The Passage

In this hauntingly evocative episode, the ferryman, brought to life with the profound resonance of Dan Fogler's voice, guides a soul whose legacy is as complex as it is misunderstood. Mary Mallon, known to history as Typhoid Mary, voiced by Therese McLaughlin, steps aboard, her story a chilling reminder of the fine line between victim and villain, between innocence and culpability. As the vessel navigates the murky waters of moral ambiguity, Mary recounts her life, marked by an invisible specter that cast a long shadow over her existence. This "shadow man," a personification of death and disease, becomes a constant companion, a dark figure lurking in the peripheries of her vision, a harbinger of the outbreaks that follow in her wake. In this episode, we delve into the depths of Mary's psyche, exploring the experience of being branded a pariah, the first known asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in the United States. Quarantined for nearly three decades, Mary's existence became a living testament to the fear and misunderstanding surrounding infectious diseases– a dread that is alive and well today. But beneath the surface of this tragic tale lies a deeper question: Was her "shadow man" merely a monster, the embodiment of the death she unwittingly spread, or was he her ally, a warning of the unseen dangers she posed? As Mary reflects on her life, she reveals the anguish and defiance of a woman caught in the gears of the Industrial Revolution, witnessing first-hand the suffering of workers and the impoverished. Did she weaponize herself against the wealthy families she served, turning her condition into an instrument of vengeance or retribution for the injustices she observed? Written by Nicholas TecoskySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this mesmerizing and introspective episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced by Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), ushers in a passenger whose journey through the realms of consciousness transformed a generation. Timothy Leary, voiced by Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks / Silicon Valley), an emblem of the psychedelic revolution and a figure of boundless controversy, steps aboard, his legacy a kaleidoscope of enlightenment, rebellion, and the quest for transcendence. As they navigate the swirling mists of perception and reality, Leary recounts his odyssey—a saga marked by his advocacy for psychedelic drugs, his countless encounters with the law, and his daring escapes from the confines of societal norms. Lauded by some as a brave neuronaut and a hero of American consciousness, and vilified by others as the most dangerous man in America, Leary's life is a testament to the power of ideas to ignite change and challenge the status quo. In this episode, the Ferryman delves beyond Leary's counter-culture exploits and confrontational persona, uncovering the multifaceted individual behind the myth. Leary reflects on his journey, from his groundbreaking research in psychology to his role as a pied piper of the mind-expanding sixties, inviting listeners to reconsider the man whose mantra, "Turn on, tune in, drop out," became the soundtrack of an era. But as the journey reaches its zenith, a sobering revelation emerges—despite his mastery in escaping the physical and mental confines of the conventional world, there are fates from which even the most adept escape artist cannot flee. Leary confronts the ultimate trip, a voyage from which there is no return, and in doing so, he is forced to face the essence of his own legacy and the ripples it left in the fabric of society and individual consciousness. In this episode of The Passage listeners are invited to embark on a journey through the mind and legacy of Timothy Leary, exploring the delicate interplay between freedom and consequence, enlightenment and delusion. Traverse the uncharted territories of the human psyche, where the tales of Timothy Leary, the Psychedelic Sage, challenges our perceptions of reality and legacy. Tune in, and join us on the final trip, where the boundaries of consciousness are transcended. Written by Rob Mosca.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hollywood, California, 1932. In this poignant and introspective episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced by the compelling Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), encounters a soul whose tragic end is as iconic as the Hollywood sign she leapt from. Peg Entwistle, voiced by Sinéad D’arcy, a name forever etched in Hollywood's lore, steps into the limelight one last time, her passage to the afterlife marked by the soft purr of a limousine's engine. As the vehicle glides through the mists of memory and regret, Peg recounts her story, a narrative steeped in the glitter and shadows of the entertainment industry. With only one film to her name, her ambition to be a real actress—a beacon of integrity and artistry in a sea of commercialism—remains a poignant testament to her dreams. Peg reflects on the complex struggle between art and commerce, between the authentic self and the personas crafted by studio magnates. Her tale is one of aspiration and despair, an intricate dance between the dazzling allure of fame and the stark reality of an industry that manufactures dreams with one hand while shattering them with the other. Was Peg Entwistle a victim of a merciless entertainment machine, a system that viewed actors as commodities in the relentless pursuit of profit? Or was her downfall a consequence of her own self-doubt, a personal tragedy amplified by the unforgiving spotlight of Hollywood? As the limousine journeys through the ethereal landscape, the Ferryman listens, his presence a silent witness to the unfolding drama. Peg's story is a mirror reflecting the eternal struggle of artists throughout the ages—seeking validation and meaning in a world that often values the superficial over the substantive. In this episode of The Passage, listeners are invited to explore the fragile boundary between ambition and despair, between the radiant illusions of stardom and the stark realities that lurk behind the silver screen. Written by Kit Fay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonestown, Guyana. November 18, 1978. In this chilling and thought-provoking episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, with his voice resonating with the depth and gravitas of Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), confronts a figure whose name is synonymous with betrayal and tragedy. Jim Jones, voiced by Scott Poythress, the charismatic and manipulative leader responsible for the Jonestown Massacre, steps aboard, his silver tongue ready to weave a narrative of justification and delusion. As his car traverses the murky waters of morality and madness, Jim Jones attempts to cast himself in the light of a misunderstood revolutionary, a man who sought to offer sanctuary to those disillusioned with the American dream. He speaks of his vision for a utopia, a haven for those who lost faith in society and yearned to belong to a community that promised equality, love, and salvation. Yet, the Ferryman listens with a knowing silence, for the air is heavy with the unspoken truths of the horrors that unfolded under Jones's command. The specters of Jonestown loom in the shadows, a grim reminder of the lives lost to the poisoned chalice of blind devotion and the dangerous allure of absolute power. Jim Jones, the master manipulator, tries to paint his actions as noble, his intentions pure, but the echoes of the past speak louder than his serpentine words. Hell awaits him, a reckoning for the souls he led astray, for the innocence he shattered, and for the ultimate betrayal of the trust bestowed upon him by those who sought hope and found despair. In this episode of The Passage, listeners are invited to confront the darkest corners of human nature, where the search for belonging and meaning can lead to the abyss of fanaticism and destruction. Written by E.M. Westover.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this visionary and introspective episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced by Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), welcomes a soul whose pen crafted worlds and whose imagination reshaped the boundaries of science fiction. Octavia Butler voiced by Juliette Jeffers, a luminary of speculative storytelling and the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, embarks on her final journey, her passage as unique and profound as her literary legacy. As they traverse the ethereal realms of the afterlife, Octavia reflects on her life's journey—from her humble beginnings in Pasadena, California, where she was raised by her widowed mother, to her rise as a beacon of innovation and diversity in the world of science fiction. Despite her shyness and the racial and societal barriers that stood against her, Butler found solace and strength in the pages of fantasy novels and the infinite possibilities of her own writing. In this episode, the Ferryman guides Octavia through a passage that mirrors her own narrative style, a landscape where the surreal meets the profound. They encounter the incarnations of her dark and strange creations, each an echo of Butler's fearless exploration of the human condition, of identity, and of the tangled threads of choice and destiny. As she navigates this dreamscape of her own making, Butler's journey is not just a passage but a celebration of her resilience, her unparalleled vision, and her indelible impact on the genre of science fiction. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transcendent nature of storytelling. In this episode of The Passage, listeners are invited to voyage into the rich tapestry of Octavia Butler's mind, where each twist and turn reveals the depth and complexity of her imagination. Written by Nicki Salcedo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 6, 1938. The Mississippi Delta. The Badlands… In this hauntingly melodic episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced by the enigmatic Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), finds himself aboard a steam engine train, its whistle echoing through the twilight of the afterlife. As the train slows to a halt, a figure steps into the dim light, guitar in hand, a shadowy silhouette against the misty backdrop—Robert Johnson, voiced by Tristan Mack Wilds (The Wire / Red Tails), the legendary bluesman whose music was said to be born at the crossroads of despair and genius. There's not much left of Robert Johnson on Earth, just a handful of records and a legacy shrouded in mystery. But here, in the liminal space between worlds, his story unfolds, a tale as haunting as his music. The Ferryman listens to his presence a silent invitation for the soul of the blues to sing its truth. Johnson's life was a symphony of sorrow and longing, his music the voice of a nation's grief, suffering, and aching need to belong. He speaks of rejecting the life of a working man for the existence of a wandering spirit, a choice that led him down a path lined with loss and lament. The tragic death of his wife while he was away haunts his melodies, a reminder of the price paid for the life he chose. As the train chugs through the ethereal landscape, the conversation turns to the legend that has immortalized Johnson—the tale of selling his soul to the devil at a dusty Mississippi crossroads in exchange for unrivaled mastery of the blues. The Ferryman, a collector of stories, is intrigued. Is this myth the key to Johnson's otherworldly talent, or merely a metaphor for the sacrifices and dark bargains made in the pursuit of greatness? But Robert Johnson has a proposition of his own, a final tune to play in this twilight journey. His fingers dance on the strings, the notes a whisper of light and shadow. What does a man who's already gambled with the devil offer to the Ferryman of souls? This episode of The Passage delves into the depths of the human spirit, where pain and artistry intertwine, and the crossroads represent the eternal choices that define us. Join us as we ride the rails of fate with Robert Johnson, his life a testament to the power of music to capture the heart of a nation's soul. Written by Steven Williams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This road is not on any map. In the shadows of the afterlife, where time stands still, the Ferryman of souls guides America's most influential spirits to their eternal rest. Here, the price of passage isn't coin or gold, but something far more precious—their stories. These are tales of triumph and tragedy, moments that shook the foundations of the nation and the ripples they left behind. Join us on a journey through the veils of history and the corridors of the afterlife, where the souls of America's past reveal their deepest secrets and their most profound legacies. Each episode, a new spirit, a new story, a new revelation about the threads that weave the tapestry of American culture. These are the tales that shaped the nation. Welcome to The Passage. Created by Dan Bush (Tomorrow’s Monsters, The Mantawauk Caves) and writer, Nicholas Tecosky, and a co-production of iHeartPodcasts, and Psychopia Pictures, The Passage is a riveting, immersive anthology. Starring Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead) as the Ferryman, and featuring performances by Wes Studi (The Last of the Mohicans / Geronimo: An American Legend), Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks / Silicon Valey), Tristan Mack Wilds (The Wire / Red Tails), and Scott Haze (Child of God / Jurassic World Dominion). Headphones are recommended.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.