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Everything is Alive

Radiotopia·59 episodes

SocietyCultureCreative interviewUnscriptedStandalone episodesWhimsical premiseInanimate objects20-minute episodes

Everything is Alive is an unscripted interview show in which all the subjects are inanimate objects. In each episode, a different thing tells us its life story--and everything it says is true.

Why listen

Everything is Alive is a brilliantly inventive interview show where inanimate objects tell their life stories to an unseen interviewer. Voiced by comedians and actors, a can of cola reflects on being forgotten on a shelf, a Roomba ponders its existence, a baguette contemplates being made to share. It's whimsical, surprisingly philosophical, and deeply human despite its completely absurd premise.

Series(1)

Episodes

24 min
Apr 19, 2024
Louis, Can of Cola

Welcome, new listeners. We're glad you're here. We always tell people to start at the beginning, so here's our very first episode. If you like it, we recommend going back to the start of the feed and continuing from there. But it's up to you. Louis is a can of cola. He's been on the shelf a long time, so he's had some time to think. Featuring Louis Kornfeld. Our website is everythingisalive.com.

9 min
Nov 29, 2023Episode 6
The Animals: Deleted Scenes

A few moments that for one reason or another got cut from “The Animals,” but we love them anyway. You can find t-shirts for The Animals and Everything is Alive (and other things) right here. And… Radiotopia is in its 2023 Fundraiser right now. Donate now if you can to support weird shows like ours: https://on.prx.org/3Mndh3I

18 min
Nov 23, 2023Episode 5
The Animals: Hari, Butterfly

Hari is a butterfly, and he’s just trying to stay grounded. Featuring Hari Kondabolu. Hari’s Youtube comedy special is called “Vacation Baby.” You can find more from him at his website, his Instagram, and his Twitter. You can find t-shirts for The Animals and Everything is Alive (and other things) right here. And… Radiotopia is in its 2023 Fundraiser right now. Donate now if you can to support weird shows like ours: https://on.prx.org/3Mndh3I

21 min
Nov 8, 2023Episode 4
The Animals: Steven, Beaver

Steven is a beaver, and he’s just trying to do his job. Featuring Connor Ratliff. Note to parents: This episode contains a frank discussion of the Tooth Fairy. If that is something you prefer your children not hear, please choose another episode. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support Everything is Alive. Thank you! https://on.prx.org/3Mndh3I

21 min
Oct 25, 2023Episode 3
The Animals: Harry, Flamingo

Harry is a flamingo. He may have been born at the zoo, but he can’t be contained. Featuring Vinny Thomas. You can find more from Vinny on Instagram and Twitter and a million other places too. Vinny’s audio was recorded at Western Sound’s North Fig Sound Studio in Los Angeles, California. The Animals is a special series presented by Everything is Alive.

17 min
Oct 11, 2023Episode 2
The Animals: Deirdre, Jellyfish

Deirdre is a jellyfish, and she’s just trying to go with the flow. Featuring Maeve Higgins. Maeve’s new album “A Very Special Woman” is available on bandcamp. Choral music in this episode from Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzche and William Byrd, in the public domain. Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions. The Animals is a special series presented by Everything is Alive.

21 min
Sep 27, 2023Episode 1
The Animals: Melissa and Joseph, Kangaroos

Joseph lives in Melissa’s pouch, and he may be wearing out his welcome. Featuring Alexandra Dickson and Sebastian Conelli. The Animals is a special series presented by Everything is Alive.

1 min
Sep 20, 2023
Everything is Alive Presents: The Animals

Starting next Wednesday, September 27th, the Everything is Alive feed will host a five episode special series called “The Animals.” We’ll get to know a beaver, a jellyfish, a flamingo, and more, all sharing the joys and heartaches of life elsewhere in the food chain. Find us at everythingisalive.com.

21 min
Nov 16, 2022Episode 5
Miriam and Peter, Playing Cards

Miriam and Peter are quite a pair. Featuring Peter Grosz & Miriam Tolan. Radiotopia is in the midst of its annual fundraising drive right now. If you’re able, please support the most creative, fulfilling, groundbreaking audio in the world by making a donation here: https://on.prx.org/3NMhYnj

22 min
Nov 16, 2022
Sneak Preview: In The Scenes Behind Plain Sight

Hear the first episode of Ian’s new show: In The Scenes Behind Plain Sight. It’s a rewatch podcast for a TV show that never existed. Radiotopia is in the midst of its annual fundraising drive right now. If you’re able, please support the most creative, fulfilling, groundbreaking audio in the world by making a donation here: https://on.prx.org/3NMhYnj

18 min
Nov 2, 2022Episode 4
Charles, Party Horn

Charles is a party horn, and he’s just trying to make a name for himself. Featuring Vinny Thomas. Find Vinny on Twitter and Instagram @vinn_ayy. Recorded live on stage at On Air Fest in Brooklyn, New York, with Zach Brown on cello.

18 min
Oct 19, 2022Episode 3
Jes, Baguette

Jes is a baguette, and they were made to share. Featuring Jes Tom. You can find them on Twitter @jestom and Instagram @jesthekid. You can see their solo standup show “Less Lonely” as part of the New York Comedy Festival November 9th at the Bell House. Tickets and more information here.

20 min
Oct 5, 2022Episode 1
Ginny, Roomba

Ginny is a Roomba, and she’s been taking it all in. Featuring Ginny Hogan. Find her on Twitter @ginnyhogan_.

23 min
Sep 21, 2022Episode 1
Alzo, Rental Car

Alzo, a rental car, is just trying to find his agency. Featuring Alzo Slade.

1 min
Sep 14, 2022
Season Five Trailer

Everything is Alive returns September 21st.

11 min
Feb 23, 2022
Making Trouble: Deleted Scenes from Sal the Sock

This special episode of Everything is Alive is a part of Radiotopia’s winter fundraiser. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. Donate today at https://on.prx.org/33dBINE. Thank you! We loved making our “Sal, Sock” episode. Trouble was, there was a lot more Sal than we could fit. So for this special fundraising edition of the show, we present some of his never before heard scenes.

22 min
Dec 15, 2021Episode 8
Sal, Sock

Sal is a sock. He’s had a good life, but it feels like something’s missing. Featuring Sebastian Conelli.

12 min
Dec 1, 2021Episode 7
The Wait

A special episode produced in conjunction with Pop-Up Magazine, this is the story of a bike locked to a bike rack a little too long. In June of this year, Pop-Up Magazine placed bicycles at bike racks in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and you could walk right up to them and hear what they had to say. Featuring Larry Owens.

16 min
Nov 18, 2021Episode 6
Michael, Phone Booth

Michael is a phone booth, and he’s been on hold for a while. Featuring Michael Kostroff. Additional credits for this episode can be found at everythingisalive.com.

18 min
Nov 3, 2021Episode 5
Anonymous, Mousetrap

What do you do when the thing you were made to do is the last thing you want to do? Featuring Mel Shimkovitz.

20 min
Oct 27, 2021Episode 5
From the Archives: Annie, Jack O' Lantern

Our Halloween special! This episode first aired in 2018 and since then it’s delighted and disturbed parents and children alike. If you’ve heard it before (or if you’re scared), you can skip it. Annie is a jack o’ lantern, but she doesn’t want to scare you. Featuring Ann Donley.

23 min
Oct 20, 2021Episode 4
Atsuko, Bagpipes

Atsuko is a set of bagpipes, and she’s looking for some peace and quiet. Featuring Atsuko Okatsuka. Find her on various socials, her handle is @atsukocomedy.

20 min
Oct 6, 2021Episode 3
Dina, Pacifier

Dina’s not in a good place, but maybe she’s headed to one. Featuring Dina Hashem. You can find more from Dina on the social media of your choice @dinahashem_.

25 min
Sep 22, 2021Episode 2
Vinny, Vending Machine

Vinny has been through a lot, and a lot has been through Vinny. Featuring Vinny Thomas. Find more from Vinny on Instagram and Twitter @vinn_ayy.

1 min
Sep 15, 2021
Season Four Preview

A few of the inanimate objects you’ll meet on the new season of Everything is Alive, launching September 22nd.

21 min
May 28, 2021Episode 1
Adam, Stool

Adam has been the stool on stage at a comedy club for a long time. What do you do around standup when you were made for sitting? Adam is played by Adam Burke. Radiotopia is a network of creators who are able to follow their curiosity and tell the stories they care about the most. Show your support for my fellow Radiotopia shows during our Spring Fundraiser. Donate today at https://on.prx.org/3wl9pWn.

15 min
Aug 19, 2020Episode 10
Martin, Paper Towel Dispenser

Martin is a paper towel dispenser outside a hardware store, and he's wondering how he got there. Featuring Martin Morrow. Martin is a comedian, writer, and improviser in Los Angeles. Follow him on socials at @martinMmorrow and stream his album Magic of the City!

20 min
Jul 22, 2020Episode 29
Maria and Joel

Part one: Maria is a box of tissues, without much to cry about. Part two: Joel is a water fountain thirsting for more. Featuring Maria Bamford and Joel Kim Booster.

12 min
Jul 8, 2020Episode 8
Lillian, Song

Ian has a song stuck in his head. Imagine how the song feels. Featuring Lillian King.

21 min
Jun 24, 2020Episode 7
Colin, Ten Dollar Bill

Colin is a ten dollar bill, and he’s wondering what he’s worth. Featuring Colin Nissan.

16 min
Jun 10, 2020Episode 6
Deleted Scenes II

A few scenes that didn’t make the cut for one reason or another. Featuring the Russian Dolls, Emmy the Pregnancy Test, Josh the Chainsaw, and more.

23 min
May 13, 2020Episode 5
Eugene, Tattoo

Eugene is a tattoo, and for now, he’s staying right where he is. Featuring Eugene Cordero.

18 min
Apr 29, 2020Episode 4
Mirror, Mirror

A restaurant bathroom mirror takes a moment to reflect. Featuring Alex Song-Xia.

25 min
Apr 15, 2020Episode 3
Louise & William, Shirt & Pants

Louise is an oxford shirt and William is leather pants. They may hang in the same closet, but they’ve seen different worlds. Featuring Alexandra Dickson and Connor Ratliff.

23 min
Apr 1, 2020Episode 2
Josh, Chainsaw

Josh has a warning: don't get too close, but don't stay too far away either. Featuring Josh Gondelman.

27 min
Mar 18, 2020Episode 1
Tami and Ed, Sharpie

Tami is a sharpie, and Ed is her cap. After all these years, marriage has left an indelible mark. Featuring Tami Sagher and Ed Herbstman.

1 min
Mar 11, 2020
Season 3 Preview

Season Three of Everything is Alive begins Wednesday, March 18th, 2020. Mark your calendar, unless your calendar objects.

8 min
Nov 26, 2019
Bonus Episode: The Magic 8 Ball

The Magic 8 Ball can’t tell you his name. This bonus episode is part of Radiotopia’s 2019 Fundraising Drive. Make your mark. Go to radiotopia.fm to donate today.

21 min
Jul 10, 2019Episode 20
Scott, Stethoscope

Scott is always listening.

19 min
Jun 26, 2019Episode 19
Charu, Satellite

Charu is a satellite. Is she alone in the universe?

17 min
Jun 12, 2019Episode 18
Jennifer, Newspaper

Jennifer is a copy of The Canberra Times from October 24th, 1988. She might not be news anymore, but she’s still paper.

22 min
May 22, 2019Episode 7
Chioke, Pane of Glass

Note: this episode is a followup to “Chioke, Grain of Sand.” If you haven’t heard that episode, we suggest starting there. Chioke just wants to be transparent with you.

25 min
May 8, 2019Episode 6
Sebastian, Alex, and Alex, Russian Dolls

Sebastian, Alex, and Alex get to know each other, inside and out.

25 min
Apr 3, 2019Episode 5
Connor, Painting

Connor is a painting, but is anybody looking at him?

20 min
Mar 19, 2019Episode 4
Petey, Baseball Cap

Petey’s just trying to stay on top.

21 min
Mar 6, 2019Episode 3
Emmy, Pregnancy Test

Emmy is just trying to stay positive.

22 min
Feb 20, 2019Episode 2
Alligator, Alligator

Alligator is a stuffed animal, and things are about to get different.

21 min
Feb 6, 2019Episode 1
Shannon, Bath Towel

Shannon just wants to be part of the story.

10 min
Dec 11, 2018
Bonus Episode: Deleted Scenes

A special bonus episode featuring a few scenes that for one reason or another got cut out of Season One. Featuring Louis, Can of Cola, Maeve the Lamppost, Sean the Subway Seat, and more. Support our show and Radiotopia by making a donation at radiotopia.fm.

20 min
Nov 27, 2018Episode 10
Sean, Subway Seat

Sean loves his job, and he’s looking for a connection.