http://stateofthereunion.com Free podcast of the award-winning public radio show State of the Re:Union. Each episode of SOTRU, host Al Letson travels to a new community to tell stories about the people who are doing extraordinary work to help each other, to engage their community, and to overcome obstacles. It's a unique way of storytelling that documents the new America. SOTRU is presented by WJCT, co-distributed by PRX and NPR. Because things fall apart, it's our job to bring them back together. Tue, 04 Feb 2014 18:03:49 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Free podcast of the award-winning public radio show State of the Re:Union. Each episode of SOTRU, host Al Letson travels to a new community to tell stories about the people who are doing extraordinary work to help each other, to engage their community, and to overcome obstacles. It's a unique way of storytelling that documents the new America. SOTRU is presented by WJCT, co-distributed by PRX and NPR. Because things fall apart, it's our job to bring them back together. Free podcast of the award-winning public radio show State of the Re:Union. State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru_2083.jpg http://stateofthereunion.com no WJCT techsupport@wjct.org http://stateofthereunion.com/travelogue-volume-two/ Tue, 26 May 2015 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union roadtrip travel stories farewell final al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/travelogue-volume-two/ In the last episode of State of the Re:Union, the team brings you a collection of our favorite stories from the road. Host Al Letson reflects on six years of SOTRU and says goodbye to the show. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/travelogue-volume-two/ 1 In the last episode of State of the Re:Union, the team brings you a collection of our favorite stories from the road. Host Al Letson reflects on six years of SOTRU and says goodbye to the show. In the last episode of State of the Re:Union, the team brings you a collection of our favorite stories from the road. Host Al Letson reflects on six years of SOTRU and says goodbye to the show... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:29 al letson, roadtrip, travel, stories, farewell, final no http://stateofthereunion.com/san-gabriel-valley/ Tue, 19 May 2015 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union asian asian-american california Chinese small town global city al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/san-gabriel-valley/ The San Gabriel Valley is just like any other suburb in America. Life revolves around family and school; the social fabric is woven over cheap eats at the mall. But unlike most suburbs in America, the San Gabriel Valley is home to the largest Chinese diaspora in the country. In fact, eight of the region’s cities are majority Asian. That makes the “SGV” one of the few places where being Asian American is the norm – but where there is no normal version of being Asian American. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/san-gabriel-valley/ 1 The San Gabriel Valley is just like any other suburb in America. Life revolves around family and school; the social fabric is woven over cheap eats at the mall. But unlike most suburbs in America, the San Gabriel Valley is home to the largest Chinese diaspora in the country. In fact, eight of the region’s cities are majority Asian. That makes the “SGV” one of the few places where being Asian American is the norm – but where there is no normal version of being Asian American. The San Gabriel Valley is just like any other suburb in America. Life revolves around family and school; the social fabric is woven over cheap eats at the mall. But unlike most suburbs in America, the San Gabriel Valley is home to the largest Chinese diaspora in the country... [...] State of the Re:Union 51:26 al letson, global city, small town, Chinese, california, asian-americans, asian no http://stateofthereunion.com/the-poems-the-poets-the-power/ Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union poetry poetry month spoken word poets al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/the-poems-the-poets-the-power/ Poetry isn’t just words on a page. Instead it’s a form that lets people express themselves in a way that’s often far more deep, emotional, and complex than other forms of communication. In this year’s National Poetry Month Special, SOTRU explores how people are finding ways to use poetry in surprising ways.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/the-poems-the-poets-the-power/ 1 Poetry isn’t just words on a page. Instead it’s a form that lets people express themselves in a way that’s often far more deep, emotional, and complex than other forms of communication. In this year’s National Poetry Month Special, SOTRU explores how people are finding ways to use poetry in surprising ways. Poetry isn’t just words on a page. Instead it’s a form that lets people express themselves in a way that’s often far more deep, emotional, and complex than other forms of communication... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:27 al letson, poetry, poetry month, spoken word, poets no http://stateofthereunion.com/ithaca-ny-power-to-the-people/ Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union climate carbon footprint ithaca new york fossil fuels al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/ithaca-ny-power-to-the-people/ The climate is going haywire, and politicians are bickering over what to do about it, or whether to do anything at all. But that’s only part of the story. Around the country, communities are taking matters into their own hands, publicly pledging to shrink their carbon footprints, then setting out to make good on their promises.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/ithaca-ny-power-to-the-people/ 1 The climate is going haywire, and politicians are bickering over what to do about it, or whether to do anything at all. But that’s only part of the story. Around the country, communities are taking matters into their own hands, publicly pledging to shrink their carbon footprints, then setting out to make good on their promises. The climate is going haywire, and politicians are bickering over what to do about it, or whether to do anything at all. But that’s only part of the story... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:27 al letson, fossil fuels, new york, ithaca, carbon footprint, climate no http://stateofthereunion.com/a-couple-twice-born/ Tue, 3 Mar 2015 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union trans gender transgender lgbt dade barlow tiffany barlow al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/a-couple-twice-born/ When someone decides to transition from one gender to another, it’s obviously a big deal in their life. But what’s it like for their spouse?VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/a-couple-twice-born/ 1 When someone decides to transition from one gender to another, it’s obviously a big deal in their life. But what’s it like for their spouse? When someone decides to transition from one gender to another, it’s obviously a big deal in their life. But what’s it like for their spouse?... [...] State of the Re:Union 12:59 al letson, transgender, trans gender, lgbt, dade barlow, tiffany barlow no http://stateofthereunion.com/power-of-african-american-art/ Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union black history african american black history month art al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/power-of-african-american-art/ This year, State of the Re:Union recognizes Black History Month through the lens of African-American art, the role it has played in social movements and everyday life, and why it matters both to the black community and the United States as a whole.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/power-of-african-american-art/ 1 This year, State of the Re:Union recognizes Black History Month through the lens of African-American art, the role it has played in social movements and everyday life, and why it matters both to the black community and the United States as a whole. This year, State of the Re:Union recognizes Black History Month through the lens of African-American art, the role it has... [...] State of the Re:Union 51:26 al letson, black history, african american, black history month, art no http://stateofthereunion.com/nola-murder-board/ Tue, 13 Jan 2015 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union new orleans louisiana murder board church memorial victims al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/nola-murder-board/ When a city’s murder rate goes up and stays high for years, what do community activists working against violence do? How do they keep from losing hope? Back in 2010, State of the Re:Union visited New Orleans, Louisiana, and reported on community responses to urban violence. Among the places SOTRU visited was St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in the Treme neighborhood, which had come up with a novel way of documenting the city’s violence: something they called the Murder Board. This year, we sent reporter Nina Feldman back to St. Anna’s to see how the project is maintaining, these years later.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/nola-murder-board/ 1 When a city’s murder rate goes up and stays high for years, what do community activists working against violence do? How do they keep from losing hope? Back in 2010, State of the Re:Union visited New Orleans, Louisiana, and reported on community responses to urban violence. Among the places SOTRU visited was St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in the Treme neighborhood, which had come up with a novel way of documenting the city’s violence: something they called the Murder Board. This year, we sent reporter Nina Feldman back to St. Anna’s to see how the project is maintaining, these years later. When a city’s murder rate goes up and stays high for years, what do community activists working against violence do? How do they... [...] State of the Re:Union 12:29 al letson, new orleans, louisiana, murder board, church, memorial, victims no http://stateofthereunion.com/the-whistler/ Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union whistle the whistler whistling character community gabe grabin al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/the-whistler/ In every community, there are certain characters that are familiar to everybody. They’re not actually famous– they’re just recognizable folks about town because of some quirk or personal characteristic. Producer Gabe Grabin brings us the story of one particular character in his hometown who polarized his community.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/the-whistler/feed 1 In every community, there are certain characters that are familiar to everybody. They’re not actually famous– they’re just recognizable folks about town because of some quirk or personal characteristic. Producer Gabe Grabin brings us the story of one particular character in his hometown who polarized his community. In every community, there are certain characters that are familiar to everybody. They’re not actually famous– they’re just recognizable folks about town... [...] State of the Re:Union 14:26 al letson, whistle, the whistler, whistling, character, community, gabe grabin no http://stateofthereunion.com/travelogue-volume-one/ Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union road trip travel stories al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/travelogue-volume-one/ The SOTRU team brings you a collection of stories from the road. Host Al Letson reflects on the show and plays some of his favorite stories mixed with unheard interviews. We’ll also hear a story about a road trip that completely shifted Al’s life.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/travelogue-volume-one/feed 1 The SOTRU team brings you a collection of stories from the road. Host Al Letson reflects on the show and plays some of his favorite stories mixed with unheard interviews. We’ll also hear a story about a road trip that completely shifted Al’s life. The SOTRU team brings you a collection of stories from the road. Host Al Letson reflects on the show and plays some of his favorite stories... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 al letson, road trip, travel, stories no http://stateofthereunion.com/truckers-high-seas/ Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union truckers ocean global trade cargo ship shipping al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/truckers-high-seas/ In our globalized world, it only takes a click to buy something from China and have it delivered right to your doorstep. But that product sailed across the ocean on a cargo ship before it got to you. Over 90 percent of global trade travels across the ocean by ship. In this episode, we’ll step on board some of these ships and meet the sailors who work there. What’s it like to live for months at sea, isolated with only your co-workers? And when a ship stops in the USA, how do sailors spend the few precious hours they have on shore? Tune in to this hour with guest producer Allison Swaim to find out.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/truckers-high-seas/feed 1 In our globalized world, it only takes a click to buy something from China and have it delivered right to your doorstep. But that product sailed across the ocean on a cargo ship before it got to you. Over 90 percent of global trade travels across the ocean by ship. In this episode, we’ll step on board some of these ships and meet the sailors who work there. What’s it like to live for months at sea, isolated with only your co-workers? And when a ship stops in the USA, how do sailors spend the few precious hours they have on shore? Tune in to this hour with guest producer Allison Swaim to find out. In our globalized world, it only takes a click to buy something from China and have it delivered right to your doorstep. But that product sailed across the ocean before... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 al letson, truckers, ocean, global trade, cargo ship, shipping no http://stateofthereunion.com/american-justice/ Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union american justice justice police prison jail al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/american-justice/ The United States has the world’s largest prison population. In 2012, there were 2.3 million people in American prisons or jails – and even more under some kind of “correctional supervision.” In fact, if you added up all the people in America in prison, on probation, or on parole, it’d total about 6 million – just a little smaller than the population of New York City. The system is vast, but how well is it working? In this episode, we explore how a few communities across the country have responded creatively to problems with police, courts, and prisons.VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/american-justice/feed 1 The United States has the world’s largest prison population. In 2012, there were 2.3 million people in American prisons or jails – and even more under some kind of “correctional supervision.” In fact, if you added up all the people in America in prison, on probation, or on parole, it’d total about 6 million – just a little smaller than the population of New York City. The system is vast, but how well is it working? In this episode, we explore how a few communities across the country have responded creatively to problems with police, courts, and prisons. The United States has the world’s largest prison population. In 2012, there were 2.3 million people in American prisons or jails... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 al letson, american justice, police, prison, jail no http://stateofthereunion.com/trans-families/ Tue, 30 Sep 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union trans gender transgender lgbt al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/trans-families/ It’s estimated that there are nearly 1.5 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as transgender. That’s more than a million people with families, communities and stories we are only just starting to hear from. When someone transitions, the impact of that decision ripples beyond them to the people often closest to them: their families. In this hour of radio, we tell stories of trans people and their families at many different moments of life, from childhood to adulthood to elders, as parents, as spouses and as kids, themselves. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/trans-families/feed 1 It’s estimated that there are nearly 1.5 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as transgender. That’s more than a million people with families, communities and stories we are only just starting to hear from. When someone transitions, the impact of that decision ripples beyond them to the people often closest to them: their families. In this hour of radio, we tell stories of trans people and their families at many different moments of life, from childhood to adulthood to elders, as parents, as spouses and as kids, themselves. It’s estimated that there are nearly 1.5 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as transgender. That’s more than... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 al letson, lgbt, trans gender, transgender no http://stateofthereunion.com/interior-alaska/ Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/interior-alaska/ Interior Alaska can be a forbidding place. The region is largely wilderness, covered with expansive stretches of tundra and towering mountain ranges. Winters are long and dark, with just a few hours of sunlight on the shortest days and temperatures that often plunge to -50F. Because of its isolation and climate, the region has long attracted people drawn to the challenges and opportunities of a wild, remote place. In this episode of SOTRU, we’ll meet a number of athletes, journalists, scientists, and activists who embody the spirit of Interior Alaska through their grit, determination, and iconoclasm. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/interior-alaska/feed 1 Interior Alaska can be a forbidding place. The region is largely wilderness, covered with expansive stretches of tundra and towering mountain ranges. Winters are long and dark, with just a few hours of sunlight on the shortest days and temperatures that often plunge to -50F. Because of its isolation and climate, the region has long attracted people drawn to the challenges and opportunities of a wild, remote place. In this episode of SOTRU, we’ll meet a number of athletes, journalists, scientists, and activists who embody the spirit of Interior Alaska through their grit, determination, and iconoclasm. Interior Alaska can be a forbidding place. The region is largely wilderness, covered with expansive stretches of tundra and towering mountain ranges. Winters are... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/sorting-of-america/ Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/sorting-of-america/ The U.S. has been a country shaped by migration, dating back to the days of the pioneers making their way West. But recently, this country has been seeing a different kind of migration, one motivated not by economic necessity, but lifestyle choices. More and more, people are moving to places where they’re surrounded by others like themselves. In this episode of SOTRU, we tell stories of this new kind of migration, of people moving to different corners of the country find (or build) themselves a haven. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/sorting-of-america/feed 1 The U.S. has been a country shaped by migration, dating back to the days of the pioneers making their way West. But recently, this country has been seeing a different kind of migration, one motivated not by economic necessity, but lifestyle choices. More and more, people are moving to places where they’re surrounded by others like themselves. In this episode of SOTRU, we tell stories of this new kind of migration, of people moving to different corners of the country find (or build) themselves a haven. The U.S. has been a country shaped by migration, dating back to the days of the pioneers making their way West. But recently, this country has been seeing... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/salt-lake-city/ Tue, 27 May 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union salt lake city utah football haka love thy neighbor al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/salt-lake-city/ When Mormon pioneers rolled into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, they brought with them a new theology, a short but intense history of persecution, and dreams of a new kind of society. 166 years later, Salt Lake City remains deeply influenced by Mormon culture, but defies easy categorization. With a large and politically active gay scene, one of the biggest Polynesian populations in the country, and a steady stream of new migrants, the city is full of vibrant contradiction—and sometimes conflict. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/salt-lake-city/feed 1 When Mormon pioneers rolled into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, they brought with them a new theology, a short but intense history of persecution, and dreams of a new kind of society. 166 years later, Salt Lake City remains deeply influenced by Mormon culture, but defies easy categorization. With a large and politically active gay scene, one of the biggest Polynesian populations in the country, and a steady stream of new migrants, the city is full of vibrant contradiction—and sometimes conflict. When Mormon pioneers rolled into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, they brought with them a new theology, a short but intense history of persecution, and... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 salt lake city, utah, football haka, love thy neighbor, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/contested/ Tue, 20 May 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union sports high school sports college sports center for documentary studies duke university al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/contested/ Host Al Letson and guest producer John Biewen (of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University) present a collection of stories from Durham, North Carolina. In this hour of SOTRU, we explore the role of sports in the lives of young people, and their families, as the kids pursue success in athletics and in life. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/contested/feed 1 Host Al Letson and guest producer John Biewen (of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University) present a collection of stories from Durham, North Carolina. In this hour of SOTRU, we explore the role of sports in the lives of young people, and their families, as the kids pursue success in athletics and in life. Host Al Letson and guest producer John Biewen present a collection of stories from Durham, North Carolina. We explore the role of sports in the lives of young people... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 sports, high school sports, college sports, center for documentary studies, duke university, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/hawaii-legacy-sugar/ Tue, 13 May 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union hawaii al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/hawaii-legacy-sugar/ For many Americans, Hawai’i is a tropical playground, the place of surf, sun and dream vacations. Behind the tourist façade, though, is one of the most unique multicultural states in the nation, one still dealing with the complicated legacy of the circumstances under which it become part of this country. And so much of how Hawai’i is now comes back to one game-changing element: sugar. For decades, long before it was a tourist’s paradise, what Hawai’i did was grow sugar. That was not only its economic driver, it was a force that remade the place. In this episode of SOTRU, we’ll explore the way contemporary Hawai’i is still navigating the legacy of the sugar plantations now in the 21st century. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/hawaii-legacy-sugar/feed 1 For many Americans, Hawai’i is a tropical playground, the place of surf, sun and dream vacations. Behind the tourist façade, though, is one of the most unique multicultural states in the nation, one still dealing with the complicated legacy of the circumstances under which it become part of this country. And so much of how Hawai’i is now comes back to one game-changing element: sugar. For decades, long before it was a tourist’s paradise, what Hawai’i did was grow sugar. That was not only its economic driver, it was a force that remade the place. In this episode of SOTRU, we’ll explore the way contemporary Hawai’i is still navigating the legacy of the sugar plantations now in the 21st century. For many Americans, Hawai'i is a tropical playground, the place of surf, sun and dream vacations. Behind the tourist façade, though, is one of the most unique... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 hawaii, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/friendship-ross-stardust/ Tue, 29 Apr 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union occupy occupy wall street sotru al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/friendship-ross-stardust/ Even in diverse neighborhoods, it’s easy to go about our lives in a well-established groove, only interacting with the people we already know, the people most like us. But in one neighborhood in San Francisco, the Occupy movement, with its politics of solidarity, shook up those patterns. Occupy may not be making many headlines anymore, but it’s responsible for sparking an unlikely friendship between two very different men. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/friendship-ross-stardust/feed 1 Even in diverse neighborhoods, it’s easy to go about our lives in a well-established groove, only interacting with the people we already know, the people most like us. But in one neighborhood in San Francisco, the Occupy movement, with its politics of solidarity, shook up those patterns. Occupy may not be making many headlines anymore, but it’s responsible for sparking an unlikely friendship between two very different men. Even in diverse neighborhoods, it's easy to go about our lives in a well-established groove, only interacting with the people we already know, the people... [...] State of the Re:Union 10:18 occupy, occupy wall street, sotru, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/when-words-matter/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union national poetry month poetry al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/when-words-matter/ In this National Poetry Month special, SOTRU explores all facets of poetry and its influence in host Al Letson’s life. We talk to poets from all over the country about the craft, the lifestyle, the resurgence of poems, and of course, hear some incredible poetry. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/when-words-matter/feed 1 In this National Poetry Month special, SOTRU explores all facets of poetry and its influence in host Al Letson’s life. We talk to poets from all over the country about the craft, the lifestyle, the resurgence of poems, and of course, hear some incredible poetry. In this National Poetry Month special, SOTRU explores all facets of poetry and its influence in host Al Letson's life. We talk to... [...] State of the Re:Union 50:56 national poetry month, poetry, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-vermonts-hardcore-scene/ Tue, 01 Apr 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union vermont hardcore music al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-vermonts-hardcore-scene/ When you picture Vermont, you probably get a mental image of a pastoral scene of fields and mountains, maybe some maple trees. How about… mohawks and mosh pits? SOTRU Producer Tina Antolini dives (stage dives) into the Green Mountain state’s rural– and thriving– hardcore music scene. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-vermonts-hardcore-scene/feed 1 When you picture Vermont, you probably get a mental image of a pastoral scene of fields and mountains, maybe some maple trees. How about… mohawks and mosh pits? SOTRU Producer Tina Antolini dives (stage dives) into the Green Mountain state’s rural– and thriving– hardcore music scene. When you picture Vermont, you probably get a mental image of a pastoral scene of fields and mountains, maybe some maple trees. How about...mohawks and... [...] State of the Re:Union 9:50 vermont, hardcore, music, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/ithaca-hours/ Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union ithaca new york currency money al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/ithaca-hours/ When one city in upstate New York was having trouble with its economy, it came up with a big idea to try to solve the problem: making its own...money. But can a concept as innovative as that actually stand the test of time? Producer Samuel Whitehead brings us the story of Ithaca Hours. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/ithaca-hours/feed 1 When one city in upstate New York was having trouble with its economy, it came up with a big idea to try to solve the problem: making its own...money. But can a concept as innovative as that actually stand the test of time? Producer Samuel Whitehead brings us the story of Ithaca Hours. When one city in upstate New York was having trouble with its economy, it came up with a big idea to solve the problem: making its own...money. But can... [...] State of the Re:Union 11:43 ithaca, new york, currency, money, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/leadership-from-the-bottom-up/ Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union black history black history month al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/leadership-from-the-bottom-up/ Usually during Black History month, we remember civil rights icons and reflect on their legacy. But over the past couple years, SOTRU has met a new generation of African-American leaders, people you may not see on TV specials or making nationally acclaimed speeches. Most of these men and women are on the front lines of their communities, rolling up their sleeves and diving in to what can be very unglamorous work. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/leadership-from-the-bottom-up/feed 1 Usually during Black History month, we remember civil rights icons and reflect on their legacy. But over the past couple years, SOTRU has met a new generation of African-American leaders, people you may not see on TV specials or making nationally acclaimed speeches. Most of these men and women are on the front lines of their communities, rolling up their sleeves and diving in to what can be very unglamorous work. Usually during Black History Month, we remember civil rights icons and reflect on their legacy. But over the past couple years, SOTRU has met a new generation of... [...] State of the Re:Union 51:30 black history, black history month, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/redefining-black-history/ Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union black history black history month al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/redefining-black-history/ During a month selected to celebrate “history,” we certainly are treated to a lot of the same familiar stories: the battles won for Civil Rights, the glory of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, the hardships endured by slaves. And as important as those narratives are for us to collectively remember, many others get lost in trumpeting the same heroic tales. In this hour, State of the Re:Union zeroes in some of those alternate narratives, ones edited out of the mainstream imagining of Black History, deconstructing the popular perception of certain celebrated moments. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/redefining-black-history/feed 1 During a month selected to celebrate “history,” we certainly are treated to a lot of the same familiar stories: the battles won for Civil Rights, the glory of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, the hardships endured by slaves. And as important as those narratives are for us to collectively remember, many others get lost in trumpeting the same heroic tales. In this hour, State of the Re:Union zeroes in some of those alternate narratives, ones edited out of the mainstream imagining of Black History, deconstructing the popular perception of certain celebrated moments. During a month selected to celebrate "history," we certainly are treated to a lot of the same familiar stories... [...] State of the Re:Union 51:27 black history, black history month, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/east-portland-soccer/ Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union portland oregon soccer world cup al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/east-portland-soccer/ What happens if you move to Portland, Oregon and you’re not into bikes or beer? Or if, say, you don’t even speak English? East Portland, a part of the city that looks completely different from the hipster central we’re familiar with from Portlandia, is home to a growing number of immigrants and refugees. Many of them struggle to find work and a sense of connection to their new home in the Pacific Northwest. But some have found that in the effort to integrate, *soccer* can be a useful tool. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/east-portland-soccer/feed 1 What happens if you move to Portland, Oregon and you’re not into bikes or beer? Or if, say, you don’t even speak English? East Portland, a part of the city that looks completely different from the hipster central we’re familiar with from Portlandia, is home to a growing number of immigrants and refugees. Many of them struggle to find work and a sense of connection to their new home in the Pacific Northwest. But some have found that in the effort to integrate, *soccer* can be a useful tool. What happens if you move to Portland, Oregon and you're not into bikes or beer? Or if, say, you don't even speak English? [...] State of the Re:Union 08:23 portland, oregon, soccer, world cup, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/the-possibilities-of-the-stars/ Tue, 7 Jan 2014 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union africa malawi neil degrasse tyson spiritual spirituality al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/the-possibilities-of-the-stars/ Most of State of the Re:Union’s reporting is done right here in the United States, but today host Al Letson tells us a very personal story about his recent trip to Malawi. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/the-possibilities-of-the-stars/feed 1 Most of State of the Re:Union’s reporting is done right here in the United States, but today host Al Letson tells us a very personal story about his recent trip to Malawi. Most of State of the Re:Union’s reporting is done right here in the United States, but today host Al Letson tells us a very personal story about his recent trip to Malawi. [...] State of the Re:Union 16:31 africa, malawi, neil degrasse tyson, spiritual, spirituality, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-soteria/ Tue, 17 Dec 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-soteria/ In the 1970s, a prominent schizophrenia researcher named Dr. Loren Mosher noticed that the standard treatment in the hospital– medication, confinement– didn’t have good outcomes. People didn’t get better in the long-term. So he launched an experiment, to try out pretty much the exact opposite of that treatment in the hospital. He called it Soteria. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-soteria/feed 1 In the 1970s, a prominent schizophrenia researcher named Dr. Loren Mosher noticed that the standard treatment in the hospital– medication, confinement– didn’t have good outcomes. People didn’t get better in the long-term. So he launched an experiment, to try out pretty much the exact opposite of that treatment in the hospital. He called it Soteria. In the 1970s, a prominent schizophrenia researcher named Dr. Loren Mosher noticed that the standard treatment in the hospital—medication, confinement—didn't have good outcomes. People didn't... [...] State of the Re:Union 16:04 al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-move-by-bike/ Tue, 05 Nov 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union portland oregon bicycling environment al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-move-by-bike/ For all you Portlandia fans out there, we hate to break it to you: the city ISN’T actually Portlandia… Except when it is. People there are very serious about recycling and passionate about human-powered transportation. In this story, Julie Sabatier, host of the public radio show and podcast Destination DIY and also a Portland resident tells us about a particular Portland activity that you may think only exists on the TV show. This one involves the very unglamorous job of… moving. Hint: it involves bicycles. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-move-by-bike/feed 1 For all you Portlandia fans out there, we hate to break it to you: the city ISN’T actually Portlandia… Except when it is. People there are very serious about recycling and passionate about human-powered transportation. In this story, Julie Sabatier, host of the public radio show and podcast Destination DIY and also a Portland resident tells us about a particular Portland activity that you may think only exists on the TV show. This one involves the very unglamorous job of… moving. Hint: it involves bicycles. For all you Portlandia fans out there, we hate to break it to you: the city ISN'T actually Portlandia...except when it is. People there are very serious about recycling and passionate about... [...] State of the Re:Union 07:13 portland, oregon, bicycling, environment, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-dear-tulsa/ Tue, 05 Nov 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union tulsa oklahoma letter to tulsa ruseell cobb al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-dear-tulsa/ Last summer, we visited Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a devastating racial incident in 1921 still divides the city today. That legacy has made it tough for Tulsa to move forward into the future, but in the last decade, it’s tried hard to do just that. The city has a newly revitalized downtown and a growing arts scene, and it wants badly to be known for something more than the hard history that’s shaped it. Writer Russell Cobb used to live in Tulsa and he was never the city’s biggest fan. But he’s watched from a distance as Tulsa has turned a corner, and now… he kind of wants to come back. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-dear-tulsa/feed 1 Last summer, we visited Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a devastating racial incident in 1921 still divides the city today. That legacy has made it tough for Tulsa to move forward into the future, but in the last decade, it’s tried hard to do just that. The city has a newly revitalized downtown and a growing arts scene, and it wants badly to be known for something more than the hard history that’s shaped it. Writer Russell Cobb used to live in Tulsa and he was never the city’s biggest fan. But he’s watched from a distance as Tulsa has turned a corner, and now… he kind of wants to come back. Last summer, we visited Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a devastating racial incident in 1921 still divides the city today. That legacy has made it tough for Tulsa to move forward into the future, but... [...] State of the Re:Union 05:35 tulsa, oklahoma, letter to tulsa, russell cobb, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-dear-voices/ Tue, 05 Nov 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union dear city mental health hospital always wins al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-dear-voices/ A twist on SOTRU’s regular Dear City letters feature: for this special podcast, we asked Berta Britz, who has been hearing voices for her entire adult life, to write a Dear Voices letter. This SOTRU short was produced in conjunction with our episode, The Hospital Always Wins. To listen to the entire episode, see pictures and more, visit our episode page. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/sotru-short-dear-voices/feed 1 A twist on SOTRU’s regular Dear City letters feature: for this special podcast, we asked Berta Britz, who has been hearing voices for her entire adult life, to write a Dear Voices letter. This SOTRU short was produced in conjunction with our episode, The Hospital Always Wins. A twist on SOTRU’s regular Dear City letters feature: for this special podcast, we asked Berta Britz, who has been hearing voices for her entire adult life, to write a Dear Voices letter... [...] State of the Re:Union 07:56 dear city, mental health, hospital always wins, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/the-southwestern-range/ Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union border crossing border issues immigration cattle ranchers cattle ranching arizona al letson http://stateofthereunion.com/the-southwestern-range/ Among the most iconic landscapes in America is the Western Range, a stretch of millions of acres of land, much of it remote and undeveloped. Deep traditions tie people to this land. But in the 21st century, it is also contested ground. Development pressures threaten open space as the Sun Belt becomes an economic powerhouse. Border issues mean life in some of these rural places has been transformed by violence and politics. But new ways are being forged on these fronts, ways that involve collaboration, innovation, and the rediscovery and reimagining of history on the new Southwestern Range. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/the-southwestern-range/feed 1 Among the most iconic landscapes in America is the Western Range, a stretch of millions of acres of land, much of it remote and undeveloped. Deep traditions tie people to this land. But in the 21st century, it is also contested ground. Development pressures threaten open space as the Sun Belt becomes an economic powerhouse. Border issues mean life in some of these rural places has been transformed by violence and politics. But new ways are being forged on these fronts, ways that involve collaboration, innovation, and the rediscovery and reimagining of history on the new Southwestern Range. Among the most iconic landscapes in America is the Western Range, a stretch of millions of acres of land, much of it remote and undeveloped. Deep traditions tie people to... [...] State of the Re:Union 51:26 border crossing, border issues, immigration, cattle ranchers, cattle ranching, arizona, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/tulsa-ok-reconciliation-way/ Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/tulsa-ok-reconciliation-way/ Tulsa, Oklahoma sits at a crossroads of American identities. In a special episode of SOTRU, we travel to the middle of Middle America to see what happens when these identities collide. We explore one of the country’s deadliest race riots, a story that has been largely suppressed for 90 years; visit a lovingly-crafted museum dedicated to spreading poetry to rural Oklahoma; and — in two special stories produced by This Land Press — visit two churches, one struggling mightily to integrate and another building a shrine for undocumented immigrants in a state with some of the harshest immigration laws in the nation. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/tulsa-ok-reconciliation-way/feed 1 Tulsa, Oklahoma sits at a crossroads of American identities. In a special episode of SOTRU, we travel to the middle of Middle America to see what happens when these identities collide. We explore one of the country’s deadliest race riots, a story that has been largely suppressed for 90 years; visit a lovingly-crafted museum dedicated to spreading poetry to rural Oklahoma; and — in two special stories produced by This Land Press — visit two churches, one struggling mightily to integrate and another building a shrine for undocumented immigrants in a state with some of the harshest immigration laws in the nation. Tulsa, Oklahoma sits at a crossroads of American identities. In a special episode of SOTRU, we travel to the middle of Middle America to see what happens when these identities collide… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:26 tulsa, oklahoma, tate brady, brady name change, tulsa race issues, race riot, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/portland-or-a-tale-of-two-cities/ Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/portland-or-a-tale-of-two-cities/ Portland is a city that some residents praise as a kind of eden: full of bike paths, independently-owned small businesses, great public transportation and abundant microbreweries and coffeeshops. And then there’s a whole other city. It’s the city where whole stretches of busy road are missing sidewalks, and you can see folks in wheelchairs rolling themselves down the street right next to traffic. It’s the city where some longtime African American residents feel as if decades of institutional racism still have not been fully addressed. In this episode of SOTRU, we spend time in both Portlands: the paradise, and what could be called… the purgatory. VIEW PHOTOS AND MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/portland-or-a-tale-of-two-cities/feed 1 Portland is a city that some residents praise as a kind of eden: full of bike paths, independently-owned small businesses, great public transportation and abundant microbreweries and coffeeshops. And then there’s a whole other city. It’s the city where whole stretches of busy road are missing sidewalks, and you can see folks in wheelchairs rolling themselves down the street right next to traffic. It’s the city where some longtime African American residents feel as if decades of institutional racism still have not been fully addressed. In this episode of SOTRU, we spend time in both Portlands: the paradise, and what could be called… the purgatory. Portland is a city that some residents praise as a kind of eden: full of bike paths, independently-owned small businesses, great public transportation and abundant microbreweries and… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:26 portland, racial struggle, racial issues, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/the-hospital-always-wins/ Tue, 01 Oct 2013 12:00:00 -0400 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/the-hospital-always-wins/ Back in 2004, staff producer Laura Starecheski visited a state mental hospital in Queens, New York, called Creedmoor. She stumbled on to a mystery there that would take almost ten years to unravel. In this special hour, we bring you just this one story: an artist stuck in the catch-22 of a lifetime. VIEW MORE ]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/the-hospital-always-wins/feed 1 Back in 2004, staff producer Laura Starecheski visited a state mental hospital in Queens, New York, called Creedmoor. She stumbled on to a mystery there that would take almost ten years to unravel. In this special hour, we bring you just this one story: an artist stuck in the catch-22 of a lifetime. Back in 2004, staff producer Laura Starecheski visited a state mental hospital in Queens, New York, called Creedmoor. She stumbled on to a mystery there… [...] State of the Re:Union 53:05 issa ibrahim, mental health, mental hospital, creedmoor, queens new york, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/back-to-basics/ Tue, 17 Sep 2013 16:30:00 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/back-to-basics/ In this American Graduate special, State of the Re:Union takes a closer look at school, community, and the dropout crisis in this country. With reporting from both urban and rural schools, and interviews with education experts, SOTRU goes “back to basics,” looking at strategies that get to the heart of what makes students want to learn. VIEW MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/back-to-basics/feed 1 In this American Graduate special, State of the Re:Union takes a closer look at school, community, and the dropout crisis in this country. With reporting from both urban and rural schools, and interviews with education experts, SOTRU3 goes “back to basics,” looking at strategies that get to the heart of what makes students want to learn. In this American Graduate special, State of the Re:Union takes a closer look at school, community, and the dropout crisis… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 american graduate, high school dropout, back to basics, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/dropouts-to-graduates-the-story-of-the-care-center/ Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:09:27 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/dropouts-to-graduates-the-story-of-the-care-center/ In this episode, SOTRU travels to Holyoke, Massachusetts, home of the Care Center. an alternative school just for pregnant and parenting teen… READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/dropouts-to-graduates/feed 1 In this episode, SOTRU travels to Holyoke, Massachusetts, home of the Care Center. an alternative school just for pregnant and parenting teens who’ve dropped out of high school. It’s not your typical GED program, either: it’s modeled on a prep school, so students are learning fencing, rowing, yoga and poetry along with basic math and reading. Their personal histories are fraught with homelessness, domestic violence, gangs, food insecurity—the entire student body is living at or below 50 % of the poverty level, and 2/3rds of them dropped out of high school by the 10th grade. Despite all that, between 70 and 85 percent of Care Center students go on to college. In this American Graduate special, State of the Re:Union goes deep inside this school—learning its philosophy and the life stories of students and teachers—to explore what it takes to turn a teen mom’s life around. For more information on this American Graduate Special, please visit our episode page for individual stories, photos and links. In this episode, SOTRU travels to Holyoke, Massachusetts, home of the Care Center, an alternative school just for pregnant and parenting teen… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:26 care center, teen mom school, school for teenage mothers, state of the re:union, sotru, dropouts to graduates, tina antolini, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/coming-home-stories-of-veterans-returning-from-war Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:33:47 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/coming-home-stories-of-veterans-returning-from-war READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/coming-home-stories-of-veterans-returning-from-war/feed Team Semper Fi More than two million veterans have come home so far from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For returning veterans, reintegrating into society can be a challenge. How do you find your place, when you’ve changed and the people you love don’t recognize you? When that old life is gone and you have to start a new one from scratch. In this hour State of the Re:Union explores reintegration and asks the question: how do you come back home from war? For more information on, visit our episode page for photos, links and music information. And keep up with the latest SOTRU releases and events on Soundcloud, iTunes, Facebook and Twitter. More than two million veterans have come home so far from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For returning veterans, reintegrating into society c… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 coming home, veterans, veterans stories, veterans returning from war, military, soldiers, state of the re:union, sotru, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/pike-county-oh-as-black-as-we-wish-to-be/ Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:36:37 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/pike-county-oh-as-black-as-we-wish-to-be/ READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/pike-county-oh-as-black-as-we-wish-to-be/feed In this episode Al Letson and guest producer Lu Olkowski visit a tiny town in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio where, for a century, residents have shared the common bond of identifying as African-American despite the fact that they look white. Racial lines have been blurred to invisibility, and people inside the same family can vehemently disagree about whether they are black or white. It can be tense and confusing. As a result, everyone’s choosing: Am I black? Am I mixed race? Or, am I white? For more information on “As Black As We Wish to Be” visit our episode page for photos, links and music information. And keep up with the latest SOTRU releases and events on Soundcloud, iTunes, Facebook and Twitter. In this episode Al Letson and guest producer Lu Olkowski visit a tiny town in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio where, for a century, residents h… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:32 pike county ohio, pike co oh, state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, lu olkowski, east jackson ohio, east jackson oh, waverly oh, east jackson, waverly no http://stateofthereunion.com/internet-communities-virtual-reality Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:25:03 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/internet-communities-virtual-reality READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/internet-communities-virtual-reality/feed At this point in the 21st century, it’s kind of impossible to talk about community-building without, at some point, talking about the internet. The way we meet people, establish connections, maintain our relationships and fight for what we believe in has been radically transformed by the web—and it’s still transforming. But often, when we’re talking about these changes, the focus is either on pure enthusiasm about the possibilities presented by the limitlessness of the web, or anxiety about online connections replacing physical ones. In this episode, we explore how the “virtual” has turned into the “real” in people’s lives. For more information on “Virtual Reality” visit our episode page for photos, links and music information. And keep up with the latest SOTRU releases and events on Soundcloud, iTunes, Facebook and Twitter. . . . At this point in the 21st century, it’s kind of impossible to talk about community-building without, at some point, talking about the internet… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:27 internet communities, internet stories, virtual reality, state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, tina antolini no http://stateofthereunion.com/jacksonville-fl-grinding-the-gears/ Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:29:59 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/jacksonville-fl-grinding-the-gears/ READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/jacksonville-fl-grinding-the-gears/feed Photo Source: Jonathan Zander from Wikimedia Commons Jacksonville, Florida is a lot of things: a military town. A church town. A beach town. And it can be all those things because Jacksonville is the largest city in the whole country: 841 miles of sprawl, highways, and strip malls dotted with tiny, unique neighborhoods. How does a place this huge and diverse lurch forward to keep pace with the rest of the country? The quick answer: often, it doesn’t. But once in a while, in small surprising ways, this place can be an incubator for innovation. In host Al Letson’s hometown episode, SOTRU asks: is Jacksonville is moving backward, stuck in neutral, or shifting towards progress? For more information on “Grinding the Gears,” visit our episode page for photos, links and music information. And keep up with the latest SOTRU releases and events on Soundcloud, iTunes, Facebook and Twitter. Jacksonville, Florida is a lot of things: a military town. A church town. A beach town. And it can be all those things because Jacksonville is the… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 jacksonville fl, jacksonville, state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, grinding the gears, jacksonville radio show, jacksonville florida no http://stateofthereunion.com/tucson-az-borderlands/ Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:09:11 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/tucson-az-borderlands/ READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/tucson-az-borderlands/feed Courtesy: Bob Torrez. All rights reserved. Tucson sits in the borderlands, the desert landscape where America and Mexico meet. This place is crisscrossed by boundaries, visible and invisible—from the US border wall that cuts the Sonoran desert in half, to live-wire political divides in Tucson itself. In this episode, we tell stories about what happens when people cross borders, risking their lives and their reputations to take a chance on the other side For more information on Borderlands, visit our episode page for photos, links and music information. Tucson sits in the borderlands, the desert landscape where America and Mexico meet. This place is crisscrossed by boundaries, visible and inv… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, borderlands, tucson az, tucson border with mexico, border crossing, tucson border no http://stateofthereunion.com/summer-in-sanctuary-an-american-graduate-special Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:58:26 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/summer-in-sanctuary-an-american-graduate-special READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/summer-in-sanctuary-an-american-graduate-special/feed Photo by Anthony J. Merced Every day in America, more than 7,000 students drop out of school. In a State of the Re:Union first, this episode combines radio drama and documentary to explore America’s dropout epidemic through the intimate story of one man’s attempt to make a difference in the lives of a group of high-risk kids. Based on the celebrated off-broadway show by SOTRU host Al Letson, this episode chronicles Letson’s journey teaching at a summer camp at the Sanctuary on 8th Street, a community center in an economically challenged neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. For more information on how to support our Kickstarter campaign, click here. Every day in America, more than 7,000 students drop out of school. In a State of the Re:Union first, this episode combines radio drama and docum… [...] State of the Re:Union 52:53 state of the re:union, sotru, state of the reunion, summer in sanctuary, al letson, sanctuary on 8th street, jacksonville sanctuary on 8th, jacksonville fl no http://stateofthereunion.com/comics-with-great-power-comes-great-responsibility/ Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:11:21 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/comics-with-great-power-comes-great-responsibility/ READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/comics-with-great-power-comes-great-responsibility/feed The Community of Comics Episode In this episode we explore a community where when evil rears its head, someone finds a way to set things right, even if they have to make sacrifices and defy the laws of our universe to do it. In this hour we tell the stories of real-life battles between good and evil in the world of comic books, where underdogs often come out on top and fantasy merges with reality. For more information about With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility, visit our episode page for photos, links and music. And we’d love to hear what you think about this episode. Please comment below to get the conversation started. The Community of Comics Episode In this episode we explore a community where when evil rears its head, someone finds a way to set things right, ev… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:44 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, comics, comics episode, with great power comes great responsibility, radio show about comics, story about comics, comics story no http://stateofthereunion.com/ozarks-full-circle/ Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:28:04 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/new-episode-ozarks-full-circle READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/ozarks-full-circle/feed The Ozarks have long been an isolated part of the country. Steep mountains break up the landscape into hills and hollows, making each little town into its own microcosm. Here, families have stayed in the same hollows for generations with little influence from the outside world, which means that their daily life is steeped in the past. In this episode, SOTRU goes deep into the lives of people who live with the ghosts of their past. . . . For more information about Full Circle, visit our episode page for photos, links and music. And we’d love to hear what you think about this episode. Please comment below to get the conversation started. The Ozarks have long been an isolated part of the country. Steep mountains break up the landscape into hills and hollows, making each little to… [...] http://stateofthereunion.com/baltimore-md-outsiders-in Sun, 03 Jun 2012 13:26:18 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/baltimore-md-outsiders-in READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/baltimore-md-outsiders-in/feed Baltimore is a city of many neighborhoods, of intense divides—racial, class, and otherwise– not easily overcome. It’s a city bogged down by a reputation for crime, poverty and dysfunction (thanks, in part, to the acclaimed TV show The Wire)—a reputation not entirely undeserved. But all of that often overshadows the passion and dedication many Baltimoreans have for their city, and for taking on what’s wrong with it in ways small and large. For more information about Outsiders In, visit our episode page for photos, links and music. And we’d love to hear what you think about this episode. Please comment below to get the conversation started. Baltimore is a city of many neighborhoods, of intense divides—racial, class, and otherwise– not easily overcome. It’s a city bogged do… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:24 state of the re:union, sotru, state of the reunion, al letson, baltimore radio episode, outsiders in, baltimore radio show no http://stateofthereunion.com/vermont-the-small-town-state Sat, 02 Jun 2012 05:32:23 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/vermont-the-small-town-state READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/vermont-the-small-town-state/feed Quaint storefronts along Main streets, covered bridges over clear streams, cows from dairy farms dotting green valleys: across the state, these are the iconic images of Vermont. But beyond its pastoral beauty, this is a place that prides itself on its independent spirit. In this hour, we’ll hear a range of stories of the way Vermont’s “small town state” identity manifests: from finding new ways to treat mental health problems, to a gallery with a surprising monthly ritual to dealing with the most devastating natural disaster the state has ever seen. For more information about The Small Town State, visit our episode page for photos, links and music. And we’d love to hear what you think about this episode. Please comment below to get the conversation started. Quaint storefronts along Main streets, covered bridges over clear streams, cows from dairy farms dotting green valleys: across the state, th… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:46 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, vermont, the small town state, vermont radio episode, vt show, show about vermont no http://stateofthereunion.com/southeastern-washington-the-unlikely-perfect-place Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:13:30 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/southeastern-washington-the-unlikely-perfect-place READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/southeastern-washington-the-unlikely-perfect-place/feed The Tri-Cities are Richland, Pasco and Kennewick—3 cities clustered near one another in the vast plains and deserts of Washington state, to the east of the Cascade Mountains. It’s a region that seems like it would have little to attract newcomers—it’s largely remote, prone to dust storms, not close to any major city. But, over the decades, this area has drawn people from the world over, and, in this episode, we’ll explore how and why. For more information about The Unlikely Perfect Place, visit our episode page for photos, links and music. And we’d love to hear what you think about this episode. Please comment below to get the conversation started. The Tri-Cities are Richland, Pasco and Kennewick—3 cities clustered near one another in the vast plains and deserts of Washington state, to th… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:47 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, tina antolini, southeastern washington, se wa, tri-cities washington, tri-cities wa no http://stateofthereunion.com/sacramento-ca-all-hands-on-deck Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:16:54 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/sacramento-ca-all-hands-on-deck READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/sacramento-ca-all-hands-on-deck/feed There’s been a lot of bad news coming out of Sacramento lately: homelessness, the foreclosure rate, unemployment, political gridlock in a state crippled by the recession. Add to that a stubborn case of politics fatigue, and you’ve got a lot of reasons to write off this city. But we trekked to California’s beleaguered state capital to peek behind the national headlines and find out who keeps this city running—day in, day out—despite all that’s going wrong. And we left with the realization that people in Sacramento are remaking the American city, in surprising and deeply moving ways. State of the Re:Union wants to hear from you! Use the comment section below to let us know what you think about our latest episode, All Hands on Deck. There’s been a lot of bad news coming out of Sacramento lately: homelessness, the foreclosure rate, unemployment, political gridlock in a sta… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, sacramento ca, sacramento episode no http://stateofthereunion.com/cleveland-oh-entrepreneurs-at-work Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:26:09 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/cleveland-oh-entrepreneurs-at-work READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/cleveland-oh-entrepreneurs-at-work/feed Source: GandZ from Wikimedia Commons Cleveland, Ohio is a city that was made by entrepreneurs, but for decades, it’s been known as a city that’s a shell of its former manufacturing-era glorious self. However, Cleveland is being embraced by a new generation of entrepreneurs as a place to put their dreams in motion. This is a now a city of entrepreneurship in a range of incarnations… in their kids’ education, in the environment, even in beer. This is an hour of entrepreneurial stories, taking a look at that go-get-em-seize-your-dreams energy in a variety of forms. State of the Re:Union wants to hear from you! Use the comment section below to let us know what you think about our latest episode, Entrepreneurs at Work. [podcast]http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/sotrupodcasts.creativeempirell.netdna-cdn.com/Cleveland_Podcast.mp3[/podcast][/podcast] Cleveland, Ohio is a city that was made by entrepreneurs, but for decades, it’s been known as a city that’s a shell of its former manufactu… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, cleveland ohio, cleveland episode no http://stateofthereunion.com/wyoming-the-new-old-west Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:28:07 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/wyoming-the-new-old-west READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/wyoming-the-new-old-west/feed Source: Wusel007 from Wikimedia Commons People are few and far between in Wyoming. Those that do live here prize tradition, self-reliance, and their connection to the land. So when change comes to the high plains—an oil boom, a minister with new ideas—communities here are tested. And neighbors have to strike a balance between preserving their independent way of life, and learning to rely on one another. We trek to the small towns and remote ranches of Wyoming, meeting people as they adapt to the New Old West. Tell us what you think about our Wyoming episode, The New Old West. Just comment below to get the conversation started. [podcast]http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/sotrupodcasts.creativeempirell.netdna-cdn.com/Wyoming_Podcast.mp3[/podcast][podcast]http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/sotrupodcasts.creativeempirell.netdna-cdn.com/Wyoming_Podcast.mp3[/podcast][/podcast] People are few and far between in Wyoming. Those that do live here prize tradition, self-reliance, and their connection to the land. So when c… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 state of the re:union, sotru, wyoming episode, al letson no http://stateofthereunion.com/the-bronx-ny-still-rising-from-the-ashes Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:24:37 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/the-bronx-ny-still-rising-from-the-ashes READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/the-bronx-ny-still-rising-from-the-ashes/feed The Bronx has long been seen as a symbol of America’s failings. For many people here, ‘making it’ means escaping the crime and poverty of their borough. But some have refused to flee. This episode shines a light on the hold-outs and the dreamers, people who’ve committed their lives to keeping chaos at bay in the Bronx. What did you think of Still Rising from the Ashes? Start the discussion by using the comment section below to let us know what you think. The Bronx has long been seen as a symbol of America’s failings. For many people here, ‘making it’ means escaping the crime and poverty of their b… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:29 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, the bronx, bronx episode no http://stateofthereunion.com/mississippi-gulf-coast-defending-the-gulf Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:59:11 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/mississippi-gulf-coast-defending-the-gulf READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/mississippi-gulf-coast-defending-the-gulf/feed After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the area, Mississippi Gulf Coast residents were forced to come together to deal with the aftermath. Then, just as they were starting to get back on their feet, the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster dumped millions of barrels of oil into the water just off their shores. Cumulatively, these events have made environmentalists out of a whole lot of Gulf Coast residents who may not have considered themselves as such… We tell an hour of stories about the fight for the natural world Gulf Coast bringing residents together, both with one another and with unlikely partners—and how, in some instances, that fight is turning out to be exactly what a community needed to survive. We would love to hear what you think about our newest episode, Defending the Gulf. Simply comment below to get the conversation started. After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the area, Mississippi Gulf Coast residents were forced to come together to deal with the aftermath. Then, jus… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:28 state of the re:union, sotru, al letson, mississippi gulf coast, gulf coast, ms gulf coast, gulf coast episode no http://stateofthereunion.com/oakland-ca-the-self-made-city Sun, 01 May 2011 16:35:30 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/oakland-ca-the-self-made-city READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/oakland-ca-the-self-made-city/feed 1 Refugees, entrepreneurs, visionaries—these are the historic roots of Oakland, California. The city has long been home for people building new lives and imagining even better ones. But dreams deferred also haunt this place, in its empty post-boom skyscrapers, its infamous homicide rates and deep budget cuts. In the face of entrenched problems, though, the people of Oakland characteristically answer back with diverse, revolutionary solutions. We would love to hear what you think about our newest episode, Oakland – The Self-Made City. Go ahead, give us what you got! Simply comment below to get the conversation started. Refugees, entrepreneurs, visionaries—these are the historic roots of Oakland, California. The city has long been home for people building n… [...] State of the Re:Union 50:01 state of the re:union, state of the reunion, sotru, al letson, oakland, oakland ca, oakland california, prx, npr show, public radio no http://stateofthereunion.com/las-vegas-nv-bright-lights-big-city-small-town Sun, 01 May 2011 16:26:16 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/las-vegas-nv-bright-lights-big-city-small-town READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/las-vegas-nv-bright-lights-big-city-small-town/feed These days, two versions of Las Vegas occupy the public imagination. One is of Sin City, home to The Strip, to glitter and entertainment. The other is as a dramatic victim of the recent economic recession, a city where whole neighborhoods have been foreclosed upon, where the jobless rate shot up to double digits, where massive casino and hotel constructions were suspended, leaving hulking ghosts to remind residents of the boom times. We would love to hear what you think about our newest episode, Las Vegas – Bright Lights, Big City, Small Town. Go ahead, give us what you got! Simply comment below to get the conversation started. These days, two versions of Las Vegas occupy the public imagination. One is of Sin City, home to The Strip, to glitter and entertainment. The oth… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:55 state of the re:union, state of the reunion, sotru, al letson, las vegas no http://stateofthereunion.com/state-of-the-reunion-miami-bridging-the-divide Sun, 01 May 2011 16:10:49 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/state-of-the-reunion-miami-bridging-the-divide READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/state-of-the-reunion-miami-bridging-the-divide/feed Famous for its beaches and clubs, Miami is also the 3rd poorest city in the nation. If you own a store in South Beach, your customers are equally likely to be billionaires or homeless people . . . and likely to have started life somewhere else. Although Miami is an incredibly international city—instead of working towards assimilation and blending with one another, ethnic communities exist as a patchwork, remaining like isolated microcosms of their homeland. We would love to hear what you think about our newest episode, Miami – Bridging the Divide. Go ahead, give us what you got! Simply comment below to get the conversation started. Famous for its beaches and clubs, Miami is also the 3rd poorest city in the nation. If you own a store in South Beach, your customers are equally li… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:27 state of the re:union, sotru, miami, miami florida, spam allstars, diaspora, state of the reunion, npr show, prx, publc radio no http://stateofthereunion.com/utica-ny-city-with-a-warm-heart Sun, 01 May 2011 15:43:23 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/utica-ny-city-with-a-warm-heart READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/utica-ny-city-with-a-warm-heart/feed 3 A couple of decades ago, Utica, New York, was dying, by even its residents diagnosis: a popular bumper sticker in the ‘90s read “Last One Out of Utica, Please Turn Out the Lights.” Once a bustling textile city perched on edge of the Erie Canal, Utica lost its mills in the mid-20th century, and has been losing population ever since. But something has changed in recent years, with a surprising influx of refugees to this part of snowy, cold upstate New York—the newcomers have given Utica hope for second chance. We would love to hear what you think about our newest episode, Utica – City with a Warm Heart. Go ahead, give us what you got! Simply comment below to get the conversation started. A couple of decades ago, Utica, New York, was dying, by even its residents diagnosis: a popular bumper sticker in the ‘90s read “Last One Out of Ut… [...] State of the Re:Union 50:51 state of the re:union, state of the reunion, sotru, al letson, npr show, prx, public radio, utica, utica ny, utica new york no http://stateofthereunion.com/birmingham-alabama-the-long-story-short Sun, 01 May 2011 15:18:12 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/birmingham-alabama-the-long-story-short READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/birmingham-alabama-the-long-story-short/feed Birmingham is a place that can’t escape its history—especially the painful parts. Almost fifty years later after the tragedies and triumphs of the civil rights era, Birmingham is still a community trying to put itself back together. Some have started trying to unearth the city’s past and face it. To do that, people are looking beyond the civil rights era: from slavery to vaudeville, and from Birmingham as a steel town to its post-industrial future. We would love to hear what you think about our newest episode, Birmingham – The Long Story Short. Go ahead, give us what you got! Simply comment below to get the conversation started. Birmingham is a place that can’t escape its history—especially the painful parts. Almost fifty years later after the tragedies and triumphs o… [...] State of the Re:Union 50:51 state of the re:union, state of the reunion, sotru, al letson, public radio, npr show, birmingham, alabama no http://stateofthereunion.com/bayard-rustin-who-is-this-man Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:32:09 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/bayard-rustin-who-is-this-man August 28th, 1963 will forever be tied to Martin Luther King Jr.’s hallowed “I Have a Dream Speech.” This historic moment would probably have never… http://stateofthereunion.com/bayard-rustin-who-is-this-man/feed State of the Re:Union 52:53 state of the re:union, state of the reunion, npr, public radio, prx, al letson, bayard rustin, civil rights, martin luther king no http://stateofthereunion.com/appalachia-rising Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:29:32 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/appalachia-rising READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/appalachia-rising/feed 1 Rural Appalachia has long been portrayed in the media as a place of victims: people at the mercy of the region’s poverty or bigotry. In this episode, SOTRU turns that notion of Appalachia on its head, telling stories of residents fighting for the well-being of their land, people and culture. We travel to southern West Virginia, where former coal miners and their families are fighting mountain-top removal mining and a small town is reinventing itself. Then, we visit Eastern Kentucky, where a community radio show has inspired an outpouring of activism. To discuss this episode, please comment on this post. We would love to hear your thoughts. Rural Appalachia has long been portrayed in the media as a place of victims: people at the mercy of the region’s poverty or bigotry. In this episo… [...] http://stateofthereunion.com/austin-tx-growing-pains Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:37:41 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/austin-tx-growing-pains READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/austin-tx-growing-pains/feed Unlike places that have been thrown into a state of crisis by a disaster, Austin, Texas, has been thrown into crisis by success. Its population has skyrocketed, but along with the economic advantages has come a considerable identity crisis. Austin has long prided itself on its funkiness, and many residents have grown worried new development and growth might jeopardize the city’s countercultural “feel.” In this hour, SOTRU looks at the tension between “keeping Austin weird” and its growing success. To discuss this episode, please comment on this post. We would love to hear your thoughts. Unlike places that have been thrown into a state of crisis by a disaster, Austin, Texas, has been thrown into crisis by success. Its population h… [...] http://stateofthereunion.com/los-angeles-ca-home-sweet-home Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:25:17 +0000 admin http://stateofthereunion.com/los-angeles-ca-home-sweet-home READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/los-angeles-ca-home-sweet-home/feed Los Angeles, Lala land, often thought of as the city of movies and money and fame. But that characterization doesn’t get at the heart and soul of this City of Angels. SOTRU will spend the episode telling stories of habitat and how several groups of people are making a home in this beautiful and sprawling metropolis. To listen to the episode, check out our LA photos and much more, visit our Los Angeles page. To discuss this episode, please comment on this post. We would love to hear your thoughts. Los Angeles, Lala land, often thought of as the city of movies and money and fame. But that characterization doesn’t get at the heart and soul of t… [...] http://stateofthereunion.com/twin-cities-mn-world-within-two-cities Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:45:38 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/twin-cities-mn-world-within-two-cities READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/twin-cities-mn-world-within-two-cities/feed It isn’t exactly Lake Wobegon anymore… Once known as the home of Midwestern Lutherans and Scandanavian farmers, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are now wildly diverse. They have become cities of immigrants, from Tibetans to Somalis, Iraqis to the Khmer people of Cambodia. In this episode, SOTRU explores the worlds within the Twin Cities, from Ethopian Lutherans to Hmong rappers to a Somali community struggling with a devastating mystery. To listen to our Twin Cities episode, take a look at our pictures from the area and much more, visit our Twin Cities page. We want you to start the discussion. To share your thought, simply comment on this post and get the conversation going! It isn’t exactly Lake Wobegon anymore… Once known as the home of Midwestern Lutherans and Scandanavian farmers, the cities of Minneapolis and… [...] http://stateofthereunion.com/espanola-the-land-remembers Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:15:56 +0000 admin http://stateofthereunion.com/espanola-the-land-remembers READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/espanola-the-land-remembers/feed 2 We are excited to announce the release of our Española episode: The Land Remembers. Al Letson and team explore this incredible area to examine the ancient water distribution culture of acequias, the heroin epidemic and what is being done to combat it and the amazing family tradition of low riders. To listen to the episode, watch our documentary, check out our pictures and much more on our Española page. To discuss this episode, please comment on this post. We would love to hear your thoughts. Start the discussion! We are excited to announce the release of our Española episode: The Land Remembers. Al Letson and team explore this incredible area to examine t… [...] http://stateofthereunion.com/new-orleans-la-the-big-easy Tue, 04 May 2010 20:02:30 +0000 State of the Re:Union http://stateofthereunion.com/new-orleans-la-the-big-easy READ MORE]]> http://stateofthereunion.com/new-orleans-la-the-big-easy/feed Listen to the episode and check out our video documentary, podcasts, images and articles on New Orleans! If you’ve listened to our NOLA episode, we want to hear from you. Please tell us what you liked, what you didn’t like and what you thought we could have done differently. The SOTRU team appreciates your feedback! Listen to the episode and check out our video documentary, podcasts, images and articles on New Orleans! If you’ve listened to our NOLA e… [...] State of the Re:Union 51:28 state of the re:union, state of the reunion, npr, public radio, prx, al letson, new orleans, nola, the big easy, bounce no