191 episodes

The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting and presented in 3D immersive audio. In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Nnedi Okorafor, Kurt Vonnegut, Ken Liu and more to life. So, if you’re ready, let’s take a deep breath...

Our immersive audio is best with headphones! If you'd prefer to listen without immersive audio, visit levarburtonpodcast.com/mono.

LeVar Burton Reads Stitcher Studios

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 16.4K Ratings

The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting and presented in 3D immersive audio. In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Nnedi Okorafor, Kurt Vonnegut, Ken Liu and more to life. So, if you’re ready, let’s take a deep breath...

Our immersive audio is best with headphones! If you'd prefer to listen without immersive audio, visit levarburtonpodcast.com/mono.

    "Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush" by Luis Alberto Urrea

    "Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush" by Luis Alberto Urrea

    The self-proclaimed Graffiti King of Mexico brandishes his magical paintbrush, providing commentary on small-town sins. This story appears in the collection THE WATER MUSEUM. Find more from the author at luisurrea.com.

    • 39 min
    "The World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key

    "The World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key

    An exploration of the depth of a father's love, and his attempts to keep his son happy, healthy and safe in a world rife with racism and violence. This story appears in Justin C. Key's collection THE WORLD WASN'T READY FOR YOU.

    Content advisory: death, police brutality

    • 57 min
    "Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski

    "Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski

    A human street performer breaks out his boombox for an unauthorized and unwelcome performance on Planet Drx. For more from the author, visit https://culagovski.net.

    Content advisory: references to ecocide

    • 33 min
    "Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead" by KT Bryski

    "Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead" by KT Bryski

    A trickster storyteller brings camaraderie and hope to the land of the dead. Find more from the author at ktbryski.com.


    Content advisory: Death and dying; references to the death of a child

    • 45 min
    "The Destroyer" by Tara Isabella Burton

    "The Destroyer" by Tara Isabella Burton

    A scientist explores (and transcends) the limitations of the human body, using her daughter as a test subject. This story was first published by Tor.com. Find more from the author at www.taraisabellaburton.com.



    Content advisory: Death

    • 53 min
    Watch Out, Lucky Season 13 is Coming!

    Watch Out, Lucky Season 13 is Coming!

    LeVar Burton Reads is back with all-new episodes starting February 20th, but if you don't want to wait, you can get a taste right here! Look out for stories from Rebecca Makkai, Luis Alberto Urrea, Justin C. Key and more. We think 13 might be our lucky number...

    • 3 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
16.4K Ratings

16.4K Ratings

The Southern Witching Hour ,

Five stars!!!!

Highly recommended! Perfect for daily commutes and workouts. It’s so easy to become completely engulfed in these stories. Mr. Burton is a masterful storyteller!

artsdistrictchic ,

Levar Burton’s voice is cathartic.

This podcast heals. It is more than the way he reads. It’s his philosophy, his gentleness, his rituals like taking a deep breath. All of it. Everything about this podcast.

In each episode Levar Burton lets us all in just a little bit. He puts so much of himself into this podcast from which stories he chooses to read to the real emotions he gives to characters.

Wonderful. Probably my favorite podcast.

Ugh67557 ,

More! More! More!

Spouse and I love him! One of us grew up with him on reading rainbow the other did not. HIS VOICE AND PERSONALITY ARE MADE FOR THIS! He makes us very happy and calms us both down after long days.

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