Top 15 Screen-Free Story Podcasts to Enjoy and Unwind After Work This Month
The blue light glow of your screen flickers in the dimming light of your office or living room. You've spent the day staring at a monitor, answering emails, and navigating spreadsheets. Your eyes are tired, your brain is buzzing, and the last thing you want is more screen time. Yet, the allure of Netflix or endless scrolling on social media is strong. We’ve all been there.
What if you could escape, be entertained, and truly unwind without a screen? Imagine closing your eyes and being transported to a surreal desert town, a deep-space station, or a magical kingdom—all while you cook dinner, take a walk, or simply lie on your couch. This is the magic of screen-free story podcasts, a perfect antidote to the digital fatigue that defines so much of our modern lives. They offer the rich storytelling of a great book or film but allow your eyes and mind to rest.
This month, we've curated a list of the 15 best fiction podcasts to help you disconnect and decompress. From laugh-out-loud comedies and heartwarming fantasies to gripping sci-fi thrillers and spooky campfire tales, there’s an audio drama here for every mood. So, put your phone face down, pop in your headphones, and get ready to rediscover the joy of pure imagination.
1. LeVar Burton Reads
There are few voices as iconic and comforting as LeVar Burton's. In LeVar Burton Reads, the beloved host of Reading Rainbow handpicks a piece of short fiction and, as the tagline says, "the only thing these stories have in common is that I love them, and I hope you will too." The genres vary wildly, from science fiction and fantasy to literary fiction, ensuring every episode is a delightful surprise.
Burton’s masterful narration brings each story to life with warmth and genuine passion. He doesn't just read the words; he performs them, imbuing them with an emotional depth that makes you feel like you're being told a story by a dear friend. The episodes are self-contained and typically run for 30-50 minutes, making them the perfect length for a commute or a quiet moment to yourself.
Pro Tip: This is the ideal "starter" story podcast. If you're new to audio fiction, the combination of a familiar, trusted voice and bite-sized, high-quality stories is a perfect entry point. Try an episode while you're tidying up your space—it turns a chore into a treat.
2. Welcome to Night Vale
Imagine a small desert town where every conspiracy theory is real, hooded figures wander through the dog park, and the community radio station is your only source for news about the Glow Cloud (ALL HAIL). That's Welcome to Night Vale. This long-running podcast is presented as a twice-monthly radio show, complete with local news, weather (always a different indie song), and community announcements from a place where the bizarre is mundane.
The genius of Night Vale is its deadpan delivery and surreal, hilarious world-building. Narrator Cecil Palmer's soothing, calm voice reporting on horrifying or absurd events creates a unique brand of comedy that is both strange and comforting. It’s the ultimate escape, dropping you into a world so wonderfully weird that you can’t help but forget your own daily stresses.
Pro Tip: You absolutely must start from Episode 1. The show builds its characters and running gags over time, and the joy is in watching this strange little town evolve. It’s perfect for a long drive where you can let a few episodes play back-to-back.
3. Wooden Overcoats
If you're in need of a good laugh, look no further. Wooden Overcoats is a full-cast British sitcom about Rudyard and Antigone Funn, sibling undertakers on the tiny (and fictional) Channel Island of Piffling. Their business, Funn Funerals, has been the only one on the island for generations—until a dashing, impossibly charming new mortician, Eric Chapman, sets up shop across the square.
This audio drama is pure comedic gold. It’s flawlessly written, brilliantly voice-acted, and expertly produced, with a hilarious ensemble cast and a new, ridiculous situation in every episode. The show is bursting with heart, following the bickering but ultimately loving Funn siblings as they navigate life, death, and professional rivalry. It’s the kind of show that will have you genuinely laughing out loud.
Pro Tip: The show is complete with four seasons and several specials, making it a perfect binge-listen. The theme music alone is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
4. The Magnus Archives
For those who unwind with a dose of cerebral horror and intricate mystery, The Magnus Archives is an absolute masterpiece. The story begins as Jonathan Sims, the newly appointed Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute, attempts to organize a collection of disorganized statements detailing supernatural encounters. Each episode is a standalone horror story, but a terrifying meta-plot slowly and masterfully unspools in the background.
This isn't a podcast of cheap jump scares. Its horror is atmospheric, psychological, and deeply unsettling. The writing is superb, and the slow-burn narrative is one of the most rewarding in all of fiction podcasting. It’s a show that demands your attention, making it a powerful tool for shutting out the noise of the workday and focusing on one engrossing, chilling world.
Pro Tip: Listen with good headphones to appreciate the subtle, brilliant sound design. And be warned: while deeply satisfying, it's best not to listen alone in the dark if you're easily spooked.
5. Myths and Legends
Have you ever wondered about the original, often bizarre or gory, versions of fairy tales like Cinderella or King Arthur? Host Jason Weiser dives into the vast world of folklore in Myths and Legends, retelling classic stories from around the globe with a modern, engaging, and often humorous voice. He strips away the stuffy, academic feel and presents these tales as the thrilling entertainment they were always meant to be.
This podcast is both relaxing and intellectually stimulating. You’ll learn about figures from Norse, Greek, Japanese, and Arthurian legends, all told with a lighthearted touch that makes the history accessible. It’s a wonderful way to feel productive—you’re learning something new!—while still giving your mind a screen-free break.
Pro Tip: The episodes are a la carte, so you can jump in anywhere. Look for a legend you're familiar with to see how Weiser's telling compares to the version you know.
6. The Amelia Project
What if you could fake your own death and start over? The Amelia Project is a secret agency that offers just that service. The podcast is presented as a series of client interviews, where a new person—a cult leader, a scientist, a politician—explains why they need to disappear, and the agency's quirky interviewer devises a suitably elaborate plan.
This show is a masterclass in dark comedy. It's witty, inventive, and features a fantastic recurring cast, all centered around a "case-of-the-week" format that makes it easy to dip in and out of. The sound design is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're a fly on the wall in their soundproofed office. It's a clever and consistently entertaining fiction podcast.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the background details and the interactions between the agency staff. A larger, intriguing story about the project itself unfolds across the seasons.
7. Wolf 359
What starts as a quirky workplace comedy about a dysfunctional crew orbiting a red dwarf star evolves into one of the most beloved and emotionally resonant sci-fi audio dramas ever made. You'll follow the misadventures of Doug Eiffel, the wisecracking communications officer, and his two crewmates as they deal with monotony, strange space phenomena, and a morally ambiguous corporate command back on Earth.
Wolf 359 is a slow burn that rewards patient listeners. The character development is second to none; you’ll come for the jokes and stay for the deep, compelling relationships and the high-stakes plot that gradually takes over. It’s a perfect long-term story to get invested in after work, providing a serialized escape you can look forward to each day. A personal favorite of mine, and something I know Goh Ling Yong also appreciates, is a story that truly transports you, and this one absolutely delivers.
Pro Tip: Don't be fooled by the purely comedic tone of the first dozen or so episodes. The shift to a more dramatic thriller is gradual and earned. Stick with it—the payoff is legendary.
8. Lore
Host Aaron Mahnke has a simple but brilliant premise: sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction. In Lore, he explores dark historical events and eerie folklore, presenting them as true-life campfire tales. From cursed New England towns to haunted asylums and mysterious creatures, each episode delves into the creepy side of our shared history.
Mahnke’s calm, measured narration is a key part of the show's appeal. He presents these unsettling stories in a way that is more fascinating than terrifying, making it a strangely relaxing listen. It’s the perfect podcast for a quiet, rainy evening when you want something atmospheric to sink into. It taps into that primal love of a good, spooky story told by a master storyteller.
Pro Tip: If you enjoy the podcast, there's also a TV show and a book series, but the original podcast remains the purest and most effective form of this screen-free storytelling.
9. The Two Princes
Need something genuinely feel-good and heartwarming? The Two Princes is a modern fairy tale for your ears. When two rival princes, Rupert and Amir, are sent to slay a mysterious beast that is cursing their lands, they end up having to team up. Along the way, they find that their quest—and their feelings for each other—are far more complicated than they imagined.
This is a charming, family-friendly fantasy adventure with a full cast, including stellar performances from Noah Galvin and Ari'el Stachel. It's an uplifting LGBTQ+ story that feels both classic and refreshingly modern. If your workday was particularly draining, the pure optimism and sweet romance of The Two Princes is the perfect restorative.
Pro Tip: This is a limited series, so you can enjoy the complete, satisfying story in just a few sittings. It's a great palate-cleanser between heavier, more intense audio dramas.
10. The Penumbra Podcast
The Penumbra Podcast is a unique anthology feed that offers two distinct, recurring storylines. First, you have the adventures of Juno Steel, a cynical private investigator on Mars, which delivers a fantastic blend of retro-futuristic sci-fi and classic film noir. The second storyline, The Second Citadel, is a high-fantasy epic filled with knights, monsters, and magic.
This "two-shows-in-one" format means you can choose your flavor of escape. The Juno Steel stories are particularly beloved for their sharp writing, complex characters, and compelling mysteries. The production quality is top-tier, creating rich, immersive soundscapes for both its futuristic cities and its magical forests.
Pro Tip: You don't have to listen to both storylines. You can follow just Juno Steel or just The Second Citadel by looking at the episode titles.
11. Phoebe Reads a Mystery
From the host of the hit true-crime podcast Criminal, Phoebe Judge, comes a show designed for pure relaxation. In Phoebe Reads a Mystery, she lends her famously soothing and steady voice to classic works of mystery fiction. Each day, she reads one chapter from a public domain novel, like Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles or Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet.
The daily, bite-sized chapters make this podcast an ideal part of a daily unwinding ritual. It's the audio equivalent of a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Phoebe Judge's voice has an almost meditative quality that can calm a racing mind, making this the ultimate relaxing podcast for easing into your evening.
Pro Tip: Don't worry about keeping up with the plot too intensely. The joy here is less about solving the mystery and more about letting the calming narration wash over you.
12. The Truth
Billed as "movies for your ears," The Truth produces short, original, and often thought-provoking audio stories. Each episode is a completely new, self-contained piece, ranging from comedy to drama to surrealist fiction. The stories are known for their creativity and for using the audio medium in truly innovative ways.
Because each episode is a standalone work, you never know what you're going to get, which is part of the fun. One episode might be a hilarious take on a man who can hear the thoughts of every dog in his neighborhood, while the next might be a poignant drama about a relationship. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we value content that sparks curiosity, and The Truth does just that.
Pro Tip: This is a great podcast to sample. Scroll through their feed and pick a title that sounds interesting—you can jump in absolutely anywhere without any prior knowledge.
13. ars PARADOXICA
If you love a smart, complex, mind-bending story, ars PARADOXICA is for you. When physicist Dr. Sally Grissom accidentally invents time travel during an experiment, she finds herself stranded in 1943. She's quickly swept up by the US government and put to work on the Manhattan Project, forced to navigate the past while trying to find a way home.
This is a meticulously plotted audio drama with phenomenal sound design and a brilliant lead performance. It treats the science and paradoxes of time travel with a seriousness that will delight sci-fi fans. It's the kind of engrossing story that will occupy your full attention, making it an excellent way to leave work stress completely behind.
Pro Tip: This is a serialized story that's best listened to in order from the very beginning. Keep a sharp ear out—the story is full of clever foreshadowing and callbacks.
14. The Bright Sessions
What if people with superpowers went to therapy? That's the compelling premise of The Bright Sessions. The story unfolds through the recorded sessions of Dr. Bright, a therapist who specializes in "the strange and unusual." Her patients include a time traveler, an empath, and a teenager who can hear people's thoughts.
At its core, this is a deeply human and character-driven story. It uses its sci-fi premise to explore real-world themes of anxiety, identity, and connection. The format feels incredibly intimate and pulls you into the characters' lives from the very first episode. It’s an emotional and intelligent listen for anyone who loves stories about people.
Pro Tip: The show's success led to a series of spinoffs and even books, so if you fall in love with the characters, there's a whole universe to explore after you finish the main series.
15. Within the Wires
From the creators of Welcome to Night Vale, Within the Wires is an anthology podcast that tells a new, immersive story each season through a different "found audio" format. Season one is a series of relaxation tapes for a patient in a mysterious medical institute. Season two is a series of museum audio guides. Season three is a set of dictated political letters.
This podcast is atmospheric, experimental, and deeply engrossing. The story is never told to you directly; instead, you piece it together from the clues and context within the audio. It’s a unique and rewarding listening experience that uses the audio medium to its absolute fullest potential. For unwinding, Season 1 is particularly effective, as the "relaxation tape" format is designed to be calming, even as a sinister story unfolds just beneath the surface.
Pro Tip: Each season is a standalone story, so you can start with whichever season's concept sounds most intriguing to you.
The next time you feel the pull of another screen after a long day, I encourage you to pause. Your eyes and your mind deserve a real break. These screen-free story podcasts offer a gateway to incredible worlds, all without a single pixel. They turn mundane chores into adventures and quiet moments into immersive escapes.
So, pick a show from this list that piques your interest, press play, and let the power of audio storytelling help you truly unwind.
What are your favorite fiction podcasts for relaxing after work? Did we miss any of your go-to shows? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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