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_
Check out Desert Skies, a sci-fi/fantasy audio drama!
Thursday, May 15, 2025 • Duration 29:25
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!)
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!)
3.10: Juno Steel and the Shadows on the Ship (Part 2)
Season 3 · Episode 10
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 • Duration 33:49
Sometimes seeing the truth is enough to make you miss the blissful blindness that is ignorance.
Welcome to the Penumbra, Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay.
(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description.)
"Kind of Girl" by Jeris, featuring spinningmerkaba: http://ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/35657
“Deep Space Vibrations Ambience Loop” by rhodesmas https://freesound.org/people/rhodesmas/sounds/321723/
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!)
3.09: Juno Steel and the Shadows on the Ship (Part 1)
Season 3 · Episode 9
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 • Duration 30:07
Vespa Ilkay's best days are behind her.
It doesn't matter if this statement is actually true; she has convinced herself that it is. Whenever Vespa looks at herself today all she can see is the woman she used to be: a galaxy-class doctor and assassin. A legend.
It doesn't matter if Vespa ever was a legend, or if she really has fallen as far as she thinks she has. She has made her decision, and tomorrow, she will act on it.
Although that may not matter, either. Because if the visitor in the night has their way, tomorrow will never come.
Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay.
(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description.)
You can find all of our transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1bnWLw5dTW4l9A0bmOMzEiy6XqqsXHHi_ Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode.
On staff at the Penumbra:
Kat Buckingham -- Head of Merchandise and Outreach
Alice Chuang -- Head of Design
Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team
Sophie Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, Sound designer
Sharon Oh -- Promotional artist
Noah Simes -- Production manager
Grahame Turner -- Script editing team
Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, Head of Operations, Lead writer
Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music
Recorded by Mertz at The Bridge Sound & Stage
Attribution:
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.
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!)
3.08: Second Citadel--The Lovers of the Fallen Tower (Part 2)
Season 3 · Episode 8
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 • Duration 34:15
In thirty minutes, the Bridge at the end of the world will be destroyed. It will go like this: there will be one explosion; then there will be two explosions; then there will be a terrible whistling, a shriek from beyond the stars; and then... silence.
And thirty minutes after that the Bridge will fall again. And again. And again. And unless Olala, Damien, and Arum can race up that Bridge and find their way back to a stable present before their thirty minutes are up, this end of the world might claim them, too.
Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay.
(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description.)
You can find all of our transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1bnWLw5dTW4l9A0bmOMzEiy6XqqsXHHi_ Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode.
On staff at the Penumbra:
Kat Buckingham -- Head of Merchandise and Outreach
Alice Chuang -- Head of Design
Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team
Sophie Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, Sound designer
Milo Ellersick -- Promotional artist
Noah Simes -- Production manager
Grahame Turner -- Script editing team
Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, Head of Operations, Lead writer
Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music
Recorded by Mertz at The Bridge Sound & Stage
Attribution:
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.
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!)
3.07: Second Citadel--The Lovers of the Fallen Tower (Part 1)
Season 3 · Episode 7
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 • Duration 37:30
Untold years ago, a monster woman and a human man witnessed the end of the world. It went like this: one explosion; then two explosions; then a great rumbling; and then, darkness.
And that should have been the end of it, and them, and everything. But today, one-and-a-half monsters and two-and-a-half humans will witness that end again -- and if they aren't careful, it might be their end, too.
Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay.
(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description.)
You can find all of our transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1bnWLw5dTW4l9A0bmOMzEiy6XqqsXHHi_ Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode.
On staff at the Penumbra:
Kat Buckingham -- Head of Merchandise and Outreach
Alice Chuang -- Head of Design
Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team
Sophie Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, Sound designer
Milo Ellersick -- Promotional artist
Noah Simes -- Production manager
Grahame Turner -- Script editing team
Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, Head of Operations, Lead writer
Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music
Recorded by Mertz at The Bridge Sound & Stage
Attribution:
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.
"Kind of Girl" by Jeris, featuring spinningmerkaba: http://ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/35657
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!)
3.06: Juno Steel and the Tools of Rust (Part 2)
Season 3 · Episode 6
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 • Duration 44:36
All dressed in evergreen
Ah yes, the birth of Spring
What will your garden bring?
Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Travelers. We hope you enjoy your stay.
(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description.)
To listen to more of Anjimile's work, you can find them on Spotify and Bandcamp. Their latest album, "Maker Mixtape" (from which the song "Maker" is featured in Part 1 of this arc) is available for purchase.
If you're interested in the trailer at the top of this episode, you can find "This Planet Needs a Name" at http://needsaname.buzzsprout.com/.
You can find all of our transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1bnWLw5dTW4l9A0bmOMzEiy6XqqsXHHi_ Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode.
On staff at the Penumbra:
Kat Buckingham -- Head of Merchandise and Outreach
Alice Chuang -- Head of Design
Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team
Sophie Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, Sound designer
Sharon Oh -- Promotional artist
Noah Simes -- Production manager
Grahame Turner -- Script editing team
Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, Head of Operations, Lead writer
Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music
Attribution:
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.
"Kind of Girl" by Jeris, featuring spinningmerkaba: http://ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/35657
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!)
3.05: Juno Steel and the Tools of Rust (Part 1)
Season 3 · Episode 5
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 • Duration 37:54
Strong hands to work the dust
Long days -- in body I trust
My tools have turned to rust...
(Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Travelers. We hope you enjoy your stay.
Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description.)
If you are interested in supporting Australian wildfire relief efforts, you can donate to:
Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities https://www.gofundme.com/f/fire-relief-fund-for-first-nations-communities
NSW Rural Fire Service https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade
Red Cross https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate
There are, of course, many other worthy organizations working to aid those impacted by the devastation, and we encourage you to do your own further research!
You can find all of our transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1bnWLw5dTW4l9A0bmOMzEiy6XqqsXHHi_ Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode.
On staff at the Penumbra:
Kat Buckingham -- Head of Merchandise and Outreach
Alice Chuang -- Head of Design
Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team
Sophie Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, Sound designer
Sharon Oh -- Promotional artist
Noah Simes -- Production manager
Grahame Turner -- Script editing team
Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, Head of Operations, Lead writer
Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music
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!)
Holiday Special: Mick Mercury and the Night Before
Season 3 · Episode 55
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 • Duration 34:17
A 100% canon adventure involving three best friends just as their adult lives are about to begin. "The Oldtown Trio," they call themselves, and they've been close for so long it seems like nothing could ever get in the way of them being friends forever. But something's been rubbing the Leader of the Gang, Mick Mercury, the wrong way for a few months now, and he's hoping one last big, exciting, completely-canon adventure will be just the thing to bring back the good old days.
And it just might. If it doesn't kill them, first.
Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay.
If you're interested in The Okra Project, you can find more information at https://www.theokraproject.com/ or donate directly to the Black Trans Solidarity Fund at https://www.paypal.me/btsf
(Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description.)
You can find all of our transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1bnWLw5dTW4l9A0bmOMzEiy6XqqsXHHi_ Transcripts will come out along with the public release of the episode.
On staff at the Penumbra:
Kat Buckingham -- Head of Merchandise and Outreach
Alice Chuang -- Head of Design
Melissa DeJesus -- Script editing team
Sophie Takagi Kaner -- Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, Sound designer
Sharon Oh -- Promotional artist
Noah Simes -- Production manager
Grahame Turner -- Script editing team
Kevin Vibert -- Co-creator, Head of Operations, Lead writer
Ryan Vibert -- Composer and performer of original music
Attribution:
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!)
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Trigger Warnings:
Sudden loud noises
Deception and gaslighting
Reference to alcohol use
Violence and threats of violence
Reference to organized military violence and mass killing
