MADISON – New voices, new insights and new programs are all part of changes coming to weekends on Wisconsin Public Radio’s The Ideas Network this month. The changes, which include two popular new programs from NPR and an entertainment program from Oregon, begin on Aug. 11.
On Saturdays, the repeat of “Garden Talk” – Wisconsin’s gardening and nature show – will move to 6 a.m. Hosted by WPR’s Larry Meiller, “Garden Talk” is swapping timeslots with “The People’s Pharmacy,” which will now be heard at 7 a.m., according to a WPR news release.
At noon, tune in for “It’s Been A Minute with Sam Sanders” from NPR. The hour-long program covers news, pop culture and interviews in a conversational style. The program replaces the repeat of WPR’s “On Your Money,” which ended production on July 31. Listeners will also have a second chance to hear the program on Sunday mornings at 6, where it replaces “On the Media” on the schedule.
Another new show from NPR, “Hidden Brain,” replaces the repeat of “The People’s Pharmacy” at 2 p.m. “Hidden Brain” offers listeners a chance to explore the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior with NPR’s award-winning social science correspondent Shankar Vedantam.
WPR’s own award-winning show of big ideas and unforgettable interviews, “To the Best of Our Knowledge,” will replace “Travel with Rick Steves” at 3 p.m. Live comedy, pop culture conversations and music from Portland, Oregon’s “Live Wire” will replace the CBC’s “Podcast Playlist” at 4 p.m. “Live Wire” is hosted by Luke Burbank, who listeners might recognize from his appearances on “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!”
“We’re very excited to share this new weekend schedule with listeners,” said Sheryl Gasser, director of The Ideas Network. Whether you’re running errands, working around the house or just relaxing on the weekend, these shows will spark your curiosity, engage your mind and keep you entertained.
“‘Live Wire’ is a show we’ve been eager to carry in Wisconsin for a few years now and Sam Sanders and Shankar Vedantam are two rising NPR stars in the world of podcasts. Listeners may recognize their work from regular appearances on ‘Morning Edition’ and ‘All Things Considered,’” Gasser said. “We’re always seeking to have the right mix of news, conversation, information, fun and depth throughout the schedule. I hope listeners will tune in on August 11 and tell us what they think.”
Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected] or by calling WPR’s Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444.
Shankar Vedantam photo courtesy NPR.
Sam Sanders photo courtesy Corey Seeholzer/NPR.
Luke Burbank photo courtesy @Jennie Baker
