The Penumbra Podcast - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

The Penumbra Podcast — Arts
The Penumbra Podcast

At the Penumbra, you might follow Juno Steel, a brooding, sharp-witted private eye on Mars, as he tangles with an elusive homme fatale, tracks dangerous artifacts of an ancient alien civilization, and faces his three greatest fears: heights, blood, and relationships.

Or you might enter the world of the Second Citadel, where the merciless Sir Caroline must corral a team of emotionally distraught all-male knights to defend their city against mind-manipulating monsters…even the ones they’ve fallen in love with.

Or you might tune into the not-too-distant future of Thirst, a future America somehow even worse than the present, where four couples must survive a dangerous reality TV competition designed by a sadistic host and a cheerfully violent Algorithm.

These audio dramas and more await you in the Penumbra, dear traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay. (Start with “1.01: Juno Steel and the Case of the Murderous Mask” to follow the Juno Steel series, “1.09: Second Citadel – The Head of the Janus Beast” to follow the Second Citadel series, or “THIRST S1E1: Icebreaker” to listen to the Thirst series. Or, listen from oldest to newest to hear everything as we released it.)

The Penumbra is created and produced by Harley Takagi Kaner and Kevin Vibert. Follow us on Bluesky (@thepenumbrapod.bsky.social‬), Tumblr (@thepenumbrapodcast), TikTok (@thepenumbrapodcast), Instagram (@thepenumbrapodcast), or Facebook (The Penumbra Podcast).

For early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, you can find The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION at: https://thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com

You can find all of our transcripts here. If you would like to view trigger warnings or SFX attributions, you can scroll to the end of the appropriate episode transcript: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1bnWLw5dTW4l9A0bmOMzEiy6XqqsXHHi_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © Harley Takagi Kaner and Kevin Vibert

Latest Episodes:

THIRST S1E3: Love Is a Four-Letter Word Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Can't Tear My Eyes From You, Chapter 3: Love Is a Four-Letter Word.

The first game is revealed.

Cast:

Ginny D'Angelo as Siobhan

Marge Dunn as Raine Randolph

Josephine Moshiri Elwood as Valentina Ride

Amanda Egbu as Georgia Whittaker

Eleanore Cho Fellerhoff as Holliday Murdock

Joshua Ilon as Dennis Cruz

Tooky Kavanagh as The Algorithm

Quinn McKenzie as Capote Whittaker

Jamie McGonagill as Megumi

Melody Perera as Anouk Kalhara

Stefano Perti as Dennis Lang

Marc Pierre as Sergeant Murdock

Alexander Stravinski as The Host

Amelia Young as Betsy

(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description and at the end of the transcript.)

-------

You can find all of our transcripts here. Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode and include all required SFX attributions.

On staff at the Penumbra:

Ginny D'Angelo -- Head of operations

Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team

Harley Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, director, sound designer

Joelle Kross -- Transcriptionist

Grahame Turner -- Script editing team

Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, lead writer

Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music

Jeff Wright -- Graphic designer

--------

Trigger warnings:

- Military violence

- Sudden loud noises

- Abuse of power/authority

- Deception and gaslighting

- Discussions of homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and racism

- Natural disasters and climate change-related disasters

- Animal abuse

- Violence and threats of violence

- Injury and hospitals

- Public humiliation

You can find early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, at The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THIRST S1E2: Behind Closed Doors Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Can't Tear My Eyes From You, Chapter 2: Behind Closed Doors.

An interlude before the real fun begins. What are couples really like in private?

Cast:

Marge Dunn as Raine Randolph and Wet-Park Announcer

Amanda Egbu as Georgia Whittaker

Eleanore Cho Fellerhoff as Holliday Murdock and Scientist 2

Joshua Ilon as Dennis Cruz and Bored Teenage Wet-Park Worker

Tooky Kavanagh as The Algorithm

Quinn McKenzie as Capote Whittaker

Melody Perera as Anouk Kalhara

Stefano Perti as Dennis Lang and Scientist 1

Marc Pierre as Sergeant Murdock

Alexander Stravinski as The Host and Person in Excruciating Pain

(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description and at the end of the transcript.)

-------

You can find all of our transcripts here. Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode and include all required SFX attributions.

On staff at the Penumbra:

Ginny D'Angelo -- Head of operations

Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team

Harley Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, director, sound designer

Joelle Kross -- Transcriptionist

Noah Simes -- Production manager

Grahame Turner -- Script editing team

Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, lead writer

Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music

Jeff Wright -- Graphic designer

--------

Trigger warnings:

- Discussions regarding transphobia and racism

- Depictions of xenophobia

- Depictions of sex

- Implications of spousal abuse

- Body horror

- Sudden loud noises

- Abuse of power/authority

You can find early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, at The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THIRST S1E1: Icebreaker Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Can't Tear My Eyes From You, Chapter 1: Icebreaker.

Hoping to win a grand prize that promises safety and security in frightening times, a young couple prepares to join a reality TV competition.

Cast:

Marge Dunn as Raine Randolph and Claudia

Amanda Egbu as Georgia Whittaker

Eleanore Cho Fellerhoff as Holliday Murdock and Lydia

Joshua Ilon as Dennis Cruz

Quinn McKenzie as Capote Whittaker and Dave

Melody Perera as Anouk Kalhara

Stefano Perti as Dennis Lang and Bill

Marc Pierre as Sergeant Murdock and the “Confess Your Crimes” host

Alexander Stravinski as The Host and Marcus

(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description and at the end of the transcript.)

-------

You can find all of our transcripts here. Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode and include all required SFX attributions.

On staff at the Penumbra:

Ginny D'Angelo -- Head of Merchandise and Outreach

Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team

Harley Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, Sound designer

Joelle Kross -- Transcriptionist

Grahame Turner -- Script editing team

Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, Head of Operations, Lead writer

Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music

Jeff Wright -- Graphic designer

--------

The triggers below may be relevant to episode 1 of Thirst or to the series as a whole. It is not comprehensive, but we will include a more specific list of triggers with every episode. Please consider these as you decide whether Thirst is right for you:

- Climate disaster/climate horror

- Apocalyptic scenarios

- Sudden loud noises

- Violence and threats of violence

- Abuse of power

- Dictatorship, fascism

- Characters speaking in ways that suggest prejudice of most kinds: homophobia, sexism, transphobia, racism, ableism, etc.

- Body horror and gore

- Violence towards animals

- Illness, starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, etc.

- Public humiliation

- Depictions and descriptions of intense military violence

- Coercion and manipulation

- Sexual scenarios

- Profanity

- Unwanted sexual advances

- Exploitation of people in need

- Isolation and abandonment

- Gaslighting/propaganda/organized attempts to misrepresent reality

You can find early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, at The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THIRST trailer Jul 06, 2025

Show notes

This trailer is best viewed in its video form on any of our social media accounts: Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, or Bluesky.

Episode 1 of THIRST is now available ad-free for early access subscribers over on The Penumbra Podcast: Special Edition, along with our large backlog of bonus content. (We offer the same rewards on our Patreon, but if you have the option we request that you support the Special Edition instead, since a greater percentage of your donation goes directly to us.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First listen: THIRST, a new audio drama from the Penumbra Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

What would you do for love, $100,000,000, and a house far away from the sea?

Original music by Harrison M. Beck.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spilling the tea on some big news ahead of Thirst! Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Jolly good news, eh wot?

As always, you can support us over at The Penumbra: SPECIAL EDITION.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out Desert Skies, a sci-fi/fantasy audio drama! May 15, 2025

Show notes

Listen to Desert Skies here or anywhere you get your podcasts.

For early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, you can find The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION at: https://thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com(In old episodes, you will often hear us mention Patreon, which was our old platform and is no longer live. Please feel free to ignore!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Memory Serves: A Juno Steel Mystery (Episode 2), PLUS: Announcements and Subscription Sale Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Enjoy episode 2 of the audiobook for If Memory Serves: A Juno Steel Mystery, and if you want to join us for our post-audiobook livestream Q&A on April 5th at 7 PM EST, you can subscribe for 15% off now at thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com!

-----

Juno reconnects with an old friend. On the trail of a development in his new case--or is it an old case?--he does some espionage and meets an unappetizing pair of ruffians.

Part 1, Ch. 5-7.

You can find a transcript for this episode here.

Narrated by:

Joshua Ilon as Juno Steel

Kate Jones as Rita

Chelsea Ruscio as Puck Falco

Stefano Perti as Mick Mercury

Reyna Moody as Officer Rook

Jason Mellin as Officer Knight

Written by Kevin Vibert and Harley Takagi Kaner

Original music by Ryan Vibert

Trigger warnings:

- Self-harm and suicide

- Death

- War

- Abuse of power

- Medical abuse

- Drug use/abuse

- Physical injury and harm

- "Body horror"

- Dismemberment

- Gaslighting and manipulation

For early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, you can find The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION at: https://thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com(In old episodes, you will often hear us mention Patreon, which was our old platform and is no longer live. Please feel free to ignore!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Upcoming events: Drag Bingo, Storytime with Kevin, and THIRST! Feb 09, 2025

Show notes

Hello, travelers! Harley Takagi Kaner here with an update about some upcoming events we’re hosting over on The Penumbra Podcast: Special Edition.

We’ve got our first ever Drag Bingo event at 5 PM Eastern on February 16th for our supporters at the The Penumbra Podcast: Special Edition! We’ve been looking for ways to bring our community together during this hiatus, and we can’t wait to hang out with everyone on our new platform. We will be playing a virtual game of bingo, which, naturally, is the gayest of sports. Kevin and I will be there to hang out with all of you as you compete for Penumbra prizes, and the game will be hosted by the fabulous drag queen Ivanna. If you’d like to join us for Drag Bingo on February 16th, you can sign up at thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com.

If you can’t make it to Drag Bingo, our next new event will be Storytime with Kevin at 3 PM Eastern on March 8th. Kevin will be digging up some OLD short stories from his archives and reading them aloud to us, and I will be his in-person audience because even I’ve never read these ones before. I hope we’ll see you on March 8th for storytime, and again, you can find both of these events at thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com. That link will take you to The Penumbra Podcast: Special Edition, which is also where we’re releasing installments of our Juno Steel audiobook, If Memory Serves, as well as where all our bonus content will live going forward.

If you don't want to hang out with us and are just waiting for more audio drama, I can tell you that our next show, THIRST, is fully cast, currently in production, and set for release this summer. We are so excited to share it with you then!

I hope you’ll consider joining us at The Penumbra Podcast: Special Edition. Again, that’s thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com. It’s where you can access all of our bonus content including these new live events, and it’s also how we keep the show itself running. Thanks for listening!

For early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, you can find The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION at: https://thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com(In old episodes, you will often hear us mention Patreon, which was our old platform and is no longer live. Please feel free to ignore!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teaser for total hunk hours in If Memory Serves, Part 2 Nov 17, 2024

Show notes

This is a short, pretty spoiler-free preview of our Juno Steel novel If Memory Serves. If you want access to the audiobook AND to give us the funding to make sure our next podcast Thirst happens, you just have to pledge at any level over at thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com. Nearly four hours of young Juno are waiting for you there!

For early and ad-free episodes, production scripts, commentary tracks, blooper reels, livestreams with the creators, and much more, you can find The Penumbra Podcast: SPECIAL EDITION at: https://thepenumbrapodcast.supercast.com(In old episodes, you will often hear us mention Patreon, which was our old platform and is no longer live. Please feel free to ignore!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Related Podcasts