UnFictional

Series produced by KCRW

Series image

UnFictional is a program of storytellers and documentaries that will suck you in and stick in your head like a memory.

UnFictional is a program of storytellers and documentaries that cover the ground between the sophisticated and the profane. Audiences will hear captivating stories of real life told by storytellers, writers and performers with a talent for tales that will suck you in. The program also features documentaries created by the most talented producers from around the country.

The program is hosted and curated by KCRW producer, Bob Carlson. He has an ear for finding and creating compelling radio stories that are funny, emotional, sincere and often dark. Listen for stories of hometowns and family secrets, tales of drugs, sex, and aliens (both extraterrestrial and earthbound.) The stories on UnFictional will stick in your head like a memory.

UnFictional is one part of the Independent Producer Project, an initiative to cultivate and support the work of independent radio producers and other writers and artists. The idea is to create a clearinghouse of creativity both online and on the air.

Thanks to the Annenberg Foundation, the Goldhirsh Foundation and the Roth Family Foundation for their support of the Independent Producer Project and UnFictional. Hide full description

UnFictional is a program of storytellers and documentaries that cover the ground between the sophisticated and the profane. Audiences will hear captivating stories of real life told by storytellers, writers and performers with a talent for tales that will suck you in. The program also features documentaries created by the most talented producers from around the country.

The program is hosted and curated by KCRW producer, Bob Carlson. He has an ear for finding and creating compelling radio stories that are funny, emotional, sincere and often dark. Listen for stories of hometowns and family secrets, tales of drugs, sex, and aliens (both extraterrestrial and earthbound.) The stories on UnFictional will stick in your head like a memory.

UnFictional is one part of the Independent Producer... Show full description


33 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Dave White
After his mother has a massive stroke, writer Dave White describes the quick thinking and problem solving necessary for a simple trip to the movies.

Bought by WCNY, XRAY.fm, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Mar 13, 2012
  • Length: 10:49
  • Purchases: 3
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A charity basketball game pitting a team of little people against a team of law enforcement officers goes very wrong.

Bought by WCNY and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Mar 13, 2012
  • Length: 15:24
  • Purchases: 2
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It's a dreamlike visit to the U.S. Postal Service mail recovery center. Producer Samara Freemark finds her way there after she loses a package in t...

Bought by WCNY, Vocalo.org, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Mar 13, 2012
  • Length: 14:06
  • Purchases: 3
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On this episode... two surprising, funny and spellbinding stories on the subject of prison.

Bought by WCNY, KUOW, Aspen Public Radio, KOSU, WKMS and more


  • Added: Mar 15, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 7
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On this episode, a pair of car accidents are just the beginning for two stories about life, death and perception....

Bought by WCNY, XRAY.fm, Aspen Public Radio, KOSU, WKMS and more


  • Added: Mar 15, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 6
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When it comes to crazy, immoral and stupid decisions, nothing can match a teenager looking for a good time. So it's lucky that a story about teenag...

Bought by WCNY, XRAY.fm, KFAI Minneapolis, KOSU, Aspen Public Radio and more


  • Added: Mar 15, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Mugshots of James Bulger and Catherine Greig, Credit: US Marshals Service
Infamous Boston Irish mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig, spent 15 years hiding out as retired couple "Charlie and ...

  • Added: Jun 22, 2012
  • Length: 03:25
From: KCRW
Series: UnFictional
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Reporter and producer Christopher Johnson describes his frustrating year-and-a-half-long struggle to diagnose his chronic and sometimes painful diz...

Bought by XRAY.fm, Aspen Public Radio, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jun 25, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 3
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Two stories about that key life moment many of us spend a lifetime dreading. It's a key life event that none of us live to tell about. The moment. ...

Bought by Aspen Public Radio, KOSU, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jun 27, 2012
  • Length: 28:31
  • Purchases: 3
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Every waking moment of his life Carl Kozlowski is in a struggle just to stay awake. He's fighting narcolepsy, that chronic disorder rendering the s...

Bought by XRAY.fm, KOSU, Aspen Public Radio, KGNU Community Radio, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jun 27, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 5
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Boston Irish mob boss "Whitey" Bulger and his girlfriend spent 15 years hiding out in Santa Monica. Residents say the most wanted man in America wa...

Bought by KMUZ, WFMU, Aspen Public Radio, KOSU, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jun 27, 2012
  • Length: 28:31
  • Purchases: 5
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Three stories about young people let in on the secrets of selling, both good and bad.

Bought by XRAY.fm, KUOW, Aspen Public Radio, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jun 27, 2012
  • Length: 28:31
  • Purchases: 4
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On this episode there are mysteries to solve, sudden appearances and unexpected disappearances. Two stories about searching for something that does...

Bought by XRAY.fm, KOSU, Aspen Public Radio, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Aug 03, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 4
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Two stories about healers and teachers who do not have the best interests of their students in mind.

Bought by XRAY.fm, KOSU, Aspen Public Radio, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Aug 04, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 4
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Dock Ellis is one of the most memorable characters to ever play baseball. He challenged the baseball establishment, but always had impeccable stye.

Bought by RadioFreePalmer, KMUN, KMXT, Louisville Public Media, KOSU and more


  • Added: Aug 04, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 7
From: KCRW
Series: UnFictional
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On a summer night in the early 1990s a small group of friends gather for a dinner party in Los Angeles. Just for fun, someone suggests having a séa...

Bought by KISU, WRFA-LP, WMPG, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., WPSU and more


  • Added: Sep 12, 2012
  • Length: 19:06
  • Purchases: 17
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Memories of the death house, from a man who sat with 95 condemned men on their last day on earth.

Bought by Marfa Public Radio, KMUZ, Louisville Public Media, Aspen Public Radio, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Nov 02, 2012
  • Length: 25:02
  • Purchases: 5
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What does an ancient African deity have to do with a Reese's cup? Meet Elegba, trickster spirit of chaos.

Bought by KMUN, XRAY.fm, Louisville Public Media, KOSU, and Aspen Public Radio


  • Added: Nov 16, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 5
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On this episode... two stories about crime hitting close to home. A man's evil plan takes an ironic turn and a Brooklyn dad hits the streets and la...

Bought by XRAY.fm, Louisville Public Media, KOSU, and Aspen Public Radio


  • Added: Nov 16, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 4
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A young boy escapes to a foreign country by himself, on foot, with no money or passport. When he grows up, he sets himself on fire, and lives to te...

Bought by XRAY.fm, Louisville Public Media, KOSU, and Aspen Public Radio


  • Added: Nov 16, 2012
  • Length: 28:30
  • Purchases: 4