Addictive Radio

A couple weeks ago someone asked me what ten blogs I read every day. To tell the truth, I don't read any ten blogs on a daily basis. Even with the news reader, I just haven't been able to make the time for myself (although I would like to). Living in Japan, however, I became addicted to radio news programs for my english news. Over the past few years I have scoured the archives of NPR, PRI, and BBC web sites. This is much easier for me than reading blogs or news sites because I can listen as I work on client's web sites, cook, or clean (doesn't happen very often). So, instead of listing my "must read" blogs, I am going to list my "must hear" radio sites (in the order of how addicted I am to them).

Shows I am addicted to:

• Justice Talking: My newest "favorite show"... "Each weekly program unapologetically tackles tough, provocative issues featuring reports from the field, polling analysis, and compelling debate between the nation’s leading advocates and political opposites. "
• The Connection: A long time favorite, "The Connection is energetic, edgy, outside-the-beltway American talk. The two-hour program tackles a vast range of topics. From politics to literature, religion to science, and music to medicine, The Connection approaches each with a modern edge." Check out the recent show Disappearing Words about the loss of languages around the world and what it means for history and the future.
• Fresh Air: "probing questions, revelatory interviews and unusual insights of contemporary arts and issues" My introduction to Public radio many years ago, a drive to the grocery store would take an hour because I didn't want to stop and turn off the radio. Terry Gross is one of the best interviewers I have ever heard. (listen to Dick Gordon of The Connection interview Terry Gross.)
• The Diane Rehm Show: Another brilliant interviewer talking with interesting guests about the stories of the day. Check out this interview with Jared Diamond, author of the new book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed and best seller Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, or this fascinating program about vocal health.
• This American Life One of my favorites by far, it takes a humorous look at life in America through audio essays and (sort-of) interviews with authors and / or regular people doing irregular things. It's also always a treat to hear a reading from David Sedaris who is a regular on the show.
• Living On Earth: A weekly environmental news and information program of news, features, interviews and commentary on a broad range of ecological issues.
• Live at NPR: A collection of artists performing live in the NPR studio.
• Democracy Now: Covering the news in ways that the main stream media don't or wont. very "lefty / liberal" or whatever you want to call it...
• Now: PBS news program with Bill Moyers (until just a few weeks ago when he retired). Videos of past episodes are available.
• NPR Talk of the Nation A closer look at some of the stories dominating the news. The host, Neal Conan, speaks with a guest knowledgeable in the topic, and listeners call in with comments or questions. Fridays (Science Fridays) have a different host and concentrate on scientific issues that effect us all.
• The Living World: "A gentle weekend natural history programme, which aims to broadcast the best, most intimate encounters with British wildlife." Everything you ever wanted to know about fungus, birds, bugs, squirrels, and trees. The stuff I never get to learn about because I am sitting behind a computer all day and don't get out.
• All Songs Considered: More about the music played between stories on NPR's evening news program, All Things Considered. As I don't spend much time searching for new music, this show has been invaluable for introducing me to artists I would otherwise never have heard about.
• Home Planet: "Home Planet is the environmental programme for which you set the agenda. We tackle your questions and concerns and try and make some sense out of the conflicting opinions which make up the environmental debate." This BBC program is discontinued, but the archives are still available and informative.
• National Public Radio Of course there is NPR in general. While I will list some specific NPR programs I enjoy later, the main site is a good place to come for unexpected goodies.
• NPR All Things Considered / NPR Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, The World, Here and Now The best daily / weekly news round-ups I have been able to find.

Shows I check regularly for interesting topics

• American Radio Works Radio documentaries about todays issues. The kind of stuff you could never imagine getting on network TV. Check out the recent documentary about Wal-Mart
• Been There/Done That Radio essays about... everything " In one program Marty can take us from Seattle’s Pike Market for a look at "third places" where people gather and create community to a funny conversation with Valerie Harper in New York, from finding an acceptable meal at a greasy spoon to the more serious issues involving saving for retirement, searching for utopia, taking care of body and soul or dealing with aging parents and college bound kids, plus humor, music, film, and more." Check out the recent Jan 10 show, On the Move.
• The Brian Lehrer Show "It's your neighborhood, your city, your country, your world, and now your website. Brian Lehrer delves into the issues and links them to real life. Enlighten yourself as host Brian Lehrer puts you directly in touch with news makers and gives them a chance to exchange opinions and ideas with call-in listeners. A seasoned moderator, Lehrer directs a "sane alternative" in talk radio. Whether the topic is New York City's education or housing policy, the changing face of welfare, or the expanding Chinese economy, Brian Lehrer puts a human face -- and maybe even your neighbor's voice -- on the issues shaping your life. "
• Earth & Sky A good source for easy (for people like me) to understand science news. The problem with this site is that the segments are all short and there is no "listen to the entire show" link.
• Forum Interviews and analyses of various issues in the news. Check out the recent episode about Ecotopia's anniversery
• Radio Diaries: A great show I depend on to try to understand the world from other people's perspectives, see what they see, feel what they feel, understand how what I do may be effecting other people. It is also a great source to understand history in a way that I would have never learned in school (even if I had payed attention). Check out the most recent show Mandela: An Audio History
• Radio Expedition: "A collaboration between NPR and the National Geographic Society. The general themes for stories are the natural world and threatened environments, diverse cultures, adventure and exploration and discovery."
• Sound & Spirit "Sound & Spirit weaves history, myth, and spiritual traditions together with music to take listeners on a journey around the world and through the ages. With subjects ranging from pilgrimage to family relationships, Shakers to Buddhists, and births to funerals, there is always something new to explore."
• Studio 360: "Current issues, events and trends in art are a jumping off point for an exploration of ideas that aren't necessarily "news," yet are provocative and offer a lens on experience that only art can provide. Studio 360 presents richly textured and emotionally resonant stories that look at art's creative influence and transformative power in everyday life."
• Tech Nation: A weekly program focusing on the impact of technology on our lives. Check out the December 21, 2004 program about Gorillas Among Us ... My Journey through Autism where the author talks about the emotional life of gorillas, and how they helped her in her challenge with autism.
• To The Point: "A fast-paced, news based one-hour daily national program that focuses on the hot-button issues of the day"
• The Infinate Mind: "am.  The national, weekly public radio series focuses on all aspects of mental health, neuroscience, access to care, treatment advances and the mind/body connection." Takes the listener beyond the misconceptions and stereotypes of mental illness, giving us some insight into what life must be like for people suffering from the disorders. Check out the recent show about Synesthesia, the fascinating condition where people can hear colors and taste shapes, or another recent show with stories of Tourette's Syndrome
• Marketplace: Public radio's daily magazine of business and economics.
• National Press Club: broadcasting the National Press Club Luncheon Speaker Series creating an opportunity for world leaders, newsmakers and prominent figures (Nikita Khrushchev. Winston Churchill, Madame Chiang Kai Shek, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Charles deGaulle, Boris Yeltsin, Nelson Mandela, and Yasir Arafat) in the realms of finance and culture to share their knowledge and experiences.
• New Dimensions: "Uncommon wisdom for unconventional times". Maybe a little too "new age" for a lot of people, but it's definitely good for getting a different perspective which you won't find on Fox or All Things Considered. The current show for each week is available for free, but archives require subscription.
• On The Media: A look at the issues of the day and media's role in shaping it. Podcast also avaialable
• In Our Time: From the BBC, "The big ideas which form the intellectual agenda of our age are illuminated by some of the best minds. Melvyn Bragg and three guests investigate the history of ideas and debate their application in modern life."

Shows I listen to every once in a while for a break

• American Routes I listen to this every once in a while for a break from the depressing news. Blues, Jazz, Cajun, interviews and stories about the roots of music in America.
• The Writer's Almanac: I'm not sophisticated enough to listen to poetry every day (or even every week), but it is nice to tune into every so often when I am feeling too lazy to do anything other than listen.
• Human Kind: "Stories of remarkable people whose dedication helps to humanize our society." Not all of the programs are available for free, but what they do have is worth checking out.
• Lost and Found Sound: A collection of All Things Considered stories showcasing sonic artifacts and audio treasures.
• Third Coast International Audio Festival: "A celebration of the best feature and documentary work heard worldwide on the radio and the Internet."