LifeLabNotes

You've got big plans. Worked out every detail. Thought of every contingency. Except one. "12 Elves 'til Christmas" is a story about a dream, a machine, and half a team. [Explicit -- One swear word, bleeped.] Presented by Life Lab Notes - field observations from the lab of Life in a storytelling podcast.  12 Elves 'til Christmas features the voice talents of Claire Barnhart, Keith Ferguson, Ernie G...

Big news! Life Lab Notes has stumbled upon the remote meeting link and password for the weekly meeting of a certain local chapter of a certain group of elves. Obviously, we cannot divulge our sources. Listen in as Carol tries to control the bunch, especially Dibbles, who's in a mood.  Featuring the voice talents of Claire Barnhart, Keith Ferguson, Ernie Gilbert, Judith Goldstein, Kristen Smith, In...

If a radio play and an audio book met at a haunted campfire to share a chilling account of mayhem that takes place in hell and the parking lot of a real estate office, it would sound like this: Whistlebottom - a trespasser's tale. Written and performed by Silvie Zamora. Battle March by Phil Ward. Episode album art by @jamahartart.     

Slowly, guarding herself carefully, Cathy has been opening up to La Señora, but it's going to take one more episode, one more recipe, to help her open up to herself. This is that episode. This is the last installment in our three-part series, Slow Cooker Chronicles - A Fable in Three Recipes . This is Chapter Three: Desimmer (There's more than one way to make hot chocolate.) Featuring the voice ta...

Chapter Two: Slowvember (Giving the Seeds Their Heat) Part two is chock full of flavour and, like any good fable, metaphors. Cathy remembers a little from her last visit with La Señora, but will this month's Tex-Mex Chile con Carne push her further away from herself? Featuring the voice talents of Nerea Duhart (Chiquita/Cathy) and Graciela Valderrama (La Señora). Written by Vanessa Espino and Silv...

Chapter One: Crocktober (Or How To Make Chili Without Your Soul) In this, the first in a three-part series, we meet Cathy, Cathy meets "the crazy lady downstairs" and neither enjoys the chili queso. Featuring the voice talents of Nerea Duhart (Chiquita/Cathy), Graciela Valderrama (La Señora), Robyn Clark (Kid 2), and Silvie Zamora (Kid 1). Written by Vanessa Espino and Silvie Zamora. Music by Phil...

There's a lot of pressure to put out the perfect end-of-year podcast, that is the perfect blend of a thoughtful review of the year, a humourous look at life's outtakes, and an upbeat toast to the future. Luckily, someone made paper snowflakes and saw a big metaphor; and someone else took a long walk and met a wise man. We present two holiday pieces: The Shape of a Holiday, written and read by Silv...

We've been gathered together for months, hunkered down with our immediate family/household. It hasn't been easy turning home into home, school, office, some semblance of a gym, storage facility for toilet paper and sanitizing wipes. We've had to bob and weave more than usual to make things work. This year, the holidays will be more of the same. Bless this house and pass the wifi. This light, littl...

Just a few thoughts about how connected we all are, and how hard that is to see sometimes. Written and read by Silvie Zamora.

"What do you mean by this haunting of me?" Othello IV.i.14 This unsettling Halloween tale was written by Silvie Zamora and featured Jennifer Flack, Liesel Hansen, Cameron Murphy, Denny Siegel, Phil Ward, and Silvie Zamora. Music by Phil Ward. Thank you for sharing some of your Halloween with us. You can also spend time with us on Facebook and Instagram @LifeLabNotes, and at our website, LifeLabNot...

A brief story about true things that happened in my household and down the street from us. Tabs opened while writing this: bell ringing, bell towers, lightning strikes, ancient prayers, aliens. 

Day 12: "Twelve Drummers Drumming" by Silvie Zamora, was performed by Alexis DeLaRosa, featuring Mel Collins, with Sandra Kinder, Farrah Kiyomura, Jack T. Musgrave, and Jason Yorrick. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  With the gifts listed in that famous carol...

Listen in on what is surely the earliest recorded standup set in history, in Day 11's episode "Eleven Pipers Piping" by Tom Clark and Silvie Zamora. Performed by Tom Clark, and featuring the voices of Zheryk Badugu, Sarah Parga, Michael Santell, and Rick Steadman. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, w...

Day 10: "Ten Lords a-Leaping" by Susan C. Hunter. Performed by Wes Weddell, Nick Droz, and Ailisa Newhall. Recorded at The Spare Room, Seattle, Washington. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  With the gifts listed in that famous carol as inspiration, our team of...

Day 9: "Nine Ladies Dancing" by Silvie Zamora, and performed by Kelley Hazen. Whatever light you have, let it shine. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  With the gifts listed in that famous carol as inspiration, our team of crackerjack writers came up with twelve...

Day 8: "Eight Maids a-Milking" An engaging poem of perfectly eerie exploits. Written by Denny Siegel and performed by Alysha Brady. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  With the gifts listed in that famous carol as inspiration, our team of crackerjack writers came...

Day 7: "Seven Swans a-Swimming" by Alina Phelan Ballou and Phil Ward, and performed by Phil Ward. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  With the gifts listed in that famous carol as inspiration, our team of crackerjack writers came up with twelve days of funny, mov...

Day 6: Six Geese a-Laying. Have you been working tirelessly? Do you have a "holiday-business-important-event" to attend? Ever feel like nature has it out for you? Then heed this cautionary tale written by Silvie Zamora, and performed by Keith Ferguson, Robyn Roth, and Andrew Stubblefield. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we f...

In Day 5: Five Golden Rings, the Humanoid Aptitude and Behavioral Inquiry Team are back! L'Seth Navi and Krraz are in possession of something with far-reaching implications. Written by Silvie Zamora, and performed by Keith Ferguson and Silvie Zamora. H.A.B.I.T. opening theme and montage music by Phil Ward. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Li...

Day 4: Four Calling Birds - A Winter Solstice Poem reminds us the wheel keeps turning and each season brings blessings. Written by Robyn Heller and performed by Liesel Hanson, Robyn Heller, Robyn Roth, and Silvie Zamora. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  Armed...

Day 3: "Three French Hens" is written and performed by Claire Barnhart. The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  Armed with the gifts listed in that famous carol as inspiration, our team of crackerjack writers came up with twelve days of funny, moving, original pieces...

Day 2: Two very different people find something in common in "Two Turtle Doves," written by Joanne Ke and performed by Keith Ferguson, Liesel Hanson, Lynn Odell, Justin Vasquez, and Silvie Zamora.  The season the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  Armed with the gifts listed i...

Yes, the Twelve Days of Christmas is technically between Christmas and January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead?  So we took the gifts listed in that famous carol, and divvied them up amongst our team of crackerjack writers to use as inspiration. The result? Twelve days of funny, moving, original pieces, beautifully performed and pro...

Our humble Halloween offering is part fairy tale, part parable, part fourth quarter performance meeting. Don't be late - you don't want to upset the chairman. Featuring the voice talents of Keith Ferguson, Brian Hall, Pablo Marz, Alina Phelan, Roxy Shabestari, Justin Vasquez, Silvie Zamora, and special guest Keythe Farley as Satan. For more otherworldly treats, please check out our 2018 series, Th...

I don't remember where I got the idea that May 16th was National Flash Fiction Day. Maybe I dreamt it. However it entered my brain, I definitely consciously entered it into my calendar, and dutifully reminded myself a few days ago, "I'd better get a very short story ready to post!" May 16th is not National Flash Fiction Day. That'll be in June 15th in the U.K. and the 22nd in New Zealand. I don't...