The Truth

The kids at Newlin High have invented their own complex and growing language. Can a visiting linguist study and preserve it before the principal wipes it out for good? Written by Hunter Nelson Performed by Will Hines, Connor Ratliff, Alise Morales, John Trowbridge, Hunter Nelson, Amy Warren, Randy McKay. Woody Fu, Kelly Letourneau, Mary McDonnell, and Nikki Thomas. The Truth Instagram Twitter

Emmy’s a chef; her twin brother Ross is an aspiring vegetable influencer. All they want is total culinary dominance—but a swiftly growing pond is ruining phase 1 of their five-year plan. Written by MJ Halberstadt Performed by: Michael Delisle, Katie Hartman, Jimmy O’Connell, Mickey Rodgers, Abby Royle, Leonardo McCloskey Feller, and Momo McCloskey Feller.

It’s March of 2020 and Haviland is desperately trying to make herself useful, but her parents just want her to stay safe. Against their wishes, she visits Ruth, a neighbor struggling with dementia. Written by India Kotis Performed by: Amara Leonard, Maggie Pistner, Rachel Botchan, Kelly Letourneau, Mark Gessner, Julia Kelly and Brian Morabito.

We asked listeners for the best Truth story of all time. You answered. As part of Radiotopia’s Making Trouble week, we’re bringing you the winner of the BEST TRUTH STORY EVER (so far), as voted on by listeners. And after the story, we’ll hear an interview with the story’s writer! The Truth Instagram Twitter *as voted by listeners.

The Truth is 10 years old today! And to celebrate, we’re talking to a few of our listeners about their favorite episodes. If you’re new to the show, this is a good place to start! The recommended episodes are: Tape Delay Possible Side Effects Rideshare Fish Girl You’re Not Alone Help us choose the BEST TRUTH STORY OF ALL TIME! Go to radiotopia.fm/truth10 to vote. Voting is open now but you don't have long, The final round of the bracket will close on February 17th. We will announce the winner on our next episode of The Truth. Go to radiotopia.fm/truth10 to vote.

It’s not easy being a perfect dad. Especially when your son has some notes about the performance. Written by Louis Kornfeld. Performed by Tim Platt, Michael Cullen, Alex Dickson, Tanyika Carey, Dennis Pacheco and Tom Ligon.

Hayley meets a nice man. Could the universe be giving her a break? Nope, it’s still against her. Written by Mary McDonnell. Performed by Mary McDonnell, Tom Stephens, Louis Kornfeld, Margaret Burrus, Ryan Leach and Davy Gardner.

It’s 1978, and the world’s most famous magician wants to show you the true wonders of the universe. Written by Jonathan Mitchell. This story was inspired by the life and work of magician Doug Henning, and uses material that borrows heavily from his act. If you would like to learn more about Henning and his work, we have put a list of links on our website to books and videos used to research this story. Our story was performed by Billy Griffin, Jr., Amy Warren, Stephanie Rey, Michael Cumpsty, Adrián Burke, T.J. Mannix, Reza Nasooti, Louis Kornfeld, Michael Cullen, Rachel Botchan, Stefan Schuette, Mary McDonnell, Chris Kipiniak, Bill Rohlfing, and Eli James.

It's the first day of eighth grade, and God's got a crush on Noa. For this episode of The Truth, we’re introducing you to a fantastic new podcast from Hillary Frank and Lemonada Media. If you like what you hear, you can find the rest of the episodes by searching for “Here Lies Me” in your podcast app. From their website: “Here Lies Me from Lemonada Media is the first scripted podcast to convey the adolescent experience with realism. Author and award-winning podcaster Hillary Frank (The Longest Shortest Time) penned this fictional drama with dark humor, perfectly capturing the genuine, natural, and cringy teenage experience. It’s an immersive and sound-rich YA podcast for teen and adult fans of PEN15, Big Mouth, and Stranger Things.” Performed by a talented and hilarious cast including Michael Chernus (Orange is the New Black), June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie), W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America), Rob Huebel (The Descendants), Stephanie Wittels Wachs (Last Day), teen actors, and introducing Ollie

A celebrity look-alike is trying to break away from his famous face and be taken seriously on his own. But it isn’t easy when the world only sees another Clooney. Written by Louis Kornfeld. Performed by Peter McNerney, Margo Seibert, Will Jacobs, Michael Cullen, Ashley Siflinger, Jon Bander, Chris Kipiniak, Joseph Medeiros, Thomas Whittington, Sophie Yalkezian, and Louis Kornfeld.

In our fifth story from the post-apocalyptic world of the Hum, Huck is held captive in the compound while Inez must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for a chance at seeing her son. This story is the fifth in the Hum series. If you haven’t heard them already, here are the first four: Episode 1: After the Hum Episode 2: Into the Hum Episode 3: Shadow of the Hum Episode 4: Echo of the Hum “End of the Hum” was written by Mary McDonnell. It was performed by Danielle Delgado, James Dwyer, Russell G. Jones, Marisa Brau, Louis Kornfeld, Jessica Morgan and Mary McDonnell. The Truth Instagram Twitter

A year after their father’s death, three siblings find a tree growing directly out of their father’s grave, bearing fruit and an unbelievable family secret. Written by Grant Cohen. Performed by Anthony Franqui, Sharina Martin, Corin Wells, Craig Scott, Jennifer Fouche, Neil Tyrone Pritchard, and Franklin Ojeda Smith. The Truth Instagram Twitter

A fed up fairy godmother decides to grant justice instead of wishes. Written by Mary McDonnell. Performed by Blanche Ames, Lida Darmian, Thomas Whittington, Reilly Wilson, Brandon Zelman, Joel Bernstein, Mary McDonnell, Louis Kornfeld, Nichole Hill, and Amy Warren. The Truth Instagram Twitter

Matilda is selling artificial limbs at a call center, phoning random people in search of a sale. She wasn’t expecting one of the people to be her ex. Written by India Kotis. Performed by Stephanie Rey, Autumn Gomez-Tagle, Ekaterini Argerson, and Sebastian Connelli The Truth Instagram Twitter

A down-on-his-luck teacher meets an alien. And suddenly the world wants to know what he has to say. Written by Louis Kornfeld. Performed by Dennis Pacheco, Joe Mullens, Liz Leimkuhler, Mark Gessner, Ekaterini Argerson, Nolan Constantino, Connor Ratliff, Rachel Botchan, Glo Tavarez, Stefan Schuette, and Nichole Hill. The Truth Instagram Twitter

An eight year old finds a stronger bond with the narrator of her favorite nature documentary than with any of the adults in her life. Written by Louis Kornfeld. Performed by Hannna Ardolino, Brian Morabito, Dominic Cuskern, Katie Harman, Jenny Lee Mitchell, and Nichole Hill The Truth Instagram Twitter

In the fourth episode in “The Hum” series, Milly and Kaitlin finally find a community of people where they can live. It’s a welcoming community. But there are limits. This story is part 4 in an ongoing series. If you haven’t heard them already, please first listen to After the Hum, Into the Hum, and Shadow of the Hum. Written by Chris Kipiniak. Performed by Jessica Morgan, Marisa Brau, Chris Kipiniak, Danielle Delgado, Russell Jones, James Dwyer, Louis Kornfeld, Mary McDonnell, and Nichole Hill. The Truth Instagram Twitter

A woman thinks the universe is plotting against her. And she’s right. It is. Written by Mary McDonnell. Performed by Mary McDonnell, Louis Kornfeld, Margaret Burrus, Casey Wortmann, Tom Stephens, Ryan Leach, Alexis Pereira, Amy Warren, and Nichole Hill. Radiotopia is a network of creators who are able to follow their curiosity and tell the stories they care about the most. Show your support for my fellow Radiotopia shows during our Spring Fundraiser. Donate today at https://on.prx.org/3wl9pWn. The Truth Instagram Twitter

On this special episode, we share some of our favorite outtakes, go behind the scenes of The Truth, hear from writers Mary McDonnell and Louis Kornfeld, meet associate producer Nichole Hill, and answer listener questions. Radiotopia is a network of creators who are able to follow their curiosity and tell the stories they care about the most. Show your support for my fellow Radiotopia shows during our Spring Fundraiser. Donate today at https://on.prx.org/3wl9pWn. The Truth Instagram Twitter

Liz can work a crowd. But can she read the room? Written by Chris Kipiniak. Performed by Sue Galloway, Sarah Mollo-Christensen, Brian Miskell, Alex Song-Xia, Michael Cullen, Neil Tyrone Pritchard, Patrick Noth, Erica Schroeder, Jake Hart, and Chris Kipiniak The Truth Instagram Twitter