#wakers

[podcake]

PODCAKE'S TOP REVIEWED PODCASTS OF 2025

i've always wanted to do one of those end of the year send offs, and what better way to sum up another exciting year of podcake then with my personal rewards show, commending all the wonderful audio drama i reviewed this year?

bear in mind, that these are shows that i reviewed throughout 2025, not strictly shows that debuted during 2025.

also, even if i really wanted to, i was only able to hand out so many rewards for the grand total of thirteen shows i covered, so, unfortunately, not all audio dramas i talked about this year will be featured.

now, let's get started! ♡

receiving the reward for best original music is childish

childish was a brief listen but also a very fun, very punchy one that makes the most of its short runtime. it's really the dialogue that did it for me in childish, but i simply can't deny my love for its music, being one of few audio dramas out there with a rap-centric soundtrack.

my review of childish: the podcast musical

receiving the reward for most feel-good listen is life with leo(h)

i have plans to do a full deep dive for the works of @atypicalartists so consider this commemoration of 2021's life with leo(h) as a sort of precedent to my plans for "atypical august".

life with leo(h) to its very core is an adorable, sci-fi(ish) romantic comedy, filled to the brink with good vibes, good humor, and good characters, which makes for an all around strong package for anyone looking for an endearing, low stakes listen.

my review of life with leo(h)

receiving the reward for best worldbuilding is @killjamxxx

killjam xxx is yet another audio drama darling from the we are not alive crew, an amazing addition to the 2025 line up and one of the most innovative out there.

dubbing it as a "post-punk" entry to the audio drama scene, the world of killjam is as brutal as it is brightly colored, a bold cyberpunk endeavor never seen before that gets its hooks into you from bubbly start to bloody finish.

my review of killjam xxx

receiving the reward for most bingeworthy is @brimstonevalleymall

when it came to figuring out my halloween recommendations, there was none i was more eager to revisit again than brimstone valley mall-the show has demons, that counts for something.

brimstone valley mall is simply a fun time, and anyone with a particular craving for nineties memorabilia and the early stages of the goth scene simply must check it out.

brimstone comes with a delightfully devilish two seasons packed with excellent humor, a magnetic ensemble cast, and the kind of playful edginess that gives the entire series a one-of-a-kind attitude.

my review of brimstone valley mall

receiving the reward for best sound design is dreamboy

adding another splash of insanity and erotica to my summer was night vale presents', dreamboy, a weird and wonderfully produced hidden gem from 2018 that i simply struggle to put into words.

which is okay because to simply listen to dreamboy is a riveting experience in itself, this gorgeously detailed sound design feeding into its strong music motif makes an already great show even greater

my review of dreamboy

receiving the reward for best production art is hearthbound

kudos to @straylungs for creating some gorgeous title cards that truly represent the energy of their show, hearthbound: an untelling of the odyssey!

i once did an article about the importance of presentation in the audio drama space, and hearthbound's rustic charm and homey yet melancholy vibe is encapsulated perfectly by its stunning collection of original illustrations.

my review of hearthbound: an untelling of the odyssey

receiving the reward for most atmospheric is the sulphuric secrets

filling out my late spring review was the sulpuric secrets, a gripping and excellently creepy horror show detailing the whereabouts of cults and conspiracy theories with a sort of unnerving, clinical detachment to its narrative style.

the show's off-putting, atmospheric vibe and blending of reality and fiction really left an impression on me, and while i can't say i've listened to many horror shows this year, this one definitely got my skin crawling.

my review of the sulphuric secrets

receiving the reward for favorite newcomer is @wakerscast

i've already voiced my appreciation for wakers, even making it my special entry for tink media's 2025 audio delicacies, but i'd be doing myself a disservice to not properly honor it with the prize for my favorite 2025 newcomer.

many wonderful 2025 audio dramas came out this year, but something about wakers really stuck with me, and i look forward to seeing more of it hopefully sooner than later.

my review of wakers

thank you all so much for reading and i look forward to making these little reward shows a regular thing going forward! (better late than never, right?)

and thank you to all the audio drama creators out there who filled my 2025 with so much wonder and discovery, be it rekindling my love for old favorites or finding new ones.

and, if you've read this far, consider supporting the blog and following for more audio drama excellence!

♡ i'll see you all next year for a positively pink 2026! ♡

[fictionfrequency1]

Audio Drama Sunday - 31st August

I’ve had the world’s longest to-listen list going on my phone for a while now, and I’ve finally listened to at least the first episode of all of them! After kind of narrowing it down, there’s only… 64 podcasts on there.

It’ll get narrowed down further. Hope everyone reading this has had a good week!

@woodenovercoats — Season 2 Episode 4: The Sweet, Sweet Taste of Death: okay, so I’ve already listened to this one. However, I think it was @fyeahaudiodrama who reblogged a bunch of Wooden Overcoats stuff this week and I remembered how emotional I got over “Because if you went to prison for the rest of your life, it'd be a stupid waste”. How Eric goes from clearly thinking Antigone’s ideas are weird, to being the only person in town who just really enjoys her chocolates. Antigone and Eric have the best character development in the podcast, and what with the upcoming live show, it’s a good time for a re-listen. ⚰️

@wakerscast — Episode One: Arnold: I can’t believe I’ve never listened to this! It reminds me a lot of the tv series In The Flesh, except these risen dead were never bloodthirsty monsters. Instead, they’ve just been reanimated and are all a bit disturbed to be brought back. They’re homeless, anstonished and often visibly injured. Wakers a very thoughtful take on the ‘undead’ genre, and shows all the bureaucratic, boring parts of a person rebuilding their life. It’s also a comedy.💀

@ameliapodcast— Episode 31 - Episode 34: it’s been a minute since I last listened to The Amelia Project, and I was kind of gutted about everyone being separated. Luckily, hearing the story of Alvina and Amelia meeting, and learning even more about how competent Alvina is, was a real treat. That and linking the plot up with the Interviewer again. It’s all got very complicated and surprising — but I was convinced into listening to the Christmas Episode out of order a while ago, so I figure things are still sort-of looking up. ☕️

Academicasaurus — Episode 1 - Episode 2: sure, it’s clearly a snappy academic comedy, but I’m getting very mysterious vibes from this one. Who is that independent scholar? Why did only the Charles Dickens books get set on fire? Who or what is laughing mischievously at the end of the episodes? There are similar vibes to archival horror podcasts, but more laid-back and university-feeling. 🦕

Havoc Town — 1|Bury the Hatchet: that charming stranger is evil. I hedged my bets when I was suspicious about Arthur in The Holmwood Foundation, but Mr never-mind-my-suit, I-was-going-to-donate-it-to-charity, is undoubtably suspicious. This podcast a fascinating take on vampires and amazing actors. I loved the way the vampire origins are rooted in this historical, religious context and the comparison to how infectious diseases were treated. I need to see this tragedy unfold, get confirmation on who’s behind it, and learn how Corinne will fight back. 🪓

[haveyoulistenedtothispodcast]

Have you listened to Wakers (2024-)?

Yes

Partially

No

Never heard of it

Voting ended onAug 31, 2025

Summary:

A dark comedy about the not so peaceful afterlife of the undead who must adjust to a society that either rejects them or has moved on without them.

[ninetypercentspoon]

Fanart of the Wakers podcast ^^

[wakerscast]

Planning for things to come.

[audicinal]

Indie Frequencies Review: WAKERS

Today I talk about WAKERS! @wakerscast has a lot of content warnings, so read carefully and listen safely: necrophilia, substance abuse, foul language, graphic depictions of violence, self-harm, suicide, and brief mentions of sexual assault. If you can stomach it though, it's a great show!

I feel like I was a little hard on this show but rest assured that's just because I love it SO much. Even the minor aspects I complained about are not drawbacks for me, they're just things that caught me off guard or that I have yet to understand! I have nothing but love for this show and I HIGHLY recommend it.

Here's where you can learn more about Indie Frequencies and listen to the latest review.

And here's a discussion post for WAKERS if you've already listened!

Indie Frequencies

Episodes release every Sunday. Indie Frequencies is a show where I do short reviews of small audio dramas: the less well-known, the better.

[tuna-moon-draws]

My best friend published her book!

Want a sci-fy story that breaks the mold? Adult characters who act like real people? Action adventure and humor? GIANT GLOWING SLUGS? You'll love this book.

available on Amazon

[anastasiaoftheironwood]

Daily Poem: Wakers ~ Dorothy Walters

Wakers ~ Dorothy Walters

When some awake, they arrive at a specified place.

It has objects, boundaries, things waiting to greet them, things with names.

When they rise they walk with assurance into the next room outfitted with cups and saucers and provisions to eat. They have established schedules and are ready to accomplish things.

Others awaken and are not sure where they are. Nothing seems familiar and they wonder why they are there. Vague memories still linger of the night dream world, or of past existences in other settings and realms.

The are not sure how they got here or why. They sense they are in contact with something they can’t quite name, but they know it is important. They are certain they have a purpose but its instructions are not completely clear.

This is often the path of the mystic and saint, the invisible ones whose quiet contemplations and radiant creations save the world.