The Madness of Chartrulean

Imagine that the next messiah doesn’t come from religion, but from the tech world. Will his choices be more likely to save humanity—or destroy it? The Madness of Chartrulean is an award-winning fiction podcast that explores this concept using a unique blend of political drama, science fiction, fantasy, and Shakespearean tragedy.

The story takes place on Arcas, a world that faces food scarcity, political infighting, and the threat of alien incursion. But it’s all part of the starmakers’ grand design—until Chartrulean, the promised messiah, abandons piety for progress and becomes a shipbuilder instead. He ends a war and becomes the most powerful man on Arcas, ushering in a new technological era that rekindles hope for humanity while also deepening political divides. Chartrulean’s journey is deeply personal as he struggles with identity, leadership, and the weight of his choices.

Rich in lore and political intrigue, The Madness of Chartrulean was made to resonate with fans of Game of Thrones, and classic sci-fi stories such as Dune and Foundation. It examines the moral complexities of progress, pushing listeners to think critically about power dynamics and the consequences of leadership.

Since its initial release in 2022, the podcast has been recognized for its performances, political intrigue, dense worldbuilding, beautiful original score by Sean Renner (Screwball, Fair Play, Das Boot), and cinematic sound design. Vol. 1 is out now with over 8 hrs of content across 13 full-length episodes and bonus content.