"Am I Old Yet?" is on hiatus at the moment, while I refresh myself and come up with some more adventures to send Helen on. Meantime, here is an audio fiction I think you will enjoy. "The Perfect Sentence" is a concept album, by Jeff Van Dreason, co-creator of "Greater Boston", and it's available on Bandcamp, Spotify and Apple Music or wherever you stream your music. It's part narrated, part acted, with a beautiful soundscape, and it concerns grief, friendship, art, memory, and so much more. This is the first track, just to give you a taster. Please support us at patreon.com/amIoldyet. And please find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thunder's Mouth Theatre presents: "Oh Susie!" Episode 11 of Season 11. And yes, it does feel weird concluding a season on an odd number. But, as I'm fond of telling my students and clients, 'weird' is a great word, it means 'something I'm not used to, so I'm expanding my universe'.  We pick up where we left off at the end of Episode 10, when Susie offers herself to take up Preshanni's job as the wait staff in Mrs Patel's cafe. Her mother is not happy... You heard Lushika Preethrajh as Mrs Patel, and Flloyd Kennedy as Helen, Janey and Susie. The music is "In the Labyrinth" by John T La Barbera, and you can hear more of John's lovely music on Spotify and on Bandcamp. Thank to the Fable and Folly Network for their support, and encouragement. Please check out their sponsors at FableandFolly.com/sponsors. And if you'd like to join in our friendly Discord community. You just need to subscribe and donate over at patreon.com/amIoldyet. Wishing you all a wonderful summer. Thanks for listening. Stay safe. Full transcript is available at amIoldyet.com/s11e11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Part 1 of Episode 10, or you can just call it Episode 10, because Megaphone will call the next one Episode 11, no matter what I call it.  Never mind. Helen and Susie are still on a mission to find out what is going on with Preshanni, the young woman who went messing a couple of episodes ago. They know where she is - back with her family in South Africa, but they still don’t know why. Mrs Patel, Preshanni’s former employer, might have the answer, but Susie still has something that’s bothering her, and Helen intends to find out what it is. Enjoy  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thunder’s Mouth Theatre presents... “In Search of  Preshanni” Episode 9 of Season 11. Helen and Susie  are still concerned that Preshanni went missing just after Ciara went off to France, so they on their way to Mary’s house to see if Ciara left any information behind, indicating where Preshanni might have gone.  I wonder if I can manage to wrap up the mystery in the next episode, in which case that will be a ‘wrap’ for Season 11!  This episode was written and performed by me, Flloyd Kennedy. The music is by John T La Barbera, from his album In The Labyrinth, available on Spotify.  You can support this podcast by subscribing at patreon.com/amIoldyet, which gives you access to all the episodes, totally ad free! As well as to our community discord group, along with other perks. Thanks also to Fable and Folly network for their support. Please visit fableandfolly.com/sponsors. THANKS FOR LISTENING. STAY SAFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 8 of Season 11 and Jennifer gives Helen a hand to bring her shopping upstairs, as the lift is STILL out of order. Really! Someone should report it to the Body Corporate. Helen’s old friend Joey from her days at college in New York, who now lives in Sydney Australia, calls up for a catch up, and a new friend phones in to ask for Helen's help. Written, performed and produced by Flloyd Kennedy., with music by John T La Barbera. All praise to the Fable and Folly Network for their support and encouragement, please check out the sponsors at fableandfolly.com/sponsors. "Am I Old Yet?" was shortlisted for a Golden Lobe award last month. Didn’t win, but what an honour to be listed in such great company as Crowleytime, Oz9, and the actual winner Harford - an oral history. Do check them out. And feel free to drop some pennies into our Patreon bucket if you can spare any, at patreon.com/amIoldyet. Every little helps. Thanks for listening. Stay safe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, while I wrap up the final episodes of "Baked Off!", I'm excited to share another delicious audio drama from the award winning writer, Stephanie Elie. Alpha8 is a sci-fi adventure fiction that imagines what might happen when a desperate alien swaps places with a regular working mother and has to deal with three stroppy teenagers, while dad is kept incommunicado at his terribly important job. The production of "Alpha 8" is a meticulously crafted audio experience that blends rich storytelling with sophisticated sound design to transport listeners into its vivid sci-fi universe. The series is produced using high-quality audio equipment to capture the nuanced performances of a diverse and talented cast, ensuring every emotional beat and suspenseful moment is conveyed with clarity and impact. Awards and nominations 2024 Awards Hollywood Series Awards - Best Sci-fi Podcast Signal Award Gold - Best Fiction Podcast T.O. WebFest - Best Writing in a Podcast Zepston Int’l Film & Music Festival - Best Fiction Podcast Urban Mediamakers Film Festival - Best Podcast Ecovision Festival - Best Fiction Podcasy LA WebFest Winner 2024 - Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Podcast Miami WebFest Winner 2024 - Best Sound Mix 2024 Nominations New Jersey Web Festival - Best Sci-Fi & Best Supporting Actor New Zealand Web Fest - Best Cast & Best Sound Design Sydney Web Fest - Best Sound Design & Best Sci-Fi Podcast Baltimore Next Media Web Fest - Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy HollyShorts Film Festival - Best Podcast Essence Film Festival - Best Podcast 2024 Selections Official Selection - Melbourne WebFest For more information, visit https://alpha8audio.com Please Support Am I Old Yet. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners • • Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, as a bonus, we introduce you to a brand new podcast. I’ve been working on it for around 18 months now, it’s an 8 episode limited series, fully scripted and fully cast audio fiction called “Baked Off! Live, laugh, loaves”. Written and produced by me, with a cast of 10 fabulous voice actors, and new music by John T La Barbera. It has its own feed, and its own website, and it is totally independently available in your podcasting apps. From next week, you’ll need to seek it out either at bakedoffpodcast.com, or in your podcasting app. And normal “Am I Old Yet?” service will resume here next week!  In the meantime, here is Episode 1 “Loaves Actually”.In which we meet Duncan, a young IT consultant in Edinburgh, Scotland, Julianna, an ex-dancer,  wife and mother in Liverpool, England, and Margot, retired Michelin starred chef in Brisbane, Australia. The cast is: Christopher McDougal, Wendy Lap, Tayo Aluko, Erika Sanderson, Frankii Phoenix, Andrea Richardson, Roy R Carruthers and Flloyd Kennedy. Music composed and arranged by John T La Barbera. Sound design and editing by Flloyd Kennedy. Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/introducing_baked_off Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners • • Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helen finds herself on the receiving end of some rather disturbing news, and some sad, but not unexpected news. This episodes includes discussions of missing persons, and grief.  And now for a quote from the makers of my favourite sci fi podcast, Midnight Burger - "it’s free to listen to a podcast, but it’s not free to make", so if you’d care to make a donation towards our production expenses, head over to buymeacoffee.com/amIoldyet, where you can donate anything from a pound or a dollar up. Or you can subscribe on a regular basis, and receive my infrequent newsletters and also join up with other AIOY listeners over on Discord. Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T La Barbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 6 finds Helen at her favourite cafe, chatting with Ilse about playing card games on her iPad. But before we go there, I thought you might like to know why we call ourselves Thunder’s Mouth Theatre. Back in the day, I played Queen Eleanor in a production of Shakespeare’s play “The Life and Death of King John”. It was produced by John Warner’s production company in Brisbane, and performed at the then abandoned Boggo Road Jail. Our lovely mate Allana Noyes played Constance, Eleanor’s daughter-in-law, and Constance has the most wonderful line that Shakespeare ever wrote: “Oh, that my tongue were in the Thunder’s mouth / then with a passion would I shake the world!” That is how I feel about live theatre, so that is what I named my own company. And now, I use it to do a teeny tiny bit of shaking of the world, in my own small way, with the help of some very good mates. In this episode, John Warner introduces the character of William Askew, OAM. Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available shortly after release on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s11e6 Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners • • Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helen attended the 'gathering' Susie invited her to, where she met up with the mother of Kiara, the charismatic climate change evangelist. They've taken Susie off to the nearest cafe to enjoy something to drink and a heart to heart. With special guest voice actor Lushika Preetrajh as Preshanni and Mrs Patel. Now, you may have noticed that these episodes are arriving at roughly fortnightly intervals these days. That’s because I’m also busy editing the new podcast, Baked Off! Which is a much bigger production than Am I Old Yet? I’ve been trying to raise some funds to pay for a dialogue editor to help me with it, but we still have some way to go. If you’d like to help out, there are a range of perks to be enjoyed, from early access to the episodes to mugs, stickers and aprons, and even a brand new cookbook. The website is crowdfundr.com/bakedoffthepodcast. I’m halfway through editing Episode 4, with only another 4 to go. And it will happen a whole lot faster if I don’t have to do it all myself! Thanks to those of you who have joined the Patreon community. The latest newsletter is on its way to you already. Also thanks to Fable and Folly and the F&F community, who are so lovely and supportive, as well as being just the best audio fiction producers out there. Thanks for listening. Stay safe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thunder’s Mouth Theatre presents: yet another mini adventure in the life of our aged heroine Helen. Her granddaughter Susie phones up to apologise for standing her up last week, and after a chat with daughter Janey, Helen decides to attend a ‘gathering’ headed up by Susie’s latest bestie, to see what the fuss is all about. You heard Flloyd Kennedy as Susie, Helen, Janey, Kiara and the stranger in the crowd (Mary O'Leary), as well as J.R. Snyder, Lushika Preethrajh and Brady Flanagan as Voices in the crowd. Do check out Brady's own podcasts "Rogue Life" and "Your Horror Show". And you will hear both JR and Lushika in many other excellent fiction podcasts! The theme music is from "In the Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T La Barbera, and available on Spotify. Please Support the Show either by telling your friends and colleagues about it. Or you can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription that gives you access to other benefits at patreon.com/amIoldyet. The full transcript will be available at the website amIoldyet.com. As well, you can leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews And please, find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners  Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helen is waiting patiently at her favourite Cheese Shop Cafe for her granddaughter Susie and daughter Janey to join her for lunch. Until they are half an hour late, and then—not so patiently. Meanwhile, there's a young American guy, who seems to think he's Sam Spade. Or is it Philip Marlowe? Cast: AJ Fidalgo as Special Agent Sam Marlow; Tayo Aluko as Detective Inspector Frank Ensign (there is no 'T'); Frances Broudie Oldridge as SWAT Team Leader Officer Linda Carter; Shea Smith as Dieter Putton; Flloyd Kennedy as Helen, Janey, Ilse and Rina Gineheart; Theme music composed and performed by John T La Barbera. Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s11e3 Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helen is at home, listening to her favourite folk music programme on the radio when there is a rude interruption downstairs. She and her neighbour Jennifer decide to take action. As usual, this episode deals with everyday challenges rather than world affairs. Although of course, world affairs have their effect. The performers are Christopher McDougall and Flloyd Kennedy. Editing and sound design by Flloyd Kennedy. Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s11e2 Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners • • Thanks for listening. Stay safe SFX: PHONERINGING.FLAC BY ACCLIVITY -- HTTPS://FREESOUND.ORG/S/24928/ -- LICENSE: ATTRIBUTION NONCOMMERCIAL 4.0 PHONE HANGUP.WAV BY THUNDERQUADS -- HTTPS://FREESOUND.ORG/S/467200/ -- LICENSE: CREATIVE COMMONS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thunder's Mouth Theatre Presents... Am I Old Yet, Welcome back. Here's an extended episode to get us started on Season 11. Helen has been out shopping, and would like nothing better than to put her feet up and relax with a nice hot coffee. Friends and family, however, are in need of her very specific help and advice. You know how it is... Enjoy The cast was as follows Helen, Janey, Susan were played by Flloyd Kennedy Popsy the kitten miaowing, and Apate the Trickster Goddess were played by Frances Broudie Oldridge Popsy the kitten purring was Chloe the Cat. Zeus was played by Ira Seidenstein. The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify. Written, produced and sound design by Flloyd Kennedy. Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s11e1   And, if you're enjoying Helen's antics along with those of her friends and family, please tell your friends about it, and also it would be wonderful if you would leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners      •         •    Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Am I Old Yet?" is enjoying a hiatus as you've probably noticed. But while Season 11 is being slowly cooked up in the background, we are also working on a brand new podcast. It's called "Baked Off! - Live Laugh Loaves" and the aim is to release it early in 2025. Here's the trailer - you may recognise most of the voices, but the characters are all new! We are also running a crowdfunding campaign to help pay the voice actors, musician, sound designer etc, and we'd be enormously grateful for your support. https://crowdfundr.com/bakedoffthepodcast. There are also some perks and rewards, including early access to episodes, a cook book, stickers mugs and aprons - and more! The cast are, in order of appearance: In Scotland— Christopher McDougall - Duncan Wendy Lap - Heather In England— Tayo Aluko - Ade Frankie Phoenix - Sammy Erika Sanderson - Julianna In Australia Flloyd Kennedy - Margot On the Zoom call Andrea Richardson - Caroline Music - Composed, arranged and performed by John T La Barbera Direction and Sound Design - Flloyd Kennedy Please Support the Show.  Transcript is available on the episode website https://bakedoffpodcast.com/ Please find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the final episode in Season 10. Helen has returned home from her jaunt with Hera to reports that Mr Parks & Gardens is snooping around homeless ex-solder Mike's spot near the bus stop, possibly interfering with the plants in which Demeter has provided some salad and fruit plants at Helen's request in Episode 3 of Season 10. Well! We can't have that, can we? So, it's Helen and granddaughter Susie to the rescue! Cast: Christopher McDougall - Charlie Wendy Lap - Annie Sarah Golding - Betty Edward Donnelly - James Wayne Stuart-Cole - Mr Parks & Gardens Roy R Carruthers - Mike Flloyd Kennedy - Helen, Susie, Jackie Music: In the Labyrinth, composed and performed by John T La Barbera SFX: Freesound.org 114256-Vintage_London_Bus_Arr_Stop_Go_1 56913-Traffic_-Footsteps_2 Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s AIR New Voices Amplify Spotify Playlist featuring a ‘Best of’ collection from the 16 podcast fellows, of which this is one! Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susie and Janey are still angsting about Helen's disappearance, while Susie's boyfriend Charlie attempts to inject a smidgeon of common sense - brave man! And then Janey and Helen seems to be vieing for the honour of most tech avoidance in the family. Christopher McDougall - Charlie, Rene Flloyd Kennedy - Janey, Susie, Ilse, Helen SFX Message Bank beep, buttons clicking and phone ringing, courtesy of Flloyd’s iPhone. Cafe ambience - recorded by Flloyd at the Sweet Pea Cafe, West Kirby on the Wirral. Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s10e9, approximately 12 hours after the episode goes live. AIR New Voices Amplify Spotify Playlist featuring a ‘Best of’ collection from the 16 podcast fellows, of which this is one! Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hera has brought Helen to her home on Mt Olympus, after their short visit to the Amazon rain forest. Zeus is so happy to see her that he just can't help singing about it. And so it came about, that this episode has turned into a musical. You're welcome... Hera - Wendy Lap Helen - Flloyd Kennedy Zeus - Ira Seidenstein Music - "In the Labyrinth", Song of the Goddess Diana" and "Song of the Minatour", composed and performed by John T La Barbera Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s10e8 AIR New Voices Amplify Spotify Playlist featuring a ‘Best of’ collection from the 16 podcast fellows, of which this is one! Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And now, to return to regular transmission! Hera, the Queen of the Gods, drops by in south London to whisk Helen off to her homeland for a well-deserved mini-break. These two women of way over 'a certain age' have more in common than meets the eye. Cast: Hera - Wendy Lap Zeus - Ira Seidenstein Helen, American tourist - Flloyd Kennedy Music - "In the Labyrinth" and "Song of the Minotaur" composed and performed by John T La Barbera SFX (freesound.org) 75526__robinhood76__01153-great-wings-in-motion windy day .mp3 by soundmary -- https://freesound.org/s/196667/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 653265__garuda1982__large-wooden-door-open-close^ Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s AIR New Voices Amplify Spotify Playlist featuring a ‘Best of’ collection from the 16 podcast fellows, of which this is one! Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special Announcement: Please excuse this break in transmission - Episode 6 was going to take us to Greece, where Helen is enjoying the scenery and the sunshine. But in view of the terrible tragedy of the wildfires presently affecting large parts of Greece, including Athens itself, I'd decided to postpone that episode till next week. In the meantime, here is news regarding the development of the new podcast, "Baked Off!" which I hope to be able to bring to you later this year. Voices: Ed Donnelly, John Warner, Andrew Durning, Matthew Field, Wendy Lap, Bernadette Pryde, Andrea Richardson, Tayo Aluko, Roy R Carruthers and Flloyd Kennedy. SFX Australian Magpies - JustinJetZorbas - https://www.pond5.com/ Footsteps and window opening - Flloyd Kennedy Please Support the Show. You can either leave a one off tip of $1 or £1 (or more) or take out a monthly subscription. Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/s AIR New Voices Amplify Spotify Playlist featuring a ‘Best of’ collection from the 16 podcast fellows, of which this is one! Please leave a comment or review at https://amIoldyet.com/reviews The theme music is from "In The Labyrinth" composed and performed by John T LaBarbera, available on Spotify Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Thanks for listening. Stay safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices