A radio advice show takes a hostile caller. 

Story by Ross Sutherland
Performed by Katie Bonna and Ross Sutherland
Produced by Ross Sutherland

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Join my Patreon for a monthly bonus podcast 
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Alternatively, buy me a coffee? 
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

92  The Coolest Guy Who Ever Lived

Ross explores the connections between poetry and spellcasting.
Nb. This episode was originally broadcast in 2018.

To support the podcast, goto
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

46  Incantations (repeat)

A repeat of a past episode. Then again, as music.

Part 1: Repeat After Me - audio essay by Ross sutherland
Part 2: But Sometimes I Worry - music composed by Nathaniel Parks

Recorded Nov 11th, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Baltimore
Concert programme: https://bit.ly/3RTlP5p
Video version: https://youtu.be/0Tt2JqBySE0?si=J7PR8tmd9yCYXTqn
 
https://nathanielparksmusic.com/
https://www.imaginaryadvice.com/

NEW SEASON OF IMAGINARY ADVICE BEGINS JAN 8TH 2024

BONUS: Repeat After Me (Repeat) | But Sometimes I Worry

Content warning: discussion of cancer, infertility, pregnancy, assault, mental health.

Returning from a year-long podcast break, Ross tells two true stories about losing the boundary between real-life and the imagination.

Written and produced by Ross Sutherland
Contains additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com)

Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or for a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

98  Hallucinations (Part 1)

Did you know that hearing loss can cause hallucinations? No, neither did I. That is, until my son was born & I started hearing his cry coming out of air conditioning vents.

The first part of this episode was originally broadcast on Radio 4's Short Cuts. It was produced by Eleanor McDowell for Falling Tree Productions.

The rest of episode was written and produced by Ross Sutherland, with additional music by Jeremy Warmsley.

OPERA TICKET LINK: https://bit.ly/GiantOpera
Giant is playing at the Linbury Theatre from March 8th - 15th

Support the podcast: www.Patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or, to give a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

99 Hallucinations (Part 2)

Imaginary Advice celebrates its 100th episode with special guests Eric Molinsky, Avery Trufelman, Joe Dunthorne, Helen Zaltzman and Joseph Fink.

Consider supporting the show: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or, to make a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

100th Episode (feat. Avery Trufelman, Eric Molinsky, Helen Zaltzman, Joe Dunthorne & Joseph Fink)

The start of a new fiction miniseries, in which a man on drugs attempts to purchase a pig.

Content warning: graphic death, ref to domestic violence, drug use

Story written and produced by Ross Sutherland
Contains samples from Hauntology by Meavy Boy (Free Music Archive) and When the World Goes Quiet pt.VI byRydox (Archive.org)
Featuring additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com)

Imaginary Advice is free to all listeners
To support the future of the podcast:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

101  Third Phase [i. Pig]

Part 2 of a new fiction miniseries, in which a man on drugs attempts to purchase a pig.

Content warning: drug use, random violence, cannibalism

Story written and produced by Ross Sutherland
Contains samples from Hauntology by Meavy Boy (Free Music Archive) and When the World Goes Quiet pt.VI byRydox (Archive.org)
Featuring additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com)

Recorded at Backland Studios (backlandstudios.co.uk)

Imaginary Advice is free to all listeners
To support the future of the podcast:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

102  Third Phase [ii. Hunting Party]

Audio drama miniseries. A man on drugs attempts to purchase a pig. Part 3 of 5.

Content warning: drug use, domestic abuse, missing parent, random violence, cannibalism

Story written and produced by Ross Sutherland

Contains samples from Hauntology by Meavy Boy (Free Music Archive) and When the World Goes Quiet pt.VI byRydox (Archive.org)

Featuring additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com)

Recorded at Backland Studios (backlandstudios.co.uk)

Imaginary Advice is free to all listeners

To support the future of the podcast:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

103  Third Phase [iii. Escalating Oh F**k Scenario]

Fiction miniseries. Part 4 of 5. Mike's trip reaches its third and final phase.

Content Warning: references to domestic violence, drug use

Written and produced by Ross Sutherland
Additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com)

Contains samples from Hauntology by Meavy Boy and When the World Goes Quiet pt.VI byRydox 

Support the show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or make a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

104  Third Phase [iv. Braindad]

Fiction miniseries. Part 5 of 5.
New years day: Mike sends out the old, brings in the new.

Content Warning: references to domestic violence

Written and produced by Ross Sutherland
Additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com)

Contains samples from Hauntology by Meavy Boy and When the World Goes Quiet pt.VI byRydox

Buy the boxset on Bandcamp & receive a bonus "making of" episode: 
https://rosssutherland.bandcamp.com/album/third-phase

Support the show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or make a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

105  Third Phase [v. Time to Wake Up]

TICKETS TO IMAGINARY ADVICE LIVE IN LONDON [OCT 9th]:
https://www.outsavvy.com/event/22285/imaginary-advice-presents-the-rom-com-game-nightmare-mode
__________________________________

"I hear Lazlo's on tonight..."
A legendary stand-up returns to the clubs. And he's brought oblivion with him.  

Story by Angus Dunican (www.angusdunican.com)
Performed & Produced by Angus Dunican for Imaginary Advice
Vox Pops: Holly Hall, Chazz Redhead, Abigoliah Schaumaun 
Introduction by Ross Sutherland

Inspired by The Manhattan Bee Testimonials by Sebastian Baczkiewicz & the 1961 Top Cat episode, "The Violin Player". 

"A Dagger in Its Hand" is a brand new story, commissioned by Imaginary Advice for the podcast.
To support the show, goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or make a one-off donation to www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

106  A Dagger in Its Hand by Angus Dunican

Part 1 of 2.
Well, somebody's going through a window. A whydunnit set at a British "sex resort".

Written, performed & produced by Ross Sutherland.

Support the show:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or, make a one-off donation to the show via
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

Recommend a podcast festival to me!
Email: rossgsutherland@yahoo.com
Insta/Twitter: @rossgsutherland

107 Human Defenestration at the Sex Casino (Part 1)

After all these years, we finally get to see the “good ending” of the 1993 SNES classic A Christmas Carol

Written, produced and performed by Ross Sutherland.

Support the show:
Become a patreon & get access to my bonus podcast series: 
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or make a one-off donation via www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

Cover image sprite by James Biddulph www.Jamogames.com

Music:
Theme to “Strangeloop” by Chris Blackwell
“The Dungeon” by Anthony Lees from The Last Ninja 
“Intro” by Reyn Ouwehand from The Last Ninja 3
“Earth” by Reyn Ouwehand from The Last Ninja 3
Also contains “The Cult”, “The Tomb” and “The Sanitarium” 
from the album Spooktacular Halloween Chiptunes by Goatthrone Audio

109  A Christmas Carol (SNES, 1993)

Don't call it a relapse: Imaginary Advice returns for 2025.
Featuring four short pieces written and produced by Ross Sutherland.
Also featuring the voice of Emma Spearing and Angus Dunican.

Support the show: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Alternatively make a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

www.imaginaryadvice.com

The Fifth Tellytubby

Two stories on the transformational power of love.
Part one: Tunnel of Love, written and produced by Ross Sutherland.
Part two: The Rock and Crystalmonger's Last Rock, written and performed by Tim Harding. Contains additional score by Jeremy Warmsley.

Support the show: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Or make a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

Mailing list and merch: www.imaginaryadvice.com

The Tunnel of Love

[Episode 112]
Four new audio sketches from Ross Sutherland: a professional skateboarder reinvents God, a bystander sees something he shouldn't, a pizza order saves a life, a group of friends attend a photography class. 

All pieces written and produced by Ross Sutherland.
Additional voice work by Emma Spearing.
Contains additional score by Jeremy Warmsley. 
 
Support the podcast & receive my bonus podcast series: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
Alternatively, make a one-off donation to the show: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

Rule of Thirds

Part One of Two. 
(Second part released on June 9th 2025)

Official Selection: Audio Storytelling | Tribeca 2025

Written and narrated by Ross Sutherland and Joe Dunthorne. 
Produced by Ross Sutherland for the Imaginary Advice podcast. 
Contains additional music by Jeremy Warmsley.

THEY WILL / THEY WON’T is a collaboration between playwright Ross Sutherland and Welsh author Joe Dunthorne (Submarine, Children of Radium).
Described as a “duelling rom-com”, Sutherland and Dunthorne took turns writing chapters, passing control of the story back and forth. One author had the explicit goal of bringing the two protagonists together (Team Love). The other was tasked with breaking the characters apart (Team Unlove). Both authors used every dirty trick in the book to try and manipulate the story to their own desired outcome.

They Will / They Wont (Part 1)

TW/TW Live:
Thursday 12th, June, 10pm | Red Room @ KGB Bar
Reserve a space here: https://bit.ly/TheyWont

Listener Hangout:
Friday 13th June, 8pm | The Dead Rabbit, Water St

They Will / They Wont: Live in NYC June 12th

They Will / They Wont (Part 2)

[Episode 115]
Three audio pieces inspired by the "Ship of Theseus" paradox.

A man in healthcare communications is replaced by a clone; an after-dinner party turns bloody when presents are exchanged; a 360-year old folk song finally receives an updated ending.

All pieces written and produced by Ross Sutherland

Voice cast: Tessa Parr, Angus Dunican, Tamsin Kennard.
Additional voice acting by Lizzy Dening.
Performance in "Barbara Allen" by Nina Jones.

Contains the song "My Coffee Shop Morning" by Denis Pavlov 
(Licensed via Melodyloops #99273545966)
Also contains the song “Healing And Meditation Mood” by AGsoundtrax 
(Licensed via Melodyloops #99273545966)
 
A list of Tribeca Festival’s Official Selection for Audio Storytelling (scroll to the end). 
Some of these shows are yet to be released but you can find their trailers through your usual podcatcher: 
https://tribecafilm.com/festival/audio-storytelling

SUPPORT IMAGINARY ADVICE:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
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Ship of Theseus

Three stories without endings. 
Written and produced by Ross Sutherland for Imaginary Advice.
Additional music by Jeremy Warmsley.
Additional voice acting: Lizzy Dening, Elliot Sutherland-Dening.

Support the podcast:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
www.buymeacoffee/com/imaginaryadvice

No Ending

Three stories about two wolves. 
Written and produced by Ross Sutherland for Imaginary Advice.
Contains additional music by Jeremy Warmsley.
Also featuring the voices of Emily Dening and Lizzy Dening.

Support the show: 
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

Two Wolves

I'm on holiday, so this month I'm unlocking an episode of my Patreon bonus podcast, UNTITLED HORROR SCREENPLAY.

Part One: I try to establish a new horror subgenre called DETERMINISTIC HORROR. ie. horror films in which the grisly end is cosmically ordained from the very beginning. I talk about The Shining (1980), The Tenant (1976), Hereditary (2018), plus a bit on Midsommar (2019). 

Part Two: I pitch my own “Doom-locked” horror film, extremely loosely inspired by the movie Groundhog Day.

Listen to the whole back-catalogue of episodes for only $5, via my Patreon:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

Alternatively, make a one-off donation to the show via
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

Unlocked: "Groundhog Slay" (Untitled Horror Screenplay #12)

[Episode 118]

LEAKER: An Imaginary Advice Horror Special! 

The top-floor occupant of a block of flats is discovered dead. Even after the clean-up crew departs, something remains…  

NB. This episode is presented in spectacular VHS! Don’t forget to rewind the tape for the next customer…

Written and performed by Ross Sutherland
Produced by Ross Sutherland for Imaginary Advice.

Help keep the podcast alive!
Make a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice
Become a supporter: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

[Patreons who donate $5 or more get access to my bonus podcast series, Untitled Horror Screenplay. Every month on UHS, I come up with a pitch for a new horror film.] 

Trailer narrator: Clint Morrison
Music includes: 
"Tree in the Lake" by Emilio Merone (License #: 42553683184)
"Velvet Night" by ihsandincer (License #: 42553683184)
Additional music by Waving Ant
https://wavingant.bandcamp.com/


LEAKER

A story designed to be synchronised with the 2012 motion picture, "Skyfall".

SYNC POINT = EXACTLY SIX MINUTES

Written by Ross Sutherland
Performed / Produced by Ross Sutherland for the podcast Imaginary Advice

Music:
Heavenly Beauty by AudioPanda (license #42553683184)
Inspiring Innovation by AGMusic (license #49124778367)
Yoga and Zen by I'mihsandincer (license #26413545729)
You Need to Go by Goldie Shine (license #33462929196)
Additional music by Jeremy Warmsley

Support the podcast:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland
www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

Skyfall Part One

Ross Sutherland tries to train a neural net to do stand-up comedy.

To support the podcast through Patreon, goto:
https://www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

Imaginary Advice

45  S.E.I.N.F.E.L.D.

(Repeat episode) A rivalry, told across six fancy dress parties.

17 Six House Parties (repeat)

Artworks within artworks within artworks. Featuring new poetry from Luke Kennard

61  Mise en Abyme (with Luke Kennard)

A vast immersive theatre show (inspired by the TV show "Sex and the City") is constructed in the centre of New York. (Part 1 of 2).

To support Imaginary Advice on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger.

Includes samples from:
Traditional Romantic Folksongs 9 	
licensed through Epidemicsound.com

Dark Mood Woods / The Red Room		
Angelo Badalamenti	
Twin Peaks (Limited Event Series Soundtrack)

Thank God for the Rain	
Bernard Herrmann		
Taxi Driver OST

Genus pt 2			
Talbot & Deru 		
Genus

70  Sex and the City: The Return (Part 1)

(This episode follows on directly from the essay in episode 72) 

Ross invites four artists to help him rewrite the film Groundhog Day. In the original film, Bill Murray’s character leaves the time-loop after 35 years, but what if Bill was trapped in there for a bit longer... say, 10,000 years? Featuring new writing from Vanessa Kisuule, Daniel Cockburn, Lenni Sanders and Kim Noble. Additional readings from Rachael Ofori and Tim Clare.

To support Imaginary Advice on Patreon: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger

This episode contains samples from:

Sleep by Daniel Birch
From “Ambient Volume 3”
https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Daniel_Birch/Ambient_Vol3

Genus Part 2 by Deru
From Genus
https://deru.bandcamp.com/album/genus

Lose Yourself by Nicholas Szczepanik
from The Chiasmus
https://nszcz.bandcamp.com/album/the-chiasmus

73   Ten Thousand Years (Part 2)

Experiments in audio fiction | Anthology series by Ross Sutherland

Tribeca Independent Fiction Award 2025 (for “They Will / They Won’t”)

British Podcast Award Winner: Best Fiction Series

“Few people are as skilled at turning moments of regret into transcendent, artistic works (…) One of podcasting’s brightest lights” —AV Club

“As close as you can get to an audible psychedelic trip” —Stylist

“Sutherland’s laboratory for various experiments in audio fiction, full of strange excursions and sublime turns of phrases” —Vulture, Ten Essential Fiction Podcasts that Shaped the Genre

Imaginary Advice

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