Indie audio fiction comedy series Happy Medium: The Adventures of Melancholy Helen Polly has just wrapped its first season, with the finale now released.
Created by Jay Hazen and JHP Fiction, the show follows Helen Polly — an autistic nomadic medium with the unusual ability to see and interact with spirits.
After discovering that cannabis could temporarily quiet the chaos of the afterlife, Helen set off across the country in her purple skoolie with two strange companions: a sassy ghost drag queen from the 80s and a massive, fluffy dog with an English accent.
In season one, Helen lands in Memphis, Tennessee, where she’s pulled into the case of a suspicious death — all while evading a private investigator hired by her abusive mother.
With time running out, Helen must solve the mystery, help a restless spirit move on, and face the secret she’s been running from.
The series has built a loyal following for its genre-blending mix of comedy, mystery, and supernatural adventure — all told through a lens of neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ storytelling.
The season finale has more revelations and emotional payoffs than previously, with hints that more may be in store for the troubled-yet-tenacious Helen.
“Working on this story alongside an incredibly talented cast of voice actors has been one of the great joys of my life,” says series creator Jay Hazen.
Jay Hazen, a disabled U.S. military veteran and cancer survivor, is a writer, narrator and voice actor. He draws inspiration from his 13 years of service, including two combat tours, and his resilience in overcoming life’s challenges.
As audio fiction experiences a creative resurgence, Happy Medium represents a growing movement of independent creators using the medium to tell original stories without the need for massive budgets or studio backing.
Happy Medium: The Adventures of Melancholy Helen Polly is available on all podcast platforms.
