Drew Murphy Named Newest Member of APM Group Board of Trustees

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 30, 2020 — American Public Media Group (APMG) has named Drew Murphy as the newest member of its Board of Trustees. Murphy is senior vice president of strategy and corporate development at Edison International.

As vice chair of Southern California Public Radio’s board of trustees, Murphy will serve as SCPR representative in his role with the APMG Board. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and SCPR both operate as part of APMG. 

“We are fortunate to add Drew’s strategic experience and his passion for public media to the APMG board,” said Jon McTaggart, CEO of APMG. “His involvement within both the SCPR and APMG boards provides valuable insights that he brings to our discussions and decision-making.”

Murphy’s work at Edison International has focused on the organization’s strategic planning processes and those of its subsidiaries. His responsibilities include the advancement of strategic initiatives and assessing new opportunities.

Murphy previously served as senior managing director at Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. He also has held several senior executive positions at NRG Energy, Inc., including executive vice president, general counsel, executive vice president of Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions, and Northeast Region executive vice president and president.

Murphy was a partner at Hunton & Williams LLP, leading the global energy, infrastructure, and project finance practice. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard College and earned his juris doctorate degree from George Washington University, where he was a member of the George Washington Law Review.

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About American Public Media Group

American Public Media Group is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio®, a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, and Southern California Public Radio, a four-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media®, reach 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 American Public Media Group, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

American Public Media’s Award-Winning Science Podcast Brains On! Receives National Science Foundation Grant

Brains On! and the Science Museum of Minnesota explore the impact COVID-19 education has on children’s virus-related worry and fear

ST. PAUL, Minn., JUNE 11, 2020— Brains On!, the award-winning science podcast for curious kids and families from American Public Media, in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, is the recipient of a National Science Foundation Rapid Response Research grant to fund their project in the category of “Addressing Families’ COVID-19 Information and Education Needs Through Podcast Media.”

Brains On! and SMM will join forces for a 12-month research project analyzing how listening to Brains On! coronavirus related content affects children’s understanding of scientific concepts related to the pandemic. The study will test Brains On! and SMM’s current hypothesis: that children who are introduced to kid-friendly science-based reporting on COVID-19 will have lower levels of worry and fear of the pandemic. Through this process, the organizations also hope to empower children to ask pandemic-related questions and engage in more science-based conversations with their families.

“We hope our research will provide important insights for the informal science education field on how to best support the unique needs of kids and their families not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but future global crises,” said Dr. Amy Grack Nelson, the evaluation and research manager at SMM. The research will be conducted via online surveys of Brains On! listener families with children ages 5 to 12. To participate in the survey, sign up at brainson.org/research.

The grant will support the production of three additional COVID-19 podcast episodes from Brains On! There will also be an online hub accessible for families to find COVID-19 information as well as previous pandemic related episodes such as "Staying home: how social distancing helps fight coronavirus" and "Virus busters: how scientists are working to stop the coronavirus."

“We feel it’s really important to help kids understand what’s happening by giving them clear, straight-forward information that doesn’t talk down to them but also doesn’t provoke fear,” said Molly Bloom, host of Brains On! “It’s also really important for us to have opportunities to hear kids’ questions and their experiences during this pandemic—and for these episodes to have a bit of fun as well.”

The NSF’s RAPID funding mechanism is currently focused on projects working towards understanding the spread of COVID-19 and encourage the development of processes and actions to address this current global challenge.

This project will continue through April of 2021. Findings will be shared throughout the project to a wide range of audiences that will be able to immediately apply the findings to create media and other coronavirus-related educational resources for families. Moreover, research results will be shared through webinars and on BrainsOn.org and informalscience.org.

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About American Public Media

American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 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 ‘19.

About National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2020, its budget is $8.3 billion. NSF funds research in all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 50,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards.

About the Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of the state’s most beloved museums, with a reach that extends well beyond its riverfront location in downtown Saint Paul. Along with serving hundreds of thousands of people each year through its unique combination of cutting-edge technology, hands-on STEM exploration, and world-class collection of fossils and artifacts, the museum reaches schools in all 87 Minnesota counties; provides critical STEM workforce development and leadership training for youth; and conducts research on water quality, climate change, paleontology and archaeology in locations around the world. Equity work is in the Science Museum’s DNA, demonstrated through its commitment to being a resource to the entire community – at a time when science and scientific learning and equitable access to STEM and STEM careers is more critical than ever. For more information, visit smm.org.   

APM Reports' In the Dark Wins Second Peabody Award

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 10, 2020 – APM Reports’ investigative podcast In the Dark has been honored with a Peabody Award in the Podcast & Radio category for its coverage of the Curtis Flowers Supreme Court arguments, decision and aftermath. Announced today, the Peabody Awards honor the previous year’s most compelling stories presented by television, radio and digital media.

Thirty Peabody Awards were granted from the 60 nominees across categories.

In the Dark’s first season won a Peabody Award in 2016 for an investigation into the kidnapping and murder of Jacob Wetterling, a Minnesota boy whose disappearance in 1989 went unsolved 27 years. 

In the podcast’s second season, In the Dark journalists identified significant flaws, misconduct and a constitutional rights violation in the investigation and prosecution of a 1996 quadruple homicide in Winona, Miss.

The accused man – Curtis Flowers – had been tried six times for the crime. When In the Dark journalists began their reporting, Flowers was on death row. After the initial release of In the Dark’s second season, attorneys for Flowers’ appeal included ample reporting from the podcast in their petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. In June 2019, the Court overturned Flowers’ conviction, and in December, Flowers was released on bail.

Downloaded more than 37 million times, In the Dark’s second season has received numerous accolades, including the 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, which was granted last week to APM Reports for In the Dark’s coverage of the Flowers Supreme Court decision and aftermath.

In addition, In The Dark was the first podcast to receive the George Polk Award, won a 2020 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, earned a 2020 Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association, and was nominated for a Peabody Award in 2019. For her work on In the Dark’s second season, host and lead reporter Madeleine Baran was named the Burton Award’s 2019 Outstanding Journalist in Law.

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About APM Reports
APM Reports, formed in November 2015, is a collection of investigative journalists and documentary producers, editors, data reporters, researchers and digital producers dedicated to producing high-quality reporting on issues that are often hidden from public view. At the heart of every APM Reports investigation lies a critical question — about powerful institutions and people, injustice and accountability – that deserves an unflinching commitment to finding answers in the public’s best interest.  Visit apmreports.org for more.

About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 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 ‘19.

Julie Andrews to Host Storytelling Podcast for Children in Julie's Library, Launching April 29

Andrews and daughter Emma Walton Hamilton bring modern children’s literature to life in new podcast from American Public Media

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 15, 2020— American Public Mediapresents Julie’s Library, a newchildren’s literacy program hosted by acclaimed actress and best-selling authorJulie Andrews, along with her daughter, award-winning writer and educator EmmaWalton Hamilton. The podcast launches April 29, and will feature weeklyepisodes of Andrews and Hamilton reading their favorite children’s books.

Subscribe and listen to the trailer here.

Due to the widespread issuance of COVID-19 related stay-at-homeorders, Andrews and Hamilton are releasing the first six episodes early tobring the comfort of storytelling to families during these unprecedented times.More episodes will return later this year.  

Perfect for childrenages 4-10, but also aimed at multi-generational family audiences, each episodeof Julie’s Library invites listenersto immerse themselves in the wonder of books. Every story is brought to lifethrough music, sound design and special guest appearances. Listeners will alsohear directly from other kids, who share their imaginative ideas and favoritenew vocabulary words.

For Andrews and Hamilton, reading is a familyaffair. “When I became a parent, I passed the love of reading on to mychildren. My daughter and I have co-authored over 30 books for children andyoung adults, and our shared passion for the power of storytelling, literacy,and the arts remains fervent,” said Andrews. “It is our hope that the storiesand ideas we share on Julie’s Library willprovide family listening pleasure, inspire meaningful conversations, and be atrusted resource for literary enjoyment and learning.”

Julie’s Library is produced by American Public Media, an industryleader in kids podcasting that includes notable shows such as Brains On! and Smash Boom Best.

Julie’s Library is available on Apple Podcasts and on other podcastplatforms. Sign up for the newsletter to receive additional reading andactivity recommendations mentioned in the podcast at www.JuliesLibraryShow.org. Listeners can also follow along for updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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About American Public Media

American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 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 ‘19.

Mental Well-Being & Coronavirus: Call to Mind Publishes Online Resource Guide for Mental Well-Being

Compiled credibleonline resources dedicated to mental wellness for individuals, organizations

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 2, 2020 – In response to the widespread change induced by COVID-19 in our lives, Call to Mind – American Public Media’s initiative to foster new conversations about mental health – has launched a site dedicated to mental wellness resources.

CalltoMindNow.org includes extensive resources and blog posts from trusted public health and mental health organizations including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America and others. These relevant tips and recommendations have been compiled with the goal of reaching individuals where they’re at with ways to cope and manage their mental well-being in this uncertain time.

This is a toolkit for everyone: media outletscovering coronavirus and compiling resources for audiences, organizationslooking to support their employees, and individuals seeking tools to aid theirmental wellness.

Topics covered in CalltoMindNow.orginclude:

• Self-care during the pandemic
• Coping with stress and anxiety during COVID-19
• Dealing with loneliness and isolation
• Talking with kids about COVID-19
• Digital distractions
• Living with your mental illness
• How to get help
• Resources if you are in a crisis

“So many of us have had our lives upturned by the presenceof COVID-19 in our communities. It’s important to prioritize physical health,but this pandemic’s effect on our mental health cannot be ignored,” saidBabette Apland, managing director of Call to Mind.

“This new source of stress, compiled with isolation, canlead to anxiety and loneliness for many of us, and can exacerbate illness forpeople already dealing with a mental health condition,” said Apland. “The goalwith our site is to have one place with trusted information on ways to cope andhow to seek help if you need it.”

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® is everywhere you listen. The national programming arm of Minnesota Public Radio, APM reaches 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 programming in the nation. APM’s award-winning podcasts span the best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment. For more information on MPR, visit minnesotapublicradio.org. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘19

Valerie Coleman Named 2020 Classical Woman of the Year by American Public Media's Performance Today

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 26, 2020 – Performance Today has named flutist and composer Valerie Coleman as the 2020 Classical Woman of the Year. The honor is granted annually to a woman who has made a significant contribution to classical music as a performer, composer, conductor, music teacher or supporter.

“Valerie is an extraordinary flutist, composer andfounder of a groundbreaking ensemble, with an unflagging devotion to teachingand mentorship,” said Fred Child,host of Performance Today. “Our choice was clear. We are proud to nameher as this year’s Classical Woman of the Year.”

Coleman will be honored on tomorrow’s episode of PerformanceToday and she will speak with Child about her extensive career in classical music and pieceson which she’s currently working. Performance Today will air a showfocusing on Coleman’s music and performances on Wednesday, April 8.

"I am grateful to Performance Today and its listeners for supporting my music and naming me their Classical Woman of the Year,” said Coleman. “It is a privilege and I hope that my work as a flutist, composer, and educator at the Frost School of Music creates bridges and inspires healing to all who experience it, including the hybrid artists of tomorrow.” 

A GRAMMY-nominated artist, Coleman is the founder and formermember of the internationally acclaimed ensemble Imani Winds. She has received manyawards and commissions from organizations including Carnegie Hall, AmericanComposers Orchestra and The Library of Congress.

Named one of the “Top 35 Women Composers” byWashington Post, Coleman is widely recognized for her composition “Umoja,”which made its orchestral debut last fall with the Philadelphia Orchestra atCarnegie Hall.

Coleman has dedicated much of her career to makingmusic inclusive and is an advocate and mentor for emerging artists. She joinedthe faculty of Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in 2018 as AssistantProfessor of Performance, Chamber Music and Entrepreneurship. She has ledmasterclasses across the United States and created the Imani Winds ChamberMusic Festival, a New York City program devoted to career development and excellence.

“Professor Coleman is at the forefront and is anexemplar of 21st century musical careers. She is brilliant and renowned as aflute soloist, composer, chamber musician, ensemble leader, and entrepreneur,”said Shelton G. Berg, Dean of the Frost School of Music. “This is the elevatedskill set we want for students in the Frost School of Music, and it is therecipe for being named Classical Woman of the Year!”

Coleman was selected by the staff of Performance Today based on listener nominations. Throughout the month of March, listeners submitted nominations of those who inspired them through their contributions to classical music.  

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About American PublicMedia
American Public Media® is everywhere you listen. The national programmingarm of Minnesota Public Radio, APM reaches 19 million listeners viaapproximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of thelargest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world,with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leadingclassical music programming in the nation. APM’s award-winning podcasts spanthe best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment. Formore information on MPR, visit minnesotapublicradio.org.For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ’18/Spring ‘19

Photo Courtesy of JAbreu

MPR Canceling and Postponing Public Events March 14-April 24

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 13, 2020 — In response to growing concernssurrounding COVID-19, Minnesota Public Radio will cancel all public eventsbeginning March 14 through April 24.

This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, and inconsideration of best practices recommended made by the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, and the cities ofMinneapolis and St. Paul.

Ticketholders will be contacted directly regarding refunds orexchanges in the case of postponement. MPR will share updates regarding eventsas they become available.

The wellbeing of our audiences is of the utmost importance toMPR. We appreciate our audiences’ patience, flexibility, and understanding aswe navigate this rapidly changing situation.

For more information, please visit mprevents.org or contact MPR Member &Audience Services at 800-228-7123.

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About Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio® operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states for more than 50 years. Reaching more than 1 million listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services—MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current®—produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media®, more than 19 million listeners via 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, and produces award-winning podcasts spanning the best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment.

Lunar Startups Welcomes Largest Cohort with 15 Companies

St.Paul, Minn., March 5, 2020 – Lunar Startups is proud to announce the companiesselected to participate in Cohort 3, the largest group of high-growth,early-stage startups to join Lunar's accelerator program. Beginning March 9, 15companies will join a community dedicated to their success, including a year'sworth of coaching, resources, cash grants, and customized programming.

"Cohort3 is the next step in our movement to make more Minnesota millionaires. Icouldn't be more excited to work with such an impressive group of founders anddive into the big problems they're working to solve," said Danielle Steer,managing director of Lunar Startups.

A program of AmericanPublic Media’s Glen Nelson Center, Lunar Startups welcomes thefollowing companies to Cohort 3:

• Bim Bam Boo - Curbing climate change andempowering health with the first bamboo toilet paper designed for women.
• CheqrPay - Streamlining the givingprocess for non-profit organizations by fully utilizing mobile wallet technology.
• Coconut Whisk - A proudly vegan baking mixcompany giving back with every sale.
• Cytilife - A smart campus solution forhigher education that integrates non-academic factors of student success toincrease retention.
• Events by Lady K - Partnering with mission-drivenclients to create mission-centered events where every attendee feels welcomed,celebrated, and included.
• Feminist Book Club - Building feminist communities andpromoting women-owned businesses with a monthly subscription box.
• Imagine Deliver - A consulting firm for the new majority, buildingbetter strategies that center users as the most important designer.
• Minneapolis Craft Market - Elevating designers and makers ofthe North and spurring local economic activity with pop-up craft markets. 
• NEOO Partners, Inc. - Helping cities, local non-profits,and small businesses do the right thing, the first time in commercial realestate and urban planning.
• Peach Mindfulness - Harnessing AI technology to createthe world's first intelligent meditation guru.
• Rocky Robinson, a brandfor girls- Encouraging black girls to be their very best with Rocky Robinson, acharacter featured in online content, games, and more.
• Safe Resell - Increasing integrity andreducing crime on a cashless, user-driven marketplace.
• Schoolz - a suite of alternativetools helping teachers serve all students with relevant content and curriculum.
• We Sparkle - An AI-powered social enterprise dedicated to helpingsmall businesses care for their customers + communities.
• Yonder- Preparing kids for their first visit to the dentist using entertaining andeducational content.

Cohort3 companies were selected from an applicant pool of 90 startups led by adiverse group of entrepreneurs. More than 67 percent of Cohort 3 startups areled by a woman, 60 percent are led by a person of color, 33 percent are led bya woman of color and seven percent are led by a person who identifies asLGBTQ+.

“Foundersin Cohort 1 and 2 created 34 new jobs, 80% of whom receive full benefits. Withtwice as many startups, we can’t wait to see how this next cohort ofentrepreneurs will contribute to the economic vitality of our community,”Danielle added.

Fundedby the John S. and James L.Knight Foundation,Lunar Startups will provide an expanded range of resources to Cohort 3,including partnerships with the Global Accelerator Network (GAN), Techstars,and Hubspot. Highlights include:

• Lunar Everywhere- A digital asset library and learning hub filled with trusted resources forbusiness growth.
• Cash Stipend - Each company receives a$5,000 grant to spend on marketing, technology, and travel.
• Lunar Experts in Residence- Founders Dionne Gumbs (GenEQTY), Julie Kucinski (Pitchwell), and Angela Gustafson(Gustola Granola) will provide coaching and thought partnership to cohortmembers in addition to workshop leadership and training in their respectivefields.
• Lunar Expert Network- Participants have access to 25+ hours of free personal coaching, advising,and counseling from some of our community’s greatest leaders.

“This diversegroup of participating companies in cohort 3 continues to demonstrate thepalpable energy that is growing in downtown St. Paul’s entrepreneurialecosystem. Entrepreneurs who never thought of downtown as a place to start andgrow a viable business, are starting to reconsider, with an increase ofresources to support entrepreneurship,” said Jai Winston, Knight’s St. Pauldirector. “With the changing demographics of our landscape in Minnesota, St.Paul residents are seeing themselves reflected more in the opportunities todrive economic growth in this region.”  

Winston addedthat Minnesota has always been at the forefront of innovation, represented bythe many Fortune 500 companies that have grown organically in the state. 

“St. Paul has theopportunity to continue that trend,” Winston said, “with an intentional focuson ensuring that our changing community demographics are represented within ourentrepreneurial ecosystem and community as well.”

LunarStartups Cohort 3 programming runs from March 2020 through February 2021 and islocated in the Osborn370 building in downtown St. Paul.

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About Lunar Startups
Lunar Startups is a new model for incubating high growth companies led by founders who identify as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+. Launched at the Glen Nelson Center of American Public Media, Lunar Startups is breaking down barriers for innovators, disruptors, and change-makers to scale the next generation of industry pioneers. For more, visit lunarstartups.org.

About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 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+, Spring ‘19.

Aboutthe John S. and James L. Knight FoundationKnight Foundation is anational foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in thearts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knightonce published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engagedcommunities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more,visit knightfoundation.org.

Field Work podcast returns for Season Two

Co-hosts Mitchell Hora and Zach Johnson areback March 11 to talk farming

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 26, 2020 – Field Work willreturn next month with a second season dedicated to new discussions aboutagriculture, sustainability and the experiences of those on farming’s frontlines.

Season Twolaunches March 11 with weekly episodes dropping on Wednesdays. In this seasonof Field Work, co-hostsMitchell Hora and Zach Johnson will continue their conversations about covercrops, conservation tillage, and water management, while expanding into dairyfarm sustainability, integrating livestock into a row crop operation,bioreactors, hemp farming and more. The trailer for Season Two is available here.

Hora, an Iowa farmer and soil health consultant, andJohnson, a fifth-generation farmer from west central Minnesota – alsorecognized as YouTube’s “Millennial Farmer” – will welcome in a number ofguests from the agriculture industry to this season of Field Work andalso bring in the voices of listeners who have submitted questions and commentssince the wrap of the podcast’s debut season.

VIDEO: Hear morefrom the hosts, creators and experts on the importance of Field Work.

Produced by American Public Media’s The Water Main, Field Work was launched in the spring of 2019 topromote the voices and lived experiences of agriculture producers. Withlisteners in all 50 states and more than 350,000 downloads and YouTube views, theshow’s first season produced 15 episodes that dove into precision ag, the powerof farm data, cover crops and more. Catch up on all of Field Work’sSeason One episodes here.

Perfect for listening in the car, in the tractor or athome, Field Work episodes can be found on all podcast platforms, andepisodes are also available for listening on Field Work’s YouTube channel. Learn more about the show at fieldworktalk.org and follow along for updates at @fieldworktalk.

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About American Public MediaAmerican Public Media® (APM) is the nationalprogramming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stationsnationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors ofpublic radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC WorldService, 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 onAPM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+,Spring ‘19.

Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Chamique Holdsclaw hosts new podcast about athletes and mental health in Tremendous Upside

New series from the team behind The Hilarious World of Depression to be launched by APM Podcasts and HealthPartners next month

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 16, 2019— Former WNBA player and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member Chamique Holdsclaw continues her mental health advocacy in Tremendous Upside, a new podcast from American Public Media, to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in athletes. Produced by the team behind the award-winning podcast The Hilarious World of Depression, Tremendous Upside launches January 13.

Admiredfor their strength, speed and skills, athletes can seem invincible. However,many face adversities that are invisible to fans. In recent years, more andmore top athletes have come forward to openlyaddress their depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and other mentalhealth issues.

In Tremendous Upside, Holdsclaw has honest conversations about mental health with other pro athletes—and lets fans in on a side of them that’s rarely, if ever, seen. Listen to the trailer here.

“Depression, demands on a body, the body breaking down, dealingwith family stuff; it can take a toll on a person,” said Holdsclaw. “You have to have that perfect image, say and do the rightthings. We just try to be so brave and portray this level of dominance, and'I'm invincible'—but we know.”

Holdsclaw lives with depression and bipolar disorder and has become a widely recognized and respected mental health advocate. She is candid about her journey and hopes to inspire others to seek help.

Early Access & Featured Guests

The first episode of Tremendous Upside features Metta World Peace (formerly known as Ron Artest). At a time when the subject was still taboo, Metta publicly thanked his therapist after he won an NBA Championship. In this episode, Metta opens up to Holdsclaw about his upbringing, the experience of getting drafted into the NBA at a young age and the battle inside his head.

This episode is available for early listening to anyone whodonates to support the podcast by December 31. Listeners can donate here.

Later inthe season, Tremendous Upside will also feature interviews with StanleyCup Champion Theo Fleury, three-time-Olympian runner Suzy Favor Hamilton, WorldCup Champion goalkeeper Briana Scurry and more.

Tremendous Upside is produced by APM and created in partnership with HealthPartners’ Make It OK campaign, which aims to reduce stigma surrounding mental illnesses. Previous collaborations include The Hilarious World of Depression, a podcast in which comedians and other celebrities open up about their mental health. The Make It Ok campaign also provides resources to help people start conversations about mental illnesses with tips and talking points.

Listeners can find Tremendous Upside on Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms.Learn more at www.tremendousupside.org.

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About American Public Media

American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 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+, Spring ‘19.

About HealthPartners

HealthPartners is the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation with a mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.

About Make It OK

Launched in 2013 by HealthPartners, Make It OK is a campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illnesses by changing the hearts and minds about the misperceptions of mental illnesses through encouraging open conversations and education on the topic. Make It OK offers resources to help people globally through personal stories of people living with a mental illness, and information and tips on how to talk about mental illnesses.

The Splendid Table Presents Turkey Confidential 2019 on Thanksgiving Day

The Turkey Confidential hotline goes live November 28, Noon-2 p.m. ET, Call 1.800.242.2828

ST.PAUL, Minn., Nov. 13, 2019­ —The Splendid Table returns with its beloved annual public radio call-in show ofholiday storytelling and last-minute cooking advice in Turkey Confidential. Tune in live with host Francis Lam and hiscast of culinary talent on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28,from noon to 2 p.m. ET.

Nowin its 15^th year, Turkey Confidential is a Thanksgiving tradition inkitchens across the nation. This live two-hour “turkey triage” specialcelebrates the joy of Thanksgiving cooking, family favorite dishes andmemories. 

From recommended wine pairings with turkey to the forgotten giblet, Francis and his star-studded guest lineup will dish out answers to listeners’ Thanksgiving emergency calls.

• Melissa Clark, New York Times food columnist, cookbook author and host of the Weeknight Kitchen podcast
• Kwame Onwuachi, award-winning chef and author of Notes from a Young Black Chef
• Samin Nosrat, New York Times Magazine food columnist, best-selling cookbook author and teacher
• Shauna Sever, baking expert and author of Midwest Made

Turkey Confidential will be broadcast live from American Public Media’s headquarters in St. Paul and is available to audiences everywhere via local public radio stations and streaming online at www.splendidtable.org. Check out The Splendid Table Thanksgiving Guide for recipes and menus as well as more holiday-themed interviews and advice.

Audiences nationwide can dial in to the live show with cooking questions or to share their stories of Thanksgiving disasters or successes.  To contact Francis during the show, call the Turkey Confidential hotline at 1-800-242-2828, or submit stories and questions via the online form. Listeners can also get in touch through The Splendid Table Facebook or Twitter. Tag @splendidtable on Instagram to share Thanksgiving feast photos with the Turkey Confidential team.

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AboutAmerican Public Media

American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 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+, Spring ‘19.

The Hilarious World of Depression Returns for Season Four

Showcreator and host John Moe continues to bring awareness to mental health issuesthrough frank and funny discussions.

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 26, 2019⁠ — American PublicMedia’s award-winning hit podcast The Hilarious World of Depressionreturns for a new season to destigmatize mental illness through conversationswith comedians, actors, authors and musicians. Hosted by John Moe, the serieswill debut its fourth season on Monday, September 9, with new episodes releasedweekly.

The podcast will feature interviews with well-known guests such asactor and comedian Pete Holmes, comedian Whitney Cummings, actresses CharlenedeGuzman and Mara Wilson as well as drag queen Miz Cracker.

This season puts an emphasis on how depression often coexists withother conditions including anxiety, sex and love addiction, eating disordersand codependency. “Depression is almost never a solo act,” said Moe. “Issueslike PTSD, OCD, and trauma recovery are often present when someone hasdepression. We are exploring how all those things intersect and complement eachother.”

Episodes will also cover topics such as searching for a therapist thatis attuned to one’s gender, orientation, and ethnic and cultural background aswell as battling burnout.

As in previous seasons, The Hilarious World of Depression willcontinue to bring listeners in to be part of the conversation and have them sharetheir own personal journeys with mental illness.

Season four will be released in two installments for a total of 21episodes. Part one of the season will begin September 9. Part two is expectedto air in spring of 2020.  

The HilariousWorld of Depression is produced by APM and createdin partnership with HealthPartners’s Make It OK campaign,which aims to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.

Listen to The HilariousWorld of Depression on Apple Podcasts or on any podcast platforms.Learn more at The Hilarious World of Depression’s website andby following @johnmoe and @thwofd onTwitter.

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About American Public Media
AmericanPublic Media® is the national programming division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches more than 19 million listeners via approximately1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producersand distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfoliothat includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical musicprograms in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring thebest in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism.For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimatesonly.

New York Times Food Columnist Melissa Clark Hosts American Public Media's New Food Podcast: Weeknight Kitchen

ST. PAUL, Minn. Aug. 21, 2019 -- Melissa Clark, a food reporter and columnist for the New York Times, NYTCooking and a regular contributor to American Public Media’s The Splendid Table – a weekly food program celebrating the intersection of culinary and culture –  is taking audiences into her own home with Weeknight Kitchen, launching September 4.

Produced by APM and created by The Splendid Table team, this new podcast gets its inspiration andnamesake from The Splendid Table’s popular weekly e-newsletter that features practicaland delicious weeknight meals.

A preview of Weeknight Kitchen is available here and on all podcast platforms.

• 

Weeknight Kitchen puts Clark firmly in the driver’s seat by takingon one of the biggest dilemmas of busy people: what to eat for dinner.

Every week, Clark will encourage aspiring cooks to explore the spontaneous and pleasurable moments in the kitchen while also helping to sharpen the skills of seasoned cooks. A recipe and photo will accompany every episode.

“Weeknight dinners are the heart and soul of home cooking andin this podcast, I hope to show you how to get simple, great food to yourtable,” Clark said. “Yes, I want to inspire you, I definitely want to entertainyou, but most importantly, I want to make you hungry, because craving greatfood is the first step to cooking it.”

Clark has been writing about food and developing recipes forthe modern-day lifestyle for decades. Sally Swift, Co-creator and ManagingProducer of The Splendid Table and now Weeknight Kitchen, saidthere is no one better equipped than Clark to take on this task.

“She is one of the world’s greatest home cooking evangelists.She is clear-eyed and practical, with a wicked sense of humor and intellect,” saidSwift of Clark. “She writes recipes like Elvis Costello writes songs. Imaginegetting to hang out with her in her home kitchen.”

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About American 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. Data are estimates only.

American Public Media Hires Liliana Kim as Managing Director of Podcasts

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug 5, 2019 –American Public Media today announced new leadership at the helm of its podcastdivision. Starting August 19, Liliana Kim will take over as managing directorof APM podcasts.

As managing director, Liliana willlead APM’s current podcast portfolio, which includes Terrible, Thanks for Asking, TooBeautiful to Live, BrainsOn, TheSplendid Table, TheHilarious World of Depression, TheSlowdown and Spectacular Failures.

Liliana was most recently atViacom, where she was VP of MTV International Content Strategy and BrandManagement. She successfully led MTV’s multiplatform content planning andprogramming strategy, achieving ratings and market share growth yearly.

• 

Prior to joining Viacom in 2010,Liliana oversaw HBO’s product development and digital distribution for thenetwork’s premium content releases. She is no stranger to the public mediaspace either, as she began her career in production at PBS working on theaward-winning weekly newsmagazine show NOW with Bill Moyers.

APM is excited for the dynamismthat Liliana brings to the table, as well as her ability to lead the company’sposition in the podcast industry. “Liliana brings extensive experience withcontent strategy and brand marketing, as well as business development skills,”said Mike Reszler, senior vice president for Strategy and Experimentation and ChiefDigital Officer at APM. “These are going to be essential as we grow our podcastpublic service.”

Liliana received her undergraduatedegree from Wellesley College, where she specialized in economics and politicalscience. She is certified in Columbia Business School Executive Program: Womenin Leadership.

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About AmericanPublic Media

American PublicMedia® is the national programming division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches more than 19 million listeners via 1,000 radiostations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers anddistributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio thatincludes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical musicprograms in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring thebest in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism.For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Dataare copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

APM Reports to Release Three New Audio Documentaries

Emily Hanford’s investigation on a problematic approach to reading instruction among three new reports on education in America

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 23, 2019 –APM Reports, the documentary and investigative unit of AmericanPublic Media, will releasethree new audio documentaries that look at the latest issues in education andhow students learn. The stories will air on public radio stations across thecountry and on APM Reports’ Educate podcast starting August 6.

Acclaimed education reporter Emily Hanford will return this season with a follow-up to her 2018 documentary “Hard Words: Why aren't kids being taught to read?” which brought mainstream media attention to the importance of teacher knowledge about the science of reading. Her new documentary, “At a Loss for Words: What’s wrong with how schools teach reading” will debut August 22.  

“HardWords” sent shockwaves across the United States and around the globe byrevealing what’s missing in many schools: explicit and systematic phonicsinstruction. “At a Loss for Words”continues the investigation by showing that the problem with readinginstruction is not just what’s missing, it’s what’s present. According toHanford’s reporting, teachers across the country are using materials andapproaches based on a flawed theory of reading. The “three-cueing system” wasdisproven decades ago by cognitive scientists yet it remains deeply embedded inteaching practices and curriculum materials and continues to be taught inteacher preparation programs.

In the documentary, Hanford exploresthe history of the three-cueing system and explains the cognitive science that provesit wrong. She shows what three-cueing looks like in the classroom, documentsthe harm it does to children, and visits Oakland, Calif., where teachers arequestioning three-cueing and administrators are wrestling with what that meansabout the curriculum investments the district has made.

Key reporting includes:

• When children aretaught to read using the three-cueing system, they are taught to read the waythat poor readers read. In other words, the strategies that people with weakreading skills use to get by are the very strategies that many beginningreaders are being taught in school.
• In the UnitedStates, one-third of fourth graders struggle to read on a basic level and mostAmerican students are still not proficient readers by the time they get to 12thgrade. Three-cueing is part of the problem.
• Efforts toimprove reading instruction are impeded by the widespread belief in three-cueing. Even if elements of effective reading instruction are put in place (e.g.,good phonics instruction), substantial progress is unlikely until this wrongidea about reading is exposed and rooted out. 

In addition to Hanford’s documentary, APM Reports will also release two additional documentaries. Airing August 6, “Under a Watchful Eye: How colleges are tracking students to boost graduation” examines the growing use of analytics and data collection on students to steer them into majors they can stick with. Reporters Jill Barshay and Sasha Aslanian will recount their findings on what students gain and lose when private companies track their clicks and movements.  

“Students on the Move: Keeping uprooted kids in school,” produced by Chris Julin and Tennessee Watson, explores the correlation between children living in unstable housing and poor performance in school. Launching August 14, this documentary will follow two groups of kids who frequently change addresses – homeless kids and the children of migrant farm workers – and then detail current efforts to keep these students in the classroom through high school and onto college.

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About American Public Media
AmericanPublic Media® is the national programming division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches more than 19 million listenersvia 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largestproducers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with aportfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leadingclassical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcastsfeaturing the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigativejournalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.
Source: Data are copyrightNielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

About APM Reports
APM Reports, formed in November 2015, is a collection of investigative journalists and documentary producers, editors, data reporters, researchers and digital producers dedicated to producing high-quality reporting on issues that are often hidden from public view. At the heart of every APM Reports investigation lies a critical question — about powerful institutions and people, injustice and accountability – that deserves an unflinching commitment to finding answers in the public’s best interest. Visit apmreports.org for more.

Following Supreme Court ruling, American Public Media recognizes necessity and support of free press in full-page New York Times ad

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 27, 2019 – With a full-pageadvertisement appearing in this Sunday’s issue of The New York Times, AmericanPublic Media (APM) will highlight the important work of the free press andthank those who support journalism locally and worldwide.

The ad comes after a U.S.Supreme Court ruling in the case of Flowersv. Mississippi. APM’s investigative group, APM Reports, reported on the Flowerscase for more than a year in Mississippi for the acclaimed podcast In the Dark and – among many revelations– uncovered the district attorney’s past and present practice of racialdiscrimination in jury selection.

The court reversed Flowers’ conviction on Friday, rulingthat the prosecutor used racialdiscrimination in the jury selection for Flowers’ most recent trial.

Key findings from the APM Reports’ investigation wereincluded in the case presented to the Supreme Court.

Released in May 2018, the second season of In the Dark has been downloaded morethan 24 million times and was honored with the George Polk Award,a prestigious award that emphasizes investigative journalism, and the first ofwhich to be granted to a podcast.

In the ad, APM emphasizes the necessity of financial supportfor news organizations everywhere to ensure that people always have the powerof a free press.

“We wanted to show our immense gratitude for those who support the free press and help us investigate and share these stories,” said Dave Kansas, APM’s executive vice president and chief content officer. “This ad is also our effort to remind news consumers of the incredible amount of time, resources and energy that go into keeping all of us informed.”

The ad’s message reads:

Facts are powerful. So are you.

The U.S. Supreme Courtruled in a controversial death penalty case on June 21, deciding that adistrict attorney racially discriminated during jury selection. The decisionoverturns a man’s death sentence.

APM Reports uncoveredcritical facts about the case and brought them to national attention with thesecond season of In the Dark, the first podcast to be honored with a GeorgePolk Award.

This is the work ofinvestigative journalism. This is what it can do.

American Public Mediais proud to contribute to important journalism being produced worldwide.

And we want to acknowledgean important aspect of this work. Investigating and reporting important storiesis expensive.

It takes talentedpeople and a lot of time to find hidden facts. Your support brings them tolight.

You make independent,fact-based journalism possible. You sustain this work by supporting your local publicradio station and public media programming, by subscribing to your localnewspaper and by valuing a free press committed to finding the truth.

Thank you.

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® is the national programming divisionof MinnesotaPublic Radio® and reaches more than 19 million listeners via 1,000 radiostations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers anddistributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio thatincludes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical musicprograms in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring thebest in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism.For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyrightNielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Curtis Flowers' Conviction

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 21, 2019 – On March 20, the U.S.Supreme Court heard arguments on CurtisFlowers v. State of Mississippi. In looking at the controversialMississippi death penalty case, the justices examined if DistrictAttorney Doug Evans used racialdiscrimination in the jury selection for Flowers’ most recent trial. The court announced today it has ruled infavor of Flowers and has reversed his conviction.

The case presented to the court included reportingfrom APM Reports, which uncovered a pattern of racist jury selection byEvans. APM Reports brought the case to national attention with the secondseason of the award-winning podcast In the Dark.

Flowers has been triedsix times for the same crime, and this is the fourth time his convictionhas been reversed. Now, he faces the possibility of Evans trying him for aseventh time, offering a plea deal or dismissing the charges all together. Flowers,who has been incarcerated in ParchmanPrison for over 22 years, will remain in prison until Evans makes adecision on his next steps in the case.  

If Evans pursues a seventh trial against Flowers, Flowers’legal team will have a chance to use newevidence found by APM Reports in the second season of In the Dark.

In the Dark willcontinue to cover the developments of this case with two upcoming episodes.

Listeners can stay up-to-date on breaking news in the Flowers case and when new In the Dark episodes publish by subscribing to the In the Dark email newsletter.

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About APM Reports
APMReports, formed in November 2015, is a collection of investigative journalistsand documentary producers, editors, data reporters, researchers and digital producersdedicated to producing high-quality reporting on issues that are often hiddenfrom public view. At the heart of every APM Reports investigation lies acritical question — about powerful institutions and people, injustice andaccountability – that deserves an unflinching commitment to finding answers inthe public’s best interest.  Visit apmreports.org for more.

About American Public Media
American Public Media® is the national programming divisionof MinnesotaPublic Radio® and reaches more than 19 million listeners via 1,000 radiostations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers anddistributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio thatincludes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical musicprograms in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring thebest in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism.For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyrightNielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

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.

Live from Here with Chris Thile to Host 2019-20 Season at New York's The Town Hall

Beginning September 2019, one-of-a-kind public radio show will be broadcast live from historic NYC theater with even more special guests and eclectic mix of music, comedy and spoken word

NEW YORK, May 6, 2019 – Live from Here with Chris Thile announced today that it will kick off its fourth season on September 7, 2019, and will make its home in New York City at The Town Hall. Hosting from one of the country’s creative centers, Thile expects to attract top talent and bring some additional elements into the new season, which is scheduled to air over 25 shows.

“This season has been a dream forme and I’m chomping at the bit to build on it,” Thile said. “Next season, ourpublic radio listeners and live-stream viewers will get the best and broadestselection of music and musicians we can possibly present, and they can alsoexpect an expanded range of spoken word content, including poetry, literature,comedy and storytelling.”

Produced by American PublicMedia (APM) in St. Paul, Minn., Live fromHere also is moving its creative and production teams to New York City,with The Town Hall as its home base.

“This is a great move for us asit puts us in the heart of the one of the great hubs of our industry,” saidJeffy Hnilicka, managing director, Livefrom Here. “It means an even better experience for our audiences with moreworld-class guests, more variety and live streaming at every show.”

Highlights from this season’s performances in Town Hall include rising stars like Maggie Rogers, Vulfpeck, and The Knights – alongside fan favorites like St. Vincent, Rosanne Cash, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Batiste, Cat Power, and Sara Bareilles.  Recent Town Hall shows already were tapping into their talented Broadway neighbors with Jeff Daniels performing an excerpt from To Kill A Mockingbird and stars from the Oklahoma! revival performing songs from their acclaimed show.

“To have Broadway performerswalk across the street between their matinee and evening performances to joinChris on stage for Live from Heredoesn’t happen anywhere else,” Hnilicka said.

The show will tour this summer and is exploringadditional touring dates with its public radio partners. Fall dates at The TownHall are Sept 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 12,Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 16, Nov. 23, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14.

Generaltickets for the fall season at The Town Hall will go on sale on Thursday June13. Sign up for the Live from Here newsletter for pre-sale information, VIP experiences and guest announcementsat livefromhere.org.