On Demand
The Next Big Thing
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Off-Shore and on Distant Shores
Thoughts about war from afar from one thoughtful TV viewer and an ex-patriate Iraqi family who witnessed the first Gulf War. Also, ministering to the forgotten – on board cargo vessels and among the dwindling number of Italians still living in New York’s Little Italy neighborhood. And writer Jesse Green on learning how to make matzo ball soup (or, maybe how not to).
While You Were Out...
A quick look at some of the big news we missed while our attention was focused on bigger news. And if you thought that the weather had been bad recently, actress and comedian Mary Purdy delivers an even stranger forecast.
War, Connected
It’s true now and it was true twelve years ago – one could watch the war in Iraq on TV and surf for details about it on the Internet. Does this make us more connected to what’s happening there? Writer Lawrence Weschler considers the question. A version of Weshler’s essay appeared in the Threepenny Review. Produced by Curtis Fox.
The Way It Looked From There
This time, they’re watching on television. Last time, they were there. Journalist Michelle Garcia speaks with members of an Iraqi family who live in New Jersey, but who keep their thoughts trained on Baghdad. Produced by Michael Kavanagh.
Banks of Newfoundland...in Manhattan
Meet singer, sailor, and son of the son of a sailor Jan Christensen. He’s one of a group of sea shanty enthusiasts who get together once a month to sing at the Seamen’s Church Institute in lower Manhattan, and he served as our guide at their recent gathering. For more sea shanties, visit the Mystic Seaport’s Sea Music Festival website. Produced by Amy Zimmer.
Life at Sea
Every day, armed with magazines, phone cards and spiritual counsel for the sailors, Father Francis Cho visits the huge cargo vessels in New York’s harbor. He’s carrying on the tradition of the Seamen’s Church Institute of New York, which has tended to the needs of seafarers for over 150 years. Host Dean Olsher goes with Father Cho to meet the men on board a cargo vessel hauling bananas from Ecuador to New York. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.
Just Like Grandma Made It?
They say there are two ways to make matzo ball soup – okay, so maybe they don’t say that, but Next Big Thing contributor Jesse Green
"All’s Well That Ends Well"
Deb Margolin’s German au pair came home from English class one day with a list of American idioms: "Face the music" or "Mind your P’s and Q’s," for example. To a non-English speaking person it could be a perplexing list, and it got Deb thinking about moments in the life of her family. Produced by Curtis Fox.
Last Rites for a Storefront Chapel
The Society of San Gandolfo, established in New York’s Little Italy in 1899, recently lost its storefront chapel on Mulberry Street, the last of its kind in the neighborhood. Father Michael Verra, President of the Society, remembers its history. Produced by Chris Roose with Julie Subrin.