Show Notes
August 6, 1938. The Mississippi Delta. The Badlands… In this hauntingly melodic episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced by the enigmatic Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), finds himself aboard a steam engine train, its whistle echoing through the twilight of the afterlife. As the train slows to a halt, a figure steps into the dim light, guitar in hand, a shadowy silhouette against the misty backdrop—Robert Johnson, voiced by Tristan Mack Wilds (The Wire / Red Tails), the legendary bluesman whose music was said to be born at the crossroads of despair and genius. There's not much left of Robert Johnson on Earth, just a handful of records and a legacy shrouded in mystery. But here, in the liminal space between worlds, his story unfolds, a tale as haunting as his music. The Ferryman listens to his presence a silent invitation for the soul of the blues to sing its truth. Johnson's life was a symphony of sorrow and longing, his music the voice of a nation's grief, suffering, and aching need to belong. He speaks of rejecting the life of a working man for the existence of a wandering spirit, a choice that led him down a path lined with loss and lament. The tragic death of his wife while he was away haunts his melodies, a reminder of the price paid for the life he chose. As the train chugs through the ethereal landscape, the conversation turns to the legend that has immortalized Johnson—the tale of selling his soul to the devil at a dusty Mississippi crossroads in exchange for unrivaled mastery of the blues. The Ferryman, a collector of stories, is intrigued. Is this myth the key to Johnson's otherworldly talent, or merely a metaphor for the sacrifices and dark bargains made in the pursuit of greatness? But Robert Johnson has a proposition of his own, a final tune to play in this twilight journey. His fingers dance on the strings, the notes a whisper of light and shadow. What does a man who's already gambled with the devil offer to the Ferryman of souls? This episode of The Passage delves into the depths of the human spirit, where pain and artistry intertwine, and the crossroads represent the eternal choices that define us. Join us as we ride the rails of fate with Robert Johnson, his life a testament to the power of music to capture the heart of a nation's soul. Written by Steven Williams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from The Passage
Hi, The Passagee listeners! We're excited to share with you a sneak peek at iHeartPodcasts' latest release, Midnight Radio!
He was pulled beneath a speeding train… and awakened to something beyond this world. David Ditchfield was saying goodbye to a friend when his coat became trapped in the closing doors of a train. He was dragged under the moving cars, suffering massive trauma and blood loss. As surgeons fought to save his life, David left his body—and entered another realm entirely. In his near-death experience, David encountered guides who enveloped him in peace, love, and a sense of cosmic belonging. When he returned, everything had changed. Despite having no formal training in art or music, he began composing symphonies and painting vivid works inspired by what he saw on the other side. This episode explores the mystery of where creativity comes from, and how a brush with death can awaken something extraordinary within us. Story producer: Kate Sweeney. For more on David and his symphony, you can read his book, “Shine On: The Remarkable Story Of How I Fell Under A Speeding Train, Journeyed To The Afterlife, And The Astonishing Proof I Brought Back With Me” Or visit David’s Website, and check out his social medial links: David on Instagram David on Threads David on YouTube David on Facebook David on SoundCloud David on X Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners. * If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this hauntingly evocative episode, the ferryman, brought to life with the profound resonance of Dan Fogler's voice, guides a soul whose legacy is as complex as it is misunderstood. Mary Mallon, known to history as Typhoid Mary, voiced by Therese McLaughlin, steps aboard, her story a chilling reminder of the fine line between victim and villain, between innocence and culpability. As the vessel navigates the murky waters of moral ambiguity, Mary recounts her life, marked by an invisible specter that cast a long shadow over her existence. This "shadow man," a personification of death and disease, becomes a constant companion, a dark figure lurking in the peripheries of her vision, a harbinger of the outbreaks that follow in her wake. In this episode, we delve into the depths of Mary's psyche, exploring the experience of being branded a pariah, the first known asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in the United States. Quarantined for nearly three decades, Mary's existence became a living testament to the fear and misunderstanding surrounding infectious diseases– a dread that is alive and well today. But beneath the surface of this tragic tale lies a deeper question: Was her "shadow man" merely a monster, the embodiment of the death she unwittingly spread, or was he her ally, a warning of the unseen dangers she posed? As Mary reflects on her life, she reveals the anguish and defiance of a woman caught in the gears of the Industrial Revolution, witnessing first-hand the suffering of workers and the impoverished. Did she weaponize herself against the wealthy families she served, turning her condition into an instrument of vengeance or retribution for the injustices she observed? Written by Nicholas Tecosky See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this emotionally resonant and poetic episode of The Passage, the Ferryman navigates the complex structural and emotional landscapes crafted by one of America's most iconic figures. Frank Lloyd Wright, voiced by Michael Cooke (Mulholland Drive), a visionary architect, designer, and educator, awaits in a realm of his own creation—a self-designed purgatory where the lines of genius and sorrow blur. As they traverse this meticulously constructed space, a manifestation of Wright's philosophy of organic architecture harmonizing with humanity and the environment, the Ferryman engages with the architect in a dialogue that spans the spectrum of creativity and tragedy. Wright reflects on his illustrious career, a span of seven decades during which he shaped the architectural movements of the twentieth century and left an indelible mark. However, the conversation soon delves deeper, into the shadows of a personal tragedy that haunted Wright—the brutal mass murder at his beloved Taliesin estate. While he was away, his mistress, her children, and his servants were mercilessly killed, a horrifying act that imprinted itself upon his soul and cast a long shadow over his achievements and days. In this episode, the Ferryman becomes a visitor in Wright's self-imposed exile, a space where the great architect grapples with the duality of his legacy—of monumental creations and an intimate catastrophe. Wright confronts the haunting questions of regret and blame, pondering the price of greatness and the fragility of the human spirit amidst the structures meant to celebrate and shelter it. In this episode of The Passage, listeners are invited to explore the inner chambers of Frank Lloyd Wright's mind and heart, where the foundations of brilliance are interwoven with the tremors of personal loss and remorse. It’s a journey through the corridors of creativity and the hidden alcoves of grief, where the blueprint of regret forms the architecture of a soul seeking peace and understanding. Written by Christeene Alcosiba See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this mesmerizing and introspective episode of The Passage, the Ferryman, voiced by Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, The Walking Dead), ushers in a passenger whose journey through the realms of consciousness transformed a generation. Timothy Leary, voiced by Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks / Silicon Valley), an emblem of the psychedelic revolution and a figure of boundless controversy, steps aboard, his legacy a kaleidoscope of enlightenment, rebellion, and the quest for transcendence. As they navigate the swirling mists of perception and reality, Leary recounts his odyssey—a saga marked by his advocacy for psychedelic drugs, his countless encounters with the law, and his daring escapes from the confines of societal norms. Lauded by some as a brave neuronaut and a hero of American consciousness, and vilified by others as the most dangerous man in America, Leary's life is a testament to the power of ideas to ignite change and challenge the status quo. In this episode, the Ferryman delves beyond Leary's counter-culture exploits and confrontational persona, uncovering the multifaceted individual behind the myth. Leary reflects on his journey, from his groundbreaking research in psychology to his role as a pied piper of the mind-expanding sixties, inviting listeners to reconsider the man whose mantra, "Turn on, tune in, drop out," became the soundtrack of an era. But as the journey reaches its zenith, a sobering revelation emerges—despite his mastery in escaping the physical and mental confines of the conventional world, there are fates from which even the most adept escape artist cannot flee. Leary confronts the ultimate trip, a voyage from which there is no return, and in doing so, he is forced to face the essence of his own legacy and the ripples it left in the fabric of society and individual consciousness. In this episode of The Passage listeners are invited to embark on a journey through the mind and legacy of Timothy Leary, exploring the delicate interplay between freedom and consequence, enlightenment and delusion. Traverse the uncharted territories of the human psyche, where the tales of Timothy Leary, the Psychedelic Sage, challenges our perceptions of reality and legacy. Tune in, and join us on the final trip, where the boundaries of consciousness are transcended. Written by Rob Mosca. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.