution in the south of France on his way back home to America. He was just going to spend one night in the self-described madhouse to sate his curiosity/gawk at the mentally ill. What could be wrong with spending one night in a rural private 1800s insane asylum without a means of escape? You know, besides every word in that sentence. ---

Count of Monte Cristo: Fourteen Years Gone (Part 3 of 3) Mar 6, 2018 39:02 When we last left Edmond, he was about to hit the rock and start his escape from Chateau d'If when he heard a scream from his friend's cell. This week, we'll see how he finally manages to get out of the inescapable prison...and what happened to his world after a decade and a half of his absence. "Egregia" by Blue Dot Sessions "Halflight" by Podington Bear "Slough" by Podington Bear "Topslides" by

Count of Monte Cristo: Prisoner 34 (Part 2 of 3) Feb 27, 2018 38:59 Edmond is in prison and his enemies are celebrating, but something else is coming from Elba that will change their world yet again and make them fear the man they sent to Chateau d'If. Sponsors: Our Casper is so comfortable that I can't wait to go to bed. It's so comfortable that we bought our son one when he moved to his "big kid" bed and now we all sleep better because our three-year-old

Count of Monte Cristo: Among Friends (Part 1 of 3) Feb 20, 2018 40:27 Edmond Dantes returns to France as a captain. He has just received a promotion, and soon he will be marrying the love of his life: the beautiful Mercedes. The only issue? He doesn't realize that he has enemies, and that the last request of his dying captain - simply delivering a letter - could change his life forever. "The Count of Monte Cristo" is absolutely in the top 10 for all-time favorite bo

Sherlock Holmes: Undercover Feb 13, 2018 34:52 Watson is happily married and hasn't spoken to Sherlock in months and hasn't been on a mystery in nearly a year. The craziest his life gets now is an abnormal patient or some sensational news story. That's all about to change when the distraught wife of a friend comes to his house late one Thursday night, leading to a late night trip to an opium den and a shocking discovery. Music: "An Opus in Bb"

Philip K. Dick: Look Alive Feb 6, 2018 33:09 In this story by acclaimed science fiction author Philip K. Dick, the author behind last season's "Therein Lies the Wub", a man in 1950s middle America emerges from working in his basement all day to find something horrifying in the center of town, but the strangest thing? No one seems to have a problem with it but him. ----- Sponsors! A massive thanks to Audible for sponsoring us this week. As yo

Macbeth: Sound and Fury (Part 2 of 2) Dec 27, 2017 37:42 Last week, Macbeth killed his king, his friend, and more. If only he could stop there. Just a note, this is the season finale of Fictional. Stay subscribed, though, because we'll be back in six weeks with season two! Sponsor: Check out http://www.zola.com/fictional for an awesome way to do your wedding registry. Seriously, I wish we used it when we got married. Go to that link to get a $50 credit

Macbeth: Toil and Trouble (Part 1 of 2) Dec 12, 2017 33:53 Macbeth is a story about ambition and violence. Given a prophecy that he will become king, Macbeth finds himself both drawn to and repulsed by the desire that grows within him. On one hand, he could do so much as king: his name would live on forever. On the other, he is a loyal, kind, and just man...and for him to become king, the current king, his cousin and the man he has fought for and killed f

Philip K. Dick: Therein Lies the Wub Nov 28, 2017 34:37 A routine trip to Mars turns out to be anything but when a ship headed back to earth allows one last passenger aboard. That's...really all I can say about the story "Beyond lies the Wub" by Philip K. Dick. Few authors can boast the sci-fi pedigree of Philip K. Dick. Even if you've never read one of his books, you've heard one of his stories. Blade Runner, Total Recall, The Man in the High Castle,

Call of Cthulhu: Nightmares (Part 2 of 2) Nov 14, 2017 45:22 Professor Angell is dead, but the story of Cthulhu is just beginning. As it turns out, Angell had an heir, and as the young man is sifting through his late uncle's possessions, he's about to find something that will change his world forever. Meanwhile, Captain Johansen returned to Sydney. The last we saw him, he was captain of a ship with seven friends. He'll return a sole survivor, forever change

Call of Cthulhu: Dead Cthulhu Waits Dreaming (Part 1 of 2) Oct 31, 2017 35:33 An adaptation of perhaps the most famous story from one of the most important horror writers of the 20th century. H.P. Lovecraft has inspired writers from Neil Gaiman to Stephen King, and this dark tale of chthonic monsters, fanatical cultists, and a secret that has stayed hidden since the dawn of humanity is equal parts mystery and horror. Sponsor: Hello Fresh! I literally just had a meal from a

The Time Machine: With a Whimper (Part 2 of 2) Oct 17, 2017 39:25 Where we left our intrepid, overdressed traveller, he was taking a break from the heat in the ruins of humanity all around him, looking down into the cool darkness...when he saw red eyes open and stare back at him, hinting that there may be more lurking in the future of humanity than he thought. --- Sponsor: Check out http://www.audible.com/fictional for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial members

The Time Machine: Inspector Spacetime (Part 1 of 2) Oct 3, 2017 43:13 "The Time Machine" is a book written by the father of science fiction, H.G. Wells. This is a book so famous that it actually coined the phrase "time machine" to refer to a machine that travels through time. It is a short but sprawling book, flinging mankind into the farthest future where we see how the consequences of our actions today can affect the world for millennia. It still holds up, too. It

Dante's Inferno: Race to the Bottom (Part 2) Sep 19, 2017 39:44 If you were worried that we only have three circles left, well, don't worry. Dante must have felt the same way, because he sub-divides the last two circles into 12 circles, nearly double the number of circles that came before it. Anyway, it's as weird and as wonderful/horrific as last time, so if you liked that episode, listen to how everything ends up! --- Want to help us out? Go to http://www.po

Dante's Inferno: Burning Ring of Fire (Part 1) Sep 5, 2017 33:12 Dante's Inferno is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri in the 1300s as the first part in a much longer work called "The Divine Comedy". It's not a comedy in the "ha ha" sense of the word, but comedy because it starts bad and ends well. Dante travels down through Hell, then up into Purgatory and finally Paradise. Hell, in my opinion, is the most interesting area because it's full of weird chara

Sherlock Holmes: The Devil went Down to Cornwall Aug 22, 2017 40:22 Sherlock just wants to take a vacation and not be bothered by mysteries. Just kidding. Sherlock lives for mysteries. Lucky for him (and really only him), even when they get out London they can still manage to get in to a situation with a dead body or two. Want to really help out the show? Take a few minutes and leave a review in Apple Podcasts! Check it out at http://apple.fictional.fm ----- Musi

Monkey's Paw: Give Him a Hand Aug 22, 2017 29:24 The story of two old friends, one strange item that can grant your wildest dreams, and three wishes...but every desire has a cost. Want to leave a review? It really helps the show. Check out http://apple.fictional.fm Music: Theme song and other music by Breakmaster Cylinder "Visim" by Kai Engle "Scenery" by Kai Engle "Periculum" by Kai Engle "Daedalus" by Kai Engle

Fictional Intro Aug 11, 2017 01:40 This is all about our new show, Fictional. Brought to you by the same two people that make Myths and Legends, Fictional is looking at all things classic lit, diving in to awesome stories like you've never heard them before. ----- Theme song credit: the amazing Breakmaster Cylinder ----- To subscribe, follow these links: On Apple Podcasts: http://apple.fictional.fm On Stitcher: http://stitcher.fict

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