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Podcast/Story rec: "Re:Sound" podcast
Sep. 24th, 2012 10:58 amOne of the many things I learned at the recent public radio conference I attended was the existence of a podcast called "Re:Sound". It's run by the Third Coast Festival, which is the biggest public radio conference out there, in the US if not the world, and its mission is to collect exceptional stories from radio and online into an anthology series that showcases them all in one place.
For once I was commuting instead of working form home this morning and didn't have my bike handy, so I took the opportunity to listen to an episode over breakfast and on my way into work. I'm only through two of the three stories in their latest episode, which is all stories on the theme of "Enemies to Friends". You should listen to it.
As many of you know I'm a big believer in the power of real-life stories. I think the stories of others are maybe the single most powerful force for bridging the gap of their otherness, for which so much evil in the world is to blame. I'm also a sucker for stories of redemption, so this ep was basically designed to punch me in the gut.
The first story in the show is steeped in those themes (though whether it truly counts as redemption or just effort made in that direction is debatable), and includes acts bravery and selflessness that border on stupidity; the kind of acts that I was raised to call "Christ-like", but... well, the story is called "The Rabbi and the KKK", so you can probably imagine why that label might not be appreciated here. ;) If that title sounds familiar, it previously ran on Snap Judgement, so if you're a Snappa you might have already heard it. If you don't listen to Snap Judgement, do so!
The second story is the thing that's moved me to write this post before even finishing the episode. "Two Enemies, One Heart", is the story of two soldiers, one Iranian and one Iraqi, who were at the same battle when their countries were at war. It spans about 20 years and is now the story I will point to to illustrate the principle that truth is stranger than fiction. In fact, I wouldn't feel right posting this without adding that I still can't quite believe that everything could have happened exactly as reported, but that didn't stop me from nearly breaking down crying in the middle of Kendall Square (fortunately I made it to a bathroom at work first).
Listen. And remember: stories are good for the soul.
For once I was commuting instead of working form home this morning and didn't have my bike handy, so I took the opportunity to listen to an episode over breakfast and on my way into work. I'm only through two of the three stories in their latest episode, which is all stories on the theme of "Enemies to Friends". You should listen to it.
As many of you know I'm a big believer in the power of real-life stories. I think the stories of others are maybe the single most powerful force for bridging the gap of their otherness, for which so much evil in the world is to blame. I'm also a sucker for stories of redemption, so this ep was basically designed to punch me in the gut.
The first story in the show is steeped in those themes (though whether it truly counts as redemption or just effort made in that direction is debatable), and includes acts bravery and selflessness that border on stupidity; the kind of acts that I was raised to call "Christ-like", but... well, the story is called "The Rabbi and the KKK", so you can probably imagine why that label might not be appreciated here. ;) If that title sounds familiar, it previously ran on Snap Judgement, so if you're a Snappa you might have already heard it. If you don't listen to Snap Judgement, do so!
The second story is the thing that's moved me to write this post before even finishing the episode. "Two Enemies, One Heart", is the story of two soldiers, one Iranian and one Iraqi, who were at the same battle when their countries were at war. It spans about 20 years and is now the story I will point to to illustrate the principle that truth is stranger than fiction. In fact, I wouldn't feel right posting this without adding that I still can't quite believe that everything could have happened exactly as reported, but that didn't stop me from nearly breaking down crying in the middle of Kendall Square (fortunately I made it to a bathroom at work first).
Listen. And remember: stories are good for the soul.
