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Latest Episodes:

Introducing...The Van Aug 25, 2018

The Van is a radio drama about family, poetry, and a rather menacing van in the desert. Launching September 10th. From the fine folks at Whale Bus.

S1E1 - The Rabbit Catcher Sep 10, 2018

Cola and the other kids in the van perform a job at a gas station. Everyone is looking for Rosaline, but where is she and who is going to find her first?

Transcript here

CW: Abuse mention

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, Dina Laura, and Emma Mantoani

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and editing by Cristian Ayala

This is a Whale Bus production

S1E2 - If I Was a Superhero Oct 08, 2018

Nova drags Cola along to pick up another kid for the van while Junebug and Scotch try to keep busy.

Transcript here

CW: Abuse mention

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, and Dina Laura

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and editing and sound design by Cristian Ayala

The poem in this episode was "If I Was a Superhero" by Daniel Hooks

This is a Whale Bus production

S1E3 - They Shut Me Up in Prose Nov 13, 2018

When the van gets stopped on the side of the road, a mysterious stranger offers to help

Transcript here

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, Dina Laura, and Vinny Ali

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and sound design by Cristian Ayala

This is a Whale Bus production

S1E4 - January Dec 12, 2018

Episode Notes

CW: Eating disordered behaviors mentioned 4:50-5:03

Nova is close to finding Rosaline so the kids have to figure out a way to get to her first

Transcript here

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, Dina Laura, Emma Mantoani, and Vinny Ali

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and sound design by Cristian Ayala

This is a Whale Bus production

Weather for Those on the Road Jan 26, 2019

Episode Notes

Rosaline broadcasts her radio station in order to reach the kids in the van.

Written, performed, and edited by Emma Mantoani

S1E5 - Dusting Feb 16, 2019

Episode Notes

CW: Child Abuse 00:25-1:00

The kids struggle to figure out what to do next, while Nova, Junebug, and Solomon are hot on their tail. And a new lovely voice makes an appearance.

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, Elliot Frances Flynn, Dina Laura, Emma Mantoani, and Vinny Ali

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and sound design by Cristian Ayala

Transcript here

This is a Whale Bus production

S1E6 - Beautiful Dreamer Serenade Mar 12, 2019

Episode Notes

cw: Discussion of child abuse 4:40-5:00 Discussion of eating disordered behaviors 18:15- 18:50

The crew at the cabin set out on the road again and Junebug tries to figure out who's on her side.

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, Elliot Frances Flynn, Dina Laura, Emma Mantoani, and Vinny Ali

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and sound design by Cristian Ayala

Transcript here

This is a Whale Bus production

S1E7 - Rose Red Apr 24, 2019

Cw: Eating disordered behaviors 17:30-18:30 panic attack

Everyone arrives in San Francisco and a new player is introduced.

Transcript here

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, Elliot Frances Flynn, Dina Laura, Em Mantoani, Graham Rowat, and Vinny Ali

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and sound design by Cristian Ayala

This is a Whale Bus production

S1E8 - Archipelagic May 14, 2019

Cw: Please be warned- this episode is a bit more emotionally intense than our previous episodes, just in tone. Content warnings are listed below.

2:45- Eating disordered behaviors 2:58- Mention of child death 6:38- Eating disordered behaviors 8:30-8:36- Suicidal Ideation 9:50-10:25- Mention of child death 11:28-11:34- Threat of death 14:04- Implied marital abuse 14:11- Suicidal ideation 17:20-18:10 Hospital scene 17:54- Mention of marital violence 18:40- Mention of eating disorder 19:17-19:24- Mention of marital abuse 20:30-21:05- Magical violence and major character death 22:07- Eating disordered behavior

Transcript here

We wrap up the season by following the kids as they try to find Cola, Cola as she tries to figure out who to trust, and Junebug as she discovers maybe trusting anyone in the first place was a bad idea.

Starring: Leslie Gideon, Jeff Ebner, Julia Rose Herman, Elliot Frances Flynn, Dina Laura, Em Mantoani, Graham Rowat, and Vinny Ali

Produced by Jane Riegler

Music by Haylen Camelia Redwood and sound design by Cristian Ayala

This is a Whale Bus production

Season 2 Update May 14, 2021

Episode Notes

Transcript: Hey all! Em here, the creator of the Van. It’s been a while, I know. There’s been a pandemic, health problems, grad school and so many other things to wade through and I’m sorry you had to wait so long for an update. As of right now, work on the Van is back up and running and I’m here to announce the release of episode one of the final season (season 2). The episode is called Dead Fires will be releasing it on July 21st of this year! Thank you so much for your patience. In addition, if you still have not received physical kickstarter perks, they will all be sent out on June 25th. The van is a project that is very personal to me and other cast and crew so make no mistake, I have not forgotten the show and I’m eager to get the rest of it to you guys. So we’ll see you again quite soon. In the meantime, drink a milkshake or something.

S2E1 - Dead Fires Sep 10, 2021

Episode Notes

Transcript here

Content Warnings: General mentions of eating disorder behaviors and treatment General mentions of child neglect

Mention of self harm from 21:05-22:20 Siren sounds from 9:45-10:05

Written and directed by Ollie Mantoani Produced by Jane Riegler The role of Cola was played by Leslie Gideon The role of Scotch was played by Jeff Ebner The role of Junebug was played by Julia Rose Herman The role of Simon was played by Brandon Richards The role of Charlotte was played by Jordan Cobb The role of Audre was played by Finn Lee The role of Rosaline was played by Ollie Mantoani The role of Saskia was played by Lucy Valentine Sound designed and edited by Cristian Ayala Music composed by Xayla Kia Daisy. Bandcamp: xaylababydoll.bandcamp.com. Art by Charlie Smart.

A Whale Bus production!

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