PODCAST · arts
AMBIENT ARCANA
by ambientarcana
Strange and unusual stories from a variety of sources set to an ambient soundtrack.
Episodes
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"Jack the Ripper" By Shirley Jackson
A man takes a bartender to task for his indifference towards a young woman in need, but being ignored is the least of her worries. It's Shirley Jackson's "Jack The Ripper" All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Jim Billbrough
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"MIMIC" by Donald Wollheim
Giant Bugs! With Hats! Donald Wollheim's strange tale of entomological terror - "Mimic" All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated By Sean Brann
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"A Woman Seldom Found" by William Sansom
A lonely man has a chance romantic encounter with a rich, beautiful, and mysterious woman during a hot night in Rome. Is she too good to be true? Probably...this is Ambient Arcana after all. It's William Sansom's weird tale of the preternatural consequences of a casual hookup - "A Woman Seldom...
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"The Badger and The Bear" From "Old Indian Legends" Retold By Zitkala-Sa
In this episode a friendly family of Badgers helps out a starving Bear, only to have their kindness repaid with cruel betrayal. Also, Blood Magic! "The Badger and The Bear." from "Old Indian Legends" Retold by Zitkala-Sa All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Jim Billbrough as The…
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"Trace" by Jerome Bixby
In this episode we spend a delightful day in the New England hill country discussing the vagaries of cosmic dualism with a fiendishly pleasant host in Jerome Bixby's "Trace." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Jim Billbrough
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"The Star" by Arthur C. Clarke
In this episode an interstellar trip to a distant nebula brings on a crisis of faith for the spaceship's astrophysicist in Arthur C. Clarke's Hugo Award winning story "The Star." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Jim Billbrough We'd like to dedicate this episode to our…
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6 (Very) Short Stories By Franz Kafka
In this episode we present a 6-pack of strange and unusual stories by "Mr. Kafkaesque" himself - Franz Kafka. "At Night," "Poseidon," and "The Vulture" translated by Tania and James Stern "The New Advocate," "A Fratricide," and "A Dream" translated by Willa and Edwin Muir All Music and Audio...
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"One Of These Days" by Gabriel García Márquez and "Razor" by Vladimir Nabokov
What would you do if you suddenly found your worst enemy completely at your mercy? Would you take revenge? Would you forgive?" Here are two stories that explore what happens when, out of the blue, the opportunity for vengeance arrives. "One Of These Days" by Gabriel García Márquez "Razor" by...
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"Strabismus" by Stefan Grabiński
A man finds himself struggling against an invasive intelligence taking over his mind and trying to eradicate everything the man had previously revered and admired in Stefan Grabiński’s “Strabismus.” Translated by Miroslaw Lipinski All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Jim...
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"TIBETAN FOLK TALES" BY A.L. SHELTON, VOL. 4
Once again we spend the Yuletide season high up in the Himalayas with three stories from Albert Leroy Shelton's 1925 book Tibetan Folk Tales: "The Wiley Poor Man," "The Story Of The Two Devils," and "The Story Of The Violinist." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by Bob...
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"In the Compartment" by Stefan Grabiński
In this episode we explore what happens when a mild-mannered man is not only addicted to train travel but is actually transformed into a bold and charismatic person each time he rides the rails...and the consequences he must face when the ride comes to an end. "In the Compartment' by Stefan...
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"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe
This Halloween, in the grand tradition of horror duo team-ups such as “Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman,” “Billy The Kid vs Dracula,” and “Sharktopus X Whalewolf,” we bring you David Mulholland and Robert Billbrough performing Edgar Allan Poe’s OG dungeon crawl - “The Cask Of Amontillado.” Robert...
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"The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde
In this episode a selfless Nightingale sings her heart out to create a Red Rose for a lovelorn Student, but is he truly worthy of such a precious gift? It's Oscar Wilde's poignant tale of blood thirsty horticulture - "The Nightingale and the Rose." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar...
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"The Twins" by Edogawa Rampo
In this episode we present a twisted tale of twin brothers. The younger brother -a murderous, narcissistic hedonist who will stop at nothing to get what he wants; the older brother -a man who enjoys wearing silk kimonos, taking early morning walks in the garden, and neatly folding his towels…
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"A Bottomless Grave" by Ambrose Bierce
It's Family Values Gone Wild in Ambrose Bierce's Dark Comedy "A Bottomless Grave." Narration by David Mulholland Music by Man Tray Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar.
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"Instructions" by Bob Leman
Have you ever felt like a helpless pawn being manipulated by mysterious and hidden higher-dimensional beings? If so then this is the episode for you! It's Nebula Award Winning Author Bob Leman's trans-dimensional, mind and body altering trip through an almost endless game of bizarre, sanity...
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"Jeep Show" by Robert B. O'Connor
This is a special episode of Ambient Arcana marking the 80th Anniversary of V.E. Day - Victory in Europe Day - May 8th, 1945 when Germany officially surrendered to the Allied Forces ending World War II in Europe. A reading from “Jeep Show” by Robert B. O’Connor. Jeep Show is the story of...
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"Le Miroir" by Robert Aickman
We finish our current coverage of the works of British author Robert Aickman with a story that explores what happens when the face looking back at you in the mirror is not your own. "Le Miroir" by Robert Aickman All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by Jim Billbrough
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"The Coffin House" by Robert Aickman
In this episode two young British women, serving in the 'Woman's Land Army' during WWII, decide to skip a dour farmer's Christmas party only to discover there are worse ways to spend the Holiday in Robert Aickman's "The Coffin House." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by…
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"Laura" by Robert Aickman
Mod dress? Thigh-boots? Impossibly long worm-infested hallways? It's Robert Aickman's strange tale of a mysterious, ageless woman orbiting the life of a hapless man: "Laura." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Alex Fitzsimmons
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"The Cookie Lady" By Philip K. Dick
In this episode we explore the heavy price of turning back the hands of time with Philip K. Dick's "The Cookie Lady." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar. Narration by Jim Billbrough
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TIBETAN FOLK TALES BY A.L. SHELTON, VOL. 3
Once again we spend our Holiday Season at the Top Of The World with yet more stories from Albert Leroy Shelton's 1925 book "Tibetan Folk Tales" All music and audio production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Bob Familiar and Jim Billbrough
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“The Facts In The Case Of M. Valdemar” By Edgar Allan Poe
In this episode we take the ultimate trip as we follow Ernie Valdemar on his final journey. Edgar Allan Poe’s story of Mesmeric Malpractice - “The Facts In The Case Of M. Valdemar” All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by Jim Billbrough We’ve based our narration on Basil...
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“The October Game” by Ray Bradbury
Just when we thought we were done with Bradbury he pulls us back in! “The October Game” a disturbing Halloween horror story where the terrors are real…or are they? All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar. Narration by Jim Billbrough. Additional Voices by Izzy Q. and The Artist Known As Φ.
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“The Lake” by Ray Bradbury
We say goodbye to Summer with a late season tale of first love, tragic loss, and grim reunion. It’s Ray Bradbury’s classic macabre tearjerker - “The Lake.” All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by Clark Goodpaster Lake wave audio recording provided by Pro Sound Effects
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“The One Who Waits” and “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury
In this episode we explore two stories of Retrofuturism by science fiction/fantasy icon Ray Bradbury: “The One Who Waits” - A lonely old soul gets closer to the new neighbors in the worst possible way. “The Pedestrian” - A solitary man walks the empty streets of a TV dominated dystopia. All Music...
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“The Legend of U Raitong, The Khasi Orpheus”
In this episode we tell a tragic story of forbidden love and dire consequences- “The Legend of U Raitong” as described by Mrs. K.U. Rafy in her 1920 collection “Folk-Tales Of The Khasis.” All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by Jim Billbrough While researching this story we...
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“The Story Of An Hour” and “A Pair Of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin
Two stories about the elusive dream of freedom- A secret dream suddenly dashed and a dream unlooked for fulfilled. Kate Chopin’s “The Story Of An Hour” and “A Pair Of Silk Stockings.” Narrated by Arline Billbrough Music by Paul Billbrough Produced by Bob Familiar
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“In A Grove” by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
In 1950 Akira Kurosawa merged two of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s short stories together to make his classic film “Rashomon.”Last episode we covered the story that gave the film it’s name and in this episode we explore the story of the murder at the heart of that film, told by seven characters with…
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“Rashōmon” by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
In this episode we contemplate whether it is better to accept death with your morals intact or to survive by any means necessary. Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s “Rashōmon”. Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Jim Billbrough Some sound effects in this episode were licensed from Pro Sound...
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Three Stories by Jorge Luis Borges
A trio of strange and beautiful fever dreams by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges- “The Rejected Sorcerer,” “The Circular Ruins,” and “The Two Kings and The Two Labyrinths.” All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Jim Billbrough We’d like to express our thanks to Jon Fredette…
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“Gods Of The North” A Conan The Cimmerian Story
In this episode we chase away the winter blues with a bloody sword in Robert E. Howard’s coldest Conan story - “Gods of The North” (aka. “The Frost-Giant’s Daughter”). All Music and Music & Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by Rick Weidner, Danielle Barry, Matt Gruenberg, Mandy Familiar,...
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“Mother Sauvage” by Guy de Maupassant
Bonne année! Joyeux 2024! We start our Third Season with a fiery French tale of one woman’s burning need to find balance in a hostile universe. It’s Guy de Maupassant’s torrid tale of red hot revenge! - “Mother Sauvage.” All Music and Music & Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Veronica...
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More Tibetan Folk Tales by A.L. Shelton
Once again we travel to the magical land of Tibet for the Holiday Season. In this year’s Yuletide offerings a painter and a carpenter commit supernatural postal fraud, a donkey and a rock get arrested for assaulting a jar of oil, a pair of crippled birds dispense great wealth and harsh justice, a...
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“The She-Wolf” by Saki (H.H. Munro)
In this episode of Ambient Arcana we explore the mysteries of ‘Siberian Magic’ and the unexpected social challenges that having one’s hostess turned into a wolf can put upon a party guest - It’s “The She-Wolf” by Saki (H.H. Munro) Music and Music&Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by: Jace...
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The Statement of Randolph Carter
Nothing says Halloween quite like Trick or Treating in an ancient swampy cemetery in shadow haunted Florida! It’s H.P.Lovecraft’s grim tale of grave robbing gone wrong - “The Statement of Randolph Carter.” All Music and Music & Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Bob Familiar and Jim...
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From Beyond
In this episode we dust off our vestigial sense organs and fire up our Pineal Glands to take a mind bending peak beneath the thin veil of our reality in H.P. Lovecraft’s psychedelic mad scientist revenge romp - “From Beyond!” Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narrated by Bob Familiar and...
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Three Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
This month we take a trio of trips into the Infinite Unknown with weird fiction icon Howard Phillips Lovecraft- “Ex Oblivione,” “Nyarlathotep,” and “The Book.” All Music & Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Narration by Jim Billbrough For further exploration of Lovecraft and his works we...
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Cool Arctic Stories for Hot Summer Nights
A small sampling of Inuit, Yup’ik, and Unangax folktales collected by American and European Scholar-Explorers in the late 19th and early 20th century. Even in this muted form, sometimes translated through two or three languages, these stories still retain the power, beauty, and humor of the...
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Three Stories by Ambrose Bierce
Biercemania! Three dark and evocative tales by surprise ending aficionado Ambrose Bierce: "The Boarded Window," "John Mortonson's Funeral," and "The Applicant." All Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Music by Man Tray and Bob Familiar All stories read by Bob Billbrough
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Lafcadio Hearn’s Tales From Ghostly Japan, Vol. 2
We finish our coverage of Lafcadio Hearn’s tales from ghostly Japan with three more stories: “The Corpse-Rider” from the book Shadowings and “Jiu-Roku-Zakura” and “A Dead Secret” from Kwaidan. Music and Audio production by Bob Familiar. Read by Bob Familiar, Jim Billbrough, and Special Guest...
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Lafcadio Hearn, Stories from “Kwaidan” & “In Ghostly Japan,” Vol. 1
We return to the works of Lafcadio Hearn with the first of two full length episodes of strange and unusual stories from his adopted country of Japan. “Diplomacy” and “Riki Baka” from the book “Kwaidan” and “Fragment” from “In Ghostly Japan” We also introduce a new reader, Rick Weidner, who…
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The Reconciliation by Lafcadio Hearn
We start our second season with a short story about love, loss, and the potential supernatural repercussions to procrastination. “The Reconciliation” by Lafcadio Hearn from his book “Shadowings.” Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar Read by Jim Billbrough Ambient Arcana would like to…
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Two Tibetan Folktales by A.L. Shelton
Gifts? Check! Visits from distant relatives? Check! A Christmas ghost story? Check! Our last episode of season one features two stories from A.L. Shelton’s 1925 collection of “Tibetan Folktales” : “The Man And The Ghost” & “Story Of A Juggler’s Tricks” Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar....
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In the Court of the Dragon by Robert W. Chambers
A Demonic Organist! Random Time Displacement! Interdimensional Church Services! A full on Carcosa Mythos story - “In the Court of the Dragon”, from “The King in Yellow”by Robert W. Chambers. Reading by Jim Billbrough Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar All Music used in this episode was by...
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The Street of the Four Winds by Robert Chambers
We take a look at the world of R.W. Chambers with a somewhat beige story from "The King in Yellow" called "The Street of The Four Winds". A story about love, loss, and the vagaries of cat ownership. An extra long episode with a pretty beefy bio and a bonus story snippet at the end. Music and…
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Uncle Abraham’s Romance by Edith Nesbit
This is a bonus episode of Ambient Arcana featuring a very short story about young love, lonely churchyards, and the unspeakable horror of 18th century miniature portrait art - "Uncle Abraham's Romance" by Edith Nesbit. Read by Jim Billbrough, Music and Audio Production by Bob Familiar.
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Jim and Bob Chat: The Making of the Edgar Allan Poe Episodes
A discussion about Poe, music, and podcast collaboration.
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Poe, The Black Cat
A terrifying tale of animal abuse, axe murder, and impromptu basement renovations! "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe. Read and recorded by Bob Billbrough. Original soundtrack produced by Bob Familiar featuring music by Man Tray (aka Kel Weston and Paul Billbrough), and Bob Familiar.
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Poe, The Oval Portrait and The Masque of The Red Death
Poe and Nepotism abound! Two stories by Edgar Allan Poe read by Bob Billbrough. Additional music provided by Man Tray featuring Kel Weston and Paul Billbrough. All other music and audio production by Bob Familiar. Snacks and Poe Bio provided by Jim Billbrough. Titles and Time Markers: The Oval...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does AMBIENT ARCANA have?
AMBIENT ARCANA currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is AMBIENT ARCANA about?
Strange and unusual stories from a variety of sources set to an ambient soundtrack.
How often does AMBIENT ARCANA release new episodes?
AMBIENT ARCANA has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to AMBIENT ARCANA?
You can listen to AMBIENT ARCANA on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts AMBIENT ARCANA?
AMBIENT ARCANA is created and hosted by ambientarcana.
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