The Midnight Rebellion

Lost in a watery wasteland, Joule must find her way home. She needs YOUR help. Each chapter ends with a choice. Start with Chapter 1. Then YOU decide what’s next. Triumph or failure, it’s on you. Choose wisely. The Midnight Rebellion is a new podcast from WBUR, Boston’s NPR.

Latest Episodes:

15 | Joule, Aboard May 13, 2026

Show notes

Bright must not keep the machine! Joule continues the journey alone and slips inside Bright’s shipping vessel. But, squid suckers, it is hot, and she did not bring a water bottle. Can she borrow yours? Wait, that doesn’t make sense.

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

14 | Truth May 13, 2026

Show notes

Shocked by the big news, Joule decides to trust Cap’n Cutthroat and tell him she lost the machine. (Twice.) Does he keep his cool? We’re going to let you figure that one out on your own. P.S. There’s something in the water.

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Learn more and read about Fin at wbur.org/midnight.
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

13 | Jump Ship May 13, 2026

Show notes

Joule goes back for Buggy and Nico, Bright gets away with the machine, and the trio comes face-to-face with a tattooed pirate in desperate need of anger management classes.

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Learn more and read about the characters at wbur.org/midnight.
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Part II: 12 | Smoke and Sails May 13, 2026

Show notes

The mission is greater! The stakes are stakier! Joule and the others race to Black Marsh — but they are not the only ones searching for the machine. (There’s also a seagull.)

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

11 | Seek the Seawall Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Joule and the others take a boat to the harbor in the dead of night. How are they supposed to find the machine in the dark? Don’t ask us, we didn’t choose this chapter.

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Learn more and poke a gull at wbur.org/midnight.
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

10 | Hide Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Joule jumps into the slime pile to avoid getting speared. Smart. But unexpected news threatens her plans, and she seeks advice from a Scottish guy who reads a lot.

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Learn more and poke a crab at wbur.org/midnight.
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

9 | Swim for It Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

We strongly discourage crossing rivers if you don’t know how to swim. Joule does not take our advice.

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Learn more and poke crabs at wbur.org/midnight.
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

8 | Find the Warden Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Chaos erupts at the Bunker Hill Work Camp for a Brighter Future, but Joule is on a mission. Finally, someone hears her out. Be Bright, be right!

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Learn more and poke the crab at wbur.org/midnight.
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

7 | Get to the Copter Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

She haz to get to zee copter! Joule ditches the kid and goes after the flying thing with chrome tentacles. She meets someone without a head, and then gets herself in a bind.

Show notes:

Script: Read along!
Learn more and see cool show art at wbur.org/midnight.
Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey. (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

6 | Make for the Marsh Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Electricity never felt so scary. With Bright’s shockbolting tins in hot pursuit, Joule and the others flee Mud Market, but will they make it to the marsh in time? More importantly, is it pronounced “marsh” or “mahsh”?

Show notes: