Summertime and the livin’ is easy…
To say the news has been very heavy lately is an understatement. With that in mind, I want to take a moment to pass along a few different things that are just fun this summer.
Thanks to the popularization of plant-based diets, vegan (non-dairy) ice cream is gaining popularity, and there are interesting new flavor combinations and better textures. But, as All Things Considered found out, in the end, it’s something that feels very familiar.
Okay, so I started with dessert first! As to the meal itself, have you ever felt intimidated by outdoor grilling? From NPR’s Life Kit here’s a super- handy guide with lots of links, pictures, and instructions.
If music is your thing, here’s the first Tiny Desk Concert at NPR with an in-person audience in over 800 days! The concert is by Alisa Amador – this year’s Tiny Desk winner. Hear her captivating, joyful and moving set.
A songwriter from Boston, this was Amador’s fifth time submitting a song to the contest. For this year, she tried something new – she submitted a song sung entirely in Spanish with a video that included what she calls an “animated visual translation of the lyrics.”
And if you only have a few minutes, check out this incredible six-handed Star Wars classical music mashup performed by Yoda, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader – three incredibly talented young musicians!
Finally, if reading is more your thing, NPR’s Book of the Day gives you today’s very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast.
(Through “Programming Notes,” we hope to keep you connected to what is happening at WBHM both internally and on-air. Have feedback you’d like to share? Or a programming question? Let me know!)
Incoming Transmission! Pt. 2
You may remember earlier this year when WBHM held a special Transmitter Drive. With your support, we raised the final $50,000 to purchase and install a new transmitter. In total, this project cost $230,000. For this edition of Program Notes, I checked in with WBHM’s engineer Darrell McCalla who oversees this project for an update […]
Meeting You Where You Are
Last week, I attended the Public Radio Content Conference – the premier gathering for non-commercial programmers, content managers and leaders in the public media ecosystem. This was the first in-person conference in more than two years and, it was good to reconnect with my colleagues in person — not just because of the pandemic, but […]
Rise and Shine
I spent early August substitute hosting Morning Edition for Miranda Fulmore who was on a well-deserved vacation. And while everyone has their routine, I thought I’d share a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes in the very early hours of the day. I get up at 3 a.m. which also means I really try […]
There’s Lots of Moth’s in the Air
This week, I’m writing about The Moth – not the insect, the storytelling phenomenon! If you haven’t heard, The Moth is true stories told live, without notes. It’s personal storytelling that connects us as human beings. These stories are told in different ways to millions of people each year including right here in the Heart […]
Welcome Back to Program Notes!
I spent a (mostly) restful two weeks off visiting with extended family – most of us hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic. But even on vacation, I still listen to public radio wherever I am. Sure, I could (and often do) listen online, but there’s a part of me that’s also a fan […]
Deliberate Indifference – Inside Alabama’s Prison Crisis
You’ve probably heard of our new narrative podcast, Deliberate Indifference. And, given all the heavy news the past few months alone, you may think this is the last thing you want to listen to. I urge to reconsider. As citizens, we have a right to know how more than 500 million of our tax dollars […]