Radio Survivor Podcast
This is the sound of strong communities.
Wed, March 19, 2025
Podcast #343 – Catching up on College Radio and Podcasting News (March 19, 2025)
Eric, Jennifer and Paul return with a new episode of Radio Survivor, recapping some of the latest news from our travels. Jennifer shares highlights from the annual student media conference hosted by Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) and from her visits to college radio stations in New York City. Just back from South by Southwest , Paul lends perspective on some of the latest trends in podcasting. Additionally, we provide details about an opportunity for radio stations to broadcast the Wetland Project ‘s annual Earth Day 24-hour slow radio event, featuring the sounds of nature. If you are interested in airing all or part of the broadcast, the organizers can be reached at INFO at WETLANDPROJECT dot com. Show Notes: Wetland Project Wetland Project artists Brady Marks and Mark Timmings were our guests on episode 333 in 2023 IBSNYC25 conference hosted by Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Jennifer’s IBS conference reports from 2009 on Spinning Indie Paul’s report on the 2012 regional IBS conference in Chicago Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications (DLARC) Radio Survivor episode #335 about DLARC with guest Kay Savetz IBS collection in DLARC DLARC Colleg
Wed, November 27, 2024
Podcast: Remembering Alice Brock of Alice’s Restaurant
Several years ago, Radio Survivor had the pleasure of speaking with artist and restaurateur Alice Brock, the woman who provided much inspiration for Arlo Guthrie’s inadvertent Thanksgiving Day radio staple, “Alice’s Restaurant.” Sadly, Alice Brock passed away on November 21, 2024 at the age of 83, just a week before the classic rock radio airwaves will be blanketed with the song that made her famous. This year, in honor of Alice, we are presenting the Radio Survivor episode that we recorded with her in advance of Thanksgiving 2020, which was the most unusual of holidays, as the COVID-19 pandemic kept many of us separated from friends and family. During our discussion, Alice Brock shares with us not only some insight into the 18-minute anti-war epic “Alice’s Restaurant”; but also stories about her life and holiday traditions. For 2020, Brock was inspired to create a special introductory message for radio stations to play in advance of “Alice’s Restaurant,” and she explains why she was moved to offer up these words of thanks during that pandemic year in particular. As we approach another holiday, our thoughts go out to Alice Brock’s friends and family. We are so grateful to have had the chance to chat with Alice and share Thanksgiving 2020 with her through the magic of podcasting. Show Notes: Thanksgiving Radio Tradition withstands the Pandemic as “Alice’s Restaurant” Hits the 2020 Airwaves Alice’s Restaurant on the Radio Thanksgiving 2024 Radio Survivor posts documenting where to hear “Alice’s Restaurant” on the radio Alice Brock’s Message for Radio Stations (NFCB) Alice Brock’s website Show Credits: This episode was produced by Jennifer Waits Hosted by Jennifer Waits, Eric Klein, and Paul Riismandel Edited by Eric Klein The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2024/11/podcast-remembering-alice-brock-of-alices-restaurant/"
Wed, August 14, 2024
Podcast #342 – The Famous Computer Cafe
We travel back to the 1980s, when the show, The Famous Computer Cafe , initially launched over the radio in southern California. With a focus on home computers, computer news, and more, the program had a fascinating roster of guests, including Timothy Leary, Donny Osmond, Bill Gates, and so many others. Although it was assumed that all the recordings of the show were lost; recently 53 episodes were found and digitized. Computer historian and archivist Kay Savetz spearheaded this project and joins us on Radio Survivor, alongside one of the creators and hosts of The Famous Computer Cafe , Ellen Fields. Show Notes: Listen to The Famous Computer Cafe on Archive.org The Famous Computer Cafe ads and ephemera on Archive.org Interviews with The Famous Computer Cafe founders on ANTIC: The Atari 8-bit Podcast Digitizing “The Famous Computer Cafe” Radio Show (GoFundMe) The PBS television show The Computer Chronicles (Wikipedia) Episode of “The Famous Computer Cafe” that mentions computer ads (at about the 4 minute mark) in New York taxi cabs Timothy Leary episode of “The Famous Computer Cafe” COMDEX was a computer trade show in Las Vegas from 1979 to 2003 (Wikipedia) “Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History” (Radio Survivor #135) The Famous Computer Cafe collection at Stanford University Libraries Show Credits: This episode was pr
Wed, May 15, 2024
Podcast #341 – The Distorted History of the Cassette Tape
Journalist Marc Masters joins us to discuss his book, High Bias: the Distorted History of the Cassette Tape . We dive into how the oft-maligned cassette influenced the music industry and our culture by inspiring musicians, taking music to the streets and returning power back to listeners. Show Notes High Bias: The Distorted History of the Cassette Tape at UNC Press High Bias: Music from the Book The Music Book Podcast The Spindle: A Podcast About 7-inch Records Minoy Shrimper Records and Tapes Aaron Dilloway Howard Steltzer The Daily Ping: The Personics System Show Credits: This episode was produced by Paul Riismandel Hosted by Jennifer Waits and Paul Riismandel Edited by Eric Klein The post Podcast #341 – The Distorted History of the Cassette Tape appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 01, 2024
Podcast #340 – College Radio History at Williams College
Williams College student Josh Picoult arrived on campus with a fascination for both history and radio. Four years later, he’s about to graduate after completing his undergraduate thesis on the history of college radio station WCFM, where he’s also the general manager. On this edition of Radio Survivor, we are joined by Josh, who talks us through some of the big ideas from his thesis: Gas Pipes, Gigahertz, and Grunge: Broadcasting at Williams College, 1940-1998 . Josh also shares details about the current state of radio on campus. Show Notes: Williams College radio station WCFM 91.9 FM in Williamstown, Massachusetts Podcast #89 – How to Preserve Radio History (guest Laura Schnitker) Podcast #158 – Surveying Community Radio’s Deep Archives (guest Laura Schnitker) Jennifer’s radio station tours Radio Station Field Trip #100 – WPRB at Princeton University Show Credits: This episode was produced by Jennifer Waits Hosted by Jennifer Waits, Eric Klein and Paul Riismandel Edited by Eric Klein The post Podcast #340 – College Radio History at Williams College appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 17, 2024
Podcast #339- 75 Years of Listener Supported Radio
Matthew Lasar talks with Brian Edwards-Tiekert, host of KPFA’s Upfront to commemorate the Birthday of Pacifica Radio. The post Podcast #339- 75 Years of Listener Supported Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 10, 2024
Podcast #338 – YouTube, Video and Podcasting
In the last few years YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for consuming podcasts, even though it’s a primarily a video platform, and podcasts have traditionally been an audio-first medium. This fact has raised both questions and concerns with podcasters. Paul has worked on research studies intended to better understand why and how people use YouTube to consume podcasts. He shares that data along with analyses and thoughts on how podcasters might think about YouTube and video. Show Notes: Sounds Profitable’s Sound You Can See study The Download on Podcasts , Fall 2023 YouTube and Video Will Grow Podcasting in 2024 Podcasting on YouTube Show Credits: This episode was produced by Paul Riismandel Hosted by Jennifer Waits, Eric Klein and Paul Riismandel Edited by Eric Klein The post Podcast #338 – YouTube, Video and Podcasting appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 20, 2024
Podcast #337 – Catching up on Radio News including LPFM, a College Radio Archive, Documentaries, and More
The Radio Survivor team returns for a new episode, during which Jennifer, Eric and Paul recap some of the latest radio news. Topics this week including LPFM, college radio history, radio documentaries, expanding and returning radio stations, and a slow radio broadcast for Earth Day. Jennifer talks about her new gig working on a college radio history collection that is part of the Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications (DLARC) on the Internet Archive. Additionally, we cover some updates to the radio landscape, including details about the most recent low-power FM licensing window, during which 388 groups (and counting) have been awarded construction permits for new LPFM stations. In San Francisco, streaming radio station BFF.fm is the recipient of one of these coveted spots on the dial. Also coming to the San Francisco airwaves is Seattle-based non-commercial radio station KEXP, which acquired the former KREV full-power FM commercial frequency in a bankruptcy auction. Across the country in New York City, streaming community radio station East Village Radio is returning after it ceased operations nearly a decade ago. A few radio stories are coming to the big screen. 35,000 Watts , a documentary about college radio, has made its debut and is initially hitting the college radio circuit. Jennifer will be in attendance at a 35,000 Watts screening and panel discussion at Pomona College on March 28th as part of a fundraising event for college radio station KSPC. Another radio film in the works, 40 Watts to Nowhere , recounts the story of pirate radio station KBLT, which ran out of founder Sue Carpenter’s home in Silver Lake near Los Angeles in the late 1990s. Finally, we alert stations to an opportunity to participate in the annual Earth Day radio event: Wetland Project Slow Radio Broadcast on April 22, 2024. Stations can air all or part of the 24-hour broadcast featuring the sounds of nature, including birds, frogs, insects, and airplanes. Show Notes: Podcast #335 – Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications (DLARC) DLARC on the Internet Archive College Radio Collection on DLARC Website for the college radio documentary 35,000 W
Wed, November 22, 2023
Podcast #336 – Educational Radio and the Beginnings of Public Radio
On this edition of the show, we explore public radio history, specifically the origins of public radio in the United States, including the important role played by college and university-based stations. Josh Shepperd joins to talk about his new book, Shadow of the New Deal: The Victory of Public Broadcasting , which examines the intersections between the media reform movement, public broadcasting, educational technology and communications policy and research. Josh is an assistant professor of media studies at the University of Colorado Boulder and is Director of the Radio Preservation Task Force at the Library of Congress . Show Notes: Josh Shepperd’s website at University of Colorado Boulder Radio Preservation Task Force of the Library of Congress Shadow of the New Deal: The Victory of Public Broadcasting (affiliate link on Amazon) Association of College and University Broadcasting Stations (ACUBS) evolved into the National Association of Educational Broadcasters (NAEB) Unlocking the Airwaves collection of NAEB materials Robert McChesney’s book: Telcommunications, Mass Media, and Democracy: The Battle for the Control of U.S. Broadcasting, 1928-1935 (affil
Wed, November 08, 2023
Podcast #335 – Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications
On this week’s show, we peek behind the scenes of The Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications (DLARC). A project of the Internet Archive, the DLARC collection includes a range of amateur radio-related materials, including magazines, ham radio newsletters, podcasts and even discussion forums. Within the expansive library are items generally categorized as non-commercial radio, including pirate radio, shortwave, numbers stations, experimental radio, and “radio weirdness.” Additionally, every episode of the Radio Survivor Podcast was recently added to DLARC, which is how we learned about this archive. DLARC’s Curator Kay Savetz joins us on Radio Survivor to talk about not only the archive, but also how you can contribute. Show Notes The Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications (DLARC) Kay Savetz website Radio Survivor Podcast episodes archived on DLARC October 2022 announcement about launch of DLARC Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) Internet Archive Podcast #178: Irish Pirate Radio Archive (with guests Brian Greene and John Walsh) Podcast #212: Border Radio in North America (with guest Kevin Curran) Podcast #260: Radio History on the Northern Border of Mexico (with guest Sonia Robles) Look out FCC Part 15 Devices: AM radio is gonna getcha! (learn about Matthew’s Part 15 spider) <a hre
Wed, October 04, 2023
Podcast #334 – College Radio’s Hidden Early History
World College Radio Day takes place on October 6, 2023 and in honor of that, we dig into the early history of college radio on our latest episode of the show. Jennifer Waits walks us through her research about college radio in the 1920s and earlier, sharing details from a paper that she presented this past spring at the Radio Preservation Task Force Conference at the Library of Congress. In that paper, she argues that we should be broadening our definitions of what college radio is, pointing out examples of radio clubs, radio experiments, and amateur radio activities that mirror the activities of future “broadcast” stations. Jennifer recounts stories from more than 100 years ago, pointing out the incredible contributions that students have made to radio history. Along the way, we hear tales about early student radio practitioners at places like Haverford College, Union College, Harvard University, and Columbia University. Jennifer also asks for listeners to share details that they may have about very early college radio (1920s and earlier) at other schools. Show Notes: College Radio Day World College Radio Day is October 6 College radio history resources on Radio Survivor’s “About College Radio” page College Radio Watch: College Radio is Older Than You Think Radio Preservation Task Force 2023 Radio Preservation Task Force Conference Jennifer’s radio station tours College radio history on Radio Survivor Union College (WRUC) radio tour <a href="https://www.union.edu/news/stories/201708/making-wa
Wed, September 27, 2023
Podcast #333 – Low Power FM for Dummies
10/17/23 Update! The new low power FM filing window has been delayed and is now opening on December 6, 2023. See the FCC’s announcement here . On our latest episode of Radio Survivor, it’s a very special treat, with all four Radio Survivor hosts at the mic discussing an exciting low power FM opportunity. Another low power FM licensing window for non-commercial radio stations in the United States opens on November 1, 2023 December 6, 2023. Who is eligible to apply for these licenses? And why should they? And what help is available? Our guest, Sharon Scott, joins us to talk us through all things LPFM. Scott is the co-founder and general manager of a low power FM radio station, WXOX-LP in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also the author of Low Power FM for Dummies , which is set to be released in October, 2023. Show Notes FCC Public Notice on Revised Dates for LPFM Filing Window (10/17/23) Low Power FM for Dummies (affiliate link on Amazon) Sharon Scott’s LPFM Resources website Radio station WXOX-LP (ARTxFM) Jennifer’s “SpinningIndie” radio station tours Podcast #331: New Low-Power FM Opportunity Coming This November Sex and Broadcasting , book by Lorenzo Milam (affiliate link on Amazon) R.I.P. Radio Trailblazer Lorenzo Milam Vanderbilt University’s college radio stati
Wed, July 12, 2023
Podcast #332 – More College Radio Tours & Podcasting Turns 20
Jennifer, our intrepid radio station tour guide, leads us through some of her recent visits to college radio stations in New York and Rhode Island. This most recent academic year (2022-23) was an active one, with college campuses and radio stations coming back to life as pandemic restrictions have eased. We also discuss a long-running college radio program that just turned 50 years old. We are curious if listeners know of other programs of a similar vintage. We close the show with a discussion of the 20th anniversary of podcasting. Show Notes: Podcast #329: New York College Radio Tours College Radio Station KXLU at Loyola Marymount University Alma Del Barrio – show at KXLU International Polka Party Radio Station Visit #141: WKCR at Columbia University College radio station WSLC at Sarah Lawrence College Radio Station Visit #171: WSLC at Sarah Lawrence College BSR aka Brown Student and Community Radio Radio Station Visit #170: BSR at Brown University WBRU radio at Brown University Brown Student Radio to go Online-Only (July, 2011 article on Radio Survivor) WBRU Programming Leaves FM in Advance of $5.63 Milli
Tue, July 04, 2023
Podcast #331 – New Low-Power FM Opportunity Coming this November
It’s been nearly three years since the FCC first announced that a new low-power FM (LPFM) application window would be forthcoming. Now we know that November 1 – 8, 2023 will be the third-ever opportunity for qualified non-profits to apply for a license. Jennifer, Eric and Paul review all the pertinent details, explaining why there is excitement around LPFM and this next chance for new community and college radio stations to go on the air. We also take another look at Franken FMs – vestigial low-power TV (LPTV) stations on channel 6 that can be heard at the far left end of the FM radio dial. They were supposed to go off the air a year ago when the last LPTV stations converted to digital broadcasts. But the FCC eventually granted 13 of them “Special Temporary Authority” to continue broadcasting an analog radio signal experimentally even while their video signals went digital. At its July meeting the Commission plans to vote on rules that would allow these Franken FMs to live on, and we discuss what’s at stake. Show Notes: Podcast #269 – How To Get an FM Radio License in 2021 New Opportunity for Low-Power FM Community Radio Stations Opens November 1, 2023 Why There Will Be Fewer Opportunities for New LPFMs in the November Application Window The Greatest Flowering of Community Radio in History Happened in the 2010s Resources on applying for an LPFM license: Rec Network’s LPFM.app Common Frequency Prometheus Radio Project KOMF-LP tour in Denver San Francisco Community Radio is a LPFM in a time-sharing agreement FrankenFMs Up for Final Vote at FCC Chicago’s MeTV FM Takes the Back Door to Radio
Wed, March 01, 2023
Podcast #330: Wetland Project and Slow Radio
The Radio Survivors return with a new podcast episode! On this edition of the show, we discuss soundscapes and the concept of slow radio. Our guests, artists Brady Marks and Mark Timmings are the creators and producers of the 7th annual Wetland Project slow radio broadcast, taking place on Earth Day on April 22, 2023. This 24-hour broadcast is comprised of audio recordings made at the ṮEḴTEḴSEN wetland in W̱ SÁNEĆ territory (Saturna Island, BC) and is available for airing on interested radio stations (email info AT wetlandproject DOT com). Brady Marks is a digital media artist working primarily in audiovisual practices, new media and kinetic art. She is also a member of the Soundscape Collective at Vancouver Co-operative Radio and a frequent host of Soundscape on Co-op Radio. Mark Timmings is a multidisciplinary artist who explores perceptions of place by appropriating data and enfolding them into the domain of art. Show Notes: Wetland Project Wetland Project on Twitter The Wetland Project Returns for Earth Day 2021 (Radio Survivor) Mark Timmings Brady Marks Vancouver Co-Op Radio Soundscape Show on Vancouver Co-op Radio World Soundscape Project Hildegard Westerkamp Slow television (Wikipedia) Andy Warhol’s film Empire (Library of Congress article) Wetland Project: Explorations in Soun
Wed, December 14, 2022
Podcast #329: New York College Radio Tours
The Radio Survivors return with a new podcast episode! Jennifer reports on her visits to four college radio stations in New York state in November, 2022. Part of a longtime project to document radio station field trips, these recent tours are her first since 2019. As COVID-19 restrictions have loosened, stations are largely back to normal operations, with many on an upswing, with more active participants. Jennifer also shares some radio history tidbits, as each of the stations that she visited has fascinating back stories. At Union College, students began broadcasting music over amateur radio in 1920. A trip to the Union College archives was like a dream for our resident college radio historian. Show Notes: Podcast #256 : The Robin Hood of the Avant-Garde (episode with Kenneth Goldsmith) Peruse all of Jennifer’s Radio Station Tours Radio Station Visit #166 : College Radio Station WCDB at University at Albany WCDB-FM at University at Albany WRUC-FM at Union College WRUC in the Union College Archives & Special Collections WXBC at Bard College WRPI-FM at Rensselaer Polytechnic University Wave Farm Radio Station Visit #145: Wave Farm and WGXC Radio Station Visit #146: WGXC Hudson Underground (Codes) piece at Wave Farm by <a
Wed, July 13, 2022
Podcast #328: Media Archaeology and Other Networks
The Radio Survivors return with a new episode! For this edition, recorded in July, 2022, our guest is Lori Emerson, Founding Director of the Media Archaeology Lab (the MAL). She’s also an Associate Professor in the English Department and Director of the Intermedia Arts, Writing, and Performance Program at University of Colorado at Boulder. Lori joins us to chat about her current research into “other networks” and her work at the Media Archaeology Lab, which she started in 2009. Full of media from the past (computers, phones, radios, recording devices, books and more), the MAL “is a place for cross-disciplinary, experimental research, teaching, and creative practice using one of the largest collections in the world of still functioning media.” In our discussion, we also explore technology history, talk about Lori’s recent broadcasting experiments, and learn about the ways that experimental poetry is connected with vintage computers. Show Notes: Lori Emerson ‘s website Other Networks exploration on Lori’s website Media Archaeology Lab website Lori Emerson’s Twitter Sarah Grant, “ Plant Nodes ” Danja Vasiliev, “ Netless “ Emulated versions of bpNichol’s “ First Screening ” (1982-83, written in Apple Basic for Apple IIe) One Laptop Per Child Mesh Network Wiki libi striegl and Lori Emerson article “Anarchive as technique in the Media Archaeology Lab | building a one Laptop Per Child mesh network” ( PDF download , requires Academia.edu registration) Show Credits: This episode was produced by Jennifer Waits Hosted by Je
Tue, May 03, 2022
Podcast #327: Industrial Music Systems and Workplace Broadcasts
On this week’s program, we turn our attention to the history of industrial music – not the noisy music genre – but music played in industrial settings for workers. A variety of services offered (and still offer) background music for workplaces. Muzak and the RCA Plant Broadcasting System are just a few of the products that were sold to companies in the hopes of increasing morale and/or efficiency. Our guest, Alix Hui is associate professor of History at Mississippi State University and has been studying the history of industrial music systems, as well as background music generally. Show Notes: Alexandra Hui profile at Mississippi State University website Alix’s paper at the Society for Cinema and Media Studies Conference: “Laboring Sound: Industrial Music Systems, Worker Morale, and Pan-Aural Listening” Walter Van Dyke Bingham , industrial psychologist (Wikipedia) Muzak history (Wikipedia) Mood Media website Attention K-Mart Shoppers : K-Mart radio/audio collection on Archive.org Muzak to Get Mutated To: E-Z Listening with DEVO (article on Dangerous Minds) Scholar Emily Thompson The post Podcast #327: Industrial Music Systems and Workplace Broadcasts appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Fri, April 15, 2022
Podcast #326: The State of Listening and Broadcast Radio in 2022
The annual Infinite Dial survey from Edison Research was recently released, showing what people in the US are listening to, and where. It even includes social media platforms like TikTok, which Eric observes young people often use like radio, playing in the background as they go about daily activities. We review the stats, and also get into the FCC’s latest count of radio stations. Spoiler alert: there are more than ever. Jennifer shares her recent visit to the Pyrite Radio art installation, featuring radios using fool’s gold as their crystal. Show Notes: Edison Research Infinite Dial 2022 FCC Broadcast Stations Totals for Q1 2022 For comparison, Radio Station Totals for Q1 2012 Jennifer’s dispatch on Pyrite Radio for Hii Magazine The post Podcast #326: The State of Listening and Broadcast Radio in 2022 appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 09, 2022
Podcast #325 – Ukraine Radio, Int’l Women’s Day and Franken FMs
The Radio Survivors return to their microphones to review what’s new in radio. Of course, the Russian invasion of Ukraine hangs heavy over our heads, and we review how the international community is leveraging radio to delivery needed communications and information to Ukrainians, as well as how radio is attempting to serve the Ukrainian diaspora. Unfortunately, independent voices inside Russia are also being repressed. March is Women’s History Month, and the 8th is International Women’s Day. Jennifer participated in a special panel on “Gender Dynamics and Industry Barriers in Podcasting, Broadcasting, and Beyond,” airing on affiliate station XRAY.fm in Portland, Oregon. We also touch on the Franken FMs that refuse to die, the anticipated LPFM application window, and SPIN magazine’s coverage of ICE FM at Antarctica’s McMurdo Station. Show Notes XRAY’s 5th Annual Amplify Women Teach-In Polish Radio 1 is serving news to Ukraine with a Ukrainian-language news broadcast on longwave WRMI Radio Miami International has resumed rebroadcasts of Radio Ukraine Int’l on shortwave daily, except Friday, at 1200 – 1230 UTC on 7570 kHz. NY Times: BBC revives shortwave r adio dispatches in Ukraine, and draws ire of Russia The Guardian: State communications watchdog Roskomnadzor restricted access to BBC Russia’s online presence , as well as Radio Liberty and the Meduza media outlet Reuters: Liberal Russian radio station is taken off air Inside Radio: NAB Says Russian-Sponsored Programming Should Be Off U.S. Radio College Radio Stands With Ukraine <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2022/02/rough-notes-franken-fms-live-on-bbc-geofences-more-cd-revival-wbcn-book
Tue, December 21, 2021
Podcast #324 – Heartfelt XMAS Filler
Your host Eric Klein has dug deep into some personal radio archives to produce this week’s episode… The waning days of each December is a special time for people who produce media. Very few people want to work during those dark days (literally dark in Northern Latitudes) devoted to spending time indoors, often with family. And chances are, fewer people will be tuning in that week in particular. And yet, the show must go on… The post Podcast #324 – Heartfelt XMAS Filler appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, December 14, 2021
Podcast #323 – Hope Labor, Burnout, and Balance: Getting Real about Podcasting
As the year and semester draws to a close, we get real on this week’s episode and talk about work, burnout, volunteer labor, and how podcasting is not immune to the everyday stressors and challenges that we are all feeling right about now! Two of our favorite scholars, Jennifer Lynn Stoever and Hannah McGregor, join us to lend their perspectives on the work of podcasting and sound studies. We touch on the often-under acknowledged labor behind this work, discuss ways to create personal boundaries around work expectations, and learn about the concept of “hope labor.” Jennifer Lynn Stoever is an Associate Professor of English at Binghamton University, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sounding Out!: The Sound Studies Blog, and the author of The Sonic Color Line . Hannah McGregor is Assistant Professor of Publishing at Simon Fraser University as well as co-director of the Amplify Podcast Network and co-creator of Witch, Please, a feminist podcast on the world of Harry Potter. Show Notes: Jennifer Stoever’s website Sounding Out! is a scholarly publication and podcast focused on sound studies Jennifer Stoever’s book: The Sonic Color Line: Race and the Cultural Politics of Listening Hannah McGregor’s website Amplify Podcast Network Witch, Please podcast SpokenWeb Podcast Secret Feminist Agenda podcast Previous Radio Survivor episodes with Jennifer Stoever and Hannah McGregor Podcast #132 : Sounding Out on the Cultural Politics of Sound & Listening (Jennifer Stoever) Podcast #275 : Making Scholarly Podcasts Count (Hannah McGregor) <a href="https:/
Wed, November 10, 2021
Podcast #322 – College Radio History at WRAS
On the show this week, we explore one of our favorite topics: college radio history. Our guest, Andreas Preuss, just completed a multi-faceted project about student radio station WRAS at Georgia State University in Atlanta for his master’s thesis: Left of the Dial: Right on the Music: 50 Years of Georgia State FM Radio. We dig into various aspects of the station’s past, as well as Preuss’ interesting path to this project, having worked in college radio in the past as well as in commercial media for decades. Show Notes: College radio station WRAS -FM at Georgia State University Left of the Dial: Right on the Music: 50 Years of Georgia State FM Radio (MA thesis) From R.E.M. to GPB, A Student Documents the Bittersweet History of College Radio Powerhouse WRAS (Saporta Report) Radio Survivor coverage of WRAS/GPB programming takeover and protests circa 2014-2015 Tulane University radio station WTUL-FM in New Orleans Shortwave radio station WRNO (Wikipedia) WRNO Worldwide website Vanderbilt University’s college radio station WRVU Katherine Rye Jewell website Podcast #244 : Exploring the So-Called ‘Golden Age’ of College Radio (with guest Katherine Jewell) Podcast #164 : College Radio and the Culture Wars (with guest Katherine Jewell) WPRB-FM at Princeton University
Wed, November 03, 2021
Podcast #321 – The Long Sordid History of Broadcast Indecency Enforcement
Few topics create as much anxiety at college and community radio stations – not to mention many a commercial radio morning show – than broadcast indecency. Since the dawn of broadcast regulation in the US there have been legal restrictions on the kind of speech that may be broadcast on the public airwaves, with a particular focus on the topics of sexual and excretory functions. Yet, for all the worrying and fretting, for much of history there hasn’t been much action by the FCC. And even when there were more fines and actions, the actual number was still relatively small. Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota joins us to help unravel this history and set the record straight. First we have to define what “indecency” is, because the specific definition used for broadcast enforcement is not necessarily aligned with the common sense definition, nor is it the same as “obscenity,” which has it’s own particular legal definition. Just because some might call a word “obscene” doesn’t mean it necessarily is legally obscene (in fact, it probably isn’t), nor is it necessarily legally indecent (thought it might be). Then Prof. Terry walks us through a long uneventful period that ends in the 1970s with the very first indecency fine and the Supreme Court decision Pacifica v. FCC, which kicked off a forty year period of increased enforcement and many more fines. Yet, in those four decades, the standard of indecent shifted both due to political pressures and court intervention. It leads up to 2018, when broadcast new organizations struggled with how to report on President Trump referring to some nations as “s**thole countries,” while still remaining compliant. In the end, in 2021, it’s still the case that airing “indecent” programming between 6 AM and 10 PM may get you an FCC fine, but the risks are different than what you may have thought to be true one, two or three decades ago. Show Notes “ The living legacy of FCC indecency enforcement: Trump, ‘shithole’ and profanity in the news. ” by Prof. Christopher Terry, Journal of Media Law and Ethics. Podcast #318: Battling the Zombie of the Fairness Doctrine Featured image credit: Paulette Vautour on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referra
Tue, October 19, 2021
Podcast # 320 – How Hip-Hop Made it to Top 40 Radio
On this week’s show, we return to the topic of hip-hop on the radio. While on Radio Survivor, we typically focus on non-commercial radio, like college and community stations; in this episode we look at why certain types of commercial radio stations were important to the growth in popularity of hip-hop music. Our guest, Amy Coddington, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Music at Amherst College and is writing a book about the history of hip-hop on commercial radio. Show Notes: Amy Coddington’s website Podcast #145 : Hip-Hop Radio Archive with guest Ryan MacMichael Podcast #152 : The Longest Running Hip-Hop Radio Show in the World? with guest DJ A-L Community radio station KGNU is home to The Eclipse Show Racial Formation in the United States by Michael Omi and Howard Winant Backstory on “Walk this Way” from the Atlantic: “How Aerosmith and Run-DMC Begrudgingly Made a Masterpiece” Power 106 Los Angeles radio station Jason Tanz wrote the book: Other People’s Property: A Shadow History of Hip-Hop in White America Public Enemy’s “Rebel without a Pause” in the HipHop Archive and Research Institute Chuck D Paula Abdul’s Opposites Attract Amber Ruffin <a href="https://www.avcl
Thu, October 07, 2021
Podcast #318: Battling the Zombie of the Fairness Doctrine
The Fairness Doctrine – a Federal Communications Commission rule that’s been out of commission since the 20th century – just doesn’t seem to die, at least in the minds of politicians, the press and much of the public. Politicos of many political stripes trot out its specter as a bogeyman any time its convenient, while efforts to regulate online speech draw inevitable comparisons. According to Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota, that’s because people fundamentally misunderstand what the Fairness Doctrine was, why it existed, and what it did. Often assumed to be a mandate for “equal time” for opposing positions, it was both more nuanced and less prescriptive. Moreover, the FCC’s interpretation and enforcement evolved over the years, from its first formulation in 1949, until its death in the 1980s. Prof. Terry is here to set the record straight, explaining the rationale, history and actual life of the Fairness Doctrine. He also details why it was, and would be, a poor tool to grapple with the perceived imbalance of partisan national media, and why he thinks its zombie should finally be laid to rest. Show Notes: The First Amendment Encyclopedia: The Fairness Doctrine Podcast #258 – Trump Admin Raises the Specter of the Fairness Doctrine A “distraction” that won’t go away: FCC drops Fairness Doctrine again The decade’s most important radio trends: #8 The Great Fairness Doctrine Panic Photo by Nathan Wright on Unsplash The post Podcast #318: Battling the Zombie of the Fairness Doctrine appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, September 29, 2021
Podcast #317 – How Radio Survived 18 Months of Pandemic (and Keeps Going)
A year-and-a-half ago high school, college and community radio stations shut their studio doors in response to safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID. They quickly scrambled to find ways to stay on air, broadcasting archived programming, allowing DJs to pre-record or even broadcast live from home. We’ve dedicated several episodes to learning how different kinds of stations in a variety of regions confronted the emergency. Whatever methods were employed, today – with the pandemic still ongoing – it’s heartening to listen around and note that most stations seem to have survived this period. There’s no sense that more stations closed down than in any other 18-month period. In fact, on October 1, college stations from around the world will join together in celebrating the 11th annual College Radio Day, featuring Ambassador “Weird” Al Yankovic. We take this opportunity to survey radio’s remarkable survival story. Just as internet technology, like Zoom calls, revolutionized the ability to move work, school and other activities into the home, it also let stations stay connected with programmers and volunteers in a way that would have been significantly more challenging even just a decade earlier. Of course, we’re not arguing this is a net plus – too many lives have been lost or altered forever due to this disease. As well, working or DJing from home isn’t a boon for everyone, on top of the fact that closed studios severely impacts the collaboration and camaraderie that is at the heart of so many stations. Yet, it’s worth reflecting on why and how grassroots radio withstood this unprecedented challenge, continuing to serve listeners and communities and help them through this crisis. Show Notes Episodes on stations dealing with the pandemic: Podcast #237 – How Community & College Radio Can Deal with COVID-19 Podcast #238 – Social Distancing, Going Remote and Automation during Global Pandemic Podcast #239 – Hunkering Down with Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska Podcast #240 – WFMU is Still On the Air During the Pandemic <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2021/02/podcast-285-running-a-big-community-media-organization-in-the-2nd-year-of
Tue, September 21, 2021
Podcast #316 – How Radio Isn’t Done, According To Negativland’s Don Joyce
Musician, DJ and radio artist Don Joyce passed away nearly six years ago, leaving behind a voluminous archive of his unparalelled collage radio program “Over the Edge.” The documentary “How Radio Isn’t Done” sheds light on this member of Negativland, his life and his work in recontextualizing the never-ending flow of media messages that flood everyday life. Director Ryan Worsley joins to talk about Joyce, his hyper-focused artistic process and what she learned creating this affectionate and honest portrait of an iconoclastic figure and broadcasting legend. Show Notes: “How Radio Isn’t Done” on Vimeo “How Radio Isn’t Done” on Amazon Paul’s review of the film, “ An Affectionate & Honest Filmic Portrait of Negativland’s Don Joyce “ Negativland – “The Chopping Channel” RIP Don Joyce: Negativland Member, Artist, KPFA DJ Negativland’s ‘Over The Edge’ Catalog Now Available at Internet Archive Radio Survivor Podcast #9: Remembering Negativland’s Don Joyce ABC (Australia) documentary about a long-running cassette radio show: “ Cassette famous “ Radio on Tape: from ‘Second Side Up’ to ‘The Hour of Slack’ The Grassroots Radio Conference is happening Oct. 5 – 7 in Portland, OR. The call for proposals is now open. The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2021/09/podcast-316-how-radio-isnt-done-according-to-neg
Wed, September 15, 2021
Podcast #315 – Mitch Jeserich
Mitch Jeserich has been working as a host, producer and reporter for Pacifica Radio and KPFA for two decades. His career in radio was just getting started as a volunteer when 9-11-2001 changed everything. Host Eric Klein and guest Mitch Jeserich are friends and former co-workers at Free Speech Radio News in 2003, where Mitch was covering the capital in Washington D.C. and Eric was working on the tech-team in Berkeley. Letters and Politics on KPFA Letters and Politics on Youtube FSRN’s website: Free Speech Radio News FSRN via the wayback machine The post Podcast #315 – Mitch Jeserich appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, September 08, 2021
Podcast #314 – Radio and the Lindbergh Kidnapping
On the show this week we explore a pivotal period for radio news in the 1930s and learn why the Lindbergh kidnapping changed everything. Travel back in time with us. It’s March 1932 and a horrible crime has just occurred, the kidnapping of the 20-month-old son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Imagine that you were living in the United States in 1932 and wanted to follow breaking news about this story. If it were 2021, the answer might be Twitter or the internet. But in the early 1930s, it was obviously a very different media landscape, largely consisting of print journalism, news reels, and radio. Our guest, Thomas Doherty joins us to provide historical context and shed light on radio’s role in the media frenzy surrounding the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby and subsequent trial and why it was a turning point for how breaking news was covered. Thomas Doherty, Professor of American Studies at Brandeis, is the author of Little Lindy is Kidnapped: How the Media Covered the Crime of the Century . Show Notes: Thomas Doherty faculty page at Brandeis University Little Lindy is Kidnapped: How the Media Covered the Crime of the Century Lindbergh Kidnapping (FBI website) Wikipedia entry for journalist and writer Adela Rogers St. Johns Women Film Pioneers Project article about Adela Rogers St. Johns Canon 35: Cameras, Courts and Confusion The March of Time radio program (Wikipedia) Testimony of Anne Morrow Lindberg 25 Years after O.J Simpson’s Chase, L.A. is Stil
Wed, September 01, 2021
Podcast #313 – PodcastRE’s Archive of Podcasting Culture
On this week’s show, we revisit a topic that is near and dear to us, the preservation of sound. This time around the emphasis is on podcasts. Our guest Jeremy Morris is the founder of PodcastRE (which is short for Podcast Research), a searchable, researchable archive of podcasting culture. Morris is Associate Professor, Media and Cultural Studies in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and that’s where PodcastRE was launched. We dig into the functionality of PodcastRE and talk about some of the reasons why scholars are interested in researching podcasts. Show Notes: PodcastRE website Jeremy Morris Podcast #230: Library of Congress Launches Podcast Preservation Project Podcast #253: Sound Streams: Dissecting the History of Internet Radio (episode with Andrew Bottomley that we re-aired the week of August 24, 2021) Podcast #135: Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History (with Jennifer Hyland Wang) Podcast #289: Celebrating Women in Sound (with Jennifer Hyland Wang and Jennifer Stoever) Eric Hoyt directs the Media History Digital Library PodDB Preserve this Podcast A few of the podcasts mentioned in this episode How to Be a Girl Serial <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLofUh2EZpmd7-xzEXHBG7n8VUITus0dRu" target="_
Tue, August 17, 2021
Podcast #311 – Classic Films about Radio
Portrayals of radio in popular culture provide an interesting glimpse at radio’s role in society. At Radio Survivor, we’ve long been fascinated by radio depictions on both the small and large screen; so it is a treat to dive into this topic with Hemrani Vyas, Programming Coordinator at Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Vyas curated an entire day of radio-themed films for the cable network, focusing on the era of 1930 to 1950. This week we talk about some of the featured films and also dig into a broader discussion about the changing images of radio in the movies. This episode originally aired in May of 2020. To hear the longer, original version click here. Show Notes: TCM website List of Radio Films Aired on TCM on April 10, 2020: Remote Control (1930) So You Want to be on the Radio (1948) – 10 minute short Are You Listening? (1932) Here Comes Carter (1936) The Next Voice You Hear… (1950) Underground (1941) One Fatal Hour (1936) Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937) Genius at Work (1947) The Unsuspected (1947) Top 5 Television Shows Depicting Radio <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2009/12/09/djs-in-peril-radio-horror-on-film/
Wed, August 11, 2021
Podcast #310 – Radioee.net Celebrates 100 Year History of Wireless Communication (now 101 years)
Today on the show we rebroadcast one of our favorite episodes from one year ago, which was described this way: On August 27, 2020, nomadic online radio station Radioee.net is presenting a live, translingual 24-hour broadcast, Wireless , featuring 24 radio stations from all over the world. Taking place on the 100th anniversary of the first radio broadcast in Argentina and the first mass public entertainment broadcast in the world; Wireless launches at midnight Buenos Aires time on August 27, 2020. This date is significant, as it recognizes the inaugural Argentinian broadcast from Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires on the same day back in 1920, which used smuggled Marconi equipment to present a Wagner opera. Radioee.net founders Stephanie Sherman, Agustina Woodgate and Hernan Woodgate join us on the show to share their plans for this fascinating broadcast featuring radio stations in Buenos Aires, Wuhan, Nigeria, Cuba, Uruguay, New York, and more. On the episode they talk about some of the topics that will be touched upon, from paratelepathy to radio history to acrobatics. The audio available on this page is roughly the “radio edit” from one year ago. To hear the longer version (also known as the podcast edit) visit the original page: https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2020/08/podcast-259-radioee-net-celebrates-100-year-history-of-wireless-communication/ Show Notes: Wireless event page Radioee.net Wavefarm’s Wireless event page Radio Station Visit #145: Wave Farm in Acra, New York Podcast #151: The Wave Farm Grows Transmission Arts Early History of Radio Broadcasting in Argentina (OldRadio.com) Elsewhere museum and artist residency in North Carolina <a href="https://web.archive
Wed, August 04, 2021
Podcast #309 – Ear Retraining with Dogbotic
What do home made short wave radios, flexi discs, and cyanotype photography have in common? Kirk Pearson is a composer and founder of Dogbotic, a full service music and sound studio, a radical multimedia arts workshop, and open source creative technology lab. Kirk joins us today to share the planning and thinking behind their next community workshop, Ear Re-Training, Media Manipulation for the Musical Mind. Show Notes: Dogbotic Workshops including Ear Re-training Some of the episodes of Radio Survivor referenced today: Prison Radio Exhibition episode of Radio Survivor #147 episode 181 Julia Thomas – Visiting Community Radio Stations Around the World episode 71 Sylvia Thomas – Bolivia Is the Birthplace of Community Radio The post Podcast #309 – Ear Retraining with Dogbotic appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, July 28, 2021
Podcast #308 – Marking a Quarter-Century of MP3 (Replay)
Shortly after its 26th birthday, we revisit this interview celebrating a quarter-century of the MP3. On July 14, 1995 the file extension .MP3 was chosen and set in place for an audio format that would go on to change music. Artist, scholar and curator John Kannenberg marks the 25th anniversary of this event with an online exhibit, “MP3 @ 25: The Anniversary Exhibition” at his Museum of Portable Sound. John joins this episode to explain why it’s important to observe this anniversary, and to recount some of the milestones in MP3’s history. From the somewhat apocryphal story of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” as the first MP3, to the introduction of the iPod, he helps us understand the role of MP3 in delivering us into the fully digital music universe we now inhabit. We also dive into his singular museum, which exists on a single iPhone 4s, with a printed catalog to guide the visitor. Because of COVID-19 John is now available to provide guided online tours of the many sound artifacts that Museum of Portable Sound has in its archives. Either way, it’s about experiencing sound directly and purely, without distraction. (And we are here for the love of Radio and Sound.) Show Notes: MP3 @ 25: The Anniversary Exhibition The Museum of Portable Sound Atlas Obscura: A Loopy Library of Sounds Features Sprinklers, Sirens, and Freud’s Toilet The Diamond Rio was one of the first MP3 players, garnering a lawsuit from the recording industry 10 Reasons Why CDs Are Still Awesome (Especially for Radio) Minidisc.org Podcast #255 – ‘Geek of the Week’ and the Beginning of Internet Radio Podcast 253 – Sound Streams: Dissecting the History of Internet Radio Podcast #167 – Alternative Histories of Podcasting The post Podcast #308
Wed, July 21, 2021
Podcast #307 – Battling over Violence, Sex and Women’s Roles on Postwar Radio
On this week’s show, we take a trip back in time to look at radio in the 1940s and 1950s. During this post-war period, women’s roles were shifting in the workplace and in popular media. Television arrived on the scene, bringing with it some, but not all, of the programming that people knew and loved from radio. Battles were also brewing over radio content, including violence, sex, and portrayals of family life. Our guest, scholar Catherine Martin, has been poring over FCC complaint letters from this period and explains what all the fuss was about. She is Visiting Assistant Professor in Media Studies in Denison University’s Department of Communication. Show Notes: Catherine Martin’s article Eliminating “Blood and Thunder” from Containment Culture: Audience Efforts to Censor Postwar Radio Programming in the Run-up to Television (U.S. Studies Online) Radio Preservation Task Force , a project of the National Recording Preservation Board of the Library of Congress Jennifer Stoever’s book, The Sonic Color Line: Race and the Cultural Politics of Listening Podcast #132: Sounding Out on the Cultural Politics of Sound & Listening The Television Code: Regulating the Screen to Safeguard the Industry by Deborah Jaramillo Guiding Light is one of the longest running soap operas on radio and television, airing in some form from 1937 to 2009 Mr. and Mrs. North radio show episodes on the Internet Archive The Adventures of the Thin Man Podcast #14: <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2015/09/radio-survivor-podcast-14-the-grassroots-radio-conference-celebrating-college-radio-day/" target="_blank" rel="n
Wed, July 14, 2021
Podcast #306 – Radio Coincidences, from Easttown to Sutherlin
What are the odds that a popular television series would feature your college radio station as a backdrop for two episodes? That’s exactly what Jennifer found, when HBO’s “Mare of Easttown” employed a set that accurately recreates Haverford College’s station as a location for the limited-run drama. Jennifer talked with the show’s production designer to get the behind-the-scenes scoop. Paul recently experienced his own radio coincidence when he by chance discovered a storefront radio museum in the small Oregon city of Sutherlin. Although it was closed, the proprietor of the Radio Days Museum saw him outside and invited him in for a quick tour of the radio memorabilia collection. Paul also shares an orchestrated soundwalk he enjoyed down the road in Jacksonville, Oregon. Show Notes: Creating Haverford College Radio on Mare of Easttown Podcast #298 – College Radio at the End of the Academic Covid Year HBO series “Mare of Easttown” Jennifer’s Radio Station Tours Radio Days Museum in Sutherlin, Oregon Britt Fest’s Ellen Reid Soundwalk Podcast #246 – Radio in the Movies An Even Bigger Songs about Radio Spotify Playlist Podcast #297 – Radio Studies and Sound Work California Historical Radio Society “On the Radio” Exhibit at San Francisco Airport Celebrates Radio History Podcast #138 – Radio History on Display at the San Francisco Airport Radio History Imprisoned at Cork’s Radio Museum Experience <
Tue, July 06, 2021
Podcast #305 – Radio History on the Northern Border of Mexico
Border radio is one of our favorite topics at Radio Survivor and on this week’s episode we dig into the history of radio broadcasting on the northern border of Mexico. Scholar Sonia Robles shares the stories of some of the lesser-known, small broadcasters whose histories are often overshadowed by the wild tales of higher power border blaster stations. Robles is the author of Mexican Waves: Radio Broadcasting along Mexico’s Northern Border, 1930-1950 and Assistant Professor of History at University of Delaware. This episode was originally broadcast in August, 2020. To hear the original, longer version click here. Show Notes: Mexican Waves: Radio Broadcasting along Mexico’s Northern Border, 1930-1950 Podcast # 212 – Border Radio in North America DX Adventures at 1700 Confirmations of 1700 (AM) Podcast #184 – Hidden Women’s Radio History in Uruguay Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax Podcast #252 – Exploring the Seeds of Public Radio in Educational Radio Archives Podcast #250 – Aimee Semple McPherson and the Early History of Radio Evangelists The post Podcast #305 – Radio History on the Northern Border of Mexico appeared first on <a hr
Wed, June 30, 2021
Podcast #304 – Lesbian Radio History in Canada
As we wrap up Pride Month, our podcast discussion turns to queer spaces and queer community on the radio and in podcasting, specifically lesbian broadcasters in Canada. Our guest, Stacey Copeland is a media producer and Ph.D. candidate at Simon Fraser University’s School of Communication in Vancouver, Canada. Stacey has been researching the history of lesbian radio shows, including The Lesbian Show and Dykes on Mics. Community radio played an important role in welcoming gay and lesbian programming, with shows airing on stations like Vancouver Co-op Radio and campus-community radio station CKUT. Bringing the conversation to 2021, we also talk about connections between these early shows and current-day queer podcasts. Show Notes: Stacey Copeland ‘s website SpokenWeb podcast Amplify Podcast Network Podcast #284 – SpokenWeb and Literary Sound Podcast #275 – Making Scholarly Podcasts Count Podcast #297 – Radio Studies and Soundwork with Michele Hilmes The Archives of Lesbian Oral Testimony FemRadio at CJRU Vancouver Co-op Radio Dykes on Mykes on CKUT Listen to The Lesbian Show on Co-op Radio in The Archives of Lesbian Oral Testimony Pride FM Toronto Podcast # 187 – Archiving L
Wed, June 23, 2021
Podcast #303 – Radio on TV, Magazines and Tape
Just when we thought the Franken FM era might be over for good, the FCC grants “Special Temporary Authority” to a LPTV channel 6 in San Jose, California to keep its analog signal – heard on the FM dial – on the air while transitioning its video signal to digital. We review this news, along with a proposal in front of the FCC to boost low-power FM stations to 250 watts. We also take a look at the most recent issue of The Wire magazine, dedicated to radio in both broadcast and internet forms. Dedicated to “Adventures in Sound and Music,” the journal looks at stations that share experimental and forward-looking sounds, highlighting Radio Survivor favorites like Wave Farm and the Pirate Radio Sound Map, alongside community-oriented stations in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South Africa and Palestine. Then Jennifer shares her experience taking the cassette-hacking course that Eric discussed in episode #299, as we analyze the intermixing of radio, physical and digital media in the 21st century. Show Notes: It’s Alive! FCC Authorizes Last-Minute Franken FM Experiment Time Is Running Out for FrankenFMs – Just 4 Months Left St. Francis High School Files Paperwork to Sell KSFH to Group Focused on South Asian Community REC LPFM Advisory Letter #11 – LP250 Upgrade: Technical Planning Considerations for LPFM Stations See if your LPFM station might be eligible for a power upgrade at check.LP250.com The Wire #449 : Radio Activity / On Air Dogbotic: Cassette Hacking: A Modern Musician’s Guide to Mangling Magnetic Tape Podcast #293 : Exploring Radio Art and Transmission Art with Anna Friz Podcast #292 : The History of Sound Art with Judy Dunaway Radio Survivor Podcast #190 : Radio Spectrum and Transmission Art with Amand
Tue, June 15, 2021
Podcast #302 – Feminista Frequencies
This week, we take a close look at the history of an influential Spanish language community radio station: KDNA . Located in Washington State, the station launched in 1979 and serves a rural community which includes farm workers and immigrants. Our guest, Monica De La Torre, is Assistant Professor at the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University and is the author of a forthcoming book about KDNA called Feminista Frequencies: Community Building through Radio in the Yakima Valley. Show Notes: Monica De La Torre Feminista Frequencies: Community Building through Radio in the Yakima Valley Chicana Radio Activists and the Sounds of Chicana Feminisms on SoundingOut! Looking Back on the Lesser-known Histories of Chicano Public Radio on Current KDNA radio station Soul Rebel Radio on KPFK in Los Angeles Bilingual community radio station KBBF-FM in Santa Rosa, California KRAB Archive for Seattle community radio station KRAB-FM (1962-1984) Womxn Who Rock collective KRZA community radio station Related Episodes: Podcast #260: Radio History on the Northern Border of Mexico with guest Sonia Robles (1930-1950) Podcast #184: <a href="https://www.radiosu
Wed, June 09, 2021
Podcast #301 – Digitizing & Transcribing the Archives of NYC Progressive Church Radio
From 1961 to 1976 WRVR-FM broadcast a progressive slate of social justice and jazz programming from the Riverside Church on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Beginning in 2018 those archives are being digitized and transcribed by the American Archive of Public Broadcasting, and on June 17 they’re asking volunteers to help correct those transcriptions in a “Transcript-A-Thon” event. We welcome guests Vincent Kelley, Archivist at The Riverside Church Archives, and Ryn Marchese, Engagement and Use Manager for the American Archives of Public Broadcasting, to dig into the history of WRVR and its deep archive of truly historical audio. IN 1964 it was the first radio station to win a Peabody for its entire programming, which included coverage of the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama. Among the famous figures who appeared on air are Pete Seeger, Malcolm X, Bob Dylan, Indira Gandhi, Aldous Huxley and Margaret Mead, while Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his pivotal “Beyond Vietnam” speech at the Riverside Church over WRVR-FM on April 4, 1967. Show Notes: The WRVR-FM (Riverside Radio) Collection at the American Archives of Public Broadcasting The Riverside Church in the City of New York Join the Transcript-a-thon on June 17 at 1:00pm EDT WRVR Fix-IT+ Transcript Editor Press release about us recovering the original recording of Beyond Vietnam From the archive: The Homosexual: A New Minority Changing Attitudes Towards Women Podcast #250 – Aimee Semple McPherson and the Early History of Radio Evangelists Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2021/06/podcast-301-digitizing-transcribing-the-archives-of-n
Wed, June 02, 2021
Podcast #300 – How to Get a Noncomm FM License in 2021 (Replay)
The Federal Communications Commission recently announced that November 2, 2021 will mark the opening of the next licensing window for full-power non-commercial / educational (NCE) FM radio stations. The Commission first hinted at this chance back in fall of 2020. Given how often our listeners ask how and when they can get a radio license, we immediately dedicated an episode to that topic. Now that more is known we decided to revisit it. Even though the application window dates have not yet been announced, now is the time to get prepared. Broadcast attorney Frank Montero guests to help us understand the process of applying for an FM broadcast license. He’s a partner with Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, which also publishes the CommLawBlog. He explains who qualifies to apply and other requirements to keep in mind. License application windows are the only time when an organization may apply for an FM radio license, and they don’t happen frequently. The last full-power NCE window was more than a decade ago, and the last chance at an LPFM was 2013. As the FM dial fills up in cities and towns across the country, this may be the last opportunity for a new station in many regions. If you’re interested in operating a full- or low-power non-commercial station we we hope this episode helps get you started. Even if you’re not interested, it’s important to understand just how stations get on the air in the 21st century. Show Notes: CommLawBlog – The Upcoming FCC Noncommercial FM and LPFM Filing Windows: What You Need to Know The Next Noncomm FM License Opportunity Opens November 2 NFCB: Primer On The NCE Radio Filing Window FCC Chair: New LPFM & Noncomm License Opportunities Coming Soon FCC Awards Full-Power Licenses to 5 LPFMs, Plus 52 More Orgs (2010) FCC’s LPFM order will make 2013 a good year for community radio (2012) R
Wed, May 26, 2021
Podcast #299 – Cassettes for Art, Radio and Recording TV
It seems like physical media continues to have a hold on humans, even while most of us in the West engage with online, streaming and virtual media for much, if not most, of our time. Audiocassettes are like radio, in that they have been declared dead multiple times in the last three decades, yet continue to be found, employed and enjoyed by new generations who insist on keeping them alive. Eric just completed a weekend-long cassette hacking workshop, joined by a diverse group of musicians and sound-makers of a variety of ages. He shares that experience as we discuss conjoined histories of cassettes and radio. That leads us into a presentation Jennifer watched at this year’s virtual Society for Cinema and Media Studies conference, where she learned about a pre-VCR underground of people who recorded the audio of television shows onto cassette. It turns out some of these recordings may be the only surviving artifacts of some broadcasts that were not preserved, or have never again been seen or heard in their original form. We show how cassettes are for everyone who cares about sound in its myriad forms. Also under discussion: the shutdown of internet radio directory service Reciva, and the perilousness of proprietary platforms. Show Notes: Dogbotic’s Cassette Hacking Workshop Society for Cinema and Media Studies Broadcast Historian Nora Patterson Podcast #297 – Radio Studies and Soundwork Negativland: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert Wobbly (Jon Leidecker) Wikipedia: Iannis Xenakis Podcast #145 – Hip-Hop Radio Archive Radio World: Reciva Internet Radio Platform Shutting Down “ Electronic project kits: hands on with a vintage 160-in-1 “ Mystery Show Case #6 Kotter The Real Worl
Wed, May 19, 2021
Podcast #298 – College Radio at the end of the Academic COVID Year
Colleges and high schools are finishing up their first – and, with hope, last – full academic COVID year, and all indicators are that student radio remained on the air, as students adjusted to online classes and socially distant campuses. Jennifer Waits reports back from the Intercollegiate Broadcast System annual conference, held virtually this year, where she gauged the temperature of student broadcasters and the radio professionals who shared their advice with conference attendees. She and Paul Riismandel discuss what the long-term implications of virtual and hybrid broadcasting may have for college and community radio, taking into account that the accessibility that remote technology offers is weighed against the benefits of face-to-face interaction. Paul shares some highlights from the 2021 Infinite Dial survey from Edison Research, delivering stats on what audio Americans are using in the car, and the growth of podcast listening. He also reminds us about the upcoming non-commercial radio license opportunity, which now has a firm date in November. Jennifer and Paul then finish things out with a look at Franken FMs, which are scheduled to leave the airwaves in July, when the FCC will require all remaining analog low-power TV stations to convert to digital. Show Notes: Intercollegiate Broadcast System Podcast #295 – High School Podcasting with the Hosts of Rice and Shine High School Radio Station KMIH “The Bridge” HBO series “Mare of Easttown” Haverford on the Radio Haverford College’s Radio Heyday in the 1920s The Infinite Dial 2021 Podcast #269 – How To Get an FM Radio License in 2021 Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS) Netflix series “Daredevil “ Leah Steuer Time Is Running Out fo
Wed, May 12, 2021
Podcast #297 – Radio Studies and Soundwork
Renowned radio scholar Michele Hilmes is Professor Emerita, Media and Cultural Studies in the Department of Communication Arts at University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been a long time proponent of the importance of studying radio and sound, which have often been neglected in the broader field of media studies. She joins us on the show to discuss radio studies, her call for new terminology surrounding audio works, and the growing interest in sound studies. Show Notes: Michele Hilmes website at University of Wisconsin Michele Hilmes piece Soundwork: Something to Work With in Resonance: The Journal of Sound and Culture Radio Preservation Task Force Podcast #135: Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History Podcast #167: Alternative Histories of Podcasting The Music Theory of TikTok Sea Shanties – A YouTube essay by Adam Neely Podcast #141: How Radio Isn’t Done According to Negativland’s Don Joyce and the archives of Over The Edge Have You Heard George’s Podcast? Eric realized during the editing process that the best example of the experimental sound documentary format he was struggling to name is probably The Kitchen Sisters . The post Podcast #297 – Radio Studies and Soundwork appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 05, 2021
Podcast #296: Radio Spectrum and Transmission Art – rebroadcast
Amanda Dawn Christie is an artist enamored with radios and radio waves. The Assistant Professor, Studio Arts at Concordia University (Montreal, Canada) joins us on the show to discuss her most recent transmission art project, Ghosts in the Airglow , in which she created work at the HAARP facility in Alaska. Christie also shares with us the backstory of how she starting working with radio and radio waves, describing her fascination with radio towers and shortwave and recounting her numerous radio-related art projects. This episode first aired in April of 2019. To hear the longer verson click here. Show Notes: Amanda Dawn Christie’s website Faculty page for Amanda Dawn Christie at Concordia University Spectres of Shortwave Spectres of Shortwave Installations This New Brunswick Town Was Literally Haunted by the Radio (CBC Arts) Podcast #92: Conspiracy Theory & Community Radio Podcast #168: A Time Machine for All the Radio plus Shortwave Spies Still Using Radio The Secret Machine Behind Soviet Numbers Stations Podcast #86: Radio Resistance from an Alternate Universe <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2017/03/14/resistance-radio-mesmerizing-dystopian-pirate-radio/"
Wed, April 28, 2021
Podcast #295 – High School Podcasting with the Hosts of Rice and Shine
This week, we are joined by the hosts of the podcast Rice and Shine . Led by four Seattle-area teenagers, the chat-style program provides a glimpse into the lives of 9th graders beginning high school from a distance during a pandemic. Rice and Shine is an incredible time capsule of the current school year, as hosts Lauren, Sophie, Ava and Grace talk pop culture, discuss the challenges of remote learning, address anti-Asian American violence during the COVID-19 outbreak, and share their experiences as Asian-American girls. They launched the podcast in 2020 as part of their participation at high school radio station KMIH-FM . Show Notes: Rice and Shine podcast High school radio station KMIH 88.9 FM The Bridge Jennifer’s tour of KMIH Podcast #177: Seattle’s Rich High School Radio Scene Podcast #263 – Broadcasting High School Radio through Wildfires and a Pandemic The post Podcast #295 – High School Podcasting with the Hosts of Rice and Shine appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 21, 2021
Podcast #294 – Reading the PIRATE Act / FCC & the Supremes Pt. 2
The PIRATE Act was signed into law more than a year ago, but the rules governing increased fines for unlicensed broadcasting are about to go into effect on April 26. The Act is intended to give the FCC additional tools for tamping down pirate radio activity in hot beds like Boston and Brooklyn, NY, but there are reasons to be skeptical. Brooklyn-based writer, post-production mixer and field recordist David Goren joins to help us tease out the real-world implications. Goren is also the creator of the Brooklyn Pirate Radio Sound Map and has been monitoring and recording unlicensed radio activity in the borough for decades. Also joining the show is Dr. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota. A professor of media law, he helps illuminate some of the legal and bureaucratic elements that complicate the Commission’s efforts. He also catches us up on the latest development in the battle over media ownership rules, with the Supreme Court issuing a narrow unanimous ruling in favor of the FCC’s most recent changes, but not quite addressing the decades-long gridlock in that policy area. Show Notes: David Goren The Brooklyn Pirate Radio Sound Map The PIRATE Act Radio World: FCC Can Use New Pirate Radio Fines Starting April 26 FCC: Enforcement Bureau Warns Property Managers That Tolerate Pirate Radio New York City’s Pirates of the Air Podcast #133: Preserving Brooklyn Pirate Radio Library of Congress’ Radio Preservation Task Force Radio Survivor’s most recent episode on Wave Farm, inluding numerous links. KCRW: Outlaws of the Airwaves: The Rise of Pirate Radio Station WBAD WVIP <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2018/11/20/podcast-168-a-time-machine-f
Wed, April 14, 2021
Podcast #293 – Exploring Radio Art and Transmission Art
What is radio art? What is transmission art? We discuss the experimental side of radio and artistic uses of radio transmissions on our show this week, looking at historical and contemporary examples. Artist and scholar Anna Friz joins us to chat about these concepts, sharing how her college/community radio past in Canada inspired her to immerse herself in the practice of sound art and radio art. Friz is Assistant Professor, Film and Digital Media at University of California, Santa Cruz and also serves on the board of Wave Farm . Show Notes: Anna Friz’s website Jennifer Waits’ article about Anna Friz’s UC Radio Network presentation about the history of radio art and transmission art Anna Friz radio art piece “Collecting Clocks and Losing Time” on Wave Farm’s The Radio Art Hour University of British Columbia’s campus-community radio station CiTR Western Front , an artist-run centre in Vancouver, BC Kunstradio in Austria Negativland website Delia Derbyshire and the History of the BBC Daphne Oram , electronic music pioneer Tetsuo Kogawa ‘s Radio Art works Video of Tetsuo Kogawa performaing The Joy Channel release by Anna Friz and Emmanuel Madan Solar Radio/Embedded Radio Device</a
Wed, April 07, 2021
Podcast #292 – The History of Sound Art
What is sound art? And what do we know about its origin story? We explore this question and more with our guest this week, artist and educator Judy Dunaway. An adjunct professor in the History of Art Department at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Dunaway’s recent article, “ The Forgotten 1979 MoMA Sound Art Exhibition ,” is a fascinating look at the history of sound art and highlights important contributions by female artists. In our wide-ranging discussion, we also hear about Dunaway’s own artistic practice, from her work with latex balloons to transmission art to a “phone improv” show over BlogTalkRadio a decade ago. Show Notes: Judy Dunaway’s website Amplified Tenor Balloon work The Forgotten 1979 MoMA Sound Art Exhibition appears in Resonance: The Journal of Sound and Culture Maggi Payne’s website Connie Beckley’s artwork at MoMA Julia Heyward bio on Electronic Arts Intermix Judy Dunaway’s Duo for Radio Stations was simultaneously performed over college radio stations WFMU and WKCR Phone Improv Show Sound artist Nam June Paik created the transmission art piece Good Morning Mr. Orwell using TV stations in Paris and New York City Cellist Charlotte Moorman was Pai
Wed, March 31, 2021
Podcast #291 – The New Adventures of Super Indian
A super hero comic is at the heart of The New Adventures of Super Indian , a forthcoming audio drama from Native Voices at the Autry. Our guests on the show include Super Indian’s creator, playwright and director, Arigon Starr (an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma) and artistic director DeLanna Studi (an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation). Super Indian actually began as a radio serial in 2006 and was transformed into a full-blown comic by 2012. As Native Voices at the Autry looked to its next production during the pandemic, it jumped at the chance to do another audio version of Super Indian. Although theater is quite different in a remote context, the folks behind Super Indian are also relishing the fact that an online audio serial will be accessible to audience members from all over the world. The New Adventures of Super Indian is a 4-part serial. The first episode premieres on April 14, 2021, with subsequent episodes debuting once a week. Show Notes: New Adventures of Super Indian from Native Voices at the Autry Super Indian Comics Arigon Starr DeLanna Studi Eric referenced this article at the end of the podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/theater/mta-plays-subway-rattlestick.html?referringSource=articleShare The post Podcast #291 – The New Adventures of Super Indian appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 24, 2021
Podcast #290 – Aimee Semple McPherson and the Early History of Radio Evangelists
One of the biggest celebrities in Los Angeles in the early part of the 20th century was Aimee Semple McPherson. She inspired scandalous headlines and fictional depictions, including the character Sister Molly on the Showtime series, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and Sister Alice McKeegan on the 2020 HBO reboot of Perry Mason. Yet the story that is less frequently told is McPherson’s embrace of radio. She built her own powerful station, KFSG, in Los Angeles in the 1920s, which operated from the grand Angelus Temple, where her Foursquare Church was headquartered. On this episode, scholar Tona Hangen joins us to shed more light into the radio work of Aimee Semple McPherson and to also provide some context about the early days of Christian radio evangelists in the United States. Hangen is the author of Redeeming the Dial: Radio, Religion and Popular Culture in America and is Professor of History at Worcester State University. Show Notes: The original broadcast of this episode, which includes 30 additional minutes of the interview with our guest. (The unheard portion begins after the initial 59 minutes.) Episode #250 of Radio Survivor Tona Hangen Redeeming the Dial: Radio, Religion, and Popular Culture in America Radio Reader: Essays in the Cultural History of Radio (Good Reads) Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Sister Molly Explained (Den of Geek) Will Aimee Semple McPherson Win the Low Power FM Sweepstakes (Radio Survivor) <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/201
Wed, March 17, 2021
Podcast #289 – Celebrating Women in Sound
In honor of Women’s History Month, this week’s episode focuses on women in sound. Our guests, Jennifer Hyland Wang and Jenny Stoever, return to the show to discuss sound studies, the cultural politics of listening, the history of women’s voices on the airwaves and on podcasts, as well as broader issues of representation. Jennifer Hyland Wang is an Adjunct Professor at University of Wisconsin, Madison. Jenny Stoever is Associate Professor of English at Binghamton University and Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sounding Out!: The Sound Studies Blog . Show Notes: Sounding Out! The Sonic Color Line: Race and the Cultural Politics of Listening , by Jennifer Stoever Jennifer Hyland Wang piece “ Producing a Radio Housewife: Clara, Lu ‘n’ Em, Gendered Labor, and the Early Days of Radio ” Podcast #132 : Sounding Out on the Cultural Politics of Sound & Listening Podcast #135 : Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History Podcast #186 : African-American Preachers on Wax Podcast #250 : Aimee Semple McPherson and the Early History of Radio Evangelists The Read Locatora Radio Sounding Out! Podcast #63: The Sonic Landscapes of Unwelcome: Women of Color, So
Wed, March 10, 2021
Podcast #288 – Eagle vs. Transmitter
This week we share more evidence of how broadest radio is an important informational lifeline and human connection for so many people. As most of the country enters year two of the pandemic, we catch up again with Becky Meiers, General Manager of community radio station KCAW-FM in Sitka, Alaska. We last spoke with Becky at the end of March 2020, before any cases of COVID-19 had been diagnosed in this remote community, though she shared the station’s preparedness plan. KCAW serves a vital communications role in Southeastern Alaska where small communities are spread out without overland connections, and the only travel is by air or by sea. Becky tells us how the station has gotten through the last year, bringing local broadcasters back to the air as possible, while also growing its local news coverage. Becky also regales us with stories from her journeys to isolated “translator communities” where local repeater transmitters (a/k/a “translators”) required emergency repairs and maintenance. Show Notes: KCAW-FM Raven Radio Podcast #239 – Hunkering Down with Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska Touring KCAW, Sitka Alaska’s Raven Radio Podcast #197 – Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska Report for America Mt. Edgecumbe High School The post Podcast #288 – Eagle vs. Transmitter appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 03, 2021
Podcast #287 – New Station Opportunity, Women’s History Month, and more
Jennifer, Eric and Paul join together to review what’s news as we kick off the month of March. Top of the list is an upcoming FCC radio license auction. Originally planned for April 2020, but delayed by the first coronavirus lockdowns, the auction will see 140 commercial radio construction permits up for bid. We discuss if this is a good opportunity for community organizations hoping to broadcast, and things to keep in mind when applying. A new Nielsen report shows that the podcast audience has grown more diverse than the US population as a whole, and Jennifer alerts us to a fascinating new podcast the dives into the audio diaries of former first-lady Ladybird Johnson. Then we dig into one of the biggest controversies in podcasting right now, the “Reply All” mini-series on the racist workplace culture at “Bon Appetit” magazine, that brought a spotlight on the racial inequities in the podcast’s own corporate home. Rather than picking apart the details, we analyze how simply being a new medium open to fresh ideas and voices isn’t enough to escape the racial and gender biases that are still pervasive in media organizations and the culture at large. Show Notes: FCC: Auction 109 announced Completion of this July commercial station auction is a pre-requisite for the upcoming non-commerical and LPFM license windows . Inside Radio: Podcast Audiences Are Increasingly Diverse with Different Strokes for Different Folks . ABC News: Audio diaries reveal Lady Bird Johnson’s unseen influence in husband’s administration Podcast #135 – Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History Podcast #184 – Hidden Women’s Radio History in Uruguay NY Times: ‘Reply All’ Podcast Is Paused After Accusations of Toxic Culture “Mystery Show” podcast
Wed, February 24, 2021
Podcast #286 – Native American Voices on the Air in the Early Days of Radio
On this week’s show we take a look at the ways that Native Americans used sound technology during radio’s earliest days and how that inspired and led to the flourishing Native media landscape, including tribal radio stations. Our guest, Josh Garrett-Davis, is Associate Curator at the Autry Museum and author of a recently completed dissertation: Resounding Voices: Native Americans and Sound Media, 1890-1970. Show Notes: Josh Garrett-Davis website: http://www.joshgarrettdavis.com/ Autry Museum of the American West website: https://theautry.org/ Resounding Voices: Native Americans and Sound Media, 1890-1970: https://dataspace.princeton.edu/handle/88435/dsp018910jx50x The “Tribal Drum” of Radio: Gathering Together the Archive of American Indian Radio (piece on Sounding Out!) https://soundstudiesblog.com/2015/02/19/the-tribal-drum-of-radio-gathering-together-the-archive-of-american-indian-radio/ KILI radio, the voice of the Lakota Nation: http://www.kiliradio.org/ KINI radio: https://www.kiniradio.com/ Radio Free Alcatraz: https://pacificaradioarchives.org/recording/bb545701-bb545740 Native American Activism on the Airwaves with the “Seeing Red” Radio Archive: https://historyhub.history.gov/community/american-indian-records/blog/2020/08/10/native-american-activism-on-the-airwaves-with-the-seeing-red-radio-archive More details about the “Indians for Indians Hour”: https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/IndiansForIndians.pdf</a
Wed, February 17, 2021
Podcast #285 – Running a Big Community Media Organization in the 2nd Year of the Pandemic
Nathan Moore is the General Manager at WTJU and the Staff Advisor of WXTJ at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He is also the current President of the Board of the NFCB, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. We invited Nathan Moore onto the show to ask about running community and college radio stations at the start of the second year of the Pandemic. We talk about remote live broadcasting, training and recruiting new volunteers, and strengthening the mission of community and student media and the arts. Show Notes: Interview with Nathan Moore at the start of the Pandemic: Podcast #238 – Social Distancing, Going Remote and Automation during Global Pandemic Nathan Moore’s first interview : Podcast #207 – Building More Communities Around Your Station Jennifer’s tour of WTJU and WXTJ https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2017/04/13/radio-station-visit-129-wtju-at-university-of-virginia/ Public Media For All episode of Radio Survivor: https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2020/11/04/podcast-270-public-media-for-all/ Virginia college and community radio alliance: https://www.vacollegeradio.org/ Podcast network Virgina audio collective: https://virginiaaudio.org/ The post Podcast #285 – Running a Big Community Media Organization in the 2nd Year of the Pandemic appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, February 10, 2021
Podcast #284 – SpokenWeb and Literary Sound
On this week’s show we learn about SpokenWeb, a Canadian project focused on the preservation of literary sound recordings. Partly inspired by the energetic poetry scene of the 1960s, SpokenWeb works to preserve recordings of these live events and also describe and share this material. Our guest, Hannah McGregor, leads the SpokenWeb Podcast Task Force and hosts the SpokenWeb podcast. She shares not only the back story about SpokenWeb, but also the breadth of material featured on its monthly podcast. Show Notes: SpokenWeb website SpokenWeb podcast SpokenWeb podcast ShortCuts: Short Stories about How Literature Sounds Podcast #275 – Making Scholarly Podcasts Count SpokenWeb Podcast – Drum Codes: The Language of Talking Drums SpokenWeb Podcast – How are We Listening Now? Signal, Noise, Silence Podcast #132 – Sounding Out on the Cultural Politics of Sound & Listening Podcast #283 – Project STAND is Archiving Student Activism Reviews in DH website PennSound website Jennifer’s original SpinningIndie blog Jennifer’s first scholarly journal article about college radio, ‘Does Indie Mean Independence?’ Freedom and Restraint in a Late 1990s U.S. College Radio Community , is i
Wed, February 03, 2021
Podcast #283 – Project STAND is Archiving Student Activism
On Radio Survivor we are interested in not only audio, but also its history as well as preservation efforts. Along those lines, we have done numerous episodes about archives. We additionally have a strong passion for student-produced media, like high school and college radio. On this episode, we discuss an interesting intersection of the two, as we focus on archives and student activism. Our guest, Lae’l Hughes-Watkins, is the founder of Project STAND (Student Activism Now Documented) and is also University Archivist at University of Maryland. She explains to us the importance of archiving student activism, past and present, as well as the complexities and ethical considerations when doing this work. Show Notes: Project STAND website Project STAND podcast: A Blueprint WMUC Radio Saving College Radio: WMUC Past, Present and Future online exhibit Spinning Indie Field Trip 66: College Radio Station WMUC at University of Maryland Fay M. Jackson and the Color Line: The First African-American Foreign Correspondent for the Associated Negro Press Photo of Foothill College Archives by Jennifer Waits The post Podcast #283 – Project STAND is Archiving Student Activism appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 27, 2021
Podcast #282 – New FCC, Who Dis?
What a difference a week makes. President Biden has appointed Jessica Rosenworcel as acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission, only the second time a woman has held the post. This signals the beginning of a new agenda at the Commission – though currently evenly split down party lines – and Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota is here to help us read the tea leaves. But that doesn’t mean the legacy of the old FCC is gone yet. Just one day before the inauguration, the agency was in front of the Supreme Court petitioning to get out of its nearly-two-decade Groundhog’s Day of repeatedly failing to properly revisit and revise media ownership rules. Although many press reports concluded that the justices were more sympathetic to the FCC’s arguments, Prof. Terry isn’t so sure, and tells us why. He also itemized some other important issues – like Network Neutrality – that the Commission will likely have to deal with in the coming year. Show Notes Commissioner Rosenworcel’s podcast is “ Broadband Conversations “ Broadcasting and Cable says: “government attorneys and broadcasters were likely not unhappy with the tenor of the questioning” when the FCC was in front of the Supreme Court Podcast #277 – How Does the FCC Solve Anything? Podcast #281 – Wrapping Up Section 230 & the VOA Podcast #265 – Inside the “Little Known” Voice of America and the U.S. Agency for Global Media Leadership Changes at U.S. Agency for Global Media and Voice of America The post Podcast #282 – New FCC, Who Dis? appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 20, 2021
Podcast #281 – Wrapping Up Section 230 & the VOA
There are a few stories we were watching closely at the end of 2020, and we wanted to bring listeners up to date. First up is Section 230, the law that provides a degree of immunity to online platforms – from social media to community radio stations – for consequences resulting from what their users might post or share on their platforms. Trump had urged its repeal, apparently to get back at big tech companies like Twitter, and installed a new FCC commissioner in December who is very supportive of the FCC taking over administration of the statute, regulating online speech. That put eyes on the FCC’s January meeting. We’ll tell you what happened. We’ve also been tracking controversies at the Voice of America, where a political appointee has been pressuring staff to avoid news coverage critical of the US. The situation recently came to another head. Then our reflection on VOA’s mission spurs Paul to share the story of when his grandmother was a broadcaster for the service. We also spend some time learning about Jennifer’s new podcast project, and discuss the evolution of podcast formats since the early days of the medium. Show Notes: On these two episodes Prof. Christopher Terry discusses the recent controversies over Section 230: Podcast #277 – How Does the FCC Solve Anything? Podcast #258 – Trump Admin Raises the Specter of the Fairness Doctrine Podcast #265 – Inside the “Little Known” Voice of America and the U.S. Agency for Global Media PBS Newshour: What we saw the day the Capitol was attacked | ‘America, Interrupted’ Podcast Marc Maron reflects on the medium of podcasting in the 300th episode of WTF Updates on changes at the USAGM and VOA in the days following the recording of this episode: Leadership Changes at U.S. Agency for Global Media and Voice of America The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2021/01/podcast
Wed, January 13, 2021
Podcast #280 – Student Radio History in Australia
Radio history is close to our hearts at Radio Survivor and on this week’s episode we explore the story of student radio in Australia. Our guest, Rafal Alumairy, is working on book about this little-told history. She shares with us details not only about the timeline of student radio in Australia, but also some intriguing intersections with pirate radio and commercial radio activities. Thanks to Radio Survivor friend Jose Fritz of Arcane Radio Trivia for alerting us to Rafal’s work! Show Notes: Arcane Radio Trivia interview with Rafal Alumairy Rafal Alumairy’s A History of Student Radio in Australia website Episode 1 of Student Radio History Podcast: Pirate Radio 3DR – Make Radio Not War The post Podcast #280 – Student Radio History in Australia appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 06, 2021
Podcast #279 – Zach Poff Built a Radio Station Inside a Pond
Zach Poff put a radio station inside a pond. Poff is a media artist, educator and maker-of-things, and he explains that project and talks about making art with radio technology and listening to sound art. This is a re-broadcast of our episode from April, 2018. Show Notes Zach Poff’s Pond Station is broadcasting live during the day-light hours from just below the surface of a pond. Soundcamp is a network of listening points at sunrise on International Dawn Chorus Day, 24 hours of live broadcasting which chases the dawn across the globe. In 2018, Dawn Chorus Day is May 5-6 Wave Farm is a non-profit arts organization driven by experimentation with broadcast media and the airwaves Wave Farm’s WGXC 90.7-FM is a creative community radio station based in New York’s Greene and Columbia counties. Making obsolete computer sound hardware work again. Video Silence harvests an ongoing compilation of quiet moments from broadcast television. The Sun Dialogs The Radia network is an international informal network of community radio stations that have a common interest in producing and sharing art works for the radio. http://radia.fm/ KUNSTRADIO is in Austria (not Australia, Eric Klein regrets the error) Radio Survivor ep 96 on Smart Speakers and Community Radio Felix Blume is creating public domain sound art from around the globe: www.felixblume.com/ Felix Blume’s album on Sonic-Terrain Eric Kle
Wed, December 30, 2020
Podcast #278 – The Wave Farm Grows Transmission Arts (rebroadcast)
Radios in the trees, a transmitter in the pond, and a weather-driven synth. These are just some of what you’ll find on The Wave Farm, a 29-acre property in New York’s Hudson Valley dedicated to radio and transmission arts. It’s anchored by community radio station WGXC, accompanied by a cornucopia of additional tiny terrestrial and internet stations. Jennifer Waits takes us on an auditory tour of the farm, along with a visit to the station’s Hudson, NY studio, where station manager and managing news editor Lynn Sloneker lays out all these audio feeds. Then in the Wave Farm studio, artistic director Tom Roe details the organization’s history, which has its roots in the unlicensed micropower radio movement of the 1990s. Every year Wave Farm hosts artists in residence, who create unique works and installations exploring the many aspects of electromagnetic transmission. One was the musical artist Quintron, who created the Weather Warlock, a weather-controlled synthesizer. Eric Klein gave him a call to learn more about this project and his work. Show Notes: WGXC Jennifer’s tour of WGXC Jennifer’s tour of Wave Farm Artist-in-residence Dan Tapper at Wave Farm Dan Tapper’s website Podcast #137 – Zach Poff Built a Radio Station Inside a Pond Podcast #148 – Solving the Mystery of Summer Camp Radio Wave Farm Celebrates 20 Years of Transmission Art Quintron and Miss Pussycat Wea
Wed, December 23, 2020
Podcast #277 – How Does the FCC Solve Anything?
Even though Trump is leaving the White House on January 19, he’s set up the FCC to carry on his idiosyncratic policy goals well into the Biden administration, especially if a Republican-led Senate resists the new president’s nomination for a new chairman. At the last minute, Trump decided not to renominate FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly because he dared to opine that the Federal Communications Commission should not be put in charge of regulating online speech – a position consistent with his conservative political views. However, Trump is hellbent on the evisceration of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides immunity to internet platforms of all sizes and type for the speech posted by third-parties, such as participants in an online forum, or a social media platform. Prof. Christopher Terry, from the University of Minnesota, joins to help us untangle this situation and the implications of the president’s last-minute nomination – and the subsequent Senate confirmation – of Nathan Simington to the FCC. Simington is believed to be one of the authors behind an executive order that calls on the FCC to “clarify” regulations on internet speech. With the exit of Republican Chairman Ajit Pai with the change of administration, this leaves the FCC with a two Democrat to two Republican deadlock. Together we suss out how community media could be affected should Trump and Simington get their way. We also review arguments in front of the Supreme Court in the case of the FCC’s media ownership regulations that have failed to pass Appeals Court scrutiny for more than a decade. Show Notes: Federal Communications Law Journal: “ The Score Is 4-0: FCC Media Ownership Policy, Prometheus Radio Project, and Judicial Review “ Electronic Frontier Foundation: The FCC’s Independence and Mission Are at Stake with Trump Nominee Podcast #258 – Trump Admin Raises the Specter of the Fairness Doctrine The FCC’s Score in Media Ownership Policy is 0 – 4 Feature image credit: Justin Baeder / flickr (CC BY 2.0) The
Wed, December 16, 2020
Podcast #276 – 2020 the Year in Radio and Sound
Though there are many good reasons why one might not want to look back at the year that was, we still see some aspects worth noting. In particular, radio and podcasting proved to be resilient media, with broadcasters and podcasters rallying to meet the challenges of quarantines and social distancing brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. This also brought on renewed interest in legal unlicensed Part 15 radio broadcasting, while the FCC authorized the first-ever terrestrial all-digital radio broadcast service, on the AM dial, no less. The murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor refocused the nation’s attention on systematic racism and the racial and gender inequality that continues to permeate every aspect of American society. This brought about fresh calls for public and community broadcasters to address the effects of this within their own walls, along with efforts to provide mutual aid, support and guidance to BIPOC and advice to white allies. An eventful year, it was, and we’re here to run it all down. Show Notes: Social Distancing Sparks Interest in Part 15 Unlicensed Broadcasting, but Caveat Emptor FCC’s All-Digital AM Plan Likely Will Be Weak Sauce Public Media For All Podcast #270: Public Media for All FairPlay WFUV’s EQFM Podcast #240 – WFMU is Still On the Air During the Pandemic Podcast #239 – Hunkering Down with Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska Podcast #238 – Social Distancing, Going Remote and Automation during Global Pandemic Podcast #237 – How Community & College Radio Can Deal with COVID-19 Voicemeeter Banana is the free software
Wed, December 09, 2020
Podcast #275: Making Scholarly Podcasts Count
Podcasting is increasingly being taken up by people in academia, for myriad reasons. Some professors are looking for ways to share their work, others use it as a research tool, some include it as part of their teaching practice, while others seek to include podcasting as an official part of their scholarly output. We dig into these ideas on this week’s show with our guest Hannah McGregor , Assistant Professor of Publishing at Simon Fraser University and co-director of Amplify Podcast Network. A podcaster herself, she is co-creator of the feminist Harry Poster podcast Witch, Please and also the creator of the podcast Secret Feminist Agenda . Show Notes: Hannah McGregor’s website Amplify Podcast Network Secret Feminist Agenda podcast Witch, Please podcast Tressie McMillan Cottom on Twitter “ Scholarly Rap ” article about rap album that was part of a PhD dissertation project (Inside Higher Ed) Episodes on Related Topics: Podcast #132: Sounding Out! on the Cultural Politics of Sound and Listening Podcast #135: Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History Podcast #230: Library of Congress Launches Podcast Preservation Project The post <a href="https://www.ra
Tue, December 01, 2020
Podcast #274 – UbuWeb is a Hand Coded Archive that Stands the Test of Time
Poet Kenneth Goldsmith created UbuWeb in 1996 as an online repository for obscure avant-garde art that, by virtue of having little commercial potential, was hard to find. Audio was an early component of the archive, owing to Kenneth’s interest in sound poetry, an even more obscure art form. Since then he’s served as the chief, and only, curator and proprietor of UbuWeb, which has become an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in underground and unpopular culture. Kenneth chronicled his efforts in the new book “Duchamp Is My Lawyer: The Polemics, Pragmatics, and Poetics of UbuWeb.” He joins this episode to recount some of these tales, telling us what inspired him to build UbuWeb in the first place, and why he maintains it using simple html code of the sort used in the early web, rather than updating to use the latest database and dynamic website platforms. Because much of the work on UbuWeb is archived without explicit permission from the creators – living or dead – Kenneth explains why he views “cease and desist” orders as an invitation to dialog and how community radio station WFMU was one of his inspirations. We also get into the relationship between piracy and preservation, why he loves “the misuses of UbuWeb” and the value of “folk archiving” and “folk law.” This interview originally aired in July of 2020, and the longer version is available here: https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2020/07/28/podcast-256-the-robin-hood-of-the-avant-garde/ Show Notes: UbuWeb UbuWeb Sound Kenneth Goldsmith at the University of Pennsylvania Department of English Playlists and archives for Kenny G’s Hour of Pain on WFMU Duchamp Is My Lawyer at Columbia University Press Duchamp Is My Lawyer at Amazon (Radio Survivor will receive a small commission if you purchase from this link) What Is an Interlaced GIF? The post Podcast #274 – UbuWeb is a Hand Coded Archive that Stands the
Wed, November 25, 2020
Podcast #273: Thanksgiving and Radio Traditions with Alice Brock of “Alice’s Restaurant”
On this most unusual of Thanksgiving weeks, we are honored to speak with Alice Brock, the woman who provided much inspiration for Arlo Guthrie’s inadvertent Thanksgiving Day radio staple, “Alice’s Restaurant.” Brock shares with us not only some insight into the 18-minute anti-war epic; but also stories about her life and holiday traditions. For 2020, Brock was inspired to create a special introductory message for radio stations to play in advance of “Alice’s Restaurant,” and she explains why she was moved to offer up these words of thanks this year in particular. Show Notes: Thanksgiving Radio Tradition withstands the Pandemic as “Alice’s Restaurant” Hits the 2020 Airwaves Alice Brock’s Message for Radio Stations (NFCB) Alice Brock Fundraiser (GoFundMe) Alice Brock’s website The post Podcast #273: Thanksgiving and Radio Traditions with Alice Brock of “Alice’s Restaurant” appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, November 18, 2020
Podcast #272 – ‘Geek of the Week’ and the Beginning of Internet Radio
Carl Malamud is credited with having one of the very first streaming internet talk radio shows, “Geek of the Week,” beginning in 1993. And because it was available for download, too, it’s considered a proto-podcast. Carl joins us this week to dig into this early history of internet radio, recounting how his efforts quickly snowballed from hosting a weekly interview show with internet trailblazers to conducting live broadcasts of the National Press Club luncheons and Congressional hearings. Prof. Andrew Bottomley of SUNY Oneonta also joins as our special expert co-host to help us place these achievements in historical perspective. Carl tells us he was always more motivated to “do it for real,” rather than write a policy paper, and that he was also driven by a commitment to openness, to ensure public access to information of civic import. Today he continues working for the cause of public information as the founder and president of Public Resource. This episode originally aired on July 21st 2020. Where a longer version of the interview is available. Show Notes: Internet Talk Radio and “Geek of the Week” at the Internet Archive Wired Magazine, July 1, 1994: Geek of the Week Wikipedia: Carl Malamud Public.Resource.org Internet Radio Is Older Than You Think Streaming Media: 25 Years of Internet Radio, Part 1 Podcast #160 – Marking a Quarter-Century of Internet Radio Podcast 253 – Sound Streams: Dissecting the History of Internet Radio The post Podcast #272 – ‘Geek of the Week’ and the Beginning of Internet Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, November 11, 2020
Podcast #271: AM Radio Goes Digital as It Celebrates a Centennial
Eric, Jennifer and Paul reconvene to catch up on all that is news to us in the worlds of radio and sound. The FCC just unanimously approved all-digital operation on the AM band, while commercial radio – born on the AM band – celebrates its centennial. But keep in mind that broadcast radio is older than that first commodified broadcast. We also reflect on the very first virtual Grassroots Radio Conference and the history of radio dealing with earlier epidemics. Show Notes: FCC’s All-Digital AM Plan Likely Will Be Weak Sauce YouTube: Re-enactment Commemorates 100th Anniversary Of First Commercial Radio Broadcast In Pittsburgh YouTube: Should We Hate Spotify? [An Objective View From A Professional Musician] Podcast #234 – Community Access Radio in New Zealand Prof. Kyle Barrett guested on Podcast #221 – The Intertwined History of the Radio and Recording Industries Matthew Lasar explains the history of the rise and fall of “turntable style” music community websites on Podcast #26 – Celebrating Radio Stickers & Turntable Rooms Podcast #263 – Broadcasting High School Radio through Wildfires and a Pandemic 2020 Virtual GRC Sessions on YouTube Podcast #240 – WFMU is Still On the Air During the Pandemic WHIV-LP New Orleans, Human Rights & Social Justice Radio The post Podcast #271: AM Radio Goes Digital as It Celebrates
Wed, November 04, 2020
Podcast #270: Public Media for All
In the last few years a number of large and prominent public media organizations have been forced to confront the effects of sexism, racism and harassment within their own organizations that has been tolerated for too long. One clear cause is a serious lack of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the public media system. Public Media for All is a diverse coalition of public media workers, led by people of color, that is organizing to raise awareness of the negative effects of this deficiency and the resulting culture in public media, and sharing solutions for individuals and organizations. Sway Steward is on the organizing committee for Public Media for All, and joins the show to tell us more. They’re organizing a day of action and education on November 10, providing resources for people of color, white allies and organizational leadership to seek and create accountability and bring about positive change. Show Notes: Public Media for All Current: Coalition organizes day of action for movement to fix public media’s workplace culture The post Podcast #270: Public Media for All appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, October 28, 2020
Podcast #269 – How To Get an FM Radio License in 2021
The Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will open two filing windows for non-commercial FM radio licenses. First up will be an opportunity to apply for a full-power non-commercial / educational (NCE) license, followed by a low-power FM opportunity. Even though the application window dates have not yet been announced, now is the time to get prepared. Broadcast attorney Frank Montero guests to help us understand the process of applying for an FM broadcast license. He’s a partner with Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, which also publishes the CommLawBlog. He explains who qualifies to apply and other requirements to keep in mind. License application windows are the only time when an organization may apply for an FM radio license, and they don’t happen frequently. The last full-power NCE window was more than a decade ago, and the last chance at an LPFM was 2013. As the FM dial fills up in cities and towns across the country, this may be the last opportunity for a new station in many regions. If you’re interested in operating a full- or low-power non-commercial station we we hope this episode helps get you started. Even if you’re not interested, it’s important to understand just how stations get on the air in the 21st century. Show Notes: CommLawBlog – The Upcoming FCC Noncommercial FM and LPFM Filing Windows: What You Need to Know NFCB: Primer On The NCE Radio Filing Window FCC Chair: New LPFM & Noncomm License Opportunities Coming Soon FCC Awards Full-Power Licenses to 5 LPFMs, Plus 52 More Orgs (2010) FCC’s LPFM order will make 2013 a good year for community radio (2012) Radio Survivor documented the roll-out of new LPFM stations beginning with the most recent 2013 application window Feature image adapted from “ The FCC’s front door ” by Rob Pegararo / flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/20
Wed, October 21, 2020
Podcast #268 – Scene on Radio
Over the course of four seasons, the Peabody-nominated podcast “Scene on Radio,” a production of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, has earned a reputation for tackling head-on difficult topics around race, gender, justice and equity. But it didn’t start out that way. It started life as a documentary anthology that host and producer John Biewen calls a “hodge podge.” Then, for the second season John decided to take on race in America by exploring the history and meaning of whiteness. That season, “Seeing White,” forged a new path for the podcast, proving that there was an audience willing to take a deep dive into challenging topics. John joins the show this week to talk about “Scene on Radio,” and help us understand why and how a white male radio journalist, such as himself, can and should spearhead critical examinations of whiteness and men – the topic of season three – and a revisionist history of democracy in America, as in the current season, “The Land That Never Has Been.” Though he takes on much of the production work himself, for analysis and guidance he turns to co-hosts like Celeste Headlee (“Men”) and Rutgers professor Chenjerai Kumanyika, alongside the many historians and experts who provide facts and perspective. Though the podcast is unflinching in challenging accepted and closely-held narratives and beliefs, John notes that he’s received relatively little backlash, and tells us why he thinks that is. He also gives us a peek behind the scenes at how he produces a multi-part documentary podcast, and how he and Chenjerai navigate their signature introductions and wrap-ups that help listeners digest each episode. This is a rebroadcast which originally aired May 26, 2020. Show Notes Scene on Radio The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University Transom: “ Vocal Color in Public Radio ” by Chenjerai Kumanyika Rutgers University: Chenjerai Kumanyika Celeste Headlee The post Podcast #268 – Scene on Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, October 14, 2020
Podcast #267 – Live from the Grassroots Radio Conference: Community Radio and Protests
This week, the Radio Survivor crew did its first live broadcast from a virtual conference held over Zoom. As part of the 2020 Grassroots Radio Conference, we presented a live radio show during the event, which aired over host station ARTxFM’s (WXOX-LP) FM signal in Louisville, Kentucky as well as over the internet. The topic of our discussion is community radio and protests. ARTxFM host and producer Tia Marie and Xray.fm Talk Content Coordinator Miranda Selinger are our guests. The conversation focuses on how each of their respective stations are responding to protests and racial justice actions in their communities during a pandemic. Tia Marie produced WXOX-LP’s “Justice for Breonna” nationwide simulcast in honor of the memory of Louisville resident Breonna Taylor and explains how important it was for their station to acknowledge the black women who have been killed by police. Xray.fm has also been producing more local news from its home in Portland, Oregon, which has been especially active with racial justice protests. Selinger shares the station’s work in developing a daily news show as well as its partnership with local station The Numberz. Show Notes: Grassroots Radio Conference 2020 Virtual Summit XRAY.fm WXOX-LP aka ARTxFM Justice for Breonna Broadcast (Radio Survivor story) Justice for Breoanna Nationwide Simulcast (ArtxFM) Tia Marie Presents on Facebook “The Local” on XRAY.fm The Numberz.fm The post Podcast #267 – Live from the Grassroots Radio Conference: Community Ra
Wed, October 07, 2020
Podcast #266 – Flirt FM Celebrates 25 Years of College & Community Radio in Ireland
Flirt FM at the National University of Ireland at Galway was one of the first “community of interest” stations to go on the air in that nation. Effectively, this means it was a trailblazing college and community station, hitting the air not long after the state broadcast monopoly began to erode in 1988. Andrew Ó Baoill founded Flirt FM as an undergraduate student at what was then known as University College Galway. Working together with student government and university officials, they secured a license to broadcast in 1994 and went on the air September 28, 1995. Andrew joins the show this week to recount this history, and establish the station’s place in Irish broadcast history. Also joining is Paula Healy, who has served as Flirt’s station manager since 2005. Paula coordinated a 25-hour marathon broadcast to celebrate the station’s quarter-century anniversary. She tells us about how the station serves the university and Galway communities, and how they’ve stayed on air during COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantines. Show Notes: Flirt FM Flirt FM’s first 5 minutes on air in 1995 Podcast #258 – Trump Admin Raises the Specter of the Fairness Doctrine Jennifer visited Flirt in 2009 Wireless is Flirt’s show about radio, hosted by John Walsh, one of the co-founders behind the Irish Pirate Radio Archive The post Podcast #266 – Flirt FM Celebrates 25 Years of College & Community Radio in Ireland appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, September 30, 2020
Podcast #265 – Inside the “Little Known” Voice of America and the U.S. Agency for Global Media
Over the past few months, there’s been a flurry of media attention focused on the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Some reports describe it as a “little-known” agency and, in fact, it may seem mysterious to many in the United States, since it oversees international broadcasting programs all over the world, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. USAGM has been in the news following the appointment of new CEO Michael Pack, subsequent personnel changes, and even a congressional hearing on September 24. This week we explore the history of USAGM and talk about some of the recent changes at the organization. We are joined on the show by Jane Curry (Professor of Political Science at Santa Clara University), Mark Pomar (National Security Fellow at Clements Center for National Security at University of Texas, Austin) and Brandon Burke (Associate Archivist at the Hoover Institution Archives). Jennifer Waits and Eric Klein host this week’s episode. Show Notes: Jane Curry at Santa Clara University Mark Pomar at University of Texas, Austin Brandon Burke at Hoover Institution Archives U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) Voice of America (VOA) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website CEO of Voice of America’s Parent Agency Defies Subpoena Despite Bipartisan Concerns (PBS News Hour) Purge of Senior Officers at Foreign Broadcast Agency Stirs Fear and Outrage (NPR) International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Open So
Wed, September 23, 2020
Podcast # 264 – Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd is best known as a record producer (he worked with Pink Floyd and Nick Drake just to name two artists) and he is the author of the book “White Bicycles, Making Music in the 1960’s.” In 2015 he launched a podcast. Joe Boyd’s A-Z which ran for 52 episodes (that’s one episode for every letter of the alphabet – twice over). Before all this, in 1961 he had a Jazz show on WBAI and KPFK he started at age 19. Show Notes: Joe Boyd’s A-Z : The Podcast White Bicycles – Making Music in the 1960’s by Joe Boyd Moving Air – The sound studio of Peregrine (Pez) Andrews The Bob Fass documentary “Radio Unnameable” The Quiet Music Festival – Eric mentions at the end The post Podcast # 264 – Joe Boyd appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, September 15, 2020
Podcast #263 – Broadcasting High School Radio through Wildfires and a Pandemic
With wildfires raging up and down the west coast of the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic, many radio stations are facing different types of challenges than a year ago. Vacaville Christian Schools’ radio station KVCB-LP (aka VCS Radio) is in a community that was hit hard by a wild fire in August 2020. When a nearby commercial radio station was knocked off the air, middle school/high school station KVCB-LP stepped up to provide emergency broadcasting. Conservatory Education Director Ralph Martin leads the radio station and managed the station’s response during this crisis. Martin is our guest this week and shares with us the work being done at KVCB-LP during not only an extended period of distance learning for students, but also during a local emergency. Martin also manages the school’s music program and is philosophical and upbeat about the importance of embracing new and creative ways to teach, perform, and broadcast, especially when faced with unique challenges. Show Notes: KVCB-LP website VCS TV website Radio Station Visit #144: High School Radio Station VCS Radio Podcast #94 – The High School Radio Station That Went HD Podcast #147 – Prison Radio Exhibit and a High School Station in a Band Room The post Podcast #263 – Broadcasting High School Radio through Wildfires and a Pandemic appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, September 09, 2020
Podcast #262 – Eric Nuzum (rebroadcast)
Eric Nuzum started NPR’s podcasting efforts in 2005. He worked at NPR for over a decade and helped produce hit shows like “TED Radio Hour” and “Invisibila.” He left NPR for Audible, where he led Amazons efforts in short form audio and podcasts until 2018. Eric Nuzum is the author of the book “Make Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling.” On Radio Survivor today we talk to Eric Nuzum about how he began his career in radio at a college station; his advice for community radio stations when it comes to podcasting; and where to begin when you plan to start a new podcast project to give you the best chance to reach the audience you are seeking. This rebroadcast concludes with a fresh and lengthy audio commentary from Eric Klein on the interview which includes some listener feed back and a Q and A that originates from the first time the interview aired. (It is worth noting that the original interview dates back to the moment just a matter of days before the Pandemic began to restructure life in the United States, which is part of the focus of the new commentary on the episode and it’s themes. ) Show Notes: P odcast #64 How to do News and Public Affairs – in which our guest Briand Edwards-Tiekert gives advice to new radio and podcast producers The post Podcast #262 – Eric Nuzum (rebroadcast) appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, September 03, 2020
Podcast #261 – Remembering Lorenzo Milam
Jennifer, Eric and Paul get the gang back together to remember community radio innovator Lorenzo Milam, who passed away on July 19. We reflect on how he helped to propagate a community access model of broadcasting that departed somewhat from the model of the first Pacifica stations, and was reflective of the counter-cultural currents of the 1960s and 70s. Jennifer shares highlights of her correspondence with Lorenzo about his days in college radio at Haverford, where Jennifer also broadcast. Then we catch up on some important news from the summer, including terrestrial radio’s continued #1 “share of ear,” new non-commercial radio license opportunities in the US, the clock ticking down on Franken FMs and a lament for the closure of Radio Free America. Show Notes: R.I.P. Radio Trailblazer Lorenzo Milam Lorenzo Milam’s College Radio Days Lorenzo Milam books in the KRAB Archive Lorenzo Milam Memorial archived recording on ACORN Radio FCC Chair: New LPFM & Noncomm License Opportunities Coming Soon The Final Countdown for Franken FMs NFCB: Radio Free America Announces Shutdown Podcast #125 – Radio Free America Is an Online Hub for Noncomm Radio The post Podcast #261 – Remembering Lorenzo Milam appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, August 26, 2020
Podcast #260 – Radio History on the Northern Border of Mexico
Border radio is one of our favorite topics at Radio Survivor and on this week’s episode we dig into the history of radio broadcasting on the northern border of Mexico. Scholar Sonia Robles shares the stories of some of the lesser-known, small broadcasters whose histories are often overshadowed by the wild tales of higher power border blaster stations. Robles is the author of Mexican Waves: Radio Broadcasting along Mexico’s Northern Border, 1930-1950 and Assistant Professor of History at University of Delaware. Show Notes: Mexican Waves: Radio Broadcasting along Mexico’s Northern Border, 1930-1950 Podcast # 212 – Border Radio in North America DX Adventures at 1700 Confirmations of 1700 (AM) Podcast #184 – Hidden Women’s Radio History in Uruguay Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax Podcast #252 – Exploring the Seeds of Public Radio in Educational Radio Archives Podcast #250 – Aimee Semple McPherson and the Early History of Radio Evangelists The post Podcast #260 – Radio History on the Northern Border of Mexico appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, August 19, 2020
Podcast #259 – Radioee.net Celebrates 100 Year History of Wireless Communication
On August 27, 2020, nomadic online radio station Radioee.net is presenting a live, translingual 24-hour broadcast, Wireless , featuring 24 radio stations from all over the world. Taking place on the 100th anniversary of the first radio broadcast in Argentina and the first mass public entertainment broadcast in the world; Wireless launches at midnight Buenos Aires time on August 27, 2020. This date is significant, as it recognizes the inaugural Argentinian broadcast from Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires on the same day back in 1920, which used smuggled Marconi equipment to present a Wagner opera. Radioee.net founders Stephanie Sherman, Agustina Woodgate and Hernan Woodgate join us on the show to share their plans for this fascinating broadcast featuring radio stations in Buenos Aires, Wuhan, Nigeria, Cuba, Uruguay, New York, and more. On the episode they talk about some of the topics that will be touched upon, from paratelepathy to radio history to acrobatics. Show Notes: Wireless event page Radioee.net Wavefarm’s Wireless event page Radio Station Visit #145: Wave Farm in Acra, New York Podcast #151: The Wave Farm Grows Transmission Arts Early History of Radio Broadcasting in Argentina (OldRadio.com) Elsewhere museum and artist residency in North Carolina Agustina Woodgate to Broadcast from Henry Ford’s Abandoned Brazilian Factory (Miami New Times) Podcast #195: Telepathy and Radio Mind The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivo
Thu, August 13, 2020
Podcast #258 – Trump Admin Raises the Specter of the Fairness Doctrine
The FCC is testing its luck with the Supreme Court, after years of failure in attempting to revise media ownership regulations using justifications that pass Constitutional scrutiny. Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota joins us to explain what the Commission argues, and what its odds are. However, a more immediate concern is that the Trump administration is pushing against Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This is the piece of law that protects websites of all kinds from liability resulting from the content that users post. While this provides a shield to social media like Facebook and Twitter, the umbrella stretches to cover more grassroots media, like any community media platform – including radio – that allows user comments or contributions. The administration has filed a petition asking the FCC to evaluate its options to regulate speech online – a chilling thought for any radio station that’s worried about the consequences of getting an indecency fine. Yet, this regulation would extend way beyond the boundaries of indecency, into political speech. Prof. Terry says that it looks a lot like the boogeyman version of the Fairness Doctrine, something that Republicans have trotted out as an imminent threat to free speech for decades since it was abandoned by the FCC. So it’s ironic that it’s a Republican administration pushing for its reinstitution under different pretences. We also touch on the Trump administration’s attempt to challenge state-level net neutrality laws that sprung up in the wake of the FCC’s decision to overturn its Open Internet order. Show Notes EFF: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act Podcast #236 – FCC and the Supremes The FCC’s Score in Media Ownership Policy is 0 – 4 Deadline: White House Withdraws Nomination Of FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, Who Doubted Donald Trump’s Executive Order On Social Media The post Podcast #258 – Trump Admin Raises the Specter of the Fairness Doctrine appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, August 05, 2020
Podcast #257 – Marking a Quarter-Century of MP3
On July 14, 1995 the file extension .MP3 was chosen and set in place for an audio format that would go on to change music. Artist, scholar and curator John Kannenberg marks the 25th anniversary of this event with an online exhibit, “MP3 @ 25: The Anniversary Exhibition” at his Museum of Portable Sound. John joins this episode to explain why it’s important to observe this anniversary, and to recount some of the milestones in MP3’s history. From the somewhat apocryphal story of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” as the first MP3, to the introduction of the iPod, he helps us understand the role of MP3 in delivering us into the fully digital music universe we now inhabit. We also dive into his singular museum, which exists on a single iPhone 4s, with a printed catalog to guide the visitor. Because of COVID-19 John is now available to provide guided online tours of the many sound artifacts that Museum of Portable Sound has in its archives. Either way, it’s about experiencing sound directly and purely, without distraction. (And we are here for the love of Radio and Sound.) Show Notes: MP3 @ 25: The Anniversary Exhibition The Museum of Portable Sound Atlas Obscura: A Loopy Library of Sounds Features Sprinklers, Sirens, and Freud’s Toilet The Diamond Rio was one of the first MP3 players, garnering a lawsuit from the recording industry 10 Reasons Why CDs Are Still Awesome (Especially for Radio) Minidisc.org Podcast #255 – ‘Geek of the Week’ and the Beginning of Internet Radio Podcast 253 – Sound Streams: Dissecting the History of Internet Radio Podcast #167 – Alternative Histories of Podcasting The post Podcast #257 – Marking a Quarter-Century of MP3 appeared first on Radio Survivor
Wed, July 29, 2020
Podcast #256 – The Robin Hood of the Avant-Garde
Poet Kenneth Goldsmith created UbuWeb in 1996 as an online repository for obscure avant-garde art that, by virtue of having little commercial potential, was hard to find. Audio was an early component of the archive, owing to Kenneth’s interest in sound poetry, an even more obscure art form. Since then he’s served as the chief, and only, curator and proprietor of UbuWeb, which has become an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in underground and unpopular culture. Kenneth chronicled his efforts in the new book “Duchamp Is My Lawyer: The Polemics, Pragmatics, and Poetics of UbuWeb.” He joins this episode to recount some of these tales, telling us what inspired him to build UbuWeb in the first place, and why he maintains it using simple html code of the sort used in the early web, rather than updating to use the latest database and dynamic website platforms. Because much of the work on UbuWeb is archived without explicit permission from the creators – living or dead – Kenneth explains why he views “cease and desist” orders as an invitation to dialog and how community radio station WFMU was one of his inspirations. We also get into the relationship between piracy and preservation, why he loves “the misuses of UbuWeb” and the value of “folk archiving” and “folk law.” Show Notes: UbuWeb UbuWeb Sound Kenneth Goldsmith at the University of Pennsylvania Department of English Playlists and archives for Kenny G’s Hour of Pain on WFMU Duchamp Is My Lawyer at Columbia University Press Duchamp Is My Lawyer at Amazon (Radio Survivor will receive a small commission if you purchase from this link) What Is an Interlaced GIF? The post Podcast #256 – The Robin Hood of the Avant-Garde appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, July 22, 2020
Podcast #255 – ‘Geek of the Week’ and the Beginning of Internet Radio
Carl Malamud is credited with having one of the very first streaming internet talk radio shows, “Geek of the Week,” beginning in 1993. And because it was available for download, too, it’s considered a proto-podcast. Carl joins us this week to dig into this early history of internet radio, recounting how his efforts quickly snowballed from hosting a weekly interview show with internet trailblazers to conducting live broadcasts of the National Press Club luncheons and Congressional hearings. Prof. Andrew Bottomley of SUNY Oneonta also joins as our special expert co-host to help us place these achievements in historical perspective. Carl tells us he was always more motivated to “do it for real,” rather than write a policy paper, and that he was also driven by a commitment to openness, to ensure public access to information of civic import. Today he continues working for the cause of public information as the founder and president of Public Resource. Show Notes: Internet Talk Radio and “Geek of the Week” at the Internet Archive Wired Magazine, July 1, 1994: Geek of the Week Wikipedia: Carl Malamud Public.Resource.org Internet Radio Is Older Than You Think Streaming Media: 25 Years of Internet Radio, Part 1 Podcast #160 – Marking a Quarter-Century of Internet Radio Podcast 253 – Sound Streams: Dissecting the History of Internet Radio The post Podcast #255 – ‘Geek of the Week’ and the Beginning of Internet Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, July 15, 2020
Podcast #254 – The Intertwined History of the Radio and Recording Industries
On this week’s show, we take a trip back to the early 20th century to learn about the recording industry’s intertwined relationship with radio and music culture. Our guest is Kyle Barnett, Associate Professor of Media Studies in the Department of Communication at Bellarmine University. Barnett’s forthcoming book, Record Cultures: The Transformation of the U.S. Recording Industry , looks at the early history of the recording industry in the United States. On the episode, Barnett shares tidbits from his research and reminds us of the complexity of the media landscape, calling for scholars to not neglect exploring how industries are interconnected. Along the way, we learn about phonograph parlors, the differences between public and private listening, and why some record labels asked their artists to stay off the radio. This episode is a rebroadcast from November of 2019. Show Notes: Record Cultures: The Transformation of the U.S. Recording Industry Kyle Barnett on Twitter Radio Survivor Podcast #186: African-American Preachers on Wax Radio Preservation Task Force The post Podcast #254 – The Intertwined History of the Radio and Recording Industries appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, July 08, 2020
Sound Streams: Dissecting the History of Internet Radio
Internet radio was born more than 25 years ago, yet, according to Edison Research, only in the last month has the medium garnered just 10% of all broadcast listening time in the US. We might lay at least some blame on the commercial radio industry, which didn’t embrace it until well into the 2000s, long after the college, community and public radio trailblazers. Prof. Andrew Bottomley returns to the show to help us understand the reasons behind mainstream broadcasters’s delayed acceptance, and explore why college broadcasters were at the forefront. His new book is “Sound Streams: A Cultural History of Radio-Internet Convergence,” detailing the first comprehensive history of online streaming audio. We also discuss the similarities between long-distance listening, a/k/a DXing, and internet radio, and how the societal changes wrought by COVID-19 are affecting online radio and podcasting. Show Notes: University of Michigan Press – Sound Streams: A Cultural History of Radio-Internet Convergence “Sound Streams” at Amazon (Radio Survivor will receive a small affiliate commission if you buy through this link) Andrew Bottomley’s website Andrew was the guest on: Podcast #167 – Alternative Histories of Podcasting Edison Research: Streaming accounts for 10% of broadcast radio’s consumption during covid-19 disruptions The post Podcast 253 – Sound Streams: Dissecting the History of Internet Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, June 30, 2020
Podcast # 252 – Exploring the Seeds of Public Radio in Educational Radio Archives
This week, we explore the ancestor of public radio in the United States: educational radio. Our guest, Stephanie Sapienza, helps to bring educational radio archives to life through her work on the multi-institution “Unlocking the Airwaves” project. As Digital Humanities Archivist at the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities at University of Maryland, Sapienza is working with audio from the National Association of Educational Broadcasters (NAEB). She describes the breadth of materials in the collection and its role in public radio history and also shares more about her unique (and entertaining) presentation at the Orphan Film Symposium in which she reported on old time educational radio in an old time radio style. Show Notes: Stephanie Sapienza’s website The Orphan’s Radio Hour Orphan Film Symposium Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH) Unlocking the Airwaves American Archive of Public Broadcasting Radio Preservation Task Force website at Library of Congress National Association of Educational Broadcasters collection at University of Maryland Podcast #192: Saving Radio History with The Radio Preservation Task Force episode with Josh Shepperd The post Podcast # 252 – Exploring the Seeds of Public Radio in Educational Radio Archives appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, June 24, 2020
Podcast #251 – The Global Queer Read-In
Our guest on Radio Survivor is producing The Global Queer Read-In: A Virtual Pride Event; a 12 hour long webcast to celebrate LGBTQ literature. Brian DeShazor is the brand new CEO of Overnight Productions, which produces the radio show This Way Out. This Way Out has been on the air for 31 years, a weekly radio program, heard on about 200 community stations around the world. Brian DeShazor was last heard on Radio Survivor back on ep #187 when we talked about his incredible project to preserve and archive the sounds of queer radio from the latter half of the 20 th century. Show Notes: Global Queer Read-In: A Virtual Pride Event This Way Out WBAI’s 1970 War and Peace Broadcast OutRight Action International Podcast #187 – Archiving LGBTQ Radio History The post Podcast #251 – The Global Queer Read-In appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, June 17, 2020
Podcast #250 – Aimee Semple McPherson and the Early History of Radio Evangelists
One of the biggest celebrities in Los Angeles in the early part of the 20th century was Aimee Semple McPherson. She inspired scandalous headlines and fictional depictions, including the character Sister Molly on the current Showtime series, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels . Yet the story that is less frequently told is McPherson’s embrace of radio. She built her own powerful station, KFSG, in Los Angeles in the 1920s, which operated from the grand Angelus Temple, where her Foursquare Church was headquartered. On this episode, scholar Tona Hangen joins us to shed more light into the radio work of Aimee Semple McPherson and to also provide some context about the early days of Christian radio evangelists in the United States. Hangen is the author of Redeeming the Dial: Radio, Religion and Popular Culture in America and is Professor of History at Worcester State University. Show Notes: Tona Hangen Redeeming the Dial: Radio, Religion, and Popular Culture in America Radio Reader: Essays in the Cultural History of Radio (Good Reads) Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Sister Molly Explained (Den of Geek) Will Aimee Semple McPherson Win the Low Power FM Sweepstakes (Radio Survivor) Old Time Radio and the Power of Faith (Radio Survivor) Radio Survivor Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax Foursquare Church History of KFSG, Los Angeles (Jeff Miller website) There was a musical: <a
Wed, June 10, 2020
Podcast #249 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs
Scholar Jocelyn Robinson says about one-third of Historically Black Colleges and Universities have radio stations. Her mission is to survey them and help preserve their histories and recorded legacies through the HBCU Radio Station Archival Survey Project, which she directs. On this episode Robinson tells us about this project, and explains why it’s important to preserve this heritage. Her interest in radio was sparked at WYSO-FM in Yellow Springs, Ohio, a station founded by college students which won a grant to digitize and protect its archives which were maintained for decades almost by benign neglect. Robinson created a radio show for WYSO, pulling from this rich store of historical recordings, called “Rediscovered Radio.” The experience prompted her to widen the search to HBCUs. In this we explore the reasons why relatively few college and university stations have active archival and preservation programs, how station licenses are “an institutional asset” and the cultural shift that has turned us all into documentarians. This episode is a rebroadcast of #232 from February, 2020 . Show Notes: WYSO’s Rediscovered Radio The Chronicle of Higher Education: Saving History at College Radio Stations, One Tape at a Time National Recording Preservation Foundation: National Recording Preservation Foundation Distributes $50,000 in 4 Grants for Audio Preservation Union College: Making waves: Race, radio and the legacy of Wendell King ‘24 Black Perspectives: The Race to Preserve African American Radio The post Podcast #249 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, June 02, 2020
Podcast #248 – African American Preachers on Wax
On this week’s episode, scholar Lerone Martin shares with us the fascinating history of African-American preachers who distributed their sermons on 78rpm records during a time when they had limited access to the radio in the 1920s-1940s. Martin, Associate Professor in Religion and Politics at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis, is the author of Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Making of Modern African American Religion. This is a rebroadcast of episode #186 from March of 2019. Show Notes: Lerone Martin Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Making of Modern African American Religion The Forgotten Phonograph Preachers Podcast #181 – Visiting Community Radio Stations Around the World The post Podcast #248 – African American Preachers on Wax appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 27, 2020
Podcast #247 – Scene on Radio
Over the course of four seasons, the Peabody-nominated podcast “Scene on Radio,” a production of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, has earned a reputation for tackling head-on difficult topics around race, gender, justice and equity. But it didn’t start out that way. It started life as a documentary anthology that host and producer John Biewen calls a “hodge podge.” Then, for the second season John decided to take on race in America by exploring the history and meaning of whiteness. That season, “Seeing White,” forged a new path for the podcast, proving that there was an audience willing to take a deep dive into challenging topics. John joins the show this week to talk about “Scene on Radio,” and help us understand why and how a white male radio journalist, such as himself, can and should spearhead critical examinations of whiteness and men – the topic of season three – and a revisionist history of democracy in America, as in the current season, “The Land That Never Has Been.” Though he takes on much of the production work himself, for analysis and guidance he turns to co-hosts like Celeste Headlee (“Men”) and Rutgers professor Chenjerai Kumanyika, alongside the many historians and experts who provide facts and perspective. Though the podcast is unflinching in challenging accepted and closely-held narratives and beliefs, John notes that he’s received relatively little backlash, and tells us why he thinks that is. He also gives us a peek behind the scenes at how he produces a multi-part documentary podcast, and how he and Chenjerai navigate their signature introductions and wrap-ups that help listeners digest each episode. Show Notes Scene on Radio The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University Transom: “ Vocal Color in Public Radio ” by Chenjerai Kumanyika Rutgers University: Chenjerai Kumanyika Celeste Headlee The post Podcast #247 – Scene on Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 20, 2020
Podcast #246 – Radio in the Movies
Portrayals of radio in popular culture provide an interesting glimpse at radio’s role in society. At Radio Survivor, we’ve long been fascinated by radio depictions on both the small and large screen; so it is a treat to dive into this topic with Hemrani Vyas, Programming Coordinator at Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Vyas curated an entire day of radio-themed films for the cable network, focusing on the era of 1930 to 1950. This week we talk about some of the featured films and also dig into a broader discussion about the changing images of radio in the movies. Show Notes: TCM website List of Radio Films Aired on TCM on April 10, 2020: Remote Control (1930) So You Want to be on the Radio (1948) – 10 minute short Are You Listening? (1932) Here Comes Carter (1936) The Next Voice You Hear… (1950) Underground (1941) One Fatal Hour (1936) Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937) Genius at Work (1947) The Unsuspected (1947) Top 5 Television Shows Depicting Radio DJs in Peril: Radio Horror on Film Ten essential radio movies for the holidays <l
Tue, May 12, 2020
Podcast #245 – Hidden Women’s Radio History in Uruguay
In 2019 we celebrated International Women’s Day by recording a fascinating interview about women’s radio history with University of Louisville Professor of History Christine Ehrick . Author of Radio and the Gendered Soundscape: Women and Broadcasting in Argentina and Uruguay, 1930-1950 , Ehrick schools us on the hidden history of a pioneering women’s radio station in Uruguay. Founded in 1935, Radio Femenina quickly became a hotbed for feminist and activist programming, beaming its signal from Montevideo and across the river into Argentina. Ehrick provides context for the station’s origins and discusses how it functioned during some tumultuous political periods in the region. Our Patreon supporters get to hear more of our conversation with Ehrick in a special bonus episode . She shares more personal stories of a radio historian on the hunt for treasure in the official archives and on Ebay. This episode originally aired in March of 2019 as #184. Show Notes Christine Ehrick website at University of Louisville Radio and the Gendered Soundscape: Women and Broadcasting in Argentina and Uruguay, 1930-1950 Radio Preservation Task Force Radio Femenina Wikipedia Entry Investigating some Contenders for t
Wed, May 06, 2020
Podcast #244 – Exploring the So-Called ‘Golden Age’ of College Radio
Some consider the late 1960s through the mid-1990s to be a “golden age” of college radio. History professor Katherine Rye Jewell, from Fitchburg State University, notes that the period begins with college stations taking to the FM dial, and concludes with the rise of the internet. During that time, college radio stations certainly at times did have prominence in the culture, which meant they also were subject to complaints and kerfuffles, sometimes gaining the attention of local media and politicians. As part of the research for her upcoming book, “Live from the Underground,” Kate has been diving into many of the controversies, and sharing highlights on Twitter. On air content was definitely one of the flashpoints, especially as the culture wars heated up in the 1980s. While relatively few FCC actions or fines were issued, Kate explains that the Commission preferred college and university administrations keep stations in check, and many did, resulting in a kind of chilling effect that particularly effected emerging music forms like hip-hop. The reverberations of this time are still felt at many college and community stations, especially where volunteers and staffers still remember when the risk of a $10,000 indecency fine seemed – and probably was – very palpable. On this live-on-the-air episode, we dig into many entertaining garden paths and stories that no fan of left-end-of-the-dial radio should miss. Show Notes: Kate Jewell on Twitter Kate’s website Kate’s Twitter thread on complaints to the FCC about college radio stations Kate tweets her show notes : “ Cool Town: How Athens, Georgia, Launched Alternative Music and Changed American Culture ,” By Grace Elizabeth Hale “ The Beastie Boys Book “ “ Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements ,” by Bob Mehr “ The Black Campus Movement ,” by Ibram X. Kendi Podcast #164 – College Radio and the Culture Wars Lyrics to “M
Wed, April 29, 2020
Podcast #243 – A Radio Survivor First
A common theme on Radio Survivor is that claims of being first should be viewed skeptically. From purported first college radio station to first internet simulcast, we’ve learned that there’s always another challenger to the prize. This time around, however, we can say this is definitively the first ever episode of Radio Survivor broadcast, and recorded, live on the air. We make the leap into live broadcasting at the request of Portland, OR community station XRAY.fm, which is the station that prompted us to turn our podcast into a proper weekly radio show. They have the task of conducting a fund drive in the midst of a stay-at-home-order, so they asked their shows to try to broadcast live – remotely – one way or another. We were more than happy to comply, each of us from our respective homes, united over a videoconference and an Icecast stream to the XRAY studios. Fittingly, we take up the topic of firsts, as we note how internet broadcasting and inexpensive automation technology have proven to be tremendously helpful tools for community and college radio during this pandemic – even if many stations absolutely prefer to be 100% live. Staying on the air is vital for listeners and for programmers and hosts, keeping these connections flowing with energy. We wrap up with some positive college radio news. Show Notes: XRAY.fm Icecast is the open source internet radio platform we used to send a high-quality signal to the XRAY studios. Podcast #146: Volunteer Radio from Antarctica Podcast #167: Alternative Histories of Podcasting Jennifer’s Tour of XRAY.fm 10 Weird Things Spotted by a Kid during Radio Station Tours College Radio Watch: WMHD Relaunch, KSLC Goes Classical, WNUW Coronacasts and More News The post Podcast #243 – A Radio Survivor First appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 22, 2020
Podcast #242 – Radio on the TV with James Cridland
Did you know that a lot of folks in Europe listen to radio on their televisions? Neither did we, until we talked with James Cridland, editor of the daily Podnews email newsletter and radio futurologist. He explains that outside of North America much of radio is enjoyed on more platforms, from digital DAB to, yes, television. With a career reaching back to the early internet forays of the BBC and Virgin Radio in the UK, and as a frequent international conference speaker, James has a broad base of experience around the world. Now based in Brisbane, Australia, he joins the show to help us put radio in a global perspective. In the process we also learn that James got his start in radio by starting a pirate station in his Yorkshire boarding school, and that a supermarket radio station is the most popular digital station Down Under. That ultimately leads us to a discussion of durability of radio, based upon human connection and shared experience Show Notes: Podnews James Cridland online Amazing US Launch and Revival of CMJ UK Student Radio Association UK Restricted Service License 4ZZZ is a radio station James’ smart speaker won’t find using British or Australian English Image Credit: flickr / Thomas Hawk (CC BY-NC 2.0) The post Podcast #242 – Radio on the TV with James Cridland appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 15, 2020
Podcast #241 – WBCN and the American Revolution
WBCN in Boston, MA is one of the storied freeform FM stations in American commercial radio history. We’re talking about it because there’s a recent documentary film, entitled “WBCN and the American Revolution,” that dives into its history, and how WBCN’s early days in the late 60s and early 70s are intertwined with the counter culture movement in that city. Our guest is filmmaker Bill Lichtenstein, who was also on-air at WBCN during its formative years. Though much has been said about cities like San Francisco and New York in this era, the stories of Boston are less prevalent in our common cultural history. The story is interesting because the station functioned much like a community station, more like WBAI in New York, than the typical commercial station of the time. In particular, under the direction of Danny Schechter, “The News Dissector,” who got his start at the station, WBCN wove politically challenging news and public affairs into its music format, reporting live on the scene from pivotal events of the day. Show Notes “ WBCN and the American Revolution ” website Danny Schechter “The News Dissector” wrote for Media Channel in the 90s and 2000s Boston Magazine: WBCN: An Oral History One of the Last “Progressive” Rockers (WBCN) Goes Digital-Only WBCN and the American Revolution Documentary Collection at the UMass Amherst Libraries The post Podcast #241 – WBCN and the American Revolution appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 08, 2020
Podcast #240 – WFMU is Still On the Air During the Pandemic
Ken Freedman is the General Manager and the Program Director of WFMU, a free form community radio station in Jersey City, New Jersey that prides itself on it’s live, in studio sound from every one of it’s DJ’s. So this particular crisis, the Pandemic and the Lock Down, is a unique challenge. “This disaster is so completely different from any disaster we’ve ever had before such as 9-11, or Hurricane Sandy,” Ken told us on this week’s episode. They are running the station with a small skeleton crew and for the first time ever, they are relying on a lot of rebroadcasts of archived shows. Although Ken is still requiring all of his DJ’s (many of whom do not yet have the gear at home to produce live radio) to participate in the live online chat forum that WFMU had already had built. It’s a compromise Ken is calling “half live.” The crisis has also increased the radio’s online audience. “Our streaming traffic and online traffic has gone through the roof,” Ken said. WFMU also has three online-only channels with about 50 volunteer DJ’s who have always been broadcasting live, from their own home studios. Now those remote DJ’s are the online experts who Ken Freedman plans to connect with his WFMU DJ’s that need a little help to learn the ropes of home broadcasting. All of this though, is something that Ken hopes is only temporary. Getting back to live, community radio where everyone uses the same studio and interacts inside the same building is an important part of WFMU’s culture. This interview was recorded in the morning of April 2, 2020. Careful lovers of radio and sound will note the occasional whine of Ken Freedman’s puppy, who is a very good puppy. Show Notes: WFMU The Call-in Comedy Show in which WFMU listeners get “tested” for the virus. The post Podcast #240 – WFMU is Still On the Air During the Pandemic appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, March 31, 2020
Podcast #239 – Hunkering Down with Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska
Raven Radio, KCAW-FM, serves Sitka and the remote communities of Southeast Alaska with public radio content, local news and volunteer-produced programming. Like “shelter in place” elsewhere in the lower 48, Sitka is on what they call a “hunker down” advisory. We talk with KCAW General Manager and friend of the show, Becky Meiers about how the station is balancing staff safety and vital public service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now radio broadcasters are considered essential personnel, so they may travel to the station’s studios, but the advised 6-feet of social distance requires only two people can be on premises at any one time – one upstairs and one downstairs. That’s prompted some shifts in daytime programming when it’s important to have at least one news or operations person on hand at all times. Because KCAW is often the only reliable information real-time information source for remote villages that have limited internet and landlines, Becky serves on the local emergency planning committee and coordinates closely with emergency personnel. At the same time, the station continues to provide music and cultural programming for that much needed break. When news of the pandemic first hit, KCAW staff and management assembled a preparedness plan. Though there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sitka when we recorded on March 27, once a first case is confirmed, the station will move forward to the next phase of its plan. Learn what that plan is, and how KCAW engages with its community and listenership in this interview. Show Notes: KCAW-FM, Raven Radio KCAW just received a grant from the Brown Institute for Media Innovation KCAW Coronavirus Information Hub “ Have an Old Fashioned with a modern twist, thanks to Sitka’s virtual bartender “ Podcast #84 – Improving Your Radio Receptio n Podcast #197 – Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska Touring KCAW, Sitka Alaska’s Raven Radio However, The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2020/03/podcast-239-hunkering-down-with-raven-radio-in-sitka-ala
Wed, March 25, 2020
Podcast #238 – Social Distancing, Going Remote and Automation during Global Pandemic
The University of Virgina’s WTJU now only permits one person in their studios at one time and has five remote locations ready to take over live broadcasting. That’s a couple of ways that community and college stations are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Community radio WTJU General Manager Nathan Moore joins this week to explain how university campus-based stations are coping with the ever-changing situation. He is also the staff adviser to student-run LPFM WXTJ. He tells us how forging alliances with local businesses and groups has helped the station provide original programming and a unique community service during this challenging time. WTJU is primarily a music station, but is able to weave important news and information into its regular programming, without breaking format. We discuss how while a full-on talk program isn’t suited to all listeners or all stations, that doesn’t mean a music station can’t be a vital community resource. We also review audio listening data from the just-released 2020 Infinite Dial survey. Radio listening continues to change, while podcasting continues to grow. We reflect on what this means for community and college radio. Show Notes: WTJU WXTJ-LP Charlottesville Tomorrow THE BRIDGE Progressive Arts Initiative The Front Porch Charlottesville Podcast #237 – How Community & College Radio Can Deal with COVID-19 Podcast #207 – Building More Communities Around Your Station Broadcast Using This Tool is how Nathan connects to WTJU remotely The Infinite Dial 2020 The post Podcast #238 – Social Distancing, Going Remote and Automation during Global Pandemic appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 18, 2020
Podcast #237 – How Community & College Radio Can Deal with COVID-19
Community and college radio stations are unique in broadcasting because in addition to being important community services, many are also a community crossroads, hosting dozens or hundreds of people in their studios and spaces in any given week. That means the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic poses a specific challenge for these broadcasters. KPFA’s “UpFront” co-host Brian Edwards-Tiekert and National Federation of Community Broadcasters program director Ernesto Aguilar join to help us understand how college and community stations should deal with the pandemic on and off the air. As a community journalist, Brian has been on the front lines of helping Bay Area listeners get the best information and advice. He has recommendations for how stations should address critical information, and misinformation, on air, and how they can frame issues for vital community discussion. Ernesto observes that the pandemic is a “learning opportunity” for stations to be sure they have an emergency response plan that keeps them on air, even if functioning with just one staff, volunteer or engineer. Having automation can be one important tool, causing him to warn that the current situation is a “wake up call” for stations that have resisted the technology as a “badge of honor.” We also review feedback from listeners and readers who let us know how the stations where they work and volunteer are managing the pandemic. Show Notes: KPFA UpFront Brian Edwards-Tiekert shares thoughtful, well-researched advice on Twitter Ernesto Aguilar in Radio World: Community Broadcaster: COVID-19 Concerns National Federation of Community Broadcasters: Coronavirus Resources For Community Radio The post Podcast #237 – How Community & College Radio Can Deal with COVID-19 appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 11, 2020
Podcast #236 – FCC and the Supremes
FCC policy has left media ownership diversity at “obnoxiously low levels,” especially considering that more minority and women ownership is one of the desired objectives. That’s what Prof. Chris Terry from the University of Minnesota tells us on this week’s show. The Commission may be headed to the Supreme Court to defend its diversity policy, along with other attempts at ownership rules, after striking out at the Third Circuit Court of Appeals an astonishing four times in 2004, 2011, 2016 and 2019. We’ve been discussing these failures for quite some time on the podcast and Chris helps us understand what the Commission might expect from the Supreme Court. The FCC’s repeal of Open Internet rules may also land at the Superme Court, as the group challenging that repeal, lead by the Mozilla Foundation, considers a high court appeal. After the heavy FCC discussion, Jennifer, Eric and Paul lighten things up with a consideration of the first-ever International Minidisc Day, celebrated on March 7. Show Notes: Legal Information Institute: The Chevron Deference Podcast #224: How the FCC Could Support Diversity, Localism & Competition in Radio & TV The FCC’s Score in Media Ownership Policy is 0 – 4 Happy International Minidisc Day – A Post-Modern Revival International Minidisc Day The post Podcast #236 – FCC and the Supremes appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 04, 2020
Podcast #235 – Pulling Back the Curtain
Jennifer, Eric and Paul have some college radio news to review, but first they pull back the curtain to survey the state of affairs in Radio Survivorland. They note some recent attention from The A.V. Club and Podnews along with a nice uptick in podcast audience as they reflect on the importance of sticking with and your niche, and how passion for that niche can build a like-minded community over time. Sad news comes from the University of the South, which just turned in its license for WUTS-FM to the FCC, apparently prompted by outsized and unrealistic fears of a massive fine for public file violations. Jennifer puts these fears in stark perspective, as the reality is much less dire. The job of the FCC, Paul comments, is to keep stations on the air, and Jennifer observes that the Commission has worked with many college stations to bring them into compliance. Yet, there’s no indication WUTS got good advice or ever reached out to the FCC. Happier news comes from the University of Illinois, where former cable radio station WBML – “Where Black Media Lives” – appears poised for a comeback. Show Notes: The AVClub reviews episode #232 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs (6th review down) Podcast #232 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs Podnews gives a tip of the hat to episode #231 with Eric Nuzum The unedited bonus version of the Eric Nuzum interview, in which the guest helps Eric Klein frame how the interview should go Podcast #145 – Hip-Hop Radio Archive Podcast #152 – The Longest Running Hip-Hop Radio Show in The World? Jennifer’s Radio World cover story, “ KSFP Highlights Journalism, Public Affairs “ Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference 2020 College Radio Watch: WUTS-FM Turns Back License, the Return of WBML and More News Photo by <a h
Wed, February 26, 2020
Podcast #234 – Community Access Radio in New Zealand
In New Zealand a dozen partially government-funded radio stations are charged with providing access to under-represented groups and communities. Wellington Access Radio, situated in New Zealand’s capital city, was the first station of its kind in that country, and station manager Kristen Paterson tells us more about its history and mission. Kristen explains the funding model for community access radio, which differs significantly from community radio in the United States. In fact, there is no history or tradition of listener-funded radio in New Zealand. We touch on how Wellington Access Radio assesses the needs of its community, determining which groups would benefit from airtime. Also, Kristen got their start in college radio, co-founding a legal unlicensed low-power FM station at Victoria University, and we hear that story and learn more about this very unique radio sector. Show Notes: Wellington Access Radio LPFM Drop FM Queenstown, NZ New Zealand Has Legal Unlicensed Low-Power FM Interference Conflict Between Unlicensed Stations in New Zealand Association of Community Access Broadcasters Saturday Night on Radio New Zealand The post Podcast #234 – Community Access Radio in New Zealand appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, February 19, 2020
Podcast #233 – Border Radio in North America (rebroadcast)
Radio waves don’t obey borders, and stations have been taking advantage of this fact since the dawn of the medium – often despite the rules of government regulators where the signals go. Dr. Kevin Curran of Arizona State University has been studying border radio stations extensively, making it the subject of his doctoral dissertation. Everyone has a ton of radio nerd fun as he takes us back to the 1920s, when Canadian and U.S. regulators struck a treaty to split up the AM dial and limit maximum broadcast power, but left out Mexico. That opened up an opportunity for stations in that country to cover the continent with hundreds of kilowatts, attracting broadcasters from north of the border wanting to take advantage. Many infamous and colorful personalities were amongst this group, from Dr. John Brinkley, who promoted goat glands to cure male potency problems, all the way to man named Bob Smith – later known as Wolfman Jack – who blasted rock and roll that most American stations wouldn’t touch. Dr. Curran explains why stations along the Mexican border remained popular with U.S. broadcasters even after that country lowered maximum power levels, in treaty with its northern neighbor. He also explores the relationship of U.S. stations to Canadian markets, where stations are more highly regulated. If you’ve ever wondered why radio is different along the border, you’re curiosity will be satisfied. This episode was originally recorded and aired in September of 2019 as episode #212 Show Notes: Radio World: Goat Gland Man Has Enduring Appeal; Though His Remains Are Safely Entombed in Memphis, Dr. Brinkley’s Legend Lives on Wide Open Country: How Border Radio Helped Popularize Country Music Texas State Historical Association: Border Radio SpectacularOptical: Clap for the Wolfman The Classic CKLW Page Wolfman Jack biography Wikipedia: XEROK-AM The post Podcast #233 – Border Radio in North America (rebroadcast) appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, February 12, 2020
Podcast #232 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs
Scholar Jocelyn Robinson says about one-third of Historically Black Colleges and Universities have radio stations. Her mission is to survey them and help preserve their histories and recorded legacies through the HBCU Radio Station Archival Survey Project, which she directs. On this episode Robinson tells us about this project, and explains why it’s important to preserve this heritage. Her interest in radio was sparked at WYSO-FM in Yellow Springs, Ohio, a station founded by college students which won a grant to digitize and protect its archives which were maintained for decades almost by benign neglect. Robinson created a radio show for WYSO, pulling from this rich store of historical recordings, called “Rediscovered Radio.” The experience prompted her to widen the search to HBCUs. In this we explore the reasons why relatively few college and university stations have active archival and preservation programs, how station licenses are “an institutional asset” and the cultural shift that has turned us all into documentarians. Show Notes: WYSO’s Rediscovered Radio The Chronicle of Higher Education: Saving History at College Radio Stations, One Tape at a Time National Recording Preservation Foundation: National Recording Preservation Foundation Distributes $50,000 in 4 Grants for Audio Preservation Union College: Making waves: Race, radio and the legacy of Wendell King ‘24 Black Perspectives: The Race to Preserve African American Radio Feature image integrates image by @ingoshulz from Unsplash The post Podcast #232 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, February 05, 2020
Podcast #231 – Eric Nuzum
Eric Nuzum started NPR’s podcasting efforts in 2005 where he worked for over a decade and helped produce hit shows like “TED Radio Hour” and “Invisibila” – he left NPR for Audible, where he led Amazons efforts in the realm of short form audio and podcasts until 2018. Eric Nuzum is currently a consultant and podcast maker with his company Magnificent Noise and is the author of the new book “Make Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling. On Radio Survivor today we talk to Eric Nuzum about how he began his career in radio at a college station – his advice for community radio stations when it comes to podcasting and where to begin when you plan to start a new podcast project to give you the best chance to reach the audience you are seeking. The post Podcast #231 – Eric Nuzum appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 29, 2020
Podcast #230 – The Library of Congress Launches Podcast Preservation Project
On this week’s episode we learn about a brand new project at the Library of Congress that is focused entirely on archiving podcasts. Ted Westervelt, Manager of the Podcast Preservation Project at Library of Congress, joins us to share early details from this new initiative. He explains that the hope is that a wide variety of all types of podcasts will be part of the collection, including the Radio Survivor Podcast. Show Notes: Library of Congress Artist in the Archive: Be the Bit (Library of Congress) Podcast #167 – Alternative Histories of Podcasting Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax Podcast #221 – The Intertwined History of Radio and the Recording Industry Preserve this Podcast The post Podcast #230 – The Library of Congress Launches Podcast Preservation Project appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 22, 2020
Podcast #229 – Reading the PIRATE Act
The PIRATE Act, recently passed by Congress, is intended to stem the tide of unlicensed radio broadcasting by providing the Federal Communications Commission with new tools. Chief amongst them are new maximum fines, and a shortcut to issuing them. But will this really work? Author and radio scholar John Anderson says that a lot of the Act’s provisions amount to “unfunded mandates,” requiring the FCC to make semi-annual sweeps in pirate radio hotspots, but without any additional budget. John joins the show to details all of the PIRATE Act’s provisions, and assess what effect they may have. We also analyze the role of unlicensed radio stations in their communities –recently recognized by even the Boston Globe – and what effect, if any, the Act might have on Part 15, legal unlicensed broadcasters. Show Notes: Boston Globe: Give Radio Pirates a Chance to Go Legit The PIRATE Act text The PIRATE Act was sponsored by former New York Rep. Chris Collins who was just sentenced to prison for insider trading Part 15 Lab: A Look Back at KENC 1620 AM, Stayton, OR Internet Archive Wayback Machine: Allston-Brighton Free Radio Internet Archive Wayback Machine: Boston Globe article on Allston-Brighton Free Radio’s Part 15 network The post Podcast #229 – Reading the PIRATE Act appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 15, 2020
Podcast #228 – College Radio’s Biggest Decade
Last week we declared that the 2010s were a banner decade for community radio. As Jennifer notes, though college radio had a tough start to the last decade, with the loss of prominent stations like KUSF, KTRU and WRVU, the service seriously bounced back, aided by factors like the low-power FM boom, internet radio, HD Radio and support from the new College Radio Foundation. That all adds up to the defensible declaration that it was also the biggest growth decade for college radio, too. We unpack all that happened. Digging further into our second “Decade in Review” episode, Jennifer also looks at how efforts to preserve radio programming and materials stepped up, seen most prominently with the founding of the Library of Congress’ Radio Preservation Task Force. On that subject, we’re pleased to report that this show has been selected for collection by the Library of Congress as part of a new podcast program. We’ll talk to the manager of the Podcast Preservation Project on next week’s show. Finally, we also dig into how video, and YouTube specifically, has become radio, in many ways. A picture may be required, but what does it matter if it’s the audio that’s most important? But, wait, there’s more! Find out how Jerry Lee Lewis fuels a discussion of border blasters, the tempestuous relationship between radio and the record industry through times of both war and peace in some bonus content that didn’t fit into this episode. Our Patreon supporters can hear this bonus episode , and so can you for a gift of just $1 a month . Show Notes More College Radio than Ever in the 2010s as it Takes New Forms Preservation is One of the Most Important Radio Trends of the Decade Podcast #207 – Building More Communities Around Your Station Is YouTube the Home of the New Radio Pirates? The post Podcast #228 – College Radio’s Biggest Decade appeared
Wed, January 08, 2020
Podcast #227 – A Banner Decade for Community Radio and FrankenFMs
We begin part one of our review of the last decade in radio with the observation that it saw the greatest expansion of community radio in history. Though the second US LPFM licensing window that happened in 2013 is a significant driver, the growth happened all over the world. The 2010s were also a growth period for a lesser-known type of radio station, that isn’t officially even radio. We’re talking about FrankenFM TV stations that can be heard on the FM dial. Not remotely as numerous as low-power FMs, they nevertheless increased in number. We also note the cataclysmic shifts in independent internet radio that went largely unnoticed outside specialist press (and Radio Survivor). Though indie stations, and platforms supporting those stations, still exist, an unknown number were effectively forced to shut down. Still, at the end of the decade, there are substantially more radio stations on the air than ten years ago. Not bad for a dying medium, eh? Next week, in part two, we dig into the decade in college radio, and dig deeper into the convergence of radio and video. Show Notes: The Greatest Flowering of Community Radio in History Happened in the 2010s Podcast #67 – New Community Radio in Borneo Podcast #103 – The Popular Community Radio Movement in Argentina Podcast #198 – Defending Human Rights with Radio in Honduras Podcast #170 – Community Radio in Brazil The Near-Death of Independent Internet Radio Is One of the Most Important Radio Trends of the Decade The Rise and Possible Fall of FrankenFMs Is One of the Most Important Radio Trends of the Decade Un
Tue, December 31, 2019
Podcast #226 – Irish Pirate Radio Encore
Here at the close of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 we’re celebrating the 31st anniversary of the end of one of the most fascinating periods in radio broadcast history, when pirate radio ruled the Irish airwaves. We enjoyed this interview – recorded at the beginning of 2019 – and we think you will, too. For about a decade, ending in 1988, pirate stations dominated the Irish radio bands, exploiting a loophole in the law that made punishments for unlicensed broadcasting on par with a speeding ticket. Now the sounds and artifacts of this cultural movement are being preserved online in the Irish Pirate Radio Archive. Archive co-founders Brian Greene and John Walsh tell us about this rich history, in which some of the biggest stations broadcast with multi kilowatts of power, with listeners as far away as London and Wales. Stations ran the gamut, from these high-powered “super pirates” which often emulated American commercial radio to hobbyist broadcasters and community radio. Some of the Irish pirate radio stations were extremely political, focusing on the Irish language, or political prisoners. One station was a feminist pirate where only women’s voices were broadcast. While the scene came to an official end when the Irish government passed a new law with more severe penalties, these pirate stations helped to force open the country’s airwaves to non-governmental radio, which had a monopoly for more than fifty years. Little known outside of Ireland, this hidden history is a must-listen for radio historians, enthusiasts and nerds of all stripes. We went down several pirate radio wormholes that we couldn’t fit into this episode. Supporters of Radio Survivor can hear that extra material in Bonus Episode #178.5 right now on Patreon . Not a patron? Sign up now for as little as a $1 a month and you can get access to this episode and even more great bonus content. Show Notes: Irish Pirate Radio Archive Flirt FM Wireless on Flirt FM Wireless of Flirt FM #26: Highlights of the Pirate Radio Archive to date Radio.ie <a href="http://spinningindie.blogspot.com/2009/09/radio-station-field-trip-18-flirt-fm-in
Wed, December 25, 2019
Podcast #225 – A Review of 2019 in Radio
Matthew Lasar starts off this episode by declaring that this was the year that his undergraduate students stopped listening to broadcast AM/FM radio. Then he admits, he’s nearly stopped, too. Find out why in this lively rundown of what was significant to radio in 2019. On the other hand, our resident college radio expert Jennifer Waits reports that she’s listening to more terrestrial radio than ever, even as she notes that college broadcasters are making more podcasts, often focused on increasing the diversity of voices in audio media. Paul Riismandel notes that the comeback of physical audio media is reaching a kind of apotheosis, as he’s received word of a new Minidisc Day coming our way in 2020, inspired by the likes of Record Store Day and Cassette Store Day. It seems all audio and radio tech is good as we close out the second decade of the 21st century. Show Notes: Beloved paranoid community: the meaning of Welcome to Night Vale KSQD-FM Santa Cruz, CA – The Squid Technician: MargRock highlights underrepresented local artists Podcast #221 – The Intertwined History of the Radio and Recording Industries Reddit: International Minidisc Day – March 7th 2020 The post Podcast #225 – A Review of 2019 in Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, December 19, 2019
Podcast #224: How the FCC Could Support Diversity, Localism & Competition in Radio & TV
All nine judges on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently denied the FCC’s request for a rehearing on its many-times rejected media ownership rules. Prof. Christopher Terry calls this the Commission’s “Legacy of Failure.” But it begs the question, what does success look like? Prof. Terry, who teaches media law at the University of Minnesota, joins us to discuss what another broadcast world might look like. Going back to fundamentals, he explains that media ownership rules are expected to serve the objectives of furthering diversity, localism and competition, and that is the standard against which they are judged. The Third Circuit has ruled again and again that the Commission has failed to provide evidence that rules changes – in the face of 23 years of increased consolidation, reduced localism and a dwindling number of women and minority station owners – would stem this tide. While these seem like difficult trends to reverse, Prof. Terry thinks that a recent FCC policy initiative might actually work, with just a few modifications. He tells us how this could happen. He also fills us in on the status of Network Neutrality as public interest petitioners file their appeals in the appeals court case that upheld the Commission’s reversal of the 2015 Open Internet rules. Show Notes: “Localism as a Solution to Market Failure: Helping the FCC Comply with the Telecommunications Act” by Christopher Terry The FCC’s Score in Media Ownership Policy is 0 – 4 Podcast #199 – The FCC Is ‘Flunking Statistics 101’ Podcast #214 – Net Neutrality Is a Local Issue Now Wikipedia: National Cable & Telecommunications Ass’n v. Brand X Internet Services Ars Technica: FCC’s “illogical” claim that broadband isn’t telecommunications faces appeal The post Podcast #224: How the FCC Could Support Diversity, Localism & Competition in Radio & TV appeared f
Wed, December 11, 2019
Podcast #223: Will CMJ Return, Will AM Go Digital and Will FrankenFMs Disappear? Plus Other Big Questions
The Federal Communications Commission is all about radio at the end of 2019, and we catch you up on what you need to know. We all have questions about the possibility of AM stations going all-digital, including the FCC. The regulatory body released the things it wants to know about how digital stations would work, and how it would impact listeners, especially those in rural communities. Also, the Commission is reconsidering restrictions on duplication programming between AM and FM stations, and the fate of Channel 6 TV on the radio, a/k/a FrankenFMs, hangs in the balance. Then we dive into the reports that CMJ – the publication and event series that documented and supported the cultural influence of college radio – will come back from the dead. Will it return to print? Will there be an annual Music Marathon in NYC? We ponder. There was more to discuss about the CMJ return than we had time for, including provocative questions, like: Do we even need a CMJ anymore? Our Patreon supporters get to hear this unvarnished exchange in a Patron-exclusive bonus episod e. You can hear it, too, when you sign up to support our work at Radio Survivor , starting at just $1 a month. Show Notes: Call for Papers: ‘Century of Broadcasting: Preservation and Renewal’ Conference Podcast #192: Saving Radio History with the Radio Preservation Task Force FCC Opens Proceeding for All-Digital AM Radio Radio World: FCC Takes Your Questions on AM All-Digital Multichannel News: FCC Seeks Input on Analog Radio as Digital TV Service Davis Wright Tremaine LLP: <a href="https://www.dwt.com/insights/2019/12/fcc-voluntar
Wed, December 04, 2019
Podcast #222 – Marking the 20th Anniversary of Indymedia
November 30 was the 20th anniversary of the “Battle of Seattle” protests against the World Trade Organization ministerial meetings in that Pacific Northwest city. The broad array of groups and 80,000 people who assembled understood they would not receive a fair hearing in the mainstream press, so they built their own internet-based platform to instantly publish accounts from the street in words, sound, pictures and video. They called it Indymedia, sparking a citizen-journalism movement that quickly went worldwide before the invention of YouTube, Facebook or Twitter. To mark this anniversary we return to our conversation with Slate journalist April Glaser, who was active in the Indymedia movement and low-power FM. Earlier this year April wrote a piece for Logic Magazine called, “Another Network is Possible,” observing how the path of what we now call “social media” is just one possible outcome, and that Indymedia was another possibility. That said, we discuss how the innovation and spirit of the movement lives on today. Show Notes: “Another Network Is Possible” April Glaser’s article in Logic Magazine Radio Survivor’s coverage of Vanderbilt University college station WRVU A popular tweet Eric referenced on today’s show about the lack of evening community spaces in the U.S. Infoshop News compiled a list of articles reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the “Battle of Seattle” Last year our friends at Interference Archive released a podcast looking back on WTO Protests, Seattle 1999 The post Podcast #222 – Marking the 20th Anniversary of Indymedia appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, November 27, 2019
Podcast #221 – The Intertwined History of the Radio and Recording Industries
On this week’s show, we take a trip back to the early 20th century to learn about the recording industry’s intertwined relationship with radio and music culture. Our guest is Kyle Barnett, Associate Professor of Media Studies in the Department of Communication at Bellarmine University. Barnett’s forthcoming book, Record Cultures: The Transformation of the U.S. Recording Industry , looks at the early history of the recording industry in the United States. On the episode, Barnett shares tidbits from his research and reminds us of the complexity of the media landscape, calling for scholars to not neglect exploring how industries are interconnected. Along the way, we learn about phonograph parlors, the differences between public and private listening, and why some record labels asked their artists to stay off the radio. Show Notes: Record Cultures: The Transformation of the U.S. Recording Industry Kyle Barnett on Twitter Radio Survivor Podcast #186: African-American Preachers on Wax Radio Preservation Task Force The post Podcast #221 – The Intertwined History of the Radio and Recording Industries appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, November 20, 2019
Podcast #220 – The College Radio Station ‘That Shouldn’t Exist’
When Jim Bolt was in college at Sacramento State University in 1989 college radio was exerting unprecedented cultural influence in the U.S. But this campus no longer had a radio station. Though he had heard stories of an earlier student-run AM station – KERS – he couldn’t get to the bottom of why it no longer existed. In the same period the university transferred its FM license over to Capitol Public Radio. Convinced that the school and the Sacramento community deserved real college radio, he and a group of fellow students pushed hard for two years to finally get KEDG off the ground and onto the AM airwaves in 1991. Today that station continues to thrive online as KSSU. But the struggle to bring college radio back to Sacramento State is why he says it’s “a startup that shouldn’t exist.” Jim tells this founding story and explains why he and his fellow co-founders endeavored to keep the founding story alive with words and archival materials. He shares hard won advice for college students looking to build their own stations, and for alums who want to preserve their broadcast legacies. Show Notes: KSSU KEDG Online Archive New York Times: The Power of Tower Records The State Hornet: KSSU radio station celebrates 25 years of giving voice to Sac State community Sacramento News & Review: Radio Control CollegeRadio.org: Sac State Students Refuse to Be Sacked: A Story of Student Radio Startup and Survival in Sacramento Inside Radio: Radio Plays Outsized Role In Small And Mid-Market America The post Podcast #220 – The College Radio Station ‘That Shouldn’t Exist’ appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, November 13, 2019
Podcast #219 – The Next Chance To Get an FM Station License; a College Station 60th; All-Digital AM
In April 2020 the FCC will open up the next auction for FM radio licenses. This is the next, and only currently scheduled opportunity to build a new radio station in the U.S. Jennifer, Eric and Paul discuss this news, along with celebrating the 60th birthday of KFJC-FM at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA. We reflect on how KFJC and other college stations were trailblazers in programming and service, functioning a lot like public radio in the years before National Public Radio was created. We also dive into the proposal to allow AM radio stations to all-digital, using HD Radio. These stations would be unreceivable on the millions of radios that don’t receive digital HD signals. We survey the supposed benefits of the idea, and the deficits. Finally, we celebrate another momentous occasion, the 25th anniversary of a terrestrial station simulcasting on the internet. And, wouldn’t you know it – both stations credited with being first are college stations. Show Notes Happy 60th to College Radio Station KFJC Can We Save AM Radio by Killing It? Considering All-Digital AM Radio Inside Radio: FCC Is Auctioning 130 FM Signals. Here’s What You Need To Know Internet Radio Is Older Than You Think . @DVD points out that today is the 25th anniversary of @wxyc debuting the internet simulcast stream of its broadcast radio signal. This was indeed the birth of modern streaming media as we know it (not just streaming audio, but streaming media, period) 1/4 https://t.co/F4RDHkx5By — Andrew Bottomley (@abottomley) November 7, 2019 The post Podcast #219 – The Next Chance To Get an FM Station License;
Thu, November 07, 2019
Podcast # 218: Archiving Public Media
On this week’s episode, Karen Cariani, the David O. Ives Executive Director of the WGBH Media Library and Archives, joins us to talk about the work of the American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB). A collaboration between the Library of Congress and WGBH, the AAPB not only archives public radio and television; but it also makes material searchable and accessible through its website. Show Notes: American Archive of Public Broadcasting WGBH – What’s Happening Mr. Silver (two online, more are available on site at WGBH or the Library of Congress) AAPB Special Collections AAPB Scholar Exhibits FIX IT+, Transcribe to Digitize challenge AAPB blog Open Vault (WGBH Media Library and Archive website) The post Podcast # 218: Archiving Public Media appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, October 31, 2019
Podcast #217: Radio Spectrum and Transmission Art
Amanda Dawn Christie is an artist enamored with radios and radio waves. The Assistant Professor, Studio Arts at Concordia University (Montreal, Canada) joins us on the show to discuss her most recent transmission art project, Ghosts in the Airglow , in which she created work at the HAARP facility in Alaska. Christie also shares with us the backstory of how she starting working with radio and radio waves, describing her fascination with radio towers and shortwave and recounting her numerous radio-related art projects. This episode first aired in April of 2019. To hear the longer verson click here. Show Notes: Amanda Dawn Christie’s website Faculty page for Amanda Dawn Christie at Concordia University Spectres of Shortwave Spectres of Shortwave Installations This New Brunswick Town Was Literally Haunted by the Radio (CBC Arts) Podcast #92: Conspiracy Theory & Community Radio Podcast #168: A Time Machine for All the Radio plus Shortwave Spies Still Using Radio<
Wed, October 23, 2019
Podcast #216 – Archiving LGBTQ Radio History (Rebroadcast)
Our guest is Brian DeShazor, an independent radio researcher and founder of the Queer Radio Research Project. Formerly the Director of the Pacifica Radio Archives, DeShazor has taken a special interest in uncovering and highlighting the LGBTQ voices that have aired on community radio in decades past. On the episode, we discuss the history of queer radio programming as well as DeShazor’s work to bring some of the hidden LGBTQ stories to light. This episode originally aired on April 2, 2019 as episode #187, which is slightly longer . Show Notes: Queer Radio History: Pacifica Radio (Journal of Radio & Audio Media) Pacifica Radio Archives/UC Berkeley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Activism Sound Recording Project (Internet Archive) LGBTQ Radio Research Project (GoFundMe) Queer Radio Research Project fundraiser on Facebook The post Podcast #216 – Archiving LGBTQ Radio History (Rebroadcast) appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, October 16, 2019
Podcast #215 – Lessons Indymedia Has for Us Today
Today our online networks are largely owned and operated by corporations that spy on us for profit, but 20 years ago leftist activists built a very different kind of online network. It was called Indymedia. It was one of the first online spaces where people could self publish photos and text as well as audio and video. The network was designed for people to report their own news. Each local Indymedia website was linked to and run out of a physical space (Independent Media Center) where people gathered to work on telling their stories and to form community. Our guest is April Glaser, technology and business journalist at Slate . April previously worked at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Prometheus Radio Project, Radio Free Nashville, and the Tennessee Independent Media Center. Show Notes: “Another Network Is Possible” April Glaser’s article in Logic Magazine Radio Survivor’s coverage of Vanderbilt University college station WRVU A popular tweet Eric referenced on today’s show about the lack of evening community spaces in the U.S. The post Podcast #215 – Lessons Indymedia Has for Us Today appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, October 09, 2019
Podcast #214 – Net Neutrality Is a Local Issue Now
Net neutrality received a very mixed ruling from the DC Circuit Court of Appeals last week. The Court largely upheld the significantly looser rules passed by the FCC in 2017 under the leadership of Republican Chairman Ajit Pai. But at the same time the Court said the Commission overstepped its bounds in attempting to forbid state and local governments from passing their own open internet rules. Prof. Christoper Terry from the University of Minnesota is back again this week to help us understand the implications of this blow to net neutrality. He’s joined by Tim Karr, Senior Director of Strategy and Communications for Free Press. We learn how the Court justified the Pai FCC’s dismantling of Open Internet rules the Obama-era Commission had passed just two years prior, rules that survived a previous challenge in front of the same court. However, hope for an open internet lies with state and local governments, which have been passing their own rules in the last two years, and are now specifically cleared to do so by the Appeals Court. We’ll understand what those efforts look like, and why Tim Karr is optimistic about the future of net neutrality. Show Notes: Free Press: Court Defers to FCC on Dismantling Net Neutrality for Now but Opens Door for States, Higher Courts and Congress to Act Podcast #157 – Restoring Net Neutrality, One State at a Time Net Neutrality Is Over (For Now) – What It Means for Radio Why Radio Survivor Supports the Day of Action for Net Neutrality The FCC Passes Network Neutrality, Kills Internet “Fast-Lanes” Four reasons why net neutrality matters for mobile radio The post Podcast #214 – Net Neutrality Is a Local Issue Now appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, October 02, 2019
Podcast #213: Four Strikes for the FCC’s Media Ownership Policy
The FCC lost in court for the fourth time on September 23, in what’s become a really bad habit in the case known as Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals keeps sending the Commission back to do homework to justify with evidence the changes it wants to make in loosening media ownership rules. And the Commission just keeps failing. Prof. Christopher Terry of the University of Minnesota returns to tell us why the FCC failed again this time. He notes that the FCC has been at it for fifteen years. This means media ownership policy has seen nary an update pretty much since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which infamously triggered massive consolidation in broadcast radio and television. Prof. Terry explains why this stalemate doesn’t serve the public interest, in part because the overall diversity in media has declined sharply in that time. He also lets us know about a recent buried change in FCC procedure that threatens to undermine the voice of local citizens and groups in commenting on Commission rules and proceedings. Show Notes: Prof. Terry’s companion piece: The FCC’s Score in Media Ownership Policy is 0 – 4 The FCC’s Legacy of Failure: Failure Then Gives Us More Failure Now Could the FCC’s Legacy of Failure Trigger Even More Consolidation? Podcast #33 – 20 Years Ago Local Radio Was Crushed Happy (?) 21st Birthday to the Telecom Act of 1996 The post Podcast #213: Four Strikes for the FCC’s Media Ownership Policy appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, September 25, 2019
Podcast #212 – Border Radio in North America
Radio waves don’t obey borders, and stations have been taking advantage of this fact since the dawn of the medium – often despite the rules of government regulators where the signals go. Dr. Kevin Curran of Arizona State University has been studying border radio stations extensively, making it the subject of his doctoral dissertation. Everyone has a ton of radio nerd fun as he takes us back to the 1920s, when Canadian and U.S. regulators struck a treaty to split up the AM dial and limit maximum broadcast power, but left out Mexico. That opened up an opportunity for stations in that country to cover the continent with hundreds of kilowatts, attracting broadcasters from north of the border wanting to take advantage. Many infamous and colorful personalities were amongst this group, from Dr. John Brinkley, who promoted goat glands to cure male potency problems, all the way to man named Bob Smith – later known as Wolfman Jack – who blasted rock and roll that most American stations wouldn’t touch. Dr. Curran explains why stations along the Mexican border remained popular with U.S. broadcasters even after that country lowered maximum power levels, in treaty with its northern neighbor. He also explores the relationship of U.S. stations to Canadian markets, where stations are more highly regulated. If you’ve ever wondered why radio is different along the border, you’re curiosity will be satisfied. Show Notes: Radio World: Goat Gland Man Has Enduring Appeal; Though His Remains Are Safely Entombed in Memphis, Dr. Brinkley’s Legend Lives on Wide Open Country: How Border Radio Helped Popularize Country Music Texas State Historical Association: Border Radio SpectacularOptical: Clap for the Wolfman The Classic CKLW Page Wolfman Jack biography Wikipedia: XEROK-AM The post Podcast #212 – Border Radio in North America appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, September 17, 2019
Podcast #211 – Surveying Community Radio’s Deep Archives
More than 600 community radio recordings from 1965 – 1986 are archived at the University of Maryland. These tapes were shared through a program exchange operated by the National Federation of Community broadcasters. The breadth of programming contained in these programs is remarkable, and underscores the still-active mission of the NFCB to support and promote the participation of women and people of color at all levels of non-commercial broadcasting. Laura Schnitker is the curator of the Broadcast Archives at the University of Maryland, joining the show to tell us more about this special archive of programming, highlighting some of the gems in the collection. This episode of the program was recorded and originally aired in September of 2018 and is being rebroadcast this week. The original episode number was 158 Show Notes: Historic Community Radio Broadcasts Now Available in UMD Digital Collections National Federation of Community Broadcasters collection at University of Maryland Online Finding Aid for NFCB Collection at University of Maryland Georgetown University Radio Station WGTB’s Storied Past (Radio Survivor) College Radio Station WGTB Field Trip Report (Radio Survivor) Podcast #135: Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History (Radio Survivor Podcast) Podcast #156: Can We Strengthen Audio’s Public Domain? (Radio Survivor Podcast) The post Podcast #211 – Surveying Community Radio’s Deep Archives appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, September 10, 2019
Podcast #210 – Youth Radio by the Beach
RadiOpio Program Director Laura Civitello has the enviable job of running a youth radio station on the Hawaiian Island of Maui. From an upstairs perch at the beach side Pa’ ia Youth and Cultural Center , Civitello manages KOPO-LP, whose on-air hosts range in age from 9 to 19 years old. On this week’s show, Civitello tells the story of how RadiOpio came to be and talks about the unique role that this LPFM station is playing for young people in the town of Pa’ia. Show Notes RadiOpio website Pa’ia Youth and Cultural Center The 40 Best Little Radio Stations in the U.S. (Paste Magazine) Radio Station Tours on Radio Survivor Mahalo to Mana’o Radio, Maui’s Community Radio Station Mana’o Radio website KOKO-LP KAKU-FM Free Speech Radio News Documentary – On Being Hawaiian and Homeless The post Podcast #210 – Youth Radio by the Beach appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, September 03, 2019
Podcast #209 – Audio Fiction’s very long history of innovation
From the “Classical Radio Era” to today’s hottest podcasts, we’re here for the love of radio drama and fictional sound-art. Our guest is Neil Verma, author of a book and teacher of classes on the subject, although as he tells us on today’s episode, the class became a lot more popular with students after he changed the name from “Radio Drama” to “Audio Drama.” Today’s episode is a rebroadcast of one of our favorites from this year. It originally aired 1/15/2019 as episode #178 Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly contribution at http://pateron.com/radiosurvivor . Show Notes: Theater of the Mind – Imagination, Aesthetics, and American Radio Drama Neil Verma essay on The Shadows Some audio drama recommendations from this episode The Classical Radio work of Norman Corwin J.G Ballard’s Radio Plays on the BBC The Shadows Wolverine: The Long Night The Truth Homecoming Classic Radio’s The Shadow Nightvale and affiliated programs Pacific Northwest Stories Ars Paradoxica Limetown Deathscribe Jennifer Waits’ article on Unshackled Matth
Wed, August 28, 2019
Radio and Podcast Pathfinding in San Francisco and Podcast Movement
Jennifer is back from travels, that included Hawaiian community radio, to join Eric and Paul. First up, a question: is “pathfinder” a good replacement for the word “pioneer,” the latter of which has an unfortunate colonial heritage? Listener Pat Flanagan suggested it to us after we asked for input a couple of episodes, so we provisionally adopt it here to talk about people who are finding new paths for our favorite audio media. Jennifer updates us about a new pathfinding low-power FM station backed by the San Francisco Public Press, and announces that the call for papers is open for the next Radio Preservation Task Force conference in October 2020. Paul reports back from Podcast Movement, where some 3000 podcasters of many stripes met for 3 days in Orlando, Florida. He remarks on the wide variety of podcast email newsletters he learned about, and the Podcast Brunch Club. We note recent allegations of plagiarism against a popular true crime podcast, using it as a launching point for a discussion about journalism and ethics in community broadcasting and podcasting. Show Notes: Call for Papers – ‘Century of Broadcasting: Preservation and Renewal’ Conference Podcast #192: Saving Radio History with The Radio Preservation Task Force Muni Diaries San Francisco Public Press Podcast #191: How an LPFM Produces an Hour of Hyper-Local News Every Weekday Podcast Movement 2019 Preserve This Podcast Podcast Brunch Club The Adventure Zone podcast NY Times: Popular ‘Crime Junkie’ Podcast Removes Episodes After Plagiarism Accusation The post Podcast #208 – Radio and Podcast Pathfinding in San Francisco and Podcast Movement appeared first on <a href="https://www.ra
Tue, August 20, 2019
Podcast #207 – Building More Communities Around Your Station
Nathan Moore is the General Manager of WTJU at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Hear how and why he has lead the way to build a podcasting studio for the community to use, as well as a student run LPFM college radio station and a concert series and a summer camp. Show Notes: “Unsettled” WTJU’s one minute stories on immigrants teej.fm, WTJU’s podcasting network WXTJ www.wtju.net Radio Station Visit #129: WTJU Freeform Music, House Shows, and Art: Touring College Radio Station WXTJ-LP at University of Virginia College Radio 50 State Tour: WTJU University of Virginia to Launch LPFM College Radio Station WXTJ-LP The post Podcast #207 – Building More Communities Around Your Station appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, August 15, 2019
Podcast #206 – Podcasts Are Radio
With mergers, acquisitions and millions of dollars changing hands, podcasts continue to be in the news. But just when it seems like well-funded networks are edging out the indies, Paul and Eric are here to assure community and college broadcasters and independent podcasters that there is growing opportunity for them, too. Show Notes: Paul on The Wolf Den Podcast The Verge: iHeartMedia will start airing its own podcasts on over 200 of its radio stations every Sunday That NY Times articles that podcasters hated so much: Have We Hit Peak Podcast? Podcast #98 – Celebrating ‘Small’ Podcasts Podcast #195: Telepathy and Radio Mind Podcast #178 – Irish Pirate Radio Archive The post Podcast #206 – Podcasts Are Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, August 07, 2019
Podcast #205 – A Brief Update
Hello, Eric Klein here. This week’s episode of the radio show features wall to wall music selected by Matthew Lasar to demonstrate his passion for the radio format he would like to hear more of in the world, Hybrid Highbrow. All that music would be against the rules in a podcast, so this web-only version of the show this week features a little bit of me talking about Matthew’s ideas; I talk about a few of the recent episodes of the program you might have missed; and then a quick update on the conclusion of our humble fund raising campaign. Show Notes: Hybrid Highbrow Podcast #1: Mamie Smith and Enrico Caruso, Birds of an Acoustic Feather Hybrid Highbrow Podcast #2: Arabesques! Hybrid Highbrow Podcast #3: Classical tangos! Hybrid Highbrow Podcast #4: Why Jazz loves Béla Bartók. The post Podcast #205 – A Brief Update appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, July 30, 2019
Podcast #204 – Resistance Radio ‘The People’s Airwaves’
This week we explore the role of radio as a tool for resistance with two of the eight organizers of the “Resistance Radio ‘The People’s Airwaves'” exhibit in Brooklyn, New York. Interference Archive volunteers Celia Easton Koehler and Elena Levi join us on the podcast to discuss the scope of the exhibit, which investigates a cross-section of themes, including black liberation, radio and prisons, squatting radio, war and revolution radio, and more. The physical exhibit (on view until September 29, 2019) includes artifacts and audio from a wide range of radio stations from all over the world. Additionally, the team is producing a series of events, a ‘zine, and an online companion exhibit. Show Notes: Resistance Radio at Interference Archive Online exhibit for Resistance Radio Resistance Radio Live Broadcast Audio Interference Podcast Prometheus Radio Project Kichwa Hatari (NY radio program in Kichwa) Italian station Radio Alice Radio La Conciencia Bush Radio (station in Cape Town that began via pre-recorded tapes on buses) ‘Zine quote from Rosa Ramón, KDNA (Granger, Washington) in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/43958561?seq=1#page_
Thu, July 25, 2019
Podcast #203 – FCC One Step Closer to Defunding Community Media
The FCC is one step closer to a rule change that threatens to de-fund community media and technology, by undermining a long-established principle that cable and internet companies owe rent to municipalities for use of the public right-of-way. Sabrina Roach, board member of the Alliance for Community Media Foundation, joins to help us understand what’s at stake. The future of public access, educational and government TV channels and community technology centers hangs in the balance. Support Radio Survivor, Get Our ‘Zine We’re publishing a ‘zine and you can get one when you support our work at Radio Survivor via our Patreon campaign. Everyone who supports us at a level of $5 a month or more will get a print copy of Radio Survivor ‘Zine #1. Your contribution will help us continue to spread the word of great radio and audio, and allow us to embark on celebrating the 20th anniversaries of Indymedia and LPFM by documenting these important histories. We need 100 Patreon supporters by August 1, 2019 to start this work. Not coincidentally, that’s the deadline to sign up to get your ‘zine. Everything in the ‘zine will be print-exclusive – learn more here . Support Radio Survivor today . Show Notes: ACM on the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Cable Franchising From the ACM Nat’l Conference: What’s at Stake Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Cable Franchising Ed Surge: Digital Equity Act Would Provide $250M Annually to Address Digital Divide The post Podcast #203 – FCC One Step Closer to Defunding Community Media appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, July 18, 2019
Podcast #202 – Small Boosts Proposed for LPFM & Why Aren’t There College Stations on the Dial in San Diego?
The FCC just proposed a series of changes to help make it easier for low-power FM stations to move their transmitters and to fill in weak signal areas. We review this proposal along with a suggestion from the Commission to whittle away at protections for the few dozen remaining analog low-power TV channel 6 stations, often called “Franken FMs” or “Back Door FMs” who’s audio can be heard at the far left end of the FM dial. Jennifer reports back from the National Federation of Community Broadcasters conference in San Diego where she presented on future trends in community and college radio. She highlights some current stations that exemplify these trends. Then she shares a few tours of college stations in the San Diego area, none of which have broadcast licenses, despite being around for decades. We explore this interesting niche of radio history. Support Radio Survivor, Get Our ‘Zine We’re publishing a ‘zine and you can get one when you support our work at Radio Survivor via our Patreon campaign. Everyone who supports us at a level of $5 a month or more will get a print copy of Radio Survivor ‘Zine #1. Your contribution will help us continue to spread the word of great radio and audio, and allow us to embark on celebrating the 20th anniversaries of Indymedia and LPFM by documenting these important histories. We need 100 Patreon supporters by August 1, 2019 to start this work. Not coincidentally, that’s the deadline to sign up to get your ‘zine. Everything in the ‘zine will be print-exclusive – learn more here . Support Radio Survivor today . Show Notes: FCC: Amendments of Parts 73 and 74 to Improve the LPFM Radio Service Technical Rules REC Networks: My thoughts on the LPFM NPRM San Diego City College – SDS Radio Grossmont College – Griffin Radio San Diego State University – KCR UC San Diego – KSDT The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2019/07/podcast-202-
Wed, July 10, 2019
Podcast #201 – A Fantasy FCC Serves the Public Interest
A different media world is possible. What if the FCC truly regulated in the public interest, creating policies and services that promoted community voices and civic values? It does happen occasionally, but not often enough. It’s easy to assume our media system turned out this way because it was inevitable, but in truth it was the result of hundreds, even thousands of decisions, at all levels of government, influenced by multitudes of actors, from major corporations to community media activists. That means there have been, and still are, many opportunities for change, and improvement. But what would that revitalized FCC look like? Matthew Lasar has some ideas, based upon his years of researching the Commission, going back to its pre-cursor, the Federal Radio Commission, created by President Herbert Hoover, a Republican who opposed privatization of the airwaves and believed in a robust public service obligation. Matthew’s suggestions may not be what you think. We invite you fantasize along with us. Support Radio Survivor, Get Our ‘Zine We’re publishing a ‘zine and you can get one when you support our work at Radio Survivor via our Patreon campaign. Everyone who supports us at a level of $5 a month or more will get a print copy of Radio Survivor ‘Zine #1. Your contribution will help us continue to spread the word of great radio and audio, and allow us to embark on celebrating the 20th anniversaries of Indymedia and LPFM by documenting these important histories. We need 100 Patreon supporters by August 1, 2019 to start this work. Not coincidentally, that’s the deadline to sign up to get your ‘zine. Everything in the ‘zine will be print-exclusive – learn more here . Support Radio Survivor today . Show Notes: The Communications Act of 1934 The Federal Radio Commission Herbert Hoover’s four warnings about radio Washington Post: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-fairness-doctrine-in-one
Tue, July 02, 2019
Podcast #200 – How We Survived a Decade of Independent Publishing
Radio Survivor celebrates 10 years on the internet and four years podcasting with our 200th episode. Matthew Lasar joins Jennifer Waits, Eric Klein and Paul Riismandel for this review of the last decade in radio that matters. Matthew tells the Radio Survivor origin story that sprang forth from his I.F. Stone inspired research deep into the digital catacombs of the FCC database, unearthing comments that broadcast execs never imagined would be public – such as one who accused prominent media reformists of being “communists.” Jennifer recalls how a literature review for a journal article on college radio revealed how little scholarly work existed on the topic, compelling her to document this important media form that Matthew says he has learned is, “the first public radio.” “The present is future history,” Jennifer observes. This prompts Paul to comment how we’ve begun to fulfill that promise, given that Radio Survivor now has dozens of citations in scholarly works. On the way through these stories, everyone notes the changes in the broadcast and online media landscape since 2009, how some publications have come and gone, and offering reasons why Radio Survivor has managed to survive. It’s a discussion of interest to anyone who has tried to, or wants to, sustain a passion project fueled primarily by volunteer labor. We’re making a ‘zine! As we announce on this episode, in August we’ll be publishing our first ever print project, hand made in the spirit of great independent radio. We’ll send issue #1 to every Patreon supporter who gives at the $5/month level or more. But you have to be signed up by August 1, 2019. Plus, every new sign-up gets us closer to our goal of 100 Patreon supporters so that we have a foundation to do the work of documenting the upcoming 20th anniversaries of Indymedia and low-power FM . See our ‘zine page to learn more, or go ahead and sign up now . Show Notes: A Decade of Radio Surviving College Radio Watch: Ten Years of College Radio
Wed, June 26, 2019
Podcast #199 – The FCC Is ‘Flunking Statistics 101’
The FCC was back in front of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals again, defending its failure to address declines in minority- and women-owned broadcast stations, amongst other failures. In fact, as our guest, University of Minnesota Prof. Christopher Terry, explains, the Commission claims it’s too hard to assess the change in ownership between 1996 and today. Prof. Terry notes that the Court expressed skepticism of that claim. It’s just another chapter in the agency’s “legacy of failure,” as he calls it, wherein futile attempt followed by futile attempt to further loosen ownership regulations is built upon a faulty foundation of flimsy data. Yet, that doesn’t mean that the current FCC leadership, backed by the broadcast industry, won’t keep trying. We’ve already seen this in the NAB’s proposal to eliminate local radio ownership caps in hundreds of cities, as we reported in episode #196. Prof. Terry sheds additional light on that proposal, and assesses what a recent Supreme Court decision means for public access television. Show Notes: Court Listener: Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC, Court of Appeals for the Third Circui t Prof. Christopher Terry: The FCC’s Legacy of Failure: Failure Then Gives Us More Failure Now Podcast #172 – The FCC at the End of 2018, with Prof. Christopher Terry Podcast #196 – The Campaign To Keep Local Radio Local SCOTUS Blog Opinion Analysis: Court holds that First Amendment does not apply to private operator of public-access channels Podcast #166 – The FCC’s Effort To Decimate Community Media The post Podcast #199 – The FCC Is ‘Flunking Statistics 101’ appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, June 19, 2019
Podcast #198 – Defending Human Rights with Radio in Honduras
In June 2009 a coup d’etat overthrew Honduras’ democratically elected president Manuel Zelaya. Since the coup, human rights conditions in that country have deteriorated. Radio has become a vital organizing tool for defending the rights of indigenous people and fighting environmental destruction, while providing needed information and education to people in rural areas. In April of this year Meredith Beeson and Ellen Knutson traveled to Honduras with a delegation from the Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective. As part of their solidarity work with human rights groups and environmental activists who are experiencing political repression, they also visited community radio stations that are providing critical information lifelines. Meredith is a community radio producer at KRSM in South Minneapolis, MN, who also worked with print and radio journalists on an earlier delegation. She and Ellen join the show to tell us about what’s happening in Honduras, and the important role of radio. Show Notes: Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective Radio Dignidad Movimiento Amplio por la Dignidad y Justicia (MADJ) “ Town Square ” is Meredith’s show on KRSM in South Minneapolis Radio Progreso COPINH – Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras Media Landscapes: Radio in Honduras Honduras Solidarity Network The post Podcast #198 – Defending Human Rights with Radio in Honduras appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, June 12, 2019
Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska
Alaska’s unique geography and way-of-life leads to unique radio. Raven Radio is a public and community station serving the city of Sitka, along with seven other small towns in Southeast Alaska. The station is not just a source of news, music and culture, but also a lifeline for people living in remote communities where there may not even be cell service. Becky Meiers moved from Portland, Oregon and community station KBOO to become general manager of KCAW in fall of 2018. Paul made Sitka the last stop on his spring Alaskan vacation to visit her at the station this past Memorial Day weekend, taking time for an interview. Becky explains why the station airs a mix of conventional public radio programming, like NPR’s “Morning Edition,” alongside the kind of volunteer-produced programs that one associates with community radio. Broadcasting in a market with just two other radio stations, Raven Radio really needs to be “all things to all people” in a way that is demanded of few stations in the lower 48. While a tremendous responsibility, it also leads listeners to learn how to use a station that doesn’t air the same programming 24/7, and to value the resource. The experience of broadcasting at KCAW informs takeaways about community radio in general that Becky shares with us. Show Notes: Pictures and more from Paul’s tour of Raven Radio KCAW-FM Raven Radio City and Borough of Sitka Tenakee Springs, Alaska Coast Alaksa Public Media Cooperative Muskeg Message example: Roger Schmidt reads muskeg messages, with drum solo The post Podcast #197 – Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, June 05, 2019
Podcast #196 – The Campaign To Keep Local Radio Local
Can US radio survive even more consolidation? The National Association of Broadcasters is asking the FCC to raise local radio ownership caps in the 75 biggest radio markets, and to get rid of limits entirely in the remaining 194. The prospect of even less diversity on the airwaves has motivated a broad coalition of music industry organizations to create the Keep Local Radio Local campaign, to help listeners tell the FCC not to further deregulate radio. Kevin Erickson is director of the Future of Music Coalition, one of the co-sponsors of this campaign, along with the musicFirst Coalition. He joins the show to explain why radio is still important to musical artists and local communities, and why more ownership consolidation poses a threat. Show Notes: Keep Local Radio Local Future of Music Coalition musicFirst Coalition Can your local radio announcer pronounce your city’s name? Chris Terry on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 Happy (?) 21st Birthday to the Telecom Act of 1996 Rolling Stone: New Study Examines Impact of Country Radio Programming on Women The post Podcast #196 – The Campaign To Keep Local Radio Local appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 29, 2019
Podcast #195: Telepathy and Radio Mind
Pamela Klassen, Professor of the Study of Religion, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto joins us on the podcast to chat about her book The Story of Radio Mind: A Missionary’s Journey on Indigenous Land. She shares the tale of Anglican Archbishop Frederick Du Vernet, who claims to have invented “radio mind,” in which thoughts were said to have been telepathically transmitted via radio waves. Operating out of western Canada in the early 1920s in the early days of radio, Du Vernet is an intriguing example of the intersections of religion and radio. Show Notes Pamela Klassen’s Faculty Page at University of Toronto The Story of Radio Mind: A Missionary’s Journey on Indigenous Land Podcast #186: African-American Preachers on Wax Podcast #190: Radio Spectrum and Transmission Art The post Podcast #195: Telepathy and Radio Mind appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 22, 2019
Podcast #194: Build Your Own Tiny Radio Station
First conceived in the 1930s, there is a type of tiny radio station that anyone can operate legally, without a license. Bill DeFelice of HobbyBroadcaster.net joins the show to tell us about how you can get on the air today, to broadcast around your house, or even your neighborhood with a so-called ‘Part 15’ radio station. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly pledge of support at http://pateron.com/radiosurvivor . Show Notes: HobbyBroadcaster.net HobbyBroadcaster.net – History of Low-Power AM Transmitters & Phono Oscillators HobbyBroadcaster.net – Directory of Part 15 stations in the U.S. Found in the Attic: LPB Carrier Current AM Transmitter The End of Carrier Current? A hands-on review of a vintage Radio Shack electronics kit for children The post Podcast #194: Build Your Own Tiny Radio Station appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 15, 2019
Podcast #193: Wavefarm, Reveil and Transmission Arts
Wave Farm Executive Director Galen Joseph-Hunter joins us to talk about transmission arts at Wave Farm and beyond. We discuss Wave Farm’s recently co-presented Reveil, SoundCamp’s live 24-hour broadcast of the sounds of daybreak, sourced from open microphones from around the world. Additionally, Joseph-Hunter gives us the scoop on the new Radio Artist Fellowship at Wave Farm for which applications are being accepted until May 31, 2019. She details this new opportunity and also outlines Wave Farm’s long-time artist residency program, which has seen more than 100 artists passing through to create transmission art. Show Notes: Wave Farm Soundcamp Reveil 2019 Reveil 2019 at Wave Farm Locus Sonus Soundmap Podcast #151: The Wave Farm Grows Transmission Arts Radio Station Visit #145: Wave Farm in Acra, New York Radio Station Visit #146: Community Radio Station WGXC-FM in Hudson, New York Wave Farm Celebrates 20 Years of Transmission Art <a
Wed, May 08, 2019
Podcast #192: Saving Radio History with The Radio Preservation Task Force
Radio Preservation Task Force’s Director Josh Shepperd and Conference Director Neil Verma are our guests for a discussion about the work of the Library of Congress initiative. They explain the significance of 2020 for radio history, share some of the accomplishments of the Task Force, and preview the next Radio Preservation Conference Task Force Conference, which will be held in Washington, D.C. in October, 2020. Shepperd is Assistant Professor, Media & Communication Studies at Catholic University and Humanities and Information Fellow at Pennsylvania State University. Verma is Assistant Professor of Sound Studies in Radio/Television/Film at Northwestern University. Show Notes: Josh Shepperd, Catholic University Neil Verma, Northwestern University The Library of Congress Launches Radio Preservation Task Force Radio Preservation: From the Archive to the Classroom Podcast #37: Preservation, Pirates, and Radionomy Podcast #176: Audio Fiction has a Very Long History of Innovation Library of Congress’ Radio Preservation Task Force <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Radio Preservation Task Force website (opens
Wed, May 01, 2019
Podcast #191: How an LPFM Produces an Hour of Hyper-Local News Every Weekday
Every weekday an all-volunteer reporting staff produces an hour of original, hyper-local news for WOOC-LP’s “Hudson Mohawk Magazine,” serving the Troy, NY area. A focus on mission and a concentration of resources on journalism helps the station accomplish this daily feat. Steve Pierce is the Executive Director of Media Alliance, which operates WOOC inside the Sanctuary for Independent Media. Steve tells us how that organization grew out of the Independent Media Center movement of the 2000s, adding the solar-powered radio station to its complex of three buildings in 2016. By prioritizing public affairs programming and local service, the station is able to funnel dozens of volunteers into its flagship news program. Any community media organization looking to produce local reporting will find valuable takeaways in this interview. The 20th anniversary of the birth of Indymedia at the Battle of Seattle is coming this November. Underlying this is a nearly forgotten history of independent media that connects unlicensed radio, pre-social media open publishing on the internet and the birth of LPFM. With your help we want to record and document this important history at Radio Survivor. To do this we need to get to 100 Patreon supporters by July 1. That will help give us the resources we need to begin this work in time for the N30 anniversary. Show Notes: WOOC-LP at the Sanctuary for Independent Media “Hudson Mohawk Magazine” podcast Nieman Reports: “ More Power to Low-Power FM “ Indymedia Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center “ Independent Media in a Time of War ” with Amy Goodman can be viewed at Kanopy using your public library “<a href="https:/
Wed, April 24, 2019
Podcast #190: Radio Spectrum and Transmission Art
Amanda Dawn Christie is an artist enamored with radios and radio waves. The Assistant Professor, Studio Arts at Concordia University (Montreal, Canada) joins us on the show to discuss her most recent transmission art project, Ghosts in the Airglow , in which she created work at the HAARP facility in Alaska. Christie also shares with us the backstory of how she starting working with radio and radio waves, describing her fascination with radio towers and shortwave and recounting her numerous radio-related art projects. Show Notes: Amanda Dawn Christie’s website Faculty page for Amanda Dawn Christie at Concordia University Spectres of Shortwave Spectres of Shortwave Installations This New Brunswick Town Was Literally Haunted by the Radio (CBC Arts) Podcast #92: Conspiracy Theory & Community Radio Podcast #168: A Time Machine for All the Radio plus Shortwave Spies Still Using Radio <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Secret Machine Behind Soviet Numbers Stations (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2014/10/20/secret-machine-behin
Wed, April 17, 2019
No Locked Grooves for Podcasts
Jennifer, Eric and Paul sit down to review the latest research on podcasts from the Infinite Dial and Podcast Consumer reports, which leads to consideration of the transition between analog and digital media, inspired by Vinylthon. From 78s to CDs, and music memories to smooth jazz, just how great is this episode? Ask Dr. Science. The 20th anniversary of the birth of Indymedia at the Battle of Seattle is coming this November. Underlying this is a nearly forgotten history of independent media that connects unlicensed radio, pre-social media open publishing on the internet and the birth of LPFM. With your help we want to record and document this important history at Radio Survivor. To do this we need to get to 100 Patreon supporters by July 1. That will help give us the resources we need to begin this work in time for the N30 anniversary. Become a Patron! Show Notes: Vinylthon 10 Reasons Why CDs are Still Awesome Podcast #179 – Don’t Throw Your CDs away in 2019 Ask Dr. Science Locked In: The Making of Vinyl Locked Grooves Christian Marclay Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax <a href="https://www.radi
Wed, April 10, 2019
Podcast #188 – Hip-Hop Radio Archive (rebroadcast)
The Hip-Hop Radio Archive aims to digitize, preserve, share, and contextualize recordings of hip-hop radio from the 1980s and 1990s from commercial, college, community, and pirate stations of all sizes, telling the stories of the shows and the people that made them. Our guest is founder of the archive, Ryan MacMichael. This is a rebroadcast from last year of one of our favorite episodes. This episode lead directly to a follow up episode on the longest running hip-hop radio show in Boulder Colorado: Podcast #152 – The Longest Running Hip-Hop Radio Show in The World? Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes The Hip-Hop Radio Archive Medium: The Hip Hop Radio Archive Radio Survivor Podcast #142: Touring WHPK’s Bell Tower and You Tube’s “Pirate Radio” Radio Station Visit #143: College Radio Station WHPK at University of Chicago Radio Station Visit #100: WPRB at Princeton University Ryan MacMichael’s Normal Bias music blog June 27, 1991 WPRB (103.3 FM) Raw Deal Radio Show WMWC Radio Station Visit #125: <a href="
Wed, April 03, 2019
Podcast #187 – Archiving LGBTQ Radio History
This week our guest is Brian DeShazor, an independent radio researcher and founder of the Queer Radio Research Project. Formerly the Director of the Pacifica Radio Archives, DeShazor has taken a special interest in uncovering and highlighting the LGBTQ voices that have graced the community radio airwaves. On the episode, we discuss the history of queer radio programming as well as DeShazor’s work to bring some of the hidden LGBTQ stories to light. Show Notes: Queer Radio History: Pacifica Radio (Journal of Radio & Audio Media) Pacifica Radio Archives/UC Berkeley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Activism Sound Recording Project (Internet Archive) LGBTQ Radio Research Project (GoFundMe) Queer Radio Research Project fundraiser on Facebook The post Podcast #187 – Archiving LGBTQ Radio History appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 27, 2019
Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax
On this week’s episode, scholar Lerone Martin shares with us the fascinating history of African-American preachers who distributed their sermons on 78rpm records during a time when they had limited access to the radio in the 1920s-1940s. Martin, Associate Professor in Religion and Politics at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis, is the author of Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Making of Modern African American Religion. Show Notes: Lerone Martin Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Making of Modern African American Religion The Forgotten Phonograph Preachers Podcast #181 – Visiting Community Radio Stations Around the World The post Podcast #186 – African-American Preachers on Wax appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 20, 2019
Podcast #185 – Funding Change Threatens Canadian Community Radio Stations
A change in Ontario university funding rules threatens more than a dozen campus community stations in Canada. Barry Rooke, executive director of the National Campus and Community Radio Association is our guest to help explain the situation. He explains how the structure of Canadian community and college radio stations differs from those in the U.S. and elsewhere, and why these differences make some stations north of the border vulnerable to changes in the way student fees are allocated. Barry also offers advice to campus stations on how they can better gird themselves to survive funding threats. It’s advice that’s useful to community and college stations anywhere. Our Patreon supporters can hear more of our conversation with Barry in a bonus episode . We get nerdy about Canadian radio arcana, like networks of unlicensed stations broadcast by First Nations. The 20th anniversary of birth of Indymedia at the Battle of Seattle is coming this November. Underlying this is a nearly forgotten history of independent media that connects unlicensed radio, pre-social media open publishing on the internet and the birth of LPFM. With your help we want to record and document this important history at Radio Survivor. To do this we need to get to 100 Patreon supporters by July 1. That will help give us the resources we need to begin this work in time for the N30 anniversary. Become a Patron! Show Notes: National Campus and Community Radio Association of Canada NCRA: Campus Radio Stations & Student Newspapers Demand reversal on Ford’s fee policy CBC: Campus media in jeopardy of ‘closing down’ if students opt-out of fees “ Dead Air With A Difference ” is the NCRA podcast The post <a href="https://www.r
Tue, March 12, 2019
Podcast #184 – Hidden Women’s Radio History in Uruguay
We celebrated International Women’s Day by recording a fascinating interview about women’s radio history with University of Louisville Professor of History Christine Ehrick . Author of Radio and the Gendered Soundscape: Women and Broadcasting in Argentina and Uruguay, 1930-1950 , Ehrick schools us on the hidden history of a pioneering women’s radio station in Uruguay. Founded in 1935, Radio Femenina quickly became a hotbed for feminist and activist programming, beaming its signal from Montevideo and across the river into Argentina. Ehrick provides context for the station’s origins and discusses how it functioned during some tumultuous political periods in the region. Our Patreon supporters get to hear more of our conversation with Ehrick in a special bonus episode . She shares more personal stories of a radio historian on the hunt for treasure in the official archives and on Ebay. Show Notes Christine Ehrick website at University of Louisville Radio and the Gendered Soundscape: Women and Broadcasting in Argentina and Uruguay, 1930-1950 Radio Preservation Task Force Radio Femenina Wikipedia Entry Investigating some Contenders for the Oldest Women’s College Radio Station (Radio Survivor) Pod
Wed, March 06, 2019
Podcast #183 – Can Congress Stop Pirate Radio?
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the “Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act,” but does it actually have a chance at putting a dent in unlicensed broadcasting? We review the provisions of the the bill – called the PIRATE Act for short – and wonder if an uptick in the war on pirates can be any more successful than the war on drugs. Then Eric and Paul note the major push into podcasting by the nation’s largest radio broadcaster, leading down a garden path that ends with Eric reminiscing about his days making an independent national community radio newscast. As we discuss on this episode, the 20th anniversary of birth of Indymedia at the Battle of Seattle is coming this November. Underlying this is a nearly forgotten history of independent media that connects unlicensed radio, pre-social media open publishing on the internet and the birth of LPFM. With your help we want to record and document this important history at Radio Survivor. To do this we need to get to 100 Patreon supporters by this July. That will help give us the resources we need to begin this work in time for the N30 anniversary. Become a Patron! Show Notes: Radio World: Six Things Broadcasters Should Know About the PIRATE Act Brooklyn Pirate Radio Sound Map Podcast #178 – Irish Pirate Radio Archive Podcast #133 – Preserving Brooklyn Pirate Radio Podcast #181 – Visiting Community Radio Stations Around the World Podcast #103 – The Popular Community Radio Movement in Argentina Free Speech Radio News <a href="https://indymedia.org/or/index.s
Wed, February 27, 2019
Podcast #182 – Volunteer Radio in Antarctica (rebroadcast)
Inspired by an episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown , we travel all the way to Antarctica to learn about mysterious community radio station, Ice Radio. Sadly, we learned of Anthony Bourdain’s death on the day that we recorded this episode. Ice Radio is the latest iteration of a radio station that began more than 50 years ago at McMurdo Station. Our guest Elizabeth Delaquess is a Broadcast Engineer at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, working at both the radio and television stations there. She also shares some tales about her magical encounters with shortwave radio stations while “on the ice.” Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown: Antarctica Elizabeth Delaquess Antarctic Sun Antarctic Sun Podcast Episode 141 – the original version of this interview The post Podcast #182 – Volunteer Radio in Antarctica (rebroadcast) appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, February 20, 2019
Podcast #181 – Visiting Community Radio Stations Around the World
Julia Thomas visited over a dozen community radio stations over the course of a year. Stations in Nepal, India, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ecuador “Often times by talking to community media makers,” Julia Thomas told Radio Survivor, “you’re meeting some of the most passionate, involved community members who have seen so much, who are so knowledgeable and connected. I always loved seeing, and I was really lucky to be welcomed into, those spaces. The culture around community radio is just beautiful I think.” Show Notes: Julia Thomas website Julia Thomas on Twitter Announcement of Julia’s Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Radio Survivor Podcast #71: Bolivia is the Birthplace of Community Radio (interview with Sylvia Thomas) The post Podcast #181 – Visiting Community Radio Stations Around the World appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, February 12, 2019
Podcast #180 – Net Neutrality Back in Court Again
The Federal Communications Commission was back in court on Feb. 1, called on to defend its decision to overturn the 2015 Open Internet Order in December 2017. It seems like the FCC lawyers didn’t have the best day in front of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, and Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota joins the show to explain why. He also lays out how this very same court essentially gave the Commission the road map for a key element of that 2015 Open Internet Order, and how this approach to network neutrality was already upheld as Constitutional, despite what the current FCC leadership now claims. Then Paul and Eric discuss why network neutrality is important for community radio and podcasting, and independent media in general. They close the show with an observance of World Radio Day, which happens February 13. BONUS : Hear Eric’s and Paul’s take on Spotify’s $230M acquisition of podcast network Gimlet Media in a special bonus episode for our Patreon supporters . Support Radio Survivor and get access to this and lots of other bonus content now with your contribution of just $1 or more a month . Show Notes: Podcast #121 – What Happens After Net Neutrality; Open Signal Public Access TV Net Neutrality Is Over (For Now) – What It Means for Radio Gizmodo: Fake FCC Comments Linked to Ex-Trump Campaign Director’s Org, Boosted By Roger Stone World Radio Day Podcast #180.5 – That’s a Lot of Money (Spotify/Gimlet acquisition) The post Podcast #180 – Net Neutrality Back in Court Again appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, February 06, 2019
Podcast #179 – Don’t Throw Your CDs Away in 2019
This episode is dedicated to the compact disc. Paul recently published an article outlining 10 reasons why CDs are awesome, and it seems to have hit a nerve, turning out to be one of our most popular. So we dive into these reasons, and even talk to a Millennial, Jacob Choplin, who also loves CDs (though not as much as vinyl). We’re not arguing against LPs, downloads or streaming music, just advocating for the lowly compact disc. They still sound great. We hope to inspire you to dig out your collection and enjoy some tunes. Show Notes: 10 Reasons Why CDs Are Still Awesome (Especially for Radio) This post received some feedback on Facebook The post Podcast #179 – Don’t Throw Your CDs Away in 2019 appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 30, 2019
Podcast #178 – Irish Pirate Radio Archive
For about a decade, ending in 1988, pirate stations dominated the Irish radio bands, exploiting a loophole in the law that made punishments for unlicensed broadcasting on par with a speeding ticket. Now the sounds and artifacts of this cultural movement are being preserved online in the Irish Pirate Radio Archive. Archive co-founders Brian Greene and John Walsh tell us about this rich history, in which some of the biggest stations broadcast with multi kilowatts of power, with listeners as far away as London and Wales. Stations ran the gamut, from these high-powered “super pirates” which often emulated American commercial radio to hobbyist broadcasters and community radio. Some of the Irish pirate radio stations were extremely political, focusing on the Irish language, or political prisoners. One station was a feminist pirate where only women’s voices were broadcast. While the scene came to an official end when the Irish government passed a new law with more severe penalties, these pirate stations helped to force open the country’s airwaves to non-governmental radio, which had a monopoly for more than fifty years. Little known outside of Ireland, this hidden history is a must-listen for radio historians, enthusiasts and nerds of all stripes. We went down several pirate radio wormholes that we couldn’t fit into this episode. Supporters of Radio Survivor can hear that extra material in Bonus Episode #178.5 right now on Patreon . Not a patron? Sign up now for as little as a $1 a month and you can get access to this episode and even more great bonus content. Show Notes: Irish Pirate Radio Archive Flirt FM Wireless on Flirt FM Wireless of Flirt FM #26: Highlights of the Pirate Radio Archive to date Radio.ie Radio Station Field Trip 18 – Flirt FM in Galway, Ireland “ The 1988 closedown: How a legal loophole led to an explosion in Irish pirate radio “ The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2019/01/podca
Wed, January 23, 2019
Podcast #177 – Philosophies of Podcast & Radio Editing; Seattle’s Rich High School Radio Scene
In addition to co-hosting the show, Eric Klein edits most episodes, and is a professional freelance audio editor. He put some of his philosophies of editing radio and podcasts in writing for last year’s Grassroots Radio Conference, and for a recent post at Radio Survivor. On this episode Eric elaborates on his advice to “know your values,” and “do no harm.” Then Paul puts Jennifer on the spot on order to do a little market research for Radio Survivor, asking her why she doesn’t listen to more podcasts. Her answers will probably resonate with many radio lovers, who have so many great sounds competing for their attention. Then Jennifer takes us on a short tour of three Seattle-area stations, where there’s a rich high school radio scene, including one with a dance music format, and one where every DJ designs their own show poster. Radio Survivors supporters on Patreon can listen to a bonus “after dark” episode , where Jennifer, Eric and Paul dig deeper into why even radio nerds don’t listen to podcasts, and even more podcast nerdery. A contribution of just $1 a month gives you access to this bonus episode and more exclusive content. Show Notes Eric’s “ Philosophies of Editing for Radio “ KNHC-FM aka C89.5 Radio Station Visit #152: Dance Music-Oriented High School Radio Station C89.5 Alex Bennett Radio Station Visit #153: Bellevue High School Radio Station KASB KASB-FM National High School Radio Network Jennifer’s piece about the HS Radio Network for Radio World KMIH-FM <a href="https://www.
Tue, January 15, 2019
Podcast #176 – Audio Fiction’s very long history of innovation
From the “Classical Radio Era” to today’s hottest podcasts, we’re here for the love of radio drama and fictional sound-art. Our guest is Neil Verma, author of a book and teacher of classes on the subject, although as he tells us on today’s episode, the class became a lot more popular with students after he changed the name from “Radio Drama” to “Audio Drama.” Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly contribution at http://pateron.com/radiosurvivor . Show Notes: Theater of the Mind – Imagination, Aesthetics, and American Radio Drama Neil Verma essay on The Shadows Some audio drama recommendations from this episode The Classical Radio work of Norman Corwin J.G Ballard’s Radio Plays on the BBC The Shadows Wolverine: The Long Night The Truth Homecoming Classic Radio’s The Shadow Nightvale and affiliated programs Pacific Northwest Stories Ars Paradoxica Limetown Deathscribe Jennifer Waits’ article on Unshackled Matthew Lasar <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="writes (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2011/01/03/
Tue, January 08, 2019
Podcast #175 – Awakening to Sound plus a tour of KDVS
What can a careful study of sound teach us about our listening? Listening to the media we choose as well as listening to the place where we live and the people who’s voices we encounter? Prof. Jennifer Stoever thinks about these questions, a lot. And so do a growing number of scholars working in a field called Sound Studies. That’s the topic of the “Sounding Out” blog and podcast, which Prof. Stoever co-founded. She’s an associate professor of English at the University of Binghamton, and she’s our guest to discuss the cultural politics of sound and listening, and how these analyses apply to music, radio and podcasting. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly contribution at http://pateron.com/radiosurvivor . A longer version of this interview aired on episode #132 of the podcast Show Notes: Sounding Out! Sounding Out Podcast #63 : The Sonic Landscapes of Unwelcome: Women of Color, Sonic Harassment, and Public Space The Sonic Color Line: Race and the Cultural Politics of Listening , by Jennifer Stoever Radio Preservation Task Force Sounding Out Podcast #65 on backstory of Sounding Out Binghamton Historical Soundwalk Project WHRW at Binghamtom University Radio Station Visit #149 : College Radio Station KDVS at UC Davis <a href="https://www.radiosurv
Wed, January 02, 2019
Podcast #174 – Preserving Brooklyn Pirate Radio
There are more unlicensed pirate radio stations in New York City than licensed stations. The borough of Brooklyn is a particular hotspot. Producer and journalist David Goren has been researching and recording these stations so that their ephemeral nature isn’t lost to history. To help preserve this legacy and make it accessible to a wider audience he has constructing an interactive map of Brooklyn pirates. David joins us on this episode along with Prof. John Anderson of Brooklyn College, who has been tracking and researching unlicensed radio for two decades. We discuss the unique qualities of Brooklyn pirates, and how they fulfill the needs of communities that are underserved by other media, why it’s important to preserve their legacies, and why the expansion of low-power FM failed to provide sufficient opportunities in cities like New York. This is a rebroadcast of episode #133 of Radio Survivor from March of 2018 . Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly contribution at https://www.patreon.com/RadioSurvivor . Show Notes: David Goren’s website Brooklyn Pirate Radio Sound Map (BPRSM) Outlaws of the Airwaves: The Rise of Pirate Radio Station WBAD Shortwaveology John Anderson’s website is DIYMedia.net Radio Survivor Podcast #3: FCC Paper Tiger Teams vs Pirate Radio Podcast #114 – A Common Sense Approach to Unlicensed Broadcasting The post Podcast #174 – Preserving Brooklyn Pirate Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, December 25, 2018
Podcast #137 – Zach Poff Built a Radio Station Inside a Pond
Zach Poff put a radio station inside a pond. Poff is a media artist, educator and maker-of-things, and he explains that project and talks about making art with radio technology and listening to sound art. This is a re-broadcast of our episode from April, 2018. Show Notes Zach Poff’s Pond Station is broadcasting live during the day-light hours from just below the surface of a pond. Soundcamp is a network of listening points at sunrise on International Dawn Chorus Day, 24 hours of live broadcasting which chases the dawn across the globe. In 2018, Dawn Chorus Day is May 5-6 Wave Farm is a non-profit arts organization driven by experimentation with broadcast media and the airwaves Wave Farm’s WGXC 90.7-FM is a creative community radio station based in New York’s Greene and Columbia counties. Making obsolete computer sound hardware work again. Video Silence harvests an ongoing compilation of quiet moments from broadcast television. The Sun Dialogs The Radia network is an international informal network of community radio stations that have a common interest in producing and sharing art works for the radio. http://radia.fm/ KUNSTRADIO is in Austria (not Australia, Eric Klein regrets the error) Radio Survivor ep 96 on Smart Speakers and Community Radio Felix Blume is creating public domain sound art from around the globe: www.felixblume.com/ Felix Blume’s album on Sonic-Terrain Eric Klein’s radio drama podcast utilizing the work of Felix Blume: <a href="https://derailer.xyz/2016/11/02/tilting-at-windmillsdreaming-of-defenestration/" targe
Wed, December 19, 2018
Podcast #172 – The FCC at the End of 2018, with Prof. Christopher Terry
As 2018 draws to a close the FCC is poised to throw another death blow at radio, proposing to allow complete ownership monopolies in hundreds of radio markets. At the same time the Commission has to defend its decimation of network neutrality in court, even after the DC Court of Appeals ruled the earlier open internet rules are utterly constitutional (twice). And while Sinclair lost its bid to steamroll what’s left of TV ownership caps and acquire Tribune’s stations, another company is getting ready to vacuum them up. The state and status of our media and communications freedom hangs in the balance. That’s why we ask Prof. Christopher Terry to help us make sense of it all. He’s professor of media law at the University of Minnesota, and he’ll explain what it all means, and what we can do about the Commission’s plan to let even the four major TV networks merge into mega-networks. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Podcast #139 – Sinclair and the FCC: Opening the Door to Local Media Oligopoly The FCC’s Legacy of Failure: Failure Then Gives Us More Failure Now Podcast #50 – Prometheus v FCC and a Generation of Gridlock Podcast #33 – 20 Years Ago Local Radio Was Crushed Mozilla files arguments against the FCC – latest step in fight to save net neutrality Podcast #157 – Restoring Net Neutrality, One State at a Time <a href="https://www.broadcastingc
Wed, December 12, 2018
It's the End of 2018 and Radio Is Thriving
At the end of 2018 all indicators are that radio is thriving. From community radio to podcasting, internet radio to college radio, we’re seeing new stations, new listeners and new ideas. It’s all more evidence that we’re in the post-‘radio is dead’ era. All four Radio Survivors join together to dig deeply into the year that was: Jennifer Waits, Matthew Lasar, Eric Klein and Paul Riismandel. They survey the renewed interest in exploring radio history and fresh efforts to preserve radio archives, and assess Radio Survivor’s progress in the last 12 months. Plus, we have some positive news about the Free Music Archive. Stay tuned next week for a look back at the FCC’s 2018 with Prof. Christopher Terry, from the University of Minnesota. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: KSQD Santa Cruz, CA Podcast #169 – The Free Music Archive is Dead, Long Live the Free Music Archive Free Music Archive – Update: FMA’s Future Podcast #170 – Community Radio in Brazil Podcast #133 – Preserving Brooklyn Pirate Radio Rough notes: thoughts on the post-“Radio is Dead” era The New York Times Covers LPFM Community Radio The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/201
Wed, December 05, 2018
Podcast #170.5 – Bonus: São Paulo FM Bandscan
Paul shares a few more details of his trip to Brazil, and then he and Eric listen to a bandscan of the FM dial recorded on a Sunday night in São Paulo, the country’s largest city. Christian radio? Check. Bad 80s pop music? Yep. One takeaway is that commercial radio everywhere kinda sucks, in general. But there are also some more interesting sounds to be heard, too. Show Notes: Some of the stations heard include: Gazeta FM 88.1 Novo Brasil FM KISS FM Cultura FM Eldorado FM Mix 106.3 The post Podcast #170.5 – Bonus: São Paulo FM Bandscan appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, December 05, 2018
Podcast #170 – Community Radio in Brazil
Álvaro Burns is a community radio broadcaster in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, where he hosts a local sports show on Rádio Paraty FM and he produces the podcast “A Hora do Cafezinho.” Álvaro is a long-time friend of the show, and Paul recently traveled to Brazil and was able to meet up with him at Radio Paraty for an interview. Álvaro recounts his journey as a college broadcasting student who became disenchanted by commercial radio, but fell in love with community radio. He discusses the place and role of community radio in the Brazilian media and political environments, especially in light of the country’s recent election of the far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro to be the next president in 2019. Listen to our follow-up bonus episode, #170.5, to hear a bandscan of the São Paulo FM dial. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Rádio Paraty FM A Hora do Cafezinho podcast Álvaro Burns was a guest on Podcast #99: The Beginning Of The End For AM Radio In Brazil Listen to our bonus episode #170.5 to hear an FM bandscan from São Paulo. The post Podcast #170 – Community Radio in Brazil appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, November 28, 2018
Podcast #169 – The Free Music Archive is Dead, Long Live the Free Music Archive
The Free Music Archive is shutting down. A website attached to the listener-sponsored radio station WFMU, the FMA expanded the role community radio played in the online space. It was a library of a huge and always growing amount of free mp3’s that spanned every genre of music. Cheyenne Hohman is our guest. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: The Free Music Archive ALL THE MUSIC: Unza Unza live at Pacific Parc by Unza Unza Orkstar; My Magnificent Sea by Rations; Bill Cheathum by Shake That Little Foot; Chicken and Cheese 2 (Foot Village cover) by Whitman; E-Love by The Upsidedown; Sxy folys by ROGER ROBERT; Quantum Uncertainty by Norrin Radd; Barnyard Sacrifice by Barnyard Sacrifice; Quantum Uncertainty by Norrin Radd; – There’s Something Inside my Kunt by Krebs; Hungaria by Latché Swing; Nfamoudou-Boudougou by Breuss Arrizabalaga Quintet; Maia by Kreng; Arana by Jazz at Mladost Club; City Tail by Ido Bukelman; Take Me Higher by Jahzzar; Bill Cheathum by Shake That Little Foot; Speedy Delta (ID 917) by Lobo Loco; Black-Bar Trombone by Abe Sada; Move Along by Forget the Whale; Butterfly in the Stomach by Chtin Mara; Burning Van by Big Mean Sound Machine; Rah Alia Rah by Cheika Djerba; Dream (instrumental) by Chan Wai Fat; Requiem for a Fish by The Freak Fandango Orchestra; Quincas by Beto Villares; Fourteen days by Aislinn; O Louco by Maria Alice; Kölderen Polka by Tres Tristes Tangos; Milionerce Dada Sali by Zlatni Makedoncinja; ¡Qué Paciencia! by Los Sundayers; Que te Quiero Yo by El Niño del Parking; Ballade somnifère by Winston; Live on WFMU at Monty Hall/Transpacific Sound Paradise, 10/13/2016 by Merasi Master Musicians of Rajasthan; Do the Pump by MrJuan; Cumbia de los Barrios by El Hijo de la Cumbia; Opening para Songo 21 by SONGO 21; Fruto prohibido by Maria Pien; A StrangMilionerce Dada Sali by Zlatni Makedoncinja; Unza Unza live at Pacific Parc by Unza Unza Orkstar; Synthemania Riddim by Skweee Perry; A Stranger’s Map of Texas by Michael Chapman & The Woodpiles; Favorite Secrets by Waylon Thornton; My Magnificent Sea by
Wed, November 21, 2018
A Time Machine for All the Radio plus Shortwave
Perhaps you are like me and you have wished that you could go back in time and spin a radio dial and just listen to and browse the full radio spectrum from another time and place. Our guest on the show, Radio Anthropologist Thomas Witherspoon, is building a website for just such a thing. It’s called the Radio Spectrum Archive and it is not magic, it uses a piece of technology called a software defined radio that makes recording a full spectrum of Shortwave, AM and even FM radio (if you have the computing power to handle the load) a very real possibility. Thomas Witherspoon is also the primary contributor to The Shortwave Listening Post ( www.swling.com ) so we are going to learn a few things about the wonder that is shortwave radio on planet earth. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: The SWLing Post is a community of shortwave radio and amateur radio enthusiasts The Radio Spectrum Archive The Shortwave Radio Audio Archive More on the Cuban Number Stations An Archive of Radio Strange; a shortwave pirate An Archive of Radio Casablanca; a shortwave pirate that plays a nostalgic mix of music from the 1930’s and 1940’s Building a Time Machine For Radio (Spectrum IEEE) 1986 Radio Spectrum recording Radio Preservat
Wed, November 14, 2018
Alternative Histories of Podcasting
Do you remember audioblogging? Prof. Andrew Bottomley does, and he’s here to tell some alternative histories of podcasting. From “Geek of the Week” to Odeo, he illuminates many more bygone shows and platforms from the 1990s and early 2000s that gave rise to what we’ve now settled on calling “podcasts,” for better or worse. Bottomley is assistant professor of Communication and Media at SUNY Oneonta. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: From the Internet Archive: Carl Malamud’s Internet Talk Radio Audioblog.com Audioblog founder Noah Glass’ first audioblog post Wikipedia: Odeo Journalist Ben Hammersley’s first use of the word “podcasting” in The Guardian Wikipedia: The Daily Source Code podcast Podcast #160 – Marking a Quarter-Century of Internet Radio The post Podcast #167 – Alternative Histories of Podcasting appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, November 07, 2018
The FCC's Effort To Decimate Community Media
The FCC has proposed to de-fund community media through an arcane rule that determines how contributions from cable companies to public-access, educational and government (PEG) stations are counted. Because it’s arcane, the effort is flying under the radar. But we have two community media advocates to help explain what’s at stake. Martin Jones is the CEO of MetroEast Community Media in Gresham, Oregon, just one of hundreds of PEG stations that would be affected. Sabrina Roach serves on the board for the Alliance for Community Media Foundation, the charitable arm of the group that represents and organizes PEG stations across the U.S. They tell us how proposed changes to the “franchise fee” structure would deprive PEG stations, as well as internet access at libraries and schools, from direct funding. If passed, this would decimate both community media and digital equity in most communities that have it. They also explain what steps we can take to oppose this change. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: MetroEast Community Media MetroEast’s #SaveCommunityMedia page The Foundation of the Alliance for Community Media Portland Open Signal’s #SaveCommunityMedia page How and Why Public Comments to the FCC Make a Difference Wikipedia: 5G wireless internet The post Podcast #166 – The FCC’s Effort To Decimate Community Media appeared first on Radio Survivor</a
Wed, October 31, 2018
College Radio Is Truly Local Radio
Live from the College Broadcasters, Inc. Convention in Seattle we take on college radio’s place in the contemporary media landscape. After deciding not to sell its radio station 13 years ago, the University of Evansville administration said, “we are once again examining the relevancy of the medium and exploring opportunities to enhance our curriculum through providing additional experience in 21st century communications methods.” That leads us to question: is radio actual a “21st century communications method?” Here to answer that question, and many more are two students deeply involved in college radio, and the president of CBI, John Morris, who is also the general manager of WSWI at the University of Southern Indiana, just across town from the University of Evansville. Avery Martin is production director a KSCU at Colorado State University and a student board member of CBI, and Aimee Myers, senior music director for KUSF.org at the University of San Francisco. In this wide-ranging discussion we learn how college stations have put local service at the forefront by creating the position of ‘local director,’ and the on-the-ground tactics stations are employing to be in their local communities, not just broadcasting to them. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: College Broadcasters, Inc. WSWI-FM 95.7 FM The Spin KCSU – Colorado State Radio KUSF.org Podcast #163 – The Post-‘Radio Is Dead’ Era WUEV Supporters Gather Today Amid Rumored College Radio License Sale <a href="https://www.
Wed, October 24, 2018
Podcast #164 – College Radio and the Culture Wars
When Tipper Gore and the PMRC called rock and rap stars to testify in front of Congress about explicit lyrics, did this affect college radio? How could it not? Prof. Kate Jewell is examining the relationship between college stations and the culture wars as part of a new book project. Jewell is Associate Professor of History at Fitchburg State University and a Fellow at the University Connecticut Humanities Institute. She joins the show to talk about how college broadcasts triggered conservative community reaction and outrage, and how stations internalized the cultural controversies that dominated the zeitgeist from the 1960s through the turn of the century. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: KatherineJewell.com “ Why musical innovation will continue, even as local radio disappears ” by Kate Jewell, in Washington Post Wikipedia: The Parents’ Music Resource Center (PMRC) Rolling Stone: PMRC’s ‘Filthy 15’: Where Are They Now? “ Radio by and for the Public: The Death and Resurrection of Low Power Radio ,” by Paul Riismandel in The Radio Reader The post Podcast #164 – College Radio and the Culture Wars appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, October 17, 2018
Podcast #163 – The Post-‘Radio Is Dead’ Era
Radio Survivor co-founder Matthew Lasar declares we’re in the post-“Radio Is Dead” era, during a time when audio media has survived and thrived, whether you listen over the broadcast airwaves, podcast, satellite or internet stream. Jennifer Waits and Paul Riismandel join Matthew live in San Francisco for a discussion about radio’s recent evolution, including the satellite-internet radio hybrid being born out of the Sirius/XM acquisition of Pandora, and a review of this year’s Grassroots Radio Conference. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: How SiriusXM won me over with its “Jzz/Stndrd/Clscl” zone Inside Radio: Q3 Brings Another Record Number Of Translators & LPFMs Current’s “The Pub” podcast sadly ended production this year Podcast #132 – Sounding Out on the Cultural Politics of Sound & Listening Bloomberg upgrades radio to cockroach status The Drum: How radio has consumed the podcast world Radio Survivor Visits Gramophoney Baloney Show at KPOO-FM in San Francisco Podcast #146 – Volunteer Radio from
Thu, October 11, 2018
The Future of Community Radio, Live from Grassroots Radio Conference
What will community radio sound like in 2023? Will the death of net neutrality make radio even important? Will analog FM radio even exist anymore? Two active and insightful community media activists joins us to tackle these questions and more, live from 2018 Grassroots Radio Conference held in the Native American Student & Community Center at Portland State University, in Portland, Oregon. Vanessa Maria Graber is the station manager for WPPM-LP at public access TV station PhillyCam in Philadelphia, PA. Ernesto Aguilar is the Program Director for the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. Together we discuss the skills that today’s new broadcasters will need in the next five years, real-world tactics for engaging your community and recruiting fresh voices, and the challenges posed by the monopoly power of large telecom companies. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Grassroots Radio Conference PhillyCam’s WPPM-LP National Federation of Community Broadcasters Radio Station Visit #138 – Philadelphia’s Community Radio Station WPPM-LP Podcast #11: Celebrating National Radio Day with Vanessa Maria Graber Podcast #102 – How Inclusive Is Community Media, Really? with Ernesto Aguilar and NFCB CEO Sally Kane The post Podcast #162 – The Future of Community Radio, Live from Grassroots Radio Conference appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, October 04, 2018
Podcast #161 – Happy College Radio Day 2018
College Radio Day is October 5, and on this episode we reflect on the value of this special brand of radio, and Jennifer shares her tour of Vassar College’s station, WVKR. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: College Radio Day College Radio Day coverage on Radio Survivor CLASS D FM licenses The Radio Reader XRAY.fm College Radio Watch: XRAY gets Slice of College Radio History Reed College Donates KRRC License to Community Radio Group Radio Survivor Radio Station Tours Page Radio Station Tours in Numerical Order WVKR Tour The post Podcast #161 – Happy College Radio Day 2018 appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, September 26, 2018
Marking a Quarter-Century of Internet Radio
Internet radio is older than you think. In fact, it’s at least a quarter-century old… and maybe even a little older. That’s the history Dom Robinson uncovered, and he joins to tell the story. He’s the co-founder of online video company id3as and a contributing editor to Streaming Media , and he reveals how he discovered what likely qualifies as the very first internet radio broadcast, which happened entirely by accident. Dom then discusses the technology that brought internet radio to the masses – at least the masses who were on the internet in the mid 1990s. He also shares why he thinks internet radio is often overlooked, and why MP3 is an enduringly important technology. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes “ 25 Years of Internet Radio: Part 1 ,” by Dom Robinson Internet Radio Is Older than You Think Dom likes Bassdrive Radio Wikipedia entry on RealAudio Online audio pioneer Rob Glaser steps down from CEO post at RealNetworks (Jan. 2010) Wikipedia entry on MP3.com Even Its Creator Can’t Kill MP3 The post Podcast #160 – Marking a Quarter-Century of Internet Radio appeared first on <a href="https://www.radios
Tue, September 18, 2018
Ch-ch-ch-changes, in College Radio and Podcasting
Programming changes draw attention at one college station, while another might be close to the auction block, and a new San Francisco LPFM steps in to the spiritual space left behind by a beloved departed station. Team that with some big changes in the podcasting industry, and we’ve got a full episode. After hearing from many listeners, Jennifer checks in with UNLV station KUNV. It’s a station we’ve been keeping up with since a takeover was averted back in 2015. The station recently had some staff and programming changes, but we find that students are still involved. Jennifer also reports on University of Evansville’s WUEV, which students and alums are concerned might go up for sale. And there’s happy news from San Francisco, where new community station KXSF-LP just launched to fill the void left behind when KUSF left the airwaves in 2011. Paul has news about the the exit of a major podcast network, but also words of encouragement for all the current and would-be community podcasters: there’s so much room for podcasting to grow, and somewhere there’s a listener who wants to hear the show you want to make. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Podcast #28 – A Deep Dive into the Public Radio Bid for KUNV Other episodes where we covered KUNV: #27 , #77 , #113 Oct. 17, 2011: Fighting for College Radio…and Winning: Part Two – WUEV May 25, 2018: Col
Thu, September 13, 2018
Surveying Community Radio's Deep Archives
More than 600 community radio recordings from 1965 – 1986 are archived at the University of Maryland. These tapes were shared through a program exchange operated by the National Federation of Community broadcasters. The breadth of programming contained in these programs is remarkable, and underscores the still-active mission of the NFCB to support and promote the participation of women and people of color at all levels of non-commercial broadcasting. Laura Schnitker is the curator of the Broadcast Archives at the University of Maryland, joining the show to tell us more about this special archive of programming, highlighting some of the gems in the collection. Show Notes: Historic Community Radio Broadcasts Now Available in UMD Digital Collections National Federation of Community Broadcasters collection at University of Maryland Online Finding Aid for NFCB Collection at University of Maryland Georgetown University Radio Station WGTB’s Storied Past (Radio Survivor) College Radio Station WGTB Field Trip Report (Radio Survivor) Podcast #135: Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History (Radio Survivor Podcast) Podcast #156: Can We Strengthen Audio’s Public Domain? (Radio Survivor Podcast) The post Podcast #158 – Surveying Community Radio’s Deep Archives appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, September 06, 2018
Podcast #157 – Restoring Net Neutrality, One State at a Time
California is on the cusp of restoring net neutrality. The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Katharine Trendacosta explains how this will happens, and what the implications are for the rest of the nation. Then Jennifer, Eric and Paul run down our slate of live podcast recordings coming up at this year’s Grassroots Radio Conference in Portland, OR and the College Broadcasters Inc. conference in Seattle. They also review the FCC’s new podcast, “More Than Seven Dirty Words,” discuss the merits of clock radios and consider how the broadcast industry’s consternation over “pod death” is just the proverbial old guy yelling at kids to get off his lawn. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Net Neutrality Is Over (For Now) – What It Means for Radio Podcast #143 – The Fight for an Open Internet Advances on Many Fronts “Gold standard” state net neutrality bill approved by California Assembly NY Times: Letter of Recommendation: Clock Radios Grassroots Radio Conference 2018 CBI Convention 2018 – Seattle Podcast #145 – Hip-Hop Radio Archive Podcast #105 – From the Princeton Review to Incoming Wounded <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor
Wed, August 29, 2018
Can We Strengthen Audio's Public Domain?
In the U.S. the copyright situation for music and sound recordings made before 1972 is a mess of different and conflicting state laws. That’s because there is no overarching federal law. The unintended consequence is that archivists, librarians and artists are often afraid to duplicate, distribute or repurpose very old recordings that – if they were books or movies – otherwise would be in the public domain, free of copyright. That’s because they don’t want to inadvertently violate a state copyright law or put their organizations in legal jeopardy. Katharine Trendacosta is a policy analyst with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who explains this situation, and why it needs to be resolved. And while there are bills in Congress to sort out copyright, they don’t go far enough to repair the problem with the public domain and sound recordings. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: EFF: CLASSICS Is the Future of Assaults Against the Public Domain Radio Survivor Podcast #1: The Free Music Archive The “most interesting” public domain songs at the Free Music Archive Feature image “gramophone 02” by byronv2 on flickr , used under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 2.0) license. The post Podcast #156 – Can We Strengthen Audio’s Public Domain? appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, August 22, 2018
Connecting Podcasting's Future to Radio's Past
This week Paul reflects on insights gained at this year’s Podcast Movement conference, focusing on the opportunity for more people to be served by community podcasting. Jennifer reports back from Radio Day by the Bay, which included a live radio drama performance that connects up to the present-day explosion in scripted fictional podcasts. And then we deconstruct the Princeton Review’s 2019 “Best College Radio Stations” list. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Podcast Movement From Tom Webster’s presentation at Podcast Movement: Podcasting’s next frontier: A manifesto for growth (beyond the already converted) Infinite Dial 2018 Comedy Bang Bang, SModcast, and Pocketnow win Stitcher awards Radio Day by the Bay California Historical Radio Society Radio Day by the Bay in Alameda July 21 Radio World: Radio Central – CHRS Asks Big Questions “ Unshackled ” is the long-running Christian radio drama Radio World: “Unshackled!” Tells Stories of Transformation Podcast #138 – Radio History on Di
Wed, August 15, 2018
One Tape at a Time: Preserving Music Memories
There are undiscovered musical treasures potentially fading away in closets, basements and storage units around the world. Seattle radio station KEXP teamed up with local universities and media organizations to help save a little of this cultural history with the Pop-Up Music Memory Digitization Lab. For one day members of the public were invited to bring their audio and video tapes of home- and self-recorded music performances for digitizing and archiving. KEXP’s Media Asset Librarian Dylan Flesch and Libby S. Hopfauf, Audiovisual Archivist for Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound, guest to tell us about the event. They explain why it’s vital to preserve these music memories right now, and give some advice for folks and organizations who want to join in the effort. Jennifer, Eric and Paul also discuss National Radio Day, which happens August 20. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Pop Up Music Memory Digitization Labs KEXP Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound – MIPOPS An Online Archive of the Fourth Community Radio Station: KRAB Podcast #134 – The KRAB-FM Archives Internet Archive Some history of the KZAM “Local Tape Extravaganza” Podc
Tue, August 07, 2018
Podcast #153 Licensed and Unlicensed Low Power Radio
Two interviews that cover the state of low power radio in the United States. Stations that are on the air without a license – also known as Pirate Radio – and the low power stations that have FCC permission to broadcast due in part to the hard work of the former pirates. This episode is composed of two halves of older episodes of Radio Survivor. An interview with Pete Tridish from November of 2016 and then an interview with John Anderson from October of 2017. Links below: Show Notes: Podcast #72 – Pete Tridish Celebrates an LPFM Success Story Podcast #114 – A Common Sense Approach to Unlicensed Broadcasting The post Podcast #153 Licensed and Unlicensed Low Power Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, July 25, 2018
Podcast #152 – The Longest Running Hip-Hop Radio Show in The World?
The Eclipse Show on community radio station KGNU in Boulder CO is celebrating 40 years on the air, making it quite possibly the longest running hip hop radio show in the world. Radio Survivor has been examining the role that community and college radio has played in the development of hip hop culture, especially in the 80’s and 90’s. Today we bring you an interview with DJ A-L of The Eclipse show, who through a series of remarkable coincidences (as well as following his passion) has found himself contributing to as well as helping to preserve the history of a multi-generational creative project, the likes of which are only possible on community radio. Show Notes: The Eclipse Show on KGNU Eclipse on the Hip Hop Radio Archive Podcast #145 – Hip-Hop Radio Archive Stretch and Bobbito Basementalism Show The post Podcast #152 – The Longest Running Hip-Hop Radio Show in The World? appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, July 18, 2018
Podcast #151 – The Wave Farm Grows Transmission Arts
Radios in the trees, a transmitter in the pond, and a weather-driven synth. These are just some of what you’ll find on The Wave Farm, a 29-acre property in New York’s Hudson Valley dedicated to radio and transmission arts. It’s anchored by community radio station WGXC, accompanied by a cornucopia of additional tiny terrestrial and internet stations. Jennifer Waits takes us on an auditory tour of the farm, along with a visit to the station’s Hudson, NY studio, where station manager and managing news editor Lynn Sloneker lays out all these audio feeds. Then in the Wave Farm studio, artistic director Tom Roe details the organization’s history, which has its roots in the unlicensed micropower radio movement of the 1990s. Every year Wave Farm hosts artists in residence, who create unique works and installations exploring the many aspects of electromagnetic transmission. One was the musical artist Quintron, who created the Weather Warlock, a weather-controlled synthesizer. Eric Klein gave him a call to learn more about this project and his work. Show Notes: WGXC Jennifer’s tour of WGXC Jennifer’s tour of Wave Farm Artist-in-residence Dan Tapper at Wave Farm Dan Tapper’s website Podcast #137 – Zach Poff Built a Radio Station Inside a Pond Podcast #148 – Solving the Mystery of Summer Camp Radio Wave Farm Celebrates 20 Years of Transmission Art Quintron and Miss Pussycat Weather for the Blind Weather Warlock at Wave Farm</a
Tue, July 10, 2018
Podcast #150 – Sympathy for Kenny G
What killed smooth jazz radio? Why aren’t there any commercial classical stations any longer? And, why do radio stations have a “format” to begin with? Matthew Lasar joins us to explore these questions about the fundamental organizing principle of most music radio. Matthew is a co-founder of Radio Survivor and the author of three important books on radio, including Pacifica Radio: The Rise of an Alternative Network and Radio 2.0 . Show Notes: Top 40 Democracy: The Rival Mainstreams of American Music , by Eric Weisbard Matthew likes: KKUP , KZSC , Second Inversion Radio , WQXR New Sounds (formerly Q2) Hybrid Highbrow: New music for Paddle to the Sea + nobody told me that smooth jazz died Hybrid Highbrow: Somebody stop killing jazz radio please OMG a radio station actually keeps its classical format after protests The post Podcast #150 – Sympathy for Kenny G appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, July 03, 2018
FAQ Pt. 2: How To Get Started Podcasting
How do I start podcasting? That’s one of the questions we field most frequently. So we answer it, in this second installment of our “Frequently Asked Questions” series. But first we do some follow-up about phone phreaker ‘Captain Crunch’ Draper (#147) and the nearly 1,000 challenges filed against applications for FM translator repeater stations (#144). Paul also reports on the National Association of Broadcasters’ proposal to further loosen radio ownership regulations. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: One of our listeners recommends the book Exploding the Phone , all about phone phreakers, like Captain Crunch FCC letter to Prometheus and Common Frequency dismissing their translator objections NAB letter to the FCC on radio ownership rules Podcast #126 – We Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions The post Podcast #149 – How To Get Started Podcasting appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, June 27, 2018
Solving the Mystery of Summer Camp Radio
Did you know that upwards of 350 radio stations were established at summer camps across the United States? Dan Braverman, President of Radio Systems, Inc., joins us to share the history of summer camp radio, including his own experience setting up a camp radio station when he was just nine years old. Still involved with his youthful camp, Radio Free Ramah (WCRP) at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, Braverman chats about the power of hyper-local radio and how he built a radio business by initially setting up AM carrier current radio stations at summer camps. Show Notes The End of Carrier Current? (Radio World) College Radio Watch: Uncertainty at KUCR, New Stations, and Carrier Current History Radio Systems, Inc. Camp Ramah in the Poconos Radio Survivor Podcast #146: Volunteer Radio from Antarctica Radio Survivor Podcast #147: Prison Radio and a High School Station in a Band Room Radio Station Visit #144: KVCB-LP at Vacaville Christian Schools Wet Hot American Summer (IMDB) The Voice of Peace (YouTube) Information Station Specialists Radio Survivor Podcast #51: Carrier Current is Cool Radio Survivor Podcast #145: Hip Hop Radio Archive Radio Survivor Podcast #133: <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2018/03/13/podcast-133-preserving-brooklyn-pirate-radio/
Tue, June 19, 2018
Podcast #147 – Prison Radio Exhibit and a High School Station in a Band Room
On this week’s episode we venture to prison and to a very unusual high school radio station. Members of the artist collective Provisional Island (Heidi Ratanavanich, Eileen Shumate, and Michael McCanne) speak with us about their prison-radio-themed exhibit, An Electric Kite , which is on view at the historic site/museum Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia through at least fall, 2018. The installation incorporates a low power radio transmission as well as a visual components. Additionally, Jennifer shares her tour of VCS Radio at Vacaville Christian Schools in Vacaville, California. The high school radio station is part of the school’s music program and has many unusual elements. Not only is it a low power FM (LPFM) station, but it also broadcasts in HD and is housed in the band room. It also has secret Morse Code and carrier current broadcasts. Show Notes Radio Survivor Inaugurates Podcast (Radio World) Behind the Scenes of the Radio Survivor Podcast (YouTube) Provisional Island Eastern State Penitentiary Eastern State’s An Electric Kite exhibit page Provisional Island’s An Electric Kite page The iPod of Prison (The New Yorker) Whatever Happened to the Phone Phreaks? (The Atlantic) Early Hackers’ Supersecret Spyware: Toy Whistles (Slate) Maurice Chammah’s “Guerrilla Radio” article (The Marshall Project) Radio Survivor Podcast #94:
Tue, June 12, 2018
Volunteer Radio from Antarctica
Inspired by an episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown , we travel all the way to Antarctica to learn about mysterious community radio station, Ice Radio. Sadly, we learned of Anthony Bourdain’s death on the day that we recorded this episode. Ice Radio is the latest iteration of a radio station that began more than 50 years ago at McMurdo Station. Our guest Elizabeth Delaquess is a Broadcast Engineer at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, working at both the radio and television stations there. She also shares some tales about her magical encounters with shortwave radio stations while “on the ice.” Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown: Antarctica Elizabeth Delaquess Antarctic Sun Antarctic Sun Podcast Radio Survivor Podcast #145: Hip Hop Radio Archive Leaky cable FM (Radio-Locator.com) The post Podcast #146 – Volunteer Radio from Antarctica appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, June 05, 2018
Hip-Hop Radio Archive
The Hip-Hop Radio Archive aims to digitize, preserve, share, and contextualize recordings of hip-hop radio from the 1980s and 1990s from commercial, college, community, and pirate stations of all sizes, telling the stories of the shows and the people that made them. Our guest is founder of the archive, Ryan MacMichael. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes The Hip-Hop Radio Archive Medium: The Hip Hop Radio Archive Radio Survivor Podcast #142: Touring WHPK’s Bell Tower and You Tube’s “Pirate Radio” Radio Station Visit #143: College Radio Station WHPK at University of Chicago Radio Station Visit #100: WPRB at Princeton University Ryan MacMichael’s Normal Bias music blog June 27, 1991 WPRB (103.3 FM) Raw Deal Radio Show WMWC Radio Station Visit #125: WMWC at University of Mary Washington The Eclipse Show on Hip-Hop Radio Archive <a href="http://www.afterfm.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/shows.detail/showID/51/s
Wed, May 30, 2018
Podcast #144 – Standing Up for LPFM’s Slice of the Pie
Applications for 1,000 translator radio stations may pose a threat to low-power FM stations, say three community radio groups. So the groups filed informal objections against all of them, slowing down the FCC’s processing of these applications. This move has sparked controversy within the radio industry. The Center for International Media Action, Common Frequency, Inc. and Prometheus Radio Project are the groups behind the objections to these proposed translators, which are low-powered stations that are only permitted to repeat the signal of another station. Common Frequency’s Todd Urick and Prometheus’ Paul Bame join the show to explain why they took this action, and to answer some of the criticisms coming both from the mainstream radio industry and from within community radio. Paul also reports on the final death blow to the podcast patent troll, and files a correction to his recollection from episode #142 of the “Disco Demolition” night in Chicago. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Prometheus Radio Project: Low-power FM radio advocates file 1,000 Objections with FCC Radio World: Sides Are Split on Those 998 Objections Statement of REC Networks: Informal objections filed by Prometheus, et. al. against pending FM translator applications Todd Urick’s editorial on the 998 informal objections Learn more about LPFM FCC: FM Translators and Boosters <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2018/05/21/the-pod
Wed, May 23, 2018
Podcast #143 – The Fight for an Open Internet Advances on Many Fronts
The future of all communications is at stake, explains Tim Karr, Senior Director of Strategy and Communications for Free Press. On May 15 the Senate voted to restore Net Neutrality by overturning the FCC’s decision to undo the 2015 Open Internet order. Now the fight turns to the House. While victory is uncertain, Karr says that there are many battlegrounds where Net Neutrality may be won. He tells us how grassroots campaigns helped to secure the Senate vote, and why Net Neutrality is actually a bi-partisan issue. He also explains how cities, counties and states are taking action to ensure a free and open internet. Then we discuss a recent challenge to 1,000 applications for translator repeater stations, filed with the FCC. The groups behind the challenge are community radio advocates, concerned that these translators stations would interfere with existing low-power FM stations, should they go on the air. And, finally, we analyze how the great Yanny/Laurel debate is perhaps the first instance of truly viral audio, ever. Show Notes: Free Press: In Big Win for Open-Internet Advocates, Senate Votes to Undo 2017 Net Neutrality Repeal Radio Survivor’s net neutrality coverage The Hill: Poll: 83 percent of voters support keeping FCC’s net neutrality rules Radio World: LPFM Advocates File Objections to Nearly 1,000 Applications The post Podcast #143 – The Fight for an Open Internet Advances on Many Fronts appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, May 15, 2018
Podcast #142 – Touring WHPK’s Bell Tower & YouTube’s ‘Pirate Radio’
Kanye West and Common had an epic freestyle rap battle on WHPK. That’s just one reason why the University of Chicago’s station is interesting and historic. Jennifer Waits takes us on a virtual tour of the studios, located in an actual working bell tower. Jennifer, Eric and Paul also discuss how college radio has played a formative and supporting role in the development of hip-hop, by providing an open, often uncensored platform for new and emerging artists. Then we dig into a recent New York Times story that proclaims YouTube as the new platform for pirate radio. Paul offers his cranky take on this proclamation. Now you can catch this episode on YouTube, along with some of Jennifer’s tour photos: Show Notes Radio Station Visit #143: College Radio Station WHPK at University of Chicago Podcast #141 – How Radio Isn’t Done, According to Negativland’s Don Joyce Kanye West vs. Common Freestyle Rap Battle at WHPK on YouTube: Part 1 | Part 2 Podcast #136 – Storied College Stations WIIT & WKCR Radio Station Visit #142: College Radio Station WIIT at Illinois Institute of Technology Inside Paul’s Boutique: Interviews with The Dust Brothers Rock Radio’s War Against Disco Visiting University of Washington, Bothell’s College Radio Station UWave Is YouTube the Home of the New Radio Pirates? <a hr
Wed, May 09, 2018
Podcast #141 – How Radio Isn’t Done, According To Negativland’s Don Joyce
Musician, DJ and radio artist Don Joyce passed away nearly three years ago, leaving behind a voluminous archive of his unparalelled collage radio program “Over the Edge.” The documentary “How Radio Isn’t Done” sheds light on this member of Negativland, his life and his work in recontextualizing the never-ending flow of media messages that flood everyday life. Director Ryan Worsley joins to talk about Joyce, his hyper-focused artistic process and what she learned creating this affectionate and honest portrait of an iconoclastic figure and broadcasting legend. Show Notes: “How Radio Isn’t Done” on Vimeo “How Radio Isn’t Done” on Amazon Paul’s review of the film, “ An Affectionate & Honest Filmic Portrait of Negativland’s Don Joyce “ Negativland – “The Chopping Channel” RIP Don Joyce: Negativland Member, Artist, KPFA DJ Negativland’s ‘Over The Edge’ Catalog Now Available at Internet Archive Radio Survivor Podcast #9: Remembering Negativland’s Don Joyce ABC (Australia) documentary about a long-running cassette radio show: “ Cassette famous “ Radio on Tape: from ‘Second Side Up’ to ‘The Hour of Slack’ The Grassroots Radio Conference is happening Oct. 5 – 7 in Portland, OR. The call for proposals is now open. The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2018/05/podcast-141-how-radio-isnt-done-according-to-negativlands-
Tue, May 01, 2018
Podcast #140 – From Podcasting to Virtual Reality, with Reagan Jackson and Sandy Cioffi
Our first live episode might just blow your mind. Recorded at the Alliance for Community Media Northwest Summit, it’s time to break down barriers between media platforms. That’s we’re tackling podcasting and virtual reality, and how they relate to social justice and equity. Our guests are writer, artist, teacher and activist Reagan Jackson and Sandy Cioffi, founder and creative director of fearless360º, a new media and virtual reality production company in Seattle. Together we tackle the vital importance of building empathy in community media, regardless of the platform. Learn about “embodied journalism” and why “data is crude oil for communities.” Show Notes Reagan Jackson Reagan Jackson’s work for the Seattle Globalist “The Deep End” podcast Sandy Cioffi fearless360º Sandy Cioffi at TEDx Seattle Alliance for Community Media Northwest Region The post Podcast #140 – From Podcasting to Virtual Reality, with Reagan Jackson and Sandy Cioffi appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, April 24, 2018
Podcast #139 – Sinclair and the FCC: Opening the Door to Local Media Oligopoly
The Sinclair Group is already the largest TV owner by far in the U.S. and its editorial content makes it essentially a propaganda arm of the Trump Administration. Will the F.C.C. under Trump succeed in bending media ownership rules to allow Sinclair to grow to twice its current size? Under President Obama, the F.C.C allowed Comcast and NBC to merge into a huge media owner, which really opened the door and now Sinclair-Tribune is about to take a huge leap through that door, to create what is essentially a “local media oligopoly,” in which three to four large groups could dominate the “opinion-space” in every local market. The guests on the show are Lewis A. Friedland, professor in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Christopher Terry, Assistant Professor of Media Law at the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication. Show Notes: Lewis A. Friedland, professor in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Christopher Terry is Assistant Professor of Media Law at the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication The Deadspin supercut of Sinclair’s shame: The post Podcast #139 – Sinclair and the FCC: Opening the Door to Local Media Oligopoly appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 18, 2018
Podcast #138 – Radio History on Display at the San Francisco Airport
We visit the “On The Radio” exhibit on radio history at the San Francisco Airport Museum, where travelers can feast their eyes on 27 cases full of historical items related to radio’s past, ranging from 1920s crystal radios to 1970s novelty radios. Jennifer chats with exhibit curator Daniel Calderon and California Historical Radio Society President Steve Kushman about the exhibit. And Paul brings us an update on where unlicensed radio, aka Pirates, stand under Trump’s FCC. The “Mystic” Radio Bug and Headset in “On the Radio” exhibit. Photo courtesy SFO Museum. Show Notes: High School Radio Week and National High School Radio Network Radio Survivor covers High School Radio High school radio station KBPS Digging into the Early History of High School Radio Station KBPS Jennifer’s Visit to the Oldest High School Radio Station in the Country: KBPS-AM in Portland Radio Survivor Podcast #94: Ralph Martin Chats about his LPFM, HD High School Radio Station Jennifer’s piece on “On the Radio” exhibit <a href="https://www
Wed, April 11, 2018
Podcast #137 – Zach Poff Built a Radio Station Inside a Pond
http://media.blubrry.com/radio_survivor/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/427974117-radio-survivor-rs137-tranmission-art-with-zach-poff.mp3 Zach Poff put a radio station inside a pond. Poff is a media artist, educator and maker-of-things, and he explains that project and talks about making art with radio technology and listening to sound art. Show Notes Zach Poff’s Pond Station is broadcasting live during the day-light hours from just below the surface of a pond. Soundcamp is a network of listening points at sunrise on International Dawn Chorus Day, 24 hours of live broadcasting which chases the dawn across the globe. In 2018, Dawn Chorus Day is May 5-6 Wave Farm is a non-profit arts organization driven by experimentation with broadcast media and the airwaves Wave Farm’s WGXC 90.7-FM is a creative community radio station based in New York’s Greene and Columbia counties. Making obsolete computer sound hardware work again. Video Silence harvests an ongoing compilation of quiet moments from broadcast television. The Sun Dialogs The Radia network is an international informal network of community radio stations that have a common interest in producing and sharing art works for the radio. http://radia.fm/ KUNSTRADIO is in Austria (not Australia, Eric Klein regrets the error) Radio Survivor ep 96 on Smart Speakers and Com
Wed, April 04, 2018
Podcast #136 – Storied College Stations WIIT & WKCR
Jennifer Waits takes us on tours of two storied college stations, with deep roots in their communities. WIIT-FM is the student station at the Illinois Institute of Technology, housed in the modern Rem Koolhaas designed McCormick Tribune Campus Center situated at the intersection of Chicago’s Bronzeville and Bridgeport neighborhoods. WKCR is Columbia University’s station, with a rich history in New York City’s jazz community, whose many luminaries have paid a visit. We learn how IIT was home to early radio broadcasting pioneers, including vacuum tube inventor Lee de Forest, and why WKCR’s student DJs eschew more familiar rock music in favor of genres like jazz, contemporary classical and experimental music. Plus, Paul shares some memories of his recent visit to Mana’o Radio on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Show Notes Radio Station Visit #142 – College Radio Station WIIT at Illinois Institute of Technology WIIT-FM Wikipedia: Lee de Forest Lee de Forest website Radio Survivor Episode #135: Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History Lupe Fiasco Radio Station Visit #141 – College Radio Station WKCR at Columbia University Stretch and Bobbito WKCR-FM Spinning Indie Radio Station Field Trip #13: WBAR at Barnard College WBAR Spinning Indie Radio Station Field Trip #7: WNUR at Northwestern University <a href="http://spinningindie.blogspot.com/2014/0
Tue, March 27, 2018
Resurfacing Women's Contributions in Podcasting History
Women made significant contributions to the initial development of podcasting that have been forgotten. Historian Jennifer Hyland-Wang has been resurfacing these contributions, and drawing parallels with women’s contributions to the formative years of radio. She joins us on this episode to share this history and examine the ways in which the structural biases of the podcast industry have minimized women. Show Notes: She Podcasts Craft Lit Podcast “Clara, Lu and Em” “Clara, Lu and Em” at the Internet Archive Edison Research: The Infinite Dial 2018 “ Producing a Radio Housewife:Clara, Lu ‘n’ Em, Gendered Labor, a nd the Early Days of Radio “ Society for Cinema and Media Studies DTFT The Podcast, by Julia Barton PodcastRE This American Life on “Vocal Fry” Podcast #14 includes Matthew’s report on the censoring of Mae West The post Podcast #135 – Resurfacing Women’s Contributions in Podcasting History appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, March 20, 2018
Podcast #134 – The KRAB-FM Archives
KRAB was the fourth-ever community radio station in the U.S., serving Seattle, WA from 1962 to 1984. Like any community station, it broadcast thousands of hours of original and important programming during that time, documenting important social movements and voices not heard, or not heard clearly, in mainstream media. Former volunteer and board member Chuck Reinsch is on a mission to preserve as much of the station’s legacy as possible. He created and administers the KRAB Archives website to house airchecks, recordings and other artifacts so that they’re accessible to the world. Chuck joins the show to discuss his efforts and shed light on the KRAB’s vital place in history. Then we catch up with news about the nation’s largest radio owner, iHeartMedia, which just declared bankruptcy. It’s not a story about the decline of radio, but instead the story of a disastrous business model built on ownership deregulation and consolidation. Show Notes: KRAB-FM Online Archive An Online Archive of the Fourth Community Radio Station: KRAB Oregon Historical Society Commemorates 50 Years of KBOO Community Radio Podcast #130 – How To Preserve 50 Years of Community Radio History iHeartMedia Beyond Borrowed Time The post Podcast #134 – The KRAB-FM Archives appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, March 13, 2018
Podcast #133 – Preserving Brooklyn Pirate Radio
There are more unlicensed pirate radio stations in New York City than licensed stations. The borough of Brooklyn is a particular hotspot. Producer and journalist David Goren has been researching and recording these stations so that their ephemeral nature isn’t lost to history. To help preserve this legacy and make it accessible to a wider audience he’s constructing an interactive map of Brooklyn pirates, due to be released later this year. David joins us on this episode along with Prof. John Anderson of Brooklyn College, who has been tracking and researching unlicensed radio for two decades. We discuss the unique qualities of Brooklyn pirates, and how they fulfill the needs of communities that are underserved by other media, why it’s important to preserve their legacies, and why the expansion of low-power FM failed to provide sufficient opportunities in cities like New York. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly contribution at https://www.patreon.com/RadioSurvivor . Show Notes: David Goren’s website Shortwaveology John Anderson’s website is DIYMedia.net Radio Survivor Podcast #3: FCC Paper Tiger Teams vs Pirate Radio Podcast #114 – A Common Sense Approach to Unlicensed Broadcasting The post Podcast #133 – Preserving Brooklyn Pirate Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, March 07, 2018
Podcast #132 – Sounding Out on the Cultural Politics of Sound & Listening
How often do you think about how you listen? What assumptions do you make about a person’s voice, their pitch or accent? What sound is desirable, and what’s rejected as noise? Prof. Jennifer Stoever thinks about these questions, a lot. And so do a growing number of scholars working in a field called Sound Studies. That’s the topic of the “Sounding Out” blog and podcast, which Prof. Stoever co-founded. She’s an associate professor of English at the University of Binghamton, and she’s our guest to discuss the cultural politics of sound and listening, and how these analyses apply to music, radio and podcasting. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly contribution at http://pateron.com/radiosurvivor . Show Notes: Sounding Out! Sounding Out Podcast #63 : The Sonic Landscapes of Unwelcome: Women of Color, Sonic Harassment, and Public Space The Sonic Color Line: Race and the Cultural Politics of Listening , by Jennifer Stoever Radio Preservation Task Force Sounding Out Podcast #65 on backstory of Sounding Out Binghamton Historical Soundwalk Project WHRW at Binghamtom University KUCR Sounding Out! Podcast #23: War of the Worlds Revisited The post Podcast #132 – Sounding Out on the Cultural Politics of Sound & Listening appeared fir
Tue, February 27, 2018
Podcast #131 – Libraries and Community Media
What if you could record your podcast at your local library, for free? In British Columbia, the Vancouver Public Library and West Vancouver Memorial let you do just that. And much more. Both libraries provide studio space, tools and instruction for creating podcasts, radio, videos and other forms of community media. But there’s more to it than that. Sam Mills from Vancouver Public Library and Sarah Felkar from the West Vancouver Public Library explain how their libraries help people be digital media creators, not just consumers. They also detail how just about any library can help you be a better media maker, lending assistance with starting your podcast or YouTube channel, selecting equipment, and doing research on topics for your show. This focus on media making signals a shift in how libraries interact with communities. We expand on this conversation with Ellen Knutson, who specializes in community engagement in her work as a research associate with the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and as an adjunct assistant professor at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois. We talk about different ways in which libraries are not just building partnerships, but becoming part of community. It’s something that also applies to community media. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month . With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly contribution at http://pateron.com/radiosurvivor . Show Notes: Sam Mills on Twitter Sarah Felkar on Twitter Vancouver Public Library Inspiration Lab West Vancouver Memorial Library The Pop This Podcast records at VPL, and recorded a live episode at VPL New York Public Library podcasts Ellen Knutson at University of Illinois School of Information Science Multnomah County Library Coffee and Conversations The post <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2018/02/podcast-131-libraries-and-community-media/
Wed, February 21, 2018
Podcast #130 – How To Preserve 50 Years of Community Radio History
Portland community radio station KBOO-FM celebrates its 50th year on air in 2018, and to commemorate the anniversary the station is hosting an exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society Museum. While an exhibit seems simple enough on the surface, in fact a lot of time, thought and work goes into curating the artifacts and narrative that it comprises. Moreover, the physical exhibit is just one aspect of KBOO’s effort to record and preserve its history, which includes an online exhibit and an extensive digitization project. To help explain this effort we’re joined by four people who are deeply involved with it: KBOO Program Director Erin Yanke, Development Director Becky Meiers, Designer Rob Lacosse and Archivist Marti Clemmons. They help us understand why this project is important, and some of the process behind it. Be sure to subscribe to Radio Survivor in your favorite podcast app or platform so that you never miss an episode. The show is available in Apple Podcasts , Stitcher , Google Play , TuneIn , Overcast , Radio Public , and any player that supports RSS . Need help subscribing? Click here for more info . Show Notes Oregon Historical Society Commemorates 50 Years of KBOO Community Radio 50 Years of KBOO at the Oregon Historical Society 50 Years of KBOO online exhibit The post Podcast #130 – How To Preserve 50 Years of Community Radi
Wed, February 14, 2018
Podcast #129 – Deaf Accessibility for Podcasts & Radio
If you’re a hearing person, you might not expect that podcasts would be popular with people who are deaf or are hard of hearing. But you’d be wrong. Miri Josephs is a podcaster who also considers herself part of the deaf community. She joins this episode to explain why it’s important to make podcasts, and radio, more accessible to people with hearing disabilities. She also offers tips for making your show more accessible to people with a range of hearing ability. Miri also tells us about the podcast she co-hosts, called “Always Here: An LGBT History Podcast.” Be sure to subscribe to Radio Survivor in your favorite podcast app or platform so that you never miss an episode. The show is available in Apple Podcasts , Stitcher , Google Play , TuneIn , Overcast , Radio Public , and any player that supports RSS . Need help subscribing? Click here for more info . Show Notes: Happy World Radio Day Podcast #33 1/3 – World Radio Day with Francesco Diasio, AMARC Secretary General Always Here: An LGBT History Podcast – “Oscar Wilde” The post Podcast #129 – Deaf Accessibility for Podcasts & Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, February 07, 2018
Podcast #128 – The FCC Is Creating the Clear Channel of TV
The nation’s largest TV station owner is about to get even bigger, threatening to create the equivalent of Clear Channel for local television. New ownership rules passed by the FCC’s Republican majority in November are set to take effect Feb. 7, paving the way for Sinclair Broadcast Group to acquire Tribune television stations. Prof. Christopher Terry of the University of Minnesota explains what’s at stake. Be sure to subscribe to Radio Survivor in your favorite podcast app or platform so that you never miss an episode. The show is available in Apple Podcasts , Stitcher , Google Play , TuneIn , Overcast , Radio Public , and any player that supports RSS . Need help subscribing? Click here for more info . Show Notes: A Legacy of Failure: FCC and Media Ownership Policy Could the FCC’s Legacy of Failure Trigger Even More Consolidation? The FCC’s Legacy of Failure: Failure Then Gives Us More Failure Now The post Podcast #128 – The FCC Is Creating the Clear Channel of TV appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 31, 2018
Podcast #127 – Franken-FMs Are Low-Power TV Stations Masquerading as Radio
“Franken FM” is the name writer Ernie Smith of Tedium.co calls TV broadcasters who use analog Channel 6 to be heard at 87.7 on the FM dial. Paul talks with Ernie about their mutual fascination with these stations, which Paul has written about extensively on Radio Survivor. Also included in the interview, Ernie Smith explains how he approaches writing about things for the internet. Tedium.co covers topics as diverse (and uniquely inconsequential) as FrankenFM and the inventor of the mouse pad. This interview is an encore presentation from episode #58. Show Notes: A Brief History of Backdoor ‘FrankenFM’ Radio Stations Ernie Smith on FrankenFMs: “Waaaaay Left of the Dial” The post Podcast #127 – Franken-FMs Are Low-Power TV Stations Masquerading as Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, January 23, 2018
Podcast #126 – We Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a broadcast radio license? How can I find all the LPFM or college radio stations? Will you visit and write about my favorite station? Every week the editors of Radio Survivor receive, and answer, queries like these from readers and listeners. While we enjoy corresponding with people, we thought we shouldn’t reserve our replies to just individual interlocutors. So here we have our very first mailbag episode, responding to the most frequently asked questions we receive. Maybe we tackle your most pressing questions about radio and community media. If not, drop us a line: podcast@radiosurvivor.com . Be sure to subscribe to Radio Survivor in your favorite podcast app or platform so that you never miss an episode. The show is available in Apple Podcasts , Stitcher , Google Play , TuneIn , Overcast , Radio Public , and any player that supports RSS . Need help subscribing? Click here for more info . Show Notes: Mailbag: We Get our First Transmitter Kit from a Fan The Education of a Radio Pirate Podcast #120: Have Your Own Tiny Radio Station Part 15 legal unlicensed broadcasting coverage on Radio Survivor <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2016/10/03/radio-statio
Wed, January 17, 2018
Podcast #125 – Radio Free America Is an Online Hub for Noncomm Radio
Radio Free America is an online hub for community, college and public radio streams, serving up two weeks of archived programming, on demand. Founded by CEO Kenneth Pushkin in 2013, the platform now hosts more than 125 noncommercial stations free of charge. Pushkin and RFA’s station relations manager Jeff Abrams join to explain more about the service. They also share some of their own radio experiences. Abrams talks about the community station he helped to found in Boise, Idaho. Pushkin tells us about the syndicated college radio show he started in the early 1980s, which had to be distributed via vinyl LP. It’s a side helping of tasty radio history. Be sure to subscribe to Radio Survivor in your favorite podcast app or platform so that you never miss an episode. The show is available in Apple Podcasts , Stitcher , Google Play , TuneIn , Overcast , Radio Public , and any player that supports RSS . Need help subscribing? Click here for more info . Show Notes: Radio Free America Interview from Dec. 2013: Radio Free America crowdfunds free streaming & community platform for college radio Radio Boise Billboard Magazine, Sept. 18, 1982 article about the previous incarnation of Radio Free America .
Tue, January 09, 2018
Podcast #124 – Seattle Hosts Young Podcasters & a New LPFM
Eric and Paul met young enthusiastic podcasters and podcast fans when they attended Podcon in Seattle at the beginning of December. It’s almost an understatement to say they were impressed by diversity of the attendees, and their love of radio drama style shows. Your hosts learned a lot (there’s a library with free public podcast studios!) and they share some of the takeaways in this episode. The same weekend Paul and Eric had the opportunity to attend the launch party for KBFG, a new LPFM community station in the Ballard neighborhood. The station was also featured in a recent New York Times feature on low-power FM. We share an interview with station staffers, co-founder Pam Burton, board member Jerry Russell and programming and promotions director MacKenzie McAninch. Paul also gives an update on the FCC’s decimation of network neutrality now that the FCC finally released the approved policy. He explains the timeline ahead for when the new rules will take affect, and when court challenges can begin. Be sure to subscribe to Radio Survivor in your favorite podcast app or platform so that you never miss an episode. The show is available in Apple Podcasts , Stitcher , Google Play , TuneIn , Overcast , Radio Public , and any player that supports RSS . Need help subscribing? Click here for more info . Show Notes: Ars Technica: FCC releases final net neutrality repeal order, three weeks after vote Multichannel News: Parsing a New Net Dereg Realit
Wed, January 03, 2018
Podcast #123 – 2017 in Review: The Good, the Bad & the Conspiracy Theories
2017 was a year of ups and downs, from the continued growth of LPFM to the loss of net neutrality. All four Radio Survivors gather to review the year that was, assessing what happened in college radio, community radio and podcasting, with stops along the way in Istanbul, conspiracy theories and classical music. Jennifer, Matthew, Eric and Paul guarantee you won’t hear another look back at 2017 like this one. Be sure to subscribe to Radio Survivor in your favorite podcast app or platform so that you never miss an episode. The show is available in Apple Podcasts , Stitcher , Google Play , TuneIn , Overcast , Radio Public , and any player that supports RSS . Show Notes: WBRU Programming Leaves FM in Advance of $5.63 Million License Sale to EMF Good Vibrations! a conversation about Açık Radyo of Istanbul, Turkey Podcast #121 – What Happens After Net Neutrality; Open Signal Public Access TV The post Podcast #123 – 2017 in Review: The Good, the Bad & the Conspiracy Theories appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, December 27, 2017
Podcast #122 – The Popular Community Radio Movement in Argentina
Anita Pouchard Serra traveled across Argentina helping to set up new community radio stations with the DTL! collective. A photojournalist, she also documented the building of these stations, that are officially unlicensed, but operate in the spirit of a communications law that passed, but never went into effect. Anita joins to tell us about this movement of Radio Comunitaria Alternativa y Popular, and its role in communities and the larger media environment in Argentina. This is an encore presentation from August, 2017. On our next episode all four Radio Survivors will be on hand to take a look back at 2017 and discuss what they’re looking forward to in 2018. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Anita Pouchard Serra’s website Photos & story: Communication Is Not a Marchandise (Commodity) NY Times Lens Blog: Argentina’s Community Radio Stations Offer an Alternative Look at News Wired: Argentinians Are So Sick of the Media, They’re Inventing Their Own Antena Negra TV Podcast #72 – Pete Tridish Celebrates an LPFM Success Story (Farmworkers’ Radio in Oregon) The post Podcast #122 – The Popular Community Radio Movement in Argentina appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, December 19, 2017
Podcast #121 – What Happens After Net Neutrality; Open Signal Public Access TV
Why didn’t the internet just stop working the day after the FCC voted to end network neutrality? Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota joins to answer that question, and explain what happens next. He also lays out where is the fight over internet freedom going next, and what the real threat is for independent and community media. Then we learn more about public access TV and how one station in Portland, OR is evolving and innovating to keep up with the times. We talk with two staffers from Open Signal Portland Community Media: Chris Lawn, Media Services Technical Lead and Rebecca Burrell, Director of Strategy and Development. We hear about the fundamentals of the medium and how Open Signal is rethinking how “access” can be more than just giving people equipment and airtime. Show Notes: Open Signal Portland Community Media New York attorney general announces a multi-state lawsuit challenging the net neutrality vote The FCC just killed net neutrality The post Podcast #121 – What Happens After Net Neutrality; Open Signal Public Access TV appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, December 12, 2017
Podcast #120 – Have Your Own Tiny Radio Station
First conceived in the 1930s, there is a type of tiny little radio station that anyone can operate legally, without a license. Bill DeFelice of HobbyBroadcaster.net joins the show to tell us about so-called ‘Part 15’ radio stations, and how you can get on the air today, to broadcast around your house, or even your neighborhood. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. We dedicate hours of time and effort for each weekly episode. Help us sustain and grow this show by contributing as little as $1 every month. With four episodes every month, that’s just 25 cents for each one. Make your monthly pledge of support at http://pateron.com/radiosurvivor . Show Notes: HobbyBroadcaster.net HobbyBroadcaster.net – History of Low-Power AM Transmitters & Phono Oscillators HobbyBroadcaster.net – Directory of Part 15 stations in the U.S. Found in the Attic: LPB Carrier Current AM Transmitter The End of Carrier Current? A hands-on review of a vintage Radio Shack electronics kit for children The post Podcast #120 – Have Your Own Tiny Radio Station appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, December 06, 2017
Podcast #119 – Chicago Independent Radio Project
The Chicago Independent Radio Project launched as an internet radio station nearly a decade ago, with a mission of bringing a truly independent music- and arts-focused community radio station to Chicago. Thanks to the Local Community Radio Act, which allowed the growth of low-power FM stations in the nation’s biggest cities—and a lot of hard work and organizing—CHIRP took to the Chicago FM airwaves on October 21 of this year. Shawn Campbell, CHIRP’s founder and general manager, also was a strong proponent and activist to pass the LCRA and grow LPFM, leading efforts at the station to educate listeners and supporters to advocate for the expansion of community radio. She tells the story of the station’s founding and move to the FM dial, and also shares some practical advice for building, organizing and funding a sustainable community radio station. Show Notes: The Chicago Independent Radio Project LPFM News: Chicago Independent Radio Project To Take Off Radio Station Field Trip #105 – CHIRP Radio in Chicago Podcast #60 – Happy National Radio Day! Prometheus Radio Project Learn more about LPFM Spinning Indie Radio Station Field Trip to WLUW in Chicago Spinning Indie Radio Station Field Trip to WZRD in Chicago Radio Station Field Trip 7 – Northwestern’s WNUR The post Podcast #119 – Chicago Independent Radio Project appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, November 28, 2017
Podcast #118 – Making Sense of the FCC’s Effort to Kill Net Neutrality
The FCC is about to vote on rules that would reverse network neutrality protections that the Commission put in place just two years ago. The terms of this rollback were released right before Thanksgiving, and represent the FCC effectively abdicating its role in guaranteeing the free flow of information on the internet. Prof. Christoper Terry from the University of Minnesota helps us understand this proposal and put it in historical perspective. He explains that the DC Circuit Court of Appeals already found the 2015 Open Internet order to be constitutional, and that FCC Chairman Pai’s proposal to undo this order will have a tough time surviving an inevitable court challenge. And, although much of the focus is on bandwidth-intensive media like video, Prof. Terry also lays out why independent podcasting and internet radio may also be threatened when the FCC kills net neutrality. Today is Giving Tuesday, so we’d like to ask you to consider a contribution to help us keep Radio Survivor going, producing our podcast, documenting the amazing college and community radio stations across the country and around the world, and covering important issues—like Net Neutrality—that impact our ability to communicate freely. Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign ‐even just $1 a month goes a long way. Or, make a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: The FCC’s Legacy of Failure: Failure Then Gives Us More Failure Now John Oliver Is the Hero the Internet Needs More than a Million Pro-Repeal Net Neutrality Comments were Likely Faked FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: Understanding Chairman Pai’s Proposal to Dismantle Net Neutrality FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel: “ I’m on the FCC. Please stop us from killing net neutrality ” FCC letter to the Supreme Court requesting an extension
Tue, November 21, 2017
Podcast #117 – Soundwork: Preserving the Legacy of Radio, Podcasts (& Alice’s Restaurant)
“Podcasts are luring people into listening,” Jennifer Waits reports, quoting the esteemed radio scholar Susan Douglas, from her keynote address at the recent Radio Preservation Task Force conference in Washington DC. Jennifer also relays some important reasons for studying radio history shared at the conference, especially to help understand the present and plan for the future, and she fills us in about efforts to preserve the early history and recordings of podcasts, as well as women’s pivotal role in the medium. Then we discuss Jennifer’s annual charting of the stations that will observe the Thanksgiving tradition of playing Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant,” and a mysterious 1970s public access TV artifact depicting a pirate radio station that once broadcast from Paul’s Portland, OR neighborhood. Show Notes Radio Preservation Task Force The Library of Congress Launches Radio Preservation Task Force Podcast #37: Preservation, Pirates and Radionomy Podcast #40: Radio Treasure Hunt College Radio Watch: Preserving College Radio’s History at the RPTF Conference Radio Preservation Task Force Announces Radio History Conference in DC in November Sounding Out! Sounding Out! Podcast Episode Guide Radio Atlas Alice’s Restaurant on the Radio (Radio Survivor archives) Alice’s Restaurant and more 2017 Thanksgiving Broadcasts <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/201
Wed, November 15, 2017
Podcast #116 – Community Podcasting in Community Radio
We’ve talked about community podcasting on the show, now we want to connect the dots to community radio. The apparent ubiquity of public radio podcasts makes it seem like a podcast of a radio show is just automatic. But, in fact, turning terrestrial shows into consistent podcasts requires work and thoughtful planning behind the scenes. Community radio KPOV in Bend, OR is starting a project to do just that. Station Manager Jill Mahler joins us to explain the history of the project, how it’s funded and how they plan to launch. Show Notes: Community Radio KPOV Bend, OR Podcast #107 – Exploring Community Podcasting Paul’s old radio show that he syndicated and turned into a podcast: Mediageek KPOV shows that are syndicated: Calling All Cowboys The Ultimate Oldies Show Storyland The post Podcast #116 – Community Podcasting in Community Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, November 07, 2017
Podcast #115 – The Federal Consolidation Commission
The Federal Communications Commission just proposed new ownership rules that would drastically loosen restrictions on broadcast station ownership limits. Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota joins us again to help understand this proposal, and the threat to local journalism and broadcasting. He argues that it has be viewed in an historical context, with respect to the FCC’s failed attempts to deregulation ownership over the last 21 years. Arguably, nobody understands this legacy better than he does. Show Notes: A Legacy of Failure: FCC and Media Ownership Policy Could the FCC’s Legacy of Failure Trigger Even More Consolidation? Can your local radio announcer pronounce your city’s name? Chris Terry on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 Podcast #112 – Sinclair Could Become the Wal-Mart of TV The post Podcast #115 – The Federal Consolidation Commission appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, October 31, 2017
Podcast #114 – A Common Sense Approach to Unlicensed Broadcasting
Journalism professor John Anderson has been tracking the FCC’s enforcement of unlicensed radio for 20 years, and has seen the agency have little success, despite the periodic uptick in policing the airwaves, such as we’re seeing now. He suggests there are common sense approaches to managing the FM broadcast spectrum that would address the underlying causes of pirate radio. John also updates us on the elimination of the “main studio rule” for radio stations in the US, and what that means for community, college and public stations. And, finally, he reports back from the Wave Farm 20th Anniversary event held recently in Greenwich Village, NYC. Show Notes: DIYMedia.net: FCC Whacks Zombie Moles Stations Without Studios Podcast #34 – How the Telecom Act of ’96 Triggered Popular Resistance New Zealand Has Legal Unlicensed Low-Power FM Wave Farm Celebrates 20 Years of Transmission Art The post Podcast #114 – A Common Sense Approach to Unlicensed Broadcasting appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, October 24, 2017
Podcast #113 – Mutual Aid Saves College Radio Station
At the end of 2015, it looked like the University of Nevada-Las Vegas might hand over the keys to its radio station, KUNV-FM, to Nevada Public Radio. More than a year later the situation reversed course, with the university deciding to keep the station and increase student involvement. Our college radio watcher Jennifer Waits learned that advice from other thriving college stations was pivotal in creating the plan to revitalize KUNV. In particular, the station’s General Manager Frank Mueller relied on wisdom from George Bodarky, the News & Public Affairs Director at Fordham University’s WFUV. Seeing this as a teachable moment, we invited them both on this episode to share this success story with our listeners. The advice for engaging students in radio and their community that Frank and George share is pertinent not just for college radio, but for community radio broadcasters and podcasters, too. Show Notes: WFUV, Fordham University Radio Station Visit #139: WFUV at Fordham University KUNV, University of Nevada-Las Vegas College Radio Watch: FM Revival in Texas, Nevada Public Radio Eyes KUNV, KJZC Donated to Chadron State College & More News Podcast #27 – Public Radio Bid for UNLV Station, Rdio Shutdown & Net Neutrality Podcast #28 – A Deep Dive into the Public Radio Bid for KUNV Podcast #77 – Trump’s FCC, Norway’s FM, UNLV’s KUNV & Live 365’s Comeback College Radio Watch: Pending WUMD Sale, KUNV Averts Takeover, CMJ Troubles and More News Podcast #51 – Carrier Current is Cool The post Podcast #113 – Mutual Aid Saves College Radio Station appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, October 17, 2017
Podcast #112 – Sinclair Could Become the Wal-Mart of TV
Ajit Pai was just renominated and confirmed as the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and there are a number of pivotal policy items ahead on his agenda. Our resident FCC watcher, Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota, joins to help us understand what’s in store and what the stakes are. First, he explains the reality behind President Trump’s threat to revoke NBC’s television license. Then he tackles the proposed merger between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Company’s television stations, detailing the maneuvers required for the FCC to approve it, and what it means for local news. Finally, Paul and Eric reflect on the vitally important role radio is playing for local communities that are suffering natural disasters, like the hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the wildfires in Northern California. We also want you to know that this show is now available for broadcast by non-commercial terrestrial and internet stations. Each week we have a special broadcast version of the show that stations may access. Learn more here: https://www.radiosurvivor.com/radio/ Show Notes: Prof. Christopher Terry’s first appearance on the show: Podcast #7 – The FCC’s Legacy of Failure with Media Ownership Policy Can your local radio announcer pronounce your city’s name? Chris Terry on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 The post Podcast #112 – Sinclair Could Become the Wal-Mart of TV appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, October 03, 2017
Podcast #111 – Celebrating College Radio Day 2017
Rob Quicke founded College Radio Day in order to celebrate this unique medium and service. This year’s College Radio Day happens Oct. 6. Now in its seventh year, the celebration has spread globally with hundreds of stations participating. Quicke, who is also the GM of WPSC-FM at William Paterson University, joins to share the story of this event, detailing the reasons why college radio deserves to be celebrated. He also turns the tables on your hosts, asking them to explain what they think makes for good radio. Show Notes: College Radio Day World College Radio Day First College Radio Day Hits the Airwaves in 2011 WPSC-FM , William Paterson University WMSC-FM , Montclair State University WTSR-FM , The College of New Jersey Students at WRAS to Lose Daytime FM in Deal with Public Radio Group WSOU , Seton Hall University Nine Tips to Ensure College Radio’s Survival The post Podcast #111 – Celebrating College Radio Day 2017 appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, September 26, 2017
Podcast #110 – Grassroots Radio Conference Preview
The Grassroots Radio Conference is an annual meeting of community, college and other non-commercial radio stations for the purpose of skill-sharing, training and strengthening ties. We talk with Caitlin Reading, a LPFM station startup specialist who is helping to organize this year’s GRC, happening Oct. 6 – 9 at WCAA-LP in Albany, NY, to learn what will be happening. Then Paul and Jennifer reflect on the two decade history of the GRC, and its evolution and growth alongside the birth and flowering of low-power FM radio. Show Notes: Grassroots Radio Conference 2017 WCAA-LP, Albany, NY Podcast #68 – Report Back from the Grass Roots Radio Conference 2016 Radio World: Optimism Infuses Grassroots Conference – Jennifer’s report from 2012 Community radio broadcasters and builders converged at GRC 2012 Podcast #67 – New Community Radio in Borneo (interview with Jim Ellinger) Podcast #72 – Pete Tridish Celebrates an LPFM Success Story Radio Station Visit #124 – WRIR-LP in Richmond, VA Podcast #88 – From Color Radio to WRIR The post Podcast #110 – Grassroots Radio Conference Preview appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, September 19, 2017
Podcast #109 – News From Bainbridge Island to Reykjavík
As autumn kicks off in the northern hemisphere Jennifer, Eric and Paul circle back to share responses to last week’s episode, all about community podcasting, and look forward to what’s in store for community media this fall. Jennifer lets us know about two international festivals being broadcast by her home station KFJC, and reports on the impending sale of the Brown University affiliated commercial station, WBRU. We also preview College Radio Day, the Grassroots Radio Conference, and Radio Preservation Task Force conference. Show Notes: Bainbridge Community Broadcasting Podcast #107 – Exploring Community Podcasting KFJC in Iceland KFJC in Liverpool for Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia KFJC website WBRU Programming Leaves FM in Advance of $5.63 Million License Sale to EMF Country Music and a 70-Year Commercial College Radio Legacy: Visiting WUVA at University of Virginia Commercial College Radio: A Unicorn on FM Grassroots Radio Conference Podcast #68: Report Back from the 2016 Grassroots Radio Conference Radio Station Visit #121: Solar Powered LPFM KUHS-LP in Hot Springs, Arkansas College Radio Day on October 6 International Podcast Day is September 30 Radio Preservation Task Force The post <a
Tue, September 12, 2017
Podcast #108 – Advice for Launching a Hit Podcast
Zahra Noorbakhsh and Tanzila ‘Taz’ Ahmed started using the #GoodMuslimBadMuslim hashtag as a joke on twitter. When they started a podcast using the same name it became an instant hit. They were getting positive press coverage before they had even recorded their first episode. Zahra joins to discuss the show, and the things she has learned about podcasting. Please help support this non-commercial podcast. Comments? Something you think we should cover? Email us: podcast@radiosurvivor.com | Tweet us: @radiosurvivor Show Notes: #GoodMuslimBadMuslim Podcast Zahra Noorbakhsh Taz Ahmed Matthew Lasar’s Mix Cloud show Nuggets of Twitter Wisdom on Succeeding with Podcasting Reenacting a 1972 men-on-feminism community radio show The post Podcast #108 – Advice for Launching a Hit Podcast appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, September 05, 2017
Podcast #107 – Exploring Community Podcasting
On this episode we revisit our features on Bainbridge Community Broadcasting, and our interviews with founders Barry and Channie Peters. BCB started out as a low-power community radio initiative, but pivoting into podcasting when the group discovered that would better serve their community. We’ll listen to our first conversation with them from July 2015, and then Paul’s follow-up visit to their studios in November 2016. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Bainbridge Community Broadcasting Radio Survivor Podcast #8: Bainbridge Community Broadcasting Chose Podcasting over LPFM Podcast #73 – Catching Up with Bainbridge Island’s Community Podcasting Experiment The post Podcast #107 – Exploring Community Podcasting appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, August 30, 2017
Podcast #106 – Not Yet Big Enough to Fail
Paul reports back from the Podcast Movement 2017 conference with some fresh facts about this growing medium, along with observations and advice from speakers and keynotes. There are definitely nuggets of information that will be useful to community and college podcasters and podcasters. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Podcast Movement The post Podcast #106 – Not Yet Big Enough to Fail appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, August 22, 2017
Podcast #105 – From the Princeton Review to Incoming Wounded
The Princeton Review’s annual list of top college radio stations is out, and college radio expert Jennifer Waits joins to deconstruct the list, its methodology, and the notion of “best” college radio stations in the first place. Then Paul talks with Ed Hadley, who has been producing the overnight radio show “Incoming Wounded” on community radio WEFT for some 35 years. This leads to a reflection on the wildly creative and often weird radio heard on community radio, but rarely found on the rest of the dial. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: 2018 Princeton Review “Best College Radio Station” List is Released WSBU-FM Ed Hadley on Soundcloud RadioSurvivor’s Top Radio Shows – Paul’s #3: Incoming Wounded (from 2010) WEFT-FM Spinning Indie Field Trips in Urbana Radio Station Tour #33- WEFT-FM >Optimism Infuses Grassroots Radio Conference (includes mention of WEFT and WPGU tours) Archives of Cy Thoth’s “Firebunker” Show on KFJC-FM The post Podcast #105 – From the Princeton Review to Incoming Wounded appeared first on <a
Wed, August 16, 2017
Podcast #104 – Soundcloud, Patent Troll & the Legacy of Talk
We catch up on news that’s important to podcasters and broadcasters. Soundcloud received emergency investment to keep running, but is it still a sustainable host for podcasts? The podcast patent troll is totally dead, finally. And, responding to reader and listener questions, Paul reviews the history of proposals to create a low-power AM radio service in the U.S. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Podcast #103 – The Popular Community Radio Movement in Argentina Groucho Marx and Truman Capote on the Dick Cavett Show SoundCloud saved by emergency funding as CEO steps aside “Podcasting patent” is totally dead, appeals court rules What about Low-Power AM (LPAM)? The post Podcast #104 – Soundcloud, Patent Troll & the Legacy of Talk appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, August 10, 2017
Podcast #103 – The Popular Community Radio Movement in Argentina
Anita Pouchard Serra traveled across Argentina helping to set up new community radio stations with the DTL! collective. A photojournalist, she also documented the building of these stations, that are officially unlicensed, but operate in the spirit of a communications law that passed, but never went into effect. Anita joins to tell us about this movement of Radio Comunitaria Alternativa y Popular, and its role in communities and the larger media environment in Argentina. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Anita Pouchard Serra’s website Photos & story: Communication Is Not a Marchandise (Commodity) NY Times Lens Blog: Argentina’s Community Radio Stations Offer an Alternative Look at News Wired: Argentinians Are So Sick of the Media, They’re Inventing Their Own Antena Negra TV Podcast #72 – Pete Tridish Celebrates an LPFM Success Story (Farmworkers’ Radio in Oregon) The post Podcast #103 – The Popular Community Radio Movement in Argentina appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, August 01, 2017
Podcast #102 – How Inclusive Is Community Media, Really?
Sally Kane, CEO of the National Federation Community Broadcasters, has a question for community media: How inclusive are we, really? That’s the jumping off point for our conversation with Sally and her colleague Ernesto Aguilar, as they report back from the NFCB 2017 Conference, held in Denver, CO July 17 – 19. We discuss the value of focusing on what’s working in community media—as opposed to what’s not and what resources are lacking—creating a platform for true community voices, and embracing young generations of new community media leaders. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes National Federation of Community Broadcasters The post Podcast #102 – How Inclusive Is Community Media, Really? appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, July 25, 2017
Podcast #101 – Racist Sandwich
Racist Sandwich is a Portland, Oregon based podcast that tackles the intersection of food, race, class and gender. Started by journalist Zahir Janmohamed and chef Soleil Ho, both with no prior podcasting experience, the show has received recommendations from outlets like the CBC and The New York Times. Zahir joins us to talk about learning the ins and outs of podcasting, cultivating an audience and tackling a niche topic. Paul also has an update on the July 12 Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality, which Radio Survivor participated in. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Racist Sandwich podcast News stories Zahir mentioned: Restaurant employee fired after talking with the newspaper about his economic status Tri-Met murders Why Radio Survivor Supports the Day of Action for Net Neutrality BattleForTheNet.com The post Podcast #101 – Racist Sandwich appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, July 19, 2017
Podcast #100 – It’s All Radio Now
The four Radio Survivors—Jennifer Waits, Matthew Lasar, Eric Klein and Paul Riismandel—come together to reflect on 100 episodes of the podcast, and 8 years of Radio Survivor, sharing some favorite moments, and some thoughts about the future of community media. Importantly, Matthew observes that “radio is dead” articles and think-pieces have subsided as of late, perhaps marking a new era where radio and audio media are as converged as video and TV. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Spinning indie radio station tours Jennifer’s 2008 tour of WNUR Mediageek Radio Show: “The Value of College Radio” with guest Jennifer Waits (July, 2009) Matthew’s video: A quick tour of Thrillhouse Records Podcast #48: 100 Radio Station Tours Podcast #24: The Value of High School Radio Podcast #96 – Are Smart Speakers Smart for Community Radio? DJ B’s Library Tour Denver Public Library Brings Local Band Radio to the City Podcast #57 – Celebrating the Mosaic of Community Radio <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.
Tue, July 11, 2017
Podcast #99: The Beginning Of The End For AM Radio In Brazil
Brazil is embarking on a grand experiment with the radio dial. AM stations have the opportunity to relocate to FM, and plans are afoot to expand the size of the FM dial. However, don’t be surprised that you haven’t heard about it. We hadn’t either until listener Álvaro Burns brought it to our attention. Álvaro is a community broadcaster and podcaster from São Bernardo do Campo, and he joins us to explain the AM migration, and what it means for community radio. Then we reflect on the implications for the United States, where the FCC is about to open a licensing window for AM stations to get FM translator repeater stations, and is weighing other options for so-called “AM revitalization.” Álvaro also tells us about community radio in Brazil, and that country’s approach to licensing community stations. Next week we celebrate 100 episodes of the Radio Survivor show with all four Radio Survivors reflecting on some of our favorite moments. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Álvaro Burns’ “A Hora Do Cafezinho” podcast Radio Paraty – www.radioparaty.com.br – Álvaro’s station Brazil’s AM Phase-Out Proceeds Slowly – Radio Magazine FM Band in Brazil Being Extended 50 % – Digital Radio Insider FCC’s AM Revitalization = Move AM Stations to FM Podcast #83 – How AM Revi
Tue, July 04, 2017
Podcast #98 – Celebrating ‘Small’ Podcasts
With so much of the online discussion in podcasting seeming to focus on growing audiences and getting big, we thought it necessary to explore and celebrate “small” podcasting, shows that don’t break onto the charts, but have dedicated audiences. If we celebrate small business and small craft breweries, why not celebrate small podcasts? Eric talks with Richard Molina Weber and Kenna Conklin of the “Going Last” podcast, which covers table top gaming. The hosts explain why they produce the show, its relationship to the gaming community, and why they’re happy with having a “small” audience. Then Paul and Eric put this celebration in context, especially considering that the vast majority of podcasts will never make it onto the Apple Podcasts chart. Coming next week: We talk with Álvaro Burns, a community broadcaster and podcaster from São Bernardo, Brazil, who will discuss that country’s plan to decommission the AM radio band, and move AM radio stations to the FM dial. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Going Last podcast Álvaro Burns’ “A Hora Do Cafezinho” podcast Podcast #91 – Designing a Course in Podcasting The post Podcast #98 – Celebrating ‘Small’ Podcasts appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, June 27, 2017
Podcast #97: PhillyCAM’s LPFM in the City of Brotherly Love
Intrepid radio tourist Jennifer Waits reports back from her journey to PhillyCAM radio in the City of Brotherly Love, adding a low-power FM station, WPPM-LP, to an established public access TV operation. Following up on episode #96 we catch up on the latest smart speaker research and Jennifer shares news about two college stations sold off to the highest bidder. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Podcast #96 – Are Smart Speakers Smart for Community Radio? Matthew’s Hybrid Highbrow Podcast #1 My TV Roamio is an Internet Radio My Sonos is an Internet Radio PhillyCAM Celebrates Community Media Day (Jennifer’s report for Radio World) Radio Station Visit #138 – Philadelphia’s Community Radio Station WPPM-LP College Radio Watch: Weber State to Sell KWCR License to EMF, WUMD’s Final Days of FM UMass Dartmouth Plans to Sell License for WUMD Radio World: Radio Survivor Launches Podcast <a href="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2017/01/04/umass-dartmouth-plans-to-sell-license-for-college-radio-station-wumd-to-rhode-islan
Tue, June 20, 2017
Podcast #96 – Are Smart Speakers Smart for Community Radio?
Amazon Echo. Google Home. And soon, Apple’s HomePod. Smart speakers are quickly taking up residence in homes. Taking voice commands to deliver news, weather, music and more, they play a very radio-like role in people’s daily routine. Radio journalist Brian Edwards-Tiekert joins to explain what these speakers can do, what they can’t, and what the implications are for community radio and podcasters. He recently completed a John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University where one of his research topics was the relationship between smart speakers and local journalism, co-authoring a post on Medium with the findings. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Brian Edwards-Tiekert at the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship Will Alexa Destroy Us? On Medium, by Gabriel Spitzer and Brian Edwards-Tiekert How and Why Public Comments on Net Neutrality Make a Difference Podcast #92 – Conspiracy Theory & Community Radio includes Matthew Lasar’s explanation on the value of comments in FCC proceedings The post Podcast #96 – Are Smart Speakers Smart for Community Radio? appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, June 13, 2017
Podcast #95 – Mixcloud Can Be Community Radio, Too
After covering the comeback of the live streaming radio platform Live365 two episodes ago, listeners asked us to check out MixCloud, which offers free streaming of music radio shows, DJ sets, mixtapes and podcasts for anyone, including radio stations and independent producers. So this week we talk with Xanthe Fuller, Head of Community for Mixcloud. She explains the Mixcloud service, its community of creators and listeners, and how the company is able to offer its service for free. Then we talk to a producer who uses Mixcloud, Doug Hoepker. His Little Records podcast focuses on music from the classic era of college radio in the 1980s and 1990s, all sourced from vinyl. The project started as a live streaming radio station, which he transitioned to ta podcast on Mixcloud. Doug tells us about Little Records and what motivated the transition from a live stream to an on-demand show. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Mixcloud Xanthe Fuller’s show on East London Radio The Audio Culture podcast by Mixcloud Little Records The post Podcast #95 – Mixcloud Can Be Community Radio, Too appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, June 06, 2017
Podcast #94 – The High School Station that Went HD
If you’ve heard of HD Radio it was probably in a spot on a major commercial station, not a high school station. KVCB-LP is the exception to that rule, a high school radio station that is likely the first and only low-power FM station to start broadcasting in digital HD Radio. Ralph Martin is the operations director for the station, owned by Vacaville Christian Schools. He explains how and why KVCB went HD, detailing the challenging trail he had to blaze. He also shares the station’s unique approach to programming and integrating broadcasting into the school’s curriculum. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: VCS Radio, FM 100.9 KVCB-LP Wikipedia: HD Radio About Low-Power FM (LPFM) LA’s KCHUNG Radio Demonstrates the Power of Part 15 Broadcasting Radio Station Visit #117 – KCHUNG Radio in Los Angeles The post Podcast #94 – The High School Station that Went HD appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 31, 2017
Podcast #93 – The Return of Live365 Boosts Indie Internet Radio
Independent internet radio was devastated in January 2016 when music royalty rates shot up and long-time webcasting company Live365 went out of business. Now Live365 is back under new ownership, and CEO Jon Stephenson joins the show to tell us how the company is ready to help small webcasters get back to broadcasting online affordably, despite the tremendously higher royalty rates. Community radio people: this is your last chance to score a $50 discount to attend this year’s National Federation of Community Broadcast Conference in Denver, CO, July 17 – 19. Listen to this episode to get your coupon code. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Eric’s radio documentary: Web Radio in Peril Live365 to Broadcasters: We’re Shutting Down Jan. 31 (Jan. 20, 2016) Live365 and the importance of the revenue percentage option (Jan. 2, 2016) Why American Independent Internet Radio May Go Extinct in 2016 Podcast #29 – Will 2016 Be the End of Indie Internet Radio? Podcast #31 – It’s the 13th Hour for Small Webcasters , includes interview with Paul Merrell from StreamLicensing.com The post Podcast #93 – The Return of Live365 Boosts Indie Internet Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, May 23, 2017
Podcast #92 – Conspiracy Theory & Community Radio
Mae Brussell hosted radio shows focused on the JFK Assassination, fascism and other conspiracies on community radio stations KLRB an KAZU in the 1970s and 1980s. Brussell’s brand of broadcasting represents a strain of community radio show thatcontinues to be found, often to the chagrin of program directors and boards of directors. Matthew Lasar joins the show to share some of what he learned about Brussell in preparing for his own course on the history of conspiracy theories at UC Santa Cruz, leading a discussion that brings us up to today. Before we dance the conspiracy-a-go-go, Paul updates us on the FCC’s proposed rulemaking to undo the 2015 Open Internet order and network neutrality. Then Matthew explains why and how public comments on these rulemakings actually make a difference. Radio Survivor is a listener-supported podcast. You can support us two ways: Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Snow Notes: Mae Brussell, the KLRB and KAZU years Broadcasting & Cable: FCC Launches Rollback of Title II Podcast #90 – FCC Chair Declares War on the Open Internet Podcast #91 – Designing a Course in Podcasting Remembering Nick Leggett, LPFM Pioneer The post Podcast #92 – Conspiracy Theory & Community Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, May 16, 2017
Podcast #91 – Designing a Course in Podcasting
This one is for the podcasters, and for the radio producers. Eric is set to teach a class on podcasting, so he asks Paul for advice on what to include. Instead of focusing on microphones and recording gear, they tackle the hard questions that every podcaster should consider. Before heading into the course design, Paul has updates from the net neutrality front, including John Oliver anti-net-neutrality spam bots. Show Notes: Podcast #90 – FCC Chair Declares War on the Open Internet John Oliver Is the Hero the Internet Needs Open Internet Back in the Crosshairs Radio Survivor Podcast #8: Bainbridge Community Broadcasting Chose Podcasting over LPFM Podcast #79 – Community Radio & Podcasting: Are They Worth It? The post Podcast #91 – Designing a Course in Podcasting appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, May 09, 2017
Podcast #90 – FCC Chair Declares War on the Open Internet
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is serving up a big cup of you-know-what for net neutrality, declaring his intent to decimate the 2 year-old Open Internet Order and the Title II protections it bestows on the internet. Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota joins to help us understand what Chairman Pai intends to do, why, and what the stakes are for all of us. He also tackles iHeartMedia’s desperate finances, and why the fate of the company formerly known as Clear Channel matters to all of radio. Radio Survivor can now be heard on community radio XRAY.fm in Portland, OR every Friday at noon, on 91.1 FM and 107.1 FM. Radio Survivor is a listener and reader supported media outlet. We provide the most consistent coverage of community, college and independent radio because of people just like you. Please make a contribution to help us keep doing this important work. Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: Podcast #85 – Dreaming of a Better CPB Sally Kane of the NFCB explained the importance of CPB funding for tribal stations on episode #81 Use GoFCCYourself.com to comment on the FCC’s plans to dismantle net neutrality. Prof. Christopher Terry on Twitter Open Internet Back in the Crosshairs The FCC’s Legacy on Media Ownership: Now with More Failure! Podcast #33 – 20 Years Ago Local Radio Was Crushed The post Podcast #90 – FCC Chair Declares War on the Open Internet appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 03, 2017
Podcast #89 – How To Preserve Radio History
Laura Schnitker is an archivist and curator at the University of Maryland who has been active in preserving the legacy of college station WMUC, along with co-chairing the Library of Congress Radio Preservation Task Force (with Radio Survivor Jennifer Waits). Laura recently gave a talk about her radio preservation and archiving work at the “College Radio: Then, Now and Next” symposium at the University of Virginia. We share that informative talk on this week’s episode. Before that, Paul reports news about FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plans to dismantle network neutrality and the FCC’s Open Internet Order, as well as his drive to further loosen media ownership rules. Jennifer discusses her experience attending the college radio symposium, pointing out a trend she’s observed in talking with college students at this and another recent conference. Community radio folks: learn about the upcoming NFCB conference July 17-19 and get $50 off your registration by using the promo code you’ll hear in this week’s episode! Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: NFCB Conference 2017: “A Place Called Community” – Get $50 off registration with the promo code mentioned in this episode! Archive of Jennifer’s Recent Radio Station Tours Free Press: FCC Chairman’s Attacks on Free Press Don’t Change the Facts Free Press: Net Neutrality Violations – A Brief History Podcast #78 – Pai is Trump’s FCC Guy, with Prof. Christopher Terry WTJU Symposium: “College Radio: Then, Now, and Next” <a href="http://yewknee.com/blog/dead-air-the-rise-and-ruin-of-college-radio/" t
Wed, April 19, 2017
Podcast #88 – From Color Bar Radio to WRIR
WRIR is a community radio station born from the first wave of low-power FM in the early 2000s. Yet the station has roots in the rich history of independent media in Richmond, VA. Intrepid radio tourist Jennifer Waits shares her tour of the station, uncovering obscure cable radio history along with some unexpected facts about her alma mater’s college station at Haverford College. First, Paul addresses recent inquiries that we’ve fielded about Corporation for Public Broadcast funding and about our coverage of the topic. Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: Podcast #85 – Dreaming of a Better CPB Podcast #81 – To Thrive in 2017 Put the Community in Community Radio ‘The Pub’ #91: What would actually happen if they defunded CPB Current: 5 things you need to know about threats to CPB funding Radio Station Visit #124 – Community Radio Station WRIR-LP in Richmond, Virginia The post Podcast #88 – From Color Bar Radio to WRIR appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, April 04, 2017
Podcast #87 – Crossing Platforms, from Radio to TV and Beyond
Community radio stations are not just transmitters and studios. Similarly, public access TV stations aren’t just cable channels with studios. They are community media platforms, with a privileged place and sense of permanence that comes from their FCC license or franchise agreement, respectively. This week we explore how community radio and public access TV can work together, and how both kinds of stations can grow beyond the traditional boundaries of their respective medium. We share audio from a panel exploring this topic, moderated by Radio Survivor podcast host/producer Paul Riismandel at the Alliance for Community Media Northwest Region Summit, held at Open Signal, Portland Community Media on March 31 and April 1. Joining Paul for the discussion are Becky Meiers, Development Director at community radio KBOO-FM in Portland, and Devon Febbroriello, Executive Producer & Creative Director for XRAY Television, a joint project between XRAY.fm community radio and Open Signal TV. Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: ACM 2017 NW Media Summit: Stories for Change Community Radio KBOO-FM Community Radio XRAY.fm Open Signal, Portland Community Media The post Podcast #87 – Crossing Platforms, from Radio to TV and Beyond appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, March 28, 2017
Podcast #86 – Radio Resistance from an Alternate Universe
“Hijacking airwaves, a secret network of DJs broadcast messages of hope to keep the memory of a former America alive,” reads the press release for a marketing campaign that has captured our imagination here at Radio Survivor. “Resistance Radio” was created to promote the Amazon television series “The Man in The High Castle.” Steve Coulson of the marketing agency Campfire is our guest on the podcast. “Resistance Radio” exists outside of the television program as a collection of fictional pirate radio broadcasts currently available online. DJs speak from their secret bunkers, describing a war-torn dystopian America. As one DJ opines, “always subversive, rarely lucrative, Resistance Radio.” Coulson gives us the inside scoop on how Resistance Radio came to be and also reveals some hidden tidbits embedded within the “broadcasts.” Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes Resistance Radio website Jennifer’s Review of Resistance Radio: Mesmerizing, Dystopian Pirate Radio The marketing agency behind the project: Campfire College Radio: Then, Now, and Next Symposium at University of Virginia Spinning Indie Field Trip – WHRC at Haverford College Radio Station Visit #123 – WVCW at Virginia Commonwealth University The post Podcast #86 – Radio Resistance from an Alternate Universe appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, March 21, 2017
Podcast #85 – Dreaming of a Better CPB
The president’s proposed budget would eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by 2018. Radio Survivor’s own Matthew Lasar joins to help us put this attack on public broadcasting in historical perspective. He analyzes the inherent weakness in the design of the CPB and proposes ways in which the system could be both stronger and more independent. Matthew also shares a couple of community radio nuggets he’s recently uncovered in the Internet Archive, including a bygone cable-radio station from Bloomington, Indiana, and late night broadcasts from Wichita, Kansas. Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes Sally Kane of the NFCB explained the importance of CPB funding for tribal stations on episode #81 DJ “Gary Indiana” on WQAX-FM (“Quacks”), February 1981 The Mumbles play on Sister Midnight: Wichita public radio, 1987 1951: Uncle Sam produces military training film on independent radio The post Podcast #85 – Dreaming of a Better CPB appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, March 14, 2017
Podcast #84 – Improving Your Radio Reception
LPFM, college and community stations are great, but because of low power many of them are also hard to hear, especially inside your house or office. Based on an inquiry from one of our Patreon supporters, we dedicate this episode to helping you improve your reception. Broadcaster and radio reviewer extraordinaire Jay Allen, the man behind the Radio Jay Allen website, joins to share his best advice for buying a new radio that will pull in those lower powered gems, and for optimizing reception with the radios or receivers you already own. To make it easier for you to find the radios Jay recommends and follow his advice, we’ve summarized his tips in a separate post: https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2017/03/14/improve-lpfm-community-college-radio-reception/ In the news, Jennifer reports on the possible sale of Brown University’s commercial radio station and give a preview of WTJU’s symposium, “College Radio: Then, Now, and Next” on March 17, where she will be presenting. Paul shares fresh stats on internet radio and podcast listening from the annual Infinite Dial survey, leading to a discussion on why non-comms need to be online and, especially, on YouTube in order to reach the youngest generation of potential listeners. Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes Radio Jay Allen’s Radio Reviews, Comparisons and Restorations Companion Post: How To Improve Your LPFM, Community and College Radio Reception College Radio Watch: WBRU May Sell License and more News College Radio Watch: College Radio Symposium at University of Virginia and More News The Infinite Dial 2017 The post Podcast #84 – Improving Your Radio Reception appeared first on Radio Survivor .</p
Tue, February 28, 2017
Podcast #83 – How AM Revitalization Pressures LPFM
Advice for LPFM stations and podcasters this week. A recent rule change at the FCC allows more AM stations to get repeaters on the FM dial, but may put unnecessary pressure on existing low-power FM stations. Paul and Eric discuss this situation and what LPFM stations may need to do in response, along with the new FCC Chairman’s public support for FM radios in smartphones. Then they talk about how new podcasters should be specific in choosing a topic and description for their shows, and why “market research” is a valuable tool for doing this. Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes FCC Order: “FCC Moves to Help AM Radio Stations Serve Listeners” Inside Radio: “LPFM Advocates Clash with FCC over LPFM Proposal” The Verge: “FCC chief wants smartphones’ hidden FM radios turned on, but won’t do anything about it” The Wolf Den: Julie Shapiro, Radiotopia Executive Producer Tedium: “You’re Wearing An Antenna – Why headphones are often not optional when it comes to portable devices with FM radio functionality.” The Timbre: “Noisecasting – The Search for Podcasting’s Bleeding Edge.” The post Podcast #83 – How AM Revitalization Pressures LPFM appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, February 21, 2017
Podcast #82 – Busting Myths & Counting Charts
Conventional wisdom says young people don’t listen to the radio. Jennifer Waits talks to two college broadcasters from KUOZ-LP at the University of the Ozarks who bust that myth. She also takes us on a tour of a new community LPFM, KPSQ-LP, located in a hotel in Fayetteville, AR. But first, Paul and Jennifer discuss more troubling news about CMJ, the oldest and most prominent music charting service in noncommercial radio, and Jennifer reviews some newer alternative music charts ready to fill in the gap. Big thanks go to our Patreon supporters who helped fund Jennifer Waits’s travels to Arkansas where she was able to visit stations like KUOZ-LP and KPSQ-LP. Support from listeners like you help us produce the program and share stories of community and college radio that would otherwise go unreported. Please consider making your contribution today at http://patreon.com/radiosurvivor . Every single dollar counts. Show Notes: College Radio Watch: What’s up with CMJ Charts and More News Podcast 62 – The FCC’s Legacy of Failure & CMJ’s Uncertain Future Radio Station Visit #119 – KUOZ-LP at University of the Ozarks Radio Station Visit #118 – New LPFM KPSQ-LP in Fayetteville The post Podcast #82 – Busting Myths & Counting Charts appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, February 14, 2017
Podcast #81 – To Thrive in 2017 Put the Community in Community Radio
Sally Kane, the CEO of The National Federation of Community Broadcasters, joins the podcast to discuss the threats and opportunities for community radio in the current political environment. In the months, since the election of Trump, the NFCB has received a lot of questions from community radio stations about how to respond and what comes next. First, Sally discusses the concrete impact that the elimination of federal funding via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would have, especially on rural and Native American stations. Then she offers advice for how stations should tackle hot issues, reaching to their communities to help bring diverse voices to air, rather than rely only on polemic. Jennifer Waits updates us on college radio news, including a provocative article in the popular online music publication Pitchfork, and a university that has decided to cancel plans to build a LPFM station, returning the construction permit to the FCC. Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution of $1 or more to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: College Radio Watch: Pitchfork asks “Does College Radio Even Matter Anymore?” and More News College Radio Watch: UWave’s LPFM Future in Jeopardy, Touring KUOZ-LP and More College Radio News Visiting University of Washington, Bothell’s College Radio Station UWave Radio NFCB Issues White Paper on Post-Election Media Community Broadcaster: Save CPB “ To truly serve the public, community stations must apply standards for what’s said on-air ” by Sally Kane <p
Tue, February 07, 2017
Podcast #80 – Radio & Resistance in the Time of Trump
Radio stations hacked to play “F— Donald Trump” over and over. Concerns that Trump declaring himself a candidate for 2020 already might limit non-comms’ ability to criticize him. And with an Entercom / CBS Radio merger on the horizon, what does this all mean for community radio and podcasting? John Anderson, Assistant Professor of Television and Radio at Brooklyn College, joins to help sort it all out. Jennifer Waits is here, too, along with Paul Riismandel–unfortunately Eric Klein was out sick. John explains how hackers seized control of all kinds of stations–not just LPFMs as some reports implied–to play the anti-Trump anthem, and gives simple advice about how to prevent that from happening. He also critically assesses how likely the FCC is to be a threat to community radio, and considers what the new Republican majority at the Commission might mean for pirate radio. Plus, he reveals details of a meeting nearly two years ago that he had with FCC staff about dealing with unlicensed broadcasters. To wrap things up, we have a commentary from Ernesto Aguilar, Membership Program Director for the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, who responds to our discussion about journalism and podcasting in last week’s show (#79). Please help us our work in providing community radio and podcasting coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done . Make a monthly contribution to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: Another LPFM Hit By F*** Donald Trump Barix Hijacking CBS Sets Radio Division Merger With Entercom Podcast #79 – Community Radio & Podcasting: Are They Worth It? “12 Community Radio Podcasts to Hear in 2017” by Ernesto Aguilar The post Podcast #80 – Radio & Resistance in the Time of Trump appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, January 31, 2017
Podcast #79 – Community Radio & Podcasting: Are They Worth It?
Eric and Paul have been thinking a lot about the value of community radio and podcasting, especially wondering if these media we love make a difference and are worth doing, even when audiences seem small by comparison. Ahead of Eric leading a roundtable on community podcasting and Paul giving a guest lecture to a class at the Evergreen State College, they discuss some of the things we’ve learned about community media. In the process they consider the need to define your audience, to think about why they would want to listen in the first place, and to know how to reach them (outside your station or podcast). Show Notes Jack Conte, Pomplamoose Patreon XOXO Festival 2013 The post Podcast #79 – Community Radio & Podcasting: Are They Worth It? appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, January 25, 2017
Podcast #78 – Pai is Trump’s FCC Guy
On Monday the Trump administration announced the appointment of Ajit Pai as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Last week when we talked to Prof. Christopher Terry from the University of Minnesota he predicted that Pai would be the pick, and now that it’s happened we call him back to help us understand what to expect and what to pay attention to. In particular Prof. Terry explains what the FCC can and cannot do in the near future, and what procedural maneuvers the Republican majority on the Commission can undertake now to loosen regulations in effect, even without an official change in policy. This includes important issues like media ownership and network neutrality. He also addresses a proposed change in how ownership is reported in a station’s public file. Please help us our work in providing college and community radio coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done. Make a monthly contribution to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes Podcast #77 – Trump’s FCC, Norway’s FM, UNLV’s KUNV & Live 365’s Comeback Four reasons why net neutrality matters for mobile radio The FCC’s Legacy on Media Ownership: Now with More Failure! The post Podcast #78 – Pai is Trump’s FCC Guy appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, January 17, 2017
Podcast #77 – Trump’s FCC, Norway’s FM, UNLV’s KUNV & Live 365’s Comeback
FCC watcher, Christopher Terry joins us to talk about what may be in store for media policy under President Donald Trump and the Republican controlled Congress. Is there a specific looming threat to Community Radio, Public Radio, or Low Power FM? Paul corrects the record on why headlines that scream “Norway Is Shutting Down FM radio” are only telling part of the story. Jennifer Waits brings us a College Radio Watch with a happy ending for the fans of the college station at UNLV in Las Vegas. And we’ll get an update on what appears to be a good news in 2017 for streaming web-only radio, Paul digs into the latest with Live365. Please help us our work in providing college and community radio coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done. Make a monthly contribution to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: Christopher Terry College Radio Watch: Pending WUMD Sale, KUNV Averts Takeover, CMJ Troubles and More News Norway to Shutter Nat’l FM Broadcasts, 200 Local Stations to Remain Live365 to Return with Service for ‘Microcasters’ The post Podcast #77 – Trump’s FCC, Norway’s FM, UNLV’s KUNV & Live 365’s Comeback appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, January 10, 2017
Podcast #76 – UMass Station Sale, Unlicensed LPFM in NZ & Archive Nuggets
All hands are on deck for our first show of 2017. First up, Jennifer Waits reports on the planned sale of U Mass-Dartmouth’s WUMD to Rhode Island Public Radio. Then Paul Riismandel shares radio discoveries from his trip to New Zealand, including legal but unlicensed low-power FM stations. Matthew Lasar wraps things up by sharing some great community radio sound nuggets he’s discovered in the Internet Archive, including Australian garage rock, The Meat Puppets and the 1968 DNC. As a bonus we close out the show with a bandscan of the FM dial in Christchurch, NZ. Please help us our work in providing college and community radio coverage seen nowhere else. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done. Make a monthly contribution to our Patreon campaign or a one-time contribution via PayPal . Show Notes: UMass Dartmouth Plans to Sell License for College Radio Station WUMD to Rhode Island Public Radio UMass Dartmouth Files FCC Paperwork for Proposed WUMD College Radio Station License Sale New Zealand Has Legal Unlicensed Low-Power FM Podcast #74 – Station or Static? KCHUNG Is L.A.’s Underground Radio Wild About You! 3CR’s Australian underground rock collection, circa 1963-68 flashback: The Meat Puppets, live at The Mason Jar in 1984 via KXCI-FM WBAI’s Bob Fass, reporting from Chicago on August 27, 1968 The post Podcast #76 – UMass Station Sale, Unlicensed LPFM in NZ & Archive Nuggets appeared first on <a href="ht
Wed, December 14, 2016
Podcast #75 – The Most Significant Radio Stories of 2016
From the unprecedented build-out of LPFM community stations and the indie internet radio implosion to 100+ radio tours and a recent tragedy, Jennifer, Eric and Paul run down some of the most significant stories in radio for 2016 in our last podcast of the year. But first, they discuss the now-changed title of last week’s podcast, and why Paul lobbied to change it. Finally, they give a preview of what will be covered in 2017. As the year comes to a close we hope you’ll consider supporting Radio Survivor with an ongoing monthly gift or a one-time donation . With more support from listeners and readers like you we’ll be able to travel more places and grow our coverage of radio that matters. Show Notes: Podcast #74 – Station or Static? KCHUNG Is L.A.’s Underground Radio (formerly titled “Radio Anarchy vs Order”) Podcast #29 – Will 2016 Be the End of Indie Internet Radio? Mourning those Lost in Oakland, including College Radio Participants from KALX Public Access vs. Public Service – Addressing the Biggest Hidden Tension in Community Radio The post Podcast #75 – The Most Significant Radio Stories of 2016 appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, December 06, 2016
Podcast #74 – Station or Static? KCHUNG Is L.A.’s Underground Radio
Jennifer Waits brings us the voices of three programmers at a mysterious and chaotic community station with deep connections to the Los Angeles art scene. KCHUNG is an unlicensed part 15 AM radio station with about 40 station managers and extremely eclectic programming. Paul Riismandel wrote a series of articles, offering strongly worded advice for struggling community radio stations. He lays out his arguments in detail on the podcast and discusses the ideas and issues with his co-hosts. Read what all the fuss is about in the show notes links below. Contributions from listeners and readers like you allow us not to rely on click-bait ads. We greatly appreciate the 36 people who support Radio Survivor with a monthly contribution to our Patreon campaign, but more contributions are needed to keep this project sustainable and grow what we do. Even a monthly pledge of $1 makes a big difference. Please contribute at http://patreon.com/radio-survivor Show Notes KCHUNG LA’s KCHUNG Radio Demonstrates the Power of Part 15 Broadcasting from 2014 “Riffin” a KCHUNG talk show hosted by Max Maslansky Trapped in the Grid: Why Community Radio Risks Irrelevance Public Access vs. Public Service – Addressing the Biggest Hidden Tension in Community Radio Editor’s note: This episode was originally titled “Radio Anarchy vs Order” but then we decided that it was a bit misleading. Learn why on episode #75. The post Podcast #74 – Station or Static? KCHUNG Is L.A.’s Underground Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, November 29, 2016
Podcast #73 – Catching Up with Bainbridge Island’s Community Podcasting Experiment
This week we follow up with the subject of one our first episodes, Bainbridge Community Broadcasting. Paul took a day trip on a ferry from Seattle to visit Bainbridge Island and drop in on BCB. Co-founder Barry Peters took a few minutes to give a tour of the BCB studios and provide an update on how their experiment in community podcasting is progressing. Paul also explains how we’re interested in stimulating discussion and debate around issues and practice in community broadcasting. Then he contrasts the inadvertent spread of fake news via click-bait infested “around the web” and “you might like” ads with Radio Survivor’s commitment to respect the attention of our listeners and readers, by not bombarding you with Taboola’s and Outbrain’s insulting eyesores. Contributions from listeners and readers like you allow us not to rely on click-bait ads. We greatly appreciate the 36 people who support Radio Survivor with a monthly contribution to our Patreon campaign, but more contributions are needed to keep this project sustainable and grow what we do. Even a monthly pledge of $1 makes a big difference. Please contribute at http://patreon.com/radio-survivor Photos of Bainbridge Community Broadcasting BCB Front Door Dear Editor: Letters to the Bainbridge Review <img src="https://www.radiosurvivor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BCB-video-studio_20161121.jp
Tue, November 22, 2016
Podcast #72 – Pete Tridish Celebrates an LPFM Success Story
Pete Tridish works as a radio engineer, building low power and full power community radio stations. He initially did this work with Prometheus Radio Project and now with International Media Action. “Back when I was working with Prometheus Radio Project, which was a group that worked to expand the low power radio service and create opportunities for small civil society organizations to have their own radio stations, one of our best partnerships was with a group called PCUN, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste [Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United].” PCUN is Oregon’s farmworkers union and the largest Latino organization in the state. “They have nine associated non-profits, one that works on immigrants rights, one that works on youth… leadership development, they have a housing community development corporation, and they had wanted to build a radio station for a very long time.” That radio station, KPCN-LP just celebrated ten years on the air. Working closely with this unique station taught Pete Tridish a number of important lessons about how communities can put their stations to work for them to build political power. Show Notes “ History of Radio KPCN International Media Action 2006 Doc on KPCN. This video is a PepperSpray Production. PepperSpray is an all-volunteer activist video collective, the video arm of the Seattle Independent Media Center. The post Podcast #72 – Pete Tridish Celebrates an LPFM Success Story appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, November 15, 2016
Podcast #71 – Bolivia Is the Birthplace of Community Radio
Sylvia Thomas spent a year touring and researching community radio stations in South America, Asia and Africa. She learned community radio history that might be surprising to many in the United States, and witnessed first-hand different ways of organizing stations and creating radio that are instructive to stations everywhere. Sylvia explains how growing up listening to the radio in rural Minnesota and taking an actual college course in community radio inspired her to get involved and take her journey. Starting with her time in Bolivia, she provides perspective on why and how radio is central to that country’s culture, where the roots of community radio, in particular, run deep. Then, considering the threats that a Trump presidency poses for many people and communities in the U.S., Sylvia offers some advice based upon her experiences with these stations abroad. Only a week after the presidential election, Paul and Eric offer some initial observations about why the president-elect serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community radio. There is much more work to do in order to begin making sense of what impact the Trump administration will have on community radio, and communication freedoms in general. We promise to dig in to these issues in the weeks ahead. Show Notes KFAI Community Radio Sylvia’s blog: Community Radio International The post Podcast #71 – Bolivia Is the Birthplace of Community Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, November 08, 2016
Podcast #70 – From Anaheim to Arkansas, and Beyond
Jennifer, Eric and Paul are back together for a show that spans several continents, from Anaheim to Arkansas, and Ireland to Israel, touching on podcasts, college radio, social media, and more. First Paul has a report from the Now Hear This podcast festival which he worked (and enjoyed) the last weekend of October in Anaheim, California, just blocks from Disneyland. He shares some observations about the development of podcasting as a medium, gleaned from experiencing the fest, as Eric notes that the medium is maturing into its second decade. Since we recorded on College Radio Day, Jennifer shares the first broadcasts she heard commemorating the day from Greece, Israel and Ireland, even getting a shout-out on air from Galway’s Flirt FM. Then she brings us a tour of KHDX at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, revealing some unique aspects that make it stand out even amongst other college stations. And, be sure to keep listening through to the very end to catch a bonus Arkansas FM band scan. Should we take Radio Survivor on the road for some live podcasting? We’d like to meet and talk with great radio people and record the podcast live at events like NFCB, GRC, CBI and other regional radio events. Like this idea? What events should we go to? Let us know in the comments, or drop us an email to podcast@radiosurvivor.com . Big thanks go to our Patreon supporters who helped fund Jennifer Waits’s travels to Arkansas where she was able to visit stations like KHDX. Support from listeners like you help us produce the program and share stories of community and college radio that would otherwise go unreported. Please consider making your contribution today at http://patreon.com/radiosurvivor . Every single dollar counts. Show Notes Now Hear This podcast festival How Hear This Fest’s Instagram feed FOUND Magazine / Podcast College Radio Day College Radio Watch: Happy College Radio Day! Flirt FM KHDX Radio <a href="http://www.grc2016.net/" target
Mon, October 31, 2016
Podcast #69 – The Eclectic Voice of The Ozarks
A great college radio station can be both a megaphone as well as a portal for the creative campus and college-town community. “It’s more than just playing music,” Lucas Coberly, station manager at KXUA told Jennifer Waits on this episode. “It’s definitely not just for people who want to be on the radio. It’s for people who want to share poetry, to share pictures, to make film…. It’s a lot of different things.” On this episode of the podcast we visit “the eclectic voice of the Ozarks,” KXUA at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Big thanks go to our Patreon supporters who have helped fund Jennifer Waits’s trip to GRC 2016 where she was able to slip in visits to stations like KXUA. Support from listeners like you help us produce the program and share stories of community and college radio that would otherwise go unreported. Please consider making your contribution today at http://patreon.com/radiosurvivor . Every single dollar counts. Show Notes Radio Survivor Tour of KXUA KXUA website Spinning Indie 50 State Tour Stop 1: KXUA at University of Arkansas KXUA’s Boston Station Tours Spinning Indie Tour of WMFO at Tufts (with Ron Burgundy sighting) Radio Survivor Tour of Radio K (with Ron Burgundy sighting) The post Podcast #69 – The Eclectic Voice of The Ozarks appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, October 18, 2016
Podcast #68 – Report Back from the Grass Roots Radio Conference 2016
“Grass Roots Radio Conference has been a giant jump start in my learning process,” said Julia Rose of KPSQ lp in Fayetteville Arkansas. Radio Survivor’s Jennifer Waits attended the GRC and she reports back for us with her own observations as well as with the voices of the people she met there at this year’s host station, KUHS in Hot Springs Arkansas. Also on this episode: Paul has news on Ireland’s last long wave station, which just got a stay of execution, stopping a planned 2017 shutdown. Big thanks go to our Patreon supporters who have helped fund Jennifer Waits’s trip to GRC 2016. Support from listeners like you help us produce the program and share stories of community and college radio that would otherwise go unreported. Please consider making your contribution today at http://patreon.com/radiosurvivor . Every single dollar counts. Show Notes Ireland’s Long Wave Station Spared from Closure FM in Norway isn’t Dead Podcast #67 – Interview with Jim Ellinger Audience Engine REC Networks Recap of 2012 Grassroots Conference Grassroots Radio Conference 2016 Grassroots Radio Conference Spotlights LPFM GRC 2016 Host Station KUHS-LP KPSQ-LP in Fayetteville, Arkansas The post Podcast #68 – Report Back from the Grass Roots Radio Conference 2016 appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, October 11, 2016
Podcast #67 – New Community Radio in Borneo
Jim Ellinger of Austin Airwaves joins us on the program to share a preview of his talk “Community Radio, A Global View,” which he is giving at this year’s Grass Roots Radio Conference. Jim is recently back from the highlands of Borneo, where he helped with the launch of a new community radio station that broadcasts entirely in the indigenous Kelabit language. The top of this episode features the following news updates: Audience Engine, discussed way back on episode #10 of our podcast, is now reportedly scheduled to be released in early 2017. Low Power FM station, The Portland Radio Project had been sharing half of their broadcast day with another station for the past 17 months. Paul Riismandel likes this sort of time sharing among LPFMs because he says it can turn competitors into collaborators. Last month, The Portland Radio Project began broadcasting a full 24 hour day for the first time on the FM dial after their partners chose to release their portion of the time share. Paul sees this as another reason to celebrate LPFM in the U.S.A. At the conclusion of the show, Eric and Paul discuss their ideas for how people should approach producing their first podcasts. Short version, keep your podcast simple; while it is tempting to think big, it’s always easier to sit down in front of microphones and record a conversation with one person you find interesting. Also, when you think about your theoretical audience for your new podcast, it might be better to be more specific than “hopefully everyone,” because it will make it easier to focus on creating a show that matters to specific people. Big thanks go to our Patreon supporters who have helped fund Jennifer Waits’s trip to GRC 2016. Support from listeners like you help us produce the program and share stories of community and college radio that would otherwise go unreported. Please consider making your contribution today at http://patreon.com/radiosurvivor . Every single dollar counts. Show Notes Radio Survivor Podcast #6 – Portland Radio Project Radio Survivor Podcast #10: WFMU’s Audience Engine Plans to Empower Community Media on the Internet Current: After delays, WFMU’s Audience Engine aims for early 2017 rollo
Tue, October 04, 2016
Podcast #66 – College Radio as Academic Learning Labs
The stereotypical college radio station plays a free-form music format and functions as an extra-curricular student club. But the diversity in community and college radio is what we at Radio Survivor are here to celebrate. On this week’s show, Jennifer Waits reports back on two tours of college stations that function as learning labs for students. These stations are specifically connected to academic departments at their schools and are focused on student learning and skill development for professional radio jobs. It is difficult to say what portion of the college radio stations out there are run in this manner. Jennifer says we don’t have good information on the number of college radio stations in general, let alone how many of those stations are closely connected to academic departments and are an intentional component of college learning. But we do know these sorts of stations are out there and on today’s episode we focus on KBPK at Fullerton College and KEPC at Pikes Peak Community College. Jennifer begins with a peak at the history of radio education and training on campuses going all the way back to the 1920’s. But first on the show, Jennifer is about to head off to the 2016 Grass Roots Radio Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas from October 7-10. She is going to be giving a presentation there, based on her tours of community radio stations and the importance of documenting and preserving their history. Big thanks go to our Patreon supporters who are helping to fund Jennifer’s radio tours this fall. Support from listeners like you help us produce the program and share stories of community and college radio that would otherwise go unreported. Please consider making your contribution today at http://patreon.com/radiosurvivor . Every single dollar counts. Show Notes KEPC Tour (Pikes Peak Community College) KBPK Tour (Fullerton College) KCSF Tour (City College of San Francisco) KSFS Tour (San Francisco State University) Radio Survivor Podcast #51 – Carrier Current is Cool <a href=
Wed, September 28, 2016
Podcast #65 – Fall Radio Tours Preview
Our intrepid radio tourist Jennifer Waits will be attending two big radio conferences this fall, the 2016 Grassroots Radio Conference and CBI’s National Student Electronic Media Convention. She gives us a preview of what’s in store, what she’s presenting, and let’s us in on some of the stations she’s planning to visit along the way. Paul shares some news from the commercial radio industry. One middle-sized radio owner has a plan to get bigger, while tripling its debt load, while the nation’s largest radio broadcaster gets ready to jump into the streaming music subscription market. Big thanks go to our Patreon supporters who are helping to fund Jennifer’s radio tours this fall. Support from listeners like you help us produce the program and share stories of community and college radio that would otherwise go unreported. Please consider making your contribution today at http://patreon.com/radiosurvivor . Every single dollar counts. Show Notes Matthew Lasar guests on KPFA’s Upfront with Brian Edwards Tiekert iHeartMedia confirms: On-demand, two flavors, January launch Beasley’s Debt Will Triple with Greater Media Acquisition Grassroots Radio Conference 2016 Dig into the Archives: Haverford Radio 2016 CBI National Student Electronic Media Convention Podcast #34 – Part One on Haverford College Radio History Podcast #35 – Part Two on Haverford College Radio History Radio Survivor Podcast #11: Celebrating National Radio Day with PhillyCam Radio The post Podcast #65 – Fall Radio Tours Pre
Tue, September 20, 2016
Podcast #64 How to do News and Public Affairs
“The best way to cultivate a sensibility of what makes for a good [radio] interview is to pre-tape your interviews and set aside large amounts of time to edit them down to half the length they start at. Because it makes you think really critically about where the wasted language is in that interview, when your questions have gone on too long, when your guest has gone off track, what you can fix with editing and what you can’t, and it cultivates the ear you need to start listening critically to other people’s interviews, to start editing in real time when you are listening to other people’s interviews and then to start editing yourself in real time when you are conducting interviews.” Brian Edwards-Tiekert has been hosting and producing KPFA’s hour long news and public affairs program, “Upfront.” He joins us on this episode of the podcast to talk about his approach to the work of making public service, community radio with a local and international focus. Show Notes: Upfront episodes page on KPFA Oakland: Multi-department sex and prostitution scandal brought down police chief Today’s Lesson On Privilege , Upfront segment on privilege and policing. Free Music Archive donate page Matthew Lasar guests on KPFA’s Upfront with Brian Edwards Tiekert The post Podcast #64 How to do News and Public Affairs appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Mon, September 12, 2016
Podcast 63 – A Tale of Two College Radio Station Tours
Two stations: KVCU Radio 1190 at University of Coloradio, Boulder and The SOCC, The Sounds of Colorado College. One has a professional general manager, the other a student general manager. One is terrestrial, the other is online. They both have very active participation among their student community and a wide variety of programming. Plus, each campus has a long and sometimes hidden history of student radio. “As always it’s just thrilling to get out there and see different radio stations,” Jennifer Waits said at the end of this episode. “And to meet the people who make them work,” Eric Klein added. Show Notes: Radio Station Visit #108: Colorado College Radio Station The SOCC (Radio Survivor) The SOCC website www.thesocc.org Radio Station Visit #110: Radio 1190 at University of Colorado, Boulder (Radio Survivor) KVCU Radio 1190 Website www.radio1190.org/ Podcast #51: Carrier Current is Cool (Radio Survivor) Podcast #22 – We’re All Moving to the FM Dial Now (Radio Survivor) The post Podcast 63 – A Tale of Two College Radio Station Tours appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, September 07, 2016
Podcast 62 – The FCC’s Legacy of Failure & CMJ’s Uncertain Future
The FCC just released its long-awaited revision to media ownership rules. After years of back-and-forth with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals there are very few changes. Prof. Christopher Terry, of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism, argues this represents a monumental failure that places all media ownership rules at grave risk. He joins to explain why. College and community radio folks are starting to wonder what’s happening with CMJ. The longstanding music publication has been mostly silent for months, and signs are unclear that its annual Music Marathon is ready for its usual fall presentation. Jennifer Waits digs in to what we know and what we don’t know, and helps us understand why we should care. She also examines the Princeton Review’s 2017 list of so-called “best” college radio stations. Show Notes: The FCC’s Legacy on Media Ownership: Now with More Failure! Princeton Review College Rankings Princeton Review “Best College Radio Station” List Archives (Radio Survivor) How Popular is Your College Radio Station? Princeton Review’s 2017 Survey Results What Is the Future of CMJ? CMJ CMJ’s Slowdown (Radio Survivor, June 2016) CMJ Sure Seems to Be Over (Stereogum) Is CMJ Happening this Year? Probably Not (Pitchfork) The post Podcast 62 – The FCC’s Legacy of Failure & CMJ’s Uncertain Future appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, August 30, 2016
Podcast #61 – Focus on Fundraising and Collaboration
Becky Meiers is our guest to help us better understand some best practices for fundraising in community radio. She’s the development director for KBOO in Portland, OR. Becky has tips for planning on-air pledge drives and more fundraising advice for stations of all sizes. We also talk about how and why KBOO is building partnerships with new community stations hitting the air in the Portland area. Jennifer Waits brings us College Radio Watch, including a story about a station’s bedbug infestation. She then shares her tour of KCSU, the student-run station at Colorado State University. Show Notes Cascade Radio Network Summit Grassroots Radio Conference 2016 KBOO Community Radio Bedbugs Shut Down U. Of C. Radio Station While 70 DJ Homes Inspected Radio Station Visit #109 – College Radio Station KCSU at Colorado State This episode includes music from Little Glass Men and Broke for Free used under a Creative Commons license. Image credit: Mark / flickr (CC BY 2.0) The post Podcast #61 – Focus on Fundraising and Collaboration appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Sat, August 20, 2016
Podcast #60 – Happy National Radio Day!
We celebrate National Radio Day, August 20, with this special episode. Jennifer Waits shares her tour of the Chicago Independent Radio Project. Then Paul Riismandel and Eric Klein join her in reflecting on some of their favorite moments as radio listeners and producers. We wrap things up with Radio Survivor’s Sonic ID in honor of National Radio Day, and Jennifer’s band-scan of the left end of the Chicago FM dial. You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: National Radio Day website CHIRP Radio Jennifer’s tour of CHIRP Reddit thread about the mysterious 100.9 FM broadcast in San Francisco Centaurpalooza X is a free event in Portland on National Radio Day “ Jam On It ” by Newcleus sent Paul on a quest for many years in the 80s Shortwave pirate radio preserved at the Internet Archive (3rd paragraph discusses Radio Metallica Worldwide) Radio Metallica Worldwide at the HF Underground The Homelessness Marathon The post Podcast #60 – Happy National Radio Day! appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, August 16, 2016
Podcast # 59 – Community Radio Africa
Radio Survivor’s Matthew Lasar is fascinated by the news of what is going on at community stations in places outside of the U.S. like India, South East Asia, Mexico, and Africa. He is especially interested in the dramatic and sometimes extreme nature of the “normal” experiences of stations like these. “Community radio in those places find themselves in very fraught relationships, and tense relationships, with larger communities around them,” Matthew Lasar said on this episode of the podcast. You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Matthew Lasar on Madibeng FM in Brits, South Africa . And of course, Matthew Lasar has been writing about community radio elsewhere: Zambia Ghana Mexico Honduras India Podcast #33 1/3 – World Radio Day with Francesco Diasio, AMARC Secretary General The post Podcast # 59 – Community Radio Africa appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, August 09, 2016
Podcast #58 – We Love Tedious Radio Facts
On this episode of Radio Survivor, Paul Riismandel talks with the editor and founder of Tedium.co, Ernie Smith about their mutual fascination with back-door, Franken FM stations, the TV broadcasters who use analog Channel 6 to be heard at 87.7 on the FM dial. Also included in the interview, Ernie Smith explains how he approaches writing about things for the internet. Tedium.co covers topics as diverse (and uniquely inconsequential) as FrankenFM and the inventor of the mouse pad. You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: A Brief History of Backdoor ‘FrankenFM’ Radio Stations Ernie Smith on FrankenFMs: “Waaaaay Left of the Dial” The post Podcast #58 – We Love Tedious Radio Facts appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, August 02, 2016
Podcast #57 – Celebrating the Mosaic of Community Radio
It’s time to get ready for National Radio Day on August 20. Paul Riismandel has the details at the top of the show, followed by an interview with Ernesto Aguilar, the incoming Membership Program Director of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. He shares some highlights of the NFCB’s annual conference this past June, as well as the first-ever NFCB LPFM Summit. Then Jennifer Waits joins to share two radio station tours of new low-power stations in the Washington, DC area: Takoma Radio WOWD-LP and WERA-LP. These tours spark a discussion about how the great diversity heard in community radio still is easily taken for granted. You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: National Radio Day is August 20 Ernesto Aguilar Videos from the NFCB 2016 Conference Malkia Cyril’s Keynote at NFCB 40th Conference Jennifer’s Visit to WERA-LP Radio Arlington (Radio Station Tour #104) Radio Arlington Arlington Independent Media Takoma Radio Jennifer’s Visit to Takoma Radio WOWD-LP (Radio Station Tour #103) Feature image credit: Tom Godber / flickr / Creative Commons The post Podcast #57 – Celebrating the Mosaic of Community Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, July 26, 2016
Podcast #56 – From College Radio to Podcasting, Experimenting with the Form
Jennifer Waits brings us a tour of Met Radio at Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO, where the students are trying to embrace the experimental spirit of college radio. Co-host Paul Riismandel delivers a report from friend of the show, Alvaro Burns, in São Bernardo, Brazil, where community radio stations are working together to respond to political challenges in that country and to try to change community radio licensing regulations. Eric Klein shares his current favorite podcast, the FiveThirtyEight Elections Podcast, which subtly stretches the boundaries of the form, unburdened by some of the assumptions that terrestrial radio broadcasting sometimes inadvertently imposes on podcasting. This sparks a lively discussion about experimentation in radio and podcasting, especially by embracing spontaneity and taking advantage of digital media platforms, from Facebook Live to Snapchat. To close out the show Jennifer shares an FM bandscan recorded on her journey from Denver to Estes Park, CO. It’s so much fun to hear another location’s radio dial–we want you to share your bandscan with us! Just use your smartphone to record a scan of your local radio dial, or a radio dial somewhere you’re traveling. Then just email it to us at podcast@radiosurvivor.com . You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Met Radio Radio Station Visit #106 – Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Met Radio Liz Berg’s Audio Postcard from Andalucia FiveThirtyEight Elections Podcast The post Podcast #56 – From College Radio to Podcasting, Experimenting wi
Tue, July 19, 2016
Podcast #55 – Not All Radio Amateurs + Podcasting is Still Small
Not all amateur radio enthusiasts are old guys. This is obviously a statement of fact, but it took a listener to the podcast to write in and remind us. Co-host, Eric Klein apologizes for error. Paul Riismandel attended a local marketing conference as part of his day job and was reminded just how small the world of podcasting still is in 2016. Among the 20 or so people Paul talked to at the conference he estimates that more than half did not listen to podcasts, although many of them had listened to one podcast or another at some point in the past. Being reminded that the world of podcasting is still so small led Paul to ask for listener feedback on the following questions: 1) What are some of the other podcasts you listen to, especially if these other podcasts are niche? 2) Do your friends and family listen to podcasts? 3) Is there a niche podcast that you wish existed? (Paul’s would be about high end stereo equipment) email us your answers by clicking here You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes The American Radio Relay League, ARRL is a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs online at www.arrl.org The “Ham Radio Store” that Paul and Eric have only seen from the road, but plan to visit someday is called Ham Radio Outlet . A brief promo doc about the very same store location that has tempted the Radio Survivor hosts with their clear and highly visible signage: The episode of Radio Survivor in which the interview of President Obama on the WTF podcast is discussed The episode of Radio Survivor podcast in which we take a dive into th
Tue, July 12, 2016
Podcast #54 – Dusting Up: From Carrier Current to NPR One
Eric and Paul do some “dusting up,” by reviewing some reader emails about carrier current radio. Paul brings the good news about KPLU in Tacoma, WA, which was purchased from its university owner by a community group in order to preserve its local ownership. Then Eric wants to share his experience with the NPR One podcast app, which turns into a discussion about giving listeners what they’re really want (which might not be what they ask for). You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Podcast #51 – Carrier Current is Cool Current: KPLU clears $7 million hurdle to independence NPR One The post Podcast #54 – Dusting Up: From Carrier Current to NPR One appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Thu, July 07, 2016
Podcast #53 – There’s More Radio Than Ever
Even when a station goes off the air — like Hastings College’s KFKX — more go on the air every day. Jennifer Waits joins to share the sad news about KFKX, but also has positive news to report about a new LPFM community station in the heart of San Francisco. That station promises to continue the legacy of the dearly missed KUSF. This sparks a conversation about all the evidence for why radio remains a vibrant medium, where licenses to broadcast continue to be in high demand. Paul also brings some provisionally good news about media ownership rules being circulated at the FCC, and talks about the fun he had recently while listening to local radio on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes College Radio Watch: KFKX Leaves the Air, Former KUSFers may Return to FM, WGTB Tour & CITR Docs LPFM Watch: One Step Closer for San Francisco LPFMs, D.C. Area Station Tours, and More News 9 Tips to Ensure College Radio’s Survival Fighting a Radio Station Sale and Winning Protesting College Radio Takeovers The mediageek’s advice for college stations, part 1: Be true to your school The mediageek’s advice for college stations, part 2: No more elitism — Recruit, recruit, recruit Kauai Community Radio KKCR 95.9 FM Da Paina Radio, Kauai, HI The post <a hre
Wed, June 29, 2016
Podcast #52 – Small Town LPFM
Low Power FM radio stations can be a great addition to the media landscape in the big city, but on this episode we focus on rural LPFM. Eric Klein takes listeners on a tour of KFSL, the low power FM station that is the sole broadcaster in Fossil,Oregon (population 454). The station is staffed by a mere 3 volunteers, but it plays an important role in their community, especially in wildfire season. In College Radio Watch, Jennifer Waits toured WGTB at Georgetown University, the college station with a very interesting history in Washington D.C. both on, and off the air. As a bonus at the end of this fifty-second episode, Paul and Eric discuss their reasons for doing the hard work of producing a weekly podcast for Radio Survivor. You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Field Trip to WGTB at Georgetown University Georgetown University Radio Station WGTB Storied Past and Impending Renaissance WGTB Radical Silence: The Story of WGTB-FM (video documentary) C-Span Radio Podcast #34 – How the Telecom Act of ’96 Triggered Popular Resistance The post Podcast #52 – Small Town LPFM appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, June 21, 2016
Podcast #51 – Carrier Current is Cool
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld the FCC’s open internet rules, also known as net neutrality. Co-Host of the podcast Eric Klein admits that he still finds it hard to believe that the big telecom companies can lose so Paul Riismandel explains it’s not such a surprise that Big Telecom didn’t get it’s way this round. Of course, this is not the end of the story. Jennifer Waits looked deeper into “carrier current,” and in doing so uncovered a bit of the forgotten history of this seemingly obsolete means of transmitting radio . Starting in the late 1930’s, college students around the country used carrier current, then the cutting edge of technology, to broadcast radio to their communities through the water pipes and electrical wires of their campus buildings. There may even still be a carrier current station out there that we are unaware of. If you know of a currently operating carrier current AM station please reach out so we can document and confirm its existence. You can support the work that goes into Radio Survivor in two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: The Gas Pipe Networks is eighty – Radio Survivor From Gaspipes to Websites: Radio at Brown 1936-2006 Carrier Current Theory 1971 FCC Letter to Clarkson College of Technology Regarding Expansion of Carrier Current 1971 Billboard Article about FCC’s Letter and Questionnaire to Carrier Current Stations <a href="https://www.radiosurv
Tue, June 14, 2016
Podcast #50 – Prometheus v FCC and a Generation of Gridlock
The FCC has made nearly zero progress in its Congressionally mandated review and revision of media ownership rules for more than a decade. Instead the Commission has been dragging its feet for 13 years by failing to comply adequately to the ruling of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Prometheus v. FCC, which challenges the the Bush-era Michael Powell-led rules that the Court found to be unconstitutional. Prof. Christopher Terry of the University of Minnesota joins to explain the Court’s most recent ruling, which can only be seen as a slap to the FCC. He explains the ruling, and helps us understand what it means for our media environment, and how it fits into a generation-long quagmire in how our electronic media is regulated. Jennifer Waits joins for College Radio Watch, sharing her tour of WCUA at the Catholic University of America. Hours and hours of labor and effort go into touring radio stations around the country, along with producing this podcast every week. The generous support of Radio Survivor readers and listeners helps us keep the lights on, but we still need your help to keep the tours and the podcast going. You can support our efforts two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes: Could the FCC’s Legacy of Failure Trigger Even More Consolidation? , by Christopher Terry Can your local radio announcer pronounce your city’s name? Chris Terry on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 Podcast #33 – 20 Years Ago Local Radio Was Crushed A Legacy of Failure: FCC and Media Ownership Policy , by Christopher Terry Podcast #7: The FCC
Tue, June 07, 2016
Podcast #49 – Digital Equity and Community Radio
Community radio is about access and social justice. In a digital world, this includes digital equity: access and training to use the tools of the internet and digital media. Sabrina Roach joins to explain why community radio stations should make digital equity programs and outreach part of the program. Sabrina is a doer with Brown Paper Tickets—the fair trade ticketing company—focusing her efforts on LPFM, community radio and digital equity. Show notes Sabrina Roach at Brown Paper Tickets National Federation of Community Broadcasters Conference Radio Survivor Podcast #2: Facilitating LPFM with Sabrina Roach The post Podcast #49 – Digital Equity and Community Radio appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, May 25, 2016
Podcast #48 – 100 Radio Station Tours
It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. College radio correspondent Jennifer Waits shares her 100th radio station tour, and reflects on what she’s learned about radio in the process of reaching this rare milestone. What station is number 100? You’ll have to listen to find out. Hours and hours of labor and effort go into touring radio stations around the country, along with producing this podcast every week. The generous support of Radio Survivor readers and listeners helps us keep the lights on, but we still need your help to keep the tours and the podcast going. You can support our efforts two ways: • Make a monthly contribution through our Patreon campaign. • Make a one-time or recurring donation with any major credit card via PayPal. Show Notes Jennifer’s 100th Radio Station Tour Counting Up to my 100th Radio Station Tour (includes list of all of the tours) 10 Weird Things Spotted by a Kid During Radio Station Tours Spinning Indie Radio Station Field Trips The post Podcast #48 – 100 Radio Station Tours appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, May 17, 2016
Podcast #47 – 99 Radio Station Tours & the Lost Episode
College radio correspondent Jennifer Waits shares her 99th radio station tour. This time, her guide at Hunter College’s WHCS was prepared with historical artifacts for Jennifer’s perusal. Then Eric and Paul dive into more adult territory, as they dig up the so-called “lost episode.” Six months ago Eric interviewed three podcasters with shows that probably would never exist if radio were their only outlet. That’s because these shows are frank, explicit, sometimes profane, and likely even offensive to some audiences. Paul and Eric were initially reticent to run the segment, and put it on the metaphorical shelf. But then they decided to dust it off, because Paul contends that these kinds of shows highlight an overlooked aspect of podcasting, which explains why the medium has more in common with VHS videotape than radio. Listeners are advised that we didn’t bleep or censor the podcasts or podcasters featured in this segment. So if you might be offended by adult language, frank sexual discussion or irreverently critical talk about religion, we advise that you don’t listen past College Radio Watch, which ends at the 27 minute mark. Show Notes: Radio Station Field Trip #99 – WHCS Radio of Hunter College WHCS – The Radio of Hunter College WHCS Zombie Video Radio Station Field Trip #50 Jennifer’s Radio Preservation Task Force conference report FCC v. Pacifica Reading the Bible with Dan Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction Carnalcopia podcast Inherent Vice: Bootleg Histories of Videotape and Copyright , by Lucas Hilderbrand The post Podcast #47 – 99 Radio Station Tours & the Lost Episode appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, May 10, 2016
Podcast #46 – Community Comedy Podcasting
Like community radio, podcasts can serve communities of many different types. Getting involved with the local improv comedy scene reminded Eric of his experience in community radio. He and Paul discuss the podcast Eric is producing that’s intended to support and highlight this community’s work, and how that fits in with the paradigm and values of community radio. Jennifer Waits joins to share her 98th radio station tour to WBCR at Brooklyn College. Can you guess what station will be Jennifer’s 100th tour? Tweet your prediction with the hashtag #100stationtour Please help us continue making the Radio Survivor podcast. Show Notes: Derailer podcast Spinning Indie Radio Station Tour Archive Radio Station Tour #1: WECB at Emerson College Station Tour #98: Brooklyn College Radio (WBCR) WBCR Radio Station Field Trip Archive on Radio Survivor The post Podcast #46 – Community Comedy Podcasting appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Tue, May 03, 2016
Podcast #45 – The Controversy of Firsts
College radio correspondent Jennifer Waits joins for a discussion on the difficulty of claiming “firsts” in radio. Sparked by claims that WTBU in Boston was the first college station to stream online in 1999, Jennifer, Eric and Paul examine these kinds of proclamations. Then Paul shares some low-power FM news from Los Angeles where the community spirit of creative cooperation and compromise is resolving a competition amongst 18 applicants for a single frequency in that city. Instead, at least a half-dozen new stations will go on the air, thanks to the efforts of the applicants, recently licensed stations, and volunteers from the LPFM advocacy group Common Frequency. Show Notes: WTBU Seeking Donations to Help Rebuild Fire-Damaged College Radio Station Chart Beat Podcast: WTBU’s Anne Donohue on What Makes College Radio Great & Former DJ Howard Stern’s Legacy Investigating Some Contenders for the Oldest Women’s College Radio Station Learn More About College Radio (including some of the oldest stations) History of the WXYC Streaming Simulcast LPFM Watch: Win-Win Resolutions in Massive Los Angeles MX Group The post Podcast #45 – The Controversy of Firsts appeared first on Radio Survivor .
Wed, April 27, 2016
Podcast #44 – From Prince To The New Deal, Radio Brings Us Together
Radio Survivor co-founder Matthew Lasar has just released a new book. Radio 2.0 explores the development of radio into its current form as both analog and digital, terrestrial and internet. Matthew joins to discuss his ideas, suggesting that the primary question now is to consider what we want radio to become. In College Radio Watch Jennifer Waits reports on the many ways college radio stations paid tribute to the sudden and untimely death of Prince. Please help us go terrestrial, making the the show available to non-commercial radio stations everywhere. Contribute to our Patreon campaign to make this happen. Show Notes: Matthew announces: Radio 2.0: Uploading the First Broadcast Medium Purchase Radio 2.0: Uploading the First Broadcast Medium by Matthew Lasar Remembering WABC radio’s 1963 “Mona Lisa” contest College Radio Watch: Celebrating Prince on the Radio The post Podcast #44 – From Prince To The New Deal, Radio Brings Us Together appeared first on Radio Survivor .
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