On Demand
WNYC's Coverage of the Democratic National Convention
Live performances in Soundcheck's studios
Studio 360: How Animals Communicate with Each Other
Selected Shorts featuring "The Trouble of Marcie Flint," by John Cheever
Radio Rookies: Brooklyn Broadcast Workshop
On the Media: Challenging Convention
Street Shots Challenge
The Next Big Thing
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Janet Cardiff's Her Long Black Hair (Jessica Kuhn)
Beeps, Chirps, Shouts and Murmurs
An outpouring of words and sounds. First, we explore the idea of separation of church and state in the classroom. Next, a conversation with sound artist Janet Cardiff about her new audio walking tour of Central Park. From Cardiff, we go in pursuit of urban birdsong. And we end with a Father’s Day-appropriate monologue by comic Wendy Spero. Also this week, appearances by lexicographer Erin McKean, cartoonist Roz Chast and comedian Jonathan Katz.
One Nation...
This week, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled on Dr. Michael Newdow’s lawsuit arguing that the Pledge of Allegiance violates the separation of church and state (reversing a California ruling in his favor). But that’s not the only response he’s gotten to his case. Here are some of the messages people have left on his home answering machine. Compiled by Dave Gilson of B-Side radio in Berkeley, California.
Whence the Pledge
Host Dean Olsher provides a brief history of those thirty-one words most often recited in American classrooms.
Church and State
Sharon Bierria is well aware that her day job is secular. But in her work as Grand Jury warden for the Brooklyn Supreme Courthouse, she often finds herself drawing on the very skills and knowledge that make her a good preacher after hours. Produced by Matt Lieber with Julie Subrin.
Word Lobby
In her new and self-appointed role as lexicographical activist, Oxford American Dictionary editor Erin McKean is determined to rescue forgotten or undiscovered words that run the risk of becoming obsolete. Her strategy? To foist those words upon respected writers. Her first victim? New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast. Produced by Julie Subrin.
A Different Kind of Walk in the Park
Sound artist Janet Cardiff is known for her highly original site-specific audio walking tours, which combine documentary and orchestrated sounds to create a layered narrative of a particular space. Her past work includes audio walks in London, Florence, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and St. Louis. This week, she put the finishing touches on a new one for Central Park in New York, commissioned by the Public Art Fund. Dean Olsher trails her as she records gospel singer Evelyn Williams in a church, and then takes one more walk in the park. Produced by Emily Botein.
» More information about Janet Cardiff’s Central Park audio walking tour
Birds on the Street
Rumor has it some urban birds are changing their tune, in an attempt to compete with the sounds of the city. Grahame Madge, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Bedfordshire, England, talks to Dean about the implications of a study conducted in London and The Netherlands about the effects of traffic noise on bird songs. Dean then heads for the streets of Manhattan, around midnight, to hear for himself. Produced by Emily Botein.
Inspired: Journeys into the Creative Mind
The creative process never ceases to amaze... or does it? Comedian Jonathan Katz - along with Tom Leopold, Tom Snyder and Julianne Bond - bring you this newest installment from their series documenting that process. This week, a peek into the world of a books-on-tape production house. Produced by Tom Snyder.
Who’s Your Daddy?
Stand-up comedian Wendy Spero doesn't have a dad. But she does have a sex-therapist mom and an odd relationship with her boss. All of the above have been incorporated into her new one-woman show at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in Manhattan. Here’s an excerpt, adapted for The Next Big Thing.
» Find out more about "Who’s Your Daddy?"