This investigative piece combines a nicely-produced profile of a home owner caught in the trap of predatory lending with an important public service message. Like the couple featured here, there are many people who – for a variety of reasons – get caught up in deceptive, high-risk lending practices that end up costing them their homes, their financial security and their well-being.

This piece does a good job of communicating the vulnerability of one woman faced with difficult choices and an aggressive, dishonest lender. Perspective is added through an overview of current legislative efforts to address the issue and the comments of public advocates who have seen the practice increase.

I thought this piece moved well, was tight and well done. This kind of information is a solid public service effort.

Hosted by Maria Hinojosa, this special tackles a broad and difficult topic skillfully. Hinojosa is a terrific host and just right as presenter of four stories exploring how traditional cultures are grappling with the rapid change of global economics. One of the things I like about this program is its willingness to examine the dark side of globalism. We do hear so much jingoistic coverage of this topic.

Included is a haunting and poetic piece about the demise of the cod-fishing industry in Newfoundland, one of those radio stories that gently yet firmly grabs your lapels and won’t let you go. The first and last stories are from Peru and Mexico and are very well-researched and put together, though not as intriguing, perhaps because, as an earlier review noted, they are more narrator-driven. I did find the Mexican town’s efforts to market its local liquor interesting, though. A piece about the Outer Hebrides of Scotland is also well-produced (and, of course, has those yummy accents!)

This is a serious piece of journalism that provides nice international coverage of a timely and important topic. I think many public radio listeners will find it significant, akin to reading international coverage in the New York Times.

I listened to the program on “worry, ” a creative topic choice. As this is a series of programs about motherhood, the specific focus, I thought, would be on maternal worry. Not having kids, I wondered if I would find it of interest or not. But the discussion is broader than that, and this program will be of interest to parents and non-parents. For example, the host talks with the author of books about anger and worry. Her advice is universal. Plus, I enjoyed learning about a kind of worry that I do not experience. It was enlightening.

Through a combination of commentary, music and interviews, host Nancy Olesen weaves together strong elements on an interesting topic. Olesen is a very good host. Her voice is easy on the ears and she does good, engaging interviews. I could see these programs scheduled as a limited series or on Mother’s Day. Programmers should not worry that they will lose non-parents as listeners.

A poignant look at the effects of Parkinson’s disease on one man and a journey into modern medicine’s attempt to slow down its devastation. We meet Osef, the sufferer, and then go into the operating room with him and his surgical team as the team does a deep brain stimulation to try to quiet the effects of the disease.

I agree with a previous review that this piece goes on too long; it could be cut by 50%. But it’s very poignant when the sufferer Osef talks about how Parkinson’s has changed his life, has made him realize how finite it is. This got my attention. I would have liked a bit more of this section. Because the effects of Parkinson’s are usually perceived visually, it was a great idea to include the tape of Osef on the air as a DJ, trying to speak but having difficulty. The disease’s ravages become obvious to the listener.

Our time in the operating room is fascinating - the back-and-forth between Osef and his surgeon as they try to pinpoint the spot to stimulate – and excruciating – the sound of the drill into the skull. Owww. I appreciate the reporter’s commitment to the story. This must have taken some guts.

The post-surgery stuff is a lot of what could come out.

This is a really lovely piece. I welled up with tears as I listened early this morning; it brought back for me my own father's illness and passing. Dmae's memorial to her mother mixes nice writing, a soft delivery and recordings of phone messages to take us very quickly into a time of sorrow and heartache for a family. Yet the recordings of Dmae's mother's phone messages made me laugh. She had a cute way of speaking.

The piece ends with some healing words of wisdom, solace for the pain life brings all of us. This is good story-telling, personal and universal, an invitation to come in and then a light turned on in the darkness.

This series consists of two one-hour programs and takes listeners back to 1964, when the Beatles swept through America like a tornado.

Hosted by the dulcet-voiced Paul Ingles, this lively, well-produced program pulls together many archival audio elements, such as newscasts, and teams them with remembrances of reporters, radio DJs and others caught in the frenzy of Beatlemania. Add in plenty of Beatles music - including several less familiar pieces and some lovely ballads - and you’ve got a very pleasant hour in Radio Land.

As a 40-something, I was there, and Ingles does a great job of taking us back to that year when the Fab Four knocked us over. Fascinating to hear is tape of concerts where the Beatles sound unpolished, even a tad off-key at times, no doubt having trouble with the incredible screaming of their fans.

There’s nothing experimental or unusual here – just highly listenable radio. The combination of music and the voices of those remembering the time keep the program moving. The description on PRX calls the programs “a thrilling walk down musical memory lane.” It is indeed.

I assume hour two is just as good. I can’t wait.