Narrators/Character Actors (Beyond Christopher…)
Cynthia Griffith (She/Her):
An artist, historical costumer, and all-around talented individual, Cynthia’s narration for “Horus” is one of the big reasons it’s a fan-favorite episode. When she’s not doing something creative, she’s usually out hiking or canoeing.
She also juggles!
Learn more about Cynthia at cfgriffith.com.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes:
Full Narration: “Horus,” “Standstill,” “The Crock” (part of 2018’s Christmas episode), “Reply All” (part of 2021’s Christmas Episode), and Revisions, In the Margins, and “The World Beneath Her Brush” (part of 2023’s Christmas Episode).
Characters: “Strange Audio” (Wife), “Waking the Lumberjack,” (Mom), “The Lumberjack of Williamsburg” (Brooke Ainsleigh), “Pepper” (Andrea), “In Cypress Slough” (Newscaster #1 and Newscaster #2), Christmas Miscellany 5 (TV Show Host), “Rockbiters” (Ship’s Computer, Khurakmore Jr., and Vardian Soldiers), and “It’s Never Too Late” (Countdown Computer Voice and Game Show Players).
Cynthia also provides the intro narration for every episode of Behind the Cut: The Not About Lumberjacks Companion.
Michael Howie (He/Him):
Michael Howie may be cleaned up in this photograph, but when the harsh Canadian winter settles in, he can look mighty lumberjacky! But this photo captures his kindness rather well, so it was chosen over one of his more feral looks.
A resident of Hamilton, Ontario (Canada, eh!), Michael hosts the Defender Radio podcast. He even did a wonderful audiodrama for the show’s 2017 Christmas episode.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “The Hidebehind” and “Waking the Lumberjack.”
Rick Coste (He/Him):
Rick is ridiculously prolific when it comes to recorded fiction. If you need proof, then check out modernaudiodrama.com. Beyond that, Not About Lumberjacks would not exist without Rick. It was the quality of an old show he did that led to working on something where production quality and stories came together in a much bigger way each month. So if you love the show, thank Rick! (If you hate it, he’s to blame!)
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “The Other Side” (Orc grunts), “Strange Audio” (Ghosthunter #1 and Three Step Dick), “Waking the Lumberjack.” (Big Rick Coaster), and “Pepper” (Pepper).
Patrick K. Walsh (He/Him):
Patrick K. Walsh possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of horror movies. He flexes what he knows on his podcast, Screamqueenz, where he talks to cool people about [mostly] campy horror movies.
When he’s not recording episodes of his show, Patrick appears in theatrical productions around New York City.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “Greetings” from 2018’s Christmas episode.
Dr. Michelle Booze (She/Her):
Dr. Michelle Booze (yes, her name is real and she has a PhD) is an avid Audio Drama fan. You can catch her Twitter reviews by following her @DrMLBooze. You can also check out her Audio Fiction merch at http://tee.pub/lic/
You may recognize her voice from several audio fiction podcasts you love such as Aethuran, Slumberland, and Magic King Dom. She is always available for small parts to round out your story and even larger parts if you like her style.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “My Grandmother Wrestled Bears” from 2019’s Christmas Episode.
Art Kedzierski (He/Him):
Art Kedzierski has a BFA in Theatre Performance & Management from UT-Arlington, interned at Theatre Three, and served as Managing Director of Pegasus Theatre in Dallas.
He has performed Rover Dramawerks’ Chemical Imbalance as Xavier Utterson; ITC’s How to Succeed in Business as Toynbee; Uptown Players’ Take Me Out as Mason Marzac and The Producers as Mr. Marks (and ten other roles); in the Lyric Stage production of 1776 as Andrew McNair; Pegasus Theatre’s XSR:Die! as Douglas Malory and Full Moon Murders! as John Creighton, and in Garland Summer Musical’s The Producers as Leo Bloom.
Besides acting and directing, he is also the developer and operator of DFWAuditions.com.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “The Beast in the Back” from 2019’s Christmas Episode.
Jennifer Moss (She/Her):
Jennifer Moss is a published author, web developer, and photographer. She was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois and is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Her works include a series of mysteries with a metaphysical twist: Town Red, Way to Go, Taking the Rap, and Friend of the Family. Non-fiction titles include The Baby Names Workbook and Yosemite Home Companion. More information can be found on her website, JenniferMoss.com.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “Lost and Found” from 2019’s Christmas Episode.
Jesse Harley (He/Him):
Jesse Harley is one half of Canadian Politics is Boring, a history and comedy podcast.
When he’s not singing sea shanties at kitchen parties or streaming video games, he can be found flipping and tumbling all over the piers of Halifax. No kidding — if he so desired, he could become Nova Scotia’s premier breakdancer!
But what Jesse really does best is make movies. His films have won multiple awards and allowed him to travel all around Canada and the United States.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes:
Geocached.
Additional Voices
Mandie Coste (She/Her):
Mandie does not dream of doing voices, like many of us who create audio fiction. But she’s helped out Rick Coste, here and there, on some of his shows — and she did a stellar job as a kind-hearted mother in “Pepper”…at least until her character’s beloved San Francisco 49ers dropped the ball.
(I have it on good authority that Rick told her, “Just pretend it’s us yelling at a Boston Bruins game…”)
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “Pepper” (Joey’s Mother).
Mark Hosack (He/Him):
Mark Hosack is a machine! A super dad, husband, and wonderful friend to all who know him — he also writes and makes movies (among other jobs). It would be more than easy for Mark to say he doesn’t have time for things, but he’s the guy who sent 10 minutes of orc grunting (recorded in his underwear, no less!) when asked to contribute to an episode of Not About Lumberjacks. You can learn more about Mark on his website or imdb.com page…or this snazzy interview.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “The Other Side” (Orc grunts)
Shawn Kupfer (He/Him):
Next to his wife and mother, there is probably no one Christopher has seen more over recent years than Shawn Kupfer. In 2013, Christopher and Shawn started the Men in Gorilla Suits podcast…which is largely an excuse for them to hang out.
While he will say otherwise, Mr. Kupfer cleans up very well, but he is never more than a couple days away from looking like a sea captain or lumber camp boss; in fact, much of his lineage scoffs at the borders between Quebec and Vermont.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “The Other Side” (Orc grunts) and “Waking the Lumberjack.” (Dicky Coffee Guy and Father Kupfer)
Rocky Westbrook (He/Him):
Rocky Westbrook is a videographer, writer, and voice actor living west of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. He also helps Christopher get through his day job (where Rocky and Christopher met) on days when the mind turns toward wanting to discuss more creative pursuits than technical things. You can listen to Rocky narrate a story here.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “Strange Audio” (Ghosthunter #2) and “Waking the Lumberjack.” (Wrestling fan)
Tim and Zane Czarnecki:
The father and son team that shouted, “Hey! Fuck you, clown!” in “Bobo.” Tim also voiced the Narrator in “Waking the Lumberjack.”
Musicians
Ergo Phizmiz:
You know that person who seems to be able to do everything? That’s Ergo Phizmiz (a.k.a. DW Robertson). Whether writing serious compositions or creating tiny avant garde masterpieces, you hear his music every episode during the introduction and outro of Not About Lumberjacks.
While the composer behind Phizmiz has laid the persona to rest, you can still follow what DW Robertson is up to at his website.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: Every single episode (the theme for the show is “My Special Party”) and prominently featured in the show’s first episode, “Gutterball.”
Razen:
Razen provides the tune used as theme music for Behind the Cut: The Not About Lumberjacks Companion show. The song is called “Reaper.”
Get “Reaper” and other Razen tunes here.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: Every episode of Behind the Cut: The Not About Lumberjacks Companion (theme music).
Chad Crouch (a.k.a. Poddington Bear):
Chad Crouch makes instrumental music that you very well may have heard, but not realized. Crouch realized podcasting would only get bigger, but that podcasters would need music. He provides the music used by many shows, including episodes of Not About Lumberjacks.
You can learn more about Chad Crouch at his website, and how to use his music at his Sound of Picture website.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: Most early episodes.
Martin Goldmann:
Martin Goldmann’s ambient soundscapes have been in my head during many a writing session. And audio/visual producer by trade, Martin spends some of his free time tinkering with analog synthesizers and other gear — and we are the lucky recipients.
You can listen to Martin’s soundscapes on his YouTube channel or Bandcamp page.
You can learn more about him at his website.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “Rockbiters”.
Kai Engel:
Kai Engel’s compositions are perfect for literary audio works, or really…pretty much anything. And he makes his music easy to use under a Creative Commons license, or simple agreement and pricing if using his compositions for more commercial endeavors.
You can learn more about Kai Engel at his website.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “Looking for Dogs” and “The Hidebehind.”
Christopher Costanza:
Christopher Costanza’s performance of Bach’s Cello Suite #1 in G Major elevated the ending of “Standstill.” In a pleasant surprise, the rising and falling of the piece complements the story, until it just-so-happenes that the climactic conclusion rises above the story’s ending, making it sound like deliberate editing. It was a lucky coincidence that makes the story even better!
Learn more about Christopher Costanza here — and be sure to listen to him play the Cello Suites…you’ll be glad you did!
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “Standstill.”
Broke For Free:
“The Art of the Lumberjack” is a personal favorite Not About Lumberjacks story. It not only marked the first November anniversary story definitely not about lumberjacks, but it was made a bit extra special by Broke for Free’s music. The airiness of the final track used in the episode made a fan-favorite ending even better!
Learn more about Broke for Free at brokeforfree.com.
Not About Lumberjacks episodes: “The Art of the Lumberjack.”
Special Thanks
Rick Coste:
I’m not sure Not About Lumberjacks would exist without Rick Coste. Rick did a show called Evolution Talk — a show that inspired me to do more with the production quality of what I was doing. Not About Lumberjacks is the result.
And in turn, Not About Lumberjacks inspired Rick to return to his fiction roots with The Behemoth. Learn more about Rick (and all he’s up to) at his main website.
Shawn Kupfer:
Every week I do a podcast called Men in Gorilla Suits with my friend Shawn Kupfer. We pick a topic and talk about it. Really, it’s a good excuse to ensure that no matter how busy life gets, we have no choice but to make time to see each other regularly.
Shawn does a weekly show for Idobi Radio called Metal DNA (Saturday nights at 8 ET) and has a blog right here. (He freely admits that Men in Gorilla Suits partially killed his blog, but there’s good stuff there.)
Cynthia Griffith:
In addition to her narration skills mentioned above, Cynthia is a very patient person. I say that with confidence, having shared my life with her since 1992.
With each new upgrade in gear or “I’m almost done editing this episode!” moment (when I still have an hour of editing left), her support and understanding mean so much to me.