Studio Ochenta Presents: Ochenta Stories

Artists, writers, creatives and podcasters from around the world answer the question: “What do you want to hear when this pandemic is over?” In each standalone episode, you’ll hear stories of all kinds recorded in living rooms, balconies, closets and bedrooms around the world in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean and Mandarin Chinese. The works have been produced in the original language and a translated version so listeners can enjoy two versions of each story.

The Bus

For those of us waxing nostalgic to a time before quarantine, “The bus” is a short fiction that lets us imagine what it would be like to travel to the past.

From: Edinburgh, Scotland

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed by Maddy Searle. Maddy Searle is a podcast producer and writer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. For more from Maddy check out her audio fiction podcast Prickwillow Papers and more of her work at snazzytapir.wordpress.com. Special thanks to Martha Martinez for the Spanish language version of the piece.

Music & Sound: Courtesy of freesound.org - Edinburgh Bagpipe Busker, San Francisco Street Sounds » Buses.wav, 10-Bus.wav, Bus, Air Brake, A.wav - "Bus, Air Brake, A.wav" by InspectorJ , Bus arriving and departing, Inside Moving Bus.wav, Bus stop, Production 3 SFX » Bus Passing.wav, Residential,  Girl, female, laughing,  AMB_Ext_Residential_Day_Stereo_004.wav, Sea tide Waves At Robin Hoods Bay 24/07/2013

Bonsai

For those of us staring at our house plants with special attention during this lockdown, “Bonsai” is an audio doc that sends a love letter to one in particular. 

From: Rome, Italy

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and translated and performed by Valerio Maggio. Valerio is an Italian audio producer and videomaker. Born and raised in Siena. He now lives in Rome. Valerio works with broadcasting companies, newspapers and NGOs to help them tell their stories.

Music & Sound: Ambient sound recorded by Valerio Maggio. Music courtesy of Pond5.

The Bells

In this touching sound documentary entitled ‘The Bells,’ audio-documentarian Neil Sandell reflects on the new normal.

From: Nice, France

Languages: English, French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta and Neil Sandell. Original sound design by Neil Sandell. Neil is an independent producer living in Nice, France. For many years he was a senior producer at CBC Radio in Toronto, Canada. His work has been heard at public events in Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Croatia.

Mama

For those of us social distancing with or without our parents, “Mama” is an audio diary from a daughter spending lockdown with her mother.

From: Seville, Spain

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Marisa Cores is an Uruguayan English-Spanish translator based in Sevilla, Spain.

Music & Sound: Low Vigour Rocking Bolero Underscore In C Minor license: Pond5

Puerto Rican Girl

For those of us applauding our front line workers every night, “Puerto Rican Girl ” is an audio drama that imagines a nurse finding strength from an unexpected source.

From: Houston, Texas

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Juliana Philippi is a real estate professional, actress and writer, schooled in New York, based in Houston, Texas. She grew up in Puerto Rico, where magic lives.

Music & Sound: Film Sounds/Movie Sounds » Waves of Hawaii, El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico.mp3; Footsteps , Traffic, Llantas_rechinando.wav, Light wind through the foliage at dusk (Gran Sabana, Venezuela); Musical, Water COQUIES EN CAYEY.wav

The Crowd

For those of us waxing nostalgic to a time before quarantine, “The crowd” is a short piece that reminds us of what it will be like to stand in a crowd once more.

From: London, UK

Languages: English, French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed by Katy Lee. Written and performed in English by Katy Lee. Katy Lee is a freelance journalist based between Paris and London, and the co-host of the award-winning podcast The Europeans. Performed in French by Claire Sergent. Art is by Tiffanie Delune. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ochentapodcasts.

Breathe

This week’s episode is dedicated to Black Lives Matter, and all those who have lost their lives to police brutality in the United States.

Special thanks to our guests, black creators and entrepreneurs from the US and FRANCE: in order of appearance: Sutanya Dacres, content creator and host of Dinner for One, Tanisha Townsend wine educator and founder of Girl Meets Glass, Gregory Pouy, author and host of Vlan Podcast, Juleyka Lantingua Williams founder of Lantigua Williams and CO, Robin Davis, Digitial Content Creator and Leonard Diga, stylist and host of Raging Homos podcast.

From: World

Languages: English, Global

Here’s a short list of organizations you can donate to support BlackLivesMatter. 

*Act Blue Racism and Police Brutality Funds*

Single donations  will be split between multiple organizations, with the ability to adjust what goes where.

American Civil Liberties Union &  Black Lives Matter Global Network

Donations to these organizations will go toward legislative efforts to overturn systemically racist policies at all levels of government. 

Minnesota Freedom Fund, Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, Chicago Community Bond Fund. 

Donations will go toward paying bail/bonds to release protesters. If you want to donate to specific state you can go to the national bail fund network.

And for a list of over 115 other ways to support click here.

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Art is by Tiffanie Delune. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ochentapodcasts.

Music & Sound: Police Bicycle Brakes Underscore Black Lives Matter March 

Loving

For those of us dating during lockdown, Loving is a short fiction that reminds us that love can bloom even during hard times.

From: Paris, France

Languages: English , French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta and Abi McNeil and performed by Léa Minod and Moïse Courilleau in English and French. Abi is an Australian audio maker living in Paris. She produces a podcast called Recreation Sonore for Radio Campus Paris. The weekly program showcases creative documentaries, sound art and electroacoustic music from around the world. Léa produces documentaries for Radio Franceand Arté Radio. Moise is a trained actor and videographer. Their regular act is called COMMUN(E) and combines documentary, performance and multimedia. You can find more about their Sonnambules duo act  here.

Quarantine Relief

For those of us counting the days for back to school, this short fiction by an 11 year old girl imagines the first day of school when the pandemic ends.

From: Asheville, North Carolina

Languages: English , Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed by Hunter Miyan. Hunter’s mom, Elsie Escobar, is a podcasting veteran in her own right, and helped Hunter develop this story, check out her facebook group for women in podcasting: She Podcasts and her other work Art is by Tiffanie Delune. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ochentapodcasts.

Mrs. Scared

For those of us dealing with the anxiety of lockdown measures, mrs. scared is a short fiction about an unlikely friendship, and hope for the future.

From: Johannesburg, South Africa

Languages: English , Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed in English by Elna Schutz. Elna Schütz is an award-winning South African freelance journalist working in radio, podcasting, and writing, across topics such as news, health, and culture. She has created work for publications such as Monocle24, Proof, Daily Maverick, and the Associated Press. She is also the founder of Podmeet, a networking project for podcasters. Special thanks to Marcela Henao and Felipe Useche for performing in the Spanish-language version of this story.

Family Reunion

For those of us social distancing from family, this short non-fiction story gives us a portrait of a family reunion between a father and his son.

From: Brooklyn, New York

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed in English by Vivien Schutz. Vivien Schütz is a freelance audio journalist from Berlin, now living in NYC. She studied Journalism and Radio Art in Germany and is now producing long-form audio documentaries, short audio dramas, and narrative stories for podcasts.

Tradition

The global pandemic has forced us to celebrate and grieve differently, at a distance. 'Tradition' is a short non-fiction piece about the importance of cultural heritage and grieving rituals in a time of so much social uncertainty. 

From: Oregon, USA

Languages: English, Korean

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed in English and in Korean by Susanna Park. Susanna YeaJin Park is a daughter of Korean immigrants and she is currently pursuing a PhD in global health. Follow us over @ochentapodcasts on twitter and Instagram for updates.  You can find transcripts and learn more about the project (which is still accepting pitches!) over at ochentastudio.com/ochentastories.

Music & Sound: Pond5

The Dishes

For those of us getting tired of lockdown dishwashing, this short audio drama paints a picture of a couple in quarantine and their dishes.

From: Milan, Italy

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: Produced by Studio Ochenta written by Chiara Paiocchi. Chiara was born in Milan. She has studied foreign languages, specializing in Chinese at Ca’Foscari University of Venice. Special thanks to Julianna Philippi for the English version of this story. You can hear her in  another episode of ochenta stories entitled: “Puerto Rican Girl” .

Music & Sound: Manon Lescaut, Puccini Intermezzo

The Shape of Blue

A meditation of the music of our cities, and how we’ll return to them after the pandemic.

From: New York, New York

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: Written by Isabel Rodriguez. Isabel Rodriguez is Colombian and lives and works in New York City. She works for a sound collective called Caribbean Sea Sound. You can find more of her sound work at caribbeanseasound.bandcamp.com. Special Thanks to Sutanya Dacres for the English version of this story. She is a writer and podcaster based in Paris, France, and hosts a podcast called DinnerforOne. You can find her work at dinnerforonepodcast.com.

Music & Sound: washington_square_holophone_binaural.wav, newyork_sounds_sep_2017 » 55Bar NYC.wav, Roy Hargrove Quintet - live -Strasbourg St Denis, George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue public domain recording.

The Bridge

What if you ran into someone special at one of your virtual yoga sessions? “The Bridge” is a lockdown love story for this moment.

From: Northern Australia

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: Produced by Studio Ochenta. Audio drama written and performed in Spanish and English by Sylvia Rosas. Morning sounds by Silvia Rosas. Sound Design by Maru Lombardo.

Music & Sound: Chris Haugen, Futuremono, Hanu Dixit and Trevor Garrod

Presente

This personal audio journal is a reflection on trying to be present and in the moment while working from home during lockdown.

From: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Languages: Spanish, English, German

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed in Spanish and English by Dolores Guinazu. Dolores is a full-time translator and copywriter living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. You can contact her at liftvalue.com. Special thanks to Mercedes Steppacher for performing the German sections of this audio and to Juan Steppacher for working in the German translation.

The Bread

"The Bread" is a short fiction dedicated to the sourdough-starting breadmakers of this pandemic.

From: Parma, Italy

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed in Italian by Lisa Bertacchini. Lisa is an Italian interpreter and translator based in Parma, Italy. Special thanks to Sarah Golding for performing in the English version of this podcast. Sarah is a drama teacher and voice actor with an independent voiceover company called Quirky Voices. You can follow her work at quirkyvoices.weebly.com. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories.

Volare

“Volare” tells the story of an old woman finding solace in a song as she is separated from her family during lockdown.

From: London,UK

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Voice and script by Clizia Sala. Clizia Sala is a multimedia journalist and podcaster based in London, UK. She is originally from Italy and is currently pursuing a Masters at City University of London.

Goodbye

Lockdowns and social distancing mean that many don't get the chance to see their loved ones one last time. "Goodbye" is a short documentary of one man's journey to say goodbye to his father.

From: Los Angeles, US

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and presented by Bob Harkins. Sound design by Maru Lombardo. Bob Harkins is a journalist based in Los Angeles and the founder of Story Hangar, a network of independent documentary podcasts. You can check out the network at Storyhangar.comSpecial thanks to Mauricio Romero for performing in the Spanish version of this episode. Mauricio is the director of many podcasts, including  Gente Que Hace Cine, which you can check it out on all podcast platforms. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories.

Planet Earth 2020 A.D.

For those of us who happen to wonder how the present could be described for otherworldly listeners, this short documentary fiction is a status report from planet Earth in 2020.

From: Nairobi, Kenya

Languages: English, Mandarin

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed in English by KC Cheng. Kang-Chun Cheng is an ecologist and photojournalist currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. You can check out her photographic work at on her website. Sound Design by Maru Lombardo. Special thanks to Yilan Batista for performing the Mandarin Chinese version of this episode. Yilan is the founder of asian.activist, an Instagram platform that celebrates the Asian community in diaspora. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. If you like what you heard, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts in whatever language you choose. Follow us over @ochentapodcasts on twitter and Instagram for updates. 

Hija del Sol

A fable for the pandemic era. This audio fiction tells the story of the daughter of an indigenous tribe and her power to heal the world.

From: Cuba

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: Hans Haedo is a Cuban artist and professional dancer. He is the director of the Xlibrioum Cuban art project which showcases visual and performative art in Cuba. He is also currently a dancer at the prestigious ballet cabaret Tropicana de Cuba. For more information about Xlibrioum you can follow them on Instagram: @xlibrioum_production. Special thanks to Philip Thorne for presenting the English version of this story. Philip is a Paris-based audio fiction producer and is one of the creators behind The Amelia Project podcast, a fiction podcast about an agency that helps its clients fake their deaths and start over.

Closeness

A woman shares an audio diary about friendship before AND after COVID.

From: New York, USA

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta, written and performed in English by Jordan Gass Poore. Jordan is a podcast producer, an investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience in the industry in the U.S. and the U.K.women-led She's also the co-founder of the women led audio collective : Local Switchboard NYC. Special thanks to my Maru Lombardo and Laura Ubaté for performing in the Spanish version of the story. Sound effects were recorded by Jordan Gass Poore. Music by Jonathan Slayter. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories.

Supermarket Thoughts

Supermarket thoughts is a story about grocery shopping during the pandemic.

From: New York, USA

Languages: English, French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and performed in English and French by CocoA Alexis. Cocoa is a storyteller who focuses on under told or misunderstood experiences .Her mediums include writing, audio, film and virtual reality. Thank you for listening to Ochenta stories.

Call from Ahead

For those of us that wished we had instructions on how to weather the pandemic, « Call From Ahead » is a sci-fi tale about a New York couple in lockdown that receives a message from the future.

From: Brooklyn, New York

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Diego Senior, a Colombian born writer and producer based in New York. The story was voiced in English and Spanish by Mariana Velasquez, Jessica Van Campen, Paula Leonvendagar, Diego Patiño, Diego Senior and Sebastián Nicolas. For more from Diego, listen to the podcast he hosts with his wife, Mariana Velásquez on Heritage Radio Network.... Buenlimon Radio, a podcast about food, art and music.  Thank you for listening to ochenta stories if you like what you heard, leave us a review on apple podcasts in whatever language you choose. It helps people find our show!

Food Bank

“Food bank” is a micro documentary about the entrepreneurial spirit of one man who implemented a solution to food poverty in Lviv, Ukraine during the pandemic. 

From: Lviv, Ukraine

Languages: Ukranian, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written and narrated in Ukrainian and English by Anna Romandash. Anna is a multilingual journalist specializing in foreign affairs and audio journalism. You can contribute to the food bank tarilka by going to  https://tarilka.org/en/welcome/ or you can see what they are doing on instagram @tarilka_org.

Animalia

A short fable on what happens when animals ventured into the human world during lockdown.

From: Calgary, Canada

Languages: English, French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Canadian podcaster Nbee. Her podcast, Cross-polliNation, is an award-winning business show on creativity and innovation. In her day job, NBee is a business consultant focused on strategy, business writing and innovation. Narrator and the Raven are voiced by Danielle Grace, the US-based podcaster behind Young, Gifted and Abroad, a show about studying abroad. The Elk is voiced by Martin Duchesneau.

Vaticinios

In the fictional story “Vaticinios” ( which means omens in Spanish), a biologist receives messages around-the-clock about a strange animal that people have been spotting around Bogota since the beginning of lockdown.

From: Bogota, Colombia

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by journalists and podcast producers Maru Lombardo and Rodrigo Rodríguez, who are based in Bogotá, Colombia. Their Spanish-language podcast “Recetario sonoro de ingredientes en peligro”, tells the history of the world’s most endangered ingredients. You can listen to it wherever you get your podcasts, and you can follow their work on Instagram and Twitter @loropodcast. Sound design by Clizia Sala. Special thanks to Alejandra Algorta, Ana Cristina Bossa, Maru Lombardo, for their voice work in Spanish on this piece. Thanks also to journalists Louis Pouillon, Christina Diciu and Nikki Hudgins for lending their voice to the English version. The English voice of Brunina was done by Nikki Hudgins, a freelance audio and video journalist focusing on human-centred stories from around the globe - specifically in the context of climate change. Follow her at @nikki_hudgins.

Ultimo Aperitivo

In this short italian fiction story which translates to “the last aperitif”, two friends sip on their last beers before lockdown.

From: Brescia, Italy

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by writer (and wrestler) Stefano Tevini. Besides publishing the novels Catena Alimentare e Sulla Soglia in Italian, he also writes about books and comics. You can follow him on his facebook handle writingclasshero or on Instagram @Writing_Class_Hero. The friend’s voice is by Valerio Maggio, an Italian audio producer and videomaker. Born and raised in Siena, he now lives in Rome. Valerio works with broadcasting companies of the likes of the BBC, Italian state broadcaster RAI, newspapers and NGOs to help them tell their stories. You can hear Valerio in another episode of ochenta stories: Bonsai. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. If you like what you heard, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts in whatever language you choose.

Primeras Ilhas

Lockdown turns each individual into his own island. Primeiras Ilhas, meaning First Islands, is a collage of messages in bottles… that people in Belo Horizonte send to the protagonist from their own island in lockdown…

From: Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Languages: Portuguese, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by journalist, video maker and podcaster Felipe Ivanicska. Felipe’s work focuses on the socio-political implications of communications and his passion for video documentaries. His fascination for radio led him to experiment with podcasts… and to produce an audio-documentary called Histórias Vizinhas ("neighbouring stories"). Today’s episode was first released as a part of that series, and you can find the link to the whole episode in the transcript to this programme.

Pawn Chain

In this short fiction, a young boy and his grandmother in separate lockdown situations bond over a game of chess.

From: Washington D.C. USA

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta, written by Juleyka-Lantigua Williams and Lisandra Maria Ramos. Juleyka Lantigua-Williams is the founder and CEO of Lantigua-Williams & Co, a Peabody-nominated digital media company focused on elevating the work of people from the margins. She created "70 Million Podcast", the first Open Source Solutions journalism podcast chronicling how locals are tackling jail reform across the U.S.. Lisandra Ramos is a generative artist and teacher. Lisandra is constantly creating work using imagination, physicality, movement, text, images, reflection and collaboration. She's one of the co-founders and co-director of Fulana, a Latina video and satire collective. Special thanks to Renata Sago, Ronald Young Jr., Jubemi Lantigua Williams for their performances in the English version of this episode. And thanks to Luis Enrique Rodríguez Silva, Adriana Maria Mayo Naranjo, Juan Sebastian Martinez Olarte for their participation in the Spanish adaptation.

Radio Insomnio

In this short fiction from Barcelona, a woman with chronic insomnia contemplates her city from her balcony in a dreamlike state.

From: Barcelona, Spain

Languages: Catalan, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by journalist Gemma Josep Arnau. Gemma is a freelance journalist. She also curates the communications of NGOs. She is working on a new podcast and on her dream of becoming a professional podcaster. You can follow her and find more about her work on  Twitter @Gemma_Josep, and Instagram: @gemma.ja.

La Combinaison Blanche

In this audio diary, a woman working in a long-term care home in Montreal shares her experience during the first wave of the Covid-19 crisis.

From: Montreal, Canada

Languages: French, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by journalist Anne-Marie Provost. Anne-Marie works for CBC Radio Canada. You can follow her and find more about her work on Twitter @am_provost.

Aplausos

“Aplausos” (in English “Applause”) is an audio diary describing the ritual of applause for front-line workers during the first lockdown in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

From: Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Spanish journalist and writer Pablo Rodríguez. Pablo has worked for Spanish International News agency EFE and newspaper El Mundo. His latest book “Posthumous Generation, a compilation of ten short stories”, is going to be available online starting tomorrow. You can follow him on Twitter: @pabrodri Or Instagram: @pablorgp. Special thanks to Rory Jones for voicing the English version of the piece. Rory is a young multimedia journalist and the founder of "The Sports Bubble", a new weekly sports podcast. Find it wherever you listen to your podcasts or @sportbubble on twitter.

My Favorite Things

A short reflection on having positive thoughts during this crazy year.

From: Colorado, USA

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Janice Jensen. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories.

Donations on repeat

A fundraising initiative for hospitals in Bergamo (Italy), one of the most hit cities during the Covid-19 pandemic, gives hope for the future.

From: Bergamo, Italy

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Gaia Lamperti, a London-based journalist focusing on environment, humanitarian issues, and culture. Gaia works as a freelance for print and online media, her pieces have been published on Al Jazeera, Smart Green Post, Global Hobo, and Gilt Magazine. On her website gaialamperti.com, you can find her recent works. Special thanks to Paul Ellis for voicing Giacomo in the English version of the piece

Xmas 2021

A woman shares her vision of Christmas Eve NEXT year.

From: Washington DC, USA

Languages: English, Italian

Credits: Kate Oczypok is a freelance writer based in the Washington, DC. She has written for The Georgetowner, The New York Times, Brides.com, Pittsburgh Beautiful and other publications.  The two piano songs, Jingle Bells and Rockin around the Christmas Tree, were played by Kate’s sister and brother Sara and Matty. The ukulele’s version of Silent Night was played by Chiara Santella. If you like what you heard, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts in whatever language you choose.

Junio

Two Honduran teens hang out by the pool and try to imagine a future in which everything will be back to normality.

From: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Viviana Kawas, a Honduran writer living in New York. After graduating at NYU Abu Dhabi with a degree in literature, she currently works at NYU Steinhardt as a research assistant in Applied Psychology.

Escapatoria

A woman travels through sound memories to experience a sense of peace and relief.

From: Continental United States

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta, written by Maria Elisa Terron. Maria Elisa was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and then she moved in the Continental United States. She’s a scientist and a podcaster working through the lens of social context in which discoveries are made and stories are told. Special thanks to Maria Elisa’s mom for recording the sounds in Puerto Rico.

Fronteras Invencibles

A mother shares a journey of the mind as she walks through Madrid in quarantine with her daughter.

From: Madrid, Spain

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta, written by Manuela Osorio Pineda. Manuela is a Colombian freelance journalist based in Madrid, Spain. Her latest work has focused on the different facets of the Colombian diaspora, especially regarding entrepreneurship, motherhood and feminism. This story is an audio adaptation of a piece she wrote for "Dimensión reconocida", a photobook in times of pandemic, featuring the work of Colombian photographer Carlos Pineda. The violin version of Chotis was played by Martín Araujo Pascual.

La Foi

Recorded right before Easter, 2020, this story follows the journeys of priests adapting to virtual mass in France and the UK.

From: London, UK

Languages: English, French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. Sound design by Chiara Santella. This story was written by Alexander Seale. Alexander is a journalist, as well as a radio and television broadcaster in French and English. He is a specialist in French and European politics and culture. He lives in London, where he worked at the BBC. The French narrator is Louis Pouillon. Louis is a journalist, based in Paris, he specializes in writing about the Middle East and is currently working for Arab news.

Lacrime

In '“Lacrime”, which means “tears” in italian, a British-Italian couple living in London documents the crisis through audio diaries.

From: London, UK by way of Italy

Languages: English, Italian

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta and written by Lisa Hanley, a Freelance Producer and Journalist based in London. She is the creator and Host of Investigative Podcast, The Scrutiny Hour and Blogger for www.lisajournoldn.com Lisa’s boy-friend Alessandro Pilla is an Electrician based in London. He is also the Co Creator and Production Editor of The Scrutiny Hour Podcast. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. 

Three Dings

A woman in Chicago writes a love letter to Chicago's commuter trains during lockdown.

From: Chicago, USA

Languages: English, French

Credits: This story was written by Jennifer Billock is an award-winning writer, bestselling author, and editor; co-host of the Macabre Traveler Podcast; and editor of the Kitchen Witch Newsletter. Check out her website at jenniferbillock.com, and follow her on Twitter @jenniferbillock and Instagram @jenniferjoanbillock.

Beth Buehlman, who voiced the French version of the story, is a Music and French Educator who loves Broadway, Brunch, and all things French. She also hosts a podcast for Music Educators. She can be found at bethbuehlman.com. Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. 

The Protest

A flashback story that reminds us how the protest can bring us together.

From: London, UK

Languages: English, Italian

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. ‘The Protest” was written by Simon Sapper. Simon is a storyteller and campaigner from London. He produces the UnionDues podcast and runs the Makes You Think website.  With sound design by Chiara Santella.

Cabling

A phone call turns into an underwater journey, connecting father and daughter.

From: Ontario, Canada

Languages: English, Korean

Credits: Produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Seungwoo Baek, a Korean- Canadian writer based in Toronto. Yu Stone voiced the English version of the piece. Yu is an interdisciplinary artist and multimedia producer based in Toronto. Sound design by Chiara Santella.

Tiempos Robados

In this faux reportage, we hear a bird, a goat, and cat tell us how they're feeling during this unprecedented time.

From: Bogota, Colombia

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: This podcast was produced by Studio Ochenta. This episode was written by Carolina Rodríguez Mayo. Carolina is traveler, teacher, and writer based in Bogota, Colombia. She was awarded the first honorable mention in the 12th edition of the prestigious Eduardo Carranza Poetry Award in Colombia. You can follow her on Ig @caritomayo.

Zone A

An assistant director takes us into the world of her movie set pandemic pod: Zone A.

From: Rome, Italy

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: This podcast was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Arianna Bochicchio. Arianna is an artist currently living in Rome. She's been mostly working as an Assistant Director. She also sings as a contralto in the Controcanto Choir of Rome. You can follow her on Instagram at @ari.ari.oh and on her Youtube Channel Arianna Bochicchio. The final cover of the song “Far Far” was made by Arianna, Giulio Frugoni and Kevin Magliolo. Sound design by Chiara Santella.If you like what you heard, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts in whatever language you choose. Follow us over @ochentapodcasts on Twitter and Instagram for updates. You can find transcripts and learn more about the project over at ochentastudio.com/ochentastories.

Please Say Hello

A woman in London reflects on her long-term friendship with an elderly lady, named June during lockdown.

From: London, UK

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories, this story was written by Susanne Fowler. Susanne is an American journalist currently based in London after stints in Rome, Istanbul and Paris. She has been a senior staff editor for The International New York Times and a frequent contributor to the Times' Travel section. This audio story was inspired by Susanne’s essay “If you see me, Please Say Hello” which you can find at www.areweeurope.com. The Spanish version of the story was voiced by Martha Martinez. The sound design of the piece was made by Chiara Santella.

Healing

In this short fiction, a doctor in Iran reflects on plagues, old and new with his grandmother.

From: Tehran, Iran

Languages: English, Farsi

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories, this story was written by Ali from @iranian_nomad. Ali is a digital creator, story-teller, traveller, and researcher. You can follow him on Instagram at @iranian_nomadThe grandmother’s part was voiced by Ali’s mom. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

The First Concert

A classical music reviewer imagines the first concert after the pandemic is over.

From: Texas, USA

Languages: English, French

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. This story was produced by Studio Ochenta. Written by Judlyne Gibson. Judlyne has a long career in television and radio as a news anchor, reporter and program host. She worked at stations in Houston, Texas, Washington, DC and New York. She’s currently a contributor at the classical music radio station KMFA 89.5 in Austin, Texas with her feature Staccato. Ms. Gibson also independently produces the podcast Classical Music In Color, about all things classical by or about classical musicians of color. The choir songs you heard were performed by the Huston-Tillotson Concert Choir and the Sound Design was done by Chiara Santella.

The astronaut poet

In this short fiction, an Italian astronaut reflects on our predicament from his space station among the stars.

From: Italy & Outer Space

Languages: Italian, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta, a multilingual podcast production studio. This story was written by Francesco Carrubba.

Francesco is a journalist and an author working in broadcast. He writes poems, texts and lyrics and he published a poem book called “Canzoni quasi d’amore”. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram @FrancescocarrubbaWeb and on Twitter as @f_carrubba. The English version of the piece was voiced by Sarah Golding and the Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

Direction

A time traveler arrives in 2020 and asks for directions in this short fiction from Australia about closeness.

From: Sydney, Australia

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: Zacha Rosen is an arts journalist and radio producer. He has written for Concrete Playground, the Sydney Latin American Film Festival and the Carriageworks, and produces interviews, narratives and fiction at All the Best. Luis Salvador voiced the Time Traveller, while the sound design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

Repatriation

One woman chronicles her return home from Hanoi during the pandemic year.

From: Hanoi, Vietnam

Languages: English, Vietnamese

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written by Issra Marie Martín. Issra is finishing a degree in International Development Studies. Among many other things she is a writer, maker, and devoted question-asker based in Canada. Quỳnh Trần voiced the Vietnamese version of the story. Quỳnh is currently a teacher of English and Vietnamese in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has always been an avid explorer of her hometown city. The two met in Hanoi, clicked over languages, and have been connected ever since.

Letters

A woman in Portland expounds the joys of letter writing during the pandemic year.

From: Portland Oregon, USA

Languages: English, Italian

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories, this story was produced by Studio Ochenta and written by Laura Wheatman Hill. Laura lives in Portland, Oregon, with her two children and a pandemic puppy. She writes about everything and teaches English and drama. You can find her at https://www.laurawheatmanhill.com/

The Mentor

A journalist takes on a mentee during lockdown.

From: Los Angeles, USA

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta and written by Clare Wiley. Clare Wiley is a journalist and audio producer from Northern Ireland, based in Los Angeles. She covers culture and social issues, with reporting in The Guardian, Vice, Al Jazeera and others. Her mentee, Sophia Moore, is an 18-year-old writer based in Southern California. She is an avid journalist and personal essayist, covering politics, music, and more for Lithium Magazine and Affinity Magazine at current. The Spanish version of the story was voiced by Ana Camila Montoya and Lisha Lopez, and the sound design of the piece was made by me, Chiara Santella.

Alif Cairo

A woman travels through sound memories to Cairo, Egypt.

From: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Languages: English, Arabic

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories, this story was written by Rushda Rafeek. Rushda is currently based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals and has been shortlisted for the Wasafiri New Writing Prize UK in 2017, nominated for the Pushcart Prize twice and has won the Nazim Hikmet Prizerr in 2018. The Arabic version of the story was voiced by Zeina Abouelmakarem, while the sound design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

Class of 2020

A young graduate talks about the pandemic year with no shortage of hope.

From: West Village, New York City

Languages: English, French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written by Bella Druckman. Bella is a freshman at Barnard College intending on majoring in English and Human Rights. When she is not finding her new favorite restaurant, Bella can be found in her kitchen or writing her next article for The Columbia Daily Spectator, Her Campus, or Untapped New York. You can follow her on Instagram at @bella.druckman and on Twitter at @bella_druckman. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella. The French version of the story was voiced by Melanie Hong.  You can hear Melanie in the second season of Mija Podcast, our award winning drama series about immigrant families. Melanie voices Mija, la Parisienne, a young woman of franco-vietnamese-chinese origin who shares her family’s journey to Paris. Listen to season 2 of Mija on ochentastudio.com/mijapodcast.

Purgatory

A woman recounts the experience of nearly infecting a dear friend.

From: Tel Aviv, Israel

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories, this story was produced by Studio Ochenta and written by Carol Ungar. Carol is a prizewinning writer. Her work has appeared in Tablet, Kveller, the Jerusalem Post and many other publications. She teaches memoir writing on ZOOM. The Spanish version of the story was voiced by Maru Lombardo and the Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

Coming home

A refugee tells the story of coming home for the first time during the pandemic.

From: Zambia by way of Canada

Languages: English, Shona

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written by Ray Mwareya. Ray is a writer, vintage food enthusiast and wanderlust traveler living in Ottawa, Canada. His works appeared in Newsweek and The Guardian. He is originally from Zambia. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

Midsummer

Stepping into a celebration of the Swedish Midsummer during the pandemic year (and a half).

From: Goteburg, Sweden

Languages: Swedish, English

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. This story was produced by Studio Ochenta and written by Karin Heimdahl. Karin (she/her) is a drama teacher, voice actor and the creator of audio drama Y2K (https://y2kpod.com/). Voice acting credits include Mirrors, The White Vault, Vampires of White Chapel, Copperheart, Vast Horizon, Hit the Bricks and upcoming Manifestations. You can find her on Twitter @karinheim. Karin lives in Gothenburg, Sweden. Special thanks to Karin’s daughter Linn. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

Junkanoo

Junkanoo is a colorful and vibrant celebration held each year in the Bahamas. A woman reminisces and dreams of the next Junkanoo, post Covid.

From: Bahamas

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories, this story was written by Alicia A. Wallace.

Alicia is a queer Black feminist, human rights defender, and writer from The Bahamas. She is interested in issues of power and identity and enjoys conversations about the intersection between pop culture and social justice. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella. The Spanish version of the story was voiced by Lisha Lopez.

This episode used clips from Junkanoo festivals past. Check out their music here:

- 2019 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade

- The Valley Boys Junkanoo Medley send off for Ted Sweeting

- Boxing Day Junkanoo 2016 - One Family “Warriors”

- Junkanoo Music | Strictly Junkanoo Music Mix - Valley Boys - Saxons - Roots

- Junkanoo 2011 in Nassau Bahamas

- Junkanoo Summer 2014 Saxons Best Music Competition

Pierogi

A woman reconnects with her Polish roots by doing virtual cooking sessions with her family in lockdown.

From: Berlin

Languages: English, Polish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written by Francesca Turauskis. Francesca is a freelance podcaster and writer, as well as Digital Editor for Pod Bible magazine. She’s based in London, and she produces and hosts Seize Your Adventure, an outdoor recreation/epilepsy crossover podcast. Sandra Vorreiter voiced Francesca’s part in the Polish version. Sandra is born in Poland, raised bilingually in Germany- went off to London to Earn a Degree in Drama at Kingston University London, she continued with a Photography Degree in Berlin. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

To Swim, To Dream

A story from the very first days of the pandemic from Cuba, where a man dreams of the sea and beyond. 

From: Havana, Cuba

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written by Ernesto J. Gomez Figueredo. Ernesto is a journalist based in Cuba. The English version of the story was voiced by David Paez, while the Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella. If you like what you heard, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts in whatever language you choose. Follow us over @ochentapodcasts on Twitter and Instagram for updates. 

Metamorphosis

The story of Yalguun, a young Mongolian woman who contracted Covid.

From: Mongolia

Languages: English and Mongolian

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written by Anand Tumurtogoo. Anand is a freelance journalist based in Mongolia. He does reporting for international media, and worked with ProPublica, Business Insider and many more. Yalguun Batbayar is a journalist and a writer for the local Mongolian Magazine “Gereg”. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella.

Mitera

A Greek-American woman reflects on her relationship with her immigrant mother and their cultural differences after she moves back home. 

From: New York

Languages: English and Greek

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written and performed by Niki Hatzidis in both English and Greek. Niki is an actor, writer, and award-nominated playwright. She is a satirical writer for Ladyspike Media, and a writer and actor for Dog Show Comedy. She is a resident actor and creator for Infinite Variety Productions. Sound design by Hailey Choi and music by Blue Dot Sessions, Daniel Birch, and Lobo Loco.

Marco! Polo!

A woman recounts how an app helped her through the year during the pandemic. 

From: Minnesota, USA

Languages: English, Italian

Credits: This story was written by Margaret LaFleur. Margaret lives, writes, and teaches English in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She has two young kids and is always looking for easier ways to connect with others. You can find more of her work at margaretlafleur.com. The Italian version of the story was voiced by Chiara Santella while the sound design of the piece was done by Hailey Choi.

Let's Reconnect

A reflection on friendship during the great pause.

From: Cambodia /Thailand

Languages: English, Khmer

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta.The story was written and voiced by Alyssa Chua. Alyssa is an event planner, avid traveller, and freelance writer, and you can find her blogging at www.thewriterlyz.com. The Khmer version of the story was voiced by Alyssa’s friend, Socheata and the sound design of the piece was made by Hailey Choi. 

Grapevine

A small business owner ponders the benefits of virtual storefronts.

From: Zimbabwe

Languages: English/Shona

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. The story was written and voiced by Naboth Rimayi. Naboth is a Zimbabwe based award-winning multimedia journalist whose passion for business and clothing led him to being the co-founder of an African urban wear brand known as Grapevine Clothing. The sound design of the piece was done by, Hailey Choi.

The Orchard

A man rediscovers his roots and comes to understand what his family’s orchard means to him.

From: France

Languages: English, French

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. The story was written by Leonie Thomas. Leonie is an audio producer whose work has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. She has a PhD in radio and modernist writing and has worked for audio production companies in the UK and Canada.The sound design of the piece was by Hailey Choi. 

Sword Dance

A trip through memories, friendship, and dance leads one woman to a loving relationship with her body. 

From: Paris, France

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. The story was written by Nicole DiSante. Nicole comes from the Sonoran desert in Tucson, Arizona and is currently enjoying France while studying Global Communications at the American University of Paris. She is passionate about dance, music, and building community through the arts. Currently, she is creating programs to teach digital storytelling and radio skills to youth in France.The Spanish version of the story was voiced by Lory Martinez and the sound design of the piece was by Hailey Choi.

Music: Avareh by Mamak Khadem, Suleyman Aga by MWE, Darbuka Groove by Serge Quadrado, Yesilim by Turku, Nomads of the Silk Road, Gushe Cheman by Turku, Nomads of the Silk Road, The Poplar Grove by Blue Dot Sessions, Delamine by Blue Dot Sessions, Night Light by Blue Dot Sessions.

Miaou

A woman adopts a cat during lockdown.

From: Lyon, France

Languages: English, Tagalog

Credits: This podcast was produced by Studio Ochenta. This story was written by Danielle Olavario. Danielle is a social media journalist from the Philippines currently based in Lyon, France. She writes about social media, fashion and science, and is the presenter for the Euronews podcast Cry Like A Boy. The Tagalog version of the story was voiced by  AV Zapanta, a radio DJ and voice over artist from Cebu Philippines. The Sound Design of the piece was done by Chiara Santella

Flight to Pluto

A girl finds a mysterious book that changes her reality and sends her to a strange world. 

From: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta for Ochenta Cuentos. The story was written by and performed by Andrea Garcia. The English version of the story was voiced by Mila Rodriguez Caro. Music and sound design was by Jeremias Juarez. Ochenta Cuentos is hosted and produced by Maru Lombardo and Jeremias Juarez. 

Dear Bicycles

A love letter from a woman to her new companion, bicycles. 

From: London, UK 

Languages: Spanish, English

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. The story was written and performed by Maria Clara Montoya. María Clara was born in Colombia, grew up in Spain, and is now based in London. She works as a journalist and in 2020, created Confinados en los márgenes, a podcast series focusing on how migrant communities dealt with the pandemic in Spain. The sound design of the piece was made by Hailey Choi.

Paris to Ukraine

A Paris expat reluctantly flies back to Ukraine, only to realize there’s really no place like home. 

From: Paris, France

Languages: English, Russian

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. The story was written and performed by Stefan Levchenko. Stefan is a writer and a film studies major at the American University of Paris. Originally from Ukraine, he has lived in Russia and Montenegro, and is now based in France. He has written for Peacock Magazine and has directed short fictional and documentary films. The sound design of the piece was made by Hailey Choi. 

The Movies

A man encounters a familiar venue during an unfamiliar time.

From: Argentina

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta. The story was written by Belén Saitua. Belén is a writer, teacher, and podcaster from Buenos Aires, who’s been talking about movies in podcasts for the last few years. The sound design of the piece was made by me, Hailey Choi. 

Cast: Francisco - Jeremias Juarez (Spanish), Luis Raúl López Levi (English), Old Man - Federico Fabrizio (Spanish), Gary Middleton (English), Dad - Andrés Brandariz (Spanish), Jeremias Juarez (English), Victoria - Belén Saitua (Spanish), Maru Lombardo (English)

Music: Booze and Blues - Ma Rainey (Public Domain)

The Cockroach

A woman gets an interesting new roomate under lockdown...

From: Argentina

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. The story was written by Milagros Rodríguez Caro. Milagros is a certified English/French/Spanish translator, an Argentinian Spanish teacher and also a French teacher from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You can find more of her work at www.milalanguages.com. The Spanish version was performed by Milagros Rodríguez Caro, Sol Rodríguez Caro, and Belén Arizcorbe. The English version was performed by Hailey Choi, Maru Lombardo, and Lory Martínez. The sound design of the piece was by Luis López.

Philadelphia

A community learning center in Philadelphia working with South and Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants comes together and adapts to an online classroom during the lockdown.

From: Nepal

Languages: English, Nepali

Credits: This story was written by Shira Walinsky. Shira is an artist, filmmaker and teacher living in Philadelphia. In 2012, she co-founded Southeast by Southeast, a community space created for and alongside refugee and immigrant populations. You can find more of her work at www.shirawalinsky.net. The English version was performed by Shira Walinsky. The Nepali version was translated and performed by Ujjwala Maharjan. The sound design of the piece was Luis López.

Shapes of Clay

A woman meditates on the joys of pottery making, a hobby she took up during the pandemic year(s).

From: Toronto, Canada

Languages: English, Korean

Credits: This story was written by Isabelle Choi. Isabelle is a Canadian editorial designer and art director who has worked in visual storytelling through print and digital design. She has lived in Seoul and San Francisco, where she discovered the beauty of ceramics, and is currently based in Toronto. You can find her on Instagram @isabellechoi. The English version of this story was performed by Isabelle Choi, with additional voices by Mare Punzalan, Antonio Aiello, Natasha Martin, and Phoebe McIndoe. The Korean version was translated and performed by Minah Jung, with additional voices by Soobin Cho, Miae Choi, and Hailey Choi. Special thanks to Natasha Martin for her pottery studio sounds and poem. The sound design of the piece was done by Luis López.

Violeta vs. the Virus

A brave woman makes it her duty to combat the virus day in and day out.

From: Argentina

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This story was written by Rosana Cirigliano. Rosana is an Argentinian communications professor and audio storyteller. She loves telling children’s stories on her podcast “Cuentos de la Tía Ro,” and enjoys talking about Argentinian rock from the 80s on another podcast: “Héroes Anónimos.”

The Spanish version of this story was performed by Rosana Cirigliano as Violeta, Gladys Santillán as Violeta’s mother, and Mauricio Vallese as the radio announcer. The English version was performed by Lea Zipstein as Violeta, Maru Lombardo as Violeta’s mother, and Luis López as the radio announcer. The sound design for this piece was done by Luis López.

A Single Luppo

A man in the middle of total chaos in a supermarket, makes a confusing, but meaningful purchase.

From: Istanbul, Turkey

Languages: English, Turkish

Credits: Thank you for listening to Ochenta Stories. This story was written by Tekin Tekin, Tekin is 18 years old and studies Greek Literature at Istanbul University. Tekin also performed both the English and Turkish versions of this story. The sound design for this piece was by Luis López.

Yearning for a Vaccine

This is a story about the unique feeling of being far from your family, and in a place that originally brought hope and excitement, but hasn’t quite become home yet.

From: Colombia by way of Ecuador

Languages: English, Spanish

Credits: This story was written by Carolina Loza León. Carolina is an Ecuadorian journalist based between Ecuador and Colombia covering foreign policy and human rights. She is part of the 5th cohort of Distintas Latitudes, a training fellowship for young journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean. Her work has appeared in news outlets such as Al-Jazeera, Foreign Policy, France 24, and The New Humanitarian, among others.

The English and Spanish versions of this story were performed by Carolina Loza León. Additional voices by Juan Sebastián Barriga and Rodrigo Sedano in Spanish, by Clark Marchese and me, Luis López, in English, and by Lory Martínez in both versions. The sound design for this piece was by Luis López.

Farewell

In this episode, you’ll hear producers Maru Lombardo, Clizia Sala, Chiara Santella, Hailey Choi, Zeina Aboulmakarem, and of course, our CEO and founder Lory Martínez, who starts us off with how this project came to be in the first place.