MERCY: A Queer Eldritch Western

PART 1 OF 2IMPORTANT NOTE (13 April 2026): This episode has been re-edited & re-uploaded. To hear the updated version, please refresh the feed or clear the app cache & data via the app settings in your device and restart the app.MERCY is best experienced with headphones. For adult audiences only. What is hunger but a blade to his throat?Please see the bottom of the description for the full list of content warnings.A dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fNpkdJpdRrioLqVr8u_7E5tQ2eLnB2Vb2lpVe-d7Shk/edit?usp=sharingCREDITSThis episode features the vocal talents of:James Reece as Lord Paxton Cross / Young PaxtonAustin Sharp as Wayne SawyerAurora Ave-Lallemant as Doctor Daisy GraySneha Kumar as Lila SassoonJay Rossouw (Jay33721) as Gilbert GibbsMatt Doherty as HungerJiho (KoreHan) as The Friendly They (TFT)Madison Diaz (SomethingExtraVA) as Ball Goer #2Fay Roberts as Lady Endora CrossThe voices & the words of the souls belong to:Coco ChankaiGlendarMichael TriccaLeonardo FrattaTaeo AndersonIzzy XLisMicah BumgardnerCat LawrenceAugust Blaine CentauriMadisonLaura AkiKyle WelshIko Marten KiislerD.F.And Dandelion Jack.A big thank you to all for lending us your words and your voices for this episode.MERCY is produced by Madison Diaz.The script supervisor is Matt Doherty. Written, directed, and sound designed by Jae-in Hwan. Visit our website to check out the full cast and crew list, and our socials: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercycastcrew.htmlThe music used in this show can be found here: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercymusic.htmlSFX & Music courtesy of EpidemicSound.com, Freesound.org, and Pixabay.com 'Free Sound Fx's - Background Civil War' courtesy of Estigia Pro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNMXt9koOs)'To Arms' courtesy of Sgt Codie Lynn Williams, Soprano Bugle in G, Marine Corps Bugle CallsTHE DIARIES OF NETOVICIUS THE VAMPIREThis episode’s friend of the show is The Diaries of Netovicius the Vampire, by Hugo Pierre Martin. Please check out the show & give them a follow and some love!Website: https://netovampire.com/RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/f40b8e30/podcast/rssMINNESOTA AID LINKSThe Advocates for Human Rights: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/donateCielo Sin Limites: https://secure.everyaction.com/rNRFm0SWNEKBhn_ntFnAsA2We The Gente: https://wethegente.org/donate/Pow Wow Grounds: https://www.powwowgrounds.com/Minnesota Aid Resource: https://www.advocate.com/news/minnesota-mutual-aid-groups-ice#rebelltitem2CONTENT WARNINGSDepictions & soundscaping of war (incl. explosions and guns)Ableism (incl. internalised ableism and ableist language)Depiction of alcoholism & drug dependence/addiction (opiates)Drug use (opiates)Depictions of chronic painMisogynistic and homophobic languageAcute mental distressChoking and suffocationSelf harmMisophonia (brief quiet chewing, blood and guts, coughing, kissing)Suicidality, mentions of suicide attempts & depressionMention of suicide technique (cutting )Graphic violence & goreMind control & memory lossGraphic depictions of panic attacks & trauma-related anxietyMentions of systemic violenceDepictions and mentions of dead childrenCrying babyGraphic depictions & descriptions of mass graves, bodies, and putrefaction Mentions of religious & cult practicesDepictions & mentions of ghosts, spirits, and soulsGraphic murder (explicit, bloody)Graphic depictions and mentions of child abuse (physical & emotional/neglect), and childhood traumaParental deathEmetophobia (non-graphic, retching)Religious trauma & languageDepiction of adult toysDepiction of illness, fever, delirium & coughing (sepsis)Non-graphic depiction of childbirth & gender-based traumaFire & being burned (non-graphic)Controlling & toxic queer relationshipImplied imprisonment, stalking, physical abuse & threats within said toxic queer relationshipStrangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW: Prominent themes of isolation, systemic oppression, and loss.We're working hard to get the next episode of MERCY to you soon! In the meantime, we are super excited to share an episode from our wonderful friends over at The Mechadova Engine! The Mechadova Engine is an upcoming queer sci-fi steampunk audio drama set in a world entirely confined to steam trains in the sky, and features queer, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and disabled characters.TRANSCRIPT (Turn off browser dark mode): https://ellipsus.com/read/2tES0vyye3PmVjkToCi5pUSHOW DESCRIPTION: The Mechadova Engine follows Log, who has spent their entire life, as far as they can remember, alone inside a single library train carriage in the sky. Their only knowledge of the outside world is limited to books from a long time ago on earth.Log has never thought to question their existence or the world outside, until one day their carriage stops. Here, they meet Tinker, a member of a resistance group, who turns their world upside down. It's a story about meaningless structures, the power of community, and how knowledge is preserved and retold.KICKSTARTER: The Mechadova Engine is currently running a Kickstarter campaign which you can check out at the link below. If you have the means, please do consider donating to bring this wodnerful show to life!https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lumioakes/the-mechadova-engine-steampunk-audio-dramaCASTLog: Timothy RafaelTinker: Rhys TiradoCREWShowrunner/writer: Lumi OakesStory consultant: Timothy RafaelSensitivity Readers: Marisa Ewing-Moody, Besidesthepoint & Mesabzu WodenscildCover art: RawlyxCharacter art: Doodles V. de CastroIntro music: EyreTHE MECHADOVA ENGINE LINKSTranscript: https://ellipsus.com/read/2tES0vyye3PmVjkToCi5pUWebsite: https://mechadovapod.com/Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lumioakes/the-mechadova-engine-steampunk-audio-dramaTumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/mechadova-podBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mechadovapod.bsky.socialStrangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MERCY is best experienced with headphones. For adult audiences only. The Party cook beans, enquire about a manor, and attend a fancy schmancy ball.CW:  Violence and gore; depictions of alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal; graphic depiction of extreme binge drinking (1:04:35-1:07:34) and inebriation; emetophobia (28:34-28:45, 1:10:01-1:10:10); misophonia (drinking: 5:12-5:23; kissing: 1:08:29-1:08:52, 1:09:15-1:09:34); depictions of PTSD and extreme mental distress (panic attacks; audio hallucinations, specifically whispering; and depictions of derealisation & dissociation: 4:49-5:30, 9:38-9:56, 29:09-29:50); ableism and ableist language; classism; misogynistic and homophobic language; mentions of cult practices; and references to religious doctrine (Christianity).This episode features the vocal talents of Austin Sharp, Aurora Ave-Lallemant, Sneha Kumar, James Reece, Matt Doherty, Jay Rossouw (Jay33721), Elias McDonald, Hayden Sullivan, Michelle Kan, and Madison Diaz (SomethingExtraVA).MERCY is produced by Madison Diaz.The script supervisor is Matt Doherty. Written, directed, and sound designed by Jae-in Hwan. Visit our website to check out the full cast and crew list, and our socials: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercycastcrew.htmlThe music used in this show can be found here: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercymusic.htmlFollow us on Bluesky (strangekindstudio.bsky.social) and Tumblr (@strangekindstudio).SFX & Music sourced from EpidemicSound.com, Freesound.org, and Pixabay.com A dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15H2toUQD0z7tGCKHz61BKjmu450HxmHDiv4R6rMitV4/edit?usp=sharingFurther information & details regarding submitting to the Episode 10 casting call is available at the Google form: https://forms.gle/vi2VjjnPHGvHgSNC7Our featured friend of the show is Project Gnosis by MQ Media!Listen to Project Gnosis now on all podcasting platforms or the RSS here: https://feeds.captivate.fm/projectgnosis/Strangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MERCY is best experienced with headphones. For adult audiences only. Jack tells his story and the Party opens a door.CW: Violence & gore, mentions of suicide attempt and suicidality, mentions of genocide, graphic depictions of historical racism & colonial violence (incl. lynchings, arson, and riots), racist slurs, graphic depiction of murder & death (22:12-22:45), alcohol use, smoking, mentions of drug addiction, sexual language (innuendos), themes of assimilation & colonialism, and misophonia (blood & gurgling at 22:12-22:45; coughing at 11:12-11:24).If you are feeling suicidal, you are not alone and there is support available. You deserve to feel supported.You can find help at the IASP website which lists hotlines and resources for your locality: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/If you are considering suicide or self-harm or are in danger, please call your local emergency services immediately to ensure your safety.This episode features the vocal talents of Tenest Tang, Sneha Kumar, Aurora Ave-Lallemant, Austin Sharp, James Reece, Michelle Kan, Madison Diaz (SomethingExtraVA), and Matt Doherty.MERCY is produced by Madison Diaz.The script supervisor is Matt Doherty. Written, directed, and sound designed by Jae-in Hwan. Visit our website to check out the full cast and crew list, and our socials: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercycastcrew.htmlThe music used in this show can be found here: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercymusic.htmlSFX & Music sourced from EpidemicSound.com, Freesound.org, and Pixabay.com A dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rxgRmIo_SdbQKL5zXEpRNWEXutKCNgmxXW8CKx_tL_E/edit?usp=sharingOur featured friend of the show is The Foxkey Chronicles: What Hides Beneath by Cole & Eleana Hill!Listen to The Foxkey Chronicles now on all podcasting platforms or the RSS here: https://shows.acast.com/the-foxkey-chroniclesThe line quoted in this episode's tagline is from one of the many poems carved into the walls of Angel Island, where Chinese immigrants (amongst others who weren't wealthy and/or European) were detained upon arrival. The full poem, labelled 'Poem 19', reads:"Since our parting, another autumn has yet arrived.I have become a distant traveller of far away places.Remembering your great kindness, I know in my heart I have not repaid you.Hoping to see good tidings, I’ll depend on writing letters." You can read about the history of Angel Island here: https://www.aiisf.org/historyStrangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MERCY is best experienced with headphones. For adult audiences only. CW: Graphic depictions of alcoholism, ableist language, depiction of acute mental illness & distress, depiction of grief & loss, misogynistic language, homophobic language, mentions of derealisation & disassociation, violence, mentions of slavery, suicide attempt by jumping (general scene featuring suicidal character from 1:09:51-1:12:40, suicide attempt itself from 1:12:17- 1:12:40), and misophonia (relevant timestamps below).MISOPHONIA TIMESTAMPSDrinking: 5:20-5:32, 5:35-5:39, 30:36-30:40, 50:50-50:55, 1:05:34-1:05:41, 1:06:10-1:06:15, 1:06:52-1:06:56Eating: 30:13-30:32If you are feeling suicidal, you are not alone and there is support available. You deserve to feel supported.You can find help at the IASP website which lists hotlines and resources for your locality: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/If you are considering suicide or self-harm or are in danger, please call your local emergency services immediately to ensure your safety.The party debrief over coffee and rocks, and get spectacularly frilled for a dinner party.This episode features the vocal talents of Austin Sharp, Aurora Ave-Lallemant, Sneha Kumar, Bree Frankel, James Reece, and Tenest Tang.MERCY is produced by Madison Diaz.The script supervisor is Matt Doherty. Written, directed, and sound designed by Jae-in Hwan. Visit our website to check out the full cast and crew list, and our socials: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercycastcrew.htmlThe music used in this show can be found here: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercymusic.htmlSFX & Music sourced from EpidemicSound.com, Freesound.org, and Pixabay.com A dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sFuEiw4fz-Ee0X8uAWlWzEkwgPhXH6wq2sBeaEaqroI/edit?usp=sharingOur featured friend of the show is Dead West by Devin Steffens!Listen to Dead West now on all podcasting platforms or the RSS here:https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/dead-westStrangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MERCY is best experienced with headphones. For adult audiences only. CW: Depictions of grief and funerals, religious language, religious entities, non-graphic depiction of mass suicide, mentions of incest, homophobia, misogyny, mentions of femicide, violence & gore, depictions of alcoholism, jump scare (29:42), ableism, and ableist language.Gray & Sawyer take on their first case and go on an unexpected work outing.This episode features the vocal talents of Aurora Ave-Lallemant, Austin Sharp, Sneha Kumar, Matt Doherty, and Hayden Sullivan.MERCY is produced by Madison Diaz.The script supervisor is Matt Doherty. Written, directed, and sound designed by Jae-in Hwan. Visit our website to check out the full cast and crew list, and our socials: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercycastcrew.htmlThe music used in this show can be found here: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercymusic.htmlSFX & Music sourced from EpidemicSound, Freesound, and Pixabay.A dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pxkx47U9XWS3GBdb2rRJKjl6tYNfte2N8_mS7DiOQ34/edit?usp=sharingOur featured friend of the show is Project Gnosis by MQ Media!Listen to Project Gnosis now on all podcasting platforms or the RSS here: https://feeds.captivate.fm/projectgnosis/You can check out the Project Gnosis comic here on Webtoons:https://m.webtoons.com/en/canvas/dead-and-red/list?title_no=1035867https://m.webtoons.com/en/canvas/project-gnosis/list?title_no=1031517Strangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MERCY is best experienced with headphones. For adult audiences only. CW: Depictions of alcoholism, misophonia (drinking sounds at 12:40-12:44, 12:58-13:01, 13:19-13:24, 19:56-19:59, 21:04-21:08), self-harm, ableism, ableist language, misogynistic language, graphic depiction of murder, and gunshots. Gray & Sawyer head to the Heart of the Badlands, Mercy, where they bicker and drink and get their fortunes told. This episode features the vocal talents of Austin Sharp, Aurora Ave-Lallemant, Matt Doherty, Madison Diaz, and Sneha Kumar.MERCY is produced by Madison Diaz.The script supervisor is Matt Doherty. Written, directed, and sound designed by Jae-in Hwan. Visit our website to check out the full cast and crew list, and our socials: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercycastcrew.htmlThe music used in this show can be found here: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/mercymusic.htmlSFX & Music sourced from EpidemicSound.A dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jHB0P4ADnPDbLCVclFBO2eqAzwJvkZE3ldD95tS1oqA/edit?usp=sharingStrangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This trailer is best experienced with headphones. For adult audiences only.MERCY: A Queer Eldritch Western is about Wayne Sawyer, a grizzled jack-of-all-trades, who helps the folk of Mercy for a mere pittance. When he meets the bizarre and enigmatic academic, Doctor Daisy Gray, they are both thrust into dangers beyond human comprehension. MERCY is a queer eldritch audio drama set during the tail end of the wild west.This trailer features the vocal talents of Austin Sharp, Aurora Ave-Lallemant, Sneha Kumar, Matt Doherty, Madison Diaz, and James Reece.MERCY is produced by Madison Diaz.The script supervisor for MERCY is Matt Doherty. The writer, director, and sound designer is Jae-in Hwan.Visit our website to check out the full cast and crew list, and our socials: https://strangekindstudio.weebly.com/whoarewe.htmlThe featured song is Pembroke Pines by Walt Adams, courtesy of Epidemic SoundSFX & Music is sourced from Epidemic SoundStrangekind Studio is a not-for-profit collective that spotlights diverse, intersectional stories and characters. You can support the show by leaving us a rating and spreading the word <3If you'd like to say howdy, you can get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, or our website. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.