It’s been almost a year since Static was released — and Ashley King and Meg Wilcox are back to share some exciting updates on the series.

It will also soon be the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of six tourists in Laos — all killed by methanol poisoning from a happy hour event at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vientiane. Bethany Clarke survived being poisoned that night; her best friend, Simone White, did not.

In this episode, Bethany tells her own very personal story with methanol poisoning. Hear how she and Ashley have since become friends — despite living on opposite sides of the globe — and all about their advocacy work to spread awareness on methanol poisoning.

Guest interview: Bethany Clarke

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.

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Show notes:

(00:00) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guest

(12:30) Ashley interviews Bethany Clarke

(52:23) Reflections and episode wrap-up

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

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Sign the Change.org petition:

For the U.K. and Australia: https://www.change.org/p/put-methanol-safety-warnings-in-airports-and-schools

For Canada: https://www.change.org/p/educate-travelers-on-the-dangers-of-methanol-poisoning-in-airports-schools

Other resources:

https://www.methanolpoisoningawareness.org/

BBC: Hostel linked to methanol deaths of six tourists set to reopen (June 12, 2025): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg7x4x1lk5o

BBC: Alcohol safety lessons after holiday poisoning (July 22, 2025: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceq74xlrj80o

U.K. curricular changes (set to begin September 2026): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b8499e11b4ded2da19fd92/Relationships_education__relationships_and_sex_education_and_health_education_-_statutory_guidance.pdf

Australia’s Partying Safely Overseas website, with resources on methanol poisoning: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/safety/partying/partying-safely-hub

Find Bethany online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonewhitemethanolawareness/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonewhitemethanolaware

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Simone-methanol-awareness-61575554820271/

Find Ashley online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashkng 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashkng

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Royalty-free music:

Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve

A special bonus episode — Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir, in its entirety.

Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.

This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.

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Show notes:

(00:00) Part one — Calgary to Byron Bay

(22:20) Part two — Byron to Bali

(38:10) Part three — Home

(1:00:55) Part four — Where Next?

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

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Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.

Royalty-free music: 

Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)

Alex Productions, Dreamwave Electronic — Revolution

Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay

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Credits:

Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

Written by: Ashley King

Ashley King: herself, Britney

Jaime Cesar: Carolina

Additional voices: Jim Delaney, Meg Wilcox, Dr. Paul Gee, Dr. Claire Taylor, Anton deGroot, Jaime Cesar, Kodie Rollan, Sabreena Shah Baigzada, Camille Craig, Javier Vialta, Jenny Yeung, Lahni Davies, Cody Harpe

Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox

Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg

Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan

Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia

Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin

Director, stage version: Javier Vialta

Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

Ashley starts to plan for the future — but can she still follow her dreams?

Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.

This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.

Guest interview: Col Cseke, artistic director of Inside Out Theatre, and Kodie Rollan, artistic director of Chromatic Theatre.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.

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Show notes:

(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part four

(21:50) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guests

(24:02) Ashley interviews Col Cseke & Kodie Rollan

(58:25) Reflections and episode wrap-up

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

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Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.

Royalty-free music: 

Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve

Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay

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Credits:

Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

Written by: Ashley King

Ashley King: herself, Britney

Jaime Cesar: Carolina

Additional voices: Lahni Davies, Cody Harper, Kodie Rollan, Javier Vialta

Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox

Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg

Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan

Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia

Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin

Director, stage version: Javier Vialta

Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

Ashley and Carolina return home, and work to understand their new reality.

Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.

This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.

Guest interview: Meg Wilcox interviews the one and only Carolina King.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.

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Show notes:

(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part three

(24:19) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guest

(26:28) Meg interviews Carolina King

(48:55) Reflections and episode wrap-up

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit:

Distress Centre 24/7 Hotline (Calgary)

9-8-8 Suicide Hotline (Canada)

Wanna Talk About It (US)

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Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.

Royalty-free music: 

Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)

Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve

Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay

-

Credits:

Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

Written by: Ashley King

Ashley King: herself, Britney

Jaime Cesar: Carolina

Additional voices: Anton deGroot, Jaime Cesar, Kodie Rollan, Sabreena Shah Baigzada, Camille Craig, Javier Vialta, Jenny Yeung

Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox

Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg

Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan

Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia

Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin

Director, stage version: Javier Vialta

Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

Ashley and Britney are having so much fun, they take the party to Kuta, Bali — but their adventure takes a turn.

Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.

This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.

Guest interview: Dr. Paul Gee, Emergency Physician at Canterbury District Health Board in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.

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Show notes:

(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part two

(16:53) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guest

(21:23) Ashley interviews Dr. Gee

(50:21) Reflections and episode wrap-up

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

Click here for Colin's Facebook group that was mentioned in the interview, Just Don't Drink Spirits in Bali.

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Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.

Royalty-free music: 

Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)

Alex Productions, Dreamwave Electronic — Revolution

Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve

Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay

-

Credits:

Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

Written by: Ashley King

Ashley King: herself, Britney

Jaime Cesar: Carolina

Additional voices: Dr. Paul Gee, Dr. Claire Taylor, Meg Wilcox

Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox

Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg

Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan

Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia

Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin

Director, stage version: Javier Vialta

Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

Ashley can’t wait to leave home — and her overbearing mom, Carolina. She and her best friend, Britney, plot a hot Australian summer trip.

Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.

This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.

Guest interview: Bruce Horak, actor, playwright, and visual artist, and Chief Engineer Hemmer on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.

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Show notes:

(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part one

(22:36) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox introduce the podcast

(27:58) Ashley interviews Bruce Horak

(56:40) Reflections and episode wrap-up

Click here for a complete episode transcript.

-

Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.

Royalty-free music: 

Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)

Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve

Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay

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Credits:

Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

Written by: Ashley King

Ashley King: herself, Britney

Jaime Cesar: Carolina

Additional voices: Jim Delaney, Meg Wilcox

Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox

Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg

Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan

Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia

Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin

Director, stage version: Javier Vialta

Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

At 18, Ashley King was ready to leave home for the beaches, booze & boys of Byron Bay — but her hot Australian summer didn't go as planned.

Royalty-free music by Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)

Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay

Click here for a complete transcript of the trailer.