We spend the first half of this month's show with some recordings devoted to civic life in The United States. And in honor of the upcoming Labor Day holiday, we'll play some field recordings that highlight the need for a strong work ethic in our country, especially among the young. Credits writing and performances by: Rose Luardo, Andrew Shearer, Reem Saliem, and Shannon Fahey. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens.

I’m Lucy O’Brien and I Approve This Message

Eavesdropping on America is a collaboration of radio producers and anthropologists at the Sydney Habermann and Judith Brownstein-Habermann School of Anthropology at the University of the State of Idaho. The school's syndicate of anthropologists make field recordings from around the country of Americans talking. Then, the radio producers comb through and find the most fascinating or illuminating tape that represents what Americans are like and what they're all talking about.

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In this special edition of the show, we're going to bring you the best reviews from our resident music critic, Jace Bartlove. We begin with a new review; Dank Icon's new album, "alone." (lowercase intended), which is in the storied tradition of "breakup albums." Then, we'll listen back to Jace's pieces on the "centrist punk movement," his retrospective of libertarian rocker Boomer Lee, and Jace's take on Morrissey's home demo archive. Credits: written, produced and performed by Jon Ehrens, with contributions from Jason Henn and Emily Ehrens.

The Best of Jace Bartlove’s Music Reviews

In this installment of our series, "Actual Interviews with Actual People," in which our host has conversations with actual, real interviewees, we'll hear from cartoonist Eli Valley (@EliValley). He is a cartoonist whose work has been featured in The Nation, The New Republic, The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, among others. His new book is called, "Diaspora Boy: Comics on Crisis in America and Israel." Visit his site www.elivalley.com for more. Credits: Writing and performances by Jamie Fountain and Jon Ehrens. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens. Theme music by Other Colors.

Actual Interviews with Actual People: Eli Valley

Merry holidays! On today's show; we'll hear a young couple who are so convinced that they have found the perfect gifts for one another that they've exchanged them a month before Christmas. Also, we'll bring you a field recording from the boardroom of K-Ware Home Appliances where they are coming up with ideas about how to harness the power of the holidays. Tiffany Sangria-Hamilton will give us her picks for the top TV of 2018. And, we'll hear about continuing religious traditions to connect with the elders of the family Credits: Writing and performances by Betty Mattei, Christine Walden, Shannon Fahey, and Andrew Shearer. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens.

The Holiday 2018 Edition

In this installment of our series, "Actual Conversations with Actual People," in which our host has conversations with actual, real interviewees, we'll hear from journalist Jared Holt (@jaredlholt). He writes about the culture of the extreme far right-wing thinkers on the internet. His work is featured at RightWingWatch.com and he hosts the @shtpostpodcast. We'll also play one of our patented field recordings; one that is pertinent to Jared's work. It features two women who wish to counter the Proud Boys movement. Credits: Writing and performances by Betty Mattei and Christine Wallden. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens. Theme music by Other Colors.

Actual Interviews with Actual People: Jared Holt

Today, we'll examine how the internet has changed the ways in which people meet each other, stay in touch, how we buy products, and what products we buy. We'll hear from the founder of a new line of clothes that aims to empower little babies, we'll hear about the "dark web," take a visit to the doctors office. And we'll get an in-studio performance from Bobo Smokescreen and the HeartHavers. Credits: writing and performances by: Rose Luardo, Eileen Echickson, Lexie Mountain, Aaron Nevins, Christine Walledin, Andrew Shearer, Shannon Fahey, and Chris Richman. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens.

I’m Lucy O’Brien and I Approve This Message

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