The Penumbra Podcast - podcast cover

The Penumbra Podcast

Harley Takagi Kaner and Kevin Vibertredcircle.com

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. 

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" or "1.09: Second Citadel - The Head of the Janus Beast.")

The Penumbra is created and produced by Harley Takagi Kaner and Kevin Vibert. Follow us on Twitter (@thepenumbrapod), 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_

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Episodes

2.11: Juno Steel and the Stolen City (Part 1)

“Look for a woman with one ear outside the First Museum of Colonized History in Hyperion City.” That’s what the notice said to Yasmin Swift, both culprit and victim of Juno Steel’s last case. And ever since, Juno has been looking for that woman: for a month straight, while the clock ticks down, while the election creeps ever closer. He needs to find her, and quickly, if he hopes to keep Ramses O’Flaherty kicking, if he hopes to give this city a shot at anything better. Today Juno’s going to find...

Aug 29, 201740 minSeason 2Ep. 11

2.10: Second Citadel -- The Treacherous Heart

On the third morning of the Festival of the Three, Sir Marc knew nothing of Sir Damien’s duels with the Lord of the Swamp. Sir Marc’s problems lay closer to his heart – or brain, as the case may be. Because Sir Marc's condition requires medication, and medication is hard to come by out in the wilds. Luckily, Sir Marc has a medical professional on his side: Rilla, the herbalist of the Second Citadel. But unluckily, medicine in this overgrown world is never easy… and Rilla and Marc will have to th...

Aug 15, 201735 minSeason 2Ep. 10

8/1/2017 Announcements: Merch store and Patreon and Podcasts, Oh My!

Your favorite queers Sophie and Kevin get together to update y’all on some exciting developments for The Penumbra Podcast, wile you with donation bonuses, make some special announcements, and learn a few lessons along the way. Rated PG-I6, for Pretty Good, I 6uess. 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...

Aug 01, 201715 minSeason 1Ep. 38

2.09: Juno Steel and the Dragon's Den (Part 2)

Illusions run wild in Polaris Park, whether they be holograms or robotics or secrets and lies. But here's something that's not illusory: Juno and Rita are in danger. Security chief Yasmin Swift, who was supposedly leading the investigation on a killing, is apparently the culprit... and until Juno and Rita find out where, how, and why she did it, every thrill in this theme park may be their last. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your journey. You can find transcripts for ...

Jul 18, 201740 minSeason 2Ep. 9

2.08: Juno Steel and the Dragon's Den (Part 1)

Someone is out to kill Ramses O'Flaherty -- and whoever they are, they should be here. A killer called this home, but it isn't any kind of home Juno's ever seen before. This is a place where the impossible happens, where an ancient heroine walks the streets, where dragons live on every mountaintop... and where nothing is ever as it seems. Welcome to Polaris Park. And welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your journey. You can find transcripts for all of our episodes here: htt...

Jul 04, 201738 minSeason 2Ep. 8

2.07: Second Citadel - Knight of the Crown, Lord of the Swamp (Part 2)

On the second night of the Festival of the Three, Sir Damien the knight will be dueling on Lord Arum the monster’s terms: in a forest of tricks and traps and cunning biological inventions. Sir Damien may have bested Lord Arum in a physical duel, but he certainly isn’t prepared for the sorts of challenges a second meeting with the monster will pose… but to be fair, Lord Arum isn’t prepared, either. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your journey. You can find transcripts fo...

Jun 20, 201729 minSeason 2Ep. 7

2.06: Second Citadel - Knight of the Crown, Lord of the Swamp (Part 1)

The Festival of the Three is the most important day of the year in the Second Citadel – or the most important three days, as the case may be. Battles and music and drink run free in Citadel’s square, and nearly every knight is in attendance… which leaves very few to guard from the monsters’ constant threat. Luckily Sir Damien is on guard tonight, standing outside the Queen’s chambers with his trusty bow in hand. But Sir Damien is injured, and when a monstrous threat crawls in he may find that it...

Jun 06, 201727 minSeason 2Ep. 6

2.05: Juno Steel and the Lesson Learned (Part 2)

Mick Mercury is a walking disaster, and appropriately enough, he’s picked a disaster of a case to drop in on. In his attempt to prevent a murder, Juno Steel’s added two potential victims: Mick Mercury… and himself. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your journey. You can find transcripts for all of our episodes here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OLddnnYamZuglgZc8pM2gqToPOwEBccM?usp=sharing (Trigger warnings can be found at the bottom of this episode description....

May 23, 201738 minSeason 2Ep. 5

2.04: Juno Steel and the Lesson Learned (Part 1)

Working for a man as connected as Ramses O’Flaherty means access to places nobody else gets to go… or wants to, as it turns out. Because on this case Ramses is sending Juno into the Fortezza, Hyperion City’s prison for criminal genius, to stop a murder before it can be committed. Who’s the victim, you ask? Well… Ramses, of course. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your journey. You can find transcripts for all of our episodes here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1...

May 09, 201746 minSeason 2Ep. 4

2.03: Second Citadel - The Caves of Discord

In an overgrown jungle where monsters roam free lies the Second Citadel, one of humanity’s last strongholds in a hostile, hungry world. The people of the Citadel live their lives on the edge of a knife – knowing that any day a beast might storm their homes, knowing that now and forever the monsters are planning the final assault that will end humanity for good. The only defense against a world that wants them dead are the Knights of the Crown, led by the Second Citadel’s Queen; and she has a ver...

Apr 25, 201730 minSeason 2Ep. 3

2.02: Juno Steel and the Kitty-Cat Caper (Part 2)

Juno Steel’s first day back on the job has started well: he’s outnumbered, cornered, and almost certainly going to be killed any second now. Just life as usual in the PI business. This case may be typical, but the solution will prove anything but. The mystery, after all, is one of the strangest Juno has ever encountered: who kidnaps a woman’s cat… just to replace it with an exact copy of the one they’ve stolen? Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your journey. You can find ...

Apr 11, 201741 minSeason 2Ep. 2

2.01: Juno Steel and the Kitty-Cat Caper (Part 1)

Detective Steel is in a slump, and Maia King might have just the case to bring him out of it. One problem: half the case is going to be figuring out what the case even is, because if Ms. King is to be believed, the culprit would have to be… well, something that doesn’t exist. The stakes are life-or-death here… so hopefully Juno can figure out whose life or death before time runs out. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your journey. You can find transcripts for all of our e...

Mar 28, 201735 minSeason 2Ep. 1

CANON: The Full Penumbra Tour, Presented by the Concierge

Enough Travelers asked for a full tour of the Penumbra Hotel that not even the Concierge can say no. We hope you're ready for a long haul: it's a very big hotel, and strange things lurk inside it. But be careful what you wish for, Traveler. Some stones, once turned, can never be returned... and some changes can't be undone. Attribution: "Kind of Girl" by Jeris, featuring spinningmerkaba: http://ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/35657 “2_takes_bats.aif” by thanvannispen http://www.freesound.org/people/...

Mar 21, 20177 min

BONUS: The Thief Among Us

When Blair Rockridge, Olympus Mons trillionaire, receives a letter from a thief threatening to steal her priceless collection, she immediately calls in the best private detective money can buy. Granted, he is a little eccentric--but he's the best there is, isn't he? “Coins” by lawnjelly http://www.freesound.org/people/lawnjelly/sounds/156891/ “Tearing fabric 2” by JakLocke http://www.freesound.org/people/JakLocke/sounds/261393/ “Backpack4” by EverHeat http://www.freesound.org/people/EverHeat/sou...

Feb 21, 201710 min

BONUS: Merry Christmas, Mary Anne

A late-night crime on Christmas Eve gets Mary Anne and Chance Sequoyah a whole lot of trouble... and a visitor that neither of them could have expected. With Patreon, you can support us by scheduling a small donation for each episode we release. If you’d like to show the artists behind the Penumbra that you appreciate their work, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=3386677 Attribution: "Barn Door creek.aif" by MAJ061785 http://freesound.org/people/MAJ061785/sounds/85509 Transcript...

Dec 24, 20169 min

BONUS: The Rita Minute 2--The Rita Detective Agency

A thrilling adventure in the life of Rita, Private Eye. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay. If you miss us between episodes, remember to follow us on Facebook (The Penumbra Podcast), Twitter (@thepenumbrapod), and our website (thepenumbrapodcast.com) for updates, information about the cast and crew, and irresistible witticisms. With Patreon, you can support us by scheduling a small donation for each episode we release. If you’d like to show the artists behind the...

Nov 29, 20169 min

Season 1 Q&A: Fan questions answered!

In the wake of Season 1, Noah Simes (voice of Peter Nureyev) interviews co-creators Sophie Kaner and Kevin Vibert using questions submitted via Twitter, Tumblr, and email by YOU, the fans! How do we cast the show? What stories are we inspired by? What is it like to play characters who are in love? And most importantly of all, will Peter Nureyev ever return? (Plus: stay tuned until the end of the Q&A for a big announcement!) Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay....

Nov 15, 201651 min

1.18: Juno Steel and the Final Resting Place

In all likelihood, this is the end. The only question is: the end of how much? The end of Juno Steel… that’s pretty likely. Alone in a Martian tomb, Peter Nureyev gone, and Miasma’s experiments drawing to a close. Juno will outlive his usefulness any minute now, and if Miasma has her way he won’t outlive for long. And if it’s the end of Juno Steel it may well be the end of Mars, too: with Miasma’s hands on the Egg of Purus, a superweapon strong enough to destroy the entire Ancient Martian civili...

Nov 08, 201646 minSeason 1Ep. 18

1.17: Peter Nureyev and the Angel of Brahma (Part 2)

Who is Peter Nureyev? The question has dogged Juno Steel, Private Eye for six months now, ever since he first met that master of disguises. It doesn’t help that he changes identities like most people change clothes: Rex Glass, Duke Rose, Miasma’s anonymous “the Thief…” How is Juno supposed to know who he is? How is Juno supposed to trust him? He needs to know he can, because the clock is ticking. Miasma’s experiments on Juno won’t last forever, and once his usefulness has passed she’ll kill the ...

Oct 25, 201630 minSeason 1Ep. 17

1.16: Peter Nureyev and the Angel of Brahma (Part 1)

Who is Peter Nureyev? The question has dogged Juno Steel, Private Eye for six months now, ever since he first met that master of disguises. It doesn’t help that he changes identities like most people change clothes: Rex Glass, Duke Rose, Miasma’s anonymous “the Thief…” How is Juno supposed to know who he is? How is Juno supposed to trust him? He needs to know he can, because the clock is ticking. Miasma’s experiments on Juno won’t last forever, and once his usefulness has passed she’ll kill the ...

Oct 25, 201626 minSeason 1Ep. 16

BONUS: The Revenge of the Janus Beast

In the Second Citadel's Hall of Trophies lie remnants of hundreds of monsters... and some of them are livelier than others. The head of the Janus Beast, for example: it's been here for weeks, and it's growing bored. Very bored. Can the Janus Beast's head break out of its case using nothing but its two faces, magic spells, and one tiny, tiny, little, really-just-impossibly-small brain? Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay. If you miss us between episodes, remember t...

Oct 11, 20169 min

1.15: Juno Steel and the Train From Nowhere (Part 2)

Somewhere in this desert lies the greatest weapon Mars has ever seen. It’s on board the Utgard Express, a mobile lockbox that shatters the speed of sound at its slowest setting, a train that no one has ever entered… until today. The plan is set. Juno and Nureyev know exactly what they must do to board that train. If there are no surprises they’ll just wake up, drive to a drone launch site in the desert, hijack a drone, and then ride off into the sunset, Martian Weapon in hand. If there are no su...

Oct 04, 201642 minSeason 1Ep. 15

1.14: Juno Steel and the Train From Nowhere (Part 1)

He arrived in the night: Peter Nureyev, the burglar who got away, the thief Juno Steel couldn’t catch. Until he returned, things had been so simple: solving crimes, chasing a killer with her eye on Ancient Martian artifacts, and not letting personal business get in the way. With Nureyev, though, things always seem to get personal very quickly. But Juno has no choice. Nureyev’s the only one with a lead on the killer Juno’s after. He knows exactly what she plans to take next, and according to him ...

Sep 20, 201641 minSeason 1Ep. 14

BONUS: The Rita Minute

What does Rita do when Juno Steel, Private Eye, is out of the office? Why, everything she's not supposed to, naturally. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay. If you miss us between episodes, remember to follow us on Facebook (The Penumbra Podcast), Twitter (@thepenumbrapod), and our website (thepenumbrapodcast.com) for updates, information about the cast and crew, and irresistible witticisms. We’d like to thank our Patreon supporters: Anna Meehan, Sue Stewart, Sean...

Sep 06, 201610 min

1.13: Home

Lily doesn’t want to move. This house is the only home she’s ever known, and she loves it – but in a few days her family is leaving, and her older brother Jake says she’ll never see it again. Dad says not to worry about it, that it’s okay to be sad when you’re leaving home, but sadness isn’t what Lily’s worried about. Lily’s scared. Because for the last few weeks Lily’s been having nightmares, strange dreams about a thing in the dark with cold breath and sharp teeth. Normally Mom and Dad help he...

Aug 30, 201633 minSeason 1Ep. 13

1.12: Juno Steel and the Midnight Fox (Part 2)

Detective Juno Steel didn’t want to end up at a party tonight – in fact, he never wants to end up at a party – but he’s not exactly in a position to turn down the invitation. Juno's client, Valles Vicky, is here, too, and her former lover Ingrid Lake has made her a promise: either Vicky leaves her family for Ingrid… or Ingrid kills Vicky at midnight. It’s eleven, now, and the clock is ticking. In one hour, Valles Vicky could be dead… and Juno could lose his only lead on what might be the most ea...

Aug 16, 201634 minSeason 1Ep. 12

1.11: Juno Steel and the Midnight Fox (Part 1)

Valles Vicky’s Vixen Valley is your one-stop shop if you’re interested in fine dining, good conversation, beautiful people, and contraband from across the galaxy. Juno Steel needs the last on that list: he’s after a killer with an eye for Ancient Martian artifacts, and only Valles Vicky herself can help Juno catch that killer. But a favor from Valles Vicky always comes at a price… and if Juno’s not careful, the bill might end up more than he can afford. Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We...

Aug 02, 201644 minSeason 1Ep. 11

1.10: Second Citadel - The Head of the Janus Beast (Part 2)

You can’t blame them for thinking the Janus Beast was dead. Most of the time when you cut a creature’s head off, it doesn’t get back up again… and it definitely doesn’t start whispering in the night about secret treasures. But this one did, and it was very, very persuasive. By the time Sir Marc and Sir Caroline wake, its whispers have already lured Sir Talfryn away. Can they find him before the Janus Beast reveals what other deadly surprises it’s hiding? Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. W...

Jul 19, 201614 minSeason 1Ep. 10

1.09: Second Citadel - The Head of the Janus Beast (Part 1)

Sir Marc and Sir Talfryn of Second Citadel aren’t technically knights. They do all the knightly things, sure – killing monsters, saving the innocent, bickering about breakfast meats – the only problem is that the other knights don’t agree that they’re… y’know, knights. So what are a pair of free lancers to do? Get some respect, of course! Take down a monster so big that the Knights of the Crown have to let them join! The Janus Beast is gruesome, but Marc and Talfryn have dealt with monsters befo...

Jul 05, 201630 minSeason 1Ep. 9

1.08: Juno Steel and the Day That Wouldn't Die (Part 2)

It’s been a day of unpleasant surprises for Detective Juno Steel. He didn't expect to spend his day off down in the sewers, that’s for sure. He didn’t expect to go back to the town he’d grown up in and run away from, either. He didn’t expect to hear from his old friends Mick Mercury and Sasha Wire… and one friend who shouldn’t be able to call him at all from where she’s gone. Surprises come with the territory when you're a PI on Mars, though. It’s all another thrilling adventure in the life of J...

Jun 21, 201642 minSeason 1Ep. 8
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