November 19, 2010 - All Thing’s Considered’s Tom Crann talks with Lee Greenfield, former state legislator from Minneapolis, about his friend Senator Allan Spear and Spear's posthumous autobiography "Crossing the Barriers." Spear was one of the first openly gay Americans serving in elected office.
January 7, 2011 - MPR’s Dan Olson profiles General Vang Pao, a key U.S. ally during the Vietnam War, who died in California at the age of 81. The military leader is described by admirers as a warrior chieftain of the 18 Hmong clans he helped lead. General Pao was a familiar figure in Minnesota, home to the country's second largest Hmong population, including some of his family members.
February 7, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Minneapolis rapper and emcee Carnage the Executioner, aka Terrell Woods. Roberts interviews Carnage the Executioner about his personal life and album “Worth the Wait." Roberts also talks with others in the music industry about Carnage the Executioner’s talents.
July 15, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Davina and the Vagabonds and their CD "Black Cloud." Featuring horns instead of guitars, and a frontwoman who looks as if she had been lifted from another century, the music of Davina and the Vagabonds doesn't fit the traditional Minneapolis indie rock mold.
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.