Dive into the cosmic horror-comedy of Welcome to Night Vale!

It’s not every day you come across a podcast that runs for 14 years, especially in the realm of fiction. Welcome to Night Vale stands out as the longest-running fiction podcast to date. While some might argue that We’re Alive holds that title, it has taken significant breaks between seasons. Night Vale, the eerie desert town at the center of the story, has now unfolded over 12 seasons, more than 280 episodes, three books, and at least 10 live shows. Committing several hundred hours to listen to every episode might seem daunting, but once you start, you’ll likely find yourself hooked.

Created by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, the show draws inspiration from the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Each season follows its own narrative arc, but overall, it explores a town that exists in an alternate version of Earth. Here, angels are real but acknowledging them is against the law; librarians are depicted as dangerous beings with “thousands of spiny legs” and “pincers”; and a Faceless Old Woman secretly resides in your home.

These concepts are undeniably unsettling at first glance. However, rather than aiming to frighten listeners, Cranor and Fink embrace the absurdity of cosmic horror, maintaining a light-hearted tone. They also cleverly challenge the bigotry found in Lovecraft’s work, using his creations to weave stories rich with LGBTQ+ representation.

Of course, well-crafted scripts and engaging narratives are just part of what makes Welcome to Night Vale exceptional. The true magic lies in the cast, particularly narrator Cecil Baldwin, who embodies the host of the central radio show, Cecil Palmer. Baldwin’s voice carries the weight to narrate ominous tales of secretive government agencies and ancient deities, yet he also excels at delivering playful banter with a sentient patch of haze named Deb.

Baldwin’s charisma can make even the reading of a toaster repair manual captivating. He effortlessly shifts between creepy, funny, and soothing tones, often within the same episode. For this reason, it’s best to avoid listening to Night Vale at night; I’ve dozed off to Baldwin’s soothing voice only to have unsettling elements invade my dreams.

Each episode features a musical interlude known as “The Weather,” showcasing a variety of lesser-known artists, with past contributors including Jason Isbell, The Mountain Goats, Waxahatchee, Angel Olsen, Open Mike Eagle, and Sylvan Esso.

Welcome to Night Vale also serves as a fantastic introduction to horror for younger audiences. I would never recommend my eight-year-old read H.P. Lovecraft due to the author’s blatant racism and the often excessive violence in his stories. In contrast, Night Vale takes those horrors and presents them as entertainment. I can play the podcast, share a bonding experience with my child over their growing fascination with all things creepy and weird, and trust that they’ll take away a positive message.

Welcome to Night Vale is accessible on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts, YouTube, and Spotify.