You’ve got big plans. Worked out every detail. Thought of every contingency. Except one. “12 Elves ’til Christmas” is a story about a dream, a machine, and half a team. [Explicit -- One swear word, bleeped.] Presented by Life Lab Notes - field observations from the lab of Life in a storytelling podcast. 12 Elves ’til Christmas features the voice ta…

Big news! Life Lab Notes has stumbled upon the remote meeting link and password for the weekly meeting of a certain local chapter of a certain group of elves. Obviously, we cannot divulge our sources. Listen in as Carol tries to control the bunch, especially Dibbles, who's in a mood. Featuring the voice talents of Claire Barnhart, Keith Ferguson, E…

If a radio play and an audio book met at a haunted campfire to share a chilling account of mayhem that takes place in hell and the parking lot of a real estate office, it would sound like this: Whistlebottom - a trespasser's tale. Written and performed by Silvie Zamora. Battle March by Phil Ward. Episode album art by @jamahartart.…

Slowly, guarding herself carefully, Cathy has been opening up to La Señora, but it’s going to take one more episode, one more recipe, to help her open up to herself. This is that episode. This is the last installment in our three-part series, Slow Cooker Chronicles - A Fable in Three Recipes. This is Chapter Three: Desimmer (There’s more than one w…

Chapter Two: Slowvember (Giving the Seeds Their Heat) Part two is chock full of flavour and, like any good fable, metaphors. Cathy remembers a little from her last visit with La Señora, but will this month’s Tex-Mex Chile con Carne push her further away from herself? Featuring the voice talents of Nerea Duhart (Chiquita/Cathy) and Graciela Valderra…

Chapter One: Crocktober (Or How To Make Chili Without Your Soul) In this, the first in a three-part series, we meet Cathy, Cathy meets "the crazy lady downstairs" and neither enjoys the chili queso. Featuring the voice talents of Nerea Duhart (Chiquita/Cathy), Graciela Valderrama (La Señora), Robyn Clark (Kid 2), and Silvie Zamora (Kid 1). Written …

There's a lot of pressure to put out the perfect end-of-year podcast, that is the perfect blend of a thoughtful review of the year, a humourous look at life’s outtakes, and an upbeat toast to the future. Luckily, someone made paper snowflakes and saw a big metaphor; and someone else took a long walk and met a wise man. We present two holiday pieces…

We’ve been gathered together for months, hunkered down with our immediate family/household. It hasn’t been easy turning home into home, school, office, some semblance of a gym, storage facility for toilet paper and sanitizing wipes. We’ve had to bob and weave more than usual to make things work. This year, the holidays will be more of the same. Ble…

Just a few thoughts about how connected we all are, and how hard that is to see sometimes. Written and read by Silvie Zamora.Door © Silvie Zamora 2020

"What do you mean by this haunting of me?" Othello IV.i.14 This unsettling Halloween tale was written by Silvie Zamora and featured Jennifer Flack, Liesel Hansen, Cameron Murphy, Denny Siegel, Phil Ward, and Silvie Zamora. Music by Phil Ward. Thank you for sharing some of your Halloween with us. You can also spend time with us on Facebook and Insta…

A brief story about true things that happened in my household and down the street from us. Tabs opened while writing this: bell ringing, bell towers, lightning strikes, ancient prayers, aliens.Door © 2020 Silvie Zamora

Door © 2019 Silvie Zamora

Door © 2019 Tom Clark and Silvie Zamora

Door © 2019 Susan C. Hunter

Door © 2019 Silvie Zamora

Door © 2019 Denny Siegel

Day 7: “Seven Swans a-Swimming” by Alina Phelan Ballou and Phil Ward, and performed by Phil Ward. The season the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead? With the gifts listed in that famous carol as inspiration, our team of crackerja…

Day 6: Six Geese a-Laying. Have you been working tirelessly? Do you have a “holiday-business-important-event” to attend? Ever feel like nature has it out for you? Then heed this cautionary tale written by Silvie Zamora, and performed by Keith Ferguson, Robyn Roth, and Andrew Stubblefield. The season the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ goes from Christma…

In Day 5: Five Golden Rings, the Humanoid Aptitude and Behavioral Inquiry Team are back! L’Seth Navi and Krraz are in possession of something with far-reaching implications. Written by Silvie Zamora, and performed by Keith Ferguson and Silvie Zamora. H.A.B.I.T. opening theme and montage music by Phil Ward. The season the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ …

Day 4: Four Calling Birds - A Winter Solstice Poem reminds us the wheel keeps turning and each season brings blessings. Written by Robyn Heller and performed by Liesel Hanson, Robyn Heller, Robyn Roth, and Silvie Zamora. The season the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this o…

Day 3: "Three French Hens" is written and performed by Claire Barnhart. The season the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead? Armed with the gifts listed in that famous carol as inspiration, our team of crackerjack writers came up w…

Day 2: Two very different people find something in common in "Two Turtle Doves," written by Joanne Ke and performed by Keith Ferguson, Liesel Hanson, Lynn Odell, Justin Vasquez, and Silvie Zamora. The season the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ goes from Christmas to January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to …

Yes, the Twelve Days of Christmas is technically between Christmas and January 5th. But here at Life Lab Notes, we figured, just this once, why not lead up to Christmas instead? So we took the gifts listed in that famous carol, and divvied them up amongst our team of crackerjack writers to use as inspiration. The result? Twelve days of funny, movin…

Our humble Halloween offering is part fairy tale, part parable, part fourth quarter performance meeting. Don't be late - you don't want to upset the chairman. Featuring the voice talents of Keith Ferguson, Brian Hall, Pablo Marz, Alina Phelan, Roxy Shabestari, Justin Vasquez, Silvie Zamora, and special guest Keythe Farley as Satan. For more otherwo…

I don't remember where I got the idea that May 16th was National Flash Fiction Day. Maybe I dreamt it. However it entered my brain, I definitely consciously entered it into my calendar, and dutifully reminded myself a few days ago, "I'd better get a very short story ready to post!" May 16th is not National Flash Fiction Day. That'll be in June 15th…

With each Life Lab Notes episode, we strive to illustrate how much we humans share, but this episode is perhaps just a bit more personal and universal. You may never have heard of Sam Christensen, but this episode is still for you. Thanks to Phil Ward for the music and engineering. Visit our website for more info about this episode, and a photo of …

It’s December, and time for the final Life Lab Notes episode of the year. The perfect time to check in on our favourite space alien duo - H.A.B.I.T. The Humanoid Aptitude and Behavioral Inquiry Team. In “Info-Trans Report: The Holidays” we find out what L’Seth Navi and Krraz have been assimilating about some human holidays of fall and winter (sprin…

Before you get to those tricky family gatherings, get yourself to "Warm-Up! The Virtual Reality Immersive Live Holiday Experience!" for a kind of holiday rehearsal. Featuring the voice talents of Keith Ferguson, Phil Ward, and Silvie Zamora, this Life Lab Notes audio Thanksgiving card (and great idea for a weird new business) was written by Silvie …

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 13, Home, was written by Robert Stoccardo and Silvie Zamora and performed …

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 12, Doubt, was written by Silvie Zamora and performed by Tony DeCarlo. Fol…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 11, Hunted, was written by Joanna Ke and performed by Cesili Williams. Fol…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 10, Exit, was written by Rikki Schwartz and performed by Joel Scher. Follo…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 9, Cul-de-Sac, was written by Michael Bonnabel and performed by Linda Grav…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 8, Limbo, was written by Silvie Zamora and performed by Liesel Hanson. Fol…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 7, Summoned, was written by Silvie Zamora and performed by Sandra Kinder. …

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 6, Believe, was written by Phinneas Kiyomura and performed by Darrett Sand…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 5, Threshold, was written by Silvie Zamora and performed by Jenny Flack an…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 4, Sand, was written by Silvie Zamora and performed by Abel Arias. Follow …

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 3, Periphery, was written by Silvie Zamora and performed by Keith Ferguson…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 2, Maestra, was written and performed by Silvie Zamora. Follow us on Twitt…

Spirits, Souls, Beings. Whatever you call them, you can’t see them. But you can hear them. Thirteen souls have been given their earthly voices back for the chance to tell their own stories. Oct 19th through 31st, each episode is a personal look at one immortal being. Episode 1, Host, was written by Silvie Zamora and performed by Rob Thurmond. Follo…

Life Lab Notes had the great pleasure of attending the Podcast Movement 2018 conference in Philadelphia. Breakfast smoothies at Reading Terminal Market, followed by hours of inspiration and camaraderie, culminating in new ideas, new acquaintances, and new podcasting T-shirts. Success! This episode was recorded live at the Podcast Pavilion, hosted b…

The third episode of Life Lab Notes' quirky little alien series, "H.A.B.I.T." This one's called Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc. (Don't worry, there is no Latin in the actual episode.) Krraz and L'Seth Navi have some technical issues, but they don't immediately turn to logic and reason for the solution. Featuring the voice talents of Keith Ferguson and …

Each spring, Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood has a mini season of five 10-minute, one-act plays, produced by a professional team of actors and directors. And written by high school kids. The Young Writers Project has been around for over fifteen years, which means hundreds of students have been coached by professional writers from Theatre of NOTE (in …

We observe humans. We process these observations. Then we report on our findings, in whatever format strikes our fancy. This month's report is part "Starsky and Hutch" and part "Angie Tribeca," with a theme song in loving homage to The Mod Squad.Door © 2018 Silvie Zamora

Season 2, episode 2 of Life Lab Notes brings us back to the H.A.B.I.T. earth station again, with Krraz and L’Seth Navi, in an episode called, “Talk Human To Me.” H.A.B.I.T. - The Humanoid Aptitude and Behavioral Inquiry Team is a stealth organization which exists to collect physical data on earth, to explore and examine the behavior modalities of h…

Life Lab Notes continues the time-honoured storytelling tradition in the science fiction genre. Presenting the first in a series of short sketches about The Humanoid Aptitude and Behavioral Inquiry Team, a stealth organization which exists to collect physical data on earth, to explore and examine the behaviour modalities of humans, for any possible…

In November of 2016, an intrepid cast, band, and crew entered North Hollywood, California's El Portal Theatre, and set up for the brilliant challenge of recording twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories before a live audience. Like an advent calendar, but with less religious-affiliation and only slightly less chocolate, the 2016 Audio Advent Cale…

In November of 2016, an intrepid cast, band, and crew entered North Hollywood, California's El Portal Theatre, and set up for the brilliant challenge of recording twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories before a live audience. Like an advent calendar, but with less religious-affiliation and only slightly less chocolate, the 2016 Audio Advent Cale…

In November of 2016, an intrepid cast, band, and crew entered North Hollywood, California's El Portal Theatre, and set up for the brilliant challenge of recording twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories before a live audience. Like an advent calendar, but with less religious-affiliation and only slightly less chocolate, the 2016 Audio Advent Cale…