The Call of the Void

Acorn Arts and Entertainment

In the bustling streets of New Orleans, a tour guide and a palm-reading outcast team up to unravel the mystery behind cases of sudden insanity besetting the city. The Call of the Void is an indie science-fiction podcast produced by Acorn Arts & Entertainment. read less

Our Editor's Take

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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Episodes

S3, Chapter 9: The Lighthouse
23-06-2022
S3, Chapter 9: The Lighthouse
In the finale of The Call of the Void, Etsy and Topher come face to face with the Void.  Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman. If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠ .⁠ We have perks and merch! This episode stars (in order of appearance): Julia Garlotte as DR. JOANNE DELMEN Joseph Zettelmaier as MALCOLM DELMEN Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Will Myers as THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Jonathan Davidson as JONAH Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS Paul Lapczynski as OHIO MEDIC Dan Johnson as OFFICER MASON Allison Megroet as DANI PARKER Annie Dilworth as FARGO KAMINSKI Josh Weber as ELI COHEN And featuring Georgie the Cat as MARTIN BRODY A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast
S3, Chapter 7: Diablo Ex Machina
09-06-2022
S3, Chapter 7: Diablo Ex Machina
In the seventh chapter of season 3, Topher and Etsy go on a terrible road trip as the darkness devours the world.  Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman. If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credit Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio, CC Attribution License. This episode stars (in order of appearance): Callie Bussell as TERA GRACE REINHART Jayla Fletcher as IVY Tim Pollack as ZEKE Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Will Myers as THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER Tim Clairmont as JACKO Linda Rabin Hammell as MARGIE Joseph Zettelmaier as SHERIFF TONY Josh Weber as ELI COHEN Jonathan Davidson as JONAH Dan Johnson as NECROMON A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast
S3, Chapter 6: Tick, Tick, Boom
02-06-2022
S3, Chapter 6: Tick, Tick, Boom
In the sixth chapter of season 3, Etsy descends into the Dark Dimension, Simone and Eli face off against Professor Fulton, and Tera finishes a science project.  Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman. If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credit Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio, CC Attribution License. This episode stars (in order of appearance): Celah Convis as TAYLOR THE CHECKOUT GIRL Callie Bussell as TERA GRACE REINHART Mark Ujik as MIKE Jeffrey Shawn Miller as PROFESSOR FULTON Josh Weber as ELI COHEN Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS Dan Johnson as OFFICER MASON Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Annie Dilworth as FARGO KAMINSKI Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Paul Lapczynski as DEPUTY PAUL Kryssy Becker as GWYNETH O'CONNER Mike Sandusky as STEVEN THE RESEARCHER Julia Garlotte as DR. JOANNE DELMEN Jonathan Davidson as JONAH Jayla Fletcher as IVY Tim Pollack as ZEKE and featuring Georgie the Cat as MARTIN BRODY. Additionally, The Voices of the Dark Dimension were voiced by: Will Myers, Celah Convis, Tim Pollack, and Kryssy Becker.  A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast
S3, Chapter 5: The Zero Condition
26-05-2022
S3, Chapter 5: The Zero Condition
In the fifth chapter of season 3, a threatening force looms closer to Topher and Etsy, and Simone and Eli commit a felony.  Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman. If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠⁠⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠⁠⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠ This episode features the credit music:Down In the River to Pray, by Christy-Lyn. Please follow her channel and support her work at: Website: https://www.learningtheharp.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LearningtheHarp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningtheharp Also featured in this episode: Anticipation, by Fesliyan Studios. CC Attribution License.⁠⁠⁠ This episode stars (in order of appearance): Nick Casella as THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER Callie Bussell as TERA GRACE REINHART Dan Johnson as NECROMON and OFFICER MASON Jayla Fletcher as IVY Tim Pollack as ZEKE Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Annie Dilworth as FARGO KAMINSKI Jeffrey Shawn Miller as PROFESSOR FULTON Josh Weber as ELI COHEN and featuring Georgie the Cat as MARTIN BRODY. A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast
S3, Chapter 4: My Monster
19-05-2022
S3, Chapter 4: My Monster
In the fourth chapter of season 3, the team reunites to face the rising terror, Eli makes a discovery at the anomaly site, and Etsy's inner demons grow stronger than ever.  Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman. If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode features the music: Black Lotus, by White Bat Audio. Sentimental, by White Bat Audio. The Abandoned, by MONST3R All featured songs under CC Attribution License Credit Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio, CC Attribution License. This episode stars (in order of appearance): Julia Garlotte as DR. JOANNE DELMEN Jeffrey Shawn Miller as PROFESSOR FULTON Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Dan Johnson as OFFICER MASON Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS Emily Betz as RILEY Josh Weber as ELI COHEN Jonathan Davidson as JONAH And featuring Georgie the Cat as MARTIN BRODY A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast
S3, Chapter 3: Space Bats From The Dark Planet
12-05-2022
S3, Chapter 3: Space Bats From The Dark Planet
In the third chapter of season 3, Etsy is hunted by the ex-cultists. Meanwhile in New Orleans, three mysterious deaths cause Officer Mason to seek out an expert. Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman. If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode features the music: Baba Yaga, by MONST3R This Too Shall Pass by Scott Buckley,  Black Lotus, by White Bat Audio.  All featured songs under CC Attribution License This episode stars (in order of appearance): Paul Lapczynski as DEPUTY PAUL Dan Johnson as OFFICER MASON Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Callie Bussell as TERA GRACE REINHART Jayla Fletcher as IVY and BECKY MASON Tim Pollack as ZEKE Emily Betz as a CASINO VOICE and BROOKLYN THE LA WAITRESS David Collins as a CASINO CLERK Erin Isley as a CASINO CHEF Celah Convis as a SHOWGIRL Jonathan Davidson as JONAH Mike Sandusky as JASON Will Myers as THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER Linda Rabin Hammell as MEG Kryssy Becker as GWYNETH O'CONNER Annie Dilworth as FARGO KAMINSKI Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Allison Megroet as DANI PARKER Mark Ujik as the CAFE DU MONDE WAITER Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast
S3, Chapter 2: Molotov on the Rocks
05-05-2022
S3, Chapter 2: Molotov on the Rocks
In the second chapter of season 3, Simone and a fellow student explore the anomaly site in De Soto, Topher has a date, and Etsy collides with a bad bunch.  This episode contains references to sexual assault and violence which may be triggering to survivors. Listener discretion is advised.  Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman. If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode features the song, "Baba Yaga" by MONST3R MUSIC. Please subscribe to his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdiib6AzBfRcgB8cH9fmzA Credit Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio, CC Attribution License. This episode stars (in order of appearance): Callie Bussell as TERA GRACE REINHART Tim Pollack as ZEKE Jayla Fletcher as IVY David Collins as BEAU Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Jeffrey Shawn Miller as PROFESSOR FULTON Josh Weber as ELI COHEN Emily Betz as RILEY Will Myers as THE WHISPERMEN Dan Johnson as OFFICER MASON Annie Dilworth as FARGO KAMINSKI Allison Megroet as DANI PARKER Mark Ujik as GIBBY Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Jonathan Davidson as JONAH In this episode, Michael and Josie Herman also play the voices of Robert and Judith in, "The Tale of Seven Stranglers". A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast
S3, Chapter 1: The Graveyard Shift
28-04-2022
S3, Chapter 1: The Graveyard Shift
In the season 3 premiere of The Call of the Void, a year has passed since Etsy has left New Orleans. In this episode, Topher follows a dangerous new lead, Simone does science, and two guys on the night-shift have vending machine problems.  Written and Produced by Josie Eli Herman & Michael Alan Herman. Directed by Josie Eli Herman.  If you're enjoying our show and think it's worth the price of a cup of coffee, please consider joining our Patreon! This will help us keep this show ad free, and help us create more audio dramas for you to enjoy. We have bonus content and other cool things to check out! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/acornartsandentertainment ⁠⁠ Or help us out with a one-time donation at: ⁠⁠www.acornartsandentertainment.com/thevoid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode features the song, “Southside York” by Tommy Jordan, Feat. Dani Ross. Thanks for sharing this song with us, Tommy! Please check out his music at: https://tommyjordan.bandcamp.com/ and https://open.spotify.com/artist/0PEKbUpbrwM2A4GtBXfKNU?si=v2xnPyDiQXWekSNdd4whNQ&nd=1 Closing  Credit Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio, CC Attribution License. This episode stars (in order of appearance): Josie Eli Herman as ETSY DELMEN Jonathan Davidson as JONAH Michael Alan Herman as TOPHER SOMMERS Tim Pollack as LEROY BENJAMIN Dan Johnson as OFFICER MASON Amanda Buchalter as SIMONE SOMMERS Annie Dilworth as FARGO KAMINSKI Allison Megroet as DANI PARKER Jeffrey Shawn Miller as PROFESSOR FULTON Josh Weber as ELI COHEN Emily Betz as RILEY Nick Casella as FRY Mark Ujik as GIBBY Paul Lapczynski as the MURPHY'S BARTENDER Callie Bussell as TERA GRACE REINHART And featuring Georgie the Cat as MARTIN BRODY A transcript for this episode is available on our website at: https://www.acornartsandentertainment.com/cotv-episodes This show features conversations about suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255.   Reach out to us at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallOfTheVoidPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecallofthevoidpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalloftheVoidPodcast