Best WFMT Podcasts (2024)

1
The Walawa Basies talk with Studs Terkel ; part 2 54:31

6d ago54:31

54:31

First broadcast on January 14, 1969. Studs Terkel interviews the members of the Walawa Basies: Kelvin Strong, Orlando Lucas, and Levon Campbell.

1
The Walawa Basies talk with Studs Terkel ; part 1 52:00

26m ago52:00

52:00

First broadcast on January 14, 1969. Studs Terkel interviews the members of the Walawa Basies: Kelvin Strong, Orlando Lucas, Levon Campbell, and Justine Cordwell. This is an Interview done in two parts

1
Barbara Kingsolver discusses her book "Holding the Line: Women in the Great Arizona Mine Strike of 1983" 46:41

1h ago46:41

46:41

First broadcast on September 17, 1990. Since no men were allowed to picket against the Phelps Dodge Corp., Mexican American women showed up and according to Kingsolver’s book, “Holding the Line,” the picket lines were a brand new experience for the women. Some of the women had to get their husbands’ permission to picket. The group of women found th…

1
Derek Walcott discusses poetry and his play "Dream on Monkey Mountain" 52:29

4d ago52:29

52:29

First broadcast on April 11, 1972. Colonial West Indies & Caribbean poet Derek Walcott talks about the traditions of poetry not purely being just the written words. Poetry, says Walcott, is also oral poetry that's found in folk songs, folk tales and calypso music. Walcott's play, "Dream on Monkey Mountain" is about Makak, an old hermit who lived on…

1
Daniel Boorstin discuses his book "The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America" 0:01

22d ago0:01

0:01

Discussing the book "The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America" and interviewing the author Professor Daniel Boorstin.

1
Brian Dennehy discusses the Goodman Theater's production of "A Touch of a Poet" 48:10

1M ago48:10

48:10

First broadcast on May 02, 1996.

1
Ezra Escobar, cello & Ryan Senger, piano

1M ago

—

Cellist Ezra Escobar and pianist Ryan Senger perform works by Nicanor Abelardo and Sergei Rachmaninoff live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Lauded as “vibrant” and “gifted” (Chicago Classical Review), Filipino-American cellist Ezra Escobar maintains a prolific output as a multigenre cellist, composer, and music producer. …

1
A young white cabbie talks with Studs Terkel 47:58

1M ago47:58

47:58

First broadcast on March 26, 1962. Interviewing a young white cabbie and farewell comments on the plane ride home when Studs traveled home from Montgomery, Alabama.

1
Fred W. Friendly discusses his book "Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control" and his career, part 1 25:22

1M ago25:22

25:22

Fred W. Friendly discusses his book "Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control" and his career. Fred W. Friendly discusses television and mass media. (Part 1 of 2)

1
Fred W. Friendly discusses his book "Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control" 1:26

1M ago1:26

1:26

Studs Terkel interviews Fred W. Friendly to promote his book "Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control." Although this interview seems to be the conclusion of a longer discussion, Friendly offers two key points: we should learn from a crisis to better handle the next one and television will shape the world. Duration 1:26. (Part 2 of 2)…

1
Yanyan Lin, cello and Umi Garrett, piano 41:18

1M ago41:18

41:18

Cellist Yanyan Lin and pianist Umi Garrett perform works by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Lili Boulanger, and Nadia Boulanger. Yanyan Lin performed Haydn D Major Cello Concerto at age 19 with Shanghai Conservatory Orchestra as his solo debut in Shanghai He-luting Hall. He has been invited by festivals such as Piatigorsky International C…

1
Eugene J. McCarthy in conversation with Studs Terkel 51:43

2M ago51:43

51:43

First broadcast on November 07, 1977.

1
Discussing the young vs. adults with teenagers at Saint Timothy Elementary School 43:06

2M ago43:06

43:06

Studs Terkel presents a roundtable conversation with children ranging from ages 13-17. They discuss relationships with their family members, other students, growing up in Chicago, and race relations in the U.S.

1
Ian Rucker, baritone and Michael Banwarth, piano 28:31

2M ago28:31

28:31

Baritone Ian Rucker and pianist Michael Banwarth perform music by Gabriel Fauré, Gustav Mahler, Frank Loesser, Leonard Bernstein, and Richard Rodgers live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The third-year baritone with Lyric Opera’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Ian Rucker will appear a…

1
Discussing the book "The Other America" with Michael Harrington. 50:57

2M ago50:57

50:57

First broadcast on July 01, 1964.

1
Discussing a trip to the Soviet Union with Sharon Tennison and Barbara Rinnan of The Center for Citizen Initiatives (CCI) 19:03

2M ago19:03

19:03

First broadcast on February 01, 1985. CCI maintains citizen-to-citizen networks between the US and the USSR in an attempt to empower ordinary citizens to take responsibility.

1
Oliver Neubauer, violin and Chelsea Wang, piano 42:52

2M ago42:52

42:52

Violinist Oliver Neubauer and pianist Chelsea Wang perform works by Clara Schumann and Richard Strauss live at the Seventeeth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Violinist Oliver Neubauer is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young artists of his time. First prize winner of the 2023 Susan Wadsworth Young Concert Artists Inte…

1
Ben Kingsley discusses his file "Gandhi" with Studs Terkel, then actress Anabella discusses her film and theatrical career 57:45

3M ago57:45

57:45

1
Brother John Sellers discusses his career as a blues artist and how church music inspired his music 36:56

3M ago36:56

36:56

First broadcast on July 02, 1982. Studs interviews Brother John Sellers about his career and other blues singers. Sellers explains that religion influenced his music as did performers like Mahalia Jackson, Big Bill Broonzy, and Muddy Waters. Studs reads some of the lyrics of blues song, "In the Evening." Sellers describes street singers and blind s…

1
In-Ae Ha, piano 42:35

3M ago42:35

42:35

Recently winning 3rd prize at the Epinal International Piano Competition and Leoš Janáček International Competition in Brno, In-Ae Ha is acclaimed as a passionate pianist, lauded for her “new and radiant interpretation, brilliant virtuosity, and driving energy” according to the Chosun Newspaper Concert Review. The post In-Ae Ha, piano appeared firs…

1
Discussing the book "Get Shorty" with the author Elmore Leonard 53:22

3M ago53:22

53:22

First broadcast on July 31, 1991.

1
Mackenzie Melemed, piano 38:49

3M ago38:49

38:49

Recipient of the 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 29-year-old American pianist Mackenzie Melemed’s international career continues to flourish. Melemed was the winner of Juilliard’s 2019 Leo B. Ruiz Carnegie Hall Recital Prize and 2018 Arthur Rubinstein Prize, as well as the Jade Medal at the 2019 China International Music Competition and the first p…

1
Studs Terkel discusses race relations and economic disparity with four Chicago area women ; part 1 29:51

3M ago29:51

29:51

First broadcast on January 27, 1965. Studs discusses race relations and economic disparity with four Chicago area women in a program entitled "Each of us can act".This recording was the last of a 6-part series, "Rearing the Child of Good Will", broadcast under the auspices of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The series focused on pre…

1
Studs Terkel discusses race relations and economic disparity with four Chicago area women ; part 2 25:29

3M ago25:29

25:29

First broadcast on January 27, 1965. Studs discusses race relations and economic disparity with four Chicago area women in a program entitled "Each of us can act".This recording was the last of a 6-part series, "Rearing the Child of Good Will", broadcast under the auspices of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The series focused on pre…

1
Maxwell Foster and Alex Raineri, piano 38:22

3M ago38:22

38:22

Maxwell Foster is a pianist and pedagogue based in Baltimore and Brisbane. He was the recipient of first prize at the ABC Young Performer Awards and has performed alongside every major orchestra within Australia. Hailed as a “born communicator” (The Australian), a “brilliant young musician” (Otago Times), and a “soloist of superb virtuosic skill an…

1
Discussing a tour of the Berlin Wall with author Ursula Bender 25:42

4M ago25:42

25:42

1
Discussing the book "Hoop Dreams: A True Story of Hardship and Triumph" with the author Ben Joravsky 53:03

4M ago53:03

53:03

First broadcast on May 17, 1995.

1
Avery Gagliano, piano 41:11

4M ago41:11

41:11

Pianist Avery Gagliano was the First Prize and Best Concerto Prize winner of the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition, and semifinalist at the 18th International Chopin Competition in 2021. She perform works by George Frideric Handel, Maurice Ravel, and Nikolai Medtner live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Avery…

1
Discussing the struggle for democratic rule in South Africa with President of the African National Congress and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Zulu Chief Albert John Luthuli 53:57

4M ago53:57

53:57

1
Anna Han, piano 31:33

4M ago31:33

31:33

Pianist Anna Han received the second prize at the 2023 Naumburg International Piano Competition and first prize at the 2023 National Federation of Music Clubs Competition. She performs her own arrangement of two Robert Schumann pieces and works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Unsuk Chin, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Sergei Prokofiev, live from the Seventeent…

1
Henry Fonda and John Houseman discuss the play "Clarence Darrow" 32:21

4M ago32:21

32:21

Henry Fonda and John Houseman talk about working with one another on "Clarence Darrow: A One-Man Play". Houseman is in awe of Fonda's portrayal of Clarence Darrow, explaining that in the play, the audience can really see the growth of Clarence Darrow, from a young lawyer to an experienced, wise one. Fonda talks about the opening scene when Darrow r…

1
Interviewing Chicagoan Kid Pharaoh : part 1 1:07:35

4M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

An interview with Kid Pharoh, a former prize fighter, is included in Terkel's book, "Division Street: America."

1
Interviewing Chicagoan Kid Pharaoh ; part 2 51:34

5M ago51:34

51:34

An interview with Kid Pharoh, a former prize fighter, is included in Terkel's book, "Division Street: America."

1
Interview in Montgomery, Alabama 49:09

5M ago49:09

49:09

First broadcast on March 25, 1965. Interviewing in Montgomery, Alabama on March 25, 1965 (Montgomery #1). Speaks with Reverend William Franklin Pascal, cab driver, two barbers

1
French humorist Jacques Tati talks with Studs Terkel 31:58

5M ago31:58

31:58

First broadcast on November 01, 1962. Filmmaker Jacques Tati and Studs discuss finding the humor in everyday life and people becoming their gadgets. The two also go in-depth about Tati's film "Mon Oncle" and the development of the character Monsieur Hulot.

1
David Caplan, cello & Rick Ferguson, piano 45:03

5M ago45:03

45:03

Cellist David Caplan of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and pianist Rick Ferguson, co-founder and artistic director of The Musical Offering, perform works by Louise Farrenc and Ludwig van Beethoven, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post David Caplan, cello & Rick Ferguson, piano appeared first on WFMT.…

1
Excerpts from the Division Street recordings Oral Histories, regarding race, religion and humanity 26:26

5M ago26:26

26:26

Studs presents excerpts from the Division Street recordings, regarding race, religion and humanity.

1
Edward Albee discusses the arts and the meaning of plays 29:15

6M ago29:15

29:15

First broadcast on December 31, 1967. Every play is political and art isn’t easy, according to Edward Albee. People need to realize that going to the theatre is an arena of engagement rather than one of escapism, says Albee. Due to people’s lack of knowledge and self-awareness, we in society, we deserve everything bad that we get, are also part of …

1
Lawrence Ferlinghetti discusses his poetry 20:13

6M ago20:13

20:13

First broadcast on October 15, 1959. Includes Lawrence Ferlinghetti reading and discussing his poems from his books "A Coney Island State of Mind" and "Big Table."

1
Allen Ginsberg discusses poetry and meditation 45:14

6M ago45:14

45:14

First broadcast on November 29, 1976. Studs Terkel and Allen Ginsberg talk about poetry, meditation, and the shifting of American socio-political consciousness between the 50's and 70's.

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