The Call of the Void is a compelling sci-fi audio drama podcast. Rather than starships and robots, this show draws on Lovecraftian cosmic horror. The plot follows Topher, a museum worker, and Etsy, a psychic with a connection to the other side. Together, they investigate a mysterious force at work in New Orleans.
A specific phenomenon, "the call of the void," is where this podcast gets its name. It is the urge to jump when standing near a cliff despite a fear of heights. Another example is the inexplicable, fleeting desire to swerve into oncoming traffic. Psychologists call this betrayal of survival instincts the "high place phenomenon." Edgar Allen Poe called it "the imp of the perverse." The French phrase for this suicidal ideation is "l'appel du vide."
True to the podcast's title, Topher and Etsy discover an eldritch entity from the occult. Unexplained disappearances and strange symbols point to a strange cult hiding in the shadows. The clandestine group serves a force known as the Void. With Topher's knowledge of history and Etsy's psychic senses, they try to undo the evil at work in the swamp.
The atmospheric scoring and immersive sound design build anxiety. The talented cast creates real, relatable characters listeners might root for. With each season, the writing captures listeners through the intricate plot. Like something out of a Lovecraft work, the tension comes from impressions. The Call of the Void is an independent production. Creators Josie Eli Herman and Michael Alan Herman write and star in the show. They also handle the production and sound design. Together, they created an audio drama that earned a Webby and several other web festival awards. Fans of weird fiction and sci-fi can enter the void with this podcast.
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