August 9, 2011 - MPR’s Brandt Williams profiles John Gordon, who as the radio broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins, has documented some of the biggest moments in the team's history. Gordon announced he will retire after the 2011 Twins season comes to a close.
October 7, 2011 - The "alt country" music scene isn't as big as it used to be, but there's still a lot of vintage twang in the Twin Cities, courtesy of the Cactus Blossoms. The Minneapolis group, fronted by a pair of brothers, harkens back to the roots of country with their earnest songs and pristine harmonizing. MPR’s Chris Roberts presents a profile of the group.
November 11, 2011 - On this special Veterans Day Midday program, a remembrance of legendary radio dramatist Norman Corwin with a short documentary on his career, and excerpts from his masterpiece, On a Note of Triumph, which remains the most listened to radio drama in U.S. history. Later in the hour, author Tim O'Brien reads and discusses his critically acclaimed short story collection on the Vietnam War, The Things They Carried.
June 11, 2012 - On this episode of Minnesota Sounds and Voices, MPR’s Dan Olson talks with Minneapolis resident Salah Fattah on how he stays connected to his Arabic culture. Fattah is founder of the 10-year-old Arabic classical music ensemble Amwaaj, which in English means "wave," as in waves of the sea.
May 22, 2013 - MPR’s Sasha Aslanian profiles Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families. Carlbom led organization to two historic victories: the defeat of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage last November, and the recent passage of the same-sex marriage bill.
September 25, 2014 - On this episode of MPR’s Minnesota Sound and Voices, Dan Olson profiles the wildlife management of bison in Blue Mounds State Park and raising them for meat on a nearby ranch.
January 29, 2015 - MPR’s Lorna Benson profiles Dr. Keith Henry, who in 1985 opened the state's first HIV/AIDS clinic at a public hospital in St. Paul as AIDS and fear of AIDS patients gripped Minnesota and the world. Henry and others reflect on what has changed in the last 30 years in supporting those fighting the disease.
March 2, 2015 - On the 40th anniversary of the arrival of Hmong refugees to Minnesota, MPR’s Sasha Aslanian profiles three members in the local Hmong community.
March 2, 2015 - In marking the 40th anniversary of Hmong arrival to the U.S., All Things Considered’s Tom Crann presents an audio portrait of Ly Xiong Pao. In profile, Pao shares memories of war and being a shaman.
March 3, 2015 - In marking the 40th anniversary of Hmong arrival to the U.S., All Things Considered’s Tom Crann presents an audio portrait of Ma Lee. In profile, Lee shares traumatic memories of fleeing during wartime.