Stay Connected***No longer adding new episodes*** On The Record was co-hosted by Sheilah Kast and Ashley Sterner. Sheilah and shared conversations with audacious artists, intrepid scientists, community leaders and more. And of course, tales from the beloved Stoop Storytelling Series.
On The Record was produced by Melissa Gerr. Jon Ehrens created the theme music. Louis Umerlik designed the logo.
Copyright: © 2024 WYPR Baltimore
The opioid epidemic continues to torment families and communities across the country. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is the primary driver of overdose mortality in Maryland.
Josh Siems was one of the thousands of people in Maryland who suffered a fatal overdose after struggling with substance abuse for years. His friends and family are now pushing for legislation they say will help lawmakers and medical professionals tackle this epidemic.
Plus, Elizabeth Kelly Gray, associate Professor of History at Towson University, traces the history of attitudes toward drugs in her new book, Habit Forming: Drug Addiction in America 1776-1914. Her research found shifting perceptions of drugs and drug users. Some ideas foreshadow what we see today, while other seem laughably outdated.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
D. Watkins is tired of the lies. Lies about being tough, about not feeling pain or loss or rejection.
In his latest book, ‘Black Boy Smile: A Memoir in Moments,’ Watkins shows how he learned to face those lies and push through to the truth. He hopes everyone, especially young Black men and boys, find that strength from his stories
On April 12th, D. Watkins will be in conversation with author Shanita Hubbard at Enoch Pratt Free Library. They will be discussing Hubbard’s debut book, “Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women.”
This interview originally aired on August 1, 2023.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
Here’s a Stoop Story from Fariborz Zarfeshan about living through the tumultuous diplomatic relationships between Iran and the United States. Check out more stories and live events at Stoopstorytelling.com.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
Ari Shapiro’s voice might be one of the most recognized in the nation. Millions listen each night as he hosts NPR’s All Things Considered. Shapiro has covered stories across the globe, and shared them with listeners with what he calls “a level of vulnerability.”
His debut book, “The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening,” is part memoir and part globe-trotting adventure, delivering a poignant look at the stories behind the news.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
Since 2012, the Goucher Prison Education Partnership has offered college courses to men and women at two Maryland prisons. Executive Director Eliza Cornejo describes how Goucher stays in touch even after participants leave prison to help them continue their studies or find work.
And William Freeman, a graduate, now pursuing a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, says signing up for GPEP was a no-brainer, "One, I had the time, and two, there were other individuals who were in close proximity to me that I could witness on any day studying in small groups. And I used to see the level of intent and purpose that they seemed to have with the material and with one another, and I wanted it."
Watch Freeman's 2020 Commencement speech here. Learn more about becoming a volunteer with GPEP.
This interview originally aired August 17, 2022.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
Half of all Black Americans in the country's biggest metropolitan areas live in the suburbs. In Liberty Road, sociologist Gregory Smithsimon writes about Black Americans breaking the color barrier in Baltimore County and how white neighbors reacted. The book lays out the role of the suburbs in building a new Black middle class.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
More than one hundred thousand Americans await an organ transplant, and most organ donations come from deceased donors.
Ieesha Johnson, executive director of community outreach at Infinite Legacy, works to dispel myths and educate the public about what it means to be an organ donor.
And Danette Ragin, an organ recipient and relative of deceased organ donors, talks about how somebody’s decision to donate a kidney has profoundly changed her life:
“Until the shoe is on the other foot, you really probably won’t know the true significance of it. But if you have any reservations, I pray that my testimonial will help you come to a decision to at least try to help someone.”
Links:
Donor law changes: update your Maryland license donor status; Infinite Legacy, Infinite Legacy Facebook, B'more Healthy Expo, Donate Life Month at Infinite Legacy.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
Ben Jealous is former president of the NAACP and a former candidate for governor of Maryland in 2018. He was born and grew up in California after his African-American mother and white father left Baltimore. Interracial marriage was not legal in Maryland until 1967.
Many of the stories Jealous tells in his latest book, including the summers he spent with his maternal grandparents in West Baltimore, are rooted in Maryland. The book is called "Never Forget Our People Were Always Free: A Parable of American Healing."
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
Jim Burger is an avid collector of artifacts, a creator of images and a teller of tales. Those all come together in his book: “What’s Not to Like: Words and Pictures of a Charmed Life.” His experience includes a decade shooting for the Sun Papers in the late 80s, so he also sees the importance of his role as documentarian:
“I was walking around the building one day and I was just taking pictures just to show what it looked like and how a newspaper was made. And now it’s a historical document. Nothing, literally nothing in those photos exists!”
Links: Jim Burger Photography, "What's Not to Like?", Books and Brews 3/18 from 1pm to 8pm at Union Craft Brewing
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
Here’s a Stoop Story from Maura Taylor about the importance of tradition … and her big Irish family. You can hear her story and others and find more information about the Stoop Storytelling Series - including upcoming live events and the Stoop podcast -- at Stoopstorytelling.com .
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
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