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Jon Kalish

Tech

How a radio reporter let go of his gear envy and guerrilla electronic hacks

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | September 18, 2023

Reflections on a career that started with a “poor man’s Nagra” and a nutcracker.

Programs/Content

Friendships forged on TV cooking sets keep ‘Sara’s Weeknight Meals’ on the air

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | June 30, 2023

An expert chef with charisma, a producer who knows how to “corral cats” and an indefatigable marketing pro keep showing TV viewers how to cook and enjoy delicious food.

People

Aileen Alfandary, tenacious ‘force multiplier’ for journalism, retires

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | April 27, 2023

As co-director of news at Pacifica’s KPFA, Alfandary has endured “utter chaos” at the station while training generations of reporters.

Programs/Content

WBGO adds jazz gems to public broadcasting archive

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | March 28, 2023

In the process of preserving the station’s musical legacy, retired jazz producer Becca Pulliam is rediscovering her own body of work.

Programs/Content

Firesign Theater’s Phil Proctor returns to radio on Pacifica’s KPFK

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | October 27, 2022

More than 50 years after “the Beatles of comedy” debuted on the Los Angeles station, Proctor is taking his podcast on the air.

Obituaries

Larry Josephson, pioneering producer and freeform host, dies at 83

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | July 29, 2022

“He was the original politically incorrect guy on the radio, and that’s why I loved him,” said former WBAI producer Caryl Ratner during a tribute to Josephson that aired Thursday.

People

Documentary ‘ode’ to Steve Post’s many talents leaves out key verses

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | March 16, 2022

“Playing in the FM Band: The Steve Post Story,” a feature-length documentary about a pioneer of freeform radio, zooms in on some odd stuff.

Obituaries

Neal Conan, journalist who covered wars and anchored live broadcasts for NPR, dies at 71

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | August 10, 2021

“Neal did every job you could do in radio,” said Robert Siegel, former “All Things Considered” host, of his longtime colleague. “He was terrifically gifted at everything.”

Programs/Content

Radio Diaries, ‘Radiolab’ team up to produce their own documentaries on Black Swan Records

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | June 16, 2021

After learning they were separately pursuing stories on the pioneering label and its founder, producers Joe Richman and Jad Abumrad decided to share tape and research.

Obituaries

Bob Fass, ringleader of long-running countercultural Pacifica show, dies at 87

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | April 27, 2021

Fass’ “Radio Unnameable” served as a switchboard for social movements of the ’60s and featured musical guests that included Joni Mitchell, Taj Mahal and Bob Dylan.

Tech

How at-home pandemic recordings are changing pubmedia’s standards for audio quality

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | March 25, 2021

Reporters and producers have more options for safely recording interviews, but not everyone welcomes the trade-offs in sonic fidelity.

People

He drove them crazy, but reporters will miss ‘unstoppable’ NPR arts editor Tom Cole

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | January 22, 2021

Retiring this week after 33 years at the network, Cole tested journalists’ patience but stood out as a devoted advocate for their work.

Programs/Content

NPR story on ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ namesake inspires listeners to give back on Thanksgiving

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | December 1, 2020

A crowdfunding campaign benefiting Alice Brock, who needed help with living expenses, raised more than $125,000 in 24 hours.

System/Policy

Solar panels in parking lot power studios of Maine’s WERU-FM

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | September 21, 2020

The community radio station in East Orland has entered into a power-purchase agreement to convert to sustainable energy.

System/Policy

Staff and volunteers at Twin Cities community station protect studios, valuable archive amid protests

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | June 3, 2020

Though no one knew exactly what a “block watch” was, “we knew it would be necessary.”

Programs/Content

Podcast gathers far-flung stories of people living through the pandemic

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | April 14, 2020

The producer of “Our Show” has sifted through almost 400 phone recordings her correspondents have sent her.

People

Post-‘Radiolab,’ Robert Krulwich plans many more experiments with storytelling

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | February 6, 2020

The master of entertaining listeners while explaining complex topics is working with a “new mafia” of media creators.

Obituaries

Cokie Roberts, a ‘founding mother’ who helped define NPR’s political coverage, dies at 75

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | September 18, 2019

“I don’t know how they’re going to find a church big enough to hold the mourners,” said Nina Totenberg, her friend and colleague.

Programs/Content

Minnesota’s community radio stations find unique niche for covering arts and culture

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | March 20, 2019

Backing from a special tax-supported fund has allowed volunteer-powered stations to enhance their local programming.

People

Radio pioneer Larry Josephson turns to creative community for support

By Jon Kalish, Freelance Contributor | December 18, 2018

“I have to ask my friends for help so I can keep on working and … producing,” says the man known as the “sage of independent producers.”

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