Walking Across America ~ Advice for a Young Man
From Atlantic Public Media | Part of the The Transom Radio Specials series | 53:57
Andrew Forsthoefel set out at age 23 to walk across America, East to West, 4000 miles, with a sign on him that said, "Walking to Listen". This hour, co-produced with Jay Allison, tracks his epic journey. It's a coming of age story, and a portrait of this country - big-hearted, wild, innocent, and wise.
From Andrew Forsthoefel:
I decided to walk across the country for several reasons. Producing an hour-long radio essay about it was not one of them. When I left home, I had no idea what would become of the tape I hoped to record.
At the beginning of the walk, I thought it would be a good idea to have a focus question for the interviews. The question was about transformation. What does it mean to you and when have you experienced it? I was at a transformative time in my own life, so that question seemed right.
I quickly abandoned the idea, though. It seemed too contrived or constraining. Instead, I just started talking to people about their lives and, sometimes, what their lives had taught them. I’d ask people about the idea of home, aloneness, family, love, death; all sorts of stuff.
I thought people would be resistant to being interviewed. Not so. The vast majority wanted to be heard, and they didn’t mind the recorder. Nearly every time, they had something they wanted to share. I was wearing a sign that said “Walking to Listen,” and there was no shortage of people to listen to.
Support for this work comes from National Endowment for the Arts and the Transom Donor Fund:
Joe Frank 2: Thief
From KCRW | Part of the UnFictional series | 28:30
Another new story from broadcasting legend Joe Frank.
- Playing
- Joe Frank 2: Thief
- From
- KCRW
Joe Frank produced his own unique brand of radio stories for three decades, entertaining listeners and inspiring scores of audio producers. After several years away from the radio, Joe has a new batch of radio stories that he's been premiering here on UnFictional. On this episode, multiple thefts lead to paranoia in a suburban family, love dies and the crime rate goes up.
Thief was written and narrated by Joe Frank, with music recorded by Kenny Lyon, featuring James Harrah on guitar. The program was mixed by Ray Guarna. Special thanks to Michal Story. A portion of this program originally was published in the New York Times.
At the beginning of the program we hear from radio producer (and Joe Frank fan) Jonathan Goldstein. His program is called Wiretap.
Joe Frank stories (Series)
Produced by Hearing Voices
Most recent piece in this series:
Palestinian Dreaming
From Hearing Voices | Part of the Joe Frank stories series | 12:39
- Playing
- Palestinian Dreaming
- From
- Hearing Voices
Three souls and three religions meet in the Holy Land. A tale that is timely and eternal, explosive and ethereal. (For Joe's "Time's Arrow" hour.)
Joe Frank 5: A Hollywood True Story
From KCRW | Part of the UnFictional series | 28:30
Joe Frank returns with an improbable story that begins in Hollywood and inexplicably ends at Auschwitz.
- Playing
- Joe Frank 5: A Hollywood True Story
- From
- KCRW
In an attempt to advance his career in Hollywood, a screenwriter finds himself implausibly in Auschwitz. As his film project -- which has nothing to do with the infamous death camp -- implodes, the screenwriter sees his life unraveling on a revolving road to nowhere.
Joe Frank 3: Old Man
From KCRW | Part of the UnFictional series | 28:30
A new program created for UnFictional by radio storyteller Joe Frank.
- Playing
- Joe Frank 3: Old Man
- From
- KCRW
Old Man is a comic take on the trials of being old and facing death. A light-hearted and whimsical show (as Joe has described it), Old Man looks into the harrowing and absurd future we all must face.
Joe Frank 6: Reality Check
From KCRW | Part of the UnFictional series | 28:30
Radio storyteller Joe Frank examines the very nature of reality...
- Playing
- Joe Frank 6: Reality Check
- From
- KCRW
What is reality? What is the meaning of life? Evil, madness, suffering and death are explored in this delightfully whimsical program by Joe Frank. Reality Check addresses the most vexing questions concerning the human condition in a resigned, yet high-spirited way that will leave listeners heartened and uplifted. This program is for philosophically inclined audiences only.
Written, narrated and produced by Joe Frank
Featuring Gideon Brower as the Script Reader
Mixed by Ray Guarna
Edited in collaboration with Michal Story