HWS News
19 March 2025 WHWS-FM Spotlight: Student-Led Fiction Podcasts Take Flight
At WHWS-FM, Hobart and William Smith’s student-run radio station, a new form of storytelling is making waves.
Led by student writer and producer Rachel Faust ’26, two original fiction podcasts—Velocity and Blackleach—are in the works, bringing scripted audio dramas to life with the support of a dedicated student cast and crew including: Rafael Aguilar ’25, Maggie Farwell ’27, Beckett Hilton ’25, Rob Maulucci '26, Maya Nichols '27 and Eloise Ruberti ’27.
Fiction podcasts, often likened to serialized radio plays, combine immersive storytelling with high-quality sound design, creating a listening experience similar to a TV show—just in an audio form. Faust not only writes and produces both series but also co-directs alongside her cast members. Additionally, she is mastering the technical side of the production, handling audio editing solo to shape each episode.
The first project, Velocity, is a found-footage, sci-fi drama that mixes humor and emotional depth. The story unfolds through recovered recordings, offering a compelling mix of mystery and character-driven narrative. The second show, Blackleach, is more whimsical, presenting a comedic, fantastical story set at Blackleach College for Magicks and capturing the eccentricities of magical academia through the lens of its student reporters.
With a core cast of eight actors, both projects are gaining momentum as they approach their debut. Though neither has premiered yet, Faust anticipates launching the first seasons of Velocity and Blackleach this summer, with plans to continue Blackleach into a second season next fall.
For Faust and her collaborators, these podcasts represent more than just creative projects—they are opportunities to refine their storytelling, technical and production skills while contributing to the expanding world of audio fiction. She credits station manager Greg Cotterill for guiding her in the use of the recording equipment.
Top: Maggie Farwell '27, Rachel Faust '26, Maya Nichols '27, Eloise Ruberti '27 and Rob Maulucci '26 perform Velocity in the WHWS studio.
