Imaginary Advice

Follow Imaginary Advice
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A miscellany of stories, written and presented by Ross Sutherland.

Imaginary Advice

  • British Podcast Awards
    2018 Best Fiction Podcast


  • Dec 31, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 31m AVG DURATION
  • 108 EPISODES

4.9 from 153 ratings Listeners of Imaginary Advice that love the show mention: horse facts, allusionist, experimental, humane, unlike anything, surreal, inventive, poetry, excellent storytelling, self deprecating, strange, treasure, original, creative, writing, witty, brilliant, intelligent, comedy, favorites.



Search for episodes from Imaginary Advice with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from Imaginary Advice

46 Incantations (repeat)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2022 22:32


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

"Imaginary Advice" Will Return

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2022 17:35


The final piece of music in this episode is "Bleaky Enchanting" by Jonnie Common from the Missing Episode soundtrack. For more of Jonnie's music go to: http://www.jonniecommon.com/ Thanks so much for listening to Imaginary Advice in 2022! To support the podcast during the hiatus, goto www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

jonnie imaginary advice
97 The Signalman

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2022 33:06


In homage to the Charles Dickens ghost story, The Signalman, Ross Sutherland spends a night in one of the last working signal boxes in the UK. A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3 Written by Ross Sutherland Produced by Jack Howson and Joby Waldman Sound Design by Chris Watson and Steve Bond Contributor: Dave Beckett Support Imaginary Advice: www.Patreon.com/rossgsutherland Or make a one-off donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

96 Zeno's Library

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 26:51


Following the acquisitions director of an infinite library on their last day of work. Written by Nick Douglas (nickdouglas.me) Performed by Ross Sutherland Produced by Ross Sutherland Contains music by Jeremy Warmsley (jeremywarmsley.com) Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/rossgsutherland Or make a one-off donation: buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

library performed zeno nick douglas jeremy warmsley
95 The True Crime of Your Frozen Death

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 44:37


A homage to the Giallo film genre, set within the True Crime podcasting scene. Story by Ross Sutherland Translated by Cristina Marras (cristinamarras.com) Performed by Cristina Marras and Ross Sutherland Additional voice acting by Andrea de'Cesco, Gianfranco Bitti, Fausta Laddomada Original music by Jeremy Warmsley (jeremywarmsley.com) Produced by Ross Sutherland Consider supporting Imaginary Advice! Make a monthly donation: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Make a one-off donation: buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice To hear an English-subtitled version of this episode, subscribe to the Radio Atlas podcast. (radioatlas.org). RA episode released Oct 7th. For further listening on a similar theme, I recommend Cristina's story "Games We Play in the Dark": https://soundcloud.com/kommunic8/explorations-on-darkness-1-games-we-play-in-the-dark

94 Locked Room Mystery (Side B)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2022 38:36


Basically a dance-music remix of last month's episode. "Locked Room Mystery Side B" is set in the same country manor as Side A, but 76 years later, during a shitty rave. Written and produced by Ross Sutherland Additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (jeremywarmsley.com) Buy the Imaginary Advice Guided Writing Journal: www.imaginaryadvice.com/merch Support the show: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

side b locked room jeremy warmsley room mystery
93 Locked Room Mystery (Side A)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022 29:40


Part one of an Agatha Christie-inspired murder mystery, set inside a butler academy. Written & Produced by Ross Sutherland Score includes music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarsmley.com) Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

agatha christie locked room jeremy warmsley room mystery
Teaser: Charlie Shackleton on The Shining

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2022 5:11


Full episode unlocked at www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

92 The Coolest Guy Who Ever Lived

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 52:10


A radio advice show takes a hostile caller. Story by Ross Sutherland Performed by Katie Bonna and Ross Sutherland Produced by Ross Sutherland Buy Imaginary Advice tee-shirts / mugs www.imaginaryadvice.com Join my Patreon for a monthly bonus podcast www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Alternatively, buy me a coffee? www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

story lived coolest guy
91 You Are Ant

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 58:12


An attempt to combine two beloved forms of 80s story-media: the Talking Tape and the Choose Your Own Adventure Novel... BONUS TEXT ADVENTURE VERSION: https://imaginaryadvice.itch.io/you-are-ant Story written and produced by Ross Sutherland. Additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (jeremywarmsley.com) Imaginary Advice teeshirts and mugs now available at imaginaryadvice.com/merch IA is funded exclusively through Patreon. Supporting the show gets you access to a bonus monthly podcast, plus other perks. For more info goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

ross sutherland imaginary advice jeremy warmsley
Imaginary Reprise: Tim Clare on S.E.I.N.F.E.L.D.

Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2022 79:51


UNLOCKED! From the Patreon bonus podcast, an episode of Imaginary Reprise. Ross Sutherland talks with author Tim Clare about the story "S.E.I.N.F.E.L.D." from 2018. Tim's new book is in shops now: "Coward, Why We Get Nervous and What We Can Do About It." https://www.waterstones.com/book/coward/tim-clare/9781838853105 To hear the rest of this bonus series, become a Patreon supporter www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

45 S.E.I.N.F.E.L.D. (repeat)

Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2022 27:47


Ross Sutherland teaches an AI to do stand-up comedy (Repeat: first aired 2018.) $5+ Patreon supporters get access to the bonus podcast series, IMAGINARY REPRISE. For more info, goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Alternatively, you can buy me a coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

ai repeat ross sutherland
90 Lessons on Fealty

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 31:02


Story by Tim Harding (@hotfingersclub). A Bed and Breakfast is terrorised by a flock of carnivorous starlings. Sound design by Ross Sutherland Additional music by Jeremy Warmsley (jeremywarmsley.com) NEW! IMAGINARY ADVICE CORPORATE LOGO TEESHIRTS: www.imaginaryadvice.com/merch Support the show: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice

lessons sound story breakfast bed fealty jeremy warmsley
89 Wiki-Heist (Part 3)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 52:54


The final act of IA's procedurally generated heist movie. Written and produced by Ross Sutherland. Original music by Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com) Support the show: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

original ia heist wiki ross sutherland jeremy warmsley
88 Wiki-Heist (Part 2)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 42:30


The new IA miniseries "Wiki-Heist" continues (part 2 of 3). Having recruited his crew, Ross sets the heist in motion... Featuring music by Jeremy Warmsley. www.Jeremywarmsley.co, Want to help keep the podcast going? For more info goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland www.imaginaryadvice.com

ia heist wiki jeremy warmsley
87 Wiki-Heist (Part 1)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 54:55


Imaginary Advice returns from hiatus! The new season begins with a procedurally-generated heist story. Part One of Three. Want to help keep the podcast going? For more info goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland www.imaginaryadvice.com

heist wiki imaginary advice
Podcast Returns 1st Feb 2022

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 1:01


Imaginary Advice returns for a brand new season, starting 1st February 2022.

imaginary advice
"Imaginary Advice" Will Return

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 3:32


Imaginary Advice is going on a short break! The hiatus is probably going to last around six months, but after that, IA will be back, bigger and better than before. All Patreon payments are paused (I'll give plenty of notice before unpausing). You can still access the bonus material during the break. If you're a new listener, and would like to donate some money towards the show during the break, you can buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/imaginaryadvice Or alternatively, you can send money direct to my Paypal: "rossgsutherland@yahoo.com" I can't wait to be back posting on this channel again. Take care -Ross

paypal ia imaginary advice
86 How to Write Badly Well (w/ Joel Stickley)

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 35:47


Ross Sutherland presents an audio adaptation of Joel Stickley's anti-writing manual, "100 Ways to Write Badly Well". Episode written by Joel Stickley. Produced by Ross Sutherland. Performed by Joel Stickley and Ross Sutherland with additional voice acting by Lizzy Dening. Score includes pieces by Jeremy Warmsley, as well as music licensed through melodyloops.com Patreon supporters will receive a free e-book copy of Joel's "100 Ways to Write Badly Well". Also, $5+ supporters will receive access to the new bonus podcast, Imaginary Reprise. For more, goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

write score performed badly stickley ross sutherland jeremy warmsley
85 Boy

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 67:16


Ross Sutherland interviews prop artist Graham Owens, the “true” author of the famous manuscript prop used in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. (Part 3 of 3) Featuring music from Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com) To support Imaginary Advice: https://www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

shining stanley kubrick ross sutherland imaginary advice jeremy warmsley
84 Makes Jack a Dull....

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 57:02


Ross Sutherland interviews prop artist Graham Owens, the “true” author of the famous manuscript prop used in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. (Part 2 of 3) Featuring music from Jeremy Warmsley (www.jeremywarmsley.com)

shining stanley kubrick dull ross sutherland jeremy warmsley
83 All Work and No Play...

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2021 67:10


Ross Sutherland interviews prop artist Graham Owens, the “true” author of the famous manuscript prop used in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. (Part 1 of 2) To support Imaginary Advice (and get access to the bonus behind-the-scenes podcast)goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

shining stanley kubrick no play ross sutherland imaginary advice
82 My Car Plays Tapes (by John Osborne)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 54:21


Imaginary Advice returns with a new autobiographical story from John Osborne, MY CAR PLAYS TAPES: a story about getting older, failing cars, and what to do with all those old cassette tapes. Written by John Osborne www.johnosbornewriter.com/ Produced by Ross Sutherland for Imaginary Advice. www.imaginaryadvice.com Additional score by Jeremy Warmsley www.jeremywarmsley.com Support the show on Patreon and get access to my new "making-of" series: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

plays tapes john osborne ross sutherland imaginary advice
81 Snowman Emoji [6TH BIRTHDAY EPISODE]

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 22:54


The podcast celebrates its six-year anniversary by ruining a party, cutting up all the mail, then flipping a kilogram of cocaine To support the podcast, goto: https://www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

80 The Outsider / Pterodactyls (feat. Emmy the Great)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 73:51


A special bumper collaborative episode with musician Emma-Lee Moss AKA Emmy the Great. Golden House Walkthrough Guide: https://bit.ly/TGHGuide Episode features following music: Maisie Lee (Blue Dot Sessions) "Mary" from album April by Emmy the Great To support this podcast, goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

The Golden House (Episode 6)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2020 9:42


The final part of our puzzle miniseries, THE GOLDEN HOUSE. “These six episodes were originally broadcast between September 2018 and January 2019. They were pulled from the internet shortly after. Each episode seems to contain a coded message…perhaps a password of some kind. I’m reposting in the hope that someone can shed light on what happened here. For clues and updates, follow me on Twitter” - @ImogenShelfTest For full miniseries credits, goto: www.the-golden-house-podcast.com

The Golden House (Episode 5)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2020 17:26


The penultimate part of our puzzle miniseries, THE GOLDEN HOUSE. “These six episodes were originally broadcast between September 2018 and January 2019. They were pulled from the internet shortly after. Each episode seems to contain a coded message…perhaps a password of some kind. I’m reposting in the hope that someone can shed light on what happened here. For clues and updates, follow me on Twitter” - @ImogenShelfTest For full miniseries credits, goto: www.the-golden-house-podcast.com

The Golden House (Episode 4)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 18:13


Our six-part puzzle miniseries, THE GOLDEN HOUSE continues... "These six episodes were originally broadcast between September 2018 and January 2019. They were pulled from the internet shortly after. Each episode seems to contain a coded message...perhaps a password of some kind. I'm reposting in the hope that someone can shed light on what happened here. For clues and updates, follow me on Twitter" - @ImogenShelfTest For full miniseries credits, goto: www.the-golden-house-podcast.com

The Golden House (Episode 3)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2020 24:15


The next instalment of our six-part puzzle miniseries, THE GOLDEN HOUSE, written by Ross Sutherland. "These six episodes were originally broadcast between September 2018 and January 2019. They were pulled from the internet shortly after. Each episode seems to contain a coded message...perhaps a password of some kind. I'm reposting in the hope that someone can shed light on what happened here. For clues and updates, follow me on Twitter" - @ImogenShelfTest For full miniseries credits, goto: www.the-golden-house-podcast.com

golden ross sutherland
The Golden House (Episode 2)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2020 20:56


The next instalment of our special six-part puzzle miniseries, THE GOLDEN HOUSE, written by Ross Sutherland "These six episodes were originally broadcast between September 2018 and January 2019. They were pulled from the internet shortly after. Each episode seems to contain a coded message...perhaps a password of some kind. I'm reposting in the hope that someone can shed light on what happened here. For clues and updates, follow me on Twitter" - @ImogenShelfTest For full miniseries credits, goto: www.the-golden-house-podcast.com

golden ross sutherland
The Golden House (Intro / Episode 1)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 27:46


A new six-part miniseries, dropping weekly over September & October: THE GOLDEN HOUSE "These six episodes were originally broadcast between September 2018 and January 2019. They were pulled from the internet shortly after. Each episode seems to contain a coded message...perhaps a password of some kind. I'm reposting in the hope that someone can shed light on what happened here. For clues and updates, follow me on Twitter" - @ImogenShelfTest For miniseries credits, goto: www.the-golden-house-podcast.com

73 Ten Thousand Years (Part 2)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2020 55:28


(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

72 Ten Thousand Years (Part 1)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2020 33:31


Ross Sutherland revisits Harold Ramis’s 1994 comedy Groundhog Day to see whether the film feels different in 2020 (essay). To support Imaginary Advice on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger

71 Sex and the City: The Return (Part 2)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 67:46


The concluding part of IA's audio fiction miniseries. To support Imaginary Advice on Patreon: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger Includes samples from: Revenge by Daniel Birch from "Distorted Chaos" https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Daniel_Birch/Distorted_Chaos Traditional Romantic Folksongs 9 licensed through Epidemic Sounds Senseless licensed through the "Sound of Picture" Library Sex And The City by Mitch Frohman Latin Jazz Quartet https://youtu.be/2TdlG2Ts0OA

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

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 54:15


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.

69 The Air Year (feat. Caroline Bird)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 29:22


An extract from poet Caroline Bird's new collection, The Air Year. Also: Ross Sutherland escapes into his sound effects library. To purchase The Air Year, goto: https://www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/indexer?product=9781784109028 Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger.

trigger caroline bird
68 Birthday in Shenyang

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2020 10:23


British rapper and poet Michael Riccardi (aka Mixy) is currently living in Shenyang, China. For his birthday, Mixy breaks quarantine in search of a beer. Produced by Ross Sutherland.

china british shenyang ross sutherland mixy
67 Black Eye (w/ Abi Palmer)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2020 69:43


Ross Sutherland and poet Abi Palmer collaborate on a modernisation of Francis Godwin's 1638 science-fiction novel The Man in the Moone. Warning: contains references to child death, drug abuse, animal cruelty. For more of Abi's Work, goto abipalmer.squarespace.com Her new book, Sanatorium, available for pre-order from pennedinthemargins.co.uk Commissioned and funded by Apples and Snakes. For more information, goto www.applesandsnakes.org Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger.

66 Exquisite Corpse(with Clive Desmond)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 48:11


Taking inspiration from the surrealist game "Exquisite Corpse", Ross Sutherland and Clive Desmond (Pod Planet) collaborate on an audio programme using the same rules. For more about Clive Desmond's podcast, goto www.PodPlanet.org To support Imaginary Advice on Patreon goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger.

trigger clive exquisite corpse ross sutherland imaginary advice
65 We Are Legion (feat Neil Maskell)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2019 20:25


A secret burial at sea, and the nightmares that come after. Story written by Ally Gipps. Read by Laurie Bolger and Neil Maskell. Music / produced by Ross Sutherland. To support the podcast on Patreon goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger.

64 Dream Your Way to a Happier You

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2019 34:33


A series of altered hypnosis cassettes tell the story of a toxic relationship. Support the programme on Patreon: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Written & produced by Ross Sutherland. Hypnosis Programme Narrator: Lizzy Dening. Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger, supported by Arts Council England in partnership with Apples & Snakes. For more information goto imaginaryadvice.com

63 Tony Gang Flame War (5TH BIRTHDAY EPISODE)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2019 32:34


Imaginary Advice turns five with a special episode about pyromancy, punk rock, and the novelisation of RUMBLE IN THE BRONX. Imaginary Advice is represented by Trigger, supported by Arts Council England in partnership with Apples & Snakes. For more information goto imaginaryadvice.com

62 Classic Boxing Narrative (feat. Rob Auton)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 33:53


A traditional heroic tale of two boxers, one ring. Featuring extracts from Rob Auton's "The Time Show" (robauton.co.uk) If you'd like to support Imaginary Advice with a small monthly donation goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

narrative boxing timeshow rob auton imaginary advice
61 Mise en Abyme (with Luke Kennard)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2019 18:24


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

60 Mark Can't Rap / "Ab"

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2019 60:54


The first two episodes of "Mark Can't Rap", a new podcast series by Mark Grist. Mark sets out to teach himself the fundamentals of rap, through conversations with British MCs. Intermission: "Ab" - a piece on the Liverpool hiphop scene by Ross Sutherland.

liverpool ab intermission ross sutherland mark grist
59 Scarecrow

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2019 20:11


A new short story by Tim Clare. Tim's new novel The Ice House is out now: https://canongate.co.uk/books/2531-the-ice-house/

58 Party on Earth 2.0

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2019 21:47


Ross transforms a word-search into a story about a house party. Score written by Jeremy Warmsley https://jeremywarmsley.bandcamp.com/

score earth-2 jeremy warmsley
57 Haunt Your Own House

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2019 40:48


Part one: Ross tries to re-establish his home town as the most haunted village in England (originally broadcast on Short Cuts, Radio 4) Part two: Ross explains the plot of Lovejoy Part three: Ross explores the phenomenon of "set-jetting" Part four: a ghost tour of Peterborough, voted worst place to live in England in 2019 To support the podcast, please visit: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

56 HORSE FACTS

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2019 45:18


Wouldn't it be great if you could listen to podcasts ALL THE TIME FOREVER AND EVER? If you'd like to support Imaginary Advice, goto www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland Show website: www.imaginaryadvice.com

horses imaginary advice
55 The Other Ross Sutherland

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2018 14:23


Ross Sutherland shares the same name as a Scottish Rugby team. If he searches for his name on Twitter, he tends to find a bunch of teenagers talking about murdering him at the weekend. Taken from a live show in Colchester Essex, December '18. Support the show on Patreon: www.Patreon.com/rossgsutherland

scottish rugby ross sutherland
54 One More Song

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2018 38:49


Two people putting their faith in music: Part One: Ross resurrects an old writing exercise to find his way out of writer's block, assisted by Magic 105.4. Part Two: a hapless artist moves to the Appalachian mountains to DJ for bears. If you'd like to support Imaginary Advice, consider giving a small monthly donation: www.patreon.com/rossgsutherland

magic dj appalachian one more song imaginary advice

Claim Imaginary Advice

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel