A portrait of a real couple, married twice and still pondering the nature of their relationship. What I liked most about this piece is that it shows how complicated and dynamic relationships are, even when they are, on the face of it, successful and enduring. We hear the couple dissect their history together, their memories overlapping in some areas, and diverging in others, the ups and downs still fresh in their memories. Ultimately the audience gets a sense that they have reached a mutual accomodation, a point where they are still married and their reasons for staying together are clearer now than ever before, which is no mean feat in these days of 50% divorce rate.
This isn't your average fairy tale love story; thankfully it is a far more realistic account of one couple's path to where they are today, still working at staying a couple. In addition, the producer uses music to great effect.

Air it on Valentines to inject a little reality into the holiday.

An abrupt start, but a fascinating look at how big a part alcohol plays in our celebrations. In this case the wedding goes well as one would hope and expect, even without alcohol. However the lack of it, becomes a talking point, even making it into some of the speeches. In our society, alcohol is so ingrained in honoring important events that it becomes conspicuous by its absence. In this case, some guests made alternative plans, like the grooms parents who held a speakeasy in their suite, or did without, and no one was any the worse for it; others embraced the unimaginable and complied with a booze-free wedding, and felt much better for it the next day! This would make a great introduction for a talk show on the effects of alcohol; it is a lively piece that captures the celebratory atmosphere of the wedding, and the guests provide some interesting talking points.

The interview concerns the transatlantic transport of microorganisms in windblown African dust: the fact that dust can make it across the ocean AND negatively impact Caribbean coral reefs is intriguing and reminds us how much we have to learn about the environment. Unfortunately this interview doesn't do enough to pique my interest, or make me want to learn more about the subject. It is a straight interview with a fast talking microbiologist and is a little dry in content and format . If, however, you are a programmer at a radio station in the Caribbean this is essential listening as the subject matter has a direct and troubling impact on your listeners.

This is the second piece I have listened to in the Your Choice, Your Planet series produced by the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, and both have proven to be engaging and informative. In addition they provide listeners an insight into innovative and environmentally sound technologies and practices that will become essential in a future where mountains of waste are being generated and untainted water supplies are dwindling. With widespread uptake of waterless urinals huge quantities of water could be saved (some qualitative data would have enhanced the piece) and airing this piece may encourage facilities managers everywhere to think a little differently about the men's room. All that being said, when airing this piece it might be a good time to disengage the minds eye!

This is a great piece for earth day, or any day, and a good example of a company taking responsibility for its discarded products. The company in question, Nike, has set up a scheme (Reuse a Shoe) to collect old athletic shoes that have outrun their owners' feet; they then recycle them into various rubbery products like tennis courts. By collaborating with a variety of public groups they are broadening the scheme to reach all 50 states. Nike actually has a waiting list of organizations that want to help! (Of course why wouldn't Nike set up a scheme that essentially uses free labor and plenty of good will, to collect free discarded raw materials to make products it can sell for a profit? maybe it is so it can pay better wages in it's Asian sweat shops). But seriously folks, this piece demonstrates that innovative low cost recycling schemes can help solve some of the big problems we face as a society, and it is perfect for ATC or ME.

This piece is oddly compelling in a tragic comedy kind of way; it has the feel of an urban legend, and yet the tale is told with such heart and nostalgia, that it has a fairy tale quality too. It is replete with visual details that stick in the mind, some nice use of music, and maybe a tad too much rushing water early on. The fact that the family was forced to bear witness to the tragic and drawn out demise of their VW bus for months after the intial loss, as tide after tide washed over and revealed it anew, until it was finally consumed by the sands, only adds to the pathos.

It is hard to imagine quite when this would best appear on the radio, but it should air somewhere; as a fellow reviewer suggested, the weekend ATC or ME is probably the best bet.

Respectful and engaging, this is a topic whose time, given the burgeoning ranks of retiring boomers, has definately come. The subject matter is dealt with directly and sensitively with several charismatic seniors, and a number of experts who talk matter of factly about the potential problems they face in approaching sexual relations. The music is perfect for the piece and conjures up the era in which these folk first found romance; ambient sound is used to great effect, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of nursing homes and the activities that go on there. What is most unsettling in this piece is the attitude of offspring who find their parents abiding sexuality rather insavoury. Makes one ponder the future, especially given the statistic that women outnumber men in nursing homes 10 to 1!

This piece would make an excellent compliment to any other half hour on ageing and retirement; the shorter segments would be a perfect kick-off to a call-in show on ageing too. All round a great piece of radio.

A thoughtful and touching interview with a wildlife afficionado: it catalogs his early experiences that inspired his later career choice as wildlife cinematographer, his fascination with wilderness species (including Big Foot!), and his thoughts about why we must protect the environment in the future. It starts a little slowly, but draws you in as it progresses, due to the subject's understated enthusiasm for the wild and it's inhabitants. The interview might have benefited from more air; a pause where he moves on to a new subject, whether music or wildlife sounds, to allow digestion of what is said. Nevertheless, this piece would make a good addition to an environment hour, but would need an outro as it ends rather abruptly.

I must admit to being totally in agreement with this curmudgeonly commentator about the celebrity-obsessed society that currently exists, both in the UK and over here. A reference to Schwartzenegger's election in California dates this piece slightly, but the point is well made. If you need a little light relief from the bad news and electioneering that dominates the news cycle at the moment this piece could be for you.

This piece is succinct and timely, and I would love to hear the entire series on my local public radio station. This overview of the state of play in the state of Arizona seems to cover all the bases, from historical perspectives to demographic shifts to political party activities. The tone is serious but not stodgy, leaving this listener eager to learn more about this swing state and the rest. Roll on November 2nd.....

This is a fabulous series, providing the listener with enough information and music to get a good sense of the artist and whether you would like to hear more. In this particular case I know I want to hear more: Ms Merritt reveals her influences and some personal details, and talks about her passion for music in a real and simple way, at once demystifying the creative process AND revealing how complex it is. Perfect insert for ATC or ME.

A collage of voices, some hopeful, some not, musing over the prospect of getting out of prison. Most seem to have a new found respect for family, and the simple things that make up a day, spending time with siblings, dressing how you want to, choosing when you eat etc. Unfortunately it is rare to hear from young voices like these anywhere, including public radio, which is a shame; this series could remedy that, at least a little bit, as it provides great material to build a talk show around.

This is a satisfying slice of life piece, that would be a welcome addition to any show with a maritime theme, and a surefire crowd pleaser if aired on coastal public radio stations. It is replete with salty language, interesting facts, and a taste of the sad realities of the declining fishing industry. My only criticism, and it is small (and really a compliment as it reflects some masterful mixing!) is that it just doesn't seem noisy enough, windy enough, engine-rumbly enough! I know engine noise is the bane of a radio producer's existence but, I have been on a few boats, and this was a quiet one. That being said, I am left pondering this incredible image, and what an image; "when it's just your head sticking up out of the ocean, it's a big ocean" Clearly the sinking of his boat had a lasting impact on Frank, not big enough to turn him away from his life's passion though.

This piece has received several, almost universally positive vox pop reviews, the snappy title could have been the draw, but the main reason is that this is a great piece. It is a lovely vox pop account of what makes collectors tick, it goes by way quicker than the 6 or so minutes it lasts, and has some great musical scoring. This is part confessional, part portrait and a lot of good listening, and best of all it is tender and respectful in its treatment of the subjects.

As a TV viewer, this ad campaign never fails to REALLY piss me off; it is manipulative, shallow, makes guys think that some crappy, exhorbitantly priced bauble is the key to a happy marriage, and many other things that prx politesse prevents me from typing. So i am glad that someone has taken it on, the music immediately brings the ad to mind, but I cant help feeling that the writing could have been pithier, to really skewer the brand like it deserves.