In the ever-expanding universe of audio fiction, a few lucky shows rise to prominence while the majority remain hidden gems, quietly amassing dedicated, cult followings. These shows, with fewer than 100 reviews on Apple Podcasts at the time of writing, are worth exploring. Headphones on!
All shows are free to listen to on Apollo Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.
The Madness of Chartrulean
By Packhowl Media
Sci-fi, drama, fantasy; Full cast, cinematic; Space Opera, Political, Epic, Award-winning
https://packhowlmedia.com/chartrulean
The Madness of Chartrulean is an award-winning fiction podcast that intertwines elements of political drama, science fiction, fantasy, and Shakespearean tragedy. The story delves into Chartrulean’s personal struggles with identity, leadership, and the heavy burden of his choices. It is rich in lore and political intrigue, appealing to fans of series like Game of Thrones and classic sci-fi works such as Dune and Foundation.
“There is nothing I would change about this show. It is perfect. If you are someone who loves lore rich, sci-fi akin to Dune and Foundation, you will not be disappointed. Production quality and acting are magnum class and the story is epic, intimate and nuanced.”
K-Moyan-K via Apple Podcasts
Once Upon a Wasteland: A Fallout Story
By Brad Williams
Crime or Mystery, Sci-Fi, Fanfiction; Full Cast, Cinematic; Award-winning
https://onceuponawasteland.com
The show follows the intertwined journeys of Elizabeth Kirby and Odessa Valdez as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world filled with intrigue, danger, and romance. Set in the late 23rd century, the narrative unfolds amidst the backdrop of a crumbling civilization where the protagonists are on a quest to save their friend Amanda from a malevolent organization known as the Syndicate.
“I’m a big Fallout fan. Stumbled upon this show and binged it in around 2 weeks. Amazing story. Fantastic voice acting. Wonderful sound design. Even if you’re not a Fallout fan, give this show a listen!”
RaginManiaxk via Apple Podcasts
The Pasithea Powder
By Bad Wine Productions
Sci-Fi, Adventure, Narrator, Full Cast, Original Score, LGBTQ+, Space Opera
https://www.pasitheapowder.com
Set in a distant world, the story follows Captain Sophie Green as she recovers from a devastating war that tore her planet and personal relationships apart. Central to the conflict is the creation of Pasithea Powder, a drug capable of altering memories. Though the drug was supposedly eradicated, only a few imprisoned scientists know how to recreate it. When Sophie encounters one of these scientists walking free, she is forced to turn to an estranged friend for help, navigating complex relationships and a fraught political landscape. The series combines elements of science fiction, personal drama, and political intrigue, unfolding in a serialized narrative format.
“I had been plowing through audio dramas (and loving it) and then I listened to Pasithea Powder two months ago and became unable to think about anything else. No other show I tried to listen to held my attention because I was still thinking about Captain Sophie Green and Dr. Jane Gonzalez.”
AKAbbey4 via Apple Podcasts
https://www.pasitheapowder.com
Mortis Maledictum: Dark Fantasy and Cosmic Horrow Stories
By Dark Arc Books
Horror, Fantasy, Thriller; Narrator, Full Cast, Cinematic, Anthology, Short Stories
Mortis Maledictum is a dark fantasy and cosmic horror podcast that draws inspiration from creators like H.P. Lovecraft, Neil Gaiman, and Jim Butcher, appealing to fans of shows like The Magnus Archives, Old Gods of Appalachia, Malevolent, and Welcome to Night Vale. The show focuses on bringing suspense, mystery, monsters, magic, and dread, cutting through fluff to offer gripping and chilling tales. Episodes feature ghostly adventures, witchcraft, old gods, ancient evils, and madness. The creators are passionate about dark fantasy and cosmic horror, blending storytelling with high-quality sound design, original scores, and full-cast performances. The podcast is for fans of suspenseful and atmospheric stories in the realm of dark fantasy and horror.
Tomorrow, The Void
By Ghost Party
Sci-Fi; Narrator, Full Cast; Award-winning
https://tomorrowthevoidpodcast.com
Tomorrow, the Void is a sci-fi fiction podcast set aboard the Dellingr, a spaceship carrying humanity’s last hope as they flee a dying Earth. The show, created by Andrew Santoro and Kelsey Henry, blends drama, horror, and science fiction elements, with episodes featuring a range of emotional and visceral experiences. As the ship embarks on a mission to a distant planet to start anew, the crew of five finds themselves facing unexpected, strange, and horrifying challenges. This series explores themes of isolation, love, and survival, questioning whether the classic sci-fi notion that “love is the answer” is true or if the mission was doomed from the start.
Content warnings include swearing, discussions of death, and depictions of emotional distress.
“Great story, keeps you listening and on your toes!”
BooniesGril via Apple Podcasts
Angel and May
By “a not-for-profit group of community theatre supporters in Brisbane”
Adventure, fantasy, Slice of Life; Full cast, Cinematic; Dystopian Future, LGBTQ+
Produced by a non-profit group of community theatre supporters, Angel and May is a science fiction audio drama podcast following the adventures of two worn-out private investigators from Los Angeles. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they find themselves embarking on a thrilling journey across time and space, eventually landing on the asteroid colony “New London.” There, they encounter a variety of bizarre and dangerous situations, including hiding out in a seedy pub run by a drag queen. Combining elements of crime, thriller, and comedy with LGBTQ+ themes, the podcast delivers a blend of futuristic adventures and dark humor, with each episode named after Tarot cards, hinting at the mystical and unpredictable nature of their quests.
“This is simply a superb podcast. Great cast and great script with beautifully cultivated background effects combining to weave an intricate tapestry. I love these characters and their world, and genuinely want to know their story arc. Reminiscent (but NOT derivative) of old school radio plays.”
Dudegobshite via Apple Podcasts
Chaika
By Karin Heimdahl
Sci-Fi, Drama, Full Cast, Cinematic; Dystopian Future, LGBTQ+, Space
An immersive, serialized audio drama set in a post-apocalyptic future, Chaika tells the story of a woman navigating a desolate world who embarks on a search for other survivors away from her moonbase after Earth falls silent. The episodes explore Chaika’s journey and struggles in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The series is intended for an adult audience and includes a rich cast of characters and is accompanied by original music from Kevin MacLeod.
“The first episode of the second season is one of the most visceral audio experiences I’ve heard. Fome solitude to uncertainty, this show builds tension through well-executed emotional vulberability–everything from the writing to the acting to the music is essential…”
TheRadcliff via Apple Podcasts
Life With Althaar
By Gemini CollisionWorks
Sci-Fi, Adventure; Full Cast, Cinematic; Comedic, Space Opera, Political, Space, Epic, Hopepunk
https://www.geminicollisionworks.com/life-with-althaar
Life With Althaar is a science-fiction sitcom podcast set in the mid-26th century that follows John B, a former human who has lost his legal human status and is possibly the unluckiest being in Human space. After leaving Earth for mysterious reasons, he winds up at the Human Exchange Concourse (HEC), once the site of Humanity’s First Galactic Fair, now a space station known as the unluckiest place in the galaxy. John’s luck seemingly improves when he gets an affordable apartment, but it comes with an unexpected challenge: his roommate is Althaar, an Iltorian alien.
The show humorously explores two characters’ evolving relationship amidst the chaos of living on a space station full of misfits, odd beings, and bizarre situations. Blending situational comedy with space opera elements, the series featuring recurring themes of bad luck, alien culture clashes, and strange intergalactic events.
“… only this podcast and one other get a 5 star+ rating from me (…) If you like a whimsical story with depth, this is the podcast for you. Inside the storyline, you’ll find provoking questions that will hook you as the whimsy makes you laugh.”
Zappy Underpants via Apple Podcasts
Fulmar’s Folly
By Static Airwaves
Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller; Full Cast, Dystopian Thriller, Zombie
Fulmar’s Folly is a post-apocalyptic fiction podcast set two years after a devastating pandemic known as the Wasting has collapsed civilization. The story follows the Cooper family as they struggle to survive aboard their small sailboat, Fulmar’s Folly, while facing multiple threats, including pirates, infected survivors, and the relentless dangers of the sea. Each episode focuses on different family members and listeners can expect a tense, emotionally charged narrative taking them on a gripping journey. Themes of survival, fear, and family are central to the plot as the Coopers are constantly challenged by both external and internal forces. The show is known for its intense atmosphere, character-driven storytelling, and the exploration of moral dilemmas in life-or-death situations.
“An amazing show….one of the few that left me gripping in anxiety. Like a well written novel it brought tears at the finale. As a parent and husband I almost couldn’t finish it, the writers made our deepest fears far too real.”
JRJRLS via Apple Podcasts
The Waystation
By Wired Cowslip
Crime or Mystery, Sci-Fi; Full Cast, Narrator, Cinematic; Award-winning
https://thewaystation.carrd.co
The Waystation is a science fiction audio drama that follows the crew of an orbital station who encounter a mysterious celestial object, which sets off a series of events that threaten to unravel everything around them. The story is told through recordings and logs, with a federal agent piecing together the truth behind the station’s catastrophic destruction. Exploring themes of conspiracy, survival, and self-conflict, it features a large ensemble cast and spans multiple episodes, each uncovering new layers of intrigue as the investigation unfolds.
Produced by Wired Cowslip, the podcast emphasizes strong storytelling, character dynamics, and suspense, making it a gripping experience for science fiction and drama fans alike.
“I binged this entire series in one day- it was that good. The ending was superb. This is one of the better pods I’ve listened to in the last few months.”
Jamie Cheval via Apple Podcasts
More fiction podcast lists:
Off The Beaten Laugh Track: 10 Hidden Comedy Treasures in Fiction Podcasting
The Sound of Collapse: 10 Fiction Podcasts Set in Dystopian Worlds – Apollo Pods
Revealing the Top 10 Steamy Podcasts this Year
Some of the Best Fiction Podcasts: Must-Listen Shows for Every Genre in 2024
