Sit back for a visually beautiful sound postcard that travels through the Southwest.

... where the winds howl, the tumbleweeds blow past you and footsteps deep in the sand echo past you.

There are times when all you hear are just the sounds of your desert surroundings and that's enough to capture you.

The pacing is perfect.
The stories are real and intriquing.

The narrator's (Ben Adair) open puts you right where he wants you. In the air passing over the landscape below.

This a beautiful and well-produced piece that is deserving of consideration.

Hilarious and witty sound postcard on the loss of a family pet who's older than God.

Great first effort and I encourage more entries.

Writing is personal and her delivery is at times a bit fast but very conversational.

Sound of phone calls need to be boosted and clearer as it can be distracting, but you get the essence.

Love the ending!

Lot of potential for this audio postcard.

*Actual essay is only 5 minutes, the remaining 2 includes Elvis and ocean ambience.

High marks to narrator Pam Mandel for her perfect pitch read. Good cadence, inflection and emotion. Pacing a tad fast at times.

Audio postcards like these are fun to listen to especially when they include ambient sound.

However,it does sound odd to hear ocean amb behind Mandel's studio and echoey read. She needs a better studio to track.

And essay is a tad long.

It has the makings of a tragic, dark and disturbing story. Yet, Birdie Jaworski doesn't allow you to dwell nor feel sorry for her.

Her narration is reflective and at almost upbeat. She describes the rape in (her own words) short, plain sentences.

The writing is crisp and textured.

Her story proves that time heals.

I enjoyed this brief montage of seniors relaying memories of their mothers, but I felt that it was missing something -- and I'm not quite sure just yet what that is.

It requires a proper set up which will have to be done in the cue. And the description that accompanies this track is longer than the piece itself.

I do appreciate and respect David Greenberger's work, however, and I would probably respond differently to the longer version of this.

Little gems sparkle from this one-hour programme on Mexican life.

I especially enjoyed the stories that seemed to be more personal... told in a storytelling format than those often told in a straight report.

The reporters' notebook by Conrad Fox on the father and daughter trying to catch a train was brilliantly told. Very engaging, enthralling and excellent visuals.

The Aid Worker diary on street kids was also engaging and very real.

I appreciated the interview with the woman who founded "Share Your Soles" which was a raw and emotional story of how she came to help these shoeless, needy children.

World Vision reports offer hope in the stories they tell and the people they reveal. And they created a nice balance of stories from soulful, heartfelt pieces to lighter fare, as found in the tasty insects piece.

Includes beautiful musical bridges and narrator segues are well done.

Bravo!
Provocative and intriguing documentary on various women warriors -- real or fiction characters. Each story flows effortless into each other.

We're first introduced to Joan of Arc, a woman many learned about in history courses but there is far more depth to this story than we were ever told. The story moves well and holds your attention.

We're next introduced to Fa Mulan, who is a revered woman warrior in ancient China. Beautifully told by Shirley Geok-lin Lim. Pure poetry. There is a richness of characterization. It made me want to revisit Maxine Kong Kingston's book.

Finally, we're introduced to G.I. Jane. As with the other two, this story moves beyond the book and movie versions.

This documentary is not too long, it is of perfect length and is a model for other historical pieces... the right narration, clear sound bites and appropriately placed music.

I listened to this documentary countless times simply because I learned somethiing new each time.

There are some nice gems in this hour-long programme by KUOW's Youth Radio.

These are personal stories from a diverse group of voices -- ethnically, culturally and in experiences.

My favourite was found nearly a half-hour in and it's by a young woman coming-out to her family. Her story was engaging, her parents so real, her experience so heartwarming.

The overall narrator/anchor of the program engages in a warm exchange with her mom. Whether you're a parent or not, you can't help but identify with and learn from their relationship.

Musical interludes are appropriate and help move the stories along.

A quick introduction to the Harvey Girls and their role in the west.

If you saw the 1946 movie version with Judy Garland, you may be familiar with the Harvey Girls and their background. And that only made me want to hear little excerpts from the movie to add some texture to this short piece.

This is well read, although the pacing is a bit quick, but it packs a lot of information. It's all narration with a bit of music.

Funky radio drama about the adventures of a "civilian" taking the helm of a plane.

Characters are likeable, story line fun and enjoyable, and piece is sound-rich.

My only hesitation was the length. For 10 min., it ran a bit slower and could have been filled with additional material.

Not laugh out loud funny, but amusing enough to keep you company during the rush hour.

Worth a listen and consideration for air play.

It's a first person "essay" by this young mother who yearns for a second chance at bettering her life and those of her two young children after she is incarcerated.

The piece is nicely produced with music woven through, although at times it's inserted to manipulate your feelings when the narrative alone would have sufficed. But, the music is not offensive, just overused at times.

Piece is also nicely edited. Narration around clips of her children and former partner are nicely produced and flows effortlessly.

Narrator is very articulate, mature and sympathetic. You are drawn to her story and you cheer for her success.

It would make a nice Mother's Day piece but also at any time.

Well done.

Bravo! There's something for every format, holiday or no holiday, ala carte or a whole segment.

The concept -- Seeking Peace on Earth has been done before by news teams and shows, but never as comprehensive and as engaging as this program.

Each segment has its own golden nugget and will at times leave your audience sentimental but inspired and satisfied.

Segment 2 , which is supposed to be the newscast hole, introduces the audience to the Iroquois Indian lesson that peacemakers don't have an agenda -- just ending the conflict. If you don't have a lot of time to fill, and want something that fits neatly in your schedule, this should do nicely.

Segment 3 includes segments with Yolanda King and Parenting expert Ruth Beaglehole. Both are engaging, informative and just make you want to hear more... especially Beaglehole if you're a parent. Common sense.

Segment 4 is one of those "driveway moments," particularly the first story on the Middle Eastern teenage girls at a summer Peace Camp. Their stories are moving and highly emotional. It's a story that you can play separately.

Segment 5, the last segment, includes a haunting interview with musician Steve Earle.

The stories are presented in such a way that programmers can play during most blocks.

Story has great potential... but needs a harder edit.

Very fact-based and at times too overloaded.

Keep one thought, one main point per sentence.

Yes, you hear the voices of a former detainee, a youth mentor and an advocate but I would have like to hear a more personal story. Keep me caring about the subject.

Reporter has tremendous potential to turn this into a great piece if given the chance to work with an editor.

A window to the sad existence of Indian widows.

This is a very moving, thorough story that is well narrated.
Good attention to detail -- visually and verbally.
Well placed sound takes you from scene to scene - you feel like you're watching the story nstead of just hearing it.

The stories from the widows are heartbreaking yet matter of fact.

Some of the Indian women interviewed are a bit hard to understand at times but you get their essence and you never stray from the storyline.

Timing might be long for some station formats.
But if you have room on the weekend or evening shows, this is worth it.

Nice show ender or listening in rush hour traffic.

Dmae Roberts does a good job capturing the essence and the beauty of the Hawaiian slack key guitar.

She scores some of the island's best musicians for this piece and that only made me want to hear more of the guitar.

Let me say that she does a good job balancing between her explainations, the interviews and the music but for a music piece, I always want to hear more tunes.

One other point, several longtime slack key guitarists were mentioned in an actuality, but many listeners may need an added reference to who these musicians are.

Still, this is a lovely piece and Dmae's read is beautiful and melodious. A perfect match for this story.