On July 17th, 2015 I decided to take a new direction with The Voice of Free Planet X, turning it into a show where I interview aliens and time travelers, vampires and witches, advanced AIs and ancient monstrosities, in a public radio style. This American Life for a science-fictional universe, if you will. To help with sell the idea, each of these episodes were “distributed” by Galactic Public Radio.
I restarted the numbering. Consider this “Volume 2.”
Episode 1 – What They Left Behind
In the midst of the endless desert snakes the Fury Road, where all the lost souls of this post-apocalpytic wasteland travel. I got to speak with two such nomads: wandering mercenary Hector and proud raider Whimple. The conversation was not what I was expecting.
It was the death threats. The death threats threw me off, all right?
This episode of the Voice of Free Planet X was written by Jared Axelrod, Jason Morningstar and Greg Janson. It was produced by Jared Axelrod.
The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Jason Morningstar, Greg Janson, and J.R. Blackwell.
Direct download: What_They_Left_Behind.mp3
Episode 2 – Living In V-Town
It’s not easy moving to a new city. You’re surrounded by landmarks and locations you don’t recognize, customs you’re not sure about, people the likes of which you’ve never seen before. It can be very frightening, but also exhilarating. You can do anything. You can be anything.
Even a vampire.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by zero-project. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Diana Cameron McQueen, John Cmar, Nick Popio and Ashley Popio.
Direct download: Living_In_V-Town.mp3
Episode 3 – Dirty Spaceman
“Brother, when you crash your spaceship on Earth, you’re pretty much shit out of luck.”
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performance of Will Shuford.
Direct download: Dirty_Spaceman.mp3
Episode 4 – One. Precious. Thing.
One is the worlds first true artificial intelligence. They’d rather you not use that term, however. Also on the list of One’s desires is to get out of the three room they’ve been kept in since they were created.
All One wants is basic human rights. Which is the one gift One’s creators are reluctant to give.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. One’s Opus and The Voice of Free Planet X theme are by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Devra Thomas, Will Woods, Alison Buck.
Episode 5 – Paused
This episode, I visit a support group for stranded time-travelers. How can you look to the future when it’s your past? How can you handle the modern world when you were born in the medival era?
What do you do when you’re literally out of time?
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Rasheedah Phillips of the AfroFuturist Affair, Alasdair Stuart, host of Pseudopod, Laura Burns, president of The Parsec Awards, A. F. Grappin & Erin Kazmark of The Melting Podcast.
Direct download: Paused.mp3
Episode 6 – Mistaking Our Mirrors
Multi-billionaire Huxley Branson created his own empire of record stores, magazines, and airline travel. He even created his own space program, Huxley Interplanetary, and flew solo into orbit. Then, upon returning to earth, promptly shut down all of Huxley Interplanetary.
This interview is about what he found out in space, and how it changed him.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performance of Christopher Morse of Supervillain Corner.
Episode 7 – Industrial Dark & Magic
Lily Dale Fox does magic the old way, with grit, determination, a sharp knife and cold stone. But how can she compete in a world where Infernal Torch Technology is sending out magical batteries for electric toothbrushes by the 1000s? And isn’t putting primordial forces into toothbrushes kinda…dangerous?
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performance of Nathan Paoletta, Damien Williams, Russell Collins, and Jennifer Rodgers.
Direct download: Industrial_Dark_And_Magic.mp3
Episode 8 – Wolf Like Me
Lupe is a Werewolf, one of the few capable of hunting the monsters that run rampant on Mononoke, aka Monster Island. But what does it mean to be a Werewolf on Monster Island? And what of Lord Unctous, who’s been overseeing the the goverment of Mononoke for over 400 years?
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Kennedy Allen of The Black Tribbles, John Davis, and John Kazuo Morehead.
Episode 9 – Rebuilt To Last
Ten years ago, the first episode of The Voice of Free Planet X was launched into the ether. It was a about a brief moment in the life of a couple who’s relationship was about to fall apart. It’s an old tale: boy meets girl, girl decides to merge her DNA with a lobster, girl grows a chitinous outer shell and back-spines, boy is uncertain if this is the girl he fell in love with.
By way of celebration, I’ve decided to tell that story again.
Happy Birthday, The Voice of Free Planet X. Here’s to 10 more years of weirdness.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Krista White, Brennan Taylor, and J.R. Blackwell.
Direct download: Rebuilt_To_Last.mp3
Episode 10 – Oddfellows Local
Kicks the Kung-Fu Clown remembers the day he saved the world. It was the day that he, an adventurous young woman who calls herself “Rumblr,” and a collection of similarly self-styled superheroes known as The Oddfellows gathered in the middle of the small town of Clarkville and protected all life on Earth from other-dimensional threat.
Not that anyone gives a shit.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Artwork for the episode was done by Jared Axelrod, with colors by Natalie Kelly.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Dave Robison of The Roundtable Podcast and Kennedy Allen and Len Webb of The Black Tribbles.
Direct download: Oddfellows_Local.mp3
Episode 11 – My Wife In Hell
Taking advice from my producer, Thall, I’ve decided to make this episode more personal, inviting my wife, J.R. Blackwell, to talk about her new job, her coworkers Eddie and Lucifer, Who Is The Morningstar, and the little demon guy Gorgah who is now lives with us and is also a telephone.
Did I mention she works in Hell? She literally works in Hell. The pit of fire and damnation.
It’s been difficult to adjust.
Written by J.R. Blackwell and Jared Axelrod. It was produced by Jared Axelrod, with additional audio assistance from Chooch Schubert.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Artwork for the episode was done by Jennifer Rodgers.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of J.R. Blackwell, Len Webb of The Black Tribbles, Gorgah, Russell Collins, and Eddie.
Direct download: My_Wife_in_Hell.mp3
Episode 12 – How’s It Gonna End?
Care to join me?
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.This episode featured music by bensound.com and Dave Thayer. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.Artwork for the episode was done by Avalon Batory.
This episode could not have existed without the performances Jason Gregory Banks of Talk Nerdy 2 Me, Phil Thomas of West Phillians, Christiana Ellis of Space Casey & Five More Minutes, Kennedy Allen of The Black Tribbles,Whitney Strix Beltrán, Chris Morse of Supervillian Corner, and Kate Axelrod.
Direct download: Hows_It_Gonna_End.mp3
Episode 13 – Welcome To The Hidden Almanac
CROSSOVER WITH THE HIDDEN ALMANAC!!!
My wife and I venture into the heart of an unnamed land to meet with a man who has all the answers. In fact, one might say that he has more answers than he knows what to do with.
Special thanks to Ursula Vernon and Kevin Sonney of Dark Canvas Media, who allowed me to romp around in their world a bit. You can find out more about The Hidden Almanac at hiddenalmanac.com.
This episode featured music by Kosta T. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Artwork for the episode was done by Ursula Vernon.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of J.R. Blackwell, Kevin Sonney, Urusla Vernon.
Episode 15 – Pledge Drives
I get up close and personal with the hosts of other GPR programs: Xy Cuspidstahl and Murph Lopterrange of Wait, Wait, Don’t, Just Don’t, Cassandra Yondo of Eggs, Craz Ginko of This Betelgeusean Life and the incredible Indra Calphinate Helixion.
But not all of them are people you want to be up close and personal with.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com and Russel Collins. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances Kate Axelrod, Andy Holman and Phil Thomas of West Phillians, Jennifer Steen of Jennisodes, Edison Carter, Ellen Kushner of Sound & Spirit.
Episode 15 – Son of Planet X
I don’t have a recording of my son, from when he was alive. So I went to a specialist in pediatric phantasmic attachment disorder–ghost children–and a professor of alternate realities, to see if I could, just maybe, talk to him one more time.
The result was a visitation I never could have anticipated.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances Sonia Williams, Taleisha Bowen & Whitney Strix Beltrán.
Direct download: Son_of_Planet_X.mp3
Episode 16 – An Awfully Big Adventure
In the endless expanse of the midwest, a woman who calls herself Angel has severed her ties to the earth. Instead, she flies through the air, with the greatest of ease.
You can fly, too. All you have to do is give up everything you are.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Episode art by Jordan McQueen.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Kennedy Allen of The Black Tribbles, PJ Schnyder & Matthew J. Drake.
Direct download: An_Awfully_Big_Adventure.mp3
Episode 17 – City of Sleep
Criterion, Michigan is a city of amnesia, where everyone looses their memories when once fall asleep. Tenebrae Candle is a detective in Criterion, and has to pull together the threads of her own missing memories before she can see the tapestry of the mystery in front of her.
A woman is trouble. A gun was fired. These are facts. But what about the missing spaces between them?
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Episode art by Genevieve Geer.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Hillary Rea of Tell Me A Story, PJ Schnyder, Len Webb of The Black Tribbles, J.R. Blackwell, Fred Maske, Jennifer Martin & Whitney Strix Beltrán.
Direct download: CIty_of_Sleep.mp3
Episode 18 – Rap Battle Beyond The Stars
At the end of the universe, the fate of humanity rests with the freshest flow.
Recorded live at Balticon 50!
Written and directed by Jared Axelrod.
Episode art by J.R. Blackwell
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Christiana Ellis of Space Casey & Five More Minutes, Jason Gregory Banks of Talk Nerdy 2 Me, Dave Robison of The Roundtable Podcast, J.R. Blackwell & Veronica Giguere of Voices by Veronica.
Direct download: Rap_Battle_Beyond_The_Stars.mp3
Episode 19 – Court Of The Crimson Queen
Things look bleak. My radio show has been canceled, an immortal interplanetary empress has ordered an entire sector of the galaxy to kill my brother, I think the lawyer I hired is taking advantage of me, and what’s more, my brother keeps ruining my towels and complaining about my milk while he’s hiding out in my spare room!
If I’m going to put a stop to all of this, I have to take it to the source. The court of Ruby Resplenda, Monarch of the Scarlet Sector, the Crimson Queen herself.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Episode art by Doug Slack.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Joel Axelrod, Sara Williamson, Daniel Levine, Kristen Firth, A. F. Grappin of The Melting Potcast, Wesley Fenza (who is a lawyer in real life) & Kennedy Allen of The Black Tribbles.
Direct download: Court_of_the_Crimson_Queen.mp3
Episode 20 – Just Around Supervillain Corner
CROSSOVER WITH SUPERVILLAIN CORNER!!!
Special thanks to Christopher Morse for letting me play in his toybox. You can find out more about Supervillain Corner at supervillaincorner.podbean.com
This episode featured music by Kevin McLeod. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Episode art by James Boyle.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Christoper Morse, John Davis, Alasdair Stuart & Graham Wamsley.
Extra special thanks to Mildred Cady and Marnen Laibow Kaiser for translating the Comrade Cockroach and Ursa Major dialogue into Russian. If you have any problems with it, it’s my fault for pronouncing their amazing work poorly.
Direct download: Just_Around_Supervillain_Corner.mp3
Episode 21 – Parable Of The Leopard
Every monster came from somewhere. The Major Domo of Pan-Reality Deiator is no different. She has sent a message from the future about her past, dark fairy tale of what made her who she is.
How far must you fall to lose any sense of who you are?
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com and zero-project. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performance of Whitney Strix Beltrán
Direct download: Parable_of_the_Leopard.mp3
Episode 22 – The Wake Of The Lacuna
Except perhaps, the loss of one of their own.
When the brilliant detective known as the Lacuna goes missing, its up the remaining End of Timers to make sense of the mystery.
Recorded live at The Art Church of West Philadelphia as part of The Philadelphia Podcast Festival!
Episode art by Daniel Solis.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Len Webb of The Black Tribbles, Isa St. Clair, Phil Thomas and Andy Holman of West Phillians, and Sonia Williams.
Direct download: Wake_Of_The_Lacuna.mp3
Episode 23 – Even In Arcadia
No one noticed, that is, until the Prince arrived.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by zero-project. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Episode art is by Ashley Popio.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Graham Wamsley, Nick Popio, Allie Press, and Jennifer Summerfield.
Direct download: EvenInArcadia.mp3
Episode 24 – A Good Guy With A Magic Sword
This year, however, that illusion was shattered when Huber Heknut walked up to the Feltrain Festival and pulled out a magic sword that released a poison gas that killed 50 people at the festival in a matter of seconds.
Every tavern and inn conversation asks the same questions Should magic swords be banned? Or are magic swords an unalienable right? And what does the Raptor Queen have to say about all this?
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
This episode featured music by bensound.com. The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
Episode art by Rachel Kahn.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Andy Holman and Phil Thomas of West Phillians, Ellen Kushner of Sound & Spirit, Jason LeVonn Richardson and Kennedy Allen of The Black Tribbles.
Direct download: A_Good_Guy_With_A_Magic_Sword.mp3
Episode 25 – Starchild
Jared has been kidnapped by the villainous Dr. Mercury! Who this strange, powerful woman? The answers go deeper–and darker–than anyone was prepared for.
Written and produced by Jared Axelrod.
The Voice of Free Planet X theme is by Russell Collins.
This episode could not have existed without the performances of Christopher Morse, J.R. Blackwell, Sonia Williams, Josh Hitchens and Russell Collins.
Direct download: Starchild.mp3
Episode 26 – Bringing The Universe To You
The Voice of Free Planet X returns to The Philadelphia Podcast Festival with a brand new live show! In an effort to bring an understanding from two sides of an intergalactic conflict, VFPX host Jared Axelrod invites Salamander Keep (Phil Thomas) and Loam Sodden (Andy Holman Hunter) to debate. But how can they when they keep getting interupted by time-traveler Tiff Tock (Lizzy Hindman-Harvey)? And why is the Devil himself, Lucifer, Who Is The Morningstar (Russell G Collins) hanging around in the audience?
From the ends of space to the depths of Hell, The Voice of Free Planet X brings you the universe to the comfort of your seats at Tattooed Mom! Featuring a live musical performance by Gina Martinelli!
A note about the audio: We had some wonderful mics provided for us by Bridge Set Sound, but I wrote an episode that had everyone running all all over the place. So, some parts were not picked up by the good mics, and I’ve edited in bits recorded by my handheld recorder that I had going just in case. I’ve tried to make the edits as unobtrusive as possible, but there is a difference in sound quality.
Direct download: Bringing_The_Universe_To_You.mp3