Award-Winning Audio Drama "Babalu" Announces October 22nd Premiere of Highly Anticipated Season One

Written By Kimberly Truong
Two women, one whispers into the other's ear.

New Audio Drama Explores One Woman's Journey to Understand Her Late Mother Through Cassette Tapes Left Behind in 1989

LOS ANGELES, CA – Uneasy Tiger announces the October 22, 2025 premiere of Babalu, an eight-part scripted audio drama that explores the profound connection between a mother and daughter separated by death but united through discovered recordings. The series, created and written by Vietnamese-American storyteller Kimberly Truong, has already garnered critical acclaim and festival recognition ahead of its highly anticipated debut.

The series follows Luisa, a young woman who discovers dozens of cassette tapes left behind by her mother Sherry, who died by suicide in 1989 when Luisa was just a baby. As Luisa listens to her mother's innermost thoughts and reflections, she embarks on an emotional journey to understand the woman she never knew – but the deeper she digs, the more questions arise about her mother's mysterious past.

Themes of Identity, Loss, and Connection

At its heart, Babalu explores universal themes of grief, identity, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. The series examines what it means to know someone through their own words, the stories we inherit from those we've lost, and how we reconcile the gaps between memory and reality. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, the narrative weaves together the Asian American experience with broader questions about belonging, family secrets, and the ways we seek connection across impossible distances.

"Babalu is my love letter to the Asian American experience, Los Angeles, and grief," says creator and writer Kimberly Truong. Through Luisa's journey of discovery, the series offers an intimate meditation on how we piece together our identities from fragments of the past and how loss can paradoxically bring us closer to those we've never known.

Festival Recognition and Critical Acclaim

The pilot episode of Babalu has earned recognition as an Official Selection (Podcasts) at both the 2024 Catalyst Content Festival and the prestigious 2023 Rhode Island International Film Festival. Originally launched as part of a successful Kickstarter campaign, the pilot has received outstanding reviews from listeners, earning a 5.0-star rating on Apple Podcasts with reviewers praising the "next level" storytelling and "vivid writing."

"This show is next level. If you're a fan of mystery with hints of fun and levity then this podcast is for you," wrote one reviewer. Another noted, "Creating distinct characters only through voice is a difficult task but the Director and the actors did a great job."

Creative Team and Cast

Babalu features predominantly female characters and creative team members. The series is directed by Katharine Chen Lerner, with sound design, editing and mixing by Charles Moody. The series theme music is composed by Edith Mudge, with score and additional music by Manish Ayachit.

The talented cast includes Christine Liao, Jaxy Boyd, Circus Szalewski, Lee Chen, Chriselle Almeida, Varda Appleton, Greg Smith, Ruby Marez, and creator Kimberly Truong.

About the Creator

KIMBERLY TRUONG is a Vietnamese-American writer, filmmaker, and digital marketing strategist who founded Uneasy Tiger Studios in 2021. Her work has garnered industry recognition, including being recently selected as a finalist for the 2025 Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge by CAPE and Janet Yang Productions. 

About the Director

KATHARINE CHEN LERNER is an actor, teaching artist, director, and acting coach. Credits include - Film/TV: Adam Ruins Everything (TruTV), Astronomy Club (Netflix), Baker's Dozen (Amazon Prime), Projecting (Seriously TV). Theater: The Joy Luck Club (Sierra Madre Playhouse), The Launch Prize (Bridge Rep). Training: Maggie Flanigan Studio, Marymount Manhattan College, UCB Theatre. www.katharinelerner.com

About the Sound Designer

CHARLES MOODY is a sound designer and mixer from small town Alaska. He is an all-in-one sound department; recording, editing, building soundscapes, mixing, and mastering for a variety of media. His experience ranges from television shows, independent features and shorts; to commercials, podcasts and audio dramas. Charles is always looking for new ways to tell stories through sound.

Content Advisory and Resources

Babalu thoughtfully addresses themes of suicide and mental health. The production team has included appropriate content warnings and directs listeners to 988lifeline.org for resources and support.

Availability

Season one of Babalu premieres October 22, 2025 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms, with new episodes dropping weekly. The pilot episode and official trailer are currently available for preview.

About Uneasy Tiger Studios

Founded in 2021, Uneasy Tiger is a Los Angeles-based woman and minority-owned independent creative studio dedicated to turning ideas into compelling, award-winning productions that represent diverse voices and experiences.

Media Contact: Kimberly Truong, kim@uneasytiger.com

Digital Assets:

For more information about Babalu and Uneasy Tiger, visit uneasytiger.com

Kimberly Truong
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