When someone pitches an idea for a podcast that is “a town in the desert where all conspiracy theories are real,” it grabs attention. That’s exactly what Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor did with “Welcome to Night Vale.” This show debuted in 2012 and quickly gained a cult following with its blend of surreal humor, horror and queer characters.

Each episode typically runs 20 to 30 minutes and is released twice a month. Some episodes connect and build on each other, while others focus on completely random events.

The town of Night Vale is located in the middle of the desert and is home to a local radio station with an eccentric host, Cecil Palmer. The podcast takes the form of Palmer’s radio show, where he informs listeners about upcoming PTA meetings run by the mysterious Glow Cloud, the mayoral race between the literal five-headed dragon Hiram McDaniels and The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home, and updates from the Secret Police on which areas are safe for children to play.

It is completely absurd but in a fun and engaging way that draws listeners in with all the bizarre happenings. The characters are compelling—something everyone can get invested in and love. The sound design is fantastic, bringing this small desert town and all its weirdness to life.

Rating: 9/10