We are visited by all kinds of unusual voices — from sound artist Miranda July, who makes up strange dialogues for ordinary people, to Jonathan Katz, who steals the show - literally. Also, the voices of women throughout China who, in the 1990s, dared to call and write daily talk show host Xinran and share their stories. And last but not least, the voices of...dogs?
What's the Next Big Thing?
According to the Brits on the set of "Judge John Deed," a popular BBC t.v. series, the next big thing is Take Your Dog to Work Day — not only on September 17th (when it's celebrated in the U.K.), but every day.
Out of Kabul
In 1979, 10-year-old Shekaiba Wakili and part of her family left Afghanistan - then in what seemed to be a state of perpetual war — for New York City. Years later, Shekaiba decided to track down the rest of her family — including her mother — and bring them to the United States. As part of "Crossing the Boulevard," a multimedia series about people who live and work in Queens, Judith Sloan and Warren Lehrer bring us the story of Shekaiba's determined effort to bring together the many parts of her life.
View photos of and by Shekaiba here
You're on the Air with Jonathan Katz
Jonathan Katz will get on the air any way he can, even if it means sending Dean out to walk the dog. This week, Katz and his callers explore a pressing question: Should we observe National Middle Name Day? Guest appearances by Al Franken, Ahna Tessler, Sarah Silverman, Ron Lynch, and Tom Leopold. Thanks to Jay Allison and the Open Studio Project. For more of "You're on the Air with Jonathan Katz" visit transom.org.
Voices of China
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new voice was heard on Chinese radio. In fact, there many new voices — of women, calling and writing daily talk show host Xinran with stories and questions, on topics ranging from forced marriage to how to get pregnant. Xinran speaks with host Dean Olsher about what she learned from her listeners at Radio Nanjing. Xinran's book, The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices, will be published this October.
Heard on the Street
Sunday in September, corner of Jay and Tillary in Brooklyn, New York. Ten guys shooting hoops. Four bystanders.
What's Your Word?
Erin McKean, editor of the New Oxford American Dictionary, fields calls from ambitious listeners who want to get a new word into circulation. Under consideration today: thunky, companimal, and — well, a call for help.
Dialogues I, II and III
Scenes from a strange, familiar yet unfamiliar movie that you'll never see — created by Miranda July for The Next Big Thing. Miranda July creates her worlds in Portland, Oregon. You can find more of her work on her website.
Sneak Preview: "Alamo"
Next week, we'll be airing a new radio play by Rick Moody, written and produced for The Next Big Thing, about a sculpture in New York's Astor Place that serves as a gathering spot and which spawns all kinds of fantasies and conspiracy theories. This week, a sneak preview of "Alamo."
WNYC archives id: 26638