The response to this week’s show with Seth Godin has been overwhelming. And, we’re finding that a lot of folks are listening to the unedited interview right after they finish listening to the produced podcast. So why wouldn’t I offer it up to our Tumblr friends to reblog/download/share!
~Trent Gilliss, senior editor
There’s no doubt Wired wunderkind (my turn of phrase) and marketing guru Seth Godin have an impassioned following through his blogs and books and speaking engagements and you name it… But, he doesn’t do a lot of one-on-one interviews that canvas the sweep of his personal triumphs and failures. Krista sat down with him (via ISDN) for 90 minutes of a highly engaging conversation.
I think my favorite phrase Seth uses to describe navigating this new world of vocation/avocation is a “landscape without maps.” It’s this ambiguity that’s worth embracing rather than fleeing from. Rather than merely tolerate change, he says, we are now called to rise to it — and, we’re invited and stretched in whatever we do to be artists — to create in ways that matter to other people.
We do make available all of our unedited interviews, including Krista’s conversation with Mr. Godin, in the On Being podcast (iTunes link).
~Trent Gilliss, senior editor
Beethoven’s Ninth on a Spanish Plaza (video)
by Trent Gilliss, senior editor
Let’s make no mistake here; this is a commercial for Banco Sabadell. And, yes, it’s a majestic, highly orchestrated flashmob organized by one of Spain’s largest banking groups. But, when I get an evening email from our founder and host confessing to shedding “happy tears” when watching it, I figure I better check it out.
And, if you read the comments on YouTube, you’ll see much more of the same sentiment being expressed.
On May 19th at six in the evening, what appeared to be a single, tuxedoed street performer playing a bass for people strolling around Plaça de Sant Roc in Sabadell, Spain (just north of Barcelona) turned into a mass ensemble performing a movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony — including more than 100 musicians and singers from the Orchestra Simfònica del Vallès, Amics de l’Òpera de Sabadell, Coral Belles Arts, and Cor Lieder Camera.
The production is lovely and highly produced, but it’s the fascination and pure joy of the passersby that makes the moment quite magical. Non?
TV Industry Publication Writes about Our Name Change
by Trent Gilliss, senior editor
You’ve gotta love this new age of media we’re living in! Chuck Ross, the managing editor of TVWeek, writes a thoughtful article about changing the name of a radio program — yes, our program Speaking of Faith and soon-to-be Being. Although he’s skeptical of the benefits of a name change, we appreciate that he actually listens to our program and applauds our work.
We also respect that Mr. Ross took time to actually read the hundreds of comments from our audiences submitted in response to Krista’s open letter reflecting on the process and thinking behind the name change — and cited our managing editor’s replies to these responses. He makes some fine points. We’re paying attention and keeping them in mind as we move forward.
Your Top 3 Shows of the Past Year
Shiraz Janjua, Associate Producer
(photo: “Antony Gormley: Olympic Podium” by threefishsleeping/Flickr)
Our company’s marketing folks have asked us to put together a compilation CD featuring material from the past 12 months. This CD will be used to give to public-radio programming directors who are not familiar with the program, as well as to potential funders, and for other marketing uses.
Rather than some edited compilation, we’re thinking of putting together the first half of three separate programs on the CD (each half being about 25 minutes). That way, we can showcase the depth, intimacy and storytelling we aim for. The other criteria? The shows must have been produced in the past year.
Choices, choices… It would be wonderful to highlight our Peabody Award-winning Rumi show. I’m also fond, myself, of the Mathematics show, the Architecture show, and the Jean Vanier show (yes, Jean Vanier is his own subject). Oh, and Heschel.
Three programs, 12 months, one CD — what are your three picks? (Our 2007 and 2008 archives, for reference.)
Unfortunately, it’s an existential question. It’s far more important to be branded than to actually exist.
— said by Kate Moos when discussing how to implement the American Public Media brand more effectively in working with potential guests and media companies
Trent Gilliss, Online Editor
