diff --git a/backend/services/caller_gen.py b/backend/services/caller_gen.py
index 56c330f..718966d 100644
--- a/backend/services/caller_gen.py
+++ b/backend/services/caller_gen.py
@@ -34,7 +34,11 @@ class CallerIdentity:
 
 
 def parse_batch_response(raw: str) -> list[CallerIdentity]:
-    data = json.loads(raw)
+    stripped = raw.strip()
+    if stripped.startswith("```") and stripped.endswith("```"):
+        lines = stripped.splitlines()
+        stripped = "\n".join(lines[1:-1])
+    data = json.loads(stripped)
     callers = data.get("callers", [])
     result = []
     for c in callers:
diff --git a/tests/test_caller_gen.py b/tests/test_caller_gen.py
index aba1957..d0eec91 100644
--- a/tests/test_caller_gen.py
+++ b/tests/test_caller_gen.py
@@ -37,6 +37,17 @@ def test_parse_batch_response_rejects_missing_fields():
         parse_batch_response(bad)
 
 
+FENCED_JSON = '''```json
+{"callers": [{"name": "Terrence", "age": 61, "voice_suggestion": "Marcus", "location": "Tucumcari, NM", "identity": "Retired irrigation engineer", "situation": "Reading water bill", "reason_calling": "Found clause", "opening_line": "Luke.", "secret_want": "Vindication", "specific_details": ["a", "b"], "emotional_register": "intense"}]}
+```'''
+
+
+def test_parse_batch_response_strips_markdown_fences():
+    callers = parse_batch_response(FENCED_JSON)
+    assert len(callers) == 1
+    assert callers[0].name == "Terrence"
+
+
 def test_resolve_voice_matches_exact():
     from backend.services.caller_gen import resolve_voice
     roster = ["Marcus", "Dennis", "Priya", "Edward"]