First-person diaries, sound portraits, and hidden chapters of history from Peabody Award-winning producer Joe Richman and the Radio Diaries team. From teenagers to octogenarians, prisoners to prison guards, bra saleswomen to lighthouse keepers. The extraordinary stories of ordinary life. Radio Diaries is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Learn more at radiotopia.fm.
http://www.radiodiaries.org
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 3 days 11 hours 23 minutes
The Gospel Ranger
This year marks 90 years since Claude Ely wrote "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down." The song was written as Ely was supposed to be on his death bed. Instead, Ely, known as the "Gospel Ranger," went on to inspire the birth of rock & roll. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram @radiodiaries. Learn more about our stories on radiodiaries.org.
Mandela's Election: 30 Years Later
This month marks 30 years since Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president. But Mandela's journey from prison to presidency wasn't all that simple.
Working, Then and Now
50 years ago, radio broadcaster Studs Terkel went around the country with a tape recorder, and asked people what they did for a living. The book, "Working," became an unexpected bestseller — but the recordings of these interviews went unheard for decades.
My Iron Lung (Revisited)
Paul Alexander, one of two people in the U.S. still relying on an iron lung to survive, died recently. Today, we revisit the stories of Paul Alexander and Martha Lillard.
My So-Called Lungs (Revisited)
We're revisiting one of our favorite stories from years ago — with a new twist. Laura Rothenberg lived with cystic fibrosis, and knew she would die young — she documented this in her audio diary 20 years ago. But that diary wasn't all she left behind.
The Rise and Fall of Black Swan Records
In 1921, a man named Harry Pace started the first major Black-owned record company in the U.S., launching the careers of hitmakers like Ethel Waters. But then, Pace's own life took a mysterious turn.
Guest Spotlight: Parakeet Panic
The story of when invasive parakeets spread in New York City, and the government decided to kill them all. From Pushkin's The Last Archive.
The Drum Also Waltzes
Max Roach is considered one of the most important drummers in history. Sam Pollard and Ben Shapiro have a new, award-winning film about his life and music.
The Unmarked Graveyard: Live at WNYC
A behind the scenes look at The Unmarked Graveyard, as told by our producers and our story subjects — live from WNYC's Greene Space.
The Man on the President's Limo
There are many photos from the day JFK was assassinated, but one image in particular resonated with people: a photo of a man jumping onto the presidential limousine.