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Ron’s Amazing Stories is a weekly podcast. We play classic short stories, old-time radio and much more. Do you have a story that you want to tell? Ron will read it on the show or you can tell it for yourself! Also, we do interviews with authors, radio personalities, actors and even an NBA all-star. 

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  2. RAS #730 - Donovan’s Brain: The Man Who Wouldn’t Stay Dead

RAS #730 - Donovan’s Brain: The Man Who Wouldn’t Stay Dead

Apr 9, 2026

Donovan’s Brain: The Man Who Wouldn’t Stay Dead

This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we journey into one of the most chilling tales from the golden age of radio—Donovan’s Brain. Originally written by Curt Siodmak and brought to life on the legendary radio program Suspense, this story explores what happens when science pushes beyond its moral limits.

Starring Orson Welles as Dr. Patrick Cory, this 1944 broadcast was originally presented over two nights. For this episode, Ron has carefully edited the two parts into a single, seamless story—removing original commercials and smoothing the narrative for a more immersive listening experience.

At its core, Donovan’s Brain is more than just a horror story. It’s a haunting exploration of identity, control, and the consequences of tampering with forces we may not fully understand. And as technology continues to evolve in our modern world, its themes feel more relevant than ever.

So dim the lights, settle in, and prepare yourself… because some minds refuse to stay silent—even after death.

In This Episode

  • The origins of Donovan’s Brain in pulp fiction and radio drama
  • A look at Suspense and its unforgettable adaptation
  • Orson Welles’ powerful performance as Dr. Patrick Cory
  • A fully restored and edited version of the original two-part broadcast
  • The moral dilemma behind keeping a human brain alive
  • A mid-story discussion on science, ethics, and the nature of consciousness
  • Post-story reflections on “what if” the brain had belonged to someone else
  • Final thoughts connecting the story to modern technology and AI

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Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron’s Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.

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