Because It Matters

Series produced by Ron Johnson

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Thoughtful Conversations about Things that will Matter to You.

Here's where you'll find engaging and energizing stories about people and things that will matter to you.

When you finish one of our pieces, you'll have learned something or thought about something in a new or different way. One reason we do this is to entertain you but, more important, we want you to hear about things that will make you pause and wonder about something.

It's a privilege to have you spend some of your valuable time with us. We think you'll like what you'll get in return.


5 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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Bob Farrell sold more than ice cream to his customers. He sold them what they wanted. And if they wanted it, he would "Give 'em the Pickle." Her...

  • Added: Aug 18, 2015
  • Length: 08:31
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United 173 crashed six miles short of the runway at Portland, Oregon. It had run out of fuel. Ten people were killed. How could that happen?

  • Added: Aug 07, 2015
  • Length: 08:42
Caption: Nobuo Fujita, who piloted the plane that bombed Brookings, donating his family's 400-year-old samurai sword to the city of Brookings
The 9-11 attacks weren’t the first time that America had been bombed. Listen to what happened at Brookings, Oregon on a Wednesday morning in Septem...

  • Added: Dec 10, 2014
  • Length: 10:26
Caption: The 10-inch guns at Battery Russell that weren't fired.
The US mainland hadn't been attacked since the War of 1812 until a summer evening during 1942. And when Battery Russell on the Oregon coast was sh...

Bought by WSLR and WYAP


  • Added: Nov 08, 2014
  • Length: 15:47
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Honoring Elsie Mitchell and the 5 School Children who died during WWII near Bly, Oregon
Few people have ever been to Bly, Oregon. Fewer people know the story of what happened at Bly. Here's the story behind the plaque.

  • Added: Jul 20, 2014
  • Length: 15:01