Archive 81 · Dead Signals

OUT OF UNIVERSE - A delayed episodes, a bonus conversation

October 3, 2018·25 min·2 clips

Discover how Caitlin Prest's The Shadows uses improvised dialogue to explore raw romantic relationships.

This bonus episode of Archive 81 features creator Mark interviewing podcast critic and journalist Elena Fernández-Collins. They discuss various audio dramas and the broader audio fiction landscape. The conversation serves as filler content while listeners await the delayed Season 3 finale. Elena recommends several shows, including the six-part CBC miniseries "The Shadows" by Caitlin Prest, which features improvised dialogue. She suggests the horror podcast "Mabel" for fans of Archive 81, describing its lyrical style and strange narrative timeline. The upcoming second season of the magical realism podcast "Point Mystic" is highlighted for its exploration of colonialism and community. Elena names the Australian queer romance podcast "Love and Luck" as a top listen for its feel-good story. She notes a recent influx of superhero-themed audio fiction, citing examples like "The Bright Sessions," "Red Wing," "Red Rhino," "Super Ordinary," and "The Van." Elena observes that audio fiction is becoming more diverse in creators, actors, and themes but argues the community must work harder to welcome marginalized voices. She challenges the notion that podcasting has no barriers, listing required resources like microphones, editing software, and funds to pay actors and designers. Mark agrees, stating the barriers to making a "good" podcast are high despite the ease of creating a "shitty" one. For discovering new shows, Elena points listeners to the Twitter hashtags #AudioDramaSunday and #AudioFictionLove, the latter being her own creation for uplifting creators. She also recommends the Bello Collective website for monthly audio drama roundups and Gavin Gaddis's "The Pod Report" newsletter. Unconventional discovery platforms include specific subreddits and the audio drama hashtag on Instagram. Elena encourages listeners to seek out podcasts from outside their own countries, recommending the translation project "Play for Voices" and the subtitled nonfiction showcase "Radio Atlas." She also praises the South African podcast "Sound Africa" for its creative nonfiction storytelling. The tone is informal and conversational, filled with humorous asides and self-deprecating jokes between the host and guest. The style is recommendation-focused, weaving industry commentary with specific show suggestions. This episode is ideal for fans of Archive 81 seeking similar horror or weird fiction podcasts and for listeners interested in exploring the wider world of independent audio drama. Those solely interested in Archive 81's main narrative or who dislike casual industry talk might prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

A delayed finale that becomes a sharp, useful guide to what to listen to next.

Archive 81 turns a delayed season finale into a bonus conversation, with creator Mark talking to podcast critic and journalist Elena Fernandez-Collins about what to queue up next while the season waits until Friday.

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Why you'd press play

You want a stopgap episode while Archive 81's Season 3 finale waits until Friday, and you are open to a few other listens.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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