Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz
RadiotopiaRadiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz
In 2004, a racial controversy erupted at a small, mostly white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts. There were protests. TV news crews. A tense all-school assembly. And then, an announcement: the school would stage an iconic American musical that no one saw coming. This is the story of that production. Coming June 2025.
Radiotopia Presents premiers short multi-episode series in one podcast feed, unified by bold, inclusive storytelling pushing the boundaries of audio. Learn more at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.
In 2004, a racial controversy erupted at a small, mostly white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts. There were protests. TV news crews. A tense all-school assembly. And then, an announcement: the school would stage an iconic American musical that no one saw coming. This is the story of that production. Coming June 2025.
Radiotopia Presents premiers short multi-episode series in one podcast feed, unified by bold, inclusive storytelling pushing the boundaries of audio. Learn more at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.
Roman Mars (99% Invisible) and Julie Shapiro (EP, Radiotopia) introduce Showcase, a new podcast featuring different series of all stripes.
Some exciting updates from Radiotopia.
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Borrowed & Banned from Brooklyn Public Library
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A new dating game show from Radiotopia.
The newest series from Crooked Media.
An father's day episode from Radiotopia’s The Heart.
A revisit with one of our favorite moms.
Sarah Larsen, a yoga instructor, and her friend Charlie Brill went in search of Ong’s Hat, a fabled gateway to another dimension. Now Sarah is missing. A new mystery from the makers of The Polybius Conspiracy and Passenger List
An episode from our friends at Snap Judgment.
A new series from Futuro Media and PRX
Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement.
The troubling ways of going about making a podcast.
Introducing the newest series coming from Radiotopia Presents.
A Radiotopia producer takes on a new role.
The future of Radiotopia's Showcase.
Stories from, and behind, The Stoop.
The story behind the story of "The Great God of Depression".
A look back on one of the most mysterious series from Showcase.
Now is the time when you can help us keep Showcase and all of the many parts of Radiotopia thriving.
Introducing a new mystery thriller from PRX's Radiotopia.
A conversation with the creators of our first Showcase series, "Ways of Hearing," about the book inspired by it.
This summer, we're launching a new Showcase series plus two new Radiotopia shows!
Most musicians are paid much too little, or much too much — in part because no one is sure what music is really worth.
Powerful corporations are vying for our attention online by giving us more of what we already like. But what if we'd rather be surprised?
In the digital world, everything can be louder than everything else – but then is anything really audible?
Ways of Hearing takes a detour, as Damon talks to Hrishikesh Hirway, host of Song Exploder, about process, podcasting, and digital secrets in music.
Musician Damon Krukowski explores the nature of listening in our digital world. Episode #1 – TIME.
Host Damon Krukowski examines how digital technology is privatizing public space. Episode #2 – SPACE.
Host Damon Krukowski looks at how digital technology strips our voices down to what's "essential" — and what gets left out.
The Polybius Conspiracy tells the complex story of two men united by a decades-old urban legend about a mysterious video game.
An eccentric Portland-area tour guide continues to both perpetuate the legend of Polybius and profit in its shadow.
As a man comes forward to potentially corroborate Bobby's story, the path forward plunges into the darkness of another Oregonian legend: the infamous Shanghai Tunnels.
The search for answers leads the team to a retired journalist with a bizarre connection to Coin Kingdom, and unsettling allegations of abuse at an international youth academy.
Sometimes journalists pursue a mystery; other times, it pursues them.
New clues about the whereabouts of Rubin's missing partner shed light on secrets Bobby might prefer stay hidden.
Questions about Bobby result in a surprising lead, as Rubin comes to believe he's cracked the code on Polybius.
Fact, fabrication, history and hoax converge as the search for Marc comes full circle.
Coming next on Showcase: Secrets
Sharing the secrets behind Secrets.
How is it to live with a secret that no one can know about?
What happens when a secret becomes larger than life?
What happens when you’re too ashamed to face the truth?
How is it to be the one who is kept in the dark?
How do you know if you ever truly know someone?
What happens when you face the secrets you live with?
Errthang is just that, everything that’s percolating in journalist/storyteller Al Letson’s brain, with help from his longtime pal and co-host, Willie Evans Jr.
Errthang is back and Al tells the stories of three excruciating heartbreaks that will leave you laughing.
Al recounts when he went to a protest to report the news, but became the news.
Al and Willie tell stories about fatherhood.
Al goes deep exploring the "good guy’s” relationship to the #MeToo movement, through a story about his old friend, Louis.
Featuring Kiese Laymon’s memoir about growing up as a young black man in the South.
Errthang does radio drama: John Coffey waits to play his part in The Green Mile in the room of Magical Negroes.
Errthang does radio drama, part two: John Coffey doesn’t want to be Magical Negro anymore and the universe trembles in the aftershock of his decision.
Al and Willie wrap up the season right where they started – with each other.
We begin the story of two conjoined minds—a brilliant neurologist and a famous author, both grappling with a version of madness—on their way to finding each other.
Writer William Styron and neurologist Alice Flaherty get blindsided by mental illness and, separately, decide to tell the world.
The unthinkable happens—a relapse. And William Styron finally finds a doctor he thinks can save him.
William Styron faces up to his greatest literary failure, while he and his doctor team up to conquer a baffling paralysis that could be medical or could be metaphor.
In the final episode of The Great God of Depression, William Styron clings to life in a triumph, of sorts, over depression. And Alice retreats from madness, for better or worse.
Co-producer Karen Brown sits down with the award-winning actor and television star Tony Shalhoub.
Stories from across the black diaspora, that we need to talk about. Coming November 16.
What percent of black makes you Black? We meet people whose DNA tests changed their lives – and not always in a good way.
Lean in for this one, as The Stoop heads to the lowcountry of South Carolina to learn more about the Gullah Geechee people.
The Stoop hits the streets with black radio producers to give “the nod” and report back from New York, Seattle and North Carolina.
The Stoop talks to interracial couples who don’t always see eye to eye when having tough conversations around race.
Coming up next on Showcase: Spacebridge
A meeting in Moscow in 1982 could change the course of the Cold War.
The peoples of the US and USSR are officially connected. Via rock and roll.
Spacebridges hit the big time as audiences in the US and USSR spar over conflicts of the day.
A new type of technological connection starts to link Americans and Soviets: the Internet. But it rouses the watchful eye of both governments.
Matthew explains the mysterious clicking noise you’ll hear a lot of in Blind Guy Travels.
How can a blind person learn gestures when he's never seen them? As Matthew prepares for a TEDx Talk, he makes his first foray into learning body language.
On his 13th birthday, Matthew’s friend Lilya brings a gift that will change his life, and ultimately touch Lego-loving blind kids all over the world.
Why watch a movie if you can’t see the screen? Matthew and his friend Ben take in a Marx Brothers film and showcase the power of a good description.
Most dating apps rely heavily on user photos and other visual cues, so Matthew gathers a team of friends to help him craft the perfect dating profile and vet potential romantic interests.
Some teachers hang you upside-down to help you sing better. Others sit on you. In the lead-up to his senior recital, Matthew reflects on becoming an accomplished blind musician, through conversations with four of his music mentors who have helped along the way.
Independence. It’s a word that’s used in the blind community often, but that means different things to different people. What does independence mean for Matthew? On the heels of his Senior Recital and college graduation, Matthew ruminates on what might be next for him.
Our guide tackles the world of memes.
Meet Afia, a 30-year-old Ghanaian-American who's got some s*** to straighten out.
Afia takes us to Accra, where a surprise awaits her.
Afia, her mom, and some uncomfortable questions.
Afia and her parents turn off the reality TV and turn on Accra's nightlife.
Afia celebrates Christmas with the aid of a curious present: meditation.
Afia is due to return to San Francisco in a few days. She wants to pay a visit to an old friend before she leaves.
Afia tells the truth.
Afia makes up her mind.
A special S***hole Country bonus episode from AfroQueer.
Gina's living her best life, until it gets interrupted by a painfully loud roar.
Gina learns Dru's secret identity.
The roar brings Dru closer into Gina's world.
Dru and Gina couldn’t leave, but now they can’t stay.
The story behind the story of "a hit dog will holler".
Introducing the newest series coming from Radiotopia Presents.
Bestselling author Jason Reynolds and his mom, Isabell, explore their shared history, how she raised him, and what they’re teaching each other.
Jason Reynolds in conversation with Jad Abumrad at Tribeca Festival 6/19/22.
Hey, I’m Jason. But more importantly, meet my mother, Isabell.
Happy 76th Birthday, Ma!
How Mom taught me to believe in a Higher Power, even though I didn’t like church so much.
Mom always wanted me to keep my feet on the ground, even after hitting the jackpot.
A classic tale of girl meets bot.
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The birds and the bees and the bots.
When AI Chatbots become irresistible.
Are chatbots scripted or spontaneous? A look behind the curtain.
What is the future for humans and bots?
The making of Bot Love and the future of tech—LIVE.
Introducing the newest series coming from Radiotopia Presents.
Coming up next on Radiotopia Presents: Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative
Jess used to think making documentaries was good for her subjects, and good for the world. But she’s not so sure anymore. With this series, she's trying out some new rules…
Jess and Ernesto try to tell his story. It’s dramatic and heart wrenching, but is that enough? What are Jess and Ernesto really doing this for?
Jess tries out being a documentary social-worker with Judy, and struggles to set boundaries with Michael. The project has gotten messy.
The subjects have… feedback for Jess. So what now?
After Jess receives feedback that throws a major wrench into her production schedule, she has to make some tough decisions.
Cynthia finds her boyfriend Max’s journal. Hilarity ensues.
Nudity
After the assassination of a Black female revolutionary, an unexpected romance blossoms between the two women left in her wake—an apolitical jazz singer and a radical activist. While in the present day, college-bound Jazmine embarks on a journey to find her grandmother's first love and document their love story.
Jazmine uncovers her grandmother's journals, shedding light on previously unknown aspects of her inner life and igniting the tale of how Ella and Lorraine reconnected in 1971, New York City for a taping of the TV show Black Dreams after their passionate first encounter in Gary.
As Jazmine grapples with self-acceptance, Grandma Ella and Ms. Lorraine feel compelled to share their respective insecurities. This leads to a poignant recollection of the day a power outage compelled a young Ella and Lorraine to reveal their deepest secrets and vulnerabilities.
Jazmine holds space for Ms. Lorraine as she shares her story of substance abuse, inspiring a conversation about grace and self-acceptance. Meanwhile, back in the 70s, a younger Lorraine confesses her substance abuse to Ella, generating a difficult impasse between the two.
As tensions between Jazmine and her mother boil over, Grandma Ella steps in, guiding the three women to confront the painful reality of intergenerational homophobia. Meanwhile, back in the 1970s, the stakes soar for Ella and Lorraine’s relationship as young Ella is falsely accused of a crime.
As tensions escalate and hearts are both shattered and healed, our season one love story reaches its climax in the City of Love. Jazmine’s family surprises her with a graduation trip to Paris, but little do they know, she has a surprise of her own in store.
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts isn’t your average high school — think Fame in the cornfields.
Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 3 - Win-Win
January 30, 202446min 35sec
Jess makes a deal with Judy, an unhoused senior. Judy will let Jess document her, and Jess will help Judy resolve some of her ongoing life problems. As Jess gets sucked into Judy's crises, the rest of the series starts to slip and Jess’ relationships with her other subjects get messy. Jess starts to doubt the premise of this entire undertaking.
Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative is written, hosted and produced by Jess Shane. Sara Nics is the story editor. Sound design, mix/mastering by Michelle Macklem. Production support from Mona Hassan. Cover art is by Justin Broadbent. Jess’s bibliography is available here.
This reporting was supported in part by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G.Buffett Fund for Women Journalists.
Special thanks to Eleanor McDowall and Chioke I’Anson.
For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the managing producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. It’s a production of PRX’s Radiotopia and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.
Learn more about Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.
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