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Pledge Drive (23-30 April)

Forged Bonds


19 episodes


Full cast Religion Serial Audio Drama


Synopsis:

Welcome, dear readers, to Forged Bonds! I am your humble narrator, Calliope, here to talk you through our show. Starting out with what this is: Forged Bonds is a myth-bending retelling of the story of Aphrodite and Hephaestus. In traditional mythology, they are forced into a marriage together leading to Aphrodite cheating with Ares. What if Aphrodite and Ares were best friends forced into a political marriage? What if Aphrodite started to fall in love with Hephaestus? What if Hephaestus was a trans woman who had been isolated from Olympus in the attempts to protect her own heart? This show strives to answer all of these questions while also taking a look at the love stories and politics of Olympus as a whole.


Format: Audio Drama

Continuity: Serial

Writing: Scripted

Voices: Full cast

Narrator: Third Person

Genres: Religion

Framing device: None

Soundscape: Sound effects & music

Not tagged: [Maturity] [Creator demographics] [Character demographics] [Country of origin] [Transcript] [Completion status] [Content warnings]

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Episodes:

Chapter 15

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0500

You’re an absolute bastard, you know that? Making me feel all emotional on a Tuesday morning?

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Khai Truong as Hades, Lyssa Jay as Persephone, Taylor Michaels as Ares, and Cody Heath as Hermes. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

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Chapter 14

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Just let me ask one question. And then I’m gone, I swear on the Styx.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Marguerite Kenner as Artemis, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Leon Egan as Apollo, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Lyssa Jay as Persephone, and Khai Truong as Hades. Our cat chorus featured Oat Virgil Milk-Hardesty, Dracula, Puppy Dawg McCheese, Thanatos and Charon Gefter, Andy Jay, Mack Wolf, Oliver Keekat, and Taylor Michaels. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

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Chapter 13

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0500

I just thought that once we did this stupid wedding, that’d be it.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Taylor Michaels as Ares, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Cody Heath as Hermes, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Khai Truong as Hades, and Lyssa Jay as Persephone. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

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Mini Series - Episode 1

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0500

What’s the catch? And don’t try to tell me there isn’t one, I know there is.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Landon 'Lemon' Whisnant as Homer, Jenah as Arachne, Louis Wolf as Athena, and Delaney Sutton as Hestia. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

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Chapter 12

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Citizens of Olympia! It is my honor to present to you the newly married Ares and Aphrodite!

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Taylor Michaels as Ares, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Marguerite Kenner as Artemis, Leon Egan as Apollo, Cody Heath as Hermes, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Khai Truong as Hades, and Lyssa Jay as Persephone. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

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Chapter 11

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0500

As much as I appreciate the sentiment, it’s definitely too late to back out.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Taylor Michaels as Ares, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Cody Heath as Hermes, and Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening! 

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Chapter 10

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0500

So. Last few days of single bliss.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Cody Heath as Hermes, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, and Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

Direct MP3 link


Chapter 9

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0500

It’s not that I have reservations, it's just… No, I suppose it is that I have reservations.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Khai Truong as Hades, Lyssa Jay as Persephone, Leon Egan as Apollo, and Marguerite Kenner as Artemis. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

Direct MP3 link


Chapter 8

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0500

I still can’t believe you’re getting married, Dite. And to Ares, no less! I truly never thought I’d see the day.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Marguerite Kenner as Artemis, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Leon Egan as Apollo, Taylor Michaels as Ares, Cody Heath as Hermes, Lyssa Jay as Persephone, and Khai Truong as Hades. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

Direct MP3 link


Chapter 7

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0500

What? Aphrodite’s actually out here making friends?

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Taylor Michaels as Ares, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, and Mike LeBeau as Dionysus. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

Direct MP3 link


Chapter 6

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

I wasn’t expecting you til later, is everything alright?

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Cody Heath as Hermes, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, and Alasdair Stuart as Zeus. Our cat chorus featured Oat Virgil Milk-Hardesty, Dracula, Puppy Dawg McCheese, Thanatos and Charon Gefter, Andy Jay, Mack Wolf, Oliver Keekat, and Taylor Michaels. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

Direct MP3 link


Chapter 5

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

There’s still time to leave.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Lyssa Jay as Persephone, Khai Truong as Hades, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Cody Heath as Hermes, and Taylor Michaels as Ares. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

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Chapter 4

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Do you think they ever loved each other?

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Taylor Michaels as Ares, and Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening! 

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Chapter 3

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In better circumstances I might even like being married to him.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Taylor Michaels as Ares, Cody Heath as Hermes, Khai Truong as Hades, and Lyssa Jay as Persephone. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening! 

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Chapter 2

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500

…Okay, it might be a little late.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, Cody Heath as Hermes, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Mike LeBeau as Dionysus, Taylor Michaels as Ares, and Kit Paterson as Hypnos. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening! 

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Chapter 1

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500

It is my honor and privilege to welcome you, dear listeners, to Forged Bonds.

Transcript

Forged Bonds is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Pine Gonzalez as Calliope, Tatiana Gefter as Aphrodite, Taylor Michaels as Ares, Alasdair Stuart as Zeus, Nichole Goodnight as Hera, Skylar Johnson as Hephaestus, and Mike LeBeau as Dionysus. Our theme music was provided by AthansMusic. You can hear more from him on Spotify or by checking out his podcast The Grotto. If you would like to support the show you can follow us on social media @forgedbondspod, rate and review us on your podcatcher of choice, or join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods where you can get early access to episodes and behind the scenes content. Thank you for listening!

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Trailer - Release Date

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

We invite you to join us by the fire on Wednesday, December 18th to hear the first chapter of our story start to unfold.

Want early access to episodes? Join our patreon at patreon.com/pinetreepods!

Theme music provided by AthansMusic

Transcript

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Special Announcement!

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0500

Transcript

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Teaser - Welcome to Forged Bonds

Tue, 21 May 2024 10:00:00 -0500

There are many stories of the gods. They are ancient, after all, and all knowing and ever-present and all of those lovely things people like to ascribe to whatever current lot is running around. But before there were those gods, there were these gods. You have heard tales of them, I’m certain, but not all of them true. Some, of course, were true, but this story that I am laying out for you today is far truer than any you have heard before. This story, my dear listener, is the story of Aphrodite and Hephaestus. I’m sure you think you know how this story goes, but history has a funny way of losing the pieces that matter. What you will hear today is the truth of their story, of their love. Because yes, my dear listener, they were in love despite everything the more popular stories will try and tell you. 

Welcome, dear listeners, to Forged Bonds.

Coming in late 2024

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