The Universe Has An Eternal Heartbeat

We were one. Now we are two.

A lonely being reflects on waiting four and a half billion years to be reunited with its absent lover.

Written by William J. Meyer

Produced by William J. Meyer and Sarah Golding

Performed by Erika Sanderson

This story originally appeared on an episode of the Quirky Voices podcast as a monologue

This story includes historical audio recordings from NASA made available for non-commercial use. Their appearance in this program does not explicitly or implicitly convey NASA's endorsement. You can read NASA's Media Usage Guidelines here

Illustration by William J. Meyer

Do you prefer a direct mp3 download of this episode? You can download the mp3 file here

Would you like to read or perform the monologue used in this episode? You can find it on New Play Exchange

This story's recommended book: Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman

I have come from up high, musing with the Jivapanthis. And to The Nameless Ones of the Deep do I go, squirming in their number.

In this six-part story, a mythic odyssey challenges a pair of barbarian brothers as they set off on an arduous pilgrimage to beseech The Blessed Immortal King.

Part One: Barbarian brothers Wedit and Yof journey north to beseech The Blessed Immortal King but soon run afoul of a gang of thieves.

Part Two: Barbarian Wedit matches wits with the mysterious Azara the Volpa when he refuses to pay for her otherworldly elixir.

Part Three: Barbarian brothers Wedit and Yof are taken prisoner by The Magnate, the saurian nemesis of The Nameless Rider.

Part Four: Barbarian brothers Wedit and Yof are befuddled by The Good Lady and her Messengers before confronting The Nameless Rider in a snow storm.

Part Five: Barbarian brothers Wedit and Yof reach the city of The Blessed Immortal King and disrupt a festival held in his honor.

Part Six: Barbarian brothers Wedit and Yof face their destiny when they stand before the throne of The Blessed Immortal King

Written and Produced by William J. Meyer

Starring Steve Rudolph as Wedit, Yof, and the Narrator

Featuring Cary Michael Ayers as Kaveh and Ensemble, A.J. Beckles as Messenger Navid and Ensemble, Julia Eve as Azara and The Minister, Sarah Golding as Messenger Nima and Ensemble, Karim Kronfli as The Magnate and The Nameless Rider, Owen McCuen as Ensemble, Elizabeth Novotny as The Good Lady and The Creature and Ensemble

Illustration by William J. Meyer

Do you prefer direct mp3 downloads of this story? You can download Part One here and download Part Two here and download Part Three here and download Part Four here and download Part Five here and download Part Six here

Would you like to read the short story version of this episode? It is included in my e-book short story collection Invisible Fires: Fugues + Fairy Tales currently available via Gumroad and iBooks

This story's recommended book: Fearful Symmetry: Kraven's Last Hunt by JM DeMatteis, Mike Zeck, and Bob McLeod

They hate me. I’m not going to cry for them.

Jordan’s new best friend has a cruel surprise in store for her on their shared birthday, not suspecting the wicked scheme could lead to a paranormal disaster.

Written and Produced by William J. Meyer

Read and Performed by Emily Strand

Music by Chad Crouch. Licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC 3.0 license

Featuring the song "Happy Birthday to You" written by Patty and Mildred J. Hill and performed by James Hudson. Public domain

Theme Music by William Seegers

Illustration by William J. Meyer

Featured as a Showcase Selection in the 2020 PodTales Festival

Do you prefer a direct mp3 download of this episode? You can download the mp3 file here

Would you like to use the foley sound effects I recorded for this episode? You can download them from Freesound

Would you like to read the short story version of this episode? It is included in my e-book short story collection Invisible Fires: Fugues + Fairy Tales currently available via Gumroad and iBooks

This episode's recommended book: Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono

Most die never saying what they meant to. Never hearing what they should. Made mute by fear-- and deaf by pride.

When the old viking warrior Einarr is mortally wounded, Mikel sets out to locate Einarr’s estranged daughter Kára for a final father-daughter reunion. But before they can return, a mysterious figure finds Einarr alone-- and about to breathe his last.

Written and Produced by William J. Meyer

Starring Boyd Barrett as Einarr, Karin Heimdahl as Hildr, Owen McCuen as Mikel, and Madeline Goshorn as Kára

Featuring the Icelandic folk song "Krummavísur" written by Jón Thoroddsen and performed by Sigurboði Grétarsson. Used with permission

You can read an English translation of "Krummavísur" here

Theme Music by William Seegers

Illustration by William J. Meyer

Featured as a Platinum Selection in the 2020 HEAR Now Festival

Do you prefer a direct mp3 download of this episode? You can download the mp3 file here

Would you like to use the foley sound effects I recorded for this episode? You can download them from Freesound

Would you like to read or perform the play version of this episode? You can find it on New Play Exchange

This episode's recommended book: Scandinavian Mythology by H.R. Ellis Davidson

It's not wrong, you know.
To need somebody.

Following the death of their parents, Cindy and Harry wrestle with their tumultuous family history and discover that like any addiction, talking to the dead has its price.

Written, Produced, and Read by William J. Meyer

Starring Kristina Teves as Adult Cindy and Christopher Karbo as Adult Harry

Music by William Seegers

Featuring the song "Angry: A Love Song" by Auto Bonfire. Licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license

Illustration by William J. Meyer

Do you prefer a direct mp3 download of this episode? You can download the mp3 file here

Would you like to use the foley sound effects I recorded for this episode? You can download them from Freesound

Would you like to read or perform the play version of this episode? You can find it on New Play Exchange

Would you like to read the short story version of this episode? It is included in my e-book short story collection Invisible Fires: Fugues + Fairy Tales currently available via Gumroad and iBooks

This episode's recommended book: The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James

Tomorrow has nothing for you.

When ‘She’ loses her boyfriend and her sister on the same day, ‘She’ indulges in a newfound compulsion for horror. ‘He’ begins to investigate, believing the rumored monster cult is responsible for all their woes.

Written, Produced, and Read by William J. Meyer

Featuring Nicola Branch as the singing voice of "She."

Additional Voices by Cary Michael Ayers, Nathan Bonilla-Warford, Duncan Cassidy, Owen McCuen, Jenny Seegers, William Seegers, and Andrew Wardlaw

Music by William Seegers

Featuring the song "Come to Me," nominated for a 2018 Audio Verse Award. Performed by Nicola Branch, music by William Seegers, written by William J. Meyer

Illustration by William J. Meyer

Do you prefer a direct mp3 download of this episode? You can download the mp3 file here

Would you like to use the foley sound effects I recorded for this episode? You can download them from Freesound

Would you like to read the short story version of this episode? It is included in my e-book short story collection Invisible Fires: Fugues + Fairy Tales currently available via Gumroad and iBooks

This episode's recommended book: The Monsters and the Critics by J.R.R. Tolkien

I walk'd west of the sun for your touch. I walk'd east of the moon for your kiss.

Newlyweds Jack and Liz move into their new house on a small island where a nearly-forgotten arson casts a fiery shadow over their marital bliss-- and the strange creature haunting them.

Written, Produced, and Read by William J. Meyer

Music by William Seegers

Illustration by Caitlin Cadieux

Do you prefer a direct mp3 download of this episode? You can download the mp3 file here

Would you like to use the foley sound effects I recorded for this episode? You can download them from Freesound

Would you like to read the short story version of this episode? It is included in my e-book short story collection Invisible Fires: Fugues + Fairy Tales currently available via Gumroad and iBooks

This episode's recommended book: The Sacred Tree in Religion and Myth by Mrs. J.H. Philpot

We share a tremble.
Dare a silence.
We create our own,
coded meaning.

Revenge is a feature not a bug when a robot struggles to break free from its original programming: the assassination of five secret leaders of an illegal tech consortium.

It's Valentine's Day, and the machine called Sophia has a very special gift for its maker.

Written and Produced by William J. Meyer

Co-Starring Sravya Kidambi as Dr. Minerva Madison, Kyle Nishimura as Dr. Kūya Tsukamoto, Rachel Bell as Emporio, and Abigail Wahl as ZOE-5

With Michael Hudson as TV Presenter, Joryn Meehan as French Reporter, Melle Teich as German Reporter, and Stanley Swanson as Metro PA

Japanese Culture and Language Consultant: Susumu Kimura

Technical Consultant: Chris Sutherland

Special Translation Thanks: Eduardo Soto-Falcon, Elisabetta Gagliano, Allison Lee, Rochelle Lynn, Kessi Riliniki, Lucy Sloper, Melle Teich, and Marina Walinksi