The Best Fiction Podcasts You Need To Check Out (If You Haven’t Already)
Podcasts have certainly evolved over the years, and while we still love our favorite podcasts in which one or two people ask questions to a guest of the week, we sometimes yearn for more. Like when it comes to television and movies. Sure, we consume the news, documentaries, and trashy reality TV, but our brains sometimes want the stimulation and satisfaction of hearing a good story.
We love fiction, and we love all of the different formats of media that bring fiction into our lives. From novels and short stories to television comedies and dramas, epic films, and comic books, human beings crave that type of storytelling.
Read More »Whatever the reason may be, fiction is a huge part of our lives, and podcasts are no different. Over the years, there has been a growing trend of fiction podcasts, and some of them are truly exceptional. So, without further ado, here are the best fiction podcasts you need to check out—that is if you haven’t already.
Homecoming Podcast
Why start with the podcast that some consider the best fiction podcast ever? Well, it’s like this—if you’ve been living in your mother’s basement without internet for the last decade, then you’ll get a pass. But if you have yet to listen to the gripping Homecoming podcast, then please start here.
Now, let’s not confuse this with the Amazon Prime television series of the same name that stars Julia Roberts. To be frank, the television series is basically the visual experience of the podcast and nothing more. Placing the story in a television format did nothing to elevate the fiction. As audio drama podcasts go, the Homecoming podcast is as close to perfection as you can get.
The story follows a caseworker named Heidi Bergman (voiced by Catherine Keener) who works at the Homecoming Transitional Support Center. The center is designed to help soldiers transition back into society after serving in the war. Heidi’s job is to help one particular soldier, Walter Cruz (played by Oscar Isaac), adjust to civilian life.
Or so she thinks.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that something much more sinister is going on at the Homecoming center, and Heidi begins to unravel the mystery behind what’s really going on. Definitely start this with episode one and work your way to the end. It will not disappoint.
Welcome To Night Vale Podcast
If you haven’t heard of Welcome to Night Vale, then you’re really missing out. This is one of the most popular fiction podcasts out there and for good reason. The podcast is set in the fictional town of Night Vale, where strange things happen all the time.
The podcast is narrated by Cecil Palmer (played by Cecil Baldwin), who serves as the voice of Night Vale radio. Every episode Cecil gives updates on the goings-on in Night Vale, from the strange weather patterns to the hooded figures that roam the night.
If you’re looking for a podcast that is equal parts weird and wonderful, then Welcome to Night Vale should definitely be at the top of your list.
Alice Isn’t Dead
If you’re a fan of the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, then you need to check out Alice Isn’t Dead. The show is written and produced by Joseph Fink, one of the co-creators of Welcome to Night Vale, and it stars Jasika Nicole as the narrator.
The story follows a truck driver who is searching for her wife, Alice, who she believes is dead. As she travels across the country, she begins to uncover clues about what happened to Alice and realizes that her death may not be as simple as she thought.
Alice Isn’t Dead is a dark and suspenseful podcast that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
The Black Tapes Podcast
The Black Tapes is a podcast that follows the story of investigative journalist Alex Regan (played by Kate Sutton) as she tries to solve the mystery behind the black tapes. The black tapes are a collection of recordings of supernatural occurrences, and Regan is determined to find out if they’re real or not.
As Regan begins her investigation, she meets Dr. Richard Strand (played by Paul Bae), a skeptic who specializes in debunking the supernatural. Together, they set out to uncover the truth behind the black tapes.
This is a truly gripping podcast that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The Bright Sessions Podcast
The Bright Sessions podcast is a podcast about “unusual cases of people with extraordinary abilities.” The podcast follows the stories of several patients who are being treated by Dr. Bright (played by Julia Morizawa), a therapist who specializes in helping people with superpowers.
Each episode focuses on a different patient, and we get to see how they’re dealing with their abilities.
This is a great podcast for anyone who likes stories about people with superpowers, and it’s also a very well-produced show. Definitely add this one to your queue.
The Leviathan Chronicles Podcast
The Leviathan Chronicles is a science fiction podcast that follows the story of Commander Chris Blake (played by John Terry) and his fight against the alien race known as the Leviathans.
The Leviathans are a ruthless and powerful race that is bent on taking over the galaxy, and it’s up to Blake and his team to stop them. This is a great science fiction podcast and will please any sci-fi fanatic out there. It’s packed with action, adventure, and suspense that will keep you moving from episode to episode.
The Message Podcast
The Message is a podcast that follows the story of Nicky Tomlinson (played by Cara Buono), a woman who is recruited by the NSA to decode a message that has been intercepted from space.
As she begins to decode the message, she realizes that it is a warning about an impending alien invasion. With the help of her team, she races against the clock to decode the rest of the message and save the world from destruction.
This is a great podcast for anyone who loves science fiction or suspenseful stories. The production values are top-notch, and the story is truly captivating. Definitely add this one to your queue.
Limetown Podcast
Limetown is a podcast that follows the story of American Public Radio reporter Lia Haddock (played by Annie-Sage Whitehurst) as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of the residents of Limetown, Tennessee.
Ten years ago, all 300 residents of the town vanished without a trace, and Haddock is determined to find out what happened to them. This is a truly gripping podcast that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is also very well produced, so you won’t be distracted by cheesy audio production elements.
The Magnus Archives Podcast
The Magnus Archives is a horror podcast that follows the story of Jonathan Sims (played by Clark Freeman), the new archivist for the Magnus Institute.
The Magnus Institute is an organization that investigates supernatural occurrences, and Sims is tasked with cataloging all of the institute’s case files. As he begins to listen to the recordings of these cases, he realizes that there is something more sinister at work. This is a great podcast for anyone who loves horror or suspenseful stories. The production values are top-notch, and the story will keep you hooked.
Wolf 359
Wolf 359 is a science fiction podcast that follows the story of the U.S.S. Heracles, a ship that is orbiting a star called Wolf 359. The crew of the Heracles is tasked with studying Wolf 359, but they soon realize that there is something more dangerous lurking in the system. If you like classic radio-style podcasts, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. It’s a bit of a throwback, but it’s certainly worth a listen.
Sandra
Sandra is a podcast about an artificial intelligence entity of the title name, and it follows a woman named Helen that is looking to escape her life is a small town. When she lands a job at the company that invented Sandra, she discovers she is in for a lot more than she bargained for, and her great new job may not be all that it’s cracked up to be.
Starring Kristen Wiig, Ethan Hawke, Avi Rothman, and Alia Shawkat, this is up there with the best fiction podcasts that will keep you guessing.
The Best Fiction Podcasts Right at Your Fingertips
The best thing about this podcast problem that we’ve developed is that there are always great podcasts to explore! From science fiction podcasts to horror, suspense to psychological thrillers, with a touch of a button (or a download of an app), you can open your world to new fiction podcast experiences. Whether you generally devour books, movies, or television, it’s comforting to know that scripted podcasts will always be there when you need them.
So go ahead and add a few of these to your queue, hit play, and get transported to another world. And when you’re done with them, be sure to come back and let us know what you thought!
