The Truth
The Truth
196 episodes
The Truth makes short, cinematic stories meant to be listened to closely, like short films for your ears. Each episode is a brand new story with a new cast of characters, and a whole new world to explore. Some are suspenseful, others funny, or shocking, or uplifting. What you’re guaranteed is incredible performances, thoughtful writing, and detailed, immersive sound design that pulls you in and never lets go.
More about the show
If you're new, some good starting places are: The Joke, Operation Skillshot, Here I Am, Dark End of the Mall, Silvia's Blood, or Can You Help Me Find My Mom.
Listening with headphones is recommended!
Episodes page 1 of 4
-
Falling Tree
On this episode, we're sharing two stories from Falling Tree, a new podcast from acclaimed audio producers Eleanor McDowall and Alan Hall. Drawing on nearly 30 years of radio-making, Falling Tree showcases inventive…
-
A Noble Beast
Jason has a werewolf problem, and he needs eight weeks of therapy to get his career back on track. Written by David Bluvband, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by James Dwyer, Matt Pozzuolo,…
-
Okay, New Plan
It was the perfect plan for a heist. Until it all fell apart. Written by Mac Rogers, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Amy Warren, David Carl, Brandon Zelman, Erica Hernandez, and Jon…
-
The Back Row
Jake is on a flight to an important business conference, but it turns into an increasingly strange and surreal journey that challenges everything he believes about getting ahead. Written by Hunter Nelson, directed and…
-
Higgenbaum's Mitzvah
We’ll have some brand new stories for you in September. But for this episode, we're introducing you to a podcast that I really love, the writing is very inventive, thoughtful and at times bizarre. It’s called…
-
BONUS: Inside "Do-Over"
We’ll have some brand new stories for you in September. But in the mean time, here's an episode about where these stories come from and the ideas inside them. In the first half, Jonathan talks with writer Mary…
-
Remembering Tom Ligon
Tom Ligon, one of the core performers of The Truth, died on June 26, 2026, at the age of 85. In this episode, we remember Tom's remarkable career on stage, in film, and on television, and share his final performance…
-
There's Something I Need to Tell You
We're taking a break from producing new stories, so in this episode we're featuring John Dryden's BBC series There's Something I Need to Tell You. It's a smart, suspenseful thriller that follows an ordinary couple…
-
Do-Over
A woman with severe social anxiety discovers that an AI therapy tool designed to prepare her for life may be keeping her from living it. Written by Mary McDonnell, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell.…
-
Let's Not and Say We Did
Jeff's open marriage is thriving, except for one problem: he can't bring himself to have sex with anyone other than his wife. Fortunately, his date has some ideas. Written by Mac Rogers, directed and sound designed by…
-
Midnight Screening
A daughter preparing a memorial for her late father sorts through his old video tapes, and begins to understand what his beloved neighborhood movie theater meant to him. Written by David Bluvband, directed and sound…
-
The Completist
Two guys meet at a party and discover a shared obsession: an impossibly rare record by their favorite musician. Written by Hunter Nelson, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Josh Tobin,…
-
Don't Tell Alice
The Truth is taking a break right now, and we’ll be back with all-new stories in May. So we're introducing you to another podcast. After 8 years, the hit fiction podcast Alice Isn't Dead returns with a new sequel…
-
Love and Radio: Blood Memory
The Truth is taking a break right now, and we’ll be back with all-new stories in May. So we're introducing you to another podcast. Love and Radio makes documentaries, these are all real people. They have a new series…
-
Object Piece
Object Piece is a radio drama recorded in a dried out lake bed in 1978. It's visceral and compelling, with incredible acting, and it was made by Erik Bauersfeld, one of the great audio dramatists of the late 20th…
-
Garden of Evan
A man searching for purpose discovers his compost pile has very strong opinions about productivity. Written by Mac Rogers, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Seth Lind, Kate Shine, Dan…
-
The Spot off the Side of the Highway
A group of teenagers go on late-night search for something no one’s sure is real. Written by Mary McDonnell, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Anna Aubry, Shenba Vairavan, Brendan Dewley,…
-
Forward, Darkspeed!
A sci-fi writer inherits her mother’s legendary series and faces the impossible expectations that come with carrying a beloved story forward. Written by Hunter Nelson, directed and Sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell.…
-
Chez Vous
A struggling writer joins her wealthy friends for an extravagant dinner at a restaurant that charges more than money. Written by Louis Kornfeld, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Mary…
-
The Thing on the Fourble Board
Support The Truth by subscribing to our ad-free feed. It’s $5, or $50 a year. You’ll get every story without interruption, but more than that, you’ll be supporting the survival of our show. Go to:…
-
The Projectionists
A date night takes a surprising turn when the movie previews become a little too familiar. Written by Davy Gardner, directed and sound designed by Jonathan Mitchell. Performed by Julia Schroeder and John Sartori, with…
-
The Joke
When an archivist in the future finds a single surviving joke, she risks her job to uncover its meaning, discovering forbidden laughter along the way. Written by Mary McDonnell, with direction, sound design, and…
-
Here I Am
A mother who listens, a father who can’t, and a boy who’s simply trying to say: Here I Am. This is a musical drama about connection, silence, and the act of listening. Written by Louis Kornfeld, with direction, sound…
-
Operation Skill Shot
A pinball obsessive is enlisted by the police to help lure a mob boss out of hiding, giving him a chance to prove that pinball isn't just a game. Written by Hunter Nelson, with direction, sound design, and original…
-
Silvia's Blood and Moon Graffiti
On this episode, we're presenting two of our favorite stories: Silvia's Blood was originally released in 2014, and is based on a short story by Philip K. Dick titled, "Upon the Dull Earth." Moon Graffiti was the…
-
Pariah No. 3
The grandson of a world-renowned art gallery owner falls in love with a performance artist. But when her performance piece becomes a crime scene, he has to team up with an art critic to investigate. Part 3 of 3.…
-
Pariah No. 2
The grandson of a world-renowned art gallery owner falls in love with a performance artist. But when her performance piece becomes a crime scene, he has to team up with an art critic to investigate. Part 2 of 3.…
-
Pariah No. 1
The grandson of a world-renowned art gallery owner falls in love with a performance artist. But when her performance piece becomes a crime scene, he has to team up with an art critic to investigate. Written by Davy…
-
Instruction Manual for Jason
When Jen gets an instruction manual specifically written for her boyfriend, she uses it to help both him … and herself. Written by Mary McDonnell. Performed by James Dwyer, Erin Bartley, John Trowbridge, Makena…
-
Degenerates
A mechanic with a gambling problem has a chance to get out of debt by restoring his bookie’s vintage car. But first he has to deal with Ro. Written by Louis Kornfeld Performed by Jamie Rivera, Phoebe Tyers, Michael…
-
Heat Meet
Welcome to the 18th Annual Heat Meet, where hot sauce enthusiasts from all over the world gather to talk shop, sample new sauces, and—maybe, just maybe—see the face of God. Written by Hunter Nelson Performed by James…
-
The Talk
We’re taking a break right now, and we’ll be back in May with all new stories. But in the meantime, we’re featuring stories from the past that you may not have heard. For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story from…
-
Keep Running
We’re taking a break right now, and we’ll be back in May with all new stories. But in the meantime, we’re featuring stories from the past that you may not have heard. For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story from…
-
Tough Crowd
For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story from 2013 called Tough Crowd, about a stand-up comic competing with a speed-date event—based on a true story! Performed by Alejandro Kolleeny, Annemarie Cullen, Devin…
-
The Mutiny
We’re taking a break right now, and we’ll be back in May with all new stories. But in the meantime, we’re featuring stories from the past that you may not have heard. For this episode, we’re re-releasing a story that…
-
Mall Santa
A disenchanted mall Santa gets a surprise gift from SantaCon. This story was originally released in 2017. It was written by Louis Kornfeld, and performed by Tom Ligon, Chris Dwane, Anna Neu, Bianca Casusol, Jimmy…
-
Still On
Long-running late-night talk show “Still On” just got a new host. He’s young, innovative… and cursed. Written by Hunter Nelson Performed by Molly Thomas, Ed Herbstman, Jamie Newell, Louis Kornfeld, Kelsey Bailey,…
-
I'm Not That Guy
You know the story: back in high school, a jock and a nerd switched bodies. Except now it's ten years later... and they still haven't switched back. Written by Matthew Brian Cohen Performed by Seth Lind, Jeremy Bent,…
-
Mark the Creep
Mark thinks he's unworthy of his wife's affection. At least, that's what the voices in his head keep saying.... Written by Louis Kornfeld Performed by Andy Bustillos, Julia Meinwald, Lila Newman, Tessa Hersh, and…
-
Journey into Kalanu
On a theme park ride dedicated to a sci-fi mega-franchise, a man meets a superfan whose love of fantasy is about to put them both in real danger. Written by Hunter Nelson. Performed by Peter Grosz, Alex Dickson,…
-
Happy Happy
There are a million things rock star Melanie Miles would like to have done differently. And a visit to a mysterious bar trapped in the '90s finally gives her the chance. Written by Lana Schwartz Performed by Erin…
-
Snoop
While housesitting for her crush, Sienna finds his journal. But reading it uncovers a little more than she—or her best friend Monica—was expecting. Written by Mary McDonnell Performed by Kimberly Chatterjee, Julia…
-
Swallowed
Jonah’s been swallowed by the whale, and he isn’t sure why. But as he prays to God for answers, a different voice responds. Written by Brielle DeMirjian Performed by David Deblinger, Russell G. Jones, and Tom Ligon.…
-
Newts!
From PRX Productions and The Truth, Newts! is a surf rock audio drama about the end of the world. The six-part series is inspired by the pioneering science fiction of Czech author and playwright Karel Čapek, who is…
-
Thankless
To help her sick mother, Abigail needs to ask for help from her brother, a conspiracy-peddling radio host. Written by Louis Kornfeld Performed by Monica Wyche, PJ Sosko, Jamie Newell, Max Brand, Louis Kornfeld,…
-
Danslang
The kids at Newlin High have invented their own complex and growing language. Can a visiting linguist study and preserve it before the principal wipes it out for good? Written by Hunter Nelson Performed by Will…
-
About the Pond
Emmy’s a chef; her twin brother Ross is an aspiring vegetable influencer. All they want is total culinary dominance—but a swiftly growing pond is ruining phase 1 of their five-year plan. Written by MJ Halberstadt…
-
What About Ruth?
It’s March of 2020 and Haviland is desperately trying to make herself useful, but her parents just want her to stay safe. Against their wishes, she visits Ruth, a neighbor struggling with dementia. Written by India…
-
The Best Truth Story Ever (so far)*
We asked listeners for the best Truth story of all time. You answered. As part of Radiotopia’s Making Trouble week, we’re bringing you the winner of the BEST TRUTH STORY EVER (so far), as voted on by listeners. And…
-
The Truth 10th Anniversary Special
The Truth is 10 years old today! And to celebrate, we’re talking to a few of our listeners about their favorite episodes. If you’re new to the show, this is a good place to start! The recommended episodes are: Tape…
More in Fiction
Table Read
iHeartPodcasts
Midnight Radio
iHeartPodcasts
The Red Room
Voyage Media
Full Body Chills
Audiochuck
The NoSleep Podcast
Creative Reason Media
The Sleepy Bookshelf
Slumber Studios
Creepy
Be Afraid
The Death of Edgar Allan Poe
My Victorian Nightmare
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys
Sherlock Holmes Short Stories
NOISER
Old Gods of Appalachia
DeepNerd Media
Scary Horror Stories by Dr. NoSleep
Dr. NoSleep Studios
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.