The Trailer: Introducing The Goat American Novel

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Think Bunnicula the Vampire Rabbit meets Babe the Pig, but it’s all goats. An all-ages barnyard gothic podcast from subversive family storyteller Hilde Festerling.
Think Bunnicula the Vampire Rabbit meets Babe the Pig, but it’s all goats. An all-ages barnyard gothic podcast from subversive family storyteller Hilde Festerling.

Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
The Ante-penultimate episode of the Goat American Novel, in which we all experience vicarious liberation through multiple instances and styles of setting-free.
This episode owes a heavy debt of gratitude to Limoncello band, and their magnificent cover of Sweet Dreams. We also thank our guest stars, Barn O'Brine, Brian Laughtland, and at long last..... Felix Buker.

Friday Oct 10, 2025
Friday Oct 10, 2025
Friday Oct 10, 2025
The Penultimate Episode! In which our little heroes go eye to eye with the tiger!
Featuring the incredible music of the PS22 Chorus, check out the full video of their performance here

Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
A little bonus episode while you wait for the final chapter. I tell the absolutely true(!) story of the squirrel who became a legend by trashing our house.... and the Recipe she inspired. Perhaps you will enjoy a little cozy autumnal baking, as we did.
You can see the recipe and the Zipnog bars here.
(Scroll down to the bottom of the story for the recipe and images)
And yes, this story also stars another inspirational character from the Goat American Novel.... Arcturix I mean Felix I mean Billy Joel III

Friday Oct 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
The Final Episode of the Goat American Novel, in which all threads are tied up. We hope.
Our heart overflows with gratitude to all the actors, musicians, foley artists, organizers, pie bakers, technicians, and friends who made The Goat American Novel possible. The Goat American Novel was written, produced and performed by Hilde Festerling, but she could never have done it without her cast.
Our faithful home cast: Johnny Buker as Scott and Elmer, Gabriel Alden as Millicent and The Tiger, Caleb Alden as Sawer and Matteo the alpaca, Ursula Buker as Layla and Cohost, Erin Alden as co host, and Mandy Laughtland as Myra Grass and Ms Hammerstung.
This episode's guest stars: Ben West as Josaiah, Constance and Hank O'Hana as Rival Auctioneers, Courtney Lyons as Constable Courtney, Brian Laughtland as Grandpa Lizard, Glenn Alden as Billy Joel, and Felix Buker as The Ocelot.
Special shout out to the Real FM, Maryanne Mills, without whom this podcast would not exist.
Thanks also to the musicians of the Electric Unicorn Studio Session for our incredible transitional music, which we recorded almost three years ago, and which has never let us down. Thanks to The Steam Brass Band, for their perfect cover of Sweet Dreams that brought us in and took us home, every episode. This episode featured a vinyl cut of Clifford Brown's Stardust- the most perfect Stardust.
We also thank the many guest actors who have popped into the studio to deliver heartfelt sheep or influencer lines. Your legacy continues to ring.
Finally, we thank our listeners.
What happens when the farmer is away, and the new farmhand isn’t prepared for what’s coming to the herd: barn hauntings, suspected chupacabra problems, a creepy new neighbor, and one chocolate crazed, possibly-immortal squirrel…
Welcome to The Goat American Novel, an all-ages barnyard comedy thriller! This richly-produced, serialized journey will take you deep into the life of a goat herd; goat rivalries, goat hauntings and goat legends, goat nemeses, goat drama. This podcast, produced by beloved family storyteller Hilde Festerling and three generations of her family, uses live music, sound design, character voicing, and many- so many!- goat impersonations to bring Barnyard Gothic to life. So gather round a roaring fire and Mom’s old laptop, snuggle in with your family, whatever shape your family is, even just you and your cat- and let us take you away with the herd.

Podcast written and performed by Hilde Festerling, with additional voice performances by Caleb Alden, Gabriel Alden, Erin Alden, Ursula Buker, and Johnny Buker. Produced by Hilde and Erin. Erin Alden is our art director- we’ll have her show art, farm maps, and coloring pages available soon-, Ursula Buker is our children’s library consultant, giving you, our all-ages audience, the content warnings and scariness-level preparation you need, and Johnny Buker is our technical director. Our incredible theme music is by the amazing Steam Brass Band, thank you so much for letting us use your sweet sound! And our beautiful, Live, in-episode music was performed by Elliott Tothill, Emma Radosevich, Joshua Rutherford, and Peter Hutchinson, at the Electric Unicorn studio in Bellingham.
If you are liking this story, please considering supporting me through my ko-fi page: http://www.ko-fi.com/goatamericannovel