Best Phonograph Podcasts (2025)

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Bonus Episode - Falcon 2: Mechanon

Play Pause

11d ago

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It’s another thrilling bonus episode of the podcast and this time out we’re meddling in space and time as we take on the role of special time agent Falcon in Mechanon, the second book in the science fiction gamebook series by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson with art by Nic Weeks and Geoff Senior. Can this be the entry to show me exactly how you write …

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Episode 63 - Sorcery 4: The Crown of Kings

17d ago

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We’ve reached the end of another journey as we play and critically examine The Crown of Kings, book four in the Sorcery series by Steve Jackson with art by the wonderful John Blanche. It’s been an epic quest but now only the fortress of Mampang and its vile archmage stand between us and ultimate success. How does the adventure go? Listen along to f…

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Bonus Episode - Deathtrap Dungeon 3

1M ago

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We’re playing something a little different this episode and we take a look at Deathtrap Dungeon 3, a fan written sequel to Deathtrap Dungeon and Trial of Champions. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill and with multiple authors there’s a lot that could go wrong. How does it land? Listen along to find out. Deathtrap Dungeon 3 was written by Ken B…

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Phonograph - 99% Invisible 49:32

1M ago49:32

49:32

If you're a fan of Anxious Machine, you might enjoy Rob's new show Phonograph, an audio zine about podcasts. On this episode, as the 15th anniversary of 99% Invisible approaches, Rob and his co-host Britta Greene dig into four very different episodes from the first four years of that show’s run (as well as the story of the time Rob met Roman Mars b…

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The_New_Radio-Phonograph 29:13

2M ago29:13

29:13

The_New_Radio-Phonograph

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Inventing Motion Pictures with Sound: Thomas Edison, WKL Dixon, and a Broken Cylinder 31:13

2M ago31:13

31:13

The remarkable story of how a stick of Wrigley's chewing gum rescued a priceless piece of cinema history unfolds in this fascinating exploration of Edison, innovation, and overlooked genius. When historian Jack Stanley joins us to discuss a historic photograph from Edison's laboratory, what emerges is an incredible tale of rediscovery and ingenuity…

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Episode 62 - Sorcery 3: The Seven Serpents

2M ago

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The third book of the Sorcery series is in some ways a retread of the first book in that the mission is simply to cross a wilderness. This time however there’s a problem, seven problems in fact, in the shape of seven magic snakes that are carrying news of the mission to the evil arch-mage of Mampang. How does our gallant hero fare in the Baklands a…

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Worrying_About_Worrying 28:46

2M ago28:46

28:46

Worrying_About_Worrying

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Bonus Episode - What Lies Beneath The Clock Tower

2M ago

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This bonus episode we’re doing something a little different with Margaret Killjoy’s interactive novel What Lies Beneath the Clock Tower, a steampunk infused tale of underground kingdoms, goblins, gnomes, and bloody revolution. It’s a chance to see the breadth of stories you can tell using adventure gamebooks and a welcome chance to talk about anarc…

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These DIY modifications will make your antique phonographs sound incredible again. 46:10

2M ago46:10

46:10

Jack Stanley and Brett Hart reveal a revolutionary method for restoring Edison diamond disc reproducers using coin holders. Their innovative technique transforms the sound quality of century-old phonographs by addressing "reproducer arthritis" and bringing back vibrant audio reproduction that rivals or exceeds the original factory performance. • Co…

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Guests_Bing_Crosby_Lindsay_Crosby 25:05

3M ago25:05

25:05

Guests_Bing_Crosby_Lindsay_Crosby

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Episode 61 - Sorcery 2: Kharé - Cityport of Traps

3M ago

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Having survived a walking holiday in the Shamutanti Hills we now get to enjoy a citybreak in Kharé, a cityport known for having the most violent and paranoid locals anywhere in the known world. All that needs to happen is to walk from one side of the city to the other. What could possibly go wrong? Listen along to find out.…

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Intellectual_Curiosity 29:03

3M ago29:03

29:03

Intellectual_Curiosity

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Edison's Diamond Discs: The Acoustic Marvel With Brett Hurt and Jack Stanley 1:20:44

3M ago1:20:44

1:20:44

What happens when the most brilliant mind in sound recording technology insists on controlling every aspect of his creation—including what music deserves to be recorded? The fascinating story of Edison's Diamond Discs reveals both technical genius and commercial tragedy. A conversation with Brett Hurt and Jack Stanley. Developed around 1908-1909, t…

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The_Third_Degree 31:01

3M ago31:01

31:01

The_Third_Degree

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Bonus Episode - Choose Your Own Adventure: Prisoner of the Ant People Vs Outlaws of Sherwood Forest

3M ago

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We’re on the old school track this episode as we tackle two classic Choose Your Own Adventure books from the mid 1980s, Prisoner of the Ant People by R. A. Montgomery, and Outlaws of Sherwood Forest by Ellen Kushner. But which will be better, the one that sounds like a 50s B-movie or the one that sounds like a 30s swashbuckler? Listen along to find…

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The_Boys_Night_Out 28:50

4M ago28:50

28:50

The_Boys_Night_Out

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Ozzie_is_in_a_Rut 29:29

4M ago29:29

29:29

Ozzie_is_in_a_Rut

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Haunted_House 28:45

4M ago28:45

28:45

Haunted_House

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Episode 60 - Sorcery 1: The Shamutanti Hills

4M ago

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We’re taking a break from the mainline Fighting Fantasy books to work through the Sorcery series by Steve Jackson which are Fighting Fantasy books in all but name honestly. We’re starting at the beginning with The Shamutanti Hills. With a fancy new magic system and art by legendary UK illustrator and artist John Blanche this has all the ingredients…

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Matchmaking 29:26

4M ago29:26

29:26

Matchmaking

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Redeemer!

4M ago

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It’s a bittersweet bonus episode as we bid a fond farewell to the Way of the Tiger series of ninja themed gamebooks. The final volume Redeemer is by David Walters, Mark Smith, and Jamie Thomson with art by a variety of different talents. Can this series bow out strong with a book more than twenty five years in the making? Listen along to find out. …

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Ozzie_Promises_to_Take_the_Boys_Hiking 29:10

4M ago29:10

29:10

Ozzie_Promises_to_Take_the_Boys_Hiking

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Jury_Duty 24:56

5M ago24:56

24:56

Jury_Duty

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Retreat_from_Civilization 29:28

5M ago29:28

29:28

Retreat_from_Civilization

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Episode 59 - Curse of the Mummy

5M ago

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We’ve made it to the end of the original run of Fighting Fantasy books but are we ending on a high note? With Jonathan Green and Martin McKenna involved the talent is certainly there for a classic but you’ll have to listen along to find out whether they manage to land this final outing.By Fantastic Fights

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New_Dress 25:14

5M ago25:14

25:14

New_Dress

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Disintegrating_Family 29:00

5M ago29:00

29:00

Disintegrating_Family

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Inferno!

5M ago

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In a change from the advertised episode we’re playing the penultimate Way of the Tiger gamebook (actually the last one to be released during the original run in the 80s). Our tireless hero has tried their hand at diplomacy, statecraft, and commanding armies in the field. What’s left? Why only a descent into the fabled Rift, also known as The Bowels…

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March_3_Dilemma 23:43

6M ago23:43

23:43

March_3_Dilemma

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Preserving History: One Record at a Time: Our Conversation with DJ Mac! 58:58

6M ago58:58

58:58

Time travel exists—and it sounds like a needle dropping on shellac. DJ Mac (Michael Cumella) transports us into the world of antique phonograph collecting, where century-old machines breathe life into forgotten voices from the past. As administrator of the Facebook group "Antique Phonograph Enthusiasts," Mac has created a haven where veteran collec…

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Bowling_Tournament 26:03

6M ago26:03

26:03

Bowling_Tournament

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Episode 58 - Revenge of the Vampire

6M ago

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We’re on the penultimate book from the first run of Fighting Fantasy novels and it’s also writer Keith Martin’s swan song after eight books. Revenge of the Vampire is a direct sequel to the excellent Vault of the Vampire and sees Martin re-united with artist Martin McKenna. It’s a great creative pairing but is Revenge of the Vampire on the same lev…

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Ozzie_Runs_For_Public_Office 25:04

6M ago25:04

25:04

Ozzie_Runs_For_Public_Office