WBUR, Boston's NPR radio station, has a long history of terrific content. In fact, the NPR station was the home of arguably the best sports podcast -- and radio show -- in audio for 27 years from 1993 until 2020. Only A Game was a sports show with Bill Littlefield, Charlie Pierce, and Karen Given that has yet to be copied.
The station is still the epicenter of quality audio content.
For instance, WBUR and The Marshall Project, just released episode one of a brand-new podcast, Violation.
This is the first of several new WBUR podcasts debuting this year dedicated to human stories where crime and complexity collide.
Violation focuses on the case of Jacob Wideman, who was released from prison after serving more than 30 years for stabbing a fellow teen to death at summer camp in 1986. Though Wideman was released from prison on parole in 2016, he returned just nine months later — under very unusual circumstances.
As a podcast fan, you may recognize the name Jake Wideman from Serial’s The Coldest Case In Laramie. Jake, who went to high school in Laramie, Wyoming, falsely confesses to the crime at the center of that podcast (episode five). Also noteworthy: Jake’s father is John Edgar Wideman, an award-winning writer whose work includes the groundbreaking memoir, Brothers and Keepers. This podcast marks his first in-depth interview about Jake.
Violation tells the story of how this horrible crime has connected two families for decades. It explores suffering and retribution, as well as power and privilege. It also pulls back the curtain on parole boards — powerful, secretive, largely political bodies that control the fates of thousands of people every year.
The limited series is hosted and reported by The Marshall Project’s veteran criminal justice reporter Beth Schwartzapfel. Violation debuted on March 22, with new episodes every Wednesday.
"The Marshall Project and its team of journalists have a proven record of investigating cases that have huge implications on the integrity of this country's criminal justice system," said Ben Brock Johnson, executive producer, WBUR Podcasts. "This story is also intensely personal and powerful — the kind of story that WBUR Podcasts loves to tackle. This was a rare opportunity to pair The Marshall Project's investigative reporting on an often opaque system with our rich audio storytelling. We're excited for people to experience the twists and turns of this case while learning about some of the underreported flaws in our country's parole system."
Violation's story of suffering, retribution, and privilege will prompt listeners to ask themselves: Who pulls the levers of power in the justice system, is redemption possible, and how much time in prison is enough? They'll hear about a 1980s camp trip to the Grand Canyon that ended in a fatal stabbing. They'll learn how, 30 years later, the convicted teenager, now an adult, is released on parole – only to be sent back to prison again. And they'll meet two families connected for decades, first by the horrific crime, and then through the bureaucratic system of parole boards.
"Violation is the culmination of years of reporting by The Marshall Project's Beth Schwartzapfel on the parole system and on the tragic story at the heart of this podcast. Listeners who follow along with this multi-layered saga will be asked to consider provocative questions about crime, punishment and power," said Geraldine Sealey, managing editor, The Marshall Project. "We are proud to partner with WBUR on this project. As a public media leader, WBUR represents the highest level of journalistic standards and inventive audio storytelling."
The first season of the original limited series Violation will consist of weekly episodes released every Wednesday in podcast format, and incorporated into broadcast segments during NPR and WBUR's national news program, Here & Now.
The station is still the epicenter of quality audio content.
For instance, WBUR and The Marshall Project, just released episode one of a brand-new podcast, Violation.
This is the first of several new WBUR podcasts debuting this year dedicated to human stories where crime and complexity collide.
Violation focuses on the case of Jacob Wideman, who was released from prison after serving more than 30 years for stabbing a fellow teen to death at summer camp in 1986. Though Wideman was released from prison on parole in 2016, he returned just nine months later — under very unusual circumstances.
As a podcast fan, you may recognize the name Jake Wideman from Serial’s The Coldest Case In Laramie. Jake, who went to high school in Laramie, Wyoming, falsely confesses to the crime at the center of that podcast (episode five). Also noteworthy: Jake’s father is John Edgar Wideman, an award-winning writer whose work includes the groundbreaking memoir, Brothers and Keepers. This podcast marks his first in-depth interview about Jake.
Violation tells the story of how this horrible crime has connected two families for decades. It explores suffering and retribution, as well as power and privilege. It also pulls back the curtain on parole boards — powerful, secretive, largely political bodies that control the fates of thousands of people every year.
The limited series is hosted and reported by The Marshall Project’s veteran criminal justice reporter Beth Schwartzapfel. Violation debuted on March 22, with new episodes every Wednesday.
"The Marshall Project and its team of journalists have a proven record of investigating cases that have huge implications on the integrity of this country's criminal justice system," said Ben Brock Johnson, executive producer, WBUR Podcasts. "This story is also intensely personal and powerful — the kind of story that WBUR Podcasts loves to tackle. This was a rare opportunity to pair The Marshall Project's investigative reporting on an often opaque system with our rich audio storytelling. We're excited for people to experience the twists and turns of this case while learning about some of the underreported flaws in our country's parole system."
Violation's story of suffering, retribution, and privilege will prompt listeners to ask themselves: Who pulls the levers of power in the justice system, is redemption possible, and how much time in prison is enough? They'll hear about a 1980s camp trip to the Grand Canyon that ended in a fatal stabbing. They'll learn how, 30 years later, the convicted teenager, now an adult, is released on parole – only to be sent back to prison again. And they'll meet two families connected for decades, first by the horrific crime, and then through the bureaucratic system of parole boards.
"Violation is the culmination of years of reporting by The Marshall Project's Beth Schwartzapfel on the parole system and on the tragic story at the heart of this podcast. Listeners who follow along with this multi-layered saga will be asked to consider provocative questions about crime, punishment and power," said Geraldine Sealey, managing editor, The Marshall Project. "We are proud to partner with WBUR on this project. As a public media leader, WBUR represents the highest level of journalistic standards and inventive audio storytelling."
The first season of the original limited series Violation will consist of weekly episodes released every Wednesday in podcast format, and incorporated into broadcast segments during NPR and WBUR's national news program, Here & Now.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank You for your input and feedback. If you requested a response, we will do so as soon as possible.