An Invitation Productions

An Invitation Productions sprung to life when storyboard artist Jim Penola began exploring Karyn Kusama’s 2015 masterpiece THE INVITATION with the podcast titled––what else?––“An Invitation to THE INVITATION.” 🟣 The limited series remains a unique narrative/critical hybrid that is as meticulously scripted as it is produced, using Kusama's film as a means of highlighting cinematic craft alongside rigorous self-inquiry. Jim’s passion for other films blooms further in an eclectic selection of “one-off” episodes that excavate movies like COOL RUNNINGS and JUPITER ASCENDING. 🟣 However, his fascination with audio drama married to the aural essay format continues with the series “An Invitation to DESTROYER” – centered on Kusama’s 2018 neo-noir, originally starring Nicole Kidman. 🟣 Consider yourself invited. RSVP now.

All Episodes

An Invitation Productions

Lanterns #05 with Jon Gabrus

July 15, 2025 • Jim Penola

Lanterns is a miniseries celebrating 10 years of Karyn Kusama's THE INVITATION (2015) with some of the brightest lights in contemporary film criticism and podcasting. Through a hybrid of personal essay and long form interview, host/creator Jim Penola weaves a narrative conversation around the persistent merits and prescient lessons of Kusama's cult masterpiece.

Episode #05 welcomes the illustrious, the insightful—the hilarious!—Jon Gabrus. Gabrus is a comedian, an actor, and an extremely prolific creator known for his podcasts High & Mighty and Action Boyz. His comedy/travel show with Adam Pally, 101 Places To Party Before You Die is currently streaming on HBO Max. Gabrus is also a frequent guest on many other legendary shows including Comedy Bang Bang (see: his recurring character Gino Lombardo) and Blank Check with Griffin & David.

We get into a lot here: our experience with cults (me: Landmark, him: CrossFit + UCB), the "lantern" that is live comedy, and why he would make a great Pruitt.

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Lanterns is written, produced, edited, mixed, and hosted by Jim Penola.

Original music by John Penola.

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Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com•••