Radio is an ephemeral medium, but some stories have staying power. We remember the magical moments of chemistry in certain interviews; the brilliant sound design that emerged from particular studio sessions; the stories that took us places and those that changed us.
This year, Charles Monroe-Kane went home. And took his microphone with him. His portrait of his hometown, in the Rust Belt of Northeastern Ohio, is a story of rampant opioid abuse, poverty and joblessness. And of the brave, stubborn, caring people who’ve stayed because it’s home.
Steve Paulson and Anne Strainchamps were on vacation in Yellowstone National Park when they recognized one of the world’s leading wolf biologists. Their tag team interview brought the Park’s famous wolves to life, and made us cry and laugh.
Doug Gordon interviewed himself and gave us a charming, funny, painful and true portrait of life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Mark Riechers invited us into one of the most intimate moments of his life when he told the story of getting married in a historic movie palace, and even shared audio from the ceremony.
All these stories, Joe Hardtke’s sound design shimmers, adding layers of depth and brilliance. They are a delight to listen to – which is why we keep going back to them. Enjoy and thanks for listening along with us this year.
