Best Garrison Keillor Podcasts (2024)

1
A small life has its own distinct moments 7:14

1h ago7:14

7:14

In my parents’ home, waffles took time so they were saved for Saturday morning; you had to locate our waffle iron, a big clunky appliance kept on a high shelf in the laundry room, and we washed the griddle while someone else mixed the batter, and we put Mazola oil or margarine on it for a lubricant, and someone said, “Not too much,” so not enough w…

1
No Entiendo - "Stew in a Stew" 1:13:55

21h ago1:13:55

1:13:55

Fay quits Sandpiper Air when Joe won't give her a raise. Will a trip down memory lane, and the origin story of the airline bring her back to the fold? Yes, it will because this is a sitcom. Emerson and Jarred talk about the whole episode nonetheless. "Stew in a Stew" was the 14th episode of Wings season 3, originally broadcast on January 23, 1992. …

1
Bluegrass Beginnings: The Tammy Rogers King Story Episode 48 25:31

2h ago25:31

25:31

When family stories and musical chords intertwine, the result is a legacy as rich as the one Tammy Rogers King brings from her East Tennessee roots. Our special guest, a founding member of the celebrated bluegrass ensemble The SteelDrivers, takes us on a melodic journey through her life, sharing how her upbringing and family band experiences shaped…

1
O what a beautiful evening 7:49

5d ago7:49

7:49

I get pleasure from words, which is surely due to coming from taciturn people, so when I happen upon a seed catalogue and look through the beans (Scarlet Runner, Provider, Contender, Gold Rush, Blue Lake, Tenderette Green) and the corn (Bodacious, Ambrosia Hybrid, Sugar Buns, Abundance) and the tomatoes (Early Girl, Better Boy, Beefsteak, Sweetie, …

1
Echoes of Valor: The Poignant Soundtrack of World War II and Its Impact on American Country Music Episode 47 22:33

14d ago22:33

22:33

Travel back in time with us to the heart-wrenching era of World War II, where music wasn't just entertainment—it was a vital connection to home for soldiers and their families. As we wander through the poignant world of wartime tunes, we'll share how Tex Ritter's "There's a Gold Star in Her Window" and Ernest Tubb's "Soldier's Last Letter" captured…

1
The art of writing, lesson one 7:13

12d ago7:13

7:13

Silence is a basic necessity. I’m an early riser and as I make coffee and take my meds, my dreams evaporate and my waking mind is open to inspiration and sometimes finds it — I suddenly know what’s next in my novel, I think of a letter I need to write to someone, and I don’t want an Oscar Mayer wiener to butt in. The thought of wanting to be one, o…

1
I Wanna Go Home - "Goodnight Tonight and Daytime, Nighttime Suffering" 51:06

18d ago51:06

51:06

This is the podcast that's all about the classic band Wings! In this episode Emerson and Jarred discuss the single from March 23, 1979, "Goodnight Tonight" along with its b-side "Daytime, Nighttime Suffering". Like always, news of the day from the date of the singles released is discussed to provide some context of the era. Do you have thoughts? E-…

1
I open the fridge and life beckons 7:22

23d ago7:22

7:22

From the marmalade to the long table with green lampshades, I’ve chosen one pleasure after another, and when noon approaches, I have a lunch wagon in mind in Bryant Park, which offers an Italian sausage in a bun. Walking around the park eating a sausage with mustard is my idea of what a real city guy does, a guy with places to go and things to do, …

1
Echoes of War and Unity: The Stirring Impact of Country Music on World War II Soldiers Episode 46 25:27

28d ago25:27

25:27

As the needle drops on a classic vinyl, the memories of my father sharing his World War II stories come flooding back, setting the stage for a heartfelt exploration into how country music provided a soundtrack to an era of tremendous upheaval and unity. In our latest episode, we don't just recount tales; we bring you face-to-face with the songs tha…

1
Last Wednesday, stuck in a traffic jam 7:05

28d ago7:05

7:05

New Yorkers have this ability, to express despair and municipal pride in the same sentence. I over-tipped him and hiked 12 blocks to my doctor who took my blood pressure and said it was excellent, so I owe Joe for getting me to exercise. I was so surprised though by his language describing his likely November opponent, which I read in a paper I won…

1
Rubbing Bananas on Envelopes - "Divorce, American Style" 1:40:38

1M ago1:40:38

1:40:38

Jumping back in to the second part of a two part saga, Helen frets over the looming threat of federal punishment from her Green Card nuptials to Antonio. Meanwhile Joe considers throwing out a Rachel but Brian talks sense in to him as the two brothers become erotically intrigued with a mysterious woman. It's the Wings season 3 episode, "Divorce, Am…

1
The winter blues has got me bad, mama 7:47

1M ago7:47

7:47

We need to commemorate heroic acts of invention and creativity that have improved our lives vastly over those of our ancestors. I see that Microsoft has a little museum at its campus in Redmond, WA, and there are various rock and roll museums. I’ve googled around for a museum celebrating the first successful open-heart surgical operation, which too…

1
A Sentimental Journey Through Timeless Country Classics and Radio Antics Episode 45 32:19

1M ago32:19

32:19

Join us on a heart-tugging trip back in time as we explore the undying charm of country classics and the heyday of radio shenanigans. Ever wondered why some tunes, like John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," seem to defy the decades, enchanting everyone from nostalgic seniors to spirited teens? We've got stories that'll paint a picture of the…

1
Me and Maurizio, ships in the night 7:17

1M ago7:17

7:17

He asked about North Dakota, so I told him. Yes, the winters are long and the land is flat, but the people are the salt of the earth. Decency and humor. No pretense. Nobody lives here to show off. The man in the greasy jacket and barn boots might be a multi-millionaire farmer and he will be friendly without patronizing you, and you can tell him wha…

1
Crossing the flats, looking for mountains 7:27

2M ago7:27

7:27

In homage to my ancestor David Powell, I’m riding a train across Kansas heading for Colorado, his goal in 1859 when he left Martha Ann and the children behind in Missouri and headed for the gold rush. Kansas is a state of vastness, some of it seems undisturbed since David rode across it. Here is a little farm near the tracks with no neighbor for se…

1
The Dawn of Radio Advertising and High-Flying Tales of the Memphis Belle 32:00

2M ago32:00

32:00

As the radio waves of yesteryear crackled with fresh energy, imagine the thrill of the first-ever real estate promotion breaking through the static. That's the world we step back into, with tales spun from a life dedicated to the symbiotic dance between broadcasting and advertising. With the warmth of a seasoned host, I recount how early ads on sta…

1
Garrison Keillor Tribute - "Marriage, Italian Style" 1:48:54

2M ago1:48:54

1:48:54

The Sconset Sal episode! Emerson and Jarred discuss the season 3 episode "Marriage, Italian Style". Antonio needs to get married to stay in the country- a very special episode that addresses the complex issue of immigration. News of the day of this episodes release, January 9, 1991, is discussed via the pages of the Boston Globe and the Nantucket I…

1
Sunday morning, back in the fourth pew 7:33

2M ago7:33

7:33

A man stopped at my table who recognized me from my radio days. “Have a seat,” I said. He’s from Ohio, retired high school English teacher. Like everyone my age, he’s worried about young people. “They’re so busy with sports and activities and social media and video games and whatnot, it got so I couldn’t assign reading, they just didn’t have time f…

1
As I keep telling myself, life is good 7:33

2M ago7:33

7:33

The birth of the spotless giraffe at a zoo in Tennessee, the only known one on earth, is important news to those of us who grew up as oddballs, seeing the spotted mama giraffe nuzzling her child, remembering the kindness of aunts and teachers who noticed our helpless naivete and guided us through the shallows.And then there was the story of the cab…

1
The Evolving Legacy of the Oak Ridge Boys From Gospel Roots to Country Stardom 26:21

2M ago26:21

26:21

Embark on a heartfelt journey through the decades as we pay homage to the Oak Ridge Boys and their incredible five-decade legacy. Feel the bittersweet emotion as we discuss Joe Bonsall's retirement due to health challenges and explore how Ben James' arrival as the new tenor heralds a fresh chapter for the beloved quartet. Witness the resilience of …

1
What endures is decency, believe me 7:42

2M ago7:42

7:42

I hear people complain about police and city planners and the health care system, but never about firemen or EMTs, and few complain about slow delivery of mail, perhaps because so few people write letters these days. I do and delivery is prompt. This morning I wrote a postcard with a limerick for a new father:Byron is his child’s wiperAnd poop does…

1
The gift of Miss Helen Story, remembered 8:13

3M ago8:13

8:13

But I found my glasses today. They were in my jacket pocket. Sometimes they’re in a shirt pocket, sometimes perched on top of my head. The frenzy ends, the problem solves itself. The comedian is grateful. He looks around and appreciates the beauty of the day, the here and now. It’s 5 a.m. My love is asleep in the bedroom, my daughter in her bedroom…

1
Popcorn and Waterpiks - "The Bogey Man" 1:47:47

3M ago1:47:47

1:47:47

It's Wings, season 3 episode 11: The Bogey Man, originally released December 19, 1991. The boys golf trip traps them in a timeshare when a wussy hurricane hits Florida. Antonio busks in the airport and annoys Fay and Helen. Emerson and Jarred talk this episode of Wings top to bottom. News of the day, courtesy of the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror an…

1
A Melodic Memoir Celebrating Willie Nelson’s Legacy 22:47

3M ago22:47

22:47

Remember the thrill of hearing "Turn Out the Lights" for the first time? That moment sparked a lifelong love for Willie Nelson's music for many, including myself. On today's show, we pay homage to the legend himself, exploring his journey from the whiskey-soaked strings to the pungent aroma of marijuana that he claims saved his life. Alongside tale…

1
Sing on, dance on, good eye, ain't you happy 7:23

3M ago7:23

7:23

At the game I sat next to a true Twins fan named Alex who gave me the lowdown on various players and yelled the right things — “Looked good to me!” at the ump who’d called a strike a ball and “Good eye!” at a Twin who let Ball 3 go by and “Throw him the meatball!” at the opposition pitcher who had an 0-2 count on a Twins batter.It was a big pleasur…

1
Flying around America, looking at crowds 7:43

3M ago7:43

7:43

I imagine that someday at America’s boarding gates, after the wheelchair passengers are boarded and Those Who Need Extra Time, then active military, there will be other categories of merit to be given precedence, Persons Traumatized By Flight, Persons In Need Of Affirmation, Persons Trapped In Bad Relationships, and why not add Unappreciated Poets …

1
Episode 42 Chronicles of Willie Nelson's Musical Innovations and Iconic Albums 23:34

3M ago23:34

23:34

Discover the untold melodious tales of Willie Nelson in our latest auditory journey, as we unearth his roots from behind the radio microphone to the iconic "Red Headed Stranger" album. We'll explore the narrative genius of this barebones masterpiece, how it shattered industry norms, and the way Willie's soulful rendition of "Blue Eyes Crying in the…

1
The memory is alive with old roots 8:09

3M ago8:09

8:09

The simple pleasures of a long close marriage on a perfect October day, leaves dropping from the trees, eating an egg salad sandwich after her long morning walk, playing Scrabble. She talks about who and what she saw on her hike and I, the writer, am silent in thought, having played the word “irony,” which triggers the memory of a day long ago in S…

1
You Can Order Women From Catalogs? "The Late Mrs Biggins" 2:06:25

4M ago2:06:25

2:06:25

Roy's dead wife isn't dead after all. After confessing to his co-workers Roy makes a play to win Sylvia back. This is season 3 episode 10 of Wings - the sitcom from the 90's. Emerson and Jarred talk at length about not only this episode but also the news of the day from the day of this episodes release: December 12, 1991. The Nantucket Inquirer and…

1
“Stand up for yourself,” I keep thinking to myself 7:11

4M ago7:11

7:11

So my friend’s fussiness about the coffee was, in fact, a tribute to the excellence of the restaurant. (Did I mention that this was in Northern California, in a town where a small bungalow goes for $1.8 million and you can’t get a Tootsie Roll for less than five bucks?) She sent back the coffee with oat milk because it didn’t taste fresh. I’m in aw…

1
Celebrating Triumphs and Confronting Addictions in Country Music 23:52

4M ago23:52

23:52

As the clock ticks towards a new year, we've got an episode that mirrors the bittersweet symphony of life, celebrating triumphs and facing challenges head-on. Willie Nelson's musings on his town named Luck set the stage for an eclectic mix of reflections, from the cross-generational success of Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to the…

1
Finding harmony in the midst of chaos 7:09

4M ago7:09

7:09

I don’t belong in New York, I’m a loner, I have the social skills of a hoot owl, but I accept the amusement that the city offers. I saw a dog on the subway with earbuds on and I asked the guy holding the leash what the dog was listening to and he said, “Those are hearing aids.” But he said it sort of sarcastically. You get a lot of irony in New Yor…

1
Life without jokes isn't worth the trouble 7:37

4M ago7:37

7:37

I went to see The Magic Flute at the Met last week and dozed through the sleepy parts of it, woke up for the Queen of the Night aria, and again when the Papageno dashed into the audience carrying a stepladder. This almost never happens in opera. My beloved explained it to me during intermission: “It means he is looking for something higher.” “Oh, r…

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