NPR's Next Generation Radio

Next Generation Radio came out of hundreds of "coffee klatch" conversation I have had over my 20+years in public radio. I'm a producer, but I'll talk to anyone.. editors, engineers, reporters, writers, marketers, PR professionals, lawyers and yes, even business people. Within public radio, many were concerned about who would replace them when they decided they didn't want to do it anymore. I had wondered that myself. Most of the people I spoke with had/have stellar careers, but felt a little marginalized. They could rage against the machine. Many employed lawyers to do so, but I thought otherwise. If they say they can't find qualified people, then lets invest in developing and nurturing those missing qualified people. We'll grow our own.
Nobility will only get you so far because when it comes down to it, everything costs money. Yet, at NPR, we have been fortunate to have advocates in high places who made sure some money was there. They created the budget line, we created the people. It's not easy and often difficult. We're on the road or at NPR working with people who have never seriously put a radio story together. Everything could blow up and early on it did a few times. Why did we keep going? You should see the students faces once they hear their own idea as a finished "public service journalism" story. The light bulbs go on and today, so do we. I understand now why my Dad in college, and my Aunt's in Detroit and New Orleans public schools have taught each for over 30 years. By my count 40 or 50 people former college students who came through our projects are now working in public radio someplace
In summing up her frustration while attending a journalism conference, one of my mentor's said something I'll never forget. She said, "Everybody's bitching, but what are they doing about it."
I remember that each time we hit the road for another training project. We're doing something about it. This series is on-going and, oh by the way, the people you see and hear in this area of PRX are either looking for work or need to graduate so they can look for work.
From several dozen pieces, I tried to select those that best represent what we do and who we work with. These pieces were created over a few weeks and produced in a few days. They would like to know what you think and so do I. Hide full description

Next Generation Radio came out of hundreds of "coffee klatch" conversation I have had over my 20+years in public radio. I'm a producer, but I'll talk to anyone.. editors, engineers, reporters, writers, marketers, PR professionals, lawyers and yes, even business people. Within public radio, many were concerned about who would replace them when they decided they didn't want to do it anymore. I had wondered that myself. Most of the people I spoke with had/have stellar careers, but felt a little marginalized. They could rage against the machine. Many employed lawyers to do so, but I thought otherwise. If they say they can't find qualified people, then lets invest in developing and nurturing those missing qualified people. We'll grow our own. Nobility will only get you so far because... Show full description