Infamous Corporate Collapses Examined in New Podcast Spectacular Failures

Host Lauren Ober tells stories of corporate crookedness, family feuding and hilariously half-baked decisions

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 3, 2019 — American Public Media, in partnership with the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, will launch Spectacular Failures – a new business podcast about the greatest corporate catastrophes – on June 17.

Listen to the trailer here.

In SpectacularFailures, host Lauren Ober, award-winning creator of WAMU and NPR’s The Big Listen, and producerWhitney Jones, creator of the critically-acclaimed music podcast Pitch, dig into the causes of some of thebiggest business blunders and breakdowns.

Inthis 10-episode season, listeners get a front row seat to the mishandled launchof MoviePass, the criminal collapse of televangelists Jim and Tammy FayeBakker’s Heritage USA, and Kodak's not so picture-perfect descent into obsolescence,as well as many other stories of spectacular failures.

Ober hopes to provide audiences a new perspective on the many causes of corporate failure as well as its wide-ranging impacts.

“It might be sick to say it, but it’s true. We love hearing about failures,” said Ober. “Stories about business breakdowns capture our most basic human failings: greed, hubris, sometimes even criminal behavior. We’re trying to sniff out the universal [truth] that exists in all stories of corporate collapse and make those tales fun and engaging, with a little dash of attitude and a heap of charm.”

Jones says Spectacular Failures will “work tocombine the joy of The Big Listenwith the pop culture and historical exploration of Pitch. It applies that mixture to stories of business failure in away that makes them unpredictable and exciting.”

The program is made possible by Carlson School ofManagement at the University of Minnesota.

Listeners can find Spectacular Failures on Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Learn more at www.spectacularfailures.org.

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About the Carlson School of Management
Established in 1919 and located in Minneapolis, the CurtisL. Carlson School of Management is part of the University of Minnesota, locatedin the Twin Cities vibrant business community comprised of 17 Fortune 500company headquarters.  The Carlson School is recognized as a leader inbusiness education and research.  Its focus on experiential learning,international education and its strong ties to the business community are justa few examples of the Carlson School’s commitment to excellence.  Today,the Carlson School has 55,000+ alumni in over 100 countries, over 10 degreeprograms, and more than 140 tenure-track and full-time instructional faculty members.The school offers bachelors, master’s, MBA and doctoral degrees, as well asexecutive education programs hosted domestically and abroad.

AboutAmerican Public Media
American Public Media® is the national programmingdivision of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches more than 19 millionlisteners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM isone of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming inthe world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, andthe leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse arrayof podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business andinvestigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org. Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio,Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘18. Data are estimates only.

APM Kids Podcast Smash Boom Best — A Brains On! Spinoff— Returns For Season Two With Epic Debate Battles

Dragons vs. Unicorns, Chocolate vs. Cheese included in this season’s debate lineup

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 28, 2019 —Smash Boom Best is back in action this summer. A spinoff from American Public Media’s Brains On! – an award-winning science podcast for kids  - Smash Boom Best is a fast-paced, debate show for kids and families. Hosted by Molly Bloom, the second season of Smash Boom Best launches June 6 and will include even more debates with some special topics chosen by the fans.

Listen to the trailer here.

In each episode, a kid co-host will judge an epic battle between two adult debaters. 

“Ido not envy our judges having to decide the outcomes of these tough debates,”said Bloom. “Dragons or unicorns? Invisibility or flying? Chocolate or cheese?These are serious matchups.”

Using facts and passion to make their cases, debaters will teach listeners to defend their opinions and expose them to a diversity of topics along the way.

This season’s stellar roster of debaters includes Story Pirates co-founder Lee Overtree, host of Gimlet’s Science Vs Wendy Zukerman, and Francis Lam,  host of The Splendid Table.

“We reallyput our debaters to the test,” said Bloom. “Not only do they have to puttogether factual and entertaining arguments to sway our judge, but they alsohave to do some on-the-fly persuading in our sneak attack round!"

Smash Boom Best is created by the award-winning team behind APM’s Brains On!: host Bloom and producers Sanden Totten and Marc Sanchez. The program is supported in part by The National Science Foundation.

Listeners can find the new season of Smash Boom Best on Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Connect with the show on Facebook and by going to smashboombest.org.

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AboutAmerican Public Media

American Public Media® is the national programming division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches more than 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org. Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘18. Data are estimates only.

American Public Media to Launch Decomposed- A New Podcast Exploring the Daring Acts and Surprising Inspirations of Famous Composers

Concert pianist and host Jade Simmons’ new APM podcast shares the tales of heartbreak, scandal and sheer genius that have shaped classical music.

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 4, 2019 – Concert pianist and world-class storyteller Jade Simmons will explore some of the most captivating aspects of the lives of classical composers as host of American Public Media’s new weekly podcast, Decomposed, launching April 16.While the work of these composers is well known even centuries later, their personal stories have often turned into footnotes. Simmons will bring fascinating elements of classical music history to life for longtime fans as well as new listeners. The composer’s stories are woven together with the symphonies, operas and other masterpieces that they inspired.Listen to a trailer of Decomposed and subscribe here.By emphasizing the personal struggles of revered composers, Simmons hopes to connect audiences to the humanity of classical music. Episodes will take listeners all the way from concert halls with composers donning powdered wigs to Cold War propaganda, showcasing the wide reach of this musical genre.“As I do with my own concert experiences, I would hope Decomposed attracts new ears while reintroducing connoisseurs to composers they thought they knew,” Simmons said. “Nothing to me is more fascinating than the people behind the music, and the circumstances in their lives that caused the incredible music we know and love to come into existence. Decomposed will shed light on those most powerful moments.”Simmons has been nicknamed “Classical Music’s #1 Maverick” for her habit of blending music, real time innovation and motivation. She has quickly become the face that represents the relevance of classical music while pushing the boundaries of its presentation. As a world-renowned concert artist, keynote speaker, best-selling author and multimedia personality, Simmons is a fascinating and passionate storyteller with a strong understanding of classical music’s roots.Decomposed is made possible by Inspired by You, MPR's capital campaign and the generosity of Ruth and John Huss. It is produced in partnership with Classical Minnesota Public Radio.Listeners can find Decomposed on Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Connect with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.###About American Public MediaAmerican Public Media® is the national programming division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches 20 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘18. Data are estimates only.