The Wanderer Series - A Dramatic Podcast: Recent Episodes
Michael Guerin
"Do you believe in love after life?" This 8 season dramatic podcast (which is based on true events) weaves together four historical timelines: from a quiet Boston suburb in the 1980s to Chicago's south side in the 1950s and 60s and Berlin's roaring 20s and early 30s to the south of France in 1888. History blends with the supernatural as this timeless love story unfolds. Genre: Historical Fiction / Supernatural.
How did Vincent really lose his ear? In this episode Vincent asks Samira to marry him, which she refuses. Meanwhile, Gabrielle confides to her boss that working at the brothel has become unbearable while Paul tells Vincent he wants to leave Arles. Later, Samira leaves for Spain before a drunken argument between Vincent and Gauguin ends in bloodshed.
Is blood really thicker than water? In this episode Rajani orders Samina to sign all her property over to her step-brothers. Meanwhile, a drunk Michael cuts loose while TDY in Sardinia and gets confined to his room. Later, Samina's younger sister, Lakshmi, helps Samina escape from her mother and step-brothers while Michael sketches a masterpiece.
Is it true that "there's no place like home?" In this episode Anna reconciles with Oskar and begins her long and painful journey of healing. Meanwhile, Kurt makes a new friend at a track meet as Nazi propaganda heats up just before the elections. Later, Anna tells Oskar that they should leave Germany only to have him disagree with her plan.
Why do most people only see what they already believe to be true? In this episode Vincent reveals to Samira details about his troubled past regarding his family. Meanwhile, Gauguin opens up to a mutual friend about his financial situation and reluctance to join Vincent in Arles. Later, a pregnant Samira shares her misgivings about the future with her sister, Tiena.
Does love truly last beyond the grave? In this episode Charlie meets Patrick a month after the funeral and asks for help in getting revenge on Dontrell, but a reluctant Patrick declines. Meanwhile, Gus helps Liz pack up and gives her his pickup truck for the move to LA. Later, Patrick reads a letter from Aaliyah which leads him to avenge her death.
To what, or whom, are you loyal? In this episode the effects of the Great Depression force Wilhelm to quit school in order to support his family. Meanwhile, Anna loses her job at the restaurant but gets an offer from Max just before the holiday season, setting her on a tragic collision course with Heinrich.
How do we balance the darkness and the light? In this episode Patrick and Aaliyah reconcile before she leaves for college in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Liz decides to follow Anthony to Los Angeles once the summer ends. Later, Patrick and Aaliyah celebrate with Charlie one final time at Theresa's Lounge which ends tragically.
Photo credit: U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-13786. Photographer: White, John H, 1945-
What are the three necessary elements for any romantic relationship to survive? In this episode, Samina's interview with Filmfare magazine goes terribly wrong causing an enraged Rajani to deliver an ultimatum. Meanwhile, Michael gets stationed overseas and shares his story with his comrades. Back in Oregon, Teena hooks up with a new boyfriend.
What are you willing to risk for Love? In this episode Patrick and Charlie sneak out and visit an underground blues club. Aaliyah gets accepted to Spelman College in Atlanta and shares the news with Patrick, but a late-night confrontation with Dontrell ruins their celebration. Later, Gus moves his family to the suburbs before the end of the school year.
Is there a difference between "fate" and "destiny?" In this episode, Vincent moves into the "Yellow House" and thanks Gabrielle for her help while Samira and Tiena drop by with a house-warming gift. Later, Samira shares with Vincent the story about how she and her sister ended up working in Arles, leading to a magical night by the sea.
Who, or what, is a "Wanderer?" In this episode Bala finally learns the truth about "Wanderers." Meanwhile, Anna gets a job as a waitress while Kurt finally stands up to Heinrich, only to get beaten up in the process. Later, Anna takes him to an art exhibit where he comes face to face with an eerily recognizable painting of Paul Gauguin.
*Photo credit: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Germany license.
What do we really mean when we use the word "relationship?" In this episode Samina sneaks off and quietly marries Manish, only to discover that he hasn’t yet left his wife. Meanwhile, just as Michael and Teena’s relationship becomes serious an emergency phone call interrupts their remaining plans for the summer.
Theme song courtesy of Mark Shepard, from "The Colors That I See."
Why is romantic love universally accepted as the only paradigm for true love? In this episode Rajani confronts Samina about her affair with Bollywood superstar Manish Chandran and orders her to end it. Meanwhile, Michael graduates from high school and meets a new friend at Rick's house.
What are "divine detours" and how can they help us to better understand the path we're on? While in a medically induced coma Patrick has a dream about his past, and his future. When he finally wakes, Patrick questions Liz for the truth about his real father. Later, Colleen gives Gus an ultimatum.
What does it really mean to "go with the flow?" In this episode Gus wakes from another nightmare, prompting Colleen to suggest that he get some "help" for his drinking problem. Later, Gus runs a stop sign while driving Patrick to a baseball game, leading to a serious accident.
How we can live authentically when we are conditioned from childhood to look for the truth outside of ourselves? In this episode Kurt finally meets Elisabeth while Oskar wins the praise of SA Commander Fuchs. Later, Kurt escapes from Heinrich and his gang only to run into Oskar, who warns him that one day he'll have to "choose sides."
Photo Credit: Bundesarchiv, B 145 Bild-P049500 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons.
Trigger Warning: this episode contains examples of violence and politically motivated hatred, and was recorded before the disturbing events in DC.
What does it mean to be "normal?" In this episode Oskar gets recruited to join a new SA unit in Berlin while Mr. Schechter shares with Kurt the truth about how his father died in the war. Later, Wilhelm warns Kurt about the dangers of not "blending in."
Photo Credit: Bundesarchiv, B 145 Bild-P049500 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons
What does it say about our society that we "use" violence as entertainment? In this episode, Samira stops Vincent from sketching her while Paulette uncovers Gaby's true feelings for Vincent and ridicules her. Later, Vincent attends a bullfight in preparation for another painting.
If life really is a spiritual journey, then why does it rarely feel this way? As protestors flood the streets of Arles, Vincent finally meets "Rachel" face to face. Sizing him up, Samira asks to "read" Vincent and discovers the real reason for his trip to the south of France.
Where does our "inner critic" come from? And how does that critical voice shape the choices we make? In this episode, Samina shares a disturbing dream with her favorite director while Michael's birthday "surprise" goes terribly wrong. Later, he shares with Gary about the time he fell through thin ice.
How does the experience of being bullied as a child affect one's relationships later on in life? In this episode Samina's mother criticizes her appearance, and performance, during a film shoot while Gary's surprise birthday party for Michael unfolds according to plan.
As an energetic being incarnated in your personal human story, what can the particulars of your situation tell you about why you might be here? In this episode Miss Allen encourages her daughter-in-law, Tamika, to finish her degree. Colleen reflects on the past, then fights with Gus while Patrick tells Liz about a recurring dream and shares a secret.
To what extent are all families "dysfunctional?" And how does personal history impact the way we raise our children? In this episode a drunken Gus belittles his son Patrick during a family barbecue, causing Liz to defend her baby brother. Meanwhile, Dontrell forces his way into Miss Allen's home and threatens to know Tamika's whereabouts.
When it comes to looking at life as a spiritual journey, are we really only faced with a choice between "fate" or "free will?" In this episode Gaby settles into the routine of her second job until an altercation in Arles' red light district turns deadly serious. Later, Vincent stumbles upon a crime scene and comes face to face with Samira for the first time.
Do we really "manifest" our reality? Or is there some overlooked "piece of the puzzle" at work behind the scenes? In this episode Gabrielle is forced to take on a second job as a maid in Arles' red light district to pay her mounting medical bills. Meanwhile, Samira does an oracle card reading for her sister which offers a surprising and emotional glimpse into the future.
Is the "ego" a social construct? And if so, to what extent are the ideals we strive toward actually our own? In this episode Gertrud adjusts to her new life in Berlin while Kurt has a run in with a bully and makes a new friend. Meanwhile, Mr. Schechter experiences firsthand the rising tide of antisemitism.
Do the spaces which "confined us" as children serve to become the spaces which "define us" in later life? In this episode Kurt and Anna move into a new apartment in Berlin while their mother, Gertrud, struggles to make ends meet. A surprise gift from Mr. Schechter, a family friend, allows the children to attend a prestigious school.
What does it mean that "The sins of the father are to be laid upon his children?" With the war in Europe finally over, Gus battles his demons until the unit Chaplain takes him to an orphanage in Regensburg. Meanwhile, a pregnant Colleen finally ends her affair with Nick and is forced to face the consequences of her decision.
Why does telling the truth often make us feel vulnerable? In this episode Gus leads a column of tanks through southern Germany near the end of the war, with tragic consequences. Meanwhile, Colleen's affair with the factory foreman heats up while her husband fights overseas.
Trigger warning - this episode contains some difficult scenes related to war.
What does it really mean to "take a leap of faith?" In this episode Vincent meets Gabrielle in Luxembourg Gardens and offers to sketch her, leading each to share stories about why they came to Paris. Later, Vincent decides to visit the south of France while Paul Gauguin boasts about a recent success.
What do we mean when we say that a story is "true?" In this episode Theo van Gogh argues with his brother Vincent about their living arrangements. Meanwhile, in the south of France a rabid dog attacks Gabrielle at a family outing while Samira Santiago gives her sister a birthday surprise.
What stories do we tell ourselves to justify a lie? In this episode Samina Singh, Bollywood's #1 actress, awakens from a nightmare the night before shooting an emotional scene. Meanwhile, Michael buries a baby at the cemetery where he works and later questions the meaning of life and love at a high school summer party.
What are the origins for this story? And why did it develop into a 4 part book series (and 8 season podcast) titled "The Wanderer?" In this episode an elderly Michael boards a flight to India. A fellow passenger asks about his reasons for making the trip, prompting him to share his story.