I have listened to all of Ars Paradoxica 8 times. Since my first time hearing it, I’d struggled to find another audio-drama with the same level of quality and craftsmanship. Every aspect of this one blows every podcast you’ll ever listen to out of the water. I almost regret finding this one because it’s made countless others look so bad by comparison.

Let me tell you, I LOVE sci-fi. Especially time travel. And a lot of time travel in media is more or less the same. Ars Paradoxica is different from any sci-fi I’ve read/seen/listened to. It’s brilliant. You’ll form certain preconceptions based on the summary- “oh ok, a scientist gets stuck in the past. I’ve seen this before” But this is NOT Back to the Future. It’s a very different take on time travel, paradoxes, and alternate timelines. I keep thinking I know where things are going… and then I’m wrong. As a bonus, Sally is a smart, likeable protagonist. Many fiction podcasts have been ruined for me because the main character is whiny or shallow or unpleasant, so it’s refreshing to actually care about her.

Seriously, the best time-travel fiction I have ever seen or heard.

Worth a listen!!

I listen to the entire first season of this podcast, and then a huge fan of science-fiction and time travel but this story just never hooked me. Other than the protagonist, almost all of the characters sounded the same. Including those who were supposed to be 60 year old men. I imagine the entire cast of the show is in their 20s. The audio production values and sound effects were outstanding. But the story just was not compelling. I find it hard to believe that an effort to build a time travel machine merit, so relatively few resources from the government.

Sally reminds me of my ex and so love her character, plus she brilliant. I get why they need to fizzle out the technical jargon but for science majors it would be cool To hear. Regardless, the Areas and turns, unexpected plot twists, everything is amazing. The one thing these guys have that other time traveling shows do not is the fact that time travel begins to mess i your psyche and mental grip on reality. Eventually your not able to tell the difference between the past present or future. However let’s just hope Sally gets to find love because she sure as heck deserves it!

One of the better time travel stories I’ve experienced. While a bit confusing at times, it knows how to handle the complications inherent and irons them out with some truly top-tier character work. A must-listen for sci-fi audiodrama fans.

I was looking for a time travel podcast and stumbled across Ars and was pleasantly surprised. It’s an enjoyable listen.

Normally I wouldn’t comment on the theme music of a show but the choice here seems sooooo out of place. It’s extremely depressing and I hate it.

Very enjoyable and very strong first season. Enjoyed immensely. Have ups & downs in season 2. It got weird when like 6 women were talking & they all sounded pretty much the same. Other than that, all good.

Like so many podcasts, it got off to a good start ( Other than the lead time travel character spoiling the future at every possible opportunity. ) then waned somewhat. The writing can be pretty clever and they tackle a complicated plot. But, as many people have noted, many of the characters sound too much alike - and this isn't necessary in this day of many talented voice actors being around. Also, -- please please please understand that I welcome diversity in drama -- but for a piece set in 1953 it's a bit much to have a room with 6 people and like 5 of them be openly LGBTQIA. Last but not least, the actors are talented but I think it's the direction. Expressing emotion is more than speaking as rapidly as possible or...on the...other hand...putting excessive...pauses... in every...sentence. I'm going to recommend you try it, but just read both the negative and positive reviews and go in knowing that there are some annoyances. Edit to add: I also want to agree with a previois reviewer. There are some episodes where so much of the time is simply people harshly arguing. I listen to audio dramas to be entertainted, and that includes drama, sci-fi, or horror, so it's not all supposed to be flowing brooks and tweeting bird sounds, but to just listen to people argue for 15 or 20 minutes, it's just not a pleasant experience.

Getting into this show took me listening to the first seven episodes twice, because I couldn't keep any of the characters straight and forgot who was who. Now that I've figured them out and properly focused on it, I love this story and I'm incredibly invested in it! But it took me a while to get here.

Love the story and everything about it ex the static. I understand it’s part of the story but it’s too much too often

This is one of the best audio dramas I’ve EVER heard. Not much else to say, listen to it.

It was a absolutely gorgeous story, but what year is she from lol thank you the the hours of wonder and amazement, see you in yesteryear

but some of the writing and acting is lacking. Seriously downplays how bad life was for women and minorities in the 1940’s in America, especially jumping from the mid 2010’s, to the point of breaking my suspension of disbelief. You don’t have to browbeat the subject, but pretending like it was pretty much fine just isn’t believable, especially as the show is most often from a woman’s perspective. The queer representation was ham handed, performative, and also far from believable. The whole conversation between Eddie and Sally in the greenhouse? Yeah that sounded like a coming out scene from some unresearched, unedited, off the cuff teenage fanfiction. And, it wasn’t even necessary after the audio from Eddie’s meetup with Bridget. Sorry to be harsh; I know people have worked hard on this but the script itself needs work. It sounds like an early draft of a project: lots of potential, but needs some real tuning up before it’s ready. Too many of the voice actors sound too similar, and not all of them seem to be up to the task of actually acting. The general concept is great and the plot has kept me interested. The voice actors for Sally and Partridge are really excellent. But all in all, the pod’s a bit of a mess.

Incredibly well written story line with dynamic characters and sound sci-fi logic. If you like a journey that not only Kees you entertained but makes you think, this is the right show for you.

Ughh. This podcast is so bad! It’s constant bickering with every little story.

Yay!

Reviews and recs for other sci fi podcasts are garbage by comparison to this show (many are garbage in general like vast). This is pretty brilliant.

First, let’s be clear, this is a time travel drama. I see a lot of comments along the lines of “it doesn’t sound like 1940s.” Because Sally ISN’T from 1940. Le sigh. She can have 2020 values in 1940 because she’s from some unknown point in our future - hence the bleeping. Also, the numbers and weather at the end are a CODE. Actually, they’re a whole series of codes. Look up Vigenere ciphers. The messages are fun, though I’m still stuck on Cyan. Podcasts and puzzling has a walkthrough of some of them. I liked the way they handled the changing time lines, from the black out of time hub to butterfly syndrome. I will, however, agree with some of the other comments - there are a LOT of voices that are hard to discern. Sally is obviously Sally, but many of the others blend together. In all, if you actually pay attention to the premise, this is a great show. I think I’ll go relisten to the whole thing, thanks COVID....

After 10 minutes in, definitely done. They have no idea how to write military characters, everyone sounds like the writing project of a self satisfied, thoroughly uneducated, liberal middle schooler. Disappointing, good premise, good writing on the main character, all supporting skippable.

I listened to the first season, but I don’t think I’ll be going further. It’s entertaining, yes, but super frustrating as well - the voices are far too similar (it takes me a minute to figure out who’s talking unless there’s a context clue), and the anachronisms drove me batty (I doubt anyone said “meet-cute” in the ‘40s).

4 episodes in. Just the right amount of comedy and drama. The writing is good as well as the actors! Edit... How did I get the name Donnyboy 16000, who assigned that and how did they pick that? At the end of the episodes, there are numbers recited and a Tulsa weather report. What’s that about?

I’ve binged this show (and now the archives) about once a year for the last three years. The characters feel real and the narrative handles multiple timelines gracefully. The first time I listened I was confused as to how this was a “found audio” podcast but that is explained early on and the final explanation wrapped everything up neatly. This is one of the first podcasts I recommend to anyone looking for narrative fiction in podcasts. Robin, co-host of Books That Burn

i ve just started season 2 and really? it sounds like a cross over to " the bright sessions". 😍😍 i hope i m right (thats just a theory). i love this podcast 🥰🥰.

Then the wheels came off and the story bounced off I few walls and took out a stand of spectators. Fire the woke brigade and focus on the actual plot.

I love a sci-fi Audio Drama with a strong female lead. Twists and turns and lots of great characters. Get even more fun out of listening to arsParadoxica by reading Wil William’s fantastic & thorough episode-by-episode notes as you go.

This is easily the twistiest, most entertaining and well thought-out science fiction drama I've ever listened to!

Absolutely ruined it with the ending.

This was a great until they brought politics into it.

That’s it, I like the characters. It’s a good story.

If you like Wolf 359, We’re Alive, the Bright Sessions, or other narrative podcasts, you’ll enjoy this one. I’ve been lookin for a good story podcast since I finished a string of good ones and this one finally fulfilled that. I love the unfolding storyline. Well written.

The first season was definitely the better one. However, it didn’t seem like much effort was made to write period dialog. Other than the main character’s vulgarity, the dialog didn’t sound particularly 1940s. The writing seemed to get sloppier as the series progressed. There are so many side plots that the whole thing gets convoluted.

I love the show. It is very funny. Also a bit shocking at times. Overall it is a great sci-fi story. The ideas on paradox are a little out dated honestly. Would have 5 stars except for I really don’t like the bleeping out what year the time traveller came from and bleeping out other dates or times or addresses... numbers i guess. The bleeping is not funny and I really can't figure out why they do it. Maybe someone wants to explain it to me and if it makes sense I can always change the rating to 5. Edit. : I am editing my review to 3 stars because the bleeping bs gets worse as the show goes on.

I've listened to a lot of podcasts (due to the nature of my work) and this has been one of my favorites I've found so far. The story is wonderful and the acting is on point. The only complaint I have with it is one very specific set of noises, the kissing sounds, it is, well it's a kissing sound. But this isn't on them, I'm pretty sure this is just a me thing. Any way, great podcast, give it a listen.

My favorite episode so far is curses!! This is a great show, I stumbled upon it by accident and I’m so glad I did!! Love this

I enjoyed the show until a couple episodes into Season 2. The Producer was boo-hoo’ing about being “inclusive” and “sensitive to gun violence”. We can’t look at or create a 1949 show through 2019 lenses. Weak. So bye.

An all-around solid Cold War sci-fi romp. I can't think back to a single episode where I was disappointed by the plot, the acting, the pacing, anything really. Every time the story took a sharp turn into new territory, it always delivered with compelling characterizations and interesting conflict. In hindsight, this podcast has some of my favorite acting out of all the shows I listen to. Most importantly: 10/10 points for LGBT characters!

Brilliant. Fun. Inventive. You can nitpick and make a yarn wall or you can sit back and just enjoy the ride. Both methods lead to an enjoyable listen.

📍the present | _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 📍 WHOOPS! I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _I |_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ¡ 📍the future broke! ¿ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _/ | _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I 📍espionage | 📍the past

It’s like I’m siting around the big radio in the living room before TV was invented. This is the second story telling podcast I’ve really gotten into. Wolverine - The Long Night was awesome n got me searching for more podcasts like it. With TV n movies u lose the right to imagine the characters as u hear them. This podcast pulls u in quick and so far I’m left wanting more every episode. I’m not that far in yet so we’ll see, but I hope this just keeps going deeper down the rabbit hole. I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, but I don’t see how anyone couldn’t get sucked into this plot. I listen to it while going to sleep every night n I love the very end of every episode. Don’t skip to the next one when u hear the credits or silence keep listening for the British girl at the very end after the silence. Can’t wait to continue this journey through time...cue that Back To The Future song. “Tell me doctor, where are we goin this time? Is this the 40’s or 20BLEEP”

I loved and hated this show. Loved it because it was inventive, had great voice acting (Kristen DiMercurio needs to be in more things), the writing felt realistic, and it was entertaining as hell. Hated it because it’s over 😩 and now I have to find something that probably won’t compare. Thanks for ruining other time travel stories for me!

I binged this podcast in less than a week. So good!

Great story. Went from listening to one episode a day to 4-5 episodes and binge listening. Awesome cast and writing.

I listen to this podcast every morning when I make myself breakfast. If I'm not listening to ars Paradoxica while I'm drinking coffee, it just doesn't taste the same. Thanks for the awesome show!

Awesome podcast. Why bleep the dates?

This show is truly wonderful. It’s so well thought out and written. Sally is a lovable weirdo, and the creators go past my expectations on fun time-travel, alternative timelines.......... and paradox crazy amazing-ness. Everyone subscribe, even though they don’t make new episodes. Well worth the listen!

Really interesting and entertaining can’t believe it’s over!

This is a mix of old school radio drama and Eureka. Fantastic work.