23 episodes

Imagine a handful of scientists and engineers setting out to terraform a planet - a world - for the frozen people they've got in tow. Just a few people, carefully chosen, who will live out their lives building something they'll never see.
That's us. We're building a future.
A science fiction audio drama suitable for our times.

This Planet Needs a Name Evan Tess Murray & Trace Callahan

    • Fiction

Imagine a handful of scientists and engineers setting out to terraform a planet - a world - for the frozen people they've got in tow. Just a few people, carefully chosen, who will live out their lives building something they'll never see.
That's us. We're building a future.
A science fiction audio drama suitable for our times.

    1.01 When the Gravity is Real

    1.01 When the Gravity is Real

     In Episode One, "When the Gravity is Real," Quill and Zei touch down on the ground, joining Zahava, Cyrus, and James on the planet. Kolian and Mandry watch from above while we discover whether or not anyone is allergic to the air (were we worried about that?). Plants may be planted; power generated; and as always, there will be cheese. But the planet still has secrets for our brave terraformers to discover.
    The transcript is available.

    Content Note:  this episode is free from sensitive content other than some swearing.  
    The showrunner and lead writer for this project is Evan Tess Murray. The sound designer, audio engineer, and composer is Trace Callahan. Sounds and music are her original creations.

    This is a collaborative, ensemble project. Many of the character decisions are made by the actors as part of the story and script development process. Please check out the links below to get in touch with them or find more of their work. 
    Presenting the Nameless Crew
    Trevor Bean creates and voices MandryTrace Callahan creates and voices KolianAlexander Endymion Hernández Díaz creates and voices CyrusAlexander Doddy creates and voices JamesSawyer Greene creates and voices QuillAnjali Kunapaneni creates and voices DeviDominic Mendez creates and voices ÁngelCaroline Mincks creates and voices ZahavaEvan Tess Murray creates and voices ZeiThey're also just a ton of fun to hang out with. Our corner of the internet is very friendly, and you're welcome to come say hello. We'd also love you to join the Ground Crew by supporting us on Patreon, if you can.

    The promo at the end of this episode is for Seren, an upcoming show by our friend Nerys. 
    This story is being told by people in various parts of the world. Every episode, we'll give a bit of space in the shownotes to an effort by indigenous people that could use some support.  Our creator is from the Dawnlands, the ancestral and current home of the peoples of the Wabanaki Confederacy. Please check out - and support - Nibezun. 
    A great deal of this episode was written and edited at Candy’s, an LGBTQ+ community space in Portland, Maine. Check them out at http://candyslovesyou.space.
    And finally, our hearts go out to our Australian friends and family.  Please help if you can - one suggestion is to donate to the Australian Red Cross. In addition, a member of our podfamily has family that have lost their home to the fires - you can help them out here. Keep breathing, Australia.
    We tell a story about another world, but we're not giving up on this one. 
    Support the show

    • 43 min
    1.02 Access to the Biological Specimens

    1.02 Access to the Biological Specimens

    In Episode Two, “Access to the Biological Specimens,” Zahava and Zei head out for a day at the beach, and James investigates the local wildlife. Mandry comes downstairs for a visit; we find out who can bake, who can braid, and what those black seas look like up close. Calendars are invented; wildlife encountered; Saccharomyces Cerevisiae rehydrated.

    The transcript is available.
    Content Note:  this episode is free from sensitive content other than some mild swearing, still mainly but not entirely James.

    The showrunner and lead writer for this project is Evan Tess Murray. The sound designer, audio engineer, and composer is Trace Callahan. Sounds and music are her original creations, sometimes with the assistance of others who remain Nameless.  This episode guest starred the North Atlantic as the black ocean of the Nameless Planet.
    This is a collaborative ensemble project. Many of the character decisions are made by the actors as part of the story and script development process. Please check out the links below for more of their work:

    Presenting the Nameless Crew
    Trevor Bean creates and voices MandryTrace Callahan creates and voices KolianAlexander Endymion Hernández Díaz creates and voices CyrusAlexander Doddy creates and voices JamesSawyer Greene creates and voices QuillAnjali Kunapaneni creates and voices DeviDominic Mendez creates and voices ÁngelCaroline Mincks creates and voices ZahavaEvan Tess Murray creates and voices ZeiThey're also just a ton of fun to hang out with. Our corner of the internet is very friendly, and you're welcome to come say hello. We'd also love you to join the Ground Crew by supporting us on Patreon, if you can.

    The promo at the end of this episode is for Diary of a Space Archivist, a delightful show about space, family, and chocolate by Becky Stirrup. 
    This story is being told by people in various parts of the world. Every episode, we'll give a bit of space in the shownotes to an effort by indigenous people that could use some support.  Inspired by Endymion's connection to the Guanches, we decided to ask you to support Native Land, a community mapping project to help us all understand the people who have gone before us.

    Our podcast art was created by Katy Schifferer. Check out her work!
    A great deal of this episode was written and edited at Candy’s, an LGBTQ+ community space in Portland, Maine. Check them out at http://candyslovesyou.space.

    We tell a story about another world, but we're not giving up on this one. 
    Support the show

    • 45 min
    1.03 A Many-Splendored Thing

    1.03 A Many-Splendored Thing

    In Episode Three, “A Many-Splendored Thing,” we meet the Design Team, who are finally awake and learning what they’ve gotten themselves into; Cyrus requires James’s assistance with a science project; and Quill heads upstairs to check on the algae vats and for, obviously, absolutely no other reason involving Mandry at all. We learn more about Mandry, the relationship between Kolian and Zei, and what Zahava really feels about all of them.

    The transcript is available here.
    Content Note:  this episode includes a discussion of an emotionally abusive relationship from the perspective of a survivor [40:35 - 42:19]. It also mentions a pandemic in the context of in-universe fiction [33:20 - 34:15]. And, as always, there is some swearing. A lot of it really. 
    This is a collaborative, ensemble project. Many of the character decisions are made by the actors as part of the story and script development process. Please check out the links below for more of their work:
    Trevor Bean creates and voices MandryTrace Callahan creates and voices KolianAlexander Endymion Hernández Díaz creates and voices CyrusAlexander Doddy creates and voices JamesSawyer Greene creates and voices QuillAnjali Kunapaneni creates and voices DeviDominic Mendez creates and voices ÁngelCaroline Mincks creates and voices ZahavaEvan Tess Murray creates and voices ZeiAnd introducing Nerys Howell, currently voicing Nessa the Doctor Detective.
    The promo at the end of this episode is for With Caulk and Candles, a delightful show we hope you’ll check out. 
    Our podcast art was created by Katy Schifferer. Check out her work!
    A great deal of this episode was written and edited at Candy’s, an LGBTQ+ community space in Portland, Maine. Check them out at http://candyslovesyou.space.  Candy’s is closed due to the state of emergency and may struggle to re-open; they could use help right now.
    We found a delightful new book by a queer and trans author - check out FINNA by Nino Cipri!  They also have a short story collection out. You can buy their work through bookshop.org, which benefits local bookshops!  It's a bit tricky to just go pick it up in person right now, after all. Or, if you want the ebook, check out this page from the publisher. 
    Please also support Indigenous Climate Action, if you can. http://indigenousclimateaction.org  
    We tell a story about another world, but we're not giving up on this one. 
    Support the show

    • 56 min
    1.04 Nature's Social Union

    1.04 Nature's Social Union

    In Episode Four, “Nature’s Social Union,” we finally have the meeting Zahava’s been talking about, to determine the fate of the unnamed planet. James and his slitherfluff friend watch Clinical Trials, many people go for walks in the rain, and we learn a whole lot about the mission. You know. The mission. Saving humanity.
    Content Notes: this is a heavy one. As always, none of this is gratuitous or described in detail. (There’s more swearing than usual as well.) 
    Interpersonal conflict: [10:55 - 16:22]Mention of genocide: [15:37 - 15:45]Panic attack, hyperventilation: [15:10 - 16:22]Mention of violence, murder, torture: [42:00 - 43:10]The transcript is available. If the transcript link is broken please email needsanamepod@gmail.com and we’ll get it to you as soon as we can. 
    This is a collaborative, ensemble project. Many of the character decisions are made by the actors as part of the story and script development process. Please check out the links below for more of their work:
    Trevor Bean creates and voices MandryTrace Callahan creates and voices KolianAlexander Endymion Hernández Díaz creates and voices CyrusAlexander Doddy creates and voices JamesSawyer Greene creates and voices QuillAnjali Kunapaneni creates and voices DeviDominic Mendez creates and voices ÁngelCaroline Mincks creates and voices ZahavaEvan Tess Murray creates all of them and voices ZeiNerys Howell currently voices Nessa the Doctor DetectiveThe poem at the end of this episode is “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns. It seemed extremely fitting. Alexander Doddy gave us his best Scots when he read it. You can find many excellent renditions, including translations, on youtube. 
    Our podcast art was created by Katy Schifferer. Check out her work!
    Please, if you can, donate to the Lakota People’s Law Project at http://lakotalaw.org. And please also continue to support Black Lives Matter in whatever way you can.

    Check out Hank Green's brand-new book, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor!  There's more information at  https://www.hankgreen.com/.
    We tell a story about another world, but we're not giving up on this one. 



    Support the show

    • 1 hr
    1.05 Recklessly and Perfectly Alive

    1.05 Recklessly and Perfectly Alive

    In Episode Five, “Recklessly and Perfectly Alive,” we get to explore a forest at long, long last. The crew attempt to learn James’s favorite sport, with minimal success. Conflicts are resolved, new surprises are encountered, and quite a lot of hairs are cut. This one’s sweet! 
    Content Notes: very few this time! As usual a few people swear.
    Alcohol consumption: [40:19 - 41:10] pours, takes a sip, sings about whiskey

    The transcript is available. If the transcript link is broken please email needsanamepod@gmail.com and we’ll get it to you as soon as we can. We’ve changed to google docs for our transcripts for accessibility - please let us know if anything isn’t working! 
    This is a collaborative, ensemble project. Many of the character decisions are made by the actors as part of the story and script development process. Please check out the links below for more of their work:
    Trevor Bean creates and voices MandryEvan Tess Murray creates all of them and voices ZeiCaroline Mincks creates and voices ZahavaAnjali Kunapaneni creates and voices DeviDominic Mendez creates and voices ÁngelAlexander Doddy creates and voices JamesAlexander Endymion Hernández Díaz creates and voices CyrusTrace Callahan creates and voices KolianSawyer Greene creates and voices QuillNerys Howell creates and voices NessaOur guest voice this episode was provided by Mythical Rose. They’re a talented cosplayer - check out their tiktok - and a delight to work with.

    We also want to thank Spy for the art he created for our birthday. You can check it out in our merch store at teepublic. The mission patch is beautiful, and we’ve made it canon! 
    Our podcast art was created by Katy Schifferer. Check out her work!
    Please, if you can, donate to First Nations covid relief at firstnations.org. And please also continue to support Black Lives Matter in whatever way you can.
    We tell a story about another world, but we're not giving up on this one. 



    Support the show

    • 1 hr
    1.06: Until We've Discovered Joy

    1.06: Until We've Discovered Joy

    In Episode Six, “Until We’ve Discovered Joy,” we look in on each of the Nameless Crew now that they’ve settled into their lives planetside. Zei deals with the aftermath of her frightening encounter with the native lifeforms and James has a small personal revelation. Lunch is eaten. Some questions are finally answered. 
    Content Notes: As always, a few people swear. There are kissing sounds briefly (see the transcript for details).

    The transcript is available at https://tinyurl.com/tpnan106. We’re using google docs for transcripts; if you run into any accessibility issues please let us know! You can always contact us at needsanamepod@gmail.com. 
    This is a collaborative, ensemble project. Many of the character decisions are made by the actors as part of the story and script development process. Please check out their work: 
    Caroline Mincks creates and voices ZahavaEvan Tess Murray creates all of them and voices ZeiAlexander Doddy creates and voices JamesAlexander Endymion Hernández Díaz creates and voices CyrusAnjali Kunapaneni creates and voices DeviDominic Mendez creates and voices ÁngelRobin Howell creates and voices NessaSawyer Greene creates and voices QuillTrace Callahan creates and voices KolianTrevor Bean creates and voices MandryThis episode also introduced Brigitte Paulus, the final member of the Nameless Cast, who has been waiting in the wings until now. Brigitte is a dancer, choreographer, and all-around delightful person who has been stepping into voice acting. She's also a founding member of Vivid Motion, a dance company in Portland, Maine that opens dance performance to anyone. Check them out at vividmotion.org.

    Our podcast art was created by Katy Schifferer. Check out her work!
    You can learn more about Wabanaki sovereignty at https://www.lwvme.org/Wabanaki. 
    We tell a story about another world, but we're not giving up on this one. 
    Support the show

    • 1 hr

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