New York Public Radio

NEW: So proud that TIME Magazine has named “Radiolab” to its list of the 100 Best Podcasts of All Time! “Whether it’s explaining that camels may have actually started out in the Arctic, or discussing broad topics such as how society grieves, Radiolab evokes a sense of childlike wonder, bringing us back to a time when confusion and curiosity were among our primary modes, serving as a welcome conduit to growth and knowledge.” Also honored to see so many past WNYC podcasts – including “2 Dope Queens,” “Death Sex & Money,” “More Perfect,” and “Nancy” – on the list as well. https://lnkd.in/evAqGsXR

NEW: Carla Wills joins the WNYC/Gothamist newsroom as the new Community Partnerships & Training Editor. In this role, she’ll focus on expanding our community engagement work, including forging new partnerships, planning live events and remote broadcasts and producing first-person narratives. She will also oversee the newsroom’s ongoing training and professional development efforts. Carla comes to WNYC from National Geographic, where she led award-winning projects, including their flagship podcast “Overheard” and “Into the Depths.” Her over 25 years of industry experience also includes roles at Baltimore’s WEAA, “The Michael Eric Dyson Show,” “Democracy Now,” and “Moments of the Movement,” created in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. https://lnkd.in/e8azvCx3

Last night, Congress approved a measure to claw back $1.1 billion in federal funding for the American public broadcasting system. This was a decision that stands in opposition to the prevailing sentiment of the majority of Americans: a survey from The Harris Poll just this week found that two-thirds of Americans (including 58% of Republicans and 77% of Democrats) support federal funding for public radio. This morning LaFontaine E. Oliver, New York Public Radio President and CEO and Executive Chair, shared a note with our community about the devastating impact of these cuts and where we go next. “[This is] funding that goes directly to sharing life-saving information and life-affirming stories. Funding that holds our government accountable; brings people together in good-faith conversation; and lifts up classical music and the arts. In plain speech, this is the worst possible outcome of a months-long series of attacks, effectively ending federal funding for public media, which has enjoyed bipartisan support since 1967—and still does. As challenging as all of this is to take in, I want to state emphatically: this will not be the end of public media, or New York Public Radio.” To read more and donate, click here: https://lnkd.in/e7b3B5DR

Today WNYC turns 101. For over a century, we’ve stood strong for our city and faced countless challenges together. But the threats we face today are unlike any other we’ve seen, with the Senate preparing to vote on a reckless bill– that already passed in the House –  to eliminate our federal funding. At this critical inflection point, please read our President and CEO LaFontaine E. Oliver’s thoughts on the urgency and power of our essential public services. “On the day the House voted in favor of rescinding previously-approved funding for public media, Nieman Lab reported a story about a painful paradox: Americans have considerably more trust in local news than in national media, but few say they are willing to pay for it. “That’s discouraging for those of us who believe in the importance of local journalism. But local public media is a light in the darkness: our audiences choose to pay for something they could get for free. We have no paywall, no monthly subscription fee. Heck, you don’t even need access to the internet (though of course you can find us there too). And yet people place a value on what we provide, and make a choice to support us. “That’s what makes the American public broadcasting system one of the strongest, most successful examples of a public-private partnership around, for nearly six decades running. For every dollar the federal government invests, public media generates another $7. It comes out to about $1.60 per American per year – cheaper than a cup of coffee. The other funding comes from major donors, foundations, corporate sponsors. But the biggest source of funding is from our listeners. So why do they give?” Click here to continue:  https://lnkd.in/eKsrQG8Z

NEW: New York Public Radio is delighted to welcome new members and new leadership to our Board of Trustees. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲 John Rose 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱. Rose has broad experience working with media organizations and helping them manage disruption in rapidly changing markets as a leader at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and as CEO of Spectrum Advisors LLC. 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Carl Weisbrod 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱. Quindlen is a journalist and bestselling novelist who received a Pulitzer Prize while a columnist at the New York Times. Weisbrod is a former Chairman of the New York City Planning Commission and a national authority on city planning, affordable housing policy and urban development. 𝗢𝘂�� 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 Gary Knell, Jenna Weiss-Berman, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Jeremy Kuriloff. Knell brings decades of experience in purpose-driven media leadership, with a career that includes impactful tenures as President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, NPR, and National Geographic. Weiss-Berman is a leader in the podcasting space who co-founded Pineapple Street Studios, and is currently Head of Podcasts at Paper Kite Productions, the film and television production company founded by Amy Poehler. Kuriloff is a Managing Director and Partner at BCG, working at the intersection of consumer, media, and private equity. “With his deep media and business experience and long tenure as a Trustee, John is the right person to steward the Board through this consequential moment for public broadcasting, as we face unprecedented threats out of Washington and rapid changes across the broader media industry,” said LaFontaine E. Oliver, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼. “The essential services we provide—trusted local news, cultural and educational programming, and free and accessible classical music—are needed more than ever. I’m thrilled to work with John, Anna, Carl and our deeply talented new Trustees to secure our mission and serve our audiences.” https://lnkd.in/e8hcw9HM

NYPR is proud to stand with NPR and our colleagues at three Colorado public radio stations in support of independent local media.

LAST CHANCE! The NYC Democratic Primary for Mayor is tomorrow. Still undecided? WNYC's Brian Lehrer got all 9 candidates on the show today to give their final pitch to New Yorkers. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ePx-ASRU

In honor of Juneteenth, WQXR presents its annual 24-hour Juneteenth marathon featuring Black artists and composers. All day tomorrow, June 19th, hear music composed by luminaries including Florence Price, William Grant Still, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Scott Joplin, Joseph Boulogne / Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Vincente Lusitano, Duke Ellington, and Terence Blanchard and performances by artists including Imani Winds, Andre Watts, Lara Downes, Kathleen Battle, Leontyne Price, Marian Anderson, Julia Bullock, Lawrence Brownlee the Kanneh-Mason family, and brothers Anthony and Demarre McGill. And so much more! #Juneteenth

OUT TODAY: "Swimming with Sharks from Radiolab" -- In 1975, Jaws – the original summer blockbuster – scared a generation of people out of the water. And yet, that infamous shark had very little screen time. With the appearance of more fin than teeth and a legendary film score, imaginations ran rampant, conjuring searing impressions far worse than reality. Now, half a century later, WNYC's "Radiolab" dives deep beneath the surface to ask: Who are sharks, really? And do they warrant the level of terror so many of us have of them? "Swimming with Shadows" is an ambitious five-part series that brings one of our culture’s deepest fears to the surface - sharks! A new episode drops everyday this week, each one plunging listeners into a different corner of the ocean to learn about these misunderstood creatures. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/erxW3Tge https://lnkd.in/eAn8xVg6

A note from Audrey Cooper, Editor-in-Chief of the WNYC/Gothamist newsroom, on the impact federal funding cuts would have on local news.