7 Great Radio Shows ...

Listen at thisamericanlife.org

This is my absolute favorite radio show, telling three stories each week on the same theme, hosted by Ira Glass. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and most of all, make you think. The best part? The stories are all extraordinary because they’re true, told by regular Americans. I love it! I’ll load a few podcasts on my iPod when I’m out for a walk or I’m working out… my all-time favorite is episode # 175, “Babysitting.” Download the podcast or listen online, especially to the last segment. Riveting!

Listen at hereandnow.org

This show airs daily, covering just about any topic that’s in the media, with an upbeat, unbiased approach. It’s hosted by Robin young. The segments are typically brief, covering about six per episode, but they cover angles that most other news shows don’t, which I appreciate.

Listen at sciencefriday.com

If you’re at all interested in science news and reviews, then this is the show for you! It airs each Friday and is hosted by Ira Flatow, my favorite science and technology nerd. He always has the most interesting guests and covers the coolest, or nerdiest, science stuff.

Listen at 89xradio.com

This is a radio show out of Detroit, and it airs each Sunday morning. It plays music, MY music, the best music ever — 1980’s alternative and new wave music. The DJ, Cristina, plays everything from Morrisey and the Smiths and Depeche Mode to more obscure but still wonderful Chapterhouse and Ride.

Listen at cartalk.com

This call-in show, hosted by two brothers, is so popular, they even appeared in the Disney • Pixar movie “Cars.” As the name implies, they take phone calls from people who have issues with their cars. What the name doesn’t tell you is the best part — they’re hilarious! And they’re usually right.

Listen at npr.org

Host Terry Gross has interviewed everyone, from KISS star Gene Simmons to Bob Hope. She asks the questions I would ask, and never loses her cool… well, she RARELY loses her cool… Gene Simmons really gave her a run for her money…

Listen at thestory.org

This is an hour-long show that tells one story each episode. Each story is unique, told by a person or a small group of people, and the topics are so varied: a veteran tells of his experiences coming home, a family tells the story of the foreclosure and loss of their home, an older couple tells the story of the husband’s battle with Alzheimer’s. What I love about this show is how gritty and real it is…

Give each of these shows a listen, and you’ll be hooked! Which is fine, really… soon you’ll be slapping bumper stickers on your car, telling the world you love Car Talk and This American Life… just like me! Or maybe you already have a favorite radio show? If so, tell me about it! I’d love to listen!