The Karen & Ellen Letters | Podcast on Podbay

The Karen & Ellen Letters

Studio BOTH/AND

In 2005, I received a stack of found, hand-written letters between two (stupid?) young women and their (long-suffering?) landlord. That gift would send me on a fifteen-year search for the truth. It was a comedic investigation that demanded some pretty complex interrogation: Who owns a story? How honest is our nostalgia? What does it mean to be a difficult woman? How do we engage in sexism and patriarchal gender roles? And, of course, does gas smell like avocados? And are allegations made by alligators?

Truth is a tricky thing. Three girls lived in a cottage once. They are both everywhere and nowhere in these versions of the Truth.Starring:Lori Snyder as DotAdrienne Hardison as HelenaMatt Peelen as RobSara Stapleton as Herself/KarenSara Kitcher as EllenJeff Powell as MarkJosh Hallmark as HimselfMegan Chaney Walker as Josh Hallmark as Mark as Ellen as A girl who lived in a cottage onceMusic by:Podington BearTwin SisterMaria TaylorRoseanne CashChris Zabriskie

Mar 6

31 min

0209. Sunrise/Sunset

The results are in. Mark moves on. Crochet Pants looks back. A life is celebrated. A birthday is celebrated. Aloha Karen watches the sunrise. Starring:Lori Snyder as DotAdrienne Hardison as HelenaMatt Peelen as Aloha RobSara Stapleton as Herself/Karen Crochet Pants/Aloha KarenJeff Powell as MarkRyan Connelly as ChristopherMatt Valletta as DarrenChris Braaten as ReporterJosh Hallmark as HimselfMusic by:Podington BearBeach Party Hula IslandSara StapletonEvgeny GrinkoRadical Face

Mar 6

30 min

0208. Two Sweet Sand Pigs

Mar 6

21 min

0207. The Big Guy

We touch base with David. Dot & Helena look at "pics." Patty tells a friend about her wedding. Josh finds something at the bottom of a rabbit hole. Starring:Chris Braaten as Rod DowneyChris Green as DavidLori Snyder as DotAdrienne Hardison as HelenaHolly Hall as PatriciaSara Beth Poole as EllenSara Stapleton as Herself/KarenJosh Hallmark as HimselfMusic by:Podington BearMeleSamuel CorwinThe Do

Feb 21

21 min

0206. Bestselling Feline Author

Helena gets upset with the news. Ellen has her eye on a cat painting. Josh can't believe his eyes. Darren spills the beans. Thanksgiving is celebrated on opposite ends of the country.Starring:Adrienne Hardison as HelenaJosh Hallmark as HimselfSara Beth Poole as EllenSara Stapleton as Herself/KarenMatt Valletta as DarrenHolly Hall as PatriciaMusic by:Podington BearTitus 12Gary & JohnChris ZabriskieSamuel CorwinLia Ices

Feb 21

20 min

0205. Karen, Karen, Karen

Dot tells Helena about her daughter's wedding. Josh and Sara try to sort out several possible Karens. Email Karen returns. Crochet Pants enters the fold. And Ellen catches another mouse. Starring: Lori Snyder as DotAdrienne Hardison as HelenaSara Stapleton as Karen/HerselfJosh Hallmark as HimselfDenise Page as RosieSara Beth Poole as EllenMusic by:Podington BearMuddy WatersAurelie

Feb 21

27 min

0204. The Deal

Helena fondly remembers Dot's daughter and her friend. The girls return from vacation. Ellen continues to struggle with geography. Josh reaches out to an old friend. Starring:• Sara Stapleton as Herself/Karen • Chris Green as Email Man • Adrienne Hardison as Helena • Jeff Powell as Mark • Sara Beth Kitcher as Ellen • Matt Peelen as Rob • Josh Hallmark as HimselfMusic by:• Podington Bear • Herman & Ian • YEYEY • Part Time

Feb 14

25 min

0203. In My Legal Opinion

There's something oddly familiar, but strangely foreign about this. But what does it all mean, Leslie? Leslie? Starring: • Chris Green as David • Josh Hallmark as Himself• Lori Anyder as Dot • Deana Marie as Karen • Cory Saceaux as Rob • Steven Pappas as Mark • Donna Hume as Ellen • Sara Stapleton as Herself • Holly Hall as Patricia Music by:• Podington Bear • Grandma Pat • Ivy

Feb 14

27 min

0202. I Can't Wait to Get Over the Wall

Helena reconnects with an old friend. Someone is having a really bad day. Ellen wants free firewood. Ants! Ellen leaves something behind. Josh finds something alarming. Where's Leslie? Starring: • Adrienne Hardison as Helena • Cindy Hall as ??????? • Jeff Powell as Mark • Sara Stapleton as Karen/Herself • Sara Beth Poole as Ellen • Alyse Braaten as Leslie • Chris Green as David • Josh Hallmark as Himself Music by:• Podington Bear • Grandma Pat • Julie Maxwell's Piano Music

Feb 14

27 min

0201. How to Catch a Mouse

Dot loses her dog. Mark gets scolded. Karen spies on her neighbors. Someone is up to something. Josh tries to reconcile timelines. Ellen catches a mouse. Starring: • Lori Snyder as Dot • Nina Innsted as Bonnie • Jeff Powell as Mark • Sara Stapleton as Karen/Herself • Sara Beth Poole as Ellen • Alyse Braaten as Leslie • Chris Green as David • Josh Hallmark as Himself Music by:• Podington Bear • Marti • Broke For Free

Feb 14

16 min