The Unofficial Adventures in Odyssey Podcast

Eye Update!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:10:00 -0500

So, many of you have been asking me via email and private message (yes I do check that still...when I remember...*cough* *cough*) how my eyes are doing, since it has been several years since I last posted or recorded about it. Well, I am excited to report, that I DO have an update - a HUGE praise in fact. For the story, keep reading!

For those who don't remember, in 2007, I was diagnosed with a pituitary lesion/tumor, and they think that may have been what caused my peripheral vision loss. Lots of people prayed for me, and I am so thankful for each and every one of you. God heard your prayers! Here is how I know:

Since then, I have met only two other people who have had a pituitary tumor and lost their peripheral vision. The difference? Both of these people lost ALL of their vision save for a tiny sliver in the middle of their eyes. The first person I met was a young lady named Sarah Harris back in 2008 in Colorado Springs, CO (at the 20th Birthday Bash). She was very nearly blind from it, but was so joyful even in that suffering. The second person I heard about yesterday in the ER.

I went to the ER yesterday (November 8) for the worst migraine I've ever had (first time having to go to the ER for a migraine), and my doctor thought the tumor might be bleeding so he sent me to the ER for a CT scan (came back clean btw). While there, getting treated for the migraine, my nurse was asking me to describe my symptoms, which I did. When I got to the part about the Pituitary tumor, he interrupted me and asked if I had peripheral vision loss because of it. I was slightly surprised he would ask that, but answered that yes, I have lost some. When I asked him why, he told me that his 7 year old son had the exact same thing as me, except he lost all but a pinprick of his vision. I explained that I had only list the side periphery and that I was still able to see front periphery and forward. I then asked if I could pray for his son, and he told me I could. I prayed for him on and off the rest of the day in the ER.

The point of this story is this: GOD ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS FOR MY VISION!!!!!!!!! I don't know how common this tumor is, or the peripheral vision loss with it, but the only other people I have ever met with this problem lost nearly everything. For some unknown reason, I did not. I only lost about a quarter of it, and then it stopped progressing. I am so thankful right now. It could be a rare thing for people to lose all of it, I don't know, and at the moment, I don't care. I didn't lose it all, and I firmly believe it was by the grace of God and through the prayers of all of you. So Thank You!

I love this! I love that for all this time, I thought that God had not really answered my prayers because my vision never came back and I lost vision to begin with. All this time, I was seeing things the wrong way (pun intended). Instead of worrying about what I didn't have, I needed to focus on the fact that God allowed me to keep the majority of my eyesight. That he stopped it from progressing. That He DID answer my/our prayers! How Great is Our God?!

Thank you Father, for knowing the truth even when we are too blind to see it! Thank you for showing me this nugget of truth, and helping me to realize that you do love me and are looking out for me! Amen

Love you all, and thank you again for your prayers!

Sarah

Hello again!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:04:00 -0500

Wow, so it has been FOREVER since I last posted. I apologize everyone! My life has gotten insane! I have tons of news to share with you!

AIO NEWS:

~ Album 54 has aired, and we are anxiously waiting for the release of Album 55 (The Deep End). This album has at least a three part-er that wraps up the story with Jason and Mr. Grote from The Green Ring Conspiracy. It should be available for download in March and should air on the radio sometime after that.

~ There will be another AIO live show this summer! YAY! This year it will be June 16 in Dallas, Texas. We know for sure that Townshed Coleman, Katie Leigh, Jess Harnell, Will Ryan, Andre Stojka, Zach Callison, Kimmy Robertson, and Chris Anthony will be there. This show will not be recorded so your only chance to hear it is in June 16! For more information see
http://whitsendblog.org/birthday-bash-faq/

For those who are curious, I am not sure if I am going at this time, or not. I'd like too, but financially it is looking iffy for me. I'll try to keep you posted though!

~ You can now listen to AIO 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online! check out http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.net/player/flash/audio_player.php?id=AIOIR&uid=622 and give it a listen!

~ Finally, have you ever wanted to act on AIO? Well if you are between the ages of 6-15, now is your chance! AIO is running a contest called "Get in the Show" and three lucky people will be chosen to fly to Colorado Springs to audition for a part in Album 58! For more info, check out http://whitsendblog.org/getintheshow/ and see if you too can GET IN THE SHOW!!!!

Ok, moving on to other things

LIFE!

So for those who don't know, I have some really awesome news about Chris, our lovely former co-host and editor extraordinaire! This past fall, he got engaged!!!! He and his fiancee are currently serving in Asia as missionaries still (she joined him there in January of this year), and are planning to get married sometime next year. They met on the ToO and in person for real in Colorado for the 20th Birthday Bash. Can I just say I saw this coming before THEY did? Yup, it is true! Needless to say, I am SUPER excited for them both, and I am sure they would both covet your prayers as they are trying to get time together and serve as missionaries at the same time.

The last bit of news I have is from me, but I think I will put it in a separate post as this one is getting too long. Stay tuned!

Sarah

Welcome to Summer!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:40:00 -0400

Hi Everyone, Sarah here. I apologize that it has been so long since I updated last. Life has been crazy! Seminary is very intense and is taking up more time than I thought it would. I haven't forgotten all of you, I just have not had time to do much here. I hope you all are well, and while I will try to blog every now and then, I think the podcast itself may be dead for the foreseeable future. :(

A few AIO updates though.

The Green Ring Conspiracy aired this past spring, and it was AMAZING! We saw the return of several old characters and even a few actors from the past playing new roles! You can find this album online or at your local Christian bookstore.
Album 54 will be coming out this fall. It will be based on 1 Corinthians 13 I'm told and will have more slice of life type episodes again, as well as wrapping up some hanging ends from album 53. It will be called "Clanging Symbols and the Meaning of God's Love"
The Blackgaard Chronicles are slated for release September 2011, and will contain all of the Blackgaard episodes - 30 in all on 10 CD's plus a secret bonus dvd that contains asumably wesome features that are being kept under lock and key. ;)
Finally, next summer is the 25th Anniversary of AIO! They are planning something big for it, but what will it be? I have heard rumors of another live show in Colorado, a cruise with the actors, or even a traveling show, where they preform it in various cities across the country. I wonder what they will end up picking! Whatever it is, I'm going to do my best to be there! (assuming my husband and I can afford it of course)

I hope you are all well and you found this little update fun!

God bless,

Sarah

Update!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:01:00 -0400

Hi everyone I have a couple updates for you tonight!

1. Chris leaves for Asia to be a missionary tomorrow! Please keep him in your prayers, and if you or your family wish to support him, please let me know!

2. The first three episodes of Album 52 have already aired and the next episode, Stage Fright, airs this Saturday.

3. Focus on the family is running a Christmas contest again to go to the premier of Voyage of the Dawn Treader in London! Check it out at http://www.focusonchristmas.com

4. There is a new AIO Christmas compilation available for download at cbd.com, as well as many AIO episodes! Check it out!

5. I am hoping to come out with a new UAIOP podcast in the very near future. Seminary is eating my life right now, so I am a little behind, but rest assured, a new podcast is in the works!

6. Finally, while you are waiting to hear back from the UAIOP, there is another blog you can check out that is not AIO related, but does have some references to it. It is something I just started tonight and hope to grow in the future. Basically it is a blog (soon to be its own website) of ideas, lessons, and answers to questions asked of me pertaining to Christianity, Apologetics, other religions, morality, and all kinds of stuff like that. (for those who are concerned - I am NOT a Pastor and nothing there is intended to be that way) At the moment, there is a message uploaded that I recorded this morning. God laid it on my heart, and people in my life felt it needed to be shared, so it is. In the future, I plan on adding the other things I mentioned earlier. I want it to be a place where anyone can come and ask questions - not to argue or pick fights - but to be a safe place where people can ask questions that they want answers to but feel they cannot ask in church. I don't want to post too much here as this is the AIO blog, but if you want to know more, head over to my other blog and check it out.

Love ya,

Sarah

Album 52!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:45:00 -0400

Hey everyone! Just a reminder that Album 52 begins airing on Saturday! YAY! Check it out on your local radio station or on www.whitsend.org!

Hi!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:41:00 -0400

Hello everyone! This is Sarah! Don't take us off your favorites yet! I'm still here and I hope to try to keep you updated with some of the latest news, AND come fall when the new episodes air, I just *might* be back with a co-host! I'm seriously considering doing a rotating co-host until I find one who is a good fit. Tell me what you think!

Also, there has been lots of news about the upcoming albums. Jacob Isom over at www.odysseyscoop.com has posted the potential new covers for Album 52 Cause and Effect as well as the Lost Episodes. Check them out! Album 53 is in the process of being recorded as well. The cast and crew were in California last week recording the episodes for the 12 parter written and at least partly directed by Paul McCusker. The title has already been released and is The Green Ring Conspiracy. It sounds great, and I've heard whispering about some surprises in store in the album - YAY!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 61

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:00:00 -0400

07.19.10. The end has arrived... the time has come. All good things must come to an end. It's been an incredible three years and we've enjoyed every minute of it. In this, our final podcast and longest together, we discuss Album 51 and talk about what future lies in store for us.

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 1 hr, 19 min

The Search is Nearly Over!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:57:00 -0400

Those of you who have been following the Ceiling Fan podcast will be familiar with Ethan and Phil's recent search for Odyssey. After eight long weeks of driving all over America, their search will finally come to an end. Check it out! Then come back on Monday to hear our latest episode!

New Podcast Soon!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:56:00 -0400

We're finally back! After our six month hiatus, we return to give our thoughts on Album 51: Take It From the Top. Plus, a major announcement regarding the future of this podcast!

Album 52 Cover!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:59:00 -0400

Quick update my friends! I am now married and moved back to Virginia - YAY! On the way back here, m husband and I road tripped across the country and stopped in at Focus. I got to see our good friends from AIO while there including Nathan Hoobler, Brock Eastman! Yay! It was exciting! After I got back, i heard from Chris, and he is doing great! Hopefully he will be back soon! I also have several AIO related things to update you about very quickly.

1. For those who love Whit, check out this youtube clip that has all three voices mixed together! It is amazing!

2. Check out the new Official AIO fan page on Facebook!

3. Finally, check out the new cover art for Album 52! (I would have it directly here, but it's too big and I can't seem to shrink it)

Love you all - Sarah!

Jubilee Singers

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:29:00 -0400

Well Friends, time sure flies, doesn't it? The final installment of the Jubilee Singers airs this Saturday and I'm excited for the conclusion! For those who wondered, I have indeed held off listening to my cds until the episode airs on the radio. It's been tough, but I made it! I know I am way behind on reviews, but they will come eventually!

My life has been INSANE the last few weeks. I'll spare you the details, but it has been full of funerals, weddings, wedding planning, hospital visits (my Oma fell down the stairs and broke her wrist) and writing thank you notes. My wedding is in 17 days - YAY! It's coming up fast! After that, my husband to be and I decided to go on a road trip back to Virginia and we are going to stop in Colorado Springs so I can show him Focus on the Family - super excited about that and to see my friends there again!

I'll try to get in a few more updates when I can and hopefully some reviews as well. Thanks for your patience and prayers everyone! They are greatly appreciated!

Sarah

Album 52!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:45:00 -0400

Hey everyone! Boy have I got news for you today! I just got out of a super secret meeting with my contact at Focus and I have been authorized to reveal some exciting news to you all about Album 52! I know some of you are on the Town of Odyssey and have heard rumors about the new title for 52 as well as cover art for it. Well, have i got news for you! First of all, the title has been officially released and it is...drum-roll please.........

Album 52 - Cause and Effect

Now, on to the cover. The one released is not actually correct, but I can tell you that the real cover contains 3 main characters in a clock tower trying stop something from happening. Dun Dun Dun.

As for the released cover and other information like that, in the future, I'd simply wait until it comes officially from Focus before trusting it, because as we have learned sometimes stuff that is leaked isn't always accurate.

Cause and Effect also contains single part Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes - YAY!!! I don't remember the last time we had a Thanksgiving Episode! Excitement!

Also there is the brand new Family Fun Panel - on each new release/re-release as a short video. Brock and Diane will be in each with a family trying to complete a certain task. Each album has a different challenge and you must buy the album to get the instructions for it. If you complete the challenge let Focus know and you can get a button that has the album name on it and picture and what the challenge was. The challenge in album 3 is based off the episode "Karen" and involves writing a letter or a card to someone who is hospitalized or in a nursing home. Album 4 is building a volcano like Robyn and Oscar.

There is also a new book series called The Imagination Station for ages 6-9 coming out this fall. Books 1-2 will be released Fall 2010 and 3-4 in Spring 2011. Authors are Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker.

Finally, I know some people have been complaining about the new families on Odyssey and how the kids seem disrespectful and whiny. My response to hat is," You mean you dislike them because they are real?" ;) When asked about his thoughts on the matter, Brock Eastman, Product Marketing guy at Focus said,

"If the kids in Odyssey were perfect they wouldn’t be very relatable to the situations you face every day. Plus wouldn’t that just be boring? Let’s hear an example: (Begin episode) Here Mathew I’ll help you clean your room. Oh thanks Olivia. (End episode)"

I heartily agree Mr. Eastman.

Well all, that's all I have for you today. I hope you enjoyed it! ohh also be sure to check out the brand new AIO page on Facebook!

Sarah

The Inspiration Station Part 2 Review

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:53:00 -0400

Finally! It's here! Sorry it took me so long to do this guys, but here it is. Hopefully I'll have the others up soon too.

Oooh - Eugene on coffee - scary thought.

I love the scene with Whit and Eva. Reminds me of the old episodes where parents came in to talk to Whit about things.

So apparently only Whit, Connie, and Eugene work at Whit's End anymore.

Connie's addiction reminds me a lot of the Twilife zone episode about the chicken - what was that? Addictions. Also Zachary in A Touch of Healing (I think that's the ep I wanted)

Ok So we learn who Whit's friend is - Mortimer - a man/character in Whit's new invention. I have to admit, I was shocked when I heard this character because he sounds EXACTLY like Finnian Jones from the Lamplighter Theatre broadcast - down to the big library and fast train. I'll hold back most of my thoughts on this for now and explain why in a future blog. However, I will say that while at first I felt cheated that it was the same character with the same voice by the same actor as lamplighter, I was informed by my sources that basically if there were such a thing as coincidences then this would count. Once I found that out, I liked it much better - he is a great character!

Also the scenes with Mortimer are extended on the cd.

The Thomas Alva Edison reminded me of the Potential in Elliot. :) I also like that they made the story different though. I never knew the connections between some of these inventors. :) Mortimer did a great job encouraging Matthew to keep inventing. The blank book idea was cool.

Heehee a Whit messing up the town clock. The team really has a thing for the clock. The videos, Malachi's Message, and I'm sure there are others.

Good lessons for Matthew - if God has given you a talent or a gift, keep at it even if you mess up. You never know where that mess up might take you.

I love Connie's backtrack about people asking her to talk - that is something I do too - accidentally exaggerate then catch myself and have to backtrack down to reality.

It really is depressing to see who you can be then have it not last and feel like you can never be that person. This whole segment with Connie really reminds me of me. Everyone knows or thinks they know who they should be - at least what they think other people think they should be - but very few of us (like none) are actually capable of living up to that expectation. We have to remember that the only expectation that matters is God's. I struggle with this so much at times always feeling like a failure, and God reminds me that I'm not. That and everyone else before me felt that way too. Isaiah, Peter, David, and so on. It also reminds me of the Relient K song Who I am Hates Who I've Been.

Great redemption scene with Matthew and Eugene as well as Whit and Connie.

I love how they worked in all the people from the "Get Your Voice on AIO" promo from a while back. *tear*

Overall, I like how they wrapped up together and the messages presented. Very applicable to real life. Classic AIO in my opinion. 4/5

Thoughts on Act Like Odyssey Entries

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 9 Apr 2010 15:37:00 -0400

Ok people, here are my thoughts on each entry!

1. Broken Window - Rodney is great! I love the British Whit! Great job and I love the flashback to Connie's date! It's sad that I know the episode so well, I can tell where they skipped lines! lol. Rating: A

2. Snow Day - Alex reminds me of the kid who plays SJ in the Blind Side. I love Snow Day and they did a good job getting the whole episode in! A-

3. Jumbo Fork - LOL! That was cute! I loved the rake! :) B+

4. Real Time - LOL!!!! They pulled an e-Trade stunt!!!!! AAAAHH!!!! I love the talking baby! And the little boys are just too CUTE!!!!! Also, the Captain sounds great! Ok the cuteness factor totally has me in tears - EEK!!!!! (wow I used a lot of exclamation points for this one lol) Loved the recap they give. So minus the fact that they totally played to the viewers cuteness meter, it was great! A

5. By Dawn's Early Night - really long intro. Lucy is actually pretty good though. B

6. Young Guns Bonanza - Good job. This is one of those shorties that I've heard too many times though. They did good! B+

7. Dadenstein - fun special effects. Dadenstein was good but the rest was kinda eh. B

8. Sam Maritan - Lucy is cute and it's pretty well done. A-

9. Champ of the Camp - Actors are great! I liked this one! A-

10. Fairy Tale Action News - sheep and shepherd boy are cute! ok Correction: Shepherd boy is ADORABLE!!!!! Good video! I liked this one a lot! A

Well I'm heading over to cast my vote. To keep from swaying you in a certain direction, I'll keep my vote a secret until after voting has closed. Head on over to Whit's End to vote!

Act Like Odyssey Contest

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 9 Apr 2010 02:34:00 -0400

Well the entries are in and the new official podcast is out! Its a video podcast with clips from the top ten entries. Head over to whitsend.org to watch each of them in full and don't forget to vote! I'll post my thoughts on each sometime tomorrow if I get the chance.

I'm still going to review the episodes that have aired as well, I just got slightly busy with wedding planning stuff. Oh and the surprise is still cooking! Thanks for your patience!

News about Album 52

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:09:00 -0400

So I have heard from a little birdie that Album 52 is being recorded over the next several days in Burbank! And guess what - there is a Christmas episode! YAY!! Looking forward to it! :)

New email!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:27:00 -0400

YAY!! Our new email address is officially up and running! It is the same as before just at gmail instead of hotmail. It is

a i o f a n p o d c a s t at g m a i l . c o m

(ignore the spaces. I just put them in so bots can't read it and start spamming everything again). I have not updated the link under contact us yet as I am planning on replacing that link with a security image that bots can't read (also known as a captcha) - like the ones with random letters you have to type in when registering or logging in to gmail or amazon etc. If you have any questions you can leave a comment or send an email. I will check the old email for the next thirty days and after that, we probably won't get anything from the hotmail account.

In other news, I might have a surprise in the works for all of you. Stay tuned.

Finally, Game for a Mystery airs today. Turn on your radio, or hop on over to www.whitsend.org/radio for a listen.

Sarah

Deleted Scenes!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:00:00 -0400

YAY! So I just discovered another GREAT reason to buy Take it From the Top. First, of course is to support Focus on the Family so they can keep making new episodes. Second, the really cool insert about each of the characters in the album and behind the scenes info. Third however, is that there are pretty awesome deleted scenes in the album. So far I've gotten two or three in The Inspiration Station part 1. (you can hear the Parker family discovering Matthew's tinkering as well as Connie having a nightmare leading to her return to Whit's End) Both are worth a listen! Part two has some extended scenes with Mortimer in the Library (which is as far as I am right now)

This discovery has solidified my choice (I hope) to not listen ahead so I can notice the differences.

Reviews are coming soon, I promise, but now that I know there are differences, I want to re-listen to both versions of each show aired so far again.

Feel free to point out any you noticed in the first three episodes of the season!

Sarah

Clutter

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:42:00 -0400

I apologize everyone for my disappearance over the last week. I had a crazy week in Virginia doing wedding planning with my Fiancee, and I had to take a last minute exam which I passed and I am now an official graduate of Liberty University - YAY!!!

I returned home today and had a wonderful surprise waiting for me - Take it from the Top! At the moment, I am not sure if I should listen to all the episodes now, or be patient and wait for each episode to come out. I seem to recall when we first learned that the albums would be released at the same time as the radio episodes, that I was adamantly against "cheating" and listening to the album. I may be able to hold off, but man is it tempting to listen especially since I was not expecting to get it! Some god friends of mine *wink* surprised me and sent it to me, so friends, Thank you! heehee!

In other news, Clutter aired this weekend and if you have not heard it yet, hop on over to www.whitsend.org to listen.

Unfortunately, my fiance ran out of time to show me some of the blogger tricks, but he should be able to do so remotely, so there should be some cool pictures and stuff up for you soon. (and for those who are wondering, I will post a wedding picture of us both after we get married)

Finally, don't forget the Act Like Odyssey contest going on now until March 31! Hurry and get your tape in for the possibility of winning all 51albums of AIO!

Ooh and Chris got back to me while I was away and gave his thumbs up for the new email address. I will make a separate post about that within the next two days and let you know when it is live.

Later all!

Sarah

Inspiration Station Part 2 is UP!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:21:00 -0500

Hey all, part 2 is up and here it is! listen here or hop on over to whitsend.org/radio to take a listen!

Running Time: 25:28

I took a quick listen but need some time to gather my thoughts before posting about the episode. That and I'm flying to Virginia in the morning to see my fiancee and friends from college for about 10 days - yay! But don't worry - this is actually good for the podcast/blog! "How?" you may ask. Well, I'll tell you! My fiancee is a tech whiz and he has agreed to help me/teach me how to use this silly blog so I can actually post audio stuff and pictures etc - all the smart stuff Chris knows how to do, but didn't get a chance to teach me before he left (sound familiar anyone?) so YAY! Hopefully I will be back and improved in a few days with the help of my amazing fiancee Eli! also, starting sometime at the beginning of next week, we will have a new e-mail address that I will post as soon as everything is settled!

Sound good?

As always, post your thoughts and let us know what you are thinking!

Love ya,

Sarah

Excitement! :D

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:56:00 -0500

Hey everyone, I have TONS of new stuff for you guys, and as soon as I can figure out how to post it here in blogger(pictures, sound bytes etc), you will have it too!

Until then, hop over to www.whitsend.org and check out their "Act Like Odyssey" contest! The deadline to submit your entry is March 31 and you could win all 51 albums of Adventures in Odyssey - YAY!

Sarah

E-mail problems

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 8 Mar 2010 21:57:00 -0500

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know about a little problem I discovered with our email. Apparently hotmail is having problems and for the last few months has been not delivering or sending emails at random, so if you have sent us something and haven't gotten a response that may be why. We have not been able to respond to every email that we have, so know that we may have it and haven't gotten to it yet also. Either way, don't panic! I have already contacted Chris about a solution, and it may take a week or so for him to get back to me. Rest assured though, as soon as we have an answer, we will let you know! Thank you so much for being such loyal fans. We love and appreciate each one of you!

Love, Sarah

The Inspiration Station Part 1

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 8 Mar 2010 01:16:00 -0500

Hello Friends! I know it has been a while since I blogged, but I'm back again and with great news this time! ALBUM 51 is HERE!!! YAY!!! While I do not have my own copy as of yet, I do have the internet, so like many of you, I will be listening along via the web and attempting to post my thoughts here as I go. I do want to try and record a podcast at some point while Chris is gone, but until then, hopefully the written word will suffice. I just pulled up the Whit's End website player so I can take a listen. I'll probably just post my thoughts as I go, so hopefully no one minds a stream of consciousness type post from me.

So are you ready? Hang on tight, cause here we GO!

Whoah - forgot about different Whit voice, but I think it works ok for me.

Who is Whit's friend? – no answer. Sad day.

When the computer shuts down, it strikes me as odd that Whit doesn't seem to know what’s going on - like his tech iq has dropped a bit...but at least Eugene is back to his intellectual self.

GOOF ALERT!!! They have too seen stuff like this in applesauce and in the Blackgaard's castle episodes.

It is definitely weird hearing stuff about all these electronic devices. This seems like such a slice of life episode from the early days and then BAM! you have headphones, cell phones, DVR, GPS, laptop, dvds lol!

lol – I love mom saying let dad handle things then jumping right in to take over. Typical mom - I love it! I think this family - least parents to kids have great chemistry. Gotta wait a little on the bro-sis stuff. Olivia reminds me of Sarah from the middle years. Matthew reminds me of a young Eugene. Dad is a mix of Dale Jacobs and George Barclay. Overall, I like the Parkers. The parents definitely remind me of the Barclays.

Connie reminds me of “Promises Promises” changing herself for the better - only it seems to be working this time. Ok I take that back - meltdown. Her addiction is also like Zachary when Jason made him walk (“Where is Thy Sting?”?... whoah great foreshadowing with Connie telling Whit about her pet peeves then they all happen.

Connie - Eugene banter. YAY! Whit is still kinda off for me but getting there. He still sounds too much like other actors (so far I've heard Bernard and Jack in Darien’s Rise. and Tom a little here). However, when Whit asks Eugene about changing the shop he totally sounded like Hal's Whit - awesome! I think this is going to work out fine. 

lol at Connie not being ready to talk about it. This happened in another episode that I can’t remember right now. Help?

Whit wanting to talk to Connie about her experience in the Inspiration Station hearkens back to Whit wanting to talk to Eugene about his trip in the imagination station in the Mortal Coil and following episodes... (Note – Eugene took the trip in MC and whit wanted to discus it with him in the episodes in On Earth as it is in Heaven.)

Uh oh - Connie sneaking in to Whit's End doesn't sound good.

Background music during closing reminds me a lot of the video theme.

Ok well that wraps up my play by play thoughts. I listened twice through, first just to listen and the second to take notes. I really enjoyed this episode. It was a total slice of life with a hint of mystery added in for fun. If this first episode is any indication of the rest of Album 51, then we are in store for some good stuff in my opinion. I love that I could listen to this twice in a row and it wasn’t boring.

I thought the acting was great and I LOVE the Parker family. The dad’s voice to me is a blend of Phil Lollar and Dave Arnold. Ok maybe I’m weird, but I’m ok with that. It works and it is a great dad voice. Mom is wonderful too. I think this family has more potential to be the new Barclay family than any we have had so far. Great chemistry between mom and dad and parents and kids. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not so sure the kids as siblings have that chemistry yet, but I think it will come and will be great. Let me hear a good fight or two and I’ll let you know. I hope the Parkers are around for a long time. Matthew reminds me of a young Eugene and because of that their interaction is great!

As for Andre – I think this is going to work out fine. It will take me a little getting used to still I think, but I’m excited for the day when he does become Whit for me. I don’t think it is too far off. 

Story so far is great, I’m excited to hear part two. Also, loved the sound design and score in this episode. It really reminded of the early days of AIO where there was little music and it was only there when needed. Not over the top or even noticeable. I heard it when I listened for it, but when I wasn’t, it just blended in. Maybe I have it all wrong, but to me that’s a good thing. It added to the show, instead of taking away from it. It wasn’t over the top, but just right.

So as of right now, I give this show 4/5 stars depending on how the rest of it plays out.

Great job AIO Team and Welcome Back!

Love you all,

Sarah

In Loving Memory of Paul Herlinger May 1, 1929 - February 2, 2010

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:28:00 -0500

Dear Friends,

Today I bring to you the sad news of the death of a man who was a dear friend to all of us. I received news this afternoon that Paul Herlinger, the voice of Whit from 1996-2008 passed away last week. He will be dearly missed by all. As I sit here writing this, I am not even sure what or how I feel. I know I am terribly sad, but I'm also glad that he is no longer ill or in pain. I feel very disjointed. On one hand, I never met him. On the other, I feel like one of my closest friends just died.

I had to stop in the middle of writing this post to scour my room for what is now one of my most treasured possessions - a letter from Paul. I wrote to him two years ago to express my gratitude for all he has done with Odyssey and let him know just how much he influenced my life for the good and for God. To my amazement and joy, he wrote back. It was a sweet yet simple letter typed on what appears to be a typewriter with a handwritten signature at the end. But now this letter means more to me than almost anything else I own. It came from the heart and will forever remind me of my childhood hero.

I know that Paul and Whit were not the same person. I know that Whit is not dead, nor is he real. However, for some reason that I cannot understand, I feel an inexplicable sense of loss and sadness. Whit will never be the same. I will never be able to hear a Paul episode again without experiencing some sense of loss. I'm sure it will fade with time, as it did with Hal Smith, but right now, I'm not sure how. The work that this man did, the character he brought to life, has changed my life so much and strengthened my faith in more ways than I can count.

I remember my excitement while writing my letter to him and getting his address. I remember my joy at finding out I actually got a response! I remember how my hands shook and how I could barely contain myself when I opened and read the letter! I remember seeing him on the video screen at the live show in Colorado. I remember hearing that he was very ill and would no longer be with AIO after that show.

And yet, in all these memories, I never met him in person. My loss, our loss as fans, is nothing compared to those who knew and loved him. So today, I ask you to pray for those at Focus, from AIO, and especially his family and friends who are missing this wonderful man. Pray for their comfort and salvation. Pray for God's love and compassion to be showered on them. Pray for their healing.

Here's to you Paul.

And remember: the best is yet to come.

Sarah

Album 51 Episode Titles!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Okay, so if you haven't seen the latest video podcast on the Official Site, definitely check it out! At about 8:45 of the podcast, they unveil the album artwork for Album 51: Take It From the Top! I thought they might keep the episode titles a secret until closer to the actual release date, but I guess they decided it was okay to reveal them. In fact, you can see all twelve episode titles!

Some of the words are a little unclear, but here's what I've deduced so far:

1. The Inspiration Station I
2. The Inspiration Station II
3. Clutter
4. Game for a Mystery
5. Target of the Week
6. For the Birds
7. When You're Right, You're Right
8. Grandma's Visit
9. Finish What You...
10. The Jubilee Singers I
11. The Jubilee Singers II
12. The Jubilee Singers III

I also noticed there will be a few bonus features included in the album. Glad they've decide to keep this up!

As far as the aesthetic changes go, it's worth mentioning that the characters have been completely redesigned, and so far I'm liking it! I think it'll be slightly weird seeing Eugene's eyes (presuming he retains the new hairstyle), but not nearly as strange as it will be seeing a different looking Whit! Is it just me, or does he remind you of some earlier illustrations? I'm definitely getting flashbacks to Paul McCusker's The Stranger's Message, as depicted below.

My only complaint about this new album (and future albums) is the fact that they've decided to change up the logo. I'm not a fan of the way the word, "in," is no longer in-between "Adventures" and "Odyssey." It somehow makes the logo appear less symmetrical. But I'm sure I'll get used to it. Haha.

Contest Winners Announced!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The results are in! Over one hundred entries for the Ultimate Odyssey IQ Challenge came pouring in over the last week. With a total of 100 trivia questions spanning albums 1-50, this truly was a contest for the ages! Head on over to the Odyssey Scoop to find out who won! Then check out the Official Site to find out all the details about an exciting new contest!

The Ultimate Odyssey IQ Challenge

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:11:00 -0500

With the arrival of the New Year, we are now only two months away from the release of the fifty-first album, Take It From the Top. As we await the new episodes from this highly anticipated album, the Odyssey Scoop and the Unofficial Podcast have teamed up to give you the opportunity to win a free copy to add to your collection! Focus on the Family has graciously offered to provide copies of this album, so enter now to win!

How do I enter?

Test your Odyssey knowledge by answering 100 questions from the past fifty albums of "Adventures in Odyssey."

When is the deadline?

We must receive all entries no later than January 11 at 11:59pm eastern time. Winners will be announced January 13 at the Odyssey Scoop.

What if I don't know the answer to a certain question?

You may want to listen to past episodes to find the answers. Research is encouraged!

Get started and test your Odyssey IQ!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 60

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:00:00 -0500

12.24.09. It seems like been forever since we were last on the internet airwaves... but better late than never, right? In our latest podcast, we talk about Darien's Rise, Album 51, and make a couple important announcements!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 27:47

New Podcast Coming Soon!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:09:00 -0500

Well, we're back! Almost. Haha, it's nice to know we were missed. We'll have a new podcast for you on Christmas Eve, so be sure to check back soon!

A Special Surprise

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:53:00 -0500

Hey all, this is Sarah! YAY! I just wanted to let you all know that Chris and I hope to be recording soon. You definitely do not want to miss this podcast! We will be explaining the partial reason for why it has taken us so long to record. and why I have been so busy. A hint though - the surprise is not AIO related. :) Guess away and tune in to our next podcast to find out the answer! :D

Love you guys and Happy (American) Thanksgiving! :D

Sarah

More Album 51 Details!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:10:00 -0500

After months of speculation and anticipation, we finally have new information on the upcoming album! Today, the Official Podcast released its latest episode... a video podcast, in fact. It reveals a plethora of exciting details about Album 51. So what are you waiting for?! Check it out and let us know what you think!

Preview of Script for "Inspiration Station"!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:12:00 -0500

In case you haven't checked out the latest Official Podcast, be sure to head on over and watch the video podcast! Bob and Jesse give us a brief tour of foley room, plus they unveil the finalists for the Passages art contest. What podcast viewers may or may not have caught, however, is a sneak peak of the script for the episode, The Inspiration Station. Thoughts?

Catch Up on Old Podcasts!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:38:00 -0400

Ever wanted to hear what Sarah and I were talking about when we first started our podcast back in 2007? Missed our interview with Dave Griffin (voice of Jimmy Barclay)? Want to catch up on some episodes you've missed? Well, now you can! I recently went through all our older podcast entries, which originally didn't have streaming options, and updated them to include download and streaming links. Simply click on the show latest podcasts link under the Podcast Archive section on the right-hand side. From there, you can access all our podcasts! (Note: Because the link only shows the last twenty podcasts, you'll need to click on "Older Posts" to view older podcasts).

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 59

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:02:00 -0400

10.10.09. It's been three weeks since Darien's Rise made its official debut on the radio and we're back to talk about the first three episodes! Have a listen and then let us know what you think! Are you happy with Shane Baumel and Rachel Fox as Kyle and Anna? Has Darien's Rise captured your interest or does it leave you wanting more? Don't forget to check out part four over at the Official Site!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 30:24

Update on "The Screwtape Letters"

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:08:00 -0400

I hope you all enjoyed our interview with Paul McCusker! As many of you know, one of his latest projects is The Screwtape Letters. This highly anticipated radio drama will be available for purchase on October 15. In case you missed it, the Screwtape Letters website went live late last week. Be sure to check out the site, as there are a lot of audio and video goodies to be found. Plus, don't forget to follow Screwtape and Wormood on Twitter!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 58

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:51:00 -0400

09.19.09. After several months of great anticipation, Darien's Rise finally makes its official radio debut today! If you haven't heard it yet, head on over to Whit's End and check out part one of this exciting drama. When you're done, be sure to have a listen to our latest podcast, which features our special guest, Paul McCusker, who joins us to talk about his time with Focus, Passages, his work on various Radio Theatre projects, as well as the upcoming season. You won't want to miss our exclusive interview with this long time writer and director for Adventures in Odyssey!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 50:22

A Fan Interview With Nathan Hoobler!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:54:00 -0400

For those of you who aren't members of the Town of Odyssey, I thought you should be aware of a special treat that was posted on the message boards earlier this week. The two current administrators, LizzieG and Taq, recently conducted an interview with Nathan Hoobler. Lots of great Passages discussion, behind-the-scenes tidbits, as well as a brief glimpse into what will be coming up in Album 51. Be sure to check it out!

Many thanks to all of you who submitted questions for Paul McCusker. We'll be interviewing him later today and releasing the interview on Saturday. Stay tuned!

Final Call for Questions!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:16:00 -0400

With only two days left until the airing of Darien's Rise, consider this your last chance to submit questions for Paul McCusker. We will be closing the submission page around midnight, so get your queries in while you still can!

Final Countdown to Darien's Rise!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400

Just five more days until Darien's Rise airs on radio stations across the country. It seems like it's been forever since we've had a new episode to discuss, but our hunger will soon be appeased! For those of you in the United States, you can purchase your own copy of the album at Christian Book. Canadian listeners may have to wait a little longer to get their hands on the album, but can place their order at the Focus bookstore. And don't forget to submit your questions for Paul McCusker! We will be interviewing him later this week and releasing the podcast on September 19th. Send your questions now!

Upcoming Interview with Paul McCusker!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400

Over the last couple years, we've been extremely privileged to speak with the likes of writers Nathan Hoobler and Marshal Younger, as well as actors Dave Griffin, Lauren Schaffel, Genni Long, and Katie Leigh. (Check out the sidebar to listen to those interviews!) It's been a long time coming since we've spoken with a member of the Odyssey team, but today we're pleased and proud to announce our next interview will be with writer Paul McCusker.

As the creator of the Passages series, Paul recently directed the radio adaptation of Darien's Rise and is currently working on the shows for Album 51. If there's anything you've been dying to know about Passages or Darien's Rise, don't delay!

Click on the image below to get started!

Album 51 Details!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:00:00 -0400

Well, I know a lot of the focus lately has been on Passages, but I couldn't pass up on this bit of news. In their product page for Album 51, Tyndale now includes a brief description of what we can expect for this March 2010 release.

It’s back to the basics in Take It from the Top, the long-anticipated 51st album of Adventures in Odyssey! Enter Whit’s new invention, the Inspiration Station, and find out why Connie wants to spend so much time in it. Solve mysteries with local sleuth Emily Jones, and learn why 10-year-old Matthew Parker doesn’t think being “target of the week” is such a good thing. Catch up with Whit, Connie, Eugene, and Wooton, and meet two new families, as they learn lessons about responsibility, revenge, and God-given inspiration. Whether on a baseball field, at home, or at Whit’s End, there’s never a dull moment in the town of Odyssey!

We've known for a while about the Parker family, which includes the brother-sister tandem in Matthew and Camilla. I'm always intrigued whenever new kids are introduced, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of personalities they'll bring to the show. After the first hiatus ended in 1997, there was a complete turnover for their kid actors, and listeners were introduced to characters like Jared DeWhite, Sarah Pratchett, Dwayne Oswald, and Lisa Mulligan. With the presumed departure of Tamika, Marvin, Mandy, and Trent, it seems like the end of this hiatus will see a whole host of of new kids brought to Odyssey. I'm hoping that Matthew, Camilla, and Emily will be able to interact with existing kids, such as Grady or Kelly, but we'll see what happens. Only six months to go until the new season begins!

For those of you keeping track, Darien's Rise airs in only nine days. To celebrate the release of this highly anticipated radio drama, we'll be announcing a very special surprise sometime tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 57

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 5 Sep 2009 07:40:00 -0400

09.05.09. We're finally back after an extended hiatus, just in time to see Odyssey's hiatus come to a close. In this podcast, we address some of the biggest news since sliced bread! Included in our list of topics are Passages: Darien's Rise, Andre Stojka, and Album 51. Leave a comment or email us at aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com.

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 23:48

So You Think You're An Odyssey Actor?

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 4 Sep 2009 18:40:00 -0400

Ever wanted to be an actor for Adventures in Odyssey? Well, here's your chance to have your voice heard on an upcoming episode! The good folks over at the Official Site are holding open auditions to anyone interested. All you need to do is record a brief response to the question question, "How am I inspired by Connie Kendall?" Whichever entries the Odyssey team like the most will be included in the season premiere, tentatively called The Inspiration Station, which will air in March 2010. But don't delay! This contest is only open until Friday, September 11th.

Contest Winners Announced Tomorrow!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 4 Sep 2009 10:18:00 -0400

For those of you who entered in the Ultimate Passages Fan Scavenger Hunt, we have some exciting news to share. Tomorrow, on the Odyssey Scoop, we will be announcing the contest winners, in addition to their stories! Be sure to keep any eye on your inbox, as we will be emailing our winners within the next few days.

More Album Artwork!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 1 Sep 2009 20:24:00 -0400

Over the last couple weeks, a lot of new and exciting stuff has been coming out, the most significant of which was the first episode of Darien's Rise. If you haven't had the opportunity to have a listen, be sure to check it out soon! I'd love to hear your thoughts on Andre Stojka, Shane Baumel, and Rachel Fox.

Also making headlines this past week was the release of the album artwork for Album 51: Take It From the Top. It features a very stylish, green-sweater-deprived Connie with Eugene getting what appears to be a buzz cut. I'm thinking Eugene loses a bet, or maybe does this to raise money for Hand Up. I like how the album title has both a literal interpretation - as seen in the illustration - as well as a figurative meaning, which will probably be made more clear once we hear the episodes. I get the feeling that Odyssey is returning to the style of the more "classic" shows from its earlier years. In many ways, Odyssey will be going back to the beginning... or taking it from the top. ;)

The repackaging project continues its gradual march towards completion, as Album 43: Along for the Ride recently received its re-framed cover. Once again, as is the case with much of Gary Locke's designs, the colors are fresh and vibrant. I probably sound like a broke record by now, but it's true - this new cover is a definite improvement over the original cover.

Many thanks to all of you who participated in the Ultimate Passages Fan Scavenger Hunt. We received an overwhelming number of responses, with lots of great story ideas. Judging is currently underway, so stay tuned to the Odyssey Scoop to see if you're our grand prize winner!

Last, but not least, Sarah and I will be making our return to the podcast airwaves! There's certainly no lack of news to discuss, so be prepared for an onslaught of Odyssey discussion this weekend. As always, feel free to send us your comments or questions to aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com.

Another Recording Session Video of "Darien's Rise!"

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:19:00 -0400

Almost a couple months ago, Rachel Fox, voice of Anna in Darien's Rise, posted a video of herself in studio with Shane Baumel (Kyle) and Pete Reneday (Old Judge). Over at the Town of Odyssey, one fan has made another fantastic discovery - a ten minute video clip of Shane Baumel recording a scene with the actors who play Darien and Michelle. What's particularly interesting about the video is getting to hear Paul McCusker direct the two actors. Take a look and let me know what you think!

The Ultimate Passages Fan Scavenger Hunt

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

So you think you're the biggest Passages fan? Well, here's your chance to prove it and win a fabulous prize!

How do I enter?

1. Answer each of the 5 questions posted on The Odyssey Scoop, AIO Wiki, and The Unofficial Podcast. You must answer at least 10 of the 15 questions correctly in order to move on with the contest. It may be wise to answer all 15 questions.

2. Next, come up with your very own Passages episode! Of course, we don't expect a full novel. Simply write a 300-500 word plot summary of a hypothetical story involving Marus. You may use characters from the existing books or you may come up with your own characters. Plot summaries will be judged by their creativity, originality, and Biblical integration. Please pay attention to correct grammar usage, though we will make grammatical corrections before publishing the winners' entries.

3. Submit your answers and plot summary by visiting The Ultimate Passages Fan Scavenger Hunt Submission Page.

When is the deadline?

You have until August 31st at 11:59pm eastern time to complete the contest. Winners will be announced Saturday, September 5 at The Odyssey Scoop.

What if I have never read Darien's Rise from the Passages series?

There's no need! This contest was created for anyone to enter, regardless of having read the books or not. Don't tell anyone, but you may want to start at the Passages Website for clues.

What do I win?

The participants who answers at least ten questions correctly and offers what we deem to be the best plot summary will win a free copy of the upcoming radio adaptation of Darien's Rise. We will also choose four runner ups, all of whom will win a poster of the cover artwork signed by the crew! All of these fabulous prizes are compliments of Focus on the Family and the creators of Adventures in Odyssey!

Let's Get Started...

The Odyssey Scoop, AIO Wiki, and The Unofficial Podcast are looking for answers! It may be a good idea to keep your answers in a safe place until you have them all. Any questions you may have throughout the course of this contest should be directed to passagescontest@odysseyscoop.com.

6. Which city is an ally of Marus?
7. What's the name of Kyle and Anna's uncle?
8. Who rescues Anna from being sold as a slave?
9. In which city did Darien's defeat Commander Soren?
10. Who is the author of Passages?

Watch the Trailer!

It's coming.

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0400

New Update

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 7 Aug 2009 21:09:00 -0400

Sorry I haven't updated in a while! Things have been crazy busy on my end, and I'm currently enjoying my final few days on vacation. However, after the latest news released on the Official Site earlier today, I couldn't keep silent any longer.

But first, allow me to quickly get this out of the way. As many of our loyal listeners have astutely pointed out, the cover art for Darien's Rise has been updated to a much more original and artistic design. I love how they kept the castle theme in the artwork, while using the evening setting to highlight the two moons of Marus. A vast improvement, in my opinion, from the original design.

Now to the biggest news we've heard since Walker Edmiston's passing. John Avery Whittaker, perhaps the most beloved character to grace the show, will no longer be voiced by Paul Herlinger. After fourteen years of dedicated service, Paul will be handing the reigns over to Andre Stojka, a talented actor who has reprised the role of several characters played by Hal Smith (including Owl from Winnie the Pooh). You can find out all the details by checking out the Official Podcast's latest episode. Have a listen and let me know what you think! I'll be posting my full thoughts on it later this month.

Final Artwork Covers

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:36:00 -0400

We now have the final artwork for both the two highly anticipated dramas coming this fall! The first one features virtually the same illustration as the book. It's definitely disappointing not to see much originality in the design, save for the titles. This could have been a really exciting cover.

In my opinion, the cover for The Screwtape Letters is significantly better. It's unique, it's eye-catching, and it's not a replica of a previous book cover.

A Video Preview of "The Screwtape Letters"

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 3 Jul 2009 08:13:00 -0400

And the video clips keep pouring in - this one courtesy of Focus on the Family and blogger Christopher Kou. There's plenty to enjoy in this preview, including thoughts from director Paul McCusker, Douglas Gresham, Andy "Screwtape" Serkis, and Philip "Malachi" Glassborrow!

Recording Session Video of "Darien's Rise"!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:32:00 -0400

One fan over at the Town of Odyssey discovered the following YouTube video of Rachel Fox in studio recording for the upcoming radio adaption of Darien's Rise. In it, she also has a short "interview" with Jim Cummings, voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.

Although we're still eleven weeks away from the first episode of Darien's Rise, we're steadily getting more and more information. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting excited! Here's a rundown of the known actors' list.

Rachel Fox - Anna
Shane Baumel - Kyle
Pete Renaday - the Old Judge
Jim Cummings - King Lawrence

WodFamChocSod Recipe!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:27:00 -0400

YAY! I talked to my secret source and well I think we got things figured out. So here's the recipe like I promised everyone:

You take ------

WAIT A MINUTE!!!!! You guys were trying to trick me into giving you the recipe! Well that didn't work on Jason with Raspberry Ripple and it won't work on me with WodFamChocSod's either. Remember, Me + Jesus is ALWAYS a majority. ;)

I'm sorry guys, I tried, but I just can't tell you how to make one. My source made me promise to never ever tell anyone EVER! Apparently it's a matter of national security or something like that...hmm you know..they DO have the Air Force Base or Academy or something right near them...hmmm...I wonder..... Anyway, I guess you will just have to go to Whit's End in Colorado Springs to taste one! Sorry I couldn't help guys, but I promised on pain of death, and well, if I give in and tell you then we'd probably get cut off from all our inside information, and then we wouldn't be able to make you happy as a listener, and THEN where would we be?!

Ok for now this is Sarah signing off

Album 28 Cover Art!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:21:00 -0400

If it's seemed like forever since we've last had a album repack update, it's because it has. This past January saw new designs released for Album 22 - and today, over five months later, we finally have new artwork to unveil! This particular cover was briefly featured in the last video podcast, in which we saw a preliminary sketch for Album 28. But now we have the full, completed art in all its high resolution glory!

As I've mentioned several times in the past, I'm a huge fan of Gary Locke's illustrations - and once again, I'm thrilled with this new design. Not only is it a vast improvement from the original cover, which had one glaring inaccuracy with Jason depicted at City Hall, but it also conveys a lot more vigor and excitement. What do you think?

More Details on "The Screwtape Letters"!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:31:00 -0400

Ever since Dave Arnold spilled the beans about The Screwtape Letters being dramatized for Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre, fans of C.S. Lews' classic novel have been waiting on pins and needles for more news. At least I have anyway. As we saw at the end of the last video podcast, Andy Serkis will be lending his voice for the role of Screwtape.

According to product descriptions from Christian Book and Tyndale Publishers, the final product will include three or four CDs as well as a behind-the-scenes DVD documentary and is slated for an October 2009 release. I don't know about you, but this is definitely something for which I'm extremely excited!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 56

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:44:00 -0400

06.20.09. It's our first summer podcast and we're back to talk about the latest Odyssey news. Plus, we unveil our first ever top five list! Leave us a comment or send us an email at aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com.

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 27:12

New Podcast This Weekend!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:37:00 -0400

Things sure have heated up in the Odyssey world since my last post. Starting with the Washington Secret Word Contest, fans will have the opportunity to access special bonus contest from the Official Site by listening to the weekend shows this summer. Don't miss out!

Paul McCusker and Dave Arnold were recently interviewed on the Cornerstone Television Network about their time working on Odyssey. The broadcast ran an hour long and featured several scenes from the AIO: Live! DVD. It was certainly a welcomed sight to see Odyssey getting this type of publicity. Right-click and save here to download... or click the play button below to stream it.

Last, but certainly not least, we'll be releasing our next podcast this Saturday!

Passages Manuscript #1 Review

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:31:00 -0400

Darien's Rise
by Paul McCusker

Summary: Rising out of obscurity into a position of prestige and power, a young man remains humble as he demonstrates abiding loyalty to his king. Sound familiar? Maybe that's because it is! Except this tale has a twist involving two siblings from Odyssey. When Kyle and Anna find themselves inside the strange and mystical land of Marus, they are initially incredulous of their surroundings. With swords and pistols being brandished as modern weaponry, the two children seem to have been transported a couple centuries back into the past. However, they aren't just any normal strangers to Marus; it appears they have both been called for a purpose. As the plot unfolds, Kyle and Anna find themselves on two different paths. Yet by the end of it all, they both learn valuable lessons that will stick with them for a lifetime.

Review: I had the "advantage" of reading 1 Samuel at the same time, so I was constantly making comparisons as I read Darien's Rise. One of the things which stood out to me was the tale of David and Goliath retold as Darien and Soren. It's one of the most well-known Bible stories and has even morphed into one of the most commonly used themes in film and literature - "overcoming the giants in your life." I'd heard the story so many times I'd never really given it a second thought. Until I read it again in Darien's Rise. David used a pebble and slingshot to kill Goliath. What an incredible demonstration of faith! How it must frustrate our Lord when we gripe and complain about our difficulties. We so quickly forget that us plus Jesus equals a majority! I've heard it said before that we need to stop telling God how big our mountains are and start telling our mountains how big our God is. That's what Darien did. Amidst relentless persecution from the very person he swore to protect, Darien remained steadfast in his faith.

Another person who never wavered was Anna, the one called by the Unseen One to be a prophetic voice. She believed the Unseen One would protect her and Kyle - even when it seemed like the odds were stacked up against them. Much like Darien, Anna gradually grew into spiritual maturity by stepping into and then exercising faith. Kyle, on the other hand, never fully accepted his calling and instead began to allow pride to get in the way. His actions mirrored that of King Lawrence, who glorified himself instead of the Unseen One. In a way, it was fitting that they both met their doom in the Valley of the Rocks. As the Palatian soldiers closed in them, Kyle and Lawrence each recognized that the cause of their impending demise was lack of faith. Furthermore, they both lacked humility. Kyle wanted to be the hero and Lawrence wanted to remain king. But as Luke 14:11 reminds, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

I especially enjoy how Paul McCusker's Passages series, which is essentially a contemporary version of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, creates an environment in which the Unseen One is so tangibly real and alive. As Christians, we often forget that God is real and alive in our own world. The problem isn't that He isn't doing anything - the problem is that we aren't paying enough attention! Like Kyle and Anna discovered, we too have a specific and unique purpose in life. Our responsibility is to pursue Christ so that he will reveal his good and perfect will to us. Are we up for the challenge?

Rating: 4 out of 5

The Ceiling Fan Contest

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:39:00 -0400

We've hit the summer lull where Odyssey news is about as scarce as water in the Saraha. But that doesn't mean the fans haven't been busy! Over at the Ceiling Fan, hosts Kevin and Mark have recently posted a video podcast in which they combine regular elements of their show with a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into the production of a typical podcast. It's definitely worth checking it. Also, don't miss their first ever contest, in which you take over the Ceiling Fan! The winner will have their production aired and will also receive a free t-shirt!

Catching Up on Odyssey

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 8 May 2009 08:30:00 -0400

Unless you've been living under a rock the last couple weeks, you've probably already watched the most recent video podcast. It was a real treat to actually see the Odyssey crew in action and hard at work - proof that they've been keeping busy during the current hiatus. And they shared a lot of inside information. All this time I thought they were just lounging around eating fizzy cola, greasly chips, and jello pudding pops.

As we've known for the last month or so, Darien's Rise will be adapted for an epic 9-part radio dramatization. I'm a huge fan of Paul McCusker's work, so it'll be fun to see this Odyssey classic turned into an audio drama - much like Focus' Radio Theatre has already done with books like The Chronicles of Narnia. Like the beloved series by C.S. Lewis, Passages is built around this idea of normal kids visiting an alternate reality. But the similarities don't end there. Many Biblical parallels are drawn throughout the kids' journeys in the land of Marus. What's particularly special about Passages is that it offers a story simple enough for children and yet deep enough to be enjoyed by adults.

Something that hasn't been brought up much is the casting for Passages. Up until the video podcast was released, we didn't know who would be voicing the two main characters, Anna and Kyle. After hearing the short clip from Jonathan Crowe, we now know that these two roles will be filled by Rachel Fox and Shane Baumel. These two actors are better known for playing Kelly and Everett, so it'll be interesting to see if those two characters will be returning in Album 51. I've already made it clear that I wouldn't mind hearing more from Kelly now that she's a Christian, but what I'd really love is to hear episodes with Everett and his father, Leonard. Either way, I'm looking forward to hearing from both Rachel and Shane in Passages.

Most book adaptions will inevitably involve some sort of change to the script. Darien's Rise is no exception, as it appears Whit will be narrating at least part of the drama. With news leaking out that there will be a new Whit, it would definitely make for an interesting surprise if listeners tuned in on September 12 to hear part one of Darien's Rise and were greeted by a new John Avery.

Speaking of surprises, I really enjoyed getting a look inside the renowned Odyssey vault - otherwise known as Focus' audio library. Among the multitude of audio cases neatly arranged on the shelves sat some real gems, such as Bonhoeffer and Father Gilbert. With thousands of individual episodes and radio broadcast archives sitting on those shelves, it's no wonder they're all stored inside a locked room! Watching the guys recreate the scene from A New Hope was priceless, especially Rudy's "call" for C-3PO. Haha.

It was nice of Paul McCusker to invite the Official Podcast hosts to his home - it took me a moment before I realized that. We hadn't heard much about what's going to happen in Album 51 since the March 11th Q&A with the producers. And, sadly, Paul doesn't divulge too more information, other than the fact that the first episode of the March 2010 season is tentatively called The Inspiration Station and will probably be a two-parter.

Does this Inspiration Station have anything to do with the red button Connie pushed at the end of The Best Small Town? Quite possibly. Over at the Town of Odyssey, different theories have been floating around. All we know for sure is that it was part of Whit's new invention that looked like a radio. That immediately makes me think is has something to do with story-telling, although I'm not sure in what way. Does it alter the way Adventures in Odyssey is told? Or would that be breaking the third wall too much?

One thing we know with absolute certainty is that several new families will be introduced, including the Parkers. We also know a little bit about one of the Parker kids, Camilla - she's an eight year old athlete who reminds me of a young woman who helped raise seven kids in Austria (hint: she climbs a tree and scrapes her knee). According to the character description we heard from Carol Rusk, Camilla is also "prone to pranks and trouble." Between her boisterous and tomboy-ish personality, Camilla sounds like a cross between a Curt Stevens and Traci Needlemeyer.

While there's still ten months to go before Album 51 episodes air on the radio, there's only three months left until Passages: Darien's Rise hits the airwaves. But if you're the impatient sort, you can always pre-order your copy of the 9-part drama at Amazon.com or Amazon.ca. Then let me know your thoughts on the future of Odyssey!

What did you think of the latest video podcast? And which was the best moment?

(a) Jesse high-fiving Whit
(b) Jonathan asking for a sound of a guy being punched in the face
(c) Bob skipping out of Christopher Dehl's studio
(d) The recreation of the garbage compactor scene
(e) Carol Rusk inviting Tom Hanks and George Clooney to a party
(f) Andy Serkis

Q&A Video: Part III

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sun, 3 May 2009 12:32:00 -0400

And now for the one you've all been waiting for... Dave Griffin returns to reprise his role as Jimmy "Donna!" Barclay.

Q&A Video: Part II

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 2 May 2009 16:31:00 -0400

Just one clip to share today - I mentioned in our last podcast that there was a "moment" between Will Ryan and Katie Leigh. Here is that scene!

Q&A Video: Part I

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 1 May 2009 16:02:00 -0400

Today marks the official release date of AIO: Live! As of this afternoon, it isn't available for ordering yet - but I'm sure that'll change within the next few days. In the meanwhile, I thought I'd kick off the weekend with a couple videos clip from the second Q&A session. Check back for more clips this weekend!

Video from Q&A!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:59:00 -0400

It's hard to believe it's already the end of April! With the AIO Live! CD/DVD available in only a couple days, I thought it'd be neat if I posted some of the videos I shot during the Q&A sessions following each Saturday show. Those of you who have already listened to our latest podcast will remember the question posed to Dave Griffin at the end of one of the Q&A sessions. Since the Q&A video footage will not be featured on CD or DVD, I figured this would be a great opportunity to show you guys some of my footage.

Want to see the video? Then cast your vote on the poll in the sidebar!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 55

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:41:00 -0400

04.25.09. It's been a long time coming, but we finally did it! It's the long-awaited conclusion to our recap of the birthday bash in Colorado Springs! After a three month hiatus of her own, Sarah returns to the podcast with renewed vigor (like Mitch's flossing) as she recounts some of her most memorable experiences. And then I talk for a little bit, too. Lots of fun stories, some un-aired clips from our interviews at the podcast booth, and a whole lot more!

Celebrating 20 years of Adventures in Odyssey!

Inside Whit's End

Inside the recording studio

Chris Anthony and Aria Curzon

Hundreds of fans crowded into Focus' Chapelteria

Sarah with the 7-foot tall "Eugene"

Chris with Genni and Don Long

The amazing cast of Odyssey actors... and Eugene!

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Running Time: 1:01:47

AIO Live! Preview

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0400

Almost eight months to this day, I sat in the Focus auditorium with over a thousand Odyssey fans, cheering, laughing, and watching in sheer amazement as the actors performed BTV: Live! It truly was a once in a lifetime experience like never before. While I knew they were recording the episode, I didn't know that they would be producing a DVD product - and am I ever glad they chose to do so. Not only will it give me and the five thousand other fans who attended a chance to relive the moment, but it'll give the rest of you the opportunity to check out what you missed!

I recently received a preview copy of the DVD from Focus - here's a quick preview of what you should expect:

1. B-TV: Live! Motion Slideshow

This 45-minute presentation features numerous video clips and hundreds of photos from all three shows. What I particularly enojoyed about the slideshow were all the close-ups of the actors. You don't truly get an appreciation for what the actors do until you actually see them perform. I was somewhat disappointed the video quality wasn't consistent throughout the entire slideshow, but most of it is pretty good. The seventeen minutes of footage accounts for over one-third of the presentation and it's absolutely hilarious to watch. Check out a short clip from the show by clicking the play button below.

At the end of the show, there's also a 3-minute blooper segment with Chris Anthony desperately trying to pronounce, Rashonmyfeet, one of the characters in the show. Hilarious.

2. Event Slideshow

This 5-minute presentation features 43 photos recapping the everything from the live shows, podcast recordings, autograph session... and lots of cast and crew photos. Great stuff!

3. Fan on the Street Interviews

They aired this same 5-minute clip on the Official Podcast, but it's nice to have a high resolution version of the interviews. I'm definitely liking the new question menus!

4. Special Call-In Broadcast

Back in 2007, during Odyssey's official 20th anniversary, they had a special two-part tribute to the show on Focus' daily broadcast with John Fuller and Dr. James Dobson. Hearing from fans across the country (and even one caller from Australia!) express their appreciation for Odyssey is a huge treat and something you won't want to miss. I found it interesting that they included this segment on the DVD rather than the CD, especially considering this is something you might want to listen in your car rather than watch on your TV.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with the DVD. I'm glad it was edited and produced at 16:9 widescreen format rather than the standard 4:3 aspect ratio. It looks great on the HD television, that's for sure! Adventures in Odyssey: Live! will be available on May 1st. If you haven't already pre-ordered your copy, I highly recommend doing it now - the links are in the sidebar.

Novacom Boxed Set Review!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:36:00 -0400

After knowing about this product for over six months, I finally received my copy of the Novacom boxed set in the mail last week. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the box (to which I will refer henceforth as the Novabox) was significantly smaller than I had expected it to be. Compared to a typical CD album, the Novabox is not that much bigger - which is a definite plus in my mind. Since it's so compact, it makes for a great traveling package. It's a lot more convenient, for instance, to bring something like this on a road trip than four CD albums.

Another thing I liked about this set is the whole look of the Novabox. Not only is the cover art fantastic, but the gloss finish is also a nice touch. The packaging is rather durable as well - none of this cheap, flimsy cardboard. As for the actual contents inside the box, you've got the "Top Secret" document as well as the ten discs. You can check out the high-res photos of the Novacom set here.

Obviously, you must be wondering what's contained in the Top Secret document. It basically offers a quick introduction to the saga, a casting listing for the main characters, and an episode guide listing the episodes and a short synopsis for each.

Then you have the only information that's truly new - Novacom's "evil" master plan. Essentially, it's the entire story arc summarized through various plot points as written in a letter from the Chairman to Bennett Charles. It lists the ultimate goal of Operation Think Tank, its purposes, and initiatives required in order to accomplish the master plan. It's quite an interesting read, as it explains various plot points not explained in the actual radio series - for instance, it reveals the person responsible for convincing Mary Hopkins to install security cameras in Whit's End Connellsville.

I've only listened to the first few minutes of the bonus disc because I'm trying to save some of the behind-the-scenes material for later. I'm sure I'll have more to say on that in a few weeks. It's pretty hard for me to find any fault with the Novabox, although I'm a little concerned with the binding right at the hinge, which, over time, could definitely wear out. But overall, I'm very impressed.

If you don't own all the Novacom episodes, this is a must have product. And even if you do, you won't want to miss the one hour bonus disc. Listening to Jess Harnell create the voice for Bennett Charles is absolutely priceless.

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 54

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:06:00 -0400

04.11.09. More Canadian goodness returns to the podcast as Catspaw and Boswell join me once again for another round table discussion about all things Odyssey. Mostly. Be sure to check out Boswell's recent discovery of the next upcoming Odyssey album - the Dusty Episodes!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 51:35

Updated Official Podcast Page

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 9 Apr 2009 15:15:00 -0400

If in case you haven't seen it already, I wanted to quickly point out that the Official Podcast has made an exciting update to their webpage! They've reformatted it into more of a blog, allowing fans to post comments on each entry. It's definitely a major improvement to the website and I'm looking forward to hearing from the more 'casual' fan - those who might not have time for or interest in joining a message board. ;) Be sure to check out the blog and leave a question for the actors who play all four Washington family members!

YAY!!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 9 Apr 2009 00:35:00 -0400

Hey y'all it's Sarah! I just wanted you to know I'm still alive and well. I'm busy with school and stuff but I can tell you that you MIGHT get to hear from me soon...maybe - if you are good and behave yourselves and obey your parents and eat all your vegetables (this includes chocolate). ;)

Hope you all are well and I miss you all and I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Easter!

Love ya,

Sarah

PS don't forget the Novacom box set is out now and that the AIO Live! show will be out in a few weeks for purchase! I can't wait to get my hands on them - especially the Live! cd! YAY!!!!

Upcoming Podcast

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 1 Apr 2009 01:12:00 -0400

Things have slowed down on the Odyssey news front, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to talk about! In last week's episode of the Official Podcast, we heard a variety of clips that didn't make the final edit for the bonus disc for the Novacom Boxed Set. That very set is currently available for preordering - check out the sidebar for links.

In other news, we'll be releasing our next podcast on April 11th. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please drop us an email at aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com.

EDIT: Nathan Hoobler has a blog?

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 53

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:30:00 -0400

03.21.09. In part two of our round table discussion, we talk more about the future of Odyssey and its characters. Keep in mind that we recorded this more than two weeks ago - before all the Passages discussion had started. If you enjoyed this and would like to hear more from these crazy Canadians (and even if you didn't), leave a comment!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 23:22

Novacom Boxed Set Preview!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:33:00 -0400

If there's one thing I've always enjoyed about Odyssey besides the actual episodes themselves, it's the behind-the-scenes material. Today, we have a special audio clip from the 60-minute bonus disc that will be included in the Novacom Saga. This one features Kathy Buchanan's take on the creation of Connie's love interest, Robert Mitchell. Some of this stuff we've read in the Official Guide and heard in the Official Podcast's interview with Steve Burns, but one thing we've never heard before was the voice of the actor who was originally cast to play the character.

For more exclusive audio clips from the bonus disc, head on over to the AIO Wiki, the Odyssey Scoop, and the Ceiling Fan.

New photos of the Novacom Boxed Set have been circulating around the Odyssey community for a little while, so I thought I'd go ahead and post the high-res versions of them. I was really impressed with the amount of thought that went into designing this product. I especially like the way the top cover opens and has a magnetic edge that keeps the box "locked" when closed. The CD sleeves are a nice touch, as well.

A Response to the Latest Official Podcast

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:52:00 -0400

In case you haven't heard, the latest edition of the Official Podcast was just released. In it, Paul McCusker and Dave Arnold discuss some of the upcoming changes to the show. Click play to listen and then check out my commentary on the highlights.

1. Farewell to the Washingtons

This comes as no surprise, as the actors for Tamika (Courtney Brown) and Marvin (Kendre Barry) have reached the point-of-no-return age. I feel both could have remained for at least one more season, but I don't think most listeners will be shedding too many tears over their departure. It will, however, make for an awkward scenario if Kelly stays. Perhaps she will be returning to her mother? Paul and Dave did not address whether or not Kelly would remain, but at this point it doesn't look good.

2. The Return of ... Clara?

Many listeners, myself included, quickly became fans of actress Aria Curzon when she made her Odyssey debut in the episode, Clara. It's understandable why the writers haven't brought back Clara to this point, since Aria also played Mandy Straussberg. Having both characters existing concurrently would only confuse the audience. But if the Straussberg family is written off as we are expecting, then this would be an excellent way of retaining a talented voice actor in Aria while re-introducing a beloved character.

3. Video Footage on AIO Live! DVD

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Nathan Hoobler mentions an added incentive to purchase this incredibly jam-packed set. Seventeen minutes of live video footage from the live show will be included on the DVD, which will come as a pleasant surprise to those who were not able to attend the show last August. As one who had the privilege of attending all three shows, I'm anxious to see which takes they used for the final cut. Trust me - this is something you won't want to miss.

4. The Return of ... Malachi?

Those who have read the Official Guide already know that Philip Glassborow played the voice of Malachi in Album 32. In many ways, Malachi's Message kick-started a number of changes in Odyssey, not the least of which was the Timothy Center. Of course, the inspiration for the retreat center was Tom's son, Timmy - the co-discoverer of the alternate reality, Marus, in Passages. With all this news about Passages returning to the airwaves, it makes me wonder if Malachi is somehow connected to it all. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part. And maybe Philip Glassborow just randomly happened to be visiting when they recorded the Official Podcast. Hmm.

5. Passages

Paul McCusker confirmed Passages will be the newest installment of Odyssey to hit the radio this fall. This time, however, it will be an adaption of his novel, Darien's Rise. No word yet on the length of the dramatization or whether it will be contained within Album 51. I would like to think it'd be included in the next album, but that may not be the case since Dave Arnold stated that episodes for Album 51 won't be out until next year.

6. Album 51 Releases March 2010

In an earlier podcast, the producers had alluded to the possibility of putting the the albums out earlier. It appears they've made their decision as Album 51 is slated to release one year from now and will be available while the episodes are airing. Obviously, the upside to this format is that we won't have to wait for each new weekly show. We can simply order the album and hear them all at once. But the downside is evident - we have to wait six months longer than what was previously announced before we can hear any episodes for the new season.

Assuming Passages ends up being a 3-part series airing at the beginning of September, it means listeners will have to wait an additional five months before getting to hear any new episodes. I'm disappointed it's going to take that long, especially since it'll be nearly two full years between Album 50 and Album 51. But if it provides the writers with the opportunity to fine tune their scripts and the producers a chance to create a better product overall, then I'm all for it.

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 52

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 7 Mar 2009 08:35:00 -0500

03.07.09. You asked and we delivered! After six long weeks, we finally have a new podcast! Granted, it's a little later than expected, but I say better late than never. In this episode, guests Catspaw and Boswell from the Town of Odyssey join me for a round table discussion on the live show in Colorado, the future of Odyssey, and the awesomeness of Canadians. We had so much to talk about that I ended up splitting everything into two parts - stay tuned for part deux later this month!

If you have any questions or comments, please write to us at aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com.

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 44:53

"AIO Live!" Photos!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 5 Mar 2009 08:02:00 -0500

Lots of artwork coming in - and it looks awesome. Check out these shots of the upcoming AIO Live! CD/DVD set. Complete with a die cut cover, this packaging really enhances the overall value of the product. I love how they've added complete artwork for the CD labels, something which they stopped doing with all the repacks. Available this May, you won't want to miss adding this amazing set to your Odyssey collection.

More Album Artwork!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:10:00 -0500

Things have been rather slow on the Odyssey front lately, but thankfully we have some new artwork for all you news starved fans. This latest repack introduces a scene from Album 18: A Time of Discovery and is a vast improvement from the original cover. I absolutely love the feeling of dread evoked in this illustration, with Jimmy and Lawrence desperately pedaling away from an alleged alien attack.

My only disappointment with the artwork is the inconsistency between Lawrence in the repack for Album 16. Aside from what his character is wearing, there is very little about this latest drawing of Lawrence that resembles the other one.

But I'm really nitpicking here... overall, the cover is great. Thoughts?

In the meanwhile, we finally have our hands on the back cover of the Adventures in Odyssey Live! CD/DVD set. It definitely looks like it's going to be one jam-packed set. Only two more months until it is released!

Adventures in Odyssey Live!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sun, 8 Feb 2009 18:26:00 -0500

Discovered over at Christian Book, this appears to be the cover for the Adventures in Odyssey Live! CD/DVD set. What we do know for sure is that the product is set to be released in May and will contain nearly 3 hours of audio footage. For more details, check out the info page at the Odyssey Scoop. I don't know about the rest of you all, but I'm definitely getting excited.

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 51

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:32:00 -0500

01.24.09. We're back! In our first podcast of the New Year, we review all the submissions for our Ultimate Odyssey Fan contest and announce the winner and runner-up. Lately, we've been running into a lot of technical issues - so if you're wondering why Sarah sounds like she's on the phones, it's because she is. ;) Audio quality problems notwithstanding, we hope you enjoy today's podcast. Be sure to check out all the entries we received and vote for your favorite!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 20:36

Presenting... the Odyssey Collections!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:38:00 -0500

It's been a long time coming, but we're proud to finally present the fifteen entries we received in response to our Ultimate Odyssey Fan contest. Have a good look through them all and then let us know which ones you liked the most! Then come back tomorrow morning to hear us announce the winner!

Austin Peachey:

Catspaw:

Chandler:

Daniel:

Daniel Abigail Maxwell:

Dawn: "Who gets to read it first?"

Emma:

Irwin Springer:

Jessica:

King Butter Turtle:

Laura Ingalls:

LizzieG:

Parker:

Regis Blackbeard:

Tina:

New Podcast Coming Soon!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:51:00 -0500

Another month rolls by and we still haven't released a podcast? It's a good thing we have such loyal listeners, otherwise everyone would've switched over to the Ceiling Fan by now. However, we do have a podcast coming up this Saturday, so stay tuned to hear the results of our Ultimate Odyssey Fan Contest!

In other news, we have a new album cover to dissect and analyze - this time it's a new look for Album 31: Days to Remember. Of all the repacks they've done thus far, this one tops the list for me. Perhaps it's the simplicity of the cover or maybe it's the fact that Whit is wearing a Santa hat. Either way, this redesign marks the first time they've chosen to represent a variety of episodes rather than simply illustrating just one episode. I hope they choose to go this route for the remainder of the yet-to-be-designed repacks.

I'll admit I actually liked the original cover, mainly since it depicted It's a Pokenberry Christmas - one of my personal favorites. However, this cover more than makes up for it, as it portrays half of the entire album with this one photo. My only question is why they chose to include Marvin in this photo, as his character hadn't been introduced yet. It's worth noting that these are the four characters on the playing pieces for the Answer That! DVD game.

And is it just me, or does it look like Eugene is wearing goggles? ;)

Odyssey Repack Update

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:31:00 -0500

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all had a safe and healthy holiday.

It's been a while since we've had any major Odyssey news, so the updated cover art for Album 22: The Changing Times couldn't have come at a better time. As always, the new cover is a rather large departure from the original - and while I enjoy Gary Locke's style over that of the previous artist, I'm somewhat disappointed with the episode they chose to illustrate. I've always enjoyed Blackbeard's Treasure, but I never felt it was one of the "key" episodes from the album. It would've been interesting to see a depiction of the debate from Tom for Mayor or perhaps a scene from A Name, Not a Number. The only saving grace from the new cover art is the little tuft of hair on young John Avery's head. Haha.

Other random noteworthy tidbits to pass along:

* There are 460 Odyssey episodes available on iTunes
* We reached the 400 subscribers plateau last month.
* Tyndale has posted a promo video for the Novacom Boxed Set

We received sixteen entries for the Ultimate AIO Fan Contest - I was rather impressed with the diverse collections and unique displays. Sarah and I will be reviewing them over the next week and announcing the winner hopefully next weekend. Stay tuned!

Happy New Year!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:58:00 -0500

To everyone on the east coast - Happy New Year! Many thanks to everyone who's submitted an entry in our Odyssey fan contest. For those who haven't sent one in - there's still time because we're extending the deadline for another week! You have until January 7th at 11:59 pm Eastern. But don't delay - no entries will be accepted after this date.

The Ultimate Odyssey Fan Contest

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:57:00 -0500

The Task
Show off your Odyssey collection to the world! Any AIO-related item is acceptable and you're welcome to arrange your collection in whichever way you'd like. The key to this contest is originality. Just because you may have the largest collection in the world doesn't mean you're automatically going to win. Conversely, even if you only have only a handful of Odyssey items, you still have a shot if you demonstrate some creativity. Photoshopping is permitted within reason - we want to see your collection, not a bunch of random photo effects. Once you've snapped your photo, email it as an attachment to aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com. Sarah and I will select the winner in early January.

The Prize
What's the incentive, you ask? First and foremost - bragging rights! Oh, and you'll also receive a free copy of The Truth Chronicles.

The Deadline
You have until December 31, 2008 at 11:59 pm Eastern to submit your photo. So stop twiddling your thumbs and get to work!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 50

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:23:00 -0500

12.17.08. It's our fiftieth podcast and we couldn't have reached this milestone at a better time! In this episode, we read more of your letters, talk with Josh Shepherd from Focus' marketing team, and announce the Christmas contest. More details to follow later this afternoon. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 55:16

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 49

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:35:00 -0500

12.13.08. Seven weeks later and we're still alive... barely! Just a shorty this time, but we'll have a longer podcast for you guys on Wednesday. We hope you all are enjoying your Christmas holiday!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 6:25

Upcoming Contest

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:15:00 -0500

Yes, I know we're rather behind on our podcasts... due to scheduling conflicts and unforeseen technical difficulties, we've had some minor setbacks. But rest assured that we will be delivering two podcasts as promised. Thanks for your patience!

While there isn't much Odyssey-related news to report, it's worth noting that Focus on the Family Radio Theatre will be producing an adaption of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. In fact, Dave Arnold - executive producer for the show - is currently in London working on the project. Andy Serkis, voice of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, will be lending his talent to play the role of the senior demon, Screwtape. As a longtime fan of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, I'm definitely excited about this latest announcement. Anyone else?

Oh... and one more thing. We'll be running a Christmas contest starting next Wednesday. Stay tuned for more details!

Adventures in Odyssey iPod Giveaway

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 2 Dec 2008 23:18:00 -0500

I knew there was an advantage to being American.

Focus on the Family's Twelve Days of Christmas returns this month, as they are giving away three iPods each day from December 1-12. Each iPod is loaded with all sixteen Gold Audio albums, making for an extremely valuable prize. If you haven't entered already, I'd encourage you to check it out before it's too late!

Latest News

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:52:00 -0500

I heard a rumor that today was a U.S. national holiday?

Not too much to report on the Odyssey news front except for the latest Official Podcast which aired last week. Definitely check it out if you haven't seen it yet. It includes interviews with families who attend the birthday bash in August, a scene from an Indian adaption of "Mike Makes Right," and a clip from the live show! I was thrilled that they used the Powerboy scene with Wooton since that was one of the funniest moment in the entire show... who knew Nate Jones was so talented?

As we inch closer towards Christmas, one item in which you might be interested is Answer That! Adventures in Odyssey Edition, the DVD trivia game that originally released in late 2007. You can read my review or Sarah's review... or you can play two sample rounds of the game here.

In response to those of you who have asked us about our next podcast, I regret to inform you all that there will not be a podcast this month. Other priorities such as school and work have consumed most of our time, so we haven't been able to record as frequently as we would've preferred. However, we'll be making up for our negligence with two podcasts in December. We hope you'll stay tuned! In the meanwhile, go check out another totally awesome podcast.

Novacom Boxed Set: Full Details

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:59:00 -0500

Back in early October, I posted the artwork for what appeared to be the final cover for the 10-CD Novacom boxed set. We now have the real final artwork! This set will be sold with a cover sleeve highlighting the bonus features.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the boxed set will be the tenth disc, a one-hour behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Novacom saga. This disc will feature interviews with cast and crew members such as Katie Leigh, Steve Burns, Jess Harnell, Marshal Younger, Paul McCusker, Rob Jorgensen, Kathy Buchanan, and many more. The bonus disc also includes a five-minute video feature of the actors recording "Exit," although this may be the same clip they aired in the Official Podcast's first video podcast.

Adventures in Odyssey: Novacom Saga will be available in April 2009 for $30-$40. While it's an amazing price for the fan who doesn't own any of the Novacom episodes, the value is definitely lessened for those who've already completed their collection. Still, the boxed set just might be worth getting for the bonus disc alone. What say you?

Free Odyssey Episode Giveaway

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 11:36:00 -0500

In the latest edition of the Official Podcast, hosts Bob and Jesse announced they will be giving away a free Odyssey episode in an upcoming podcast. Normally, I'm not terribly excited by their giveaways since I already own the episode, but this one is particularly special since it's going to be an unreleased episode... and you get to vote on which one they release! Already, over one thousand votes have been tabulated, so go cast yours if you haven't already had a chance to do so.

I find it rather incredibly amusing that Light's Out at Whit's End has received 28% percent of the vote thus far, which is likely a response to the short clip they played in an earlier podcast. I'm not suggesting listeners actually enjoyed hearing Whit, Tom, and the kids attempt to create their own rap song, but there is something incredibly fascinating about seeing or hearing a disaster. I suppose it's not unlike drivers who slow down when passing by an accident.

Gotcha! is presently in second place with 29% of the vote. This is one that needs to be put in an album since it's connected to and referenced in It Began with a Rabbit's Foot. Not surprisingly, the episode currently leading the polls with 30% of the vote is You Go To School Where? Although perhaps no longer relevant in today's day and age, this show has probably drawn a lot of interest from Odyssey's vast contingent of homeschooled listeners.

Pulling up the rear with 8% and 4% of the vote are Addictions Can Be Habit Forming and BTV: Grace, respectively.

Which one would you like to hear and why?

Album 24 Repackaged!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 1 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0400

And the new artwork continues to impress, this time with a redesign of Album 24: Risks and Rewards. It's worth noting that this particular cover originally appeared in the October 2007 edition of Clubhouse magazine. Thoughts?

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 48

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:15:00 -0400

10.25.08. Just when you thought we had abandoned the podcast scene forever, we finally have a new episode! In this podcast, Sarah and I reminisce about our first day in Colorado Springs, as we talk about our time recording in studio and meeting the actors for the very first time.

Hi, this is Chris!

Dave Madden as Bernard Walton

Genni and Donald Long as Lucy-Cunningham Schultz and Jack Davis

Will Ryan wearing a giant Mr. Whittaker head

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 61:16-

Album 16 Repackaged!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:05:00 -0400

If you've been perusing the various Odyssey fan sites lately, then you've probably seen the latest repack already. Here we see a unique twist on the cover for Album 16: Flights of Imagination, continuing the trend of replacing the original collage covers with an illustration of a scene from a specific episode. And in case I haven't expressed my appreciation for the new artwork enough -- yes, it's much better than the original. Note that Gary Locke has a cameo in this cover... can you guess who it is?

For an album that had such powerful episodes in "The Mortal Coil" and "It is Well," it's interesting that they decided to draw from Columbus: The Grand Voyage. Plus, Gary's depiction of Lawrence is more how I imagined Jimmy to look like. It's still another excellent cover, however, and I can't wait to get a copy when it releases this December!

Stay tuned for our latest podcast...

Happy Thanksgiving!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:16:00 -0400

Happy thanksgiving, everyone!

Album 21 Repackaged!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0400

As Focus continues to re-release its old albums with the updated layout, I am continually amazed by some of the artwork illustrator Gary Locke continues to produce. I realize there are those who prefer the original artwork, but these new designs seem way more vibrant than the previous ones. Gary's illustrations have the tendency to make the scenes stand out in the same way that a pop-up book makes simple drawings come to life. In Album 21: Wish You Were Here, we see one of our favorite Odyssey duos during their trip through California. I especially like how the truck appears to "jump out" of the picture... it really makes for a visually appealing cover. Much moreso than the original.

This latest repack is scheduled to release in December. Thoughts?

Novacom Boxed Set?

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 16:35:00 -0400

Back in early August, Jacob Isom over at the Odyssey Scoop announced his discovery of a new special boxed set album that will be released as the Novacom Saga. According to the production description, the album will contain 10 CDs, the first nine of which will includes the 28 episodes that comprise the Novacom Saga. The tenth CD will feature over an hour of behind-the-scenes audio material.

I was recently searching for various Odyssey related products and managed to stumble upon the product page for this particular set on Amazon. I'm not sure if this is the final cover, but it looks pretty spiffy. There's not much else to report, except for the fact that it will retail for approximately $30 when it is released in March 2009. I'm usually quite hesitant to purchase re-released products (unless I don't already own the originally released product), but that hour of bonus material is rather enticing. Your thoughts?

Odyssey News and Updates

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:24:00 -0400

While there may not be any new episodes until Fall 2009, that doesn't mean there isn't a ton of Odyssey news to discuss! First, they've come up with the repackaged version of Album 41: In Hot Pursuit. As is the case with albums 36-41, this one is merely a re-framed version of the original. It's definitely an interesting cover, although I'd never really stopped to consider its significance. Is it just me or does Mitch look a bit too... nerdy? Yes, I know he's supposed to be good with computers, but that doesn't mean the guy has to wear glasses. ;o)

As some of you may know by now, The Truth Chronicles is available for purchase... exclusively from Focus on the Family until mid-2009. You can buy a copy for $25 if you're an American resident. However, if you're fortunate enough to be Canadian, you can get it here for only $17.50. You can bet I'll be ordering my copy soon! If you're more of a try-before-you-buy kind of person, you can listen to the first episode of the Truth Chronicles by checking out WhitsEnd.org.

For those of you who are craving for more Odyssey-related content, there's more where that came from... starting, of course, with the Official Podcast. It just released its latest podcast earlier today, so go listen to it! But perhaps the most exciting thing that's out there, the proverbial "new kid" on the block, is the Ceiling Fan. It's a new podcast starring the biggest Odyssey fan, or so he claims. You should check it out. It's pretty sweet. And because I said so.

As far as the Unofficial Podcast goes, we'll be trying to get out an episode out sometime in early October. Stay tuned!

Reliving the Moments

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:52:00 -0400

It's now been a full month since the birthday bash took place and yet the memories still linger. I recall being incredibly excited when Paul McCusker came into the studio to record his segment with us for the Official Podcast. It was such an amazing experience meeting someone who has played such an instrumental role in Odyssey's development over the past two decades. I was left speechless... of course, who wouldn't be when Phillip Glossman is talking to you? ;o)

Recording with Paul McCusker in studio

As released on WhitsEnd.org last week, you can now stream the fifty-first Official podcast by clicking the play button below!

Running Time: 11:14

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 47

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:42:00 -0400

09.10.08. We're finally back! Although not in a way that you might expect. This podcast is loaded with fan interviews as well as thoughts on favorite moments from the live show. You won't want to miss this one!

I'd also like to take the opportunity to mention that we hit the 300 subscribers plateau yesterday. In addition, we made the iTunes top podcast list for the kids and family category! Our podcast is currently ranked 58th in Canada. We really appreciate all the support we've been getting and hope to continue providing more riveting discussion on Odyssey. ;)

Bob and Jesse from the Official Podcast

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 20:13

Album 25 Repackaged!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 2 Sep 2008 19:45:00 -0400

Whenever people are asked to name their favorite collection of episodes, it is inevitable that the Blackgaard Saga will be mentioned. Not only did it bring to the forefront perhaps the most memorable villain in Odyssey history, it also brought one of the most cherished characters to Christ. All while centering around the place where it all started... Whit's End. It isn't hard to see, then, why Album 25: Darkness Before Dawn has been so highly touted by Odyssey fans.

Now the big question is whether or not the listeners will enjoy the redesign! For the record, I'm rather pleased with the updated cover art. But what do you think? :o)

The repackaged album is scheduled to release in November.

More Album Cover Art!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:39:00 -0400

Although it's been nearly two weeks since the live show, I'm still getting over the thrill of being part of such an amazing event. Over the next little while, Sarah and I will be recapping and sharing some of our favorite moments from our time in Colorado Springs. If you have any questions you'd like to ask about the live show or anything else you think we could answer, feel free to drop us a comment on the blog or send us your queries to aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com.

Now back to some actual Odyssey news! The lastest album to receive a new, redesigned look is Album 30: Through Thick and Thin.

As an closet chess fanatic, I particularly appreciate this scene from Poor Loser, one of the more popular Bernard and Eugene episodes. This cover is definitely a significant upgrade from the rather uninteresting shot of Whit pulling Jared and Rodney out from a well. It's worth noting, of course, that Eugene appears to be left with only a pawn. What happened to his king? ;o)

The Unofficial and Official Podcast... United!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:37:00 -0400

In case you haven't seen it already, the Official Podcast has uploaded their 50th episode. Check it out by going to WhitsEnd.org/podcast or stream it by hitting the play button below. You'll get a chance to hear fan reaction and even clips from the live show! And don't confuse those two new voices for vagabonds... it's really us.

Photographed by April B.

Running Time: 15:52

An Adventure of a Lifetime

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:56:00 -0400

What an incredible experience. It is difficult to put into words the sheer excitement that I felt as I sat down to watch a live recording of an Adventures in Odyssey episode. Having literally grown up with the show, it all felt like seeing a long lost relative for the first time. What a joy it was to see long-time cast members like Chuck Bolte, Will Ryan, Katie Leigh, Dave Madden, and Chris Anthony. Along for the ride were Jess Harnell and Aria Curzon, two of my favorite actors ever.

Actors during the rehearsal

They also had four surprise guests at the live show, with Donald and Genni Long, Dave Griffin, and Sage Bolte all getting brief cameo appearances. It was a real treat seeing all of the actors and getting an opportunity to talk with them as much as we did! They were all incredibly gracious with their time and they even hung out with us for a couple hours in the hotel lobby at the conclusion of Saturday's crazy day.

Chuck Bolte, Will Ryan, and Katie Leigh

Sarah and I also had the opportunity to collaborate with Bob and Jesse, hosts of the Official Podcast, on a few episodes. Over the next several weeks, you'll hear more of went what down over the weekend and what we thought of the event. You won't want to miss the next editions of the Official and Unofficial Podcasts!

Bob and Jesse talk with a fan

One Week!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 9 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0400

The end is near. The time has come.

What was once a passing thought is slowly turning into reality. It all begins in exactly one week. I can't believe I'm going to be a part of such an exciting event. To see the faces behind all the voices of my all time favorite show--radio or otherwise--and witness a live recording with hundreds upon hundreds of fans... it's going to be an incredible weekend.

Sarah and I will be on site at the event, so be sure to introduce yourself if you see (or hear) us there. ;o) For those of you who can't make it to the live show, we'll have a few surprises that you won't want to miss!

Keep listening? :D

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 46

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:02:00 -0400

07.26.08. The live show is in three weeks! In this podcast, we talk about the latest Odyssey news, read your letters, and announce the winner to our season-long contest. Tickets for the 10:30am show are nearly sold out, but there are still plenty available for the 3:00pm show. If you haven't reserved seats yet, get them while you can!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 24:13

The Truth Chronicles

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:05:00 -0400

With just over three weeks to go until the live show, it seems like the Odyssey updates are coming in fast and furious! Those of you who heard our recent interview with producer Marshal Younger may remember his reference to The Truth Proj ect, a Christian worldview curriculum for adults taught by Dr. Del Tackett. What some of you may not realize is the fact that The Truth Project is a product of Focus on the Family. To be honest, I missed the connection when Marshal first mentioned it!

Ignorance notwithstanding, it's worth noting that Focus decided to create a special series of Adventures in Odyssey episodes in conjunction with The Truth Project. While The Truth Chronicles will not represent the fifty-first album, it will include characters like Whit, Connie, Wooton, and the Kidsboro kids. But don't mistake this for a regular album. The Truth Chronicles were designed to teach The Truth Project lessons for kids, and as such the morals and messages in this particular album will be more overt than "normal" Odyssey episodes. Regardless, I'm definitely looking forward to this special set. Aside from the three Kidsboro episodes, all of which are included in this album, the remaining eight episodes were written by Paul McCusker. Take a look at the cover art!

Live Show Flyer

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:40:00 -0400

Only 25 days until the live event! I don't know about you, but I love this new promotional flyer. Check back this Saturday for a new podcast. :D!

The Countdown is On!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0400

I've been waiting for this event for five long months, but at long last I can finally say we're only one month away from the live show! In a mere thirty days, thousands of fans will assemble at the Focus campus to partake in this exhilarating opportunity. Actually getting to watch some of our favorite actors and actresses do their thing on stage will be a breathtaking experience. There are few words to describe my excitement and anticipation for this event. For me, it will undoubtedly be the highlight of the year.

Don't worry, I'll be bringing along my camera for the ride... no guarantees of photos from the actual live recording, but hopefully something from the meet and greet!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 45

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0400

07.12.08. Exactly one month until I leave for Colorado Springs and the excitement continues to escalate! In this podcast, I speak with producer Marshal Younger to talk about Kidsboro, the future of Odyssey, and the live show. Only five weeks to go until the birthday bash, so guarantee your seats now while they're still available! In other news, our brand new logo makes it debut today... if you'd like to update the artwork for the rest of our podcasts, you can do so by downloading the newest logo here.

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 32:20

A New Look!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:04:00 -0400

It is with great pleasure that we present to you our brand new look!

Many thanks to Jacob Isom for sharing his creative talents with us! If you like what you see, check out the Odyssey Scoop. You'll find a lot of neat information scattered throughout, including exclusive interviews with several actors and actresses! It's definitely a website worth bookmarking.

As promised, the interview with Marshal Younger will be available tomorrow morning. Plus, if you have subscribed to our podcast on iTunes, you may notice a brand new logo appearing on all future podcasts. Stay tuned!

New Album Cover Art!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Tyndale has released the updated album artwork for Album 19: Passport to Adventure. Unlike the original artwork, this new version illustrates one of the best three-parters ever written... Aloha, Oy! It's interesting seeing Rodney headline the cover, since he's only had one previous appearance on an album cover. (Bonus points for the first person who can tell me where Rodney first showed up!)

What do you think?

Thanks to Boswell from the Town of Odyssey for the heads-up!

Two Surprises!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 5 Jul 2008 13:50:00 -0400

Okay, I admit it... I lied when I said I had "a special surprise." Truth be told, I have two surprises! The first surprise pertains to the design of our podcast.

As you know, the Official Podcast has its own logo. Pretty simple stuff...

Way back when the Unofficial Podcast started, I had a fellow Odyssey fan create our current podcast logo. It was great for the first year, but then I started thinking about getting something new and fresh. But I didn't have the creativity or photoshop skills to design anything with which I'd be satisfied. Well... not too long ago, Jacob Isom of the Odyssey Scoop kindly offered to create a new look for the Unofficial Podcast. You'll see the product of his efforts next weekend!

Now for the second surprise.

Over the last month or so, several of you have asked when Sarah and I will be reviewing Kidsboro. That's probably not going to happen. However, I recently had the opportunity of speaking of writer Marshal Younger about Kidsboro. We talked about Kidsboro, the Official Guide, and the upcoming live event! Remember that survey I asked you guys to do a little while ago? I was able to ask some of those questions you had for Marshal! This is another podcast you won't want to miss. Come back next Saturday to listen and download!

Oh, and a belated happy July 4th to all our American listeners. I hear you guys had a holiday down there? ;)

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 44

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 10:04:00 -0400

07.01.08. Happy Canada Day, everyone! Today is a day for celebration, not only because it's Canada's national holiday... but because we're releasing the podcast for which you've all been waiting! In this podcast, we talk with Katie Leigh (voice of "Connie Kendall") about her acting career and memorable experiences working on Adventures in Odyssey. Enjoy!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 58:31

Canada Day Special

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:43:00 -0400

With Canada Day just around the corner, I thought we'd celebrate it by releasing the next podcast... our interview with Katie Leigh! This is one you won't want to miss, so come back on July 1st to hear it! We also have a special surprise that will be unveiled later next week. Stay tuned. :D

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 43

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0400

06.23.08. It's a short and sweet podcast, but we're back to announce the ten finalists to our contest! We'll be announcing the winner in an upcoming podcast, so we thank you in advance for your patience. Plus, hear a bonus preview of our interview with Katie Leigh!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 7:08

Keepin' Odyssey Alive

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:02:00 -0400

It seems like it's been months already, but it hasn't even been two weeks since the last Kidsbor episode aired. What perfect timing, too, since my full-time summer position started on June 2. That's certainly been keeping me busy for the last little while. But I haven't forgotten about Odyssey! Since it officially went on hiatus, I've already gone through a couple dozen of the older episodes. Hearing episodes from the 90s really puts into perspective how long the show has been running. Remember the days when Eugene and Katrina weren't married? Or how about the time when the Barclay's still lived in Odyssey? Ah, the nostalgia!

I'm sure there will be ample opportunity to discuss the future of Odyssey, so let's put that on hold for the present. With fifteen months until the next new episode airs, what are some of the things you plan on doing in the meanwhile? If you're like me, you'll go back to some of the old favorites, such as the days of Hal Smith, or you might relive the Blackgaard Saga or Novacom Arc. On the other hand, if you're as much of a fanatic as the people of the ToO, you might endeavor to rank every episode! Either way, I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Thankfully, the folks over at Focus haven't left us completely stranded. During the summer, they'll be airing some of their favorite shows from the past twenty years... including special testimonials on each episode from listeners. There's also the live birthday bash event, where they'll be recording a live episode in Colorado Springs. You can find out more details by clicking here. Plus, there's also the new Official Guide which will hit stores this August!

So... what will you do to keep Odyssey alive?

A Collective Review of Kidsboro

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:10:00 -0400

Due to crazy and jam-packed schedules, Sarah and I probably won't be able to record our review of Kidsboro until next weekend at the absolute earliest. But don't let that stop you from voicing your opinions! We want to hear what you thought of this exciting new series. We just might even read some of your comments and questions in our next podcast! Click here to review Kidsboro!

P.S. We have received nine correct responses to our contest thus far. Only one more spot remains! If you have not already done so, email us your answer ASAP!

"Kidsboro III" Available!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 10:53:00 -0400

Part three of Kidsboro is available on Oneplace! Click here to listen!

Update!

aiofanpodcast@hotmail.com (Chris & Sarah) — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 18:17:00 -0400

You still have a week to email us your questions for actress Katie Leigh, voice of Connie Kendall, for our upcoming interview! If you're a member of the Town of Odyssey, you can also submit them here. Also, there's still time to send in your guesses for the contest! We've already received a bunch of correct responses, so if you haven't already sent in your answer... do so right now!!