The Gray Area

We've just launched a bold new experiment in independent podcasting and micropayments. It's called onlychatter.com. Our creator Edward Champion outlines the details of this new venture and unveils the first episode of a new comedic investigation podcast he's producing called HOW THE WORLD MAKES US.  Please go to onlychatter.com and consider becoming a member today! For the price of a pint, you'll have instant access to 40 new episodes of lively podcasts!

We've intercepted an alarming transmission from Universe 224B. Something about attending the 302nd Bureaucosmological Conference on October 16, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Gene Frankel Theatre.  We pass this information onto you so that you can make sense of this.

Our intrepid heroes visit the New York Public Library to meet up with visiting literary scholar Merrill Malone, an eccentric and the foremost expert on Virginia Gaskell's life and work, to get, once and for all, all the answers about the portals. What they don't realize is that shocking personal revelations and the very ground beneath their feet will alter forever within the library's seemingly pristine walls. (Running time: 55 minutes, 43 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Emily McCorkle: Belgys Felix Professor Malone: Robert Garson Jenna: Devony DiMattia Miss Gaskell: Chris Smith Maya: Tanja Milojevic Ed Champion: Edward Champion The Executive: Rachel Matusewicz Audrey: Amanda Rios Romero: David Ault Joe: David Sinkus The Guard: Graham Rowat and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist   Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Additional music composed by Edward Champion   Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who clearly has some corporate identity issues to work out.   Thank you for listening!

Our showrunner Edward Champion discusses Part 3 of "Pattern Language." Subjects discussed include WandaVision, the careful balance between realism and pastiche, the Faulkner short story as a starting point, Love and Rockets, why the memory of an inspiration is often better than closely examining the source text, designing the 1970s announcer voice, using 1970s television effects to create a sound design, being careful with laugh tracks, why Carol Jacobanis is an extraordinary actor, the advantages of recording with Belgys and Carol together in the same room, an abandoned first season script set within a talk show, Eric Bogosian's Talk Radio, avoiding rehashes while writing, inverting the Neil LaBute/David Mamet formula for women, the strange Italian references throughout The Gray Area, Heath Martin, Louis CK's apology, creating walla sounds for the journalists, how Carol struck the perfect balance between realism and stylized voices, the need to know where a story is heading within five minutes, story beats, the candid dialogue, growing up in a prudish household, both-siderism vs. all sides in journalism, statements on the public record, bullies and therapy, young people who talk down at older people, the impossible behavioral ideal in the digital age, Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, the fajita demon origin story, why Pompano made an appearance here is an NYC restaurant, fish metaphors, The Shawshank Redemption, meeting Frank Darabont as a young man, behavioral patterns and therapy, paying respectful homage to Richard Russo, the great versatility of Monica Ammerman, how a recording accident created an opportunity for greater authenticity, the Chico State backstory, how his California origins influenced the script, fluid sexuality, ghost writing, why alcoholics keep cropping up in The Gray Area, annoying the audience, animal sounds, Catholicism, why the ukulele was used in a music cue, Jeff Russo's Fargo cue, Tarantino and surf music, balancing demons and humans, Evita and fascism, Argentine history, the disadvantages of being a horror movie fan while doing sound design, beta listener feedback, arriving at natural storytelling beats, the importance of the cart sound effect, electromatter sound design, learning the keyboard and composing primitive music, the high price of music clearance, barking dogs and the "black dog" of depression, being careful with storytelling explanations, wordplay as a source of creative inspiration, double-tracking to get vocal effects, creating ethereal sounds from homegrown recording, how using a keyboard altered the sound design, the responsibility of following up on storytelling points, a minor story problem in "An Iris for Emily," Johnny as Ed's dark half, and overly dramatic performance vs. melodrama. (Running time: 30 minutes, 27 seconds.)

Emily McCorkle has landed the media appearance of a lifetime: a guest spot on the most respected talk show in America. But why is the host so concerned with her private details? And why are so many skeletons from her past making guest appearances? And who is the strange man with the hot dogs? (Running time: 38 minutes, 1 second.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Emily McCorkle: Belgys Felix Ophelia Kakanakis: Carol Jacobanis June: Monica Ammerman The Fajita Demon: Pete Lutz The Cunning Demon: Leanne Troutman Morris Pressman: David Tao Jimmy Markson: Heath Martin Johnson: Hilah Hallaway Emily's Mom: Melissa Medina Emily's Dad: David Sirkus Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Maya: Tanja Milojevic Ed Champion: Edward Champion Reporter #1: Glenn Bulthius Reporter #2: Alice Fox and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Creature Voices by Samantha Cooper and Rachel Baird Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Additional music composed by Edward Champion. Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who has become a TikTok junkie seemingly against his will. Thank you for listening

Our showrunner Edward Champions dives into the second chapter of "Pattern Language."  Subjects discussed include creative dissatisfaction, basing the story arc on being personally libeled by a journalist, writing as an act of being peace, resisting the temptation to write from revenge, fantasy as a genre where real-life people incapable of empathy express it as new characters, designing the telephone muttering, invasion of privacy, when culture doesn't allow people to change, how Belgyis Felix landed the role by staying in character as a demon during a play, the Adelphi school of acting, the remarkable acting range of Belgys Felix, how McCorkle's recalcitrance reflected his own arrogant past, the immaturity and narcissism of star journalists, the public profile vs. the private character of a person, the "worst X" as a headline, wishful thinking about editorial standards, Kevin Fogelberg and Dan Fogelberg, allusions to the Hulk Hogan Gawker suit, the New York Times vs. Sullivan standard and libel, advertorial articles and puff pieces in the magazine industry, ideologues who claim to be journalists, basing Morris Pressman on Ben Hecht plays, larger-than-life characters, Slate reporters who manipulate content for white-collar workers, floral allegories, the influence of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, his tendency to write stylized men, recording subway and New York sounds, tying the many loose strands together, the Ed and Maya conversation as a callback to "Dearer than Earsight," why it's important to cast someone better than you if you appear in your own audio drama, addressing the events of "Fuel to the Fire," why he had to hire a German translator, why Tanja Milojevic is brilliant, scouring for German idioms, why there are so many Receptionists in the main universe, the influence of Stranger than Paradise on music licensing, casting a real estate broker as a corporate tycoon, the parallels between Chelsea and The Wizard of Oz's Dorothy, location audio in Midtown, the tendency to run into random people quite frequently in New York City, coincidental run-ins in stories, clarifying previous story details, chase scenes, the crazed amount of Tony Danza research done for The Gray Area, Christopher Alexander and "pattern language," and demon transformation.  (Running time: 26 minutes, 8 seconds)

Months after the events of “Paths Not Taken,” Chelsea is working hard to turn a corner and improve her life. But when Emily McCorkle, the smear merchant journalist who severely damaged her reputation, returns to write a followup piece, Chelsea is thrown into a jarring maelstrom that involves demons, people from her past, and the possibility of redemption. (Running time: 32 minutes, 22 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Emily McCorkle: Belgys Felix Maya: Tanja Milojevic Morris Pressman: David Tao Ed Champion: Edward Champion Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Johnson: Hilah Hillaway The Fajita Demon: Pete Lutz The Cunning Demon: Leanne Troutman Lucinda: Emily Carding Mrs. Gelding: Westlake Stark and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist   Creature Voices by Samantha Cooper and Rachel Baird   Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Additional music composed by Edward Champion.   Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who does his best to resist mayonnaise but can't entirely fight the allure for a good tuna sandwich.   Thank you for listening!

Our showrunner Edward Champion discusses the first chapter of "Pattern Language." Subjects discussed include his hesitations about creating, the dangers of revealing too much, Chris Ware, being dubious about your own work, why the first part of "Pattern Language" was split into two parts, why Pete Lutz is a marvelous man, how an old UCB trick resulted in the strange mix of Shakespeare and I Love Lucy, designing custom vernacular, the absence of slang in fantasy stories, Total Meats as a metaphor for Whole Foods, scouring through mythology to come up with obscure beast and creature names, the influence of Hitchhiker's, Douglas Adams, the number of alternative Eds buried within The Gray Area, why Leanne Troutman is a magnificent actor, Peter Falk impressions, the importance of being present as a director, the number of takes you should do with an actor, using every spatula in the house for the BBQ sound design, how being a prolific cook inspires fictitious food dishes, convincing eating moments on film, Moonstruck, how his opposition to self-checkout in stores inspired worldbuilding, London store technology, people and robots, creating fictitious geography, why the Johnsons matter in The Gray Area, the fajita demon origin story, the influence of Fritz Leiber, Terry Pratchett and the Rincewind novels, recording electrical sounds for the Gray Area, having doubts as an artist, stylizing the demons as wiseacres, showing the humanity of outliers, why the demons are obsessed with exercise, using music to cloak deficiencies, Terminator 2, and telling a story from the demon's perspective.  (Running time: 19 minutes, 8 seconds.)

Pat Goras and Lucy Didas are a happy couple living in a fantastical suburban realm preparing for a delightful dragon brisket barbeque with their neighbors. But when a strange portal opens in their backyard, their lives and roles become permanently altered within the very Gray Area itself! (Running time: 20 minutes, 54 seconds) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Pat Goras/The Fajita Demon: Pete Lutz Lucy Didas/The Cunning Demon: Leanne Troutman The Neurotic Demon: Melissa Medina The Counting Demon: Vlasto Pejic The Angsty Demon: Nick Boesel Miss Gaskell: Chris Smith and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist   Creature Voices by Samantha Cooper and Rachel Baird   Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Additional music composed by Edward Champion   Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who once considered reciting Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham in Latin.   Thank you for listening!

n this behind-the-scenes commentary, showrunner Edward Champion discusses "Marching Orders." Subjects discussed: foolish optimism, Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time, the vast historical plan for Season 3, the thrill and challenge of writing historical dialogue, how George Dangerfield's The Strange Death of Liberal England served as an influence, Rebecca West's The Return of the Soldier, PTSD and World War I, the literary style that might have been if modernism had never happened, approaching reputation as a theme, working against the "fast dialogue" style, dance and animals, inventing a character's political perspective from reading, writing too many British characters, Anglophilia, Leonard Rossiter, the amazing talents of Rob Garson, listening to hundreds of pop songs in 1911 to find the right one, frustrations about copyright, the difficulty of finding a horse carriage sound divorced from 2021 sounds, Captain Finney in Barry Lyndon, thieves and gentlemanly language, the failure of time travel stories to address cultural differences, the Terminator movies, writing letters to critics as a teenager, Joe Baltake, getting in trouble in high school because of a Terminator 2 script, the naivety of life before World War I, why memory injections are plausible, balancing gravitas and quirkiness, Gene Wolfe's influence, the references to Prince Keval, how an accident with a light fixture determined the sound design, Fugazi, deliberate references to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and efforts to mimic the Blakes 7 teleporter effect. (Running time: 19 minutes, 29 seconds.)

In 1911, a young British gentleman dukes it out against the austere whims of his Edwardian-minded father. But two travelers reveal that his role in the universe is much bigger than he could have ever imagined. (Running time: 15 minutes, 16 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Thomas: Philip O'Gorman Ramirez: Charly Saccocio Harris: Michael Saldate Malone: Robert Garson The Guard: Graham Rowat and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist   Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who lost a drinking bet and spent an entire day singing “Where Are the Lads of the Village Tonight?”   Thank you for listening!

n the middle of a snowstorm, our showrunner Edward Champion discusses making "West with the Light" (a sequel to Season 1's "Waiting Room"). Topics include why Chris Smith is the cat's pajamas, how Octavia Butler and Champion's grandmother served as the inspiration for Virginia Gaskell, the overarcing storytelling strategy, why you can't put characters in limbo too long, keeping your actors interested in roles, breaking the show's monologue rule, honoring the smarts and the dignity of older characters, stylizing audio callbacks and scene motifs, the influence of The Prisoner, visiting Portmeirion, animals and morality, planting storytelling clues and Easter Eggs, how Zack Glassman modulated his performance for each iteration of the Receptionist, Champion's love of birds, how people travel through the dimensions, having actors recite poetry, the importance of World War I, Paul Fussell's The Great War and Modern Memory, Small Wonder, attempts to find music rights, plausible character behavior in relation to spectacular occurrences, why muttering is essential, Dickens and self-education, explaining the electromatter scanner, Milton, fajitas, why people who work in bars and restaurants are smart, pushing back against stereotypes, cheesy puns, high school English teachers, "demon" as a term of art, Target's use of "guest" instead of "shopper," the commonalities among extreme political ideologies, Beryl Markham and aviators, West with the Night, Hemingway, Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life, and why you often find the best dramatic moments in comedic actors.  (Running time: 26 minutes, 55 seconds.)

Genius writer Virginia Gaskell fends off boredom (and the Receptionist's peppy interventions) while trapped in the waiting room, but a number of unexpected new visitors provide vital new clues to her purpose and journey. (Running time: 21 minutes, 43 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Miss Gaskell: Chris Smith Audrey: Amanda Rios Romero: David Ault The Fajita Demon: Pete Lutz The Cunning Demon: Leanne Troutman The Traveler: Jared Raman and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist   Incidental music licensed through NeoSounds   Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who sometimes chats with the soft-spoken frozen peas that are parked in his freezer.   Thank you for listening!

Two important items: (1) New episodes of The Gray Area will be airing biweekly starting on June 22, 2021. (2) We have learned that Podbean is asking for additional money (in the form of "beans") from our premium subscribers -- a move that we stand adamantly against and that we never authorized. As such, we will be releasing the Inside the Gray Area episodes on the free feed. If you are a subscriber, please email us at ed@edrants.com and we will send you advance copies of the new episodes, per our pledge.  Thank you for listening.

We will be releasing the final six episodes of Season 2 in early 2021. Here's a trailer to whet your appetite. These episodes will be available a month early to Season 2 Pass subscribers. So consider supporting our show at grayareapod.podbean.com.

During the Season 2 sessions, we recorded this bold adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's famous short story with many of our Gray Area regulars. This radio play honors the text, but is set in the present day, addressing #metoo and the oppressive demands upon women.. (Running time: 32 minutes) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion Adapted from the Charlotte Perkins Gilman short story CAST: The Woman: Katrina Clairvoyant and Nicole Papadopoulos John: Zack Glassman Jenie: Devony DiMattia The Child: Devony DiMattia The Wallpaper: Pete Lutz The Guests: Michael Saldate, Charly Saccocio, and Edward Champion The Voice: Carol Jacobanis Mary: Belgys Felix The Nurse: Argyria Kehagias Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who reads too many books. Music licensed through Musicfox. Image licensed through Getty. Thank you for listening!

In the final part of the “Paths” saga, Chelsea and Maya struggle in their forties to keep their relationship alive as they initiate a fateful but necessary Thanksgiving meeting with Maya's grandfather — a stubborn and “old-fashioned” World War I historian. Meanwhile, the disastrous political trajectory of the parallel universe encroaches upon deeply personal and deeply fatal territory. (Running time: 85 minutes.) CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Maya: Tanja Milojevic Grandpa: J.K. McCauley Grandma: Julie Chapin The DJ: Peter Coleman Emma: Colette Thomas Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Scarlett: Jessica Cuesta GPS: Carol Jacobanis Thomas: Phillip O'Gorman The Guard: Graham Rowat Rick: Michael Hisry The Detective: Phillip Merritt News Leeches: Pete Lutz, David Nagel, Morgan Corcoran, and Edward Champion and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Additional Voices: Dylan Reed and Christian Caminiti Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who will instantly sing numerous Paul Williams songs if you mention The Phantom of the Paradise to him in person. The “Paths Not Taken” songs were written and performed by Edward Chmpion Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Thank you for listening!

Back in the original universe, Scarlett and Alicia contend with another version of Chelsea and conjure up a plan to get the two Chelseas back in their respective universes as they face the danger of a seemingly innocent benefactor gone rogue. (Running time: 24 minutes.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Scarlett: Jessica Cuesta Jan Swillson: Ingeborg Reidmeier The Receptionist: Zack Glassman Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who holds open doors for people just before he enters a happening establishment. The “Paths Not Taken” songs were written and performed by Edward Chmpion Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Image licensed through Getty. Thank you for listening!

In this “screwball cyberpunk” episode, it's 2023. Labor camps, a sinister government, and significant civil unrest rollick the world outside. But within the secret chambers of the multibillion tech company Apotheosis, an optimistic entrepreneur named Jill Swanson, who names her engineers after 1930s comedy film directors, sits on a secret that may just save the world. (Running time: 72 minutes) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Jan Swillson: Ingeborg Reidmeier Lane Veldt: Adriano La Rocca Brianna: Samantha Cooper Jenna: Devony DiMattia Rochford: Rachel Baird The Executive: Rachel Matusewicz Mutt: David McCall Jeff: Matthew Rini Preston: Richard Rose Sturges: Len Nash La Cava: Luvelle Pierre Hawks: David Perez-Ribada News Anchor: Carol Jacobanis: Amelia: Monica Ammerman Protester #1: Nicholas Boesel Protester #2: Khaz Benyahmeen The Preacher: Peter Andrews and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Creature Voices: Samantha Cooper and Rachel Baird Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who has a ridiculously enormous crush on D'Arcy Carden for her magnificent smarts and great talent. The “Paths Not Taken” songs were written and performed by Edward Champion Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Image licensed through Getty. Thank you for listening!

Confronted with surprise revelations and the need to reconcile two parallel universes, Chelsea faces the hard truths about what sustaining a relationship really means while cleaning up a cosmic disturbance that no human being could have ever predicted. Meanwhile, a Melissa Etheridge T-shirt proves to be an invaluable remedy as our heroes contend with a giant heart that beats to the rhythm of time. (Running time: 31 minutes) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Maya: Tanja Milojevic Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Scarlett: Jessica Cuesta and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Creature Voices by Samantha Cooper and Rachel Baird Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who once sang “Piano Man” in a karaoke bar with a harmonica and got the entire crowd to sing along. The “Paths Not Taken” songs were written and performed by Edward Chmpion Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Thank you for listening!

While on the run from a wild interdimensional beast named Chester, Chelsea learns of electromatter, the surprising ubiquity of Tony Danza, and the multiverse. But the alarming differences she discovers about the universe she's become part of threaten to topple her efforts to reconnect with Maya and Alicia. (Running time: 26 minutes, 25 seconds) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Maya: Tanja Milojevic Jill Swanson: Ingeborg Reidmeier and Zack Glassman appeared as The Receptionist Background Voices by Alexander Bill, Brandon P. Jenkins, and Tal Minear Creature Voices by Samantha Cooper and Rachel Baird Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who once grew a mustache and shaved it off two weeks later because he looked preposterous. The “Paths Not Taken” songs were written and performed by Edward Chmpion Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Image licensed by Getty. Thank you for listening!

It's January 11, 2011. The world is similar, but it is also quite different. Chelsea reconnects with her best friend Alicia and takes the opportunity to correct her past mistakes, including rebuilding her relationship with Maya. But the shadow of her abusive mother and the presence of an eccentric man who is quite keen on hot dogs and the benefits of being obsequious may uproot this hard-won battle to claim a better life. (Running time: 52 minutes, 6 seconds) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Maya: Tanja Milojevic Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Young Chelsea: Nathalie Kane Carolyn: Emma Smuyla The Waiter: Jack Ward Jill Swanson: Ingeborg Reidmeier Thomas: Philip O'Gorman Chelsea's Mother: M.J. Cogburn Hysterical Diners: Alexander Bill, Brandon P. Jenkins, and Tal Minear and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who lost every apple bobbing contest he ever participated in during the last five summers. The “Paths Not Taken” songs were written and performed by Edward Champion Incidental music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Image licensed through Getty. Thank you for listening!

Chelsea Needham was once among the foremost leaders in tech. But something happened involving a fire and a death. And it got in the papers. Rumor reared its ugly head and Chelsea lost everything she had, with only a few friends left. While recovering from alcoholism, self-destruction, and losing the love of her life, Chelsea meets an enigmatic gentleman from England and a strange fortune teller who may have the answers to how she can reclaim her identity. (Running time: 53 minutes, 42 seconds) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Thomas: Philip O'Gorman Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Scarlett: Jessica Cuesta Maya: Tanja Miljoevic Bobby: John Anantua Dave: Marc Eliot Stein and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who tends to show up to the next bar mitzvah looking reasonably dapper. The “Paths Not Taken” songs were written and performed by Edward Chmpion Incidental music licensed through Neosounds. The following songs were licensed through Radio Free Archive: Mid-Air Machine, “Don't Feel So Low” Mela, “Horrible” Mela, “Waltz for a Memory” Prince Murphy, “Hey Mecy” Zoambo Zoet Workestrao – “Heminguleja” Truth Serum, “Gas Leak” Cullah, “Italian Singing Hip-Hop” Image licensed through Getty. Thank you for listening!

In this sequel to “Compassion Fatigue,” Emma has returned to practicing psychiatry again. But a highly unusual (and strangely familiar) patient arrives in her office with an odd proposition. (Running time: 17 minutes, 43 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Emma: Colette Thomas Police: Mike Lynch and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Associate Producers: Morgan Corcoran and John Osborne Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn with an alleged 32 inch waistline that is probably two or four or **ahem** inches more than what has been reported. Music licensed through Audio Jungle. "Fly a Kite" by Spectacular Sound Productions licensed through an Attribution ShareAlike Creative Commons license. Image licensed through Getty. Thanks for listening!

It's the future. The cities are flooded. Certain words are forbidden. The doomed Earth has become united under a global totalitarian regime. But two eccentric outliers who refuse to follow the rules may be the Tellestian Empire's only chance for a hopeful future. (Running time: 37 minutes, 21 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Ramirez:  Charly Saccocio Harris: Michael Saldate The Instructor:  Rachel Matusewicz The Voice:  Carol Jacobanis The Guard:  Graham Rowat Classmate #1:  David Perez-Ribada Classmate #2:  Sam Mercer Classmate #3:  Emmanuel Webb Scientist #1:  Glenn Bulthius Scientist #2:  Liz Fodor Scientist #3:  Alistair Mackey The Demon:  Pete Lutz The Rebels:  Glenn Bulthius, Liz Fodor, Alistair Mackey, Melissa Medina, Dylan Reed, and David Sinkus Associate Producers: Morgan Corcoran and John Osborne Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn with a bowling average that is too embarrassingly low to report to the general public. Music licensed through Neosounds and MusicFox. Image licensed through Getty. This story was inspired by Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun. Please be sure to listen to the excellent podcast, Rereading Wolfe, an excellent show devoted to analyzing this amazing work of literature. Thanks for listening!

Months after the events of "Brand Awareness," Greg reckons with the hurt he caused Joanna. But his role in the universe and the true nature of his past is much larger than he could have possibly imagined. (Running time: 17 minutes, 26 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Greg: Charlie Harrington Ramirez: Charly Saccocio Harris: Michael Saldate And Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Associate Producer: John Osborne Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who sometimes answers to the name of Alfredo Garcia. Music licensed through Neosounds Image licensed by Nicu Buclei through an Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license. Thanks for listening!

While investigating the Virginia Gaskell matter, journalist Ed Champion meets an enigmatic woman on a spiritual journey who may contain the answers for his own shaky relationship to love, dreams, and New York City. The two dodge belligerent subway preachers and unanticipated demons while ruminating upon daily wonders that are taken for granted. (Running time: 40 minutes, 51 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Ed Champion:  Edward Champion Lucinda:  Emily Carding Maya:  Tanja Milojevic Sujata:  Illumanisum River Jenna: Devony DiMattia Street Vendor:  Patryk Sokol Demon #1:  Pete Lutz Demon #2: Leanne Troutman Date #1:  Nicholas Boesel Date #2:  Michael Saldate Date #3:  Mark Stano The Guard: Graham Rowat Subway Preacher: Albert Hastler Associate Producers: Morgan Corcoran and John Osborne Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who makes a mean frittata on Sunday morning. Music licensed through Neosounds Photo licensed through Getty Thanks for listening!

The Inside the Gray Area podcast is part of our premium channel, which you can find at http://grayareapod.podbean.com. You can purchase a Season 2 pass and get instant access to all available episodes, all of the scripts, and all installments of Inside the Gray Area. We're releasing one free episode of Inside the Gray Area to give you a taste of what you can get behind the paywall. In our inaugural behind-the-scenes episode, our showrunner Edward Champion discusses the origins of “Living Creatures,” how a tweet from David Ault being in a chicken diner inspired the character of General Romero, film noir, animal rights, Patty Heast, being on the lam, cult leaders, David Lynch, sound design, working with actors from completely disparate approaches, Big Trouble in Little China, researching and falling in love with the people of Wyoming, writing in a part of the world you haven't actually been to, the importance of geographical details, James Joyce, moral questions emerging from guns, why philosophical contradictions make good story, being more mindful of action and atmosphere in audio drama, Pulp Fiction, creating distinct characters by closely researching subcultures, male swagger, being inspired by Brooklyn street talk, his tendency to write mostly women characters, why “Living Creatures” became the Season 2 premiere, casting actors because they represent the perfect voice, the advantages of being very decisive in casting roles, and operating by creative instinct. This episode also features an interview with Nicole Papadopoulos!

In a Wyoming chicken diner, two mysterious strangers make trouble with the locals over a philosophical matter. But their professed tolerance is put to the test by a remarkable failure in judgment that involves animal rights, bicoastal elitism, and a great deal of swagger. (Running time: 22 minutes, 2 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Romero:  David Ault Donna: Nicole Papadopoulos Audrey:  Amanda Rios Dennis:  Edward Rosini Hipster Diners: Sam Mercer Mother:  Lauren LeCocq Daughter: Devony DiMattia Police:  Jessica Boudreau and Noah Martin Chuck:  Edward Champion Background Voices: Morgan Corcoran, Roderick Jaynes, and Emilio Lizardo Associate Producers: Morgan Corcoran and John Osborne Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn who sometimes writes haiku about ducks on Thursdays. Music licensed through Neosounds. Songs: Jason Shaw's "Rocky Top" and "Chasin' It" appear via a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Image licensed through Richard Russell via a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Thanks for listening!  

After two and a half years of hard work, The Gray Area is back with a new season! We will be releasing nineteen new episodes from now through December 15, 2020. We also now have a special Season 2 Pass at grayareapod.podbean.com that will give you instant access to all available episodes, as well as special features. Our showrunner Edward Champion offers an overview of the ethos and approach for this new season. There is also a trailer for the second season.

We've released a nearly three hour remix of the first season that contains the entire ten episodes, including some new material, new cues, new sound design, and a few other modest bells and whistles. Consider this the "movie" version of the first season designed for listeners who may be stuck in an airport or those who haven't yet taken the full plunge. Happy holidays!

In our season finale, a once celebrated and now fading actor Jack Penderton desperately needs a job. His agent, Jill Swanson, lands him a strange gig involving a lonely scrapbook-loving eccentric, an unusual approach to free trade, a sinister salesman who moves uncommonly fast, America's Next Top Model, and an odd scam that causes Jack to reconsider his long abandoned principles about friendship, loyalty, and connection. (Running time: 25 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Jack: Gore Abrams Jill Swanson: Ingeborg Reidmaier Venall: Adriaano La Rocca Harold: Carl Zurhorst Gordon: Michael Smith The Receptionist: Zachary Michael Sound Design and Editing by Edward Champion Image: Firat Sola (CC) Thanks for listening!

Four men stand at the beginning of an important interdimensional journey. But while their personalities are different and the portals seem attracted to their identities, their voices are the same. What is their connection? And why is the journey so important? (Running time: 4 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: The Receptionist: Zachary Michael Sound Design and Editing by Edward Champion Image: Chris Bradford Thanks for listening!

Emma is a top-notch psychiatrist who can change the lives of the most difficult patients imaginable. But there's a great personal cost to her formidable talents that she's not telling anyone about, an internal torment eating away at her inner life that she's hiding from her patients and her professional peers and that a quiet survivor of an abusive relationship may just have the answer for. (Running time: 25 minutes) (This story contains intense and emotionally disturbing scenes that may unsettle some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Emma: Colette Thomas Jenna: Devony DiMattia Jack: Jack Womack Gordon: Michael Saldate Receptionist: Zachary Michael Subway Preacher: Albert Hastler Music by Thomas Ragsdale Houston Person, "As Time Goes By" (courtesy of Free Music Archive, CC) Sound Design and Editing by Edward Champion Foley Sources: Edward Champion and nofeedbak (CC). Subway Sounds Recorded on Location in Brooklyn, New York Special thanks to Sacha Arnold, Austin Beach, Christopher Byrd, Claudia Berenice Garza, Pam Getchell, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, Argyria Kehagias, Pete Lutz, Lauren Nelson, John Osborne, Rina Patel, Marc Anthony Stein, That Podcast Girl, Tim Torre, Georgette Thompson, Jack Ward, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this episode. I would also like to thank the psychiatrists and compassion fatigue experts who I spoke with on conditions of anonymity for their considerable assistance with this story. Thanks for listening!

Virginia Gaskell finds herself on the other side of the portal that lured her in, greeted by a very exuberant (and strangely familiar) receptionist, some squawking avians that aren't quite okay with her love of chicken fajitas, and further mysteries about how the universes rupture into each other. (Running time: 7 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Virginia Gaskell: Chris Smith Receptionist: Zachary Michael Demon: Pete Lutz Ed Champion: Edward Champion Bird People: Fiona Thraille, Benjamin Macon Fort Sound Design and Editing by Edward Champion Foley Sources: Edward Champion Special thanks to Sacha Arnold, Austin Beach, Matthew Boudreau, Jason Boog, Christopher Byrd, Jen Elyse Feldman, Claudia Berenice Garza, Pam Getchell, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, John Osborne, Tom Parsons, Michael Saldate, Marc Anthony Stein, Georgette Thompson, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this episode. Thanks for listening!

  As a thriving empire faces war with ferocious barbarians, a mischievous scholar named Minerva hopes to bring law and civilization to a great realm populated by talking birds, giant rats, gregarious knights, elemental gods, and menacing malasanders. An unanticipated dispute among the knights gives Minerva an opportunity to uphold the doctrine of moral principles, but Minerva finds herself testing her loyalty to her aide-de-camp while helping others to learn what honor, empathy, and identity really mean. (Running time: 32 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Minerva: Rori Nogee Eris: Gerrard Lobo Henrietta: Monica Ammerman Fire: Samantha Cooper Watson: Christopher Akpobiyeri Boleyn: Rachel Baird The Magister: Sarah Golding Talking Birds: Alan Barrows Knights: Michael Charles Foote, Jim Kampfil, Matt Leong, Pete Lutz, Tanja Milojevic, John Xavier Miller III, Julia Morizawa, Hans Detlef Sierck, Fiona Thraille, Richard H. Thorndyke, Jack Ward, Tao Yang. Sound Design and Editing by Edward Champion Foley Sources: Edward Champion, jobro (CC), _def (CC), Taira Komori (CC), avakas (CC), Martin-Eero Kõressaar (CC), the_toilet_guy (CC), the_toilet_guy (CC), Shanay Groen (CC), jason130178 (CC), baryy (CC), huggy13ear (CC), HDM2013 (CC). Music: "The Long March Home" by Tim Juliano (licensed through NeoSounds) Art: Rushen (CC) Special thanks to Sacha Arnold, Austin Beach, Matthew Boudreau, Jason Boog, Christopher Byrd, Jen Elyse Feldman, Claudia Berenice Garza, Pam Getchell, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, Argyria Kehagias, John Osborne, Tom Parsons, Rina Patel, Michael Saldate, Marc Anthony Stein, Marjorie Stein, That Podcast Girl, Georgette Thompson, Neil Varma, Jo Anna Van Thuyne, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this episode. We are especially indebted to Robert Cudmore, Matthew McLean, and Steve Schneider, whose collective insight, inspiration, unfathomable generosity, and encouragement were vital during the development of this highly ambitious story. Please be sure to also listen to A Scottish Podcast, which is run by many of the fine people who made this program possible, Lost in Williamsburg, whose work with overlapping dialogue has served as partial editing inspiration, and Tom Parson's forthcoming Organism. We also recently launched Inside the Gray Area, a behind-the-scenes podcast available for Patreon subscribers who contribute at the $5/month level. Become a Patreon member and enjoy access to this, along with our annotated scripts, which contain many key references that will help unravel the bigger story. Thanks for listening!

An artisanal mustard retailer from Astoria finds herself in a strange realm with the ability to set things on fire. Meanwhile, Ed Champion continues his investigation into Miss Gaskell's disappearance, meeting a woman in mourning who may hold the answer to his own strange curse. (Running time: 19 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Maya: Noelle Lake Fire: Samantha Cooper The Knight in Several Universes: Austin Beach The Disgraced Villager: Pete Lutz The Vengeful Field Hand: Sarah Golding Villagers: John Xavier Miller III, Michael Charles Foote, Hans Detle Sierck, Tao Yang, Jim Kampfil, Tim Torre, and Kilgore Lehrer Ed Champion/Johnny: Edward Champion Edited by Edward Champion Foley Sources: Edward Champion, the_toilet_guy (CC), Snapper4298 (CC), CGEffex (CC), soundmary (CC), Dynamicell (CC), Huggy13ear ()CC), YleArkisto (CC) Music: "The Long March Home" by Tim Juliano (licensed through NeoSounds) and "Local Forecast - Elevator Music" by Kevin MacLeod (CC.) Art: Kyle Nishloka (CC) Special thanks to Sacha Arnold, Matthew Boudreau, Jason Boog, Richard Brooks, Christopher Byrd, Claudia Berenice Garza, Jen Elyse Feldman, Pam Getchell, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, John Osborne, Rina Patel, Scott Phillips, Michael Saldate, Marc Anthony Stein, Fiona Thraille, That Podcast Girl, Georgette Thompson, Jack Ward, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this episode.

Joanna loves Eclipse Ale. It's the best beer in the world. She has boxes of Eclipse memorabilia. She regularly wears Eclipse baseball caps. But on one rainy night, Joanna discovers that this happy relationship (along with the relationship with her boyfriend) is not what it seems. Why can't she remember what her boyfriend gave her on their second anniversary? And why doesn't anybody know about Eclipse Ale? (Running time: 28 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Joanna: Eileen Hanley Greg: Charlie Harrington DJ: Peter Coleman Sam: Marc Eliot Stein Ignacio: Kilgore Lehrer Receptionist: Zachary Michael Leslie Stevens: Lauren Shippen Bar Background: Hans Detlef Sierck, Jan Jensen, Sam Lowry Edited by Edward Champion Foley Sources: Edward Champion, PlooQ (CC), lebcraftlp (CC), Sandermotions (CC), Leandros Ntounis (CC), LG (CC), magnus589 ()CC), GowlerMusic (CC) Theme Song: Pachyderm, "Never Knew Me at All" (licensed through CC, found at Free Music Archive) Music: Milton Arias, "Gracias," Valery & The Greedies, "She-Wolf," Jahzaar, "Scenes from the Zoo," Ben Sound, and Kevin MacLeod, "Carpe Diem," Ben Sound, "Funky Element" (all licensed through CC, found at Free Music Archive, Ben Sound, and Incompetech) Art: Claudio Sepúlveda Geoffroy (CC) Special thanks to Sacha Arnold, Austin Beach, Matthew Boudreau, Jason Boog, Christopher Byrd, Kate C., Christian Caminiti, Claudia Berenice Garza, Pam Getchell, Jon Grilz, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, Pete Lutz, Philip Merritt, Pacific Obadiah, John Osborne, Rina Patel, Michael Saldate, Raia Savage, Alex Schawrtzberg, That Podcast Girl, Georgette Thompson, Jack Ward, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this episode. Please be sure to also listen to Philip Merritt's Lost in Williamsburg, which gave me a major editing idea that completely altered the bar scene, Jon Grilz's Creepy, and Pacific Obadiah's Lake Clarity.

Greg Sutton, a fidgety young man who is a little too fixated on selling himself, sees his psychiatrist for the first time in months, hoping to find answers about his lost childhood and how to get back the woman he loves. But his own quick fix solution to his problems is not quite what the psychiatrist had in mind. (Running time: 6 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Greg: Charlie Harrington Emma: Colette Thomas Edited by Edward Champion Foley: Edward Champion Art: id-iom (CC) Special thanks to Sacha Arnold, Austin Beach, Jason Boog, Christopher Byrd, Claudia Berenice Garza, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, Pete Lutz, John Osborne, Rina Patel, Michael Saldate, Paul Sating, Marc Stein, Georgette Thompson, Jack Ward, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this episode.

A man wakes up in his apartment with a hazy memory of the night before. He's greeted in bed by a mysterious woman who keeps saying, “Hello.” But she seems to know far more about his life than he ever could have told her in one night. And as the rats gnaw mercilessly from within the walls, she has a few bold and shocking answers as to why he's so afraid. (Running time: 22 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: He: Tim Torre She: Emily Carding Gordon: Michael Saldate Edited by Edward Champion The Gray Area Theme by Alex Khaskin (licensed through NeoSounds) Foley Sources: Edward Champion and erpe (CC license, slight changes). Cover Image: Jason Lander (CC) Special thanks to Sacha Arnold, Austin Beach, Jason Boog, Christopher Byrd, Chris Fletcher, Claudia Berenice Garza, Sarah Golding, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, Pete Lutz, John Osborne, Rina Patel, Paul Sating, Marc Stein, Georgette Thompson, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this emotionally revealing episode.

Virginia Gaskell, an underappreciated 66-year-old cult writer forced into a rest home, contends with mysterious voices summoned from her typewriter and an obscure literary interviewer named Ed Champion. (9 minutes) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Virginia Gaskell: Chris Smith Ed Champion: Edward Champion Orderly: Zachary Michael Demon #1: Greta Christie Demon #2: Pete Lutz Edited by Edward Champion Foley Sources: Edward Champion, Superex1110 (CC license, slight changes), and nothayama (CC license, slight changes). Special thanks to Jonathan Ames, Sacha Arnold, Austin Beach, Erin Bennett, Matthew Boudreau, Jason Boog, Christopher Byrd, Emily Carding, Robert Cudmore, Devony DiMattia, Chris Fletcher, Claudia Berenice Garza, Sarah Golding, Daniel Handler, Jen Halbert, Gabriella Jiminez, Fred Kiesche, Matthew MacLean, John Osborne, Rina Patel, Michael Saldate, Paul Sating, Gary Shteyngart, Darin Strauss, Marc Stein, Scarlett Thomas, Georgette Thompson, Tim Torre, and many others I may have inadvertently forgotten for their invaluable help, feedback, kindness, inspiration, and support during the production of this episode.

Strange voices, agitated psychiatrists, giant rats, magical couriers, mysterious women, and loud and disheveled men. This 90 second trailer serves as a teaser for The Gray Area's first season.