Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz

Winter is Coming from Throughline

Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz

Show Notes

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would be winding down operations.

When folks talk about these cuts, they usually talk about the vital public services public media provides, such as emergency alerts. But we'd be remiss if we didn't also talk about how NPR is an audio storytelling powerhouse. Throughout the month, we've partnered with our friends at NPR to present four pieces that represent the breadth and depth of their incredible reporting.

We hope you enjoy. **************************** Dinosaurs, Carl Sagan, and nuclear war. There was a moment in the not-so-distant past when we learned what drove the dinosaurs extinct — and that discovery, made during the Cold War, may have helped save humans from the same fate. In this episode, we'll take a journey from prehistoric times to the nuclear age and explore how humans contend with fears of the end. To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

More from Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz

Feb 5, 2026

To celebrate the anniversary of Red for Revolution’s Radiotopia debut, we’re dropping a special bonus episode. Join members of the cast and creative team as they revisit the story's earliest seeds, its unexpected turns, and the beautiful collaboration. You’ll also hear exclusive, unreleased audio scenes from the cutting‑room floor. Part reflection, part celebration, and part revelation, this episode invites listeners into the room where the revolution truly began. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L. Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee. The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter, visit redforrevolution.com. This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract. This episode includes interviews with Jana Naomi Smith Jordan Hull Tammy L. Hall Liz McBee Renée Wilson Alimi Ballard And features performances by: adrienne maree brown as series sonic guide Ashley J. Hobbs as additional narrations Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s) Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s) Alimi Ballard as LeRoy (1970s) Will Kachi (Volunteer 1970s) Music Featured: “Revolution” Written by Jana Naomi Smith Original Composition by Tammy L. Hall Performed by Renée Wilson and the Red For Revolution Band Tammy Hall, pianist & music director Kofy Brown, electric Bassist Ruth Davies, acoustic Bassist Ruthie Price, drummer Vicki Randle, percussionist Kristen Strom, saxophonist/flautist For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.

Sep 23, 2025

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would be winding down operations.

Sep 16, 2025

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would be winding down operations.

Sep 2, 2025

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would be winding down operations.

Jul 29, 2025

When Ian Coss decided to get married, every living member of his family who had ever been married had also gotten divorced: parents, grandparents, and all his aunts and uncles on both sides — some of them twice. Today, he has questions: What is the value of a lifetime commitment? Are we doomed to recycle the patterns of behavior we get from our ancestors? Are we all just better off alone? Forever is a Long Time is a five-episode series from CBC’s Personally that weaves reflection and original music through Ian’s conversations with his wife and divorced family members — a look at love with people who have made mistakes. Get lost in someone else’s life. From a mysterious childhood spent on the run, to a courageous escape from domestic violence, each season of Personally invites you to explore the human experience in all its complexity, one story — or season — at a time. This is what it sounds like to be human. More episodes of Personally can be found here: https://link.mgln.ai/fialt-wdtw

See all episodes →