Public Radio Exchange

Hi friend of PRX,

Nothing says yummy as much as a Toll House chocolate chip cookie. So we sputtered on our crumbs when the FDA discovered E. coli bacteria in samples of refrigerated raw cookie dough at a Nestle plant in Virginia. Lots of people sick.

At PRX, our radio goodies contain a ton of information so you can make an informed choice about every piece on the site: producer, posting date, broadcast date, carriage, content warnings, even a free sample. They’re safe to air!

For eating, not so much.
-John

Man on the Moon 
July 20th: 40 Years Since Apollo 11

Washington Goes To The Moon
Richard Paul | Series of two hour-long episodes
Explore the politics behind the Apollo program.

Part 1, Washington We Have A Problem, looks at the battle to keep the Apollo space program funded and on deadline.

Part 2, Trials and Fire, goes back to the disaster that almost derailed the Apollo program and America’s drive to put a man on the moon: the tragedy of Apollo 1.

Public Radio Rocks the Murrows 
2009 Winners on PRX

PRX has many 2009 Edward R. Murrow Award winners, on a range of topics and places, from street gangs in St. Louis, to intense experiences in Chad and the DRC, to low-impact burials.

All Murrow Award winners on PRX from 2005-2009

From Hippies to Harmonica 
July’s format-specific picks for music stations

Born on the Fourth of July: a Popular-Song Celebration of Independence Day
WFIU | 00:58:57
Vintage recordings from Sinatra, Paul Robeson, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, and more make this a “pleasing, relaxed and highly appealing music show for the 4th.” - Format Curator David Srebnik of Virtuoso Voices

Howard Levy: Reinventing the Harmonica
David Schulman | 00:07:22
“Levy’s harmonica rocks, sings, flies, sighs, and wails in many different languages including Cuban and classical.” - Srebnik

Woodstock and beyond — More picks for music stations

Plan Ahead 

• Fireworks fun and historical specials:
  Independence Day Editors’ Picks
• Only on PRX from the CBC:
  Hour-long specials featuring quiet discovery, enlightenment, shock, embarrassment, obsession, and joy. The CBC’s Outfront specials.
  

Other Good Stuff 

• An iPhone app that will change your life:
  No, it doesn’t make bacon. It just plays over 300 public radio streams from across the country. For FREE.
  Fan Public Radio Tuner on Facebook
• Are you in Sync?
  Tips and tricks in our new producer newsletter.
• Get off your hard drive and enter by July 10:
  The Third Coast Festival/Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition “honors the most creative and compelling audio work being produced worldwide.”
• PRX content for your MP3 player:
  Head to iTunes and search for PRX — we have downloadable albums of some of the coolest pieces.
• PRX on Twitter:
  What are other stations are buying?
  Be the first to know when new pieces are posted

Hi friend of PRX,

The first week of summer and PRX has about had it. The wettest June in Boston since 1903; you could grill beef on any sidewalk in the Midwest; and it is humid in usually dry LA.

We’re tempted to chill out with summertime listening and dig some BBQ advice.

Is this air conditioning busted?

-John

Fireworks and Family 

Pieces for the 4th of July

Humankind: American Resilience

David Freudberg | 00:59:00

From recession to global warming, a remarkable confluence of challenges calls America to summon its inner strengths. But this is not the first time we have faced a heavy burden. Historically, how has America risen to the occasion of adversity and bounced back?

A Taste of America: Fireworks

Jake Warga | 00:04:56

A behind-the-scenes look at the American Fireworks team, and what it means to be an American, during the Macau International Fireworks Contest in China.

More choices for July 4th

Introducing DimeStories 

New series of narratives read by their authors

“Clowns” read by author Emil Wilson

Amy Wallen | 00:04:00

Frustrated by having to be too politically correct? An advertising agency creates a new commercial using clowns, and things get crazy when the client begins to nitpick the ethnic diversity.

“Trout Stream Families” read by author Scott Carrier

Amy Wallen | 00:03:45

Subtle hints reveal the many dark family secrets that lie below the surface of an otherwise relaxing outing.

More silly and serious DimeStories

Rock On 

Aug. 15-18: 40 years since the Woodstock Festival

Back To The Garden: Woodstock Remembered

Paul Ingles | Two 59:00 Hours or Two 54:00 Hours

Musicians and audience members recall the festival that rocked the world. Featured are interviews with Woodstock organizers, plus archival recordings from performers such as Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Richie Havens, and many more.

Plan Ahead 

• Rainbow Radio:
  
  • June is LGBT Pride Month
• Real stories, real people, great radio:
  
  Only on PRX: hour-long specials featuring quiet discovery, enlightenment, shock, embarrassment, obsession, and joy. The CBC’s Outfront specials. Great for Labor Day weekend.
  

Hi friend of PRX,

Here we go again. The health care reform debate.

We’re bracing ourselves with a prescription for good radio: take two of these for some much needed laughter, and check out the documentaries from WBUR and Karen Brown below for some excellent health care issue coverage.

PRX is a healthy habit…

-John

Say “Ahhh!” 

Health care specials

The Doctor Can’t See You Now

Inside Out Documentaries | 00:58:27

As more doctors become specialists, patients are finding it harder to see a primary care physician. We may be losing out on an important way to improve the nation’s health and reduce the spiraling costs of health care.

Who Benefits from Massachusetts Public Programs

Karen Brown | Part of the Health Reform in Mass. series | 00:05:28

Almost a quarter of a million people who were uninsured are now getting free or subsidized health care in Massachusetts, but there are still complications and questions about long-term viability of the state’s new public health plan.

More on health from the nurse shortage to end-of-life care

Don’t Forget Dad 

Father’s Day is Sunday

Father’s Day

Jake Warga | 00:05:25

While clearing his parents’ stuff out of storage ten years after their deaths, producer Jake Warga found a box of cassettes of his father interviewing him as a kid.

A Better Father

Viki Merrick | 00:06:22

Dave Masch of Cataumet, Mass. shares personal stories about learning from his father’s mistakes and omissions.

More for Father’s Day

Summertime… 

And the programming’s easy

Road Trip

Hearing Voices | 00:54:00

An hour of travelers’ tales for summer adventurers, from spending a day with an ex-KGB spy, to hitchhiking across the U.S., and more.

Summer Fun

B-Side Radio | 00:22:57

B-side explores summer love, a “hippie camp,” the air conditioner repair business, and one very long road trip.

All flavors of summer audio, plus youth-produced pieces

Plan Ahead 

• PRX Editors’ Picks:
  
  • LGBT Pride Month — June
  • July 4th
• Connect with the thread of human experience:
  
  Quiet discovery, enlightenment, shock, embarrassment, obsession, and joy. The CBC’s Outfront specials are only on PRX. Real stories, real people, great radio.
  

Hi friend of PRX,

China’s penchant to censor the Internet is now off the rails. All PCs sold there after July have to contain software the government can program to block “unhealthy information” from the Web.

PRX is proud to show off some content that would drive the government in Beijing batty, such as this and this and whoa, this.

Freedom is listening,

John

Yay, America! 

History and road trips for July Fourth

Road Trip

Hearing Voices | 00:54:00

An hour of travelers’ tales for your long weekend, from spending a day with an ex-KGB spy, to hitchhiking across the U.S., and more.

The Declaration of Independence

Michael Scherer | 00:09:05

The text of the Declaration of Independence, read and produced by Michael Scherer.

More for Independence Day

News & Music Stations: New Ideas 

From our Format Curators

Discoveries at Walt Disney: John Adams

NPR Music | 00:58:56

A celebration of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Adams’ work. “Performances are terrific and the audio engineering is very well managed and produced.” - Music Curator David Srebnik, Virtuoso Voices

Music stations: Full list of June picks

Sound Design from Hell

Jonathan Mitchell | 00:06:00

It’s summer movie time! “We get right into the sound effects man’s head, how he thinks, and what he wants when the scene calls for ‘getting the moviegoer frightened.’” - News Curator Naomi Starobin, WSHU

News stations: Full list of June picks

A Jazzy Juneteenth 

June 19, 1865: End of slavery in Texas

The Juneteenth Jazz Jamboree

WFIU | 00:58:57

A musical and historical celebration of the holiday that began in Texas, but is now recognized in dozens of states. Includes freedom-related jazz from John Coltrane, Louis Jordan, Max Roach with Abbey Lincoln, Paul Robeson with Count Basie, Charles Lloyd, Carmen McRae, and more.

Plan Ahead 

• PRX Editors’ Picks:
  
  • LGBT Pride Month — June
  • Father’s Day is June 21
• Prom, vacation, and summer jobs:
  
  Sounds of Summer from youth producers
• Family, magnificent obsessions, and the great outdoors:
  
  CBC Radio’s Outfront in hour-long episodes exclusively for U.S. public radio
  

Hi friend of PRX,

PRX doesn’t know a thing about selling cars. That’s sure obvious from this picture. Which is why we’re pushing radio pieces. Look at these creampuffs! Some have had only one owner! Take any of these babies for a test drive — just listen to the piece for free before you buy and download.

No sticker shock. No painful negotiating. Drive these pieces off the PRX lot right now.

Did you notice the Corinthian leather?

-John

Happy Birthday to Us 

Get your sparklers now

Independence Daze: A History of July Fourth

BackStory with the American History Guys | 00:53:53

What exactly happened on 7/4/76, and why do we celebrate it with explosions, hot dogs, and mattress sales?

Fourth of July Fireworks

Hans Anderson | 00:03:27

Don’t singe your eyebrows: A speedy and humorous piece about setting off the best fireworks on the Fourth.

More historical pieces and personal stories for Independence Day

Feeling Blue? 

Try some Joni Mitchell

A new biography of Joni Mitchell is getting some attention, but it can’t compete with the archival sound and fresh material in these two powerful specials. Take your pick!

The Emergence of Joni Mitchell

Paul Ingles | 01:58:55

Explore how Joni Mitchell crafted her artistry and connected with audiences over four decades. Popular with PRX listeners and stations, this was one of the most “favorited” pieces in 2007 and 2008.

An Intimate Portrait of Joni Mitchell

Reese Erlich | 00:53:56

Mitchell talks of her early life, her antipathy to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the close connections between her visual art and music.

Reporting from Pakistan 

How do you know who to trust?

The Fixer

World Vision Report | 00:02:16

We rely on journalists to bring us the latest news from around the world — they rely on local “fixers” to get them what they need for their stories. When Will Everett was in Pakistan’s Peshawar province, he turned to one person in particular.

Plan Ahead 

• Brand new June picks for your station’s format:
  
  Music Station Picks from David Srebnik of Virtuoso Voices
  
  News Station Picks from WSHU News Director Naomi Starobin
• Beyond Broadcast Conference this week:
  
  “Public Service Media from Local to Global” is June 3-6 in Los Angeles. Details and the agenda.
• Family, magnificent obsessions, and the great outdoors:
  
  CBC Radio’s Outfront in hour-long episodes exclusively for U.S. public radio
  
• Spoleto Festival USA is going on now:
  
  Newly released chamber music from the 2008 Festival
• Prom, vacation, and summer jobs:
  
  Sounds of Summer from youth producers
• PRX Editors’ Picks:
  
  • LGBT Pride Month — June
  • Father’s Day is June 21
  • July Fourth

Hi friend of PRX,

After a lot of consideration we think you are qualified to be a judge…of all the radio content on PRX. It’s humbling, but you’re equipped with two ears, listening skills, and the desire to make public radio better.

Listen to any piece for free and post a comment. Producers and stations crave feedback! Just follow the basic guidelines.

Best of all, no Senate confirmation hearings!

-John

Daddy-O Day 

Program now for Father’s Day, June 21

Scared

John Biewen | 00:03:00

Follow a dad’s fears as his daughter grows to age 13 in three minutes. Produced for the Third Coast Festival 2008 Audio Challenge, Radio Ephemera.

The Dad Plan

Hearing Voices | 00:29:00

This compilation of six unique Father’s Day pieces includes a quirky father-daughter story from Sarah Vowell.

More pieces about Dad

Do You Zoo? 

Debate over a summer pastime

From Cages To Conservation - American Zoos: Inside Out

WBUR’s Inside Out Documentaries | 00:59:00

A look at whether or not top zoos in America are living up to their education and conservation expectations.

Radio Lab, Show 303: Zoos

WNYC Radio | 00:58:56

In a cruel trick of evolution, humans can stand just three feet from a ferocious wild animal and still be perfectly safe. What’s with our need to get close to “wildness”?

Old and New Flames 

Compelling listening

The Fire

Tim Coyne | 00:45:50

We’ve all been there…love runs cold, then a new love runs hot. This produced essay is by high-vote Talent Quest contestant and Third Coast competitor Tim Coyne.

Speaking of Third Coast, stop procrastinating! Have you ever had the urge to join the upper register of audio accolades? Now is your chance! Enter your best audio works in the Third Coast Competition before time runs out!

Plan Ahead 

• Hope to see you at next week’s Beyond Broadcast: Public Service Media from Local to Global conference in Los Angeles. More details and the agenda.
• Music Stations: Fresh picks from David Srebnik of Virtuoso Voices
• News Stations: Get ideas from WSHU News Director Naomi Starobin
• CBC Radio’s Outfront in hour-long episodes exclusively for U.S. public radio
  
• Newly released chamber music from the 2008 Spoleto Festival USA. This year’s festival is going on now in Charleston, SC.
• Youth-Produced Radio: Sounds of Summer
• PRX Editors’ Picks:
  
  • Asian Pacific American Heritage Month — May
  • LGBT Pride Month — June