The Goat American Novel

In this very special bonus episode, we bring to life a story written by a young student writer/artist, for the Make. Shift Gallery Kids Art Walk.  My young collaborator has written a profound and beautiful story, a timeless mythology about art and hope. Our very special young voice actors, Olive Gemin and Ava Hubert, helped the story sparkle with humor and warmth. Collaborating with these three yo...

What happens when a handsome cat meets a portrait of himself which is itself a bit too handsome?  For your enjoyment, the Goat American Novel presents The Picture of Dorian Cat, a stand-alone story about a cat and his lady. And their blanket. And a really good Fancy Feast commercial. Perhaps it will be better if we don't speak of Dorian's portrait here.... it is too powerful.  Featuring the voice...

The Final Episode of the Goat American Novel, in which all threads are tied up. We hope.  Our heart overflows with gratitude to all the actors, musicians, foley artists, organizers, pie bakers, technicians, and friends who made The Goat American Novel possible. The Goat American Novel was written, produced and performed by Hilde Festerling, but she could never have done it without her cast.  Our f...

A little bonus episode while you wait for the final chapter. I tell the absolutely true(!) story of the squirrel who became a legend by trashing our house.... and the Recipe she inspired. Perhaps you will enjoy a little cozy autumnal baking, as we did.  You can see the recipe and the Zipnog bars here.  (Scroll down to the bottom of the story for the recipe and images) And yes, this story also star...

The Penultimate Episode! In which our little heroes go eye to eye with the tiger!     Featuring the incredible music of the PS22 Chorus, check out the full video of their performance here 

The Ante-penultimate episode of the Goat American Novel, in which we all experience  vicarious liberation through multiple instances and styles of setting-free.  This episode owes a heavy debt of gratitude to Limoncello band, and their magnificent cover of Sweet Dreams. We also thank our guest stars, Barn O'Brine, Brian Laughtland, and at long last..... Felix Buker. 

The Cart, The Cage, The Pulley, and The Ramp, in which Arcturix, Clover the sheep, and the goat herd prepare to take this tiger situation into their own hooves.  And Layla just really needs to focus on this garage sale right now.    The Goat American Novel is written and produced by Hilde Festerling. Guest voice actors this week were Blair Tothill and Miku Alden. Thanks as always to our incredible...

In which Mama Chichi finds some of her kids, Sawyer loses one of his, the pigs take leave of their senses or perhaps find all their marbles for the first time in their lives, and the farm is visited by a mysterious stranger from Goatko Ono's past...   Special thanks this week to the real FM, June Heggarty, and the channeled ghost of Thunder the Saanen billy goat. 

In which Clover the boss sheep shows up, Queen to Queen, we learn about 19th century patent medicine, and there is a gruesome but satisfying resolution to a neighborhood pest problem. 

In which the Sawyer continues his attempts to contain the nanny goats, who continue their attempt to find the bottom of a barrel of cherry brandy, And, FM deepens her acquaintance with her new vegan karaoke friends And, Grazzo pulls Layla back into the rainy night for yet another spooky supernatural mission.... into the Westerly barn. Come see our live show! June 07, 2pm, Village Books Fairhaven....

Announcing our first Live Podcast Show! at Village Books in Bellingham June 07, pm. A free entertainment for families in the style of an old time Radio play... Reserve your seats here! Also, this special episode contains our interview with friend-of-the-show Ben West, in which we get into the hows and whos and whys of The Goat American Novel. Also: Check out our story about dolls on Knott, A Podca...

In which Grazzo is compelled- by the ghost to ghost hotline- to return to the earthly realm to do some very important farm chores. Thank you as always to our amazing cast, Ursula Buker Johnny Buker Gabriel Alden Caleb Alden, to the musicians of the electric unicorn studio session, and to you, the listener.  

You Will Contain the Goats: In which everyone seems to be on an ill-fated mission, and we see how the kids up in the barn are faring after their battle with the tiger.

In which the Milk and Wool Producing Society Convenes, Layla films the greatest Yousnap video of all time, and the wider world is lured into the drama unfolding in the four farms neighborhood.  

In this bonus episode we hear the story of Marie Vinson, a Happy Meal doll who becomes the World's Greatest Daredevil. Regular Episodes of The Goat American Novel will return next week!

In which we catch up with the goats in the barn, and also check in at Millicent's house, where some goats may or may not be hidden in a blanket fort, and a man may or may not be screaming. ----- Thanks as always to Ursula Buker, Gabriel Alden, Caleb Alden, Johnny Buker, Erin Alden, Courtney Lyons, Amanda Laughtland aka Myra Grass, the musicians of the Electric Unicorn sessions, and the Steam Brass...

We're back! The nanny goats rally around a plan to recover their missing kids by performing an exorcism on the farm dog. But are great love poems really capable of releasing the demon inside the dog? Hilde's article on podcasting with her whole family About the music of the Goat American Novel Thanks as always to Ursula Buker, Gabriel Alden, Caleb Alden, Johnny Buker, Erin Alden, Courtney Lyons, t...

Introducing the Goat American Novel, a gothic barnyard audio drama by subversive family storyteller Hilde Festerling.

In this Season Finale, the existing high caprine drama collides with the imagination and practical skills of  a little brother on the move. Will all the rising action be wrapped up? No, listeners, we are still in the middle of our saga, but this double episode will settle some questions and hopefully, leave you in bleeting eagerness for Season Two. It's a long one! Double length, listen as you ple...

In which some go totally Crackergoat, and some tell our Farmer Boy how they really feel. Featuring an epic showdown between Sawyer, champion of the underdog, and Scott, the guy who can't be fussed to pick the soul of  the underdog out of the cracks in his $900 sneakers. Thanks as always to Ursula Buker, Gabriel Alden, Caleb Alden, Johnny Buker, Erin Alden, Courtney Lyons, the musicians of the Elec...

In which the dangers lurking in the barn begin to reveal themselves. And family dinner gets heated when the new neighbor drops by to borrow some hay.   Thanks as always to Ursula Buker, Gabriel Alden, Caleb Alden, Johnny Buker, Erin Alden, Courtney Lyons, the musicians of the Electric Unicorn sessions, and the Steam Brass Band for their ongoing excellent contributions! Where to find me: The Goat A...

In which an unlikely trio of young goats find an old, high, cracked window, and they smash  it good. Goatko Ono shares her wisdom, and her wisdom is kinda gross. Thanks as always to Ursula Buker, Gabriel Alden, Caleb Alden, Johnny Buker, Erin Alden, Courtney Lyons, the musicians of the Electric Unicorn sessions, and the Steam Brass Band for their ongoing excellent contributions! Today's crashing s...

In which a meeting of the Milk and Wool Producing Animals Society collides with a daisy chain, and the yearlings' Demonic Possession theory collides with the awesome force of Squirrel Power. But who, really, has got the power? Thanks as always to Ursula Buker, Gabriel Alden, Caleb Alden, Johnny Buker, Erin Alden, Courtney Lyons, the musicians of the Electric Unicorn sessions, and the Steam Brass B...

It's time for Sawyer to do the first round of morning chores. But will he be able to do it without striking terror and/or inciting revolution in the hearts of the animals? How will Zipnog cope with no regular supply of The Brown? And what is Goatina up to?   Thanks as always to Ursula Buker, Gabriel Alden, Caleb Alden, Johnny Buker, Erin Alden, Courtney Lyons, the musicians of the Electric Unicorn...

In which ouija boards- one regular, one made out of an accursed farm sign- are consulted regarding the supernatural business on the farm. How many ghosts are in this episode? It's not an exact science, but Ruby One Horn is surely here, and at least one haunted cat.... Special thanks this episode to Cora Lyons Smoker, guest starring at the Baker's Daughter. Featured also this week is the foley soun...