Let’s make and tell stories TOGETHER.
You have a story that you want to tell, don’t you. I’ve got a crazy idea…
Out on the Wire is not like other podcasts you’ve heard. It’s got a beginning, a middle, and an end, just like the stories you love and want to be writing. It’s an HBO miniseries mashed up with a MOOC and a writing memoir. You can simply listen to me work through the stages of writing something, or you can create your own story right along with me.
Be inspired, and master the tools to put that inspiration to work.
Every episode of the Out on the Wire podcast is packed full of insight from the best in narrative nonfiction radio, comics, and writing, and every episode ends with a challenge that will get you developing and even completing a narrative project over the course of the podcast.
"Love it. Jessica and crew demystify the story process.
– iTunes user Benmoss
Featuring producers from
- This American Life (Ira Glass and others)
- Snap Judgment (Glynn Washington, Stephanie Foo, Mark Ristich, Pat Mesiti-Miller, Julia Dewitt)
- Planet Money (Adam Davidson, Alex Blumberg, Chana Joffee Walt, David Kestenbaum, Robert Smith, Zoe Chace)
- Radiolab (Jad Abumrad, Robert Krulwich, Sean Cole, Soren Wheeler)
- The Moth (Catherine Burns, Jay Allison)
- 99% Invisible (Roman Mars)
- …and more!
Get Bonus Content & Support Out on the Wire


Check out the Out on the Wire Bonus Pack. Featuring all of the new interviews we conducted for the show, plus our soundtrack music by Matt Madden. It’s ten bucks (or more, if you’re feeling generous.) It’s a great way to spend more time with our fabulous guests and support the show.
Includes full length interviews with:
- Stephanie Foo (This American Life)
- Jonathan Mitchell (The Truth podcast)
- Larissa MacFarquahar (The New Yorker)
- Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet)
- Our edit with Robert Smith and Jess Jiang (Planet Money)
- Rob Rosenthal (the Transom Workshop, How Sound)
All Podcast Episodes and Show Notes

Episode 1: Eureka

Episode 2: Focus

Episode 3: Walk In My Shoes

Episode 4: Bare Bones

Episode 5: You’re Not Lucky, You’re Just Good

Episode 6: Proof of Concept

Episode 7: Dark Forest

Episode 8: Your Baby’s Ugly

Episode 9: Make it Work
"Whether Jessica Abel means it to be or not, but Out on the Wire is a master class in how to tell a story--something that anyone can benefit from. The thing I love most is that there's homework in this podcast and they actually review people's work on in-between episodes. The fact that this is free and not a paid workshop like everyone in the world does now is awesome. Take advantage of it!"
iTunes user Tsundae
"Out on the Wire walks you through exactly what you need to know to turn your fiction or non-fiction idea into a living, breathing story that readers or listeners can't put down. And then, author Jessica Abel and crew do themselves one better by offering a free, online workshop where you can post your homework from each episode, get feedback, and even possibly get featured on the next podcast. Can't beat that with a stick!"
iTunes user Bornfamous
"If you make stories, or want to make stories then you should listen to Jessica Abel. Why? Because she is listening to other makers, and she knows how to break it down. Also, she does not just talk to great storytellers, she turns this into a real class… You can participate and actually be a part of the podcast. Plus, it's cheaper than graduate school… So, want to make good radio? Listen to a cartoonist."
iTunes user General Xiao
Made with the support of La Maison des Auteurs, Angoulême.