KFAI's The Listening Lounge

2012-02-08T14:42:00.002-06:00

Yesterday's Revolution: Minneapolis 78 RPM Record Scene - Airs Feb. 15

Lots of folks are into vinyl these days. Some people are even making mix tapes again. But if you really want to embrace obscure, seemingly dead media, there's no better way to do it than to buy 78 rpm records. This documentary takes listeners inside the rarefied world of 78 record enthusiasts, including Greg Carr, former KFAI "Dig Out the Roots" DJ, and Scott Holthus, owner of Vintage Music Company in Minneapolis. Holthus owns hundreds of thousands of 78 records and he refurbishes the machines that plays them.

2012-02-08T14:20:00.004-06:00

From Brooklyn to Banja Luka - Airs Feb. 8
Jonathan is a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn. He has a typically New York loudness, and he's flamboyant, musical and pretty good with languages. Dragana is a nice Serbian girl from Bosnia. She is prone to the occasional Slavic melancholy, but is also generally loud, musical, and pretty good with languages. They live in Holland, a small and sober country that, at first glance doesn?t seem suited to either temperament. Their improbable love story in features in From Brooklyn to Banja Luka. The programme won a Prix Europa in 2005 and a Gold Medal at the New York International Radio Festival.

Listen, Whitey! - Airs Feb 1st

2012-02-01T01:07:00.000-06:00

Listen, Whitey! by American Documentary Films

Friday, April 5th, 1968. It is just hours after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From the riots in Washington D.C. to the marches in New York City, Listen, Whitey!chronicles the reaction of the African-American community immediatelyfollowing the assassination of Dr. King. Unrehearsed,the people’s voices you'll be hearing offer an unblemished glimpse at a tremendouslydifficult and painful moment in African American history.

Under Pressure - Airs Jan 25th

2012-01-25T00:29:00.001-06:00

Reality Check by David Schultz

Carolyn, a mother of two, faces a life-altering crisis when, just a few short months out of rehab, a $5,000 check appears in her mailbox. It was more money than she'd ever seen. Obviously, most folks would find this to be a tremendous blessing... but it brings Carolyn right to the brink of relapse.

Second Mom from Radio Rookies

Teenager Sara Martinez assumes a lot of responsibility in her family. Her parents don't speak English - so she serves as translator and their bridge to the English-speaking world. She also helps with household chores and looks after her three younger siblings, including her youngest brother, Diego. Diego was born with autism. Sara knows that taking care of him has forced her to grow up faster than her peers. Sometimes she feels she missed out on being just a regular teenager.

The Other End of the Line by Aaron Henkin

Finally, we take a listen at life on the phone at the Baltimore City Police Department's 911 call center. Working at any call center can be an extremely stressful job; chances are, when the phone rings you'll be dealing with someone who's got a problem. However, this is a phone bank where the callers' problems are about as bad as they can get.

2012-01-17T14:40:00.001-06:00

Potpourri of Stories - Airs Jan. 18
This episode of The Listening Lounge feature three stories we like. They're not related in a specific way. So we're calling the show a potpourri.

The Sleeping Fool by Sofia Saldanha
Art museum security guards spend their days in uniform, speaking quietly or not at all, surrounded by works of irreplaceable art. It may look easy, but the job requires a stressful degree of responsibility, poise, and silence. Some guards may begin to feel trapped inside their own thoughts, or even inside a painting.

Searching For Blelvis by Sam Greenspan
When Elvis Presley died, he left behind an abundance of adoring fans. One of his most obsessive, and mysterious, admirers is Washington's own Blelvis--a self-described 'Elvisologist,' who can often be found in the Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, and Mt Pleasant neighborhoods. Sam Greenspan set out to find out more about the man behind the persona, but found out more about DC's fascination with Blelvis--than the man himself.

Thanks for Sharing Your Girlfriend by Sarah Buckingham
From Monica Lewinski to Mark Sanford, infidelity is always big news. But recently a debate about whether monogamy is the only model for long-term relationships has also been making headlines. CNN considered the question “Is monogamy realistic?” and Newsweek wondered if consensual non-monogamy might be the next sexual revolution.

2012-01-09T14:37:00.005-06:00

Martin Luther King speech - Airs Jan. 11
The year was 1967 and Martin Luther King, civil rights leader, Baptist preacher and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, agreed to deliver the prestigious Massey lectures on CBC Radio. His title, was "Conscience for Change." Although these lectures were recorded more than forty years ago, King’s words have lost none of their relevance as we still try to come to terms with many of the same issues. NPR has links to more of King's speeches here. American Public Media's "Say It Plain, Say It Loud" is also an excellent source of civil rights movement speeches. The APM special is here.

The Everyday Blahs - Airs Jan 4th

2012-01-03T23:27:00.011-06:00

Sit With Me by Mike Bernstein
A candid portrait of growing up with a parent who has mental illness. Having a depressed parent can take its toll on childhood. It reframes how children look at the world and it asks them to grow up a little bit faster. We'll hear a moving dialogue between 12-yr-old Cameron and his father, Bob. Both parties feel helpless -- but Cameron asks, "what can I do to help?"

Always Been With Me by Rehman Tungekar
Roughly 6 million Americans struggle with bipolar disorder, a disease that consists of manic highs and crushing lows. For many of these people, conventional medication does not work. As a result, they’re forced to seek out alternative forms of treatment. Electroconvulsive therapy is one such form. We'll hear from Amy, a young woman in Maine that relies on ECT to treat her bipolar disorder.

The Saddest President from The Memory Palace
Franklin Pierce's amiable personality and handsome appearance caused him to make many friends, but he suffered much tragedy in his personal life. As president, he made many divisive decisions which have been widely criticized and earned him a reputation as one of the worst presidents in U.S. history.

The Wonders of Childhood - Airs Dec 28th

2011-12-28T18:11:00.001-06:00

The Magic of Falling Teeth by Sharon Bar-David
First, Sharon takes us to a whimsical world that most of us have probably forgotten. It's filled with fairies and wiggly teeth.

The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde
We'll close the program with a bedtime story read by Basil Rathbone. A story from The Happy Prince and Other Tales published by Wilde in 1888. A giant erects a wall to keep children out of his garden, reaping the consequences of a continuous winter.

2011-12-21T15:00:00.002-06:00

Kidnap Radio - Airs Dec. 21
Independent producer Annie Correal describes the tragedy behind the documentary Kidnap Radio: "I was 19 when my father was kidnapped in Colombia. It was 1999. My mother came to my college campus to deliver the news and I flew to Bogota to be with my family for a few weeks. (My mother is American, my father’s Colombian and they divorced when I was 5.) After that, except for brief trips for a wedding and a funeral, I didn’t go back to the country where I was born until I traveled there to report this piece in the spring of 2009." To learn more about Kidnap Radio and producer Annie Correal, check out this story on Transom.

2011-12-14T09:20:00.004-06:00

All in Time - Airs Dec. 14

The clock ticks; the moon waxes; the autumn leaves turn crimson. Time is as ubiquitous as it is elusive. Guided by science and science fiction, All In Time traverses the timeless mystery of time itself.

This 25-minute work won the Luc Ferrari International Broadcast Arts Competition and was commissioned by La Muse En Circuit (Centre National de Création Musicale), with the support of Radio Suisse Romande, Deutschlandradio Kultur, RTBF Musiq 3, Groupe de Recherches Musicales, and Radio-France.

In 2011 All In Time was presented on Radio Suisse Romande in Switzerland, Deutschlandradio Kultur in Germany, as well as at the Archipel Contemporary Music Festival in Geneva, at Festival Extension XI in Paris, at Netaudio London, at Ohrenhoch sound art gallery in Berlin, and at the Deep Wireless Festival in Toronto. The work recently won a Gold World Medal for Best Sound at the New York Festivals Radio Programming Awards.

2011-12-09T15:45:00.001-06:00

We like the Public Radio Remix.

Four Failing Lungs - Airs Dec 7th

2011-12-06T23:05:00.004-06:00

Four Failing Lungs by Catie Talarski
Last year there were 1,770 lung transplants performed in the United States -- the most ever in a single year.
For a person with Cystic Fibrosis, the transplant may extend life by years. It could however lead to continued suffering and rejection of the new organ.
When most folks are just hitting their stride in their late 20s, Beth and Brian are instead medicating, massaging and coaxing their lungs into lasting as long as possible. Both have end-stage Cystic Fibrosis, and are struggling with decisions about getting a transplant.
Producer Catie Talarski documented Beth and Brian for a year to understand what its like to live with this chronic disease.

A Charlie Brown Listening Lounge - Airs Nov 30th.

2011-11-29T23:17:00.009-06:00

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! by Kenny Fairris Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas has become a yearly tradition for generations of viewers. We'll explore the history of this program, consider why it communicates so well, and hear about some of the spiritual and artistic influence it has had.

Good Grief, Charlie Brown! by Kaye Ballard & Arthur Siegel
Several tracks from the 1962 Columbia Records' "Good Grief, Charlie Brown!" album based entirely on early strips written by Schulz. This recording marked the first time ever that the Peanuts characters were brought to life. It was conceived by Kaye Ballard (as Lucy) with longtime creative partner Arthur Siegel (as Charlie) and produced by the legendary John Hammond. The "music" was created by Fred Karlin. Karlin, an Oscar winner, put together a very odd orchestra of childrens' musical instruments, household objects, and real toys, a concept much imitated afterward.

Where I'm From - Airs Nov 23rd

2011-11-22T22:22:00.006-06:00

Halfrican from Teenage Diaries
Jeff is sixteen and lives with his family in Boston. He is goofy, smart, and charming. Along with those adjectives, he is also these: black and white and brown. More and more Jeff finds himself thinking about race as he’s confronted with the question, “What are you?” This is his radio diary.

How the West was Won by Lacy Roberts
Lacy couldn't wait to get out of Montana ...and then she still grappled with her roots when she became an East Coast college freshman. Most of her classmates knew next to nothing about life in her home state: "Are there cities in Montana? Is there an airport there?" However, in time, she started to become really, really, really proud to be from Montana. This change in thinking began with some pretty baffling letters from her grandfather.

2011-11-16T11:24:00.001-06:00

The Wisdom of Jay Thunderbolt - Airs Nov. 16

This is the baddest, bad ass documentary we've ever aired. It's about a guy who has been shot in the face. He recovered and now runs a strip club out of his Detroit home. Also: He likes to drink tequila and push around reporters by asking for money for interviews. Reporter: "Well, we can't actually pay interview subjects. We're a nonprofit public radio station." Jay Thunderbolt: "C'mon man, I hear you guys selling those tote bags. Can't Jay Thunderbolt get a little tote bag money?" This documentary won a big award at the Third Coast International Audio Festival. We're the first station in the country to air the entire documentary. This is definitely not recommended for young audiences. Listener discretion advised. (Produced and edited by Nick van der Kolk, Brendan Baker and Nick Williams. Originally aired on the Love + Radio podcast.)

2011-11-09T12:51:00.001-06:00

The Queen's Trek - Airs Nov. 9

Bhutan is a land of prayer flags and happiness. But people are people, and human suffering, including domestic violence, is as prevalent here as it is anywhere. Queen Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuk takes her job - creating happiness for the people of her kingdom - seriously - so much so that she treks into the most remote corners of the country to meet the people who she would otherwise never see, to find out about their lives, strategize about health care, and to help end domestic violence. Outer Voices accompanied her into a remote unmapped corner of the high Himalayas.

The Fear - Airs Nov 2nd

2011-11-02T14:41:00.003-05:00

The Thing At The Foot Of The Bed by Rachel Yoder
The boogie man, the monster in the closet, the thing that goes bump in the night—these, we tell ourselves, are mere fabrications of an overactive imagination, childish fears that easily dematerialize with the flip of a light switch. But what happens when the boogie man starts talking? What about when we try to rise to turn on the light only to find ourselves literally paralyzed? This radio essay explores what exactly happens in those moments just as we're falling asleep or waking, those half-conscious twilights in which our brains see and hear what shouldn't be there.

The Uses of Fear by Ben Adair
More and more, abstract and ever-present fear defines us as a society. Perhaps we are all indeed held captive to fear -- but fear can also be a tool. This montage is comprised of three conversations with people whose lives have been dictated by fear. We'll hear from a mafia executioner, a horror film director and a hypochondriac. Each person gives a different perspective on fear and how fear has affected their behavior and mental state.

Shy Bladder Workshop by Hammad Ahmed
It happens to everyone at some point. You're trying to relieve yourself in a public restroom, but maybe your boss is standing next to you or there's a long line behind you, and for some reason you just can't seem to go. Paruresis is the acute version of that. We'll meet Tony who hadn't been able to use a public bathroom for 45 years. So Tony went to a workshop to find out how other paruretics get better. Turns out they build friendships of trust, drink lots of water and then practice peeing together.

Poe Pourri - Airs Oct 26th

2011-10-25T17:35:00.010-05:00

In this episode we're spinning two stories; both horrific, brilliant tales of mystery by master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. We'll start with a dramatic reading of the Tell Tale Heart performed by James Mason backed by the spooky organ stylings of Buddy Cole. The Tell Tale Heart was first published by Poe in 1843 and left me utterly haunted when I saw it performed 140 years later on an elementary school field trip. In fact, the memory of the sound of that beating heart still gives me the creeps to this day. We'll also hear Poe's story The Masque of the Red Death told by the legendary William Burroughs. As you can imagine ...it's pretty messed up too. Please join us for a delightfully spooky evening.

2011-10-11T15:07:00.002-05:00

Hark! The Acoustic World of Elizabethan England - Airs Oct. 12 + Oct. 19

Winner of the 2009 Prix Marulic for best documentary and winner of the Grand Award and a Gold Medal for Best Sound at the 2009 New York Festivals Awards for Radio Programming.

HARK! investigates the acoustic world of Early Modern England. Tracking down some ancient sounds that still exist, and evoking others which have become extinct, the documentary is an acoustic film building a soundtrack to imagine the noises of Elizabethan society through the ears of those who listened four centuries ago.

For more information on the producers of this documentary, go to Battery Radio.

2011-09-28T14:50:00.001-05:00

Pledge Drive - Airs Sept. 28
It's pledge drive at KFAI, our radio home. As a bonus to our listeners, we're airing some of our favorite stories from the past year, including Irv and Me. Tune in, enjoy the show and make a donation to great storytelling.

That Teenage Feeling - Airs Sept 21st

2011-09-20T16:40:00.005-05:00

In A Bubble by Hillary Frank
Frank stalks the crowded, noisy school hallways and finds the shy kids. She then amazingly succeeds in getting them to talk about themselves; what it's like to be quiet and why it can be tough. "Some people don't realize I'm there until I leave," says one. These are teens who worry about how their shyness will affect their ability to get dates, talk in front of a class ...all kinds of stuff.

Fire And Ice Cream by Brent Runyon
When Brent was 14, he was badly, badly burned and ended up at Children's National Medical Center's Burn Unit in Washington, DC. Years later, yet with devastating immediacy, he dives back into the mind of that teenager struggling with love and pain. Produced by Jay Allison. Brent's story is taken from the memoir "The Burn Journals."

First Kiss from Teenage Diaries
Josh is a 17-year old who lives in Manhattan. He has Tourette's Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable tics and verbal outbursts. So clearly his arrival at summer camp in Bennington, Vermont poses a very unique and thrilling opportunity for a fresh start. Yep, girls, this means you. The Teenage Diaries series is produced by Joe Richman.

"Pucker lips, slowly open mouth, slowly slide tongue in, repeat steps 1, 2, and 3."

2011-09-14T13:53:00.002-05:00

Spirit and Body Willing - Airs Sept. 14

I still remember interviewing a group of elderly people about sexuality. During an interview at a Chicago assisted living facility, one woman said this: "Some people think that when you get old, you don't want to have sex or that you shouldn't have sex. I say if the spirit is there and body is willing, go to it." Others said great stuff too that contributed to a surprising and refreshing documentary titled, "Spirit and Body Willing: Sex Over Age 70." Since the doc was aired in 2003, senior sexuality is receiving more attention from sexuality professionals. I'm happy about that. And I'm still a little surprised we were able to get a candid discussion of female orgasm on the radio (originally Chicago Public Radio) during afternoon drive time. Spirit and Body Willing: Sex Over Age 70 airs on the Listening Lounge at 6:30 p.m. Central Time on KFAI. (Todd Melby)

The Science of Sound - Airs Sept 7th

2011-09-06T20:05:00.005-05:00

Put on your listening caps -- it's time to head back to school! We'll be exploring the mechanics behind how sound actually works. Recorded in 1958, this album became an important educational title for more than 30 years. Fascinating recordings describe and demonstrate the phenomena of sound and explore how we hear using an ample helping of sound effects and audio tricks to illustrate various points. The album is both a remarkable document of a previous era and a timeless lesson in understanding what it means to hear. The Science of Sound was produced by The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with Bell Telephone Laboratories. So please join us and get schooled in "Echo and Reverberation," "Delay Distortion," "Dissonance and Consonance," "The Doppler Effect," and much, much more!!!

Celebration of the American Worker - Airs Aug 31st

2011-08-31T15:36:00.005-05:00

Gumbuster by Eveylyn Lobardo
People make a living doing all kinds of odd niche jobs. For instance: need a solution to your gum pollution problem? Here's a New Yorker who has the will and the technology to scrape those pesky gum spots off your pavement.

Rugged And Beautiful by Emily Sapienza
Tools in hand, steel toed boots on their feet, Mildred Santamaa and Dorothy Stone built Liberty Ships during WWII. But don't confuse them with Rosie the Riveter. These South Portland, Maine ladies are tougher.

Cops & Firefighters from WFUV News
Emergency personnel are, of course, needed at all times of the day. This leads to some pretty odd working and waking hours. In this segment, WFUV introduces us to a New York City police officer and a firefighter doing their duty on the late, late, late shift.

Picture Day! by Shea Shackelford
This is a profile of Sterling Hoffman, a paparazzo in the Washington, DC area. Yup, we spend a day in an elementary school with a school-portrait photographer.

Li'l Nipper from The Memory Palace
We are reminded that mines are a terrible place to work, especially if you are nine. A snap shot of one of the worst jobs ever and the horrors of child labor in the early 20th Century.

Li'l Hot Mama by Kate Szrom
Vaudeville entertainer Flossie Turner Lewis reflects on her life, including working with the family act in the minstrel show circuit and finally getting an education.

Have a great holiday. Take a break - you've earned it.

2011-08-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

Best of Youth Radio - Airs Aug. 24

Great radio isn't just produced by seasoned veterans. Many stations, including KFAI, have youth radio programs featuring the work of high school students. On this show, you'll hear Someone To Tuck Me In, by Raymond Henderson of New York City. Raymond tells the story of living with foster parents after suffering from abuse. We'll also hear Is There Such a Thing As Good Hair, by Stephanie Perry of Minneapolis; Different, Not Disabled: The Perception of My Mind, by Ian Kathan of Carmel, Indiana (pictured); and Rap Resume by King Anyi Howell of Youth Radio in Oakland.

2011-08-18T13:38:00.001-05:00

2011-08-17T12:33:00.003-05:00

Here There Is No Moon - Airs Aug. 17

A college student leaps from a bridge, a young mother walks into a lake, a widow clings to a ledge. Impulse. Depression. Illness. Grief. “Here There Is No Moon,” produced by Susan Stone, is a portrait of the suicidal mind from the perspective of those who have survived the bullet, the bottle, the jump --and those who have helped in rescue and intervention. There is the limbo in which some live: Why am I still here? Will I try again? Can I resume the life I almost left? For others, there is relief in having a second chance at life. And then there are the doctors, philosophers, counselors, and poets who grapple with suicide as epidemic, violence, and siren song. But the fundamental question remains: Why does one commit suicide, while another does not? No one really knows the answer. True stories from those who might. Read more about the documentary on Transom.

Boxer Briefs - Airs Aug 10th

2011-08-10T12:17:00.005-05:00

Before the Bell by Cally Carswell
Boxers at the Portland Boxing Club spend months and years preparing for eight minutes in the ring. We take a look inside the gym to find out what it takes to get to the fight.

Life Between the Ropes by Chris Ballman
A behind the scene sound collage of a boxing match. We'll start by hearing from the trainer, then we visit with the boxer, fight doctor, cutman, and card girls to find out what's so appealing about this brutal sport.

White Collar Boxing by Charles Lane
In Brooklyn's salty and dimly-lit Gleason's Boxing Gym, a new type of boxer is climbing through the ropes. Now senior citizens and those recovering from cancer are using boxing for their health. The problem is what they're doing is actually illegal because of very stringent "tuffman" laws.

Boxing for Girls by Amelia de Sousa
Gun violence in Brazil has turned Rio de Janeiro into a war zone. For young people who live in the slums - or favelas - crime offers an escape from a life of crushing poverty. But a boxing organization is trying to turn kids away from gangs. Even young women in Rio’s slums are fighting for a better future and breaking barriers at the same time.

Dambe in Sokoto by Sarah Simpson
Traditional "Dambe" boxing matches have been popular in northern Nigeria for generations. Though the number of matches being fought has declined, the type of people entering the ring has broadened. Instead of just butchers and slaughterhouse workers entering the ring, now a wide range of poor young men are boxing -- hoping to win some big prizes.

Shakespeare in the Park - Airs Aug 3rd

2011-08-03T12:54:00.005-05:00

Lay down your picnic blankets and don your headphones; Shakespeare comes to the Listening Lounge! We'll try our best to gain a general appreciation of Shakespeare as well as an understanding of the African-American experience with Shakespeare. Along the way we'll hear performances and readings by Jayne Mansfield, James Earl Jones, Sir John Gielgud, Dame Edith Evans, and many more.

The Dog Days of Summer - Airs July 27th

2011-07-25T12:37:00.007-05:00

An Actual Story in Sound of a Dog's Life by Tony Schwartz
The sound of the first year of the life of a dog; all the people the dog meets and all the situations a dog (and his humans) go through. This recording was broadcast on The CBS Radio Wordshop in 1957 and released on Smithsonian Folkways Records in 1958.

Known as the "wizard of sound," the pioneering Tony Schwartz (August 19, 1923 - June 15, 2008) was an American sound archivist, audio designer, media theorist, and advertising creator. Tony embraced audio tape technology while in its infancy in the 40s, and over the next 55 years assembled a vast collection of audio-visual materials. Schwartz’s life-long interest in people, events, and music led him to record urban soundscapes and to collect similar recordings from other folklorists around the world. Already considered a master of the electronic media, Mr. Schwartz also changed the face of tv advertising by creating socially conscientious campaigns. He developed the nation’s first anti-smoking advert and produced the infamous so-called "Daisy" spot for LBJ’s presidential campaign.

"The best thing about radio is that people were born without earlids. You can't close your ears to it." - Tony Schwartz

2011-07-19T16:59:00.005-05:00

Sink or Swim - Airs July 20

As humidity and heat fills the air, we head to the lake for a nice, cool swim. On this show, we air four stories related to swimming. We begin with Baumgartner's Got Nothing on Charette, the story of one woman's unusual relationship with distance swimming. Her adult son dies, so she hits the water. And later tries to swim the English Channel. It's riveting. And scary. And inspiring. We also air Swimming, a cautionary swimming lesson that covers all the risks -- and none of the pleasure -- of keeping afloat. And then we ease up on the throttle for Dock Jump, an essay about the joys of leaping into the unknown on a pier in northern Minnesota. The fourth story is a surprise. The water is refreshing, join us for a dip on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

2011-07-18T13:31:00.001-05:00

2011-07-13T08:47:00.002-05:00

Last Reel: Drive-In Movie Theaters of Minnesota - Airs July 13

They had names like The Cinebuff, the Bronco, The Maple Leaf, The Sunset. They were the drive-in movie theaters of Minnesota. Once, there were more than 80 outdoor movie theaters in the Gopher State. Today, only a handful remain, including the Sky-Vu in Warren and the Starlite 5 in Litchfield. Grab your popcorn, get in the car and join us for a tour of drive-in movie theaters of Minnesota. Produced by Todd Melby.

Ghetto Life 101 - Airs July 6

2011-07-05T15:58:00.003-05:00

This is the radio documentary that most producers wished they had created, including me. "Ghetto Life 101" tells the story of two teenagers growing up on Chicago's South Side. But it tells it from their point-of-view. Producer David Isay gave LeAlan Jones and Llyod Newman tape recorders so they could record themselves leaving home in the morning, riding the city bus, fooling around and interviewing their relatives. There are light moments and sad moments. But it all adds up to life. Originally broadcast in 1993 on WBEZ Chicago Public Radio. We'll also air a second Isay documentary: "Witness to an Exectuion," an Isay doc about capital punishment's impact on prison guards.

Extras:
Listen to an interview with producer David Isay on PRX's Saltcast
A second documentary by Jones and Newman: Remorse: The 14 Stories of Eric Morse
Photos, Transcripts and more from Ghetto Life 101
Photos, Transcripts and more from Witness to an Execution

2011-06-29T09:28:00.001-05:00

Iggy & The Stooges: Raw Power - Airs June 29

2011-06-27T14:10:00.003-05:00

A new one-hour radio version of the Listening Lounge pays tribute to new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members, Iggy & the Stooges, and their 1973 album, Raw Power. Listen to how this seminal album was made and how it influenced future generations of punk rockers.

Includes interview clips from three Stooges - Iggy Pop, James Williamson and Sott Asheton and others influenced by them, between tracks like "Search and Destroy," "Gimme Danger" and others from the original album as well as previously unheard outtakes and live recordings.

Like the classic quote about the Velvet Underground, it didn’t sell many records at the time, but everyone who bought one started a band. We hear from three such people - Henry Rollins (Black Flag / Rollins Band), Mike Watt (Minutemen / Firehose) and Johnny Marr (Smiths / Modest Mouse / 7 Worlds Collide) , who each count this record as a major influence on their own legendary musical careers. Noted music photographer Mick Rock is also interviewed.

Gimme Danger, baby.

SUMMER! - Aired June 22nd

2011-06-24T08:43:00.004-05:00

Sun Tunnels by Scott Carrier
Scott marks the solstice by spending the night inside a gigantic concrete tube. Specifically, an obscure art installation called the Sun Tunnels in a very remote part of the Utah desert.

Poke Stick Scrape Dump by Bill Palladino
Bill recounts his first summer job in this rhythmic essay. It was mundane, repetitive work. It was picking up garbage at a drive-in movie theater.

Showing the Garden by Ruth Draper
Finally, monologue from the talented Ruth Draper; An English lady of somewhat advanced middle age guides her visitor into her garden. As they move down the pathway from one bed of flowers to another, they pause at each as she explains that nothing is at its best. Such a shame, too, because her Glubjullas, Seccalikums and other highly unusual flora are usually so exquisite.
"People come from far and wide, and they all agree they have never seen finer Glubjullas than mine."

Your Cabin Primer - Airs June 15th

2011-06-15T14:57:00.009-05:00

We'll be spinning some phonography again; an LP titled Voices of the Loon put out by the National Audubon Society and North American Loon Fund in 1980. Many consider this to be THE definitive loon recording (and rumor is that these are the very recordings used in the film On Golden Pond.) First up, a fascinating lesson of our state bird's calls and then we'll dive into some wonderful field recordings at the end of the program. Voices of the Loon was written and produced by William Barklow. Narration and loon call identification is provided by Robert Lurtsema. This recording was re-released in 2007 on Minneapolis' Swallowtail Records. You can order it on compact disc right here.

A Good Death - Airs June 8th

2011-06-07T12:28:00.005-05:00

Final Exit by Kelly McEvers
Our first story is a first-person essay from Kelly McEvers about her friend Bob. Bob had terminal cancer and eventually took his own life. After Bob's death, Kelly found a book that covers many aspects of planning and carrying out "self-deliverance" in his apartment. She writes because she wants to raise awareness that if the U.S. had better "death with dignity" laws more people could seek out physician-assisted death in a supportive environment instead of dying alone in a shroud of secrecy.

Bury Me Deep from Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
As hospice nurses, Alison Milne and Michael Schooley drive hundreds of miles a day, across two regions of Southern Maine, visiting patients at different stages of the dying process. Both say a person must have a calling to work in hospice. As they transgress the boundaries between the living and the dying, they enter the most intimate of human worlds.

The Art of Dying Well by Hana Baba
Dealing with death can be emotionally draining, but one man says we shouldn’t fear the experience. Instead, it should be embraced as a natural part of life. Dale Borglum is founder the Living/Dying Project. His organization helps people deal with death, gain a sense of spirituality, live fully, and prepare to die, as he puts it, a “conscious death.” Hana Baba from KALW in San Francisco sat down with Borglum and asked him what that means.

The Bluesologist - Airs June 1st

2011-06-01T00:54:00.008-05:00

We've been known to feature poetry from time to time on the program; this week (as the space shuttle returns to earth*) we'll dedicate our entire episode to "the godfather of rap." Gil Scott-Heron, renowned musician, bluesologist, and revolutionary spoken word poet, died this past Friday at 62. Tune in Wednesday night at 6:30 to 90.3 FM. No, the revolution will not be televised - it'll be on KFAI.

*Timely cogent masterpieces of satire:
Whitey On The Moon & Space Shuttle

Irv and Me - Airs May 25

2011-05-23T14:41:00.001-05:00

"I don't think the world needs another memoir." Those are the words writer Irving Brecher told Hank Rosenfeld when he suggested the pair write a book about Brecher's life. It's one of my favorite quotes from this charming documentary. Brecher was the only person to write two Marx Brothers movies alone. All the others were written by committee. Rosenfeld loves comedies and is also a writer. While this doc includes great stories about the Marx Brothers, it's really a story about the friendship of Brecher and Rosenfeld. Brecher's wit is lighting fast. Luckily, Rosenfeld kept a recorder on during much of their eight years together. Don't miss "Irv and Me," produced by Jon Kalish, a good friend of mine and a radio producer in New York City.

At The Circus - May 18

2011-05-23T14:34:00.002-05:00

Remember the magic of the circus? The spangles and the sawdust, the unmistakeable smell of animals, the excitement as the lights dimmed? How are circuses managing in the video game technological world of today? What kind of person does it take to perform in a circus, living a gypsy existence, sometimes risking life and limb to bring us, the audience that moment of wonder? Radio Netherlands visits the circus.

Polar Prom - Airs May 11

2011-05-11T18:09:00.000-05:00

High school proms are a rite of passage that most teenagers take for granted. But not in Igloolik. It's a small, isolated Arctic town in northern Canada in Nunavut. Recently the town's students and teachers staged the first prom in the town's history. It was a huge success and an inspiration. And the event can all be traced back to an e-mail received by the CBC's Maureen Brosnahan. Which lead to her documentary "Polar Prom." In addition to airing "Polar Prom," we air a Listening Lounge favorite: "Will You Go To Prom With Me?" It's an audio essay by a teenage boy flummoxed by the notion of asking a girl to prom. It's funny and all-too-familiar.

Yesterday's Revolution - Airs May 4

2011-05-04T15:58:00.001-05:00

Lots of folks are into vinyl these days. Some people are even making mix tapes again. But if you really want to embrace obscure, seemingly dead media, there's no better way to do it than to buy 78 rpm records. This documentary takes listeners inside the rarefied world of 78 record enthusiasts, including Greg Carr, former KFAI "Dig Out the Roots" DJ, and Scott Holthus, owner of Vintage Music Company in Minneapolis. Holthus owns hundreds of thousands of 78 records and he refurbishes the machines that plays them. Produced by Listening Lounge host Todd Melby for KFAI's 10,000 Fresh Voices series.

The Vietnam Tapes of Michael A. Baronowski - Airs April 27

2011-04-27T10:17:00.000-05:00

In 1966, a young marine took a reel-to reel tape recorder with him into the Vietnam War. For two months, until he was killed in action, Michael Baronowski made tapes of his friends, of life in fighting holes, of combat. 34 years later, his comrade Tim Duffie brought Baronowski's three-inch reels to Lost & Found Sound. The documentary shed light on the experience of that war, and, in some measure, of all wars. It used the power of radio to reveal the heart through the voice and to see in the dark. It combined the rare talent of the late Baronowski as a "correspondent" from the front, the compassion of his dedicated platoon mate Duffie. The documentary won the first Gold Award in the Third Coast Audio Festival competition.

Twitterpated - Airs April 20th

2011-04-19T23:50:00.006-05:00

A More Perfect Union by Eric Molinsky
A look at American self-identity through the medium of online dating services. Culling data from over twenty online dating sites, artist-programmer R. Luke DuBois made his own map of the U.S. with data from 19 million dating profiles. We'll hear who’s shy, who’s bored, who’s got moxie -- and who wants to be spanked.

Lights, Camera... Date! by Todd Bookman
Misrepresentation is simply part of the internet dating game. A few pounds here, a few inches there -- everyone does it. But when Ryan learns that the girl who arrived for the date wasn't even the girl from the profile; he felt things had gone a little too far. PS. 9 million viewers were watching his reaction.

Skit About Computer Dating by Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara
A couple is paired by a computer believing them to be a perfect match - but they think that perhaps there has been a mistake. Recorded live on April 3rd on the Ed Sullivan show in 1966.

Strange But True Baseball Stories - Airs April 13th

2011-04-12T22:36:00.015-05:00

Dock Ellis Pitches a No-No by Neille Ilel
Steroid use in Major League Baseball has muscled back into the headlines as the Barry Bonds' perjury trail jury begins their fourth day of deliberation. But drugs in baseball are certainly nothing new. Dock Ellis tells us about the time in 1970 he pitched a no-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates while on a perhaps-not-so-performance-enhancing drug.

The Potato Ball Caper from Long Haul Productions
On August 31, 1987, one of baseball's most peculiar plays took place in the minor leagues in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It was a variation of the age-old hidden ball trick, except this time around it actually involved a hidden potato.

Nancy Plays for the Sox by Philip Graitcer
The organ is baseball’s loudest fan, and, like peanuts and hot dogs, hearing the national anthem played on a ballpark organ is baseball tradition... but that’s changing. This season only about half of the major league teams have real live organists. Their sound is being replaced by canned music and DJs. Nancy Faust was the Chicago White Sox organist for 41 seasons. She retired at the end of last season - but we get to sit-in with her for a few tunes before she hung up her Molly O'Morgan.

PS. Here's a great animated version of our first tale.

Chemical Change - Airs March 23rd

2011-03-21T12:38:00.003-05:00

Out of Chaos by Shannon Heffernan
Shannon has had trouble staying focused her whole life because she has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. A few months ago, she finally decided to try to do something about it. She kept an audio diary of her fears of how the medicine might change her and lets us listen in on the process.

Reinventing Fun by Hillary Frank
Sam chose Augsburg College because it was near his cocaine dealer. But Augsburg is also home to one of the few on-campus recovery programs in the country, StepUP. Eventually, (rock bottom came first of course) Sam decided to get himself clean and join. But then came the hard part: sobering up while still living with his party-animal roommates. He had to find something to replace all the drugs, pills, and booze -- fun.

Cancer Anxiety Study by Ben Adair
Pamela was anxious and depressed. After years of intensive chemotherapy, Pamela was told her Stage 4 cancer was terminal, and her death would likely be painful. After losing hope she was living out her remaining days in fear. Her doctors prescribed antidepressants, but they didn’t do any good. So, Pamela volunteered for an experimental depression treatment hoping to ease the pain and trauma of a terminal illness. She took psilocybin -- a hallucinogen better known as "magic mushrooms."

When Silence Sings - Airs March 16th

2011-03-16T12:34:00.003-05:00

When Silence Sings by Joanne Coombs

Tonie Flaathen has been profoundly deaf from birth. This does not stop her from absorbing and relishing the reverberations that 'sound' through her. She contemplates what it means to hear as she takes us on an aural tour of her adoptive city - Venice.

Venice is the most acoustically transparent city in the World. It exists without the sounds of automobiles. You would think this aspect of the city's charm would be lost on Tonie. But Tonie understands audio; as a small child Tonie's father would create complex acoustic set-ups in the garden, amplifying the vibrations in nature in order to help her understand the concept of sound. And being free from the common mire of motor traffic makes it possible for the sonic details of urban life to have a surprising delicacy. Everyday sounds such as footsteps and the coos of pigeons have remarkable clarity as they penetrate and mix within the public acoustic space. Monumental sounds such as bells, ship horns, or thunder claps can travel great distances.

The Italian word 'to hear' is 'sentire'. The same word in reflexive form 'sentirsi' means 'to feel'. Different sorts of microphones were used by Joanne to reflect the way the world feels to Tonie. She captures the vibrations to create a sonic landscape of Venice - for us.

Women of Troy - Airs March 9

2011-03-07T12:33:00.001-06:00

Troy, New York was once one of the richest cities in America (thanks to its role in the industrial revolution). Now, roughly one-fifth of the population lives under the U.S. poverty line. Listening Lounge will air three audio stories documenting the lives of the women living in Troy today: “In the Office of Temporary Assistance,” “Just a Girl” and “The Cutting Place."

The series "Women of Troy" is part of “In Verse” is a multimedia reporting project combining poetry, photography and sound. This installment features poet Susan B.A. Somers-Willett, photographer Brenda Ann Kenneally and producer Lu Olkowski as they document the lives of working mothers in Troy, New York. A slideshow of photos connected with the project is here.

Also on the show: "The Christopher I Knew" and "Pink" from the Salt Institute of Documentary Studies. A slideshow associated with "The Christopher I Knew" is here.

Cigar Stories - Airs March 2

2011-03-02T15:31:00.000-06:00

Hand rolling cigars can be boring. So in the old days, factory owners hired readers to break up the monotony. In this episode of the Listening Lounge, we learn about "El Lector - He Who Reads," a documentary produced by the Kitchen Sisters. From about 1900 to the 1930s, men in panama hats who spoke in loud, beautiful voices read to the workers as they rolled cigars in factories in Tampa and Ybor City. We'll also listen to a poem titled "Box of Cigars" by Gerald Sterns.

Hitting the Road - Airs Feb. 16

2011-02-16T11:48:00.000-06:00

We're hitting the road tonight with three quirky travel pieces. We begin with an exploration of the dark underbelly of Sin City. Producer Scott Carrier hangs out with gamblers in "Las Vegas." After that, we listen in as Jenny Asarnow contemplates vacationing to "somewhere nice" with Amtrak's computerized travel agent. In "Julie the Amtrak God," we hear Jenny and Julie battle it out. Who will win? Human or computer? And then we wrap up the show with producer Jake Warga's bus journey to the West Coast. He talks to fellow travelers or gets fooled by them and visits a friend in jail. (We like the upbeat travel stories!)

Valentine's Day Heartbreak - Airs Feb. 9

2011-02-09T12:01:00.000-06:00

Instead of sobbing into your chai this week-before-Valentine's-day, why not revel in the details of other people's love and heartache? Listening Lounge starts off with a visit to the Museum of Broken Relationships in Croatia--complete with wind-up bunnies--then we drop into the StoryCorps booth to hear from a Korean mother about how she learned to say "I love you.". Next, Courtenay Hameister, host of Portland's Live Wire Radio, shares the embarrassing details of her early conversations with boys. We end the hour with a sprinkling of other StoryCorps voices, and an audio collage about growing old together, from the Wandering Jew series. You don't want to miss it.

Communicating With Animals - Airs Groundhog Day

2011-01-29T22:48:00.006-06:00

Thoughts Of An Animal Communicator by Paul Messing
First, we'll hear musings from animal communicator David Louis. David bares his emotionally honest perceptions on all animals, and basic feelings of love and understanding.

Subtext: Communicating with Horses by Jay Allison
An animal psychologist searches for the source of one horse's ennui. The horse responds with his story of dislocation and lost youth.

Sounds and Ultra-Sounds of the Bottle-Nose Dolphin by John Cunningham Lilly
Dolphins are known to have a highly complex system of communication, combining clicks, whistles and ultrasound. Sample these sounds and ultrasounds (frequencies have been lowered to a range audible to the human ear) We'll also hear vocal exchanges between human and dolphin. Expert John Lilly narrates.

LISTEN TO PROMO

Shades of Gray - Airs Jan. 19 and Jan. 26

2011-01-19T10:48:00.000-06:00

Pro-choice. Pro-life. Most people have already chosen sides in the ongoing debate, so why revisit the issue? "Shades of Gray" shares a range of stories told by people young and old who have been directly affected by abortion, instead of the polemics of irreconcilable extremes. It's a carefully crafted audio mosaic and a stark portrayal of the intensely personal nature of our relationship with abortion. PRX Reviewer Marjorie Van Halteren described it this way: "This is impressive work - and very careful - it's artistic AND balanced. This piece does not promote abortion. It does not condemn it. But it does provide some very precise information - for example, part one includes a beautifully produced experiential moment of what an abortion might be like - totally unromanticized - just the sound. Unembellished. It's not horrific - just factual and radiophonic at the same time." (Winner of the 2004 Golden Reel for National Documentary.)

Benjamin Franklin's 305th Birthday Spectacular - Airs Jan 12th

2011-01-11T22:47:00.007-06:00

Ben Franklin Death Ray from The Memory Palace
What is the coolest thing about Franklin? Very, very hard to say. But perhaps it was the time that those British were convinced that he was going to arm the French with electrical weapons.

Thirteen Virtues by Ben Franklin
Inspired by Philippians 4:8 the 20-year old Franklin sought to cultivate his character by charting a list of desirable personal behaviors and social traits. He followed the plan in at least some form until he published them in his autobiography at 79. While Ben admitted that he was never able to live the virtues perfectly, he had become a better and happier man for having made the attempt. Download your own Virtues Chart Here.

Ben Franklin In Analysis by Bob Newhart
Comedian Bob Newhart imagines what it would be like to have Franklin stretch out on his psychiatrist couch.

The Wonders of Childhood - Airs Dec 29th

2011-01-04T13:36:00.003-06:00

The Magic of Falling Teeth by Sharon Bar-David
Sharon takes us to a whimsical world that most of us have probably forgotten. It's filled with fairies and wiggly teeth.

The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde & read by Basil Rathbone
A giant erects a wall to keep children out of his garden, reaping the consequences of a continuous winter.

Hiawatha - Airs Nov 24th

2010-11-24T12:40:00.004-06:00

That's right, you angelheaded hipsters who listen to hydrogen jukeboxes, we're airing "The Song of Hiawatha".
Join us this Thanksgiving Eve as we listen to excerpts from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1855 epic poem recorded by Harry Fleetwood in 1956. Though the poem is based partly on both Ojibwe and Scandinavian myths and stories, Longfellow borrowed the name Hiawatha from an already legendary Iroquois hero.
A scathing review by a jerk at the New York Times said THIS about the poem: "The song of Hiawatha is entitled to commendation" for "embalming pleasantly enough the monstrous traditions of an uninteresting, and, one may almost say, a justly exterminated race." However, "As a poem, it deserves no place" because there "is no romance about the Indian." He complains that Hiawatha's deeds of magical strength pall by comparison to the feats of Hercules and even to those of "Finn Mac Cool, that big stupid Celtic monarch."
You can decide for yourself. Personally, I've never cared for the Times.

The Grave & Beyond - Airs Oct 27th

2010-10-27T13:34:00.010-05:00

The Dead Can’t Do You Nothin’ by Katie Mingle

Katie goes on a quest to find ghosts in a "pauper's graveyard" in New Orleans. Along the way, she meets a little boy who has lost his father, visits with some gravediggers who don't believe in ghosts, and of course learns some haunting lessons about life and death throughout her journey.

Showman's Rest by Shannon Heffernan
Forest Park is the last subway station on the Chicago's Blue Line. Famous for its multitude of graveyards, the suburb is quite literally the final stop for many Chicagoans. In a place with more dead residents than living ones, one particular grave site catches visitor's attention: Showman's Res t, a graveyard for circus performers from around the world. The story of the graveyard begins with a tragic circus train wreck in 1918.

The Sisters Fox from The Memory Palace

On March 31, 1848 two sisters, Katherine and Margaret Fox, ages 11 and 13, claimed they heard inexplicable rapping sounds emanating from a room in their farmhouse. Soon carriages lined up outside their home as people came to witness the sisters communicate with the spirit of a murdered peddler rumored to have been killed in the home some time earlier. We hear the story of these children as they go on to enjoy success as mediums. The Fox girls' public séances attracted notable people and the religious significance of communication with the deceased soon became apparent. Their powers quickly placed them at the forefront of the Spiritualism movement of 19th century America.

Allen Ginsberg reads 'Howl' - Airs Oct. 20

2010-10-27T12:51:00.005-05:00

That's right, you angelheaded hipsters who listen to hydrogen jukeboxes, we're airing "Howl," the great Allen Ginsberg poem - in full.

Haunted House - Airs Oct 13th

2010-10-13T16:05:00.004-05:00

Ghost Hunter Walk-through by Jake Warga
We tag along with Jake and his Amateur Ghost Hunting group to an interview with some potential clients. Their goal is to determine if it’s worth doing an actual, involved investigation of the house. The house was built in 1919, they’ve been there 2 years. Claire has experienced numerous events, initially frightening her. She believes in ghosts. Rick does not - but confesses he doesn't have an explanation. All events happen at night. This is a very normal scenario: women are more likely than men to believe in ghosts ...and everything seems to happen at night.

Guardian of the Murder House by Michael Paul Mason
A retelling of a terrible crime, but also a profile of a man whose life is intimately affected by his ownership of a home which is ranked as one of the 50 most paranormal sites in America. In the small town of Villisca, Iowa on June 10, 1912, an entire family and their two overnight guests were brutally murdered with an axe. The crime was never solved. With the help of the current owner, Darwin Linn, we retrace the tragic killings and bizarre aftermath.

Gay Parents in France: On The Fringes of the Law - Airs Sept. 22

2010-09-22T18:11:00.000-05:00

Paris-based reporter Sarah Elzas reports on same-sex couples who want to have children. They face many hurdles, more than one might imagine.

Curiosity and Other Riddles - Airs Sept. 15

2010-09-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

If you could understand one thing about how the world works, what would it be? Three radio producers (Ari Daniel Shapiro, Emily Corwin and Pien Huang) asked budding school-age scientists what they want to know -- and then we took those questions to some of the brightest scientists in Cambridge. After taking a stab at the questions, we asked the scientists what big unanswered questions they most wanted to understand, and took those sometimes cosmic and often existential questions back to the kids, for answers.

The program was produced in conjunction with the Cambridge Science Festival, and aired earlier this year on a public radio station in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Photo by Juhan Sonin)

Back To (A New) School - Airs Sept 8th

2010-09-07T13:41:00.003-05:00

We're handing the mic over to some kids so they can share their thoughts on the coming school year.

Back To School by Eve Abrams
Those who starting junior high school share their excitements and anxieties.

Home School to High School from Teenage Diaries
A turbulent year in the life of Nick, a 15-year old who hates school but must somehow learn to make friends.

State Fair Midway - Aired Sept 1st

2010-09-07T12:47:00.002-05:00

We pick-up where we left-off last week & celebrate the mid-point of the Minnesota State Fair.

The Greatest Minnesota Athlete To Run On Four Legs from MN90
One of Minnesota's greatest athletes was Dan Patch, a harness horse from the turn of the 20th century. Yep, one of the main drags at the state Fair is named after him. But very few of us actually remember who he is.

Great Pumpkins from Next Generation Radio
A story of people who dream about pumpkins... pumpkins that weigh over a thousand pounds. Lindsey Larson went to an annual pumpkin weigh-off in Toppsfield, Massachusetts.

Do What You Fear And Fear Disappears by Sarah Boothroyd
Sarah visits a "fun house" for some screams, thoughts on fear, spooky music, and more screams.

A Nighttime Fair Audio Collage by Jason Rayles
Every fair is essentially two separate events - one bright and sunny - full of cuddly animals and babies; the other dark, hormone-fueled and ambiguously dangerous full of oddballs, oddities, misfits, and shysters. We’re visiting the later.

Fireworks from Mystery Solved
Everything you ever wanted to know about fireworks, in two minutes.

The Fair - Airs Aug 25th

2010-08-23T12:47:00.005-05:00

Since we'll be broadcasting on the eve of the Minnesota State Fair, we thought we'd prime you for some of the sounds you can be expecting the next few weeks. (We'll do our best on sights and smells too!)
First, Todd Melby introduces us to the Saint Paul Bouncing Team - a staple of the State Fair. Then Jason Rayles will take us to meet some farm animals, kiddie rides, everyone's-a-winner games, The Museum of World Oddities, a baby contest, a pig race, a demolition derby, fireworks, scary rides, and more. Plus, we'll hear a Memory Palace episode that recounts the tale of the first Ferris Wheel and how it went from a thrill-ride and marvel that out-shone the Eiffel Tower to the humble staple of every county fair and amusement park midway.

Left for Dead - Airs Aug. 18

2010-08-11T10:43:00.000-05:00

Among our favorite audio producers are the students at the Salt Institute of Documentary Studies. On this show, we air three Salt stories, including "Left for Dead." Here's a description of that piece: On May, 27, 2008, two men broke into the Guerrette family’s home in the rural town of Pittston, Maine. They carried a machete. William Guerrette, a former state legislator, was severely wounded in the head during the break-in. So was his 10-year-old daughter. Now, two years after the incident the Guerrettes’ continue to beat back their fears. They struggle with traumatic brain injury. And perhaps worst of all, they realize their story may never have a happy ending. (Photo by Sarah Craig)

Stencil Pirates and other grafitti stories - Airs Aug. 11

2010-08-11T10:38:00.002-05:00

If the sound of a spray paint can is enough to get you high, this is the show for you. On this graffiti-themed episode of "The Listening Lounge," we meet a stencil pirate, who unlike traditional hip-hop graffiti artists, pepper the urban landscape with stencil images. We also hang out with a 34-year-old graffiti artist who is worried that his passion doesn't fit his grown-up lifestyle — he's married with children. (Won't it be embarrassing to get bailed out of jail as a 30-something?) We'll also air a super-sly story by Callie Dean of Portland's KBOO Youth Collective on being arrested for marking up a bus shelter with erasable ink. (Who can blame her? It was Sunday. The bus wasn't coming. The marker was erasable ...)

There's more cool stuff too. Tune in ... if you're not already on the streets making the urban landscape a prettier place.

FYI: The story titled "Something Beautiful" was produced by Whitney Eulich of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Thanks, Whitney!

Digital Drugs - Airs August 4th

2010-08-03T13:39:00.008-05:00

"absolutely amazing.....tried it just now and feeling a little high.....my mind is stilll vibrating and am feeling euphoric....highly recommended....earlier tried cocaine and orgasm but didnt feel the effect i am feeling right now...heroin is awesome. thanks idose" raj – July 18, 2010

Word on the street ... or rather the mainstream media... is that kids around the country are getting high on the internet. Specifically, MP3s that induce a state of intoxication. Those who want to try the "drugs" can purchase tracks that purportedly bring about the same effects of reefer, peyote, shrooms, opium, and the like. You can also try healing, awakening, sexual, or religious experiences. So-called digital drugs combine two tones, one played in each ear, to create binaural beats that allegedly alter brain waves. Users are also advised to buy a 40-page manual so that they learn how to properly get high. ...Ahem.

LISTEN TO PROMO

I Spy - Airs July 28th

2010-07-25T23:06:00.014-05:00

Listening at the Border by Jay Needham
"The static is just like an electronic ocean wave. It's just white static noise and then it fades out, in, and out again. When you do hear a voice - it sounds like a voice in a coffee can sunk to the bottom of a lake. It's almost unintelligible - in fact it is to probably 95% of those who hear it. That's where the training comes in."
Former military linguist and audio spy recounts his activities and the psychological price he paid.

We See It All by Aaron Henkin
"Vanity plays lurid tricks with our memory."
A photo lab technician ponders our life as he sees it every day, through thousands upon thousands upon thousands of personal snapshots.

Moon Grafitti - Airs July 21

2010-07-19T15:52:00.000-05:00

“That’s one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.” We all know the quote, the triumphant story. It seems written in stone. But Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong came within inches of tragedy when they landed Apollo 11. Moon Grafitti imagines what it might have sounded like if things had gone a little differently. Based on a contingency speech written by William Safire for Richard Nixon titled “In the Event of Moon Disaster.”

The story was created by Jonathan Mitchell for a new public radio series titled, "The Truth."

Credits:
produced by Jonathan Mitchell
edited by Hillary Frank
Matt Evans as Neil Armstrong
Ed Herbstman as Buzz Aldrin
John Ottavino as Richard Nixon

American Dreamer: Sam's Story - Airs July 14

2010-07-07T19:00:00.002-05:00

Every year, an estimated 65,000 undocumented students graduate from American high schools. Raised entirely in American culture, they finish high school only to find themselves in a peculiarly American limbo. "American Dreamer: Sam's Story" is a first-person longitudinal half-hour radio documentary sharing the experience of one of these kids.

Soldiers Soundtracks to War - Airs July 7

2010-07-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

Reporter Jake Warga went to Iraq and plugged into soldier's iPods and asked them what they were listening to, why they liked the song, and what their lives were like. Their music choices form a soundtrack to the soldier's narrating their own war stories. Many had been deployed multiple times, and offered perspectives on how their (and our) roll has changed since the 2003 invasion. Over everything from "Indestructible" by hard rock's Disturbed to C&W's "Kiss My Country Ass" to Streisand's "Send In the Clowns" to one soldier singing us a gospel song, we hear their experiences serving our country -- told to the tunes in their personal mp3 players.

Northwest Institute for Social Change - Airs June 30

2010-06-30T16:02:00.001-05:00

College students participating in the Northwest Institute For Social Change's summer radio program will air their stories on this show.

Listening Lounge moves to Wednesdays

2010-06-28T10:31:00.002-05:00

Listening Lounge will begin airing at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning June 30. So reset your Lounge clock to this new time! See you soon.

Working - Airs June 28

2010-06-21T15:52:00.002-05:00

This show centers on stories from the critically-acclaimed Working series.

We'll hang out with a miner in the Congo, a banker in London and a sex worker in Azerbaijan. The link to the entire Working series is here.

And then we relax with a lighter story. The story of how the CIA wired a cat to spy on the Soviets in DC parks. Weird, but true. It's from this LA producer named Nate DiMeo, who likes to produce obscure
historical stories called The Memory Palace.

Saving Jungle Souls + Memory Palace - Airs June 21

2010-06-21T15:46:00.001-05:00

A sound-rich profile of Ataiba, chief of one of the last bands of nomads in the Americas, as he leaves the Bolivian jungle to live with evangelical missionaries. The story is told by Ataiba and the missionaries from starkly different points of view. Part of the Vanishing Homelands series, chronicling the dramatic changes to land and culture across the Americas. By Sandy Tolan and Nancy Postero.
We'll pair this documentary with a short feature from The Memory Palace, a public radio effort by Los Angeles-based producer Nate DiMeo. It's super cool. Listen in.

X Town x City X - Airs June 14th

2010-06-14T12:53:00.009-05:00

X Town by Sean Cole
A documentary about the people who once lived in four towns destroyed to make way for a reservoir for the city of Boston. More than 2,000 people lived in those towns. Some of them are still beset by the memory of losing their homes; so haunted that they still try to hold onto their lost communities in whatever way they can.

City X by Jonathan Mitchell
A history of the modern shopping mall told through perspectives of people living in a real, yet anonymous, city. Using a rich audio mosaic of observations and ruminations, all scored to Muzak, the universal mall experience comes to life, for better or for worse.

Stuff and the People Who Love It - Airs June 7

2010-05-31T19:02:00.003-05:00

Americans love to buy stuff. We buy everything from computers to baseball cards to Barbie dolls to scrap. In this episode of the Listening Lounge, we air several portraits of buyers and collectors, including two profiles of shoppers that Diane Richard and I interviewed for Consuming Desire, a 2005 documentary we produced for Chicago Public Radio. You'll meet Fadia, a woman who sometimes uses her sister's credit card to buy jewelry at a department store and Rolf, a collector of fine ceramics. We'll also air "The Junk King," a story produced by Joshua Gleason of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. "The Junk King" features a Main junk dealer who dreams of creating a museum filled with his finds. And finally, we'll hear reporter Eric Molinsky's take on planned obsolescence — it's called "Built to Fail." Tune in. The show is free.

Memorial Day - Airs Memorial Day

2010-05-31T18:23:00.007-05:00

Burial At Sea by Adam Allington
All across America today people are gathering at village greens, town halls, churches and cemeteries to remember those fallen in service of their country. Bill Bricker was a captain in the Marine Corps during WWII and was wounded during the campaign for Okinawa. For Bill, Memorial Day always invokes a particular memory that colors his observation of the holiday.

Jennie's Secret by Linda Paul
Take a look at this picture above. Maybe you can figure out that the Civil War soldier on the right is a woman. But the guy sitting next to her sure couldn’t, and neither could the rest of her fellow soldiers. They didn’t conduct physical exams back in those days the way the military does now. The army’s policy, one observer quipped, was "don’t test the eyes, count ‘em."

I Have Not Yet Begun To Rot from The Memory Palace
In which we hear the story of Revolutionary War hero, John Paul Jones, and the Civil War hero who found his coffin, 100 years after it had been lost in a Paris cemetery.

Fathom - Airs May 24th

2010-05-24T13:15:00.004-05:00

We'll listen to extended field recordings from the Polar regions of the earth. Douglas Quin is an award-winning sound designer, naturalist and composer. His latest project is called "Fathom." It's an album of minimally edited underwater field recordings released on Twin Cities' own Taiga Records. Fathom contains four underwater soundscapes—two each from the Arctic and Antarctic. The recordings have been gathered over a period of 15 years, capturing an extraordinary palette of sonic voices, events, spaces, and textures. To the human ear, these soundscapes are haunting and otherworldly; yet they are very much of this world - though out of earreach... Until now.

Nuevo South - Airs May 17

2010-05-15T14:33:00.001-05:00

It's sinking in among Americans that the nation's largest wave of immigration did not happen a century ago. It's happening now. About 35-million of us were born in other countries. That's one in eight residents of the United States. Immigrants come from all over the globe, but Latino immigration is remaking the country. And not just on the coasts and in the Southwest.

Siler City, North Carolina used to be the kind of town where almost everyone, black and white, had roots going back a century or two. Characters on the Andy Griffith Show mentioned Siler City, and the actor who played Aunt Bee retired there because it reminded her of Mayberry. It was just about the last place a Spanish-speaking immigrant was likely to land. That started to change in the 1990s. Today, thanks to chicken processing jobs that no one else wants, Siler City is about half Latino.

John Biewen and Tennessee Watson of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University produced this portrait of a town in transition ... in the Nuevo South.

Mother, Pt. 2 - Airs May 10th

2010-05-10T14:11:00.007-05:00

Flatline Days by Catherine Spangler
Hilary Hebert can’t control what kind of parent she will be on any given day. Sometimes, she lets her kids draw all over the walls and she draws along with them. Other times, she lectures them for doing the same thing. Hilary is learning how to manage her mood disorder while raising kids at the same time.

Speaking to My Heart from Blunt Youth Radio
Nikki, who's serving an 18th month sentence at the Long Creek Youth Development Center talks about what it's like to be separated from her young children.

Fifty-four Years by Erin Calabria
In January 2009, Maine law changes, granting all adult adoptees access to their original birth records. Lois Pelton, a birth mother who secretly surrendered a child for adoption in 1954, is afraid that her secret will be discovered. Meanwhile, her son, Andre Drapeau, begins to search for her.

Mother Daughter Dresses from Story Salon Live
Shirley Scott recalls longing for individuality in the face of a mother fixated on the concept of "Mother-Daughter" matching outfits.

Mother - Airs May 3rd

2010-05-03T14:00:00.010-05:00

Teen Mom from Radio Diaries
Producer Joe Richman has been giving tape recorders to young people to document their lives. He introduces us to Melissa who didn't mean to get pregnant. But now, after 12 years of living in the foster care system, she's trying to build the family she never had. Melissa is realistic about her situation, but it is clear that she is determined to be a great mother.

Tupperware by The Kitchen Sisters
Tag along with Tupperware dealer Lucky Laurel into the noisy world of Tupperware conventions, regional meetings, and of course, those signature Tupperware parties. Note: Only the round containers "burp".

Muriel's Message by Mira Burt-Wintonick
Memories of a much-beloved grandmother resurface when an unlabeled box of audio cassettes is discovered in the basement. One tape is titled "Muriel's Message." What might this message be? A long-held family secret? A confession? A revelation? Motherly advice? Grandmotherly guidance? We press "Play" and find out.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame - Airs April 26

2010-04-26T15:55:00.001-05:00

Long before fans got excited about Joe Mauer, they admired Jackie Robinson and Joe DiMaggio. In this edition of The Lounge, we head out to the ballpark for a variety of baseball stories and songs. And one cool essay on something called "Spring Skiing" by the remarkable Scott Carrier. We begin with a trip to a minor league park in Sacramento, followed by the song "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio" and a collage of interviews with Chicago Cub fans. And then we have a three-piece tribute to Jackie Robinson. So sharpen those spikes, put relish on your hot dog and tune in.

The Art of Ruth Draper - Airs April 19th

2010-04-19T11:54:00.012-05:00

Monologist Ruth Draper meticulously studied the people around her. She then spun these observations into rich, droll, poignant one-person sketches, which she presented at parties. She went on to travel throughout the United States and Europe performing on Broadway and at the invitation of royalty. In the mid-50's, when she was 70 years old, she finally reluctantly, submitted herself to be captured on tape. We will hear two of those very few recordings.

A German Governess with a Class of Children
An early work of Draper's, and one she continued to perform until the end of her career. Draper claims only two of her characters were based on real people, and this was not one of them. That said—she was indeed educated by a German governess.

Doctors and Diets
Four women are lunching at a chic midtown restaurant. All are on diets. While Draper portrays only one of them, we are convincingly transported right into their midst. Cures are hyperactively discussed, physicians cheerily lauded, and dear friends trashed—all with the very best intentions.

Hollow Victory - Airs April 12

2010-04-07T15:22:00.002-05:00

Chelsea Merz, a reviewer on Public Radio Exchange, describes "Hollow Valley" this way: "Missing toes, internal hemorrhaging, black lung, eating flour and sugar for dinner: the life of West Virginian miners. This sounds straight out of Steinbeck, and like Steinbeck Helen Borten explores the economic problems of rural labor, the political power of the bullying coal industry." This documentary, produced by reporter Helen Borten, explores the implications of coal mining in West Virginia.

Show Us The Love - Airs March 29

2010-03-29T16:41:00.002-05:00

Hey, it's pledge drive time!

For volunteers at the hippest little radio station in town, that means chowing on Jimmy John's sandwiches and reminding listeners how cool KFAI is.

For you, that means opening your wallet just a little to keep the awesome stuff on the air.

Call us between 7-7:30 p.m. and pledge your support to member-supported, independent public radio.

Or you can go online too.

I'll also be playing some of the best short radio pieces from the last year on tonight's "Listening Lounge." At the moment, I'm thinking of a great youth radio piece on how tough it is to ask someone to prom.

Mesh - Airs March 22nd

2010-03-16T12:16:00.024-05:00

Hip Hop Marching Band by Mary Rose Madden
Baltimore's Morgan State University is home to The Magnificent Marching Machine, the college's 100+ member marching band. With a remarkable field presence, the band incorporates the latest hip hop hits as well as r&b classics into its repertoire. There are many challenges re-making modern, electronically mixed sounds into the big band compositions you'd traditionally find at halftime and the MMM tackle each piece differently.

Punk Rock Kabuki Play by Eli Halpern
"Early Kabuki was like totally transgressive and politically subversive... just like pinning safety pins to your leather jacket." So what would happen if you mixed the ancient Japanese art of Kabuki theater with the in-your-face power of punk? Would it say anything about how rebellious art forms eventually become co-opted by mainstream society? The Two-Headed Calf Theater took their adaptation of Chikamatsu's classic "The Drum of the Waves of Horikawa" on the road and we catch a glimpse of the action.

Siberian Throat Singing Blues by Jonathan Mitchell
Songwriter Paul Pena has been singing the blues since he was a kid. He even had a hit with "Jet Airliner." But after an unexpected encounter with the throat-singing tradition of Tuva, the blind blues singer recharted his entire life. He studied, practiced, and then flew all the way to Central Asia to master the technique of Tuvan throat singing. Happily, Pena's full-throated Kargyraa rumble fared very well over there.

LISTEN TO PROMO

No Brother of Mine - Airs March 15

2010-03-01T19:22:00.000-06:00

“No Brother of Mine” offers an unflinching look at U.S. sex offender policy that reaches beyond the headlines and into the lives of real people. Reported over four years by award-winning independent producers Todd Melby and Diane Richard, this hour-long documentary combines audio-rich storytelling that puts the listener in the scene with expert interviews that lend perspective and propel the narrative forward. It provides a nuanced examination of issues surrounding federal online registration laws, residency restrictions, Romeo and Juliet laws and the growing use of civil commitment. (Todd Melby is the host of the Listening Lounge.)

Brainhilda, Dyana and Other Stories About Women - Airs March 8

2010-03-01T19:07:00.003-06:00

Brainhilda and I
Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Carole Starr was a dedicated violinist, until a brain injury left her with a rare hearing disorder. Suddenly the music Carole loved dearly became something close to torture. concert, even though her body and mind pay dearly for it.

Dyana, Goddess of the Moose Hunt
Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
It all started out as a simple moose hunt...but a lot can go wrong.

Find out how this story was reported by listening to the Saltcast podcast.

Women in the Economy
World Vision Report
17 years ago, Somaliland declared itself independent from Somalia. But no other country has ever formally recognized Somaliland as a bonafide nation. That means it’s not eligible for international aid or loans. Many blame that lack of recognition for the fact that an estimated 90 percent of the men in the capital of Somaliland are unemployed. But Hargeisa’s marketplace bristles with activity. As Richard Lough reports, it’s women who run the businesses.

Survivors - Airs March 1

2010-02-27T12:54:00.000-06:00

Tens of thousands of inmates live in total isolation in America's jails and prisons today. And the number is rapidly growing. Often prisoners spend years – even decades – by themselves in a cell the size of a small bathroom. They don't see anyone. They don't talk to anyone. They don't touch anyone. They are completely alone.

In this half-hour radio documentary, "survivors" of solitary paint a picture of what solitary confinement looks, sounds and feels like. These are the voices of both men and women; Black, White and Latino; old and young.

Listen to "Survivors: Solitary Confinement" by independent producer Claire Schoen at 7 p.m. on March 1. (Photo of Robert King Wilkerson, who spent 29 years in solitary confinement, was taken by Terry Foss.)

Racial Cleansing in America + More - Airs Feb. 22

2010-02-22T12:00:00.001-06:00

Four stories about race in America.

Racial Cleansing in America, by Center for Documentary Studies
Once in awhile you come across an American town or county that has long been virtually all-white, even though surrounding communities have substantial black populations. It may not always be an accident. In the six decades after the Civil War, in more than a few rural communities, white mobs violently expelled virtually all of their black neighbors. A new book, Buried in the Bitter Waters, describes a dozen of these racial expulsions. Among the places living with this uneasy history is Corbin, Kentucky, a small railroad town in the Appalachian foothills.

Living Flag, by Dmae Roberts
Street performance piece with Artist damali ayo as she panhandles around the country to create dialogue about reparations for slavery.

Black Word Nerds, by Will Wright
How do Black people think Anglos (white people) think they talk? A story by a KFAI producer.

A Prohibition, by Terin Mayer
Three students reflect on what it means to be "Black" at Carleton College in Minnesota.

From Brooklyn to Banja Luka - Airs Feb. 15

2010-02-08T15:34:00.001-06:00

Radio Netherlands describes the documentary this way: "Jonathan is a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn. He has a typically New York loudness, and he's flamboyant, musical and pretty good with languages. Dragana is a nice Serbian girl from Bosnia. She is prone to the occasional Slavic melancholy, but is also generally loud, musical, and pretty good with languages. They live in Holland, a small and sober country that, at first glance doesn't seem suited to either temperament." We first aired this story a couple years back on the Lounge. It makes a big, beautiful return on Feb. 15 so you soak in its Valentine's Day glow. By the way, the program won a Prix Europa in 2005 and a Gold Medal at the New York International Radio Festival.

Perfect Match - Airs Feb 8th

2010-02-02T12:07:00.020-06:00

Quite A Pair by Dan Epstein
Jos is a sneaker fiend, an obsessive collector of gym shoes. Over one thousand pairs of Nikes crowd Jos's apartment. Plus, he's a thirteen - so they're big to boot. Shoes are now also spilling into a storage unit he secured to contain the ever-increasing collection. Most friends and family think he's nuts. Who on earth could stand to live with this guy? Robin, his shoe fetishizing sidekick.

Matching Outfits Not Included by Hillary Frank
Every night Dusty and Honey lie in their twin beds and talk before they fall asleep. The two sisters, now in their seventies, have been together all their lives. They also dress alike every day. In every way possible, the sisters seem to have preserved the relationship they had as girls. They've somehow figured out a way to turn life into an endless sleep-over.

A Royale With Cheese by Sarah Elzas
France was one of the first countries to start overdubbing foreign voices in film - dating back all the way to very early talkies. And there, when a Hollywood actor gets famous enough, he or she begins to be dubbed by the same person each time. This is a portrait of Thierry Desroses; Samuel L. Jackson en français.

Lovesick, Locked Up from Blunt Youth Radio Project
Next, we'll meet Matt and Cassie, who are addicted to drugs, alcohol - and each other. Matt's an alcoholic, Cassie's hooked on crack. Now they're both imprisoned at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, Maine. Their relationship's like a yo-yo, and counselor, Deb, tries to explain how very difficult it is for two addicts to sustain a healthy relationship.

Undatable by Chana Joffe-Walt
Living with cancer, let alone the challenge of finding a date, is especially difficult. And finding love seemed impossible to Rose. She felt undatable. Rose was diagnosed a decade ago, gets sick from the chemotherapy pretty often, and is depressed most of the time. Plus, she began her internet dating profile with: "I have cancer - but this isn't the movies; dating me won't make you a better person." Rose thought none of this sounded like someone anyone would want spend a life with. She was wrong.

LISTEN TO PROMO

I Love You, I Love You Not - Airs Feb. 1

2010-01-25T15:26:00.000-06:00

Three stories to get you in the mood for Valentine's Day:

All Coming Years of Peaceful Love - An 81-year-old man learns it's never too late to fall in love. (From CBC's Outfront program)

Eat Cake - A fictional romantic comedy about a lonely woman who makes coconut cake on Valentine's Day, even when she doesn't have a boyfriend. The first few minutes involve our heroine talking to a cat and making a cake. (Jonathan Mitchell, independent producer)

Old Together - Three couples discuss love, life and growing old together. (Barrett Golding, independent producer)

Si Se Puede - Airs Jan. 25

2010-01-25T08:54:00.004-06:00

It's been 72 years since the "strike heard round the world" -- when autoworkers in Flint, Michigan, occupied a General Motors plant and and jumpstarted the union movement in the United States. But in recent years, as the power of unions in the U.S. has waned, sit-down strikes have been more common in Latin America, Europe and Canada.

Things finally changed in December of 2008 when immigrant Latino, African American, and white workers occupied the Republic Windows and Door Factory in Chicago.

Producers Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister of Long Haul Productions spoke with the workers and organizers at Republic about their decision to stand up by sitting down -- the first American sit-down action since the 1937-38 Flint strike. Their documentary, "Si Se Puede" (Yes We Can), is an intimate account of the occupation told by the people who participated in it. It includes original music by Jesus "Chuy" Negrete.

We also air "400 Words for 79th Street" from the Memory Palace.

Your comments are welcome.

Sounds of Science - Airs Jan. 18th

2010-01-12T11:43:00.013-06:00

The Blue Morph by Claes Andreasson
Imagine ever so lightly touching a butterfly pupa, feeling the tiny agonizing movement inside. Transform those motions into sound, and you can listen to the butterfly's metamorphosis. This is exactly what nano scientist James Gimzewski did. And it's true: "it's not so easy to become a fabulous being."

Secret Worlds by Delaney Hall
Chris Watson, former member of Cabaret Voltaire, travels to remote parts of the planet to record distinct, delicate, extraordinary sounds you might never hear otherwise - like cheetahs purring or the Capercaillie’s intricate mating display. He's been busy sticking his microphone anywhere he can't put his ears since he was a little kid. For Chris, listening is complicated. It’s about hearing amazing sounds, for sure, but it’s also about memory, mindfulness, and ecology.

Listening To The Northern Lights by Barrett Golding
Steve McGreevy heads north, points his receiver at the sky, and listens to the aurora borealis. You can do that, if you have the right equipment. And Steve's got a van full. Producer Barrett Golding introduces us to "Natural Radio" - the sound of earth's magnetic field.

Antarctica by Douglas Quin
Finally, you'll hear hauntingly beautiful soundscapes of life in the coldest region of the planet by world-renowned field recordist Doug Quin. We'll tune-in to a world under the ice with songs of Weddell and Leopard Seals, Adelie and Emperor Penguins and the groaning of glaciers.

LISTEN TO PROMO

Time Marches On - Airs Jan. 11th

2010-01-09T16:22:00.012-06:00

Grains of Sand, Pts. 1 & 2 by Joe Frank
First we will listen to an engaging and sobering look at the passing of time. Joe inquires about the consequences of placing roadblocks in time's path (none), examines the grains of sand in the hourglass of life, and explores the seas of oblivion.

He Has No Time from Catalogue of Ships
We all have too much to do. We have no time. Are these real problems? Or are they badges we wear proudly? Do we invent crisis for the sake of making life more interesting? Like life, not all narratives are perfect, and so along the way we'll also hear a story about Samuel Becket and Israel Horovitz.

It's Just A Matter of Time by Ryan Scammell
People obsess with keeping things going even after their time. Why can't we simply let go of the past? To figure this out, we'll look at the histories of Coney Island... and Liza Minnelli. Their rise to the top, and how, when they got there, they never came down. Worlds collide when one night when Liza plays a concert at Coney Island.

LISTEN TO PROMO

Johnny Cash: At Folsom Prison - Airs Jan. 4

2009-12-28T08:32:00.001-06:00

The Listening Lounge takes you inside Folsom Prison for Johnny Cash's historic 1968 concert. This documentary from Joyride Media features Cash singing "Cocaine Blues," "Long Black Veil" and other haunting songs. The program also includes interviews with prisoners and Merle Haggard. To listen to the full program produced by Joyride Media, go here.