Monarch

Latest Episodes:

Monarch Live Episode May 31, 2025

Show notes

On the Pacific Crest Trail, everyone gets a trail name - and a chance to become someone new. But if everyone around you is pretending, how do you really know who you're walking into the wilderness with? And what's to stop someone from vanishing completely?

Check out Monarch's live performance of a brand-new murder mystery episode, featuring Boise storytelling legends Austin Von Johnson, Jessica Holmes, Jamie Logan, Mason Dodson, Halaia Barnett and Justin Paulson. Written and directed (live!) by Laura Munsil.

Monarch is a 13-episode supernatural narrative fiction podcast set in the world of long-distance backpacking. Learn more at monarchcast.com.

Episode Thirteen: New Mexico Part II Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

Monarch’s journey ends. Not with a bang, but with breakfast at a hermitage.

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Michael Hart as Max

Tate McCullough as Doug the Hermit

Chance Owen as Freeman

Joshua Malloy as Uribe

SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY:

Nile Popchock

FEATURING AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: monarchpodcast

TikTok: monarchpodcast

YouTube: monarchpodcast

Episode Twelve: New Mexico Part I Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

Monarch thaws out in the Gila River Wilderness in New Mexico.

The serenity of the Gila lulls her into quiet reflection, until she notices she’s being followed.

Everything echoes in a canyon.

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Austin Von Johnson as Jules

Chelsea Smith as Anna

James Logan as Sharpshooter

Michael Hart as Max

SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: monarchpodcast

TikTok: monarchpodcast

YouTube: monarchpodcast

Episode Eleven: Now Darkness Falls Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

In the San Juan Mountains, Monarch finds shelter in a yurt.

She sees a pika, hears a wolf, and sings with a chorus of cows.

Will it ever stop snowing?

SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: monarchpodcast

TikTok: monarchpodcast

YouTube: monarchpodcast

Episode Ten: Salida Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

Monarch hikes through Rocky Mountain National Park, and notices that winter has arrived - early.

A small-town waitress makes sure everyone knows who’s boss, and a run-in at an outhouse leaves Monarch feeling uneasy.

In Salida, Monarch thinks about exits.

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Christian Prior as Stone

Katie Preston as Minnie

Jessica Holmes as Sheila

Halaia Barnett as Jess

Austin Von Johnson as Jules

SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: monarchpodcast

TikTok: monarchpodcast

YouTube: monarchpodcast

Episode Nine: The Sawtooth Tapes Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Monarch enters the Great Divide Basin, a long stretch of barren, flat trail. It’s salt flats and sand, wild horses, and brutal sun.

She recalls a story a hiker told her about mysterious lights, and struggles with water rationing.

When Monarch finally makes it to town, she finds the Basin isn’t easy to shake.

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Christian Prior as Stone

Katie Preston as Sawtooth

SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: monarchpodcast

TikTok: monarchpodcast

YouTube: monarchpodcast

Episode Eight: The Winds (of Winter) Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

The Wind River Range has been described as a backpacker’s fantasy land. Almost like it can’t quite be real.

Hope Monarch makes it through!

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Christian Prior as Stoneheart/Stone

Joshua Malloy as Sir Farhar

Chance Owen as Crier

Dominic Boucher as Thug

Hailey Boucher as Handmaiden

Kearney Thompson as Starclaw

Sage Lords as Second Story

SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: monarchpodcast

TikTok: monarchpodcast

YouTube: monarchpodcast

Episode Seven: West Yellowstone Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Monarch thinks about bison, burger and otherwise, on her walk into Yellowstone National Park.

A man gives her a smoke and a story outside a karaoke bar in Lander but she doesn't care much for either.

Have you ever heard of Shadow People, Princess?

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Chance Owen as Clerk

Halaia Barnett as Belinda

Mason Dodson as Carver

Sierra Padilla Huitt as Yvonne

Clare Olson as Rocky

Austin Von Johnson as Jules

SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: monarchpodcast

TikTok: monarchpodcast

YouTube: monarchpodcast

Episode Six: Rattler Country Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

CONTENT WARNING:

This episode contains a derogatory racial slur, which has been bleeped out, and other demeaning racial language in the context of the story. These depictions are representative of true interactions along the CDT and are meant to cast light on the uncomfortable situations hikers are sometimes placed in. They do not represent the opinions of the Monarch team, cast or the community of Leadore, Idaho. Listener discretion is advised.

Monarch hikes through a series of thunderstorms but sees beauty in them.

In Leadore, she sits on a front porch with the locals.

One of them tells her a story that isn’t his to tell. When Monarch finally hikes out, she’s escorted by black-eyed goats.

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Lance Thompson as Bo

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson as Mary

Justin Paulson as Mikey

SOUND DESIGN BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:
Website: monarchcast.com
Instagram: monarchpodcast
TikTok: monarchpodcast

Episode Five: The Anaconda Cutoff Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

Monarch enjoys well-deserved chicken nuggets, and meets a former thru-hiker.

She follows a riotous party of young people to an abandoned asylum, where one of them tells her his scariest story.

Rafters creak, and Monarch fails the Bechdel test.

STARRING:

Laura Munsil as Monarch

Mason Dodson as Finn

Hailey Boucher as Leah

Dominic Boucher as Steve

SOUND DESIGN BY:

Nile Popchock

LEARN MORE:

Website: monarchcast.com

Instagram: @monarchpodcast

TikTok: @monarchpodcast

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