“That’s one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.” We all know the quote, the triumphant story. It seems written in stone. But Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong came within inches of tragedy when they landed Apollo 11. Moon Grafitti imagines what it might have sounded like if things had gone a little differently. Based on a contingency speech written by William Safire for Richard Nixon titled “In the Event of Moon Disaster.”

We're still experimenting with how to best format our series. If you would like to air this piece without our host intro, credits, or sonic ID, we are more than happy to make a different version that would better suit your needs (and we'll do it quickly!). Please let us know what you think, we are always looking for ways to make our show better.

 

Lucy, a 28-year-old with cystic fibrosis, meets the "Bike Girl," who has the same disease, in an Internet chat room. They are both, against the advice of friends and doctors, trying to get pregnant. They quickly become friends but can never meet in person, because the Bike Girl carries a bacteria in her lungs that is toxic to anyone with cystic fibrosis. This piece is an experiment in combining fact and fiction. The interview tape is all from a real interview; the narration is semi-fictional.

On this episode of The Truth, we're going to spin class. Warm up that saddle and pick up the pace, as we go inside the imaginations of two very competitive women.

Chet Siegel as Sam
Emily Tarver as Lisa
Ed Herbstman as Kirk
Produced by Jonathan Mitchell
written collaboratively by The Truth, from a story by Chet Siegel

Special thanks: Peter Clowney, Kerrie Hillman, Madeline Sparer and Chris Bannon. Recorded at WNYC and on location in New York City

A story about a man who makes an unexpected discovery when he accidentally records a phone call.

Ed Herbstman as Ben

Tami Sagher as Erica

Libby Geroge as Mom

Christian Paluck as the Bartender

Produced & directed by Jonathan Mitchell

Written by Jonathan Mitchell, Ed Herbstman, and Melanie Hoopes

Editors: Ira Glass, Peter Clowney, Kerrie Hillman, Lisa Pollack, and Jonathan Menjivar

Recorded at WNYC, Magnet Theater, and on location in New York City

Originally produced for This American Life

Karen Miller is getting promoted, and it's her worst nightmare. Performed by Kelly Buttermore, Amy Warren, Melanie Hoopes, Louis Kornfeld, Ed Herbstman, and Christian Paluck as "The Grill." Directed & produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Using actual recordings sent to space on a golden record aboard the Voyager 1 & 2 spacecrafts in 1977, this short radio drama imagines what aliens might think of Earth if they were to find the record.

Performed by Chet Siegel and Peter McNerney, produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Adam and Allie want nothing more than to have a baby. But when they discover they are both infertile, they are given one last hope: an experiemental procedure that could change their lives forever.

Performed by Tami Sagher, Ed Herbstman, Louis Kornfeld, and Kerry Kastin.
Written by Ira Gamerman.
Produced and directed by Jonathan Mitchell.
The music under the credits is by Richard Walters.

Winner of the 2013 Gold Mark Time Award.

Based on Philip K. Dick's short story "Upon the Dull Earth," originally published in 1954 in an anthology magazine called Beyond Fantasy Fiction. It’s about a young couple named Rick and Silvia, and a strange blood ritual they perform that invokes angels.

Andy Moskowitz as Rick
Rebecca Robles as Silvia
Diana McCorry as Betty
Ben Jones as Dad
Al King as the radio announcer

Adapted, produced, and directed by Jonathan Mitchell, who also composed all of the music for this episode.