Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz
by Radiotopia
In 2004, a racial controversy erupted at a small, mostly white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts. There were protests. TV news crews. A tense all-school assembly. And then, an announcement: the school would stage an iconic American musical that no one saw coming. This is the story of that production. Coming June 2025. Radiotopia Presents premiers short multi-episode series in one podcast feed, unified by bold, inclusive storytelling pushing the boundaries of audio. Learn more at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.
Episodes
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Red for Revolution - Happy Anniversary!
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...
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Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
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…
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Prophets of Technology from TED Radio Hour
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…
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Winter is Coming from Throughline
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…
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The Network from Embedded and Latino USA
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…
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Introducing: Forever is a Long Time
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...
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We're Doing The Wiz 4 - Pass the Squeeze
It's opening night. Will PVPA pull it off? And almost 20 years later, the cast reflects on the impact doing The Wiz had on their lives. The series is made possible in part by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Learn more about We're...
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We're Doing The Wiz 3 - You Don’t Hit White Girls
Rehearsals are in full swing. But while most students are focused on their songs and dance steps, a tense backstage drama threatens the entire production. The series is made possible in part by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Learn...
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We're Doing The Wiz 2 - The Black Wizard of Oz
It’s audition time at PVPA. Will students get the parts they want? Will it come down to race, talent or both? And is anyone giving Dorothy? The series is made possible in part by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Learn more about…
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We're Doing The Wiz 1 - The Tofu Curtain
When a bussing program brings a group of Black students to a predominately white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts, a racial reckoning rocks the campus. And an unlikely selection for the school’s annual musical reshapes the student body forever. The series is made possible in…
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Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz
Coming up next on Radiotopia Presents: We’re Doing The Wiz. Two former classmates reconnect to unpack the high school musical that changed their lives. The series is made possible in part by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Learn…
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Red for Revolution x The Frogs
On May 24, 2025 in LA, Red for Revolution's creator/writer/director Jana Naomi Smith joined The Frogs for a rollicking live taping of their podcast, to talk career, inspiration, the origins of R4R, and for a live performance featuring Caro Guzmán. To listen to the full episode, head over to the…
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Introducing Selects from Radiotopia and Room Tone
Today we’re introducing our Radiotopia Presents listeners to a brand new show out now from Radiotopia. It’s called Selects. Selects is a monthly show that brings you unearthed audio works we’ve found buried in web archives, radio streams, and old podcasts. They’ve come to us through the...
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After 15 months of displacement...from Up First
Recently, the White House announced its plans to ask Congress to rescind funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If the plan passes, there could be serious consequences for the public media ecosystem. Rather than tell you why we think public media is important, we are sharing this…
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Introducing: Harlem Queen
Today we're sharing the first episode of Harlem Queen, a historical audio drama detailing the powerful story of “Policy Queen” and “gangster” Madame Stephanie St. Clair. Madame St. Clair had a powerful impact on building the Harlem community underground and aboveground and defining the Harlem...
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Jason and Isabelle Revisit My Mother Made Me
In October 2024, Apple Podcasts launched a new initiative to highlight narrative series, including designating a new show every month as a Series Essential, celebrating the finest storytelling and the medium’s greatest achievements. My Mother Made Me is the March 2025 selection. For this special...
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Alternate Realities from Embedded
Today, we're sharing the first episode of a new limited-run series from NPR's Embedded, "Alternate Realities". Zach Mack and his dad are living in separate realities, and it's tearing their family apart. Like so many Americans, Zach's dad has gotten swept up in conspiracy theories. After years of...
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Red for Revolution 6 - I Love Paris
As tensions escalate and hearts are both shattered and healed, our season one love story reaches its climax in the City of Love. Jazmine’s family surprises her with a graduation trip to Paris, but little do they know, she has a surprise of her own in store. Red for Revolution is created, written,...
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Red for Revolution 5 - Send in the Clowns
As tensions between Jazmine and her mother boil over, Grandma Ella steps in, guiding the three women to confront the painful reality of intergenerational homophobia. Meanwhile, back in the 1970s, the stakes soar for Ella and Lorraine’s relationship as young Ella is falsely accused of a crime. Red...
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Red for Revolution 4 - He Looked Beyond My Faults
Jazmine holds space for Ms. Lorraine as she shares her story of substance abuse, inspiring a conversation about grace and self-acceptance. Meanwhile, back in the 70s, a younger Lorraine confesses her substance abuse to Ella, generating a difficult impasse between the two. Red for Revolution is...
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Red for Revolution 3 - Stormy Weather
As Jazmine grapples with self-acceptance, Grandma Ella and Ms. Lorraine feel compelled to share their respective insecurities. This leads to a poignant recollection of the day a power outage compelled a young Ella and Lorraine to reveal their deepest secrets and vulnerabilities. Red for…
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Red for Revolution 2 - Never Will I Marry
Jazmine uncovers her grandmother's journals, shedding light on previously unknown aspects of her inner life and igniting the tale of how Ella and Lorraine reconnected in 1971, New York City for a taping of the TV show Black Dreams after their passionate first encounter in Gary. Red for Revolution...
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Red for Revolution 1 - I’ve Got a Crush On You
After the assassination of a Black female revolutionary, an unexpected romance blossoms between the two women left in her wake—an apolitical jazz singer and a radical activist. While in the present day, college-bound Jazmine embarks on a journey to find her grandmother's first love and document...
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Radiotopia Presents: Red for Revolution
Red for Revolution is an enthralling audio drama that tells the passionate love story between jazz singer Lorraine Giovanni and activist Ella Ali. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of 18-year-old Jazmine, who is coming of age and seeking wisdom from her grandmother, Ella. As Jazmine...
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Best of Radiotopia - Weight For It
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Weight For It - “Into Thin Air." It's not too late - Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is still on! Donate to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - This Day in Esoteric Political History
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - This Day in Esoteric Political History - “Dick Cheney Shoots Friend In The Face”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - The West Wing Weekly
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The West Wing Weekly - “The American President”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - The Stoop
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Stoop - “This Ain't Texas, It's Africa." It's not too late - Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is still on! Donate to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Song Exploder
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Song Exploder - “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Our House." It's not too late - Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is still on! Donate to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Recipe with Kenji and Deb - “Popcorn”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative - “Just a Girl with a Microphone." Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Radio Diaries
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Radio Diaries - “The John Birch Society”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Normal Gossip
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Normal Gossip - “The Suite Life of Rachelle and Kelsey”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - The Mortified Podcast
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Mortified Podcast - “The Origin Story”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - The Memory Palace
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Memory Palace - “Lost Jobs”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! And you can buy The Memory Palace book here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - The Kitchen Sisters Present
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Kitchen Sisters Present - “Tupperware”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Hyperfixed
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Hyperfixed - “Casey Wants to Believe”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - The Heart
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - The Heart - “EPILOGUE | Letter to Gaza”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Hang Up
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Hang Up - “Speed Dial”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Ear Hustle
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Ear Hustle - “What's Up, Michael Freeman?”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Benjamen Walker's Theory of Everything
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Benjamen Walker's Theory of Everything - "Not All Propaganda is Art" episode 1. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Best of Radiotopia - Articles of Interest
Best of Radiotopia 2024 - Articles of Interest - “Nudity”. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support audio with vision. Thank you! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Will wants to go back to his favourite shawarma place from Personal Best
From our friends at Personal Best (CBC) — Personal Best from CBC celebrates small ambitions, half-wins and the quiet satisfaction of getting less bad at things. Each week they help ordinary people work through the little things they’d never bring to a life coach — like having the courage to dine...
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Imperfect Paradise: Strippers Union from LAist
From our friends at the LAist — In 2023, North Hollywood’s Star Garden reopened as the only unionized strip club in the U.S. LAist Producer Emma Alabaster tells us the behind-the-scenes story of the workplace conditions that pushed the dancers into action. CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes...
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Points of Egress from Love + Radio
Back in 2017, Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative host/producer Jess Shane made “Perfect Woman”, an episode of Love Me, the CBC podcast. In 2018, Nick van der Kolk made “Points of Egress” for his show, Love + Radio, inspired by “Perfect Woman”. Today, we come full circle to share “Points of...
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Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 5 - Release
After Jess receives feedback that throws a major wrench into her production schedule, she has to make some tough decisions. Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative is written, hosted and produced by Jess Shane. Sara Nics is the story editor. Sound design, mix/mastering by Michelle Macklem....
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Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 4 - Feedback
With only a few months till launch, Jess plays a draft of the series for her subjects and gives them an opportunity to request major changes. Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative is written, hosted and produced by Jess Shane. Sara Nics is the story editor. Sound design, mix/mastering by…
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Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 3 - Win-Win
Jess makes a deal with Judy, an unhoused senior. Judy will let Jess document her, and Jess will help Judy resolve some of her ongoing life problems. As Jess gets sucked into Judy's crises, the rest of the series starts to slip and Jess’ relationships with her other subjects get messy. Jess starts...
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Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 2 - The Grimy Stuff
Jess begins by documenting Ernesto, a 20-year-old, newly sober fashion model. The plan is to pay Ernesto and let him be in charge of the story he wants to tell in the documentary. Things go sideways when Jess and Ernesto grapple with what will need to be cut out of Ernesto's life to turn it into…
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Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 1 - Just a Girl with a Microphone
Jess used to think making documentaries was good for her subjects and good for the world. But she’s not so sure anymore. With this series, she's throwing out the old rules of documentary production and trying out some new ones. Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative is written, hosted and…
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About this show
In 2004, a racial controversy erupted at a small, mostly white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts. There were protests. TV news crews. A tense all-school assembly. And then, an announcement: the school would stage an iconic American musical that no one saw coming. This is the story of that production. Coming June 2025. Radiotopia Presents premiers short multi-episode series in one podcast feed, unified by bold, inclusive storytelling pushing the boundaries of audio. Learn more at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.
Hosted by
Radiotopia