Joe Richman Returns to Diaries, Pushing Radio's Empathy Power
Joe Richman, renowned radio producer and founder of Radio Diaries, is returning to the diary form to capture today's contested truths. He believes that talking to strangers and listening without bias are radical acts that can transform journalism.
Richman, who has redefined journalism as storytelling rooted in empathy, calls radio 'an empathy machine'. It carries emotional truth through sound, as demonstrated in Clarissa Shields' diary that chronicled her journey from a Flint basement gym to Olympic gold in real time.
Founded in 1996, Radio Diaries gives people tape recorders to report on their own lives and histories. Its work, airing on NPR, This American Life, and the BBC, has won multiple Peabody Awards. One notable example is the Willie McGee story, which explores themes of justice, memory, and truth-telling across generations.
Joe Richman's course 'Journalism Skills as Life Skills' at Oberlin University teaches students to approach life with curiosity, courage, and compassion. By embracing the diary form and the power of radio, Richman continues to push the boundaries of journalism, fostering empathy and understanding.
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