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 Tecosky See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this emotionally resonant and poetic episode of The Passage, the Ferryman navigates the complex structural and emotional landscapes crafted by one of America's most iconic figures. Frank Lloyd Wright, voiced by Michael Cooke (Mulholland Drive), a visionary architect, designer, and educator, awaits in a realm of his own creation—a self-designed purgatory where the lines of genius and sorrow blur. As they traverse this meticulously constructed space, a manifestation of Wright's philosophy of organic architecture harmonizing with humanity and the environment, the Ferryman engages with the architect in a dialogue that spans the spectrum of creativity and tragedy. Wright reflects on his illustrious career, a span of seven decades during which he shaped the architectural movements of the twentieth century and left an indelible mark.  However, the conversation soon delves deeper, into the shadows of a personal tragedy that haunted Wright—the brutal mass murder at his beloved Taliesin estate. While he was away, his mistress, her children, and his servants were mercilessly killed, a horrifying act that imprinted itself upon his soul and cast a long shadow over his achievements and days. In this episode, the Ferryman becomes a visitor in Wright's self-imposed exile, a space where the great architect grapples with the duality of his legacy—of monumental creations and an intimate catastrophe. Wright confronts the haunting questions of regret and blame, pondering the price of greatness and the fragility of the human spirit amidst the structures meant to celebrate and shelter it. In this episode of The Passage, listeners are invited to explore the inner chambers of Frank Lloyd Wright's mind and heart, where the foundations of brilliance are interwoven with the tremors of personal loss and remorse. It’s a journey through the corridors of creativity and the hidden alcoves of grief, where the blueprint of regret forms the architecture of a soul seeking peace and understanding. Written by Christeene Alcosiba See omnystudio.com/listener [https://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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this poignant and introspective episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced with the profound depth and empathy of Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), encounters a soul whose name became a symbol, a headline that seemed to speak volumes about the state of society. Kitty Genovese, voiced by Allie MacDonald, a young woman whose tragic fate sparked outrage and introspection, takes a cab ride across the void, her story a mosaic of unfulfilled dreams and a narrative hijacked by sensationalism. As the taxi glides through the misty realms of memory and myth, Kitty reflects on her life beyond the infamous headlines. She shares her hopes, her aspirations, and the vibrant life she led—a life rich with potential and promise, yet brutally cut short on the streets of New York. Her story, for too long, was not her own, morphed by the media into a stark emblem of societal apathy and the supposed decay of communal compassion. In this episode, the Ferryman listens intently as Kitty reclaims her narrative, her voice a gentle yet powerful rebuke to the decades of misrepresentation. She speaks of the people she loved, the dreams she nurtured, and the life she lived, not just the final moments that came to define her in the public eye. Kitty's story challenges the listeners to reflect on the narratives we construct and the truths we choose to see or ignore. Her presence in the Ferryman's cab is a reminder that behind every headline, every statistic, is a human story, rich and complex, deserving of understanding and dignity. Written by Mykal Alder June. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.