Your Move, 2021
Two things are coming to an end: the year 2020 and this season of AudioFiles. In our final episode, we hear updates from small seasonal businesses and tips for solo holiday celebrations. Later, an infectious disease specialist helps us understand the latest developments on the COVID-19 vaccines and what to expect when the vaccines are finally available.
Also in this episode:
Holly DeMuth takes a peek at how a Netflix series is causing chessboard sales to skyrocket in New York.
Erika Wheless brings us the story of how a yoga studio owner in Queens has adapted her business during the pandemic.
Managing Editor: Jackie Harris
Host: Valen Iricibar
Lead Producer: Ashley Rodriguez
Associate Producer: Megan Burney
Reporting by Erika Wheless, Ali McPherson, Jackie Harris
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Guest: Dr. Megan Coffee
Editors: Kalli Anderson and Maggie Freleng
Music credits: Doug Maxwell, Charlotte Muller, Albrecht Ihlenburg, Gras Young and Cheel
Answers to the 2020 sounds: Animal Crossing (music and sound effects), Among Us, Cardi B, Tiger King (Carole Baskin and “Tiger Saw Man” by Joe Exotic), Ben Shapiro and “Imagine” as sung by celebrities.
Surviving the Holidays Solo
Public officials are advising US residents to hunker down this winter and not travel. For the people heeding that advice, however, many will be spending holidays without family for the first time. Jackie Harris speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Marsha Brown about taking care of yourself during an unusual, and potentially lonely holiday season.
Music credit: Cheel
Reporting by Jackie Harris
Midtown Holiday Vendors Struggle to Earn a Living
This holiday season is like no other. Many holiday traditions are on pause, as COVID cases continue to rise in New York. Every year crowds flock to holiday markets like the ones at Union Square, Columbus Circle and Bryant Park. The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is one of the only markets open for business, however, vendors are struggling to make ends meet. Reporter Ali McPherson traveled to Midtown to check in with vendors and see how they are holding up.
Music Credit: Holiday Brass Ensemble by Doug Maxwell/ Media Right Productions
Reporting by: Ali McPherson
Ohm Online: How One Yoga Studio Went Virtual In The Pandemic
The pandemic has forced many of us to change the way we exercise. Gyms and fitness studios are closed across the country. And many have started offering virtual classes to pay the bills. Reporter Erika Wheless brings us the story of how a yoga studio owner in Queens has adapted to moving her business online.
Music credit: Gras Young
Reporting by Erika Wheless
Chess Parlor Sees An Uptick in Popularity After Queen’s Gambit
Small businesses in the city are suffering under the COVID slump. But one New York shop is seeing a bit of a boom. Holly DeMuth reports that a Greenwich Village chess parlor is getting a surge of new customers these days thanks in part to the Netflix series, The Queen’s Gambit.
Music: Albrecht Ihlenburg
Reporting by Holly DeMuth
Newmark J-School Audio Journalism Trans Day of Remembrance — an Intergenerational Interview
Friday November 20th was Trans Day of Remembrance, a moment to honor the memory of transgender people who lost their lives due to anti-trans prejudice. At least 34 transgender and gender non-conforming people were killed in the US this year for just being who they are. Worldwide, that number is 350. But Trans Day of Remembrance is also about looking at the big picture and celebrating the community. Valen Iricibar brought together two generations — Kai Farr from the GenderCool project and Tanya Walker from Equality New York — to talk about what Trans Day of Remembrance means to them.
Music by Kai Farr
Turkey Farmers Adapt to Low Turkey Demand This Thanksgiving
Governor Cuomo recently announced that indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people in a home will be banned in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid-19. That 10 person limit could make Thanksgiving a challenge this year – and that could leave folks with a lot of leftover turkey. If they even buy a turkey at all. Reporter Erika Wheless looked into what happens when low turkey demand meets big turkey supply.
For Native Americans, Changing the Narrative Around Thanksgiving is Personal
As thanksgiving creeps around the corner, millions of American schoolchildren are being taught about the first Thanksgiving. You know, when pilgrims arrived in Plymouth and shared a meal with Native Americans. But for many Native American children and their families, hearing this story year after year is a painful reminder of how their history has been erased.
Reporter Ashley Rodriguez spoke to Susan Fairchild, a member of the Coharie nation and Professor of Education and Director of the School of Education at Colorado State University, Shea Vassar, a member of the Cherokee nation, and a journalist and graduate student of legal studies and indigenous peoples law at the university of Oklahoma, and Amanda Funk, a member of the Potawatomi nation the executive director of Widoktadwen Center for Native Knowledge, about how they’re trying to change the narrative around Thanksgiving.
A Thanksgiving in 2020 Like No Other
Thanksgiving is creeping around the corner, and Ashley Rodriguez reports on how Native Americans across the country are pushing back against the way Thanksgiving is taught in American schools. Also, a turkey farmer who is struggling to sell turkeys on Thanksgiving now that COVID-19 has forced people to downsize their family gatherings. And producer Megan Burney asks an epidemiologist’s advice on staying safe with family during the holidays.
Also in this episode:
We observe Transgender Day of Rememberance, a time to honor the memory of transgender and non-binary people who lost their lives to anti-trans violence. Reporter Valen Iricibar brings two generations of trans folks together to talk about what it means to be trans right now and the road ahead.
Tre’vell Anderson, a gender non-conforming journalist and advocate for Black trans people, on the presidential election and what work needs to be done to ensure that all trans folks are able to live, survive and thrive no matter who is in office.
Managing Editor: Jackie Harris
Host/Lead Producer: Holly DeMuth
Associate Producer: Ali McPherson
Reporting by Valen Iricibar, Megan Burney, and Erika Wheless.
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Guest: Tre’vell Anderson
Editors: Kalli Anderson and Maggie Freleng
Music credits: Dan Lebowitz, Jason Chaw, and Kai Farr.
For more info on AudioFiles: www.audiofilespodcast.com
soundcloud.com/newmarkjschool/sets/audiofiles-2020
#ENDSARS Gains Ground in NYC
#ENDSARS is more than a hashtag, it is a social justice movement. Young people in Nigeria say the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, known as SARS has been terrorizing citizens for far too long. SARS has since been disbanded but protesters are now fighting for better governance and are seeking justice after the Lekki Massacre. Ayoinmotion who self-identifies as an “Artivist,” a combination of an activist, and artist, co-founded ENDSARSNYC to bring awareness to what is going on in Nigeria. Brooklyn-based photographer APM is using his lens to stand in solidarity. Reporter Ali McPherson speaks with Ayoinmotion and Photographer APM about the importance of these demonstrations happening right here and right now.
Protest Audio footage provided by APM Worldwide
Music credit: The Westerlies on Youtube Audio Library.
Photo credit: APM Worldwide
Reporting by Ali McPherson
Activist Chi Osse Is Running For for City Council
After a summer of protesting and organizing, youth activist and Co-Founder of the group Warriors in the Garden, Chi Osse is making plans for a political future. At just 22-years-old, Chi plans to run in next year’s City Council race to represent District 36. He says that the City Council represents the branch of local government that has the ability to affect and implement real change in the city due to their control over the city budget. As a leader in the movement against police brutality, Chi hopes to address important issues surrounding police reform if elected to office.
Produced by Megan Burney
Music credit: Sarah, the Instrumentalist
Photo credit: Chi Osse
All Bets Are Off
The tension of the 2020 presidential election is getting to us all, so take a breath and stop the doom scrolling. In this episode we look at the stories you’re not hearing about this election cycle: from illegal election betting on the results to a Brazilian journalist’s take on the similarities between Trump and Boslonaro. Also in this episode:
Chi Osse, an activist and co-founder of the youth civil rights group Warriors in the Garden, on his bid for city council in 2021
Ali McPherson reports on the #ENDSARS protests in Manhattan condemning police brutality in Nigeria
Erika Wheless updates us on how the stock market is reacting to the election
Holly DeMuth describes a moment of unrest in Park Slope on Tuesday during an otherwise peaceful Election Day
Managing Editor: Jackie Harris
Host/Lead Producer: Megan Burney
Associate Producer: Ashley Rodriguez
Reporting by Holly DeMuth, Valen Iricibar, Ali McPherson, and Erika Wheless.
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Guest: Leticia Duarte
Editors: Kalli Anderson and Maggie Freleng
Music credits: Jason Shaw, Sarah the Instrumentalist, and The Westerlies
#ENDSARS protest audio provided by APM Worldwide
For more info on AudioFiles: www.audiofilespodcast.com
After The War
David Aukland, 80, grew up during the London Blitz, the 1940 Nazi bombing campaign in England. Aukland, now living out his retirement in Irvington, New York, didn’t know a life without war. He was a baby when his father left England to join the airforce. When the war ended, his father’s return revealed a family forever changed by the war.
Produced by Jackie Harris
Music credit: Dream Escape by The Tides
Photo credit: Cleo Aukland
Millions of Federal Student Loan Borrowers Don’t Have To Make Payments
With unemployment levels soaring this year due to coronavirus shutdowns, many people with student loan debt were concerned about how they would make monthly payments. The CARES Act, that big stimulus bill that was passed back in March, helped by automatically deferring monthly payments on direct federal student loans, and setting federal loan interest rates to 0%. Erika Wheless checked in on some folks who benefitted from the loan deferments about what it’s been like without the payments, and what they’ve been able to purchase instead.
Music Credit: Creative Commons Music is Second Nature by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com
Photo Credit: Katy Ryan
Reporting by Erika Wheless
2020 Is Giving Us the Creepy Crawlies
For this special spooky episode we bring real world nightmares to the spotlight: bed bugs and student loans. Also in this episode:
How are haunted houses staying scary during the pandemic? Holly DeMuth reports on businesses keeping the Halloween spirit alive.
COVID-19 cases spiked in some Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods in October. WNYC Reporter Gwynne Hogan gives an update on how these communities are responding to the latest restrictions in place to stop the spread.
Westchester resident David Aukland was a baby when his father left England to serve in the air force during World War II. Growing up during the London Blitz — Nazi Germany’s bombing, Aukland couldn’t know that the war would take a toll on his family long after it was over.
Managing Editor: Jackie Harris
Host/Lead Producer: Ashley Rodriguez
Associate Producer: Megan Burney
Reporting by Holly DeMuth, Valen Iricibar, Ali McPherson, and Erika Wheless.
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Guest: Gwynne Hogan
Editors: Kalli Anderson and Maggie Freleng
No Wifi + No Service = No School
The internet is essential for students returning to school this semester, with the majority of learning happening remotely. But without wifi access, New York students living in shelters are falling behind their peers. Reporter Megan Burney speaks with affected families and an advocate leading a campaign for free public wifi in shelters.
Music credits: Jason Shaw and audionautix.com
Photo credit: Megan Burney
Gay Men Still Can’t Donate Blood Despite Shortage Concerns
As New York City sees new surges in COVID-19 cases, there are renewed concerns about blood shortages. But Ryan Manuel Koerber was turned away from the New York Blood Center in April due to his sexuality. FDA guidelines still specifically bar men who have sex with men (commonly referred to as “MSM”) from donating blood unless they have been celibate for three months. That rule, which was initially a lifelong ban from donating blood, was established in the 1980s at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, singling out MSM when screening for HIV has consistently been protested as homophobic and in the context of the pandemic, many consider that lifting the ban is long overdue.
Music credit: statusq
Photo credit: Ryan Manuel Koerber
Gay Men Still Can’t Donate Blood Despite Shortage Concerns
As New York City sees new surges in COVID-19 cases, there are renewed concerns about blood shortages. But Ryan Manuel Koerber was turned away from the New York Blood Center in April due to his sexuality. FDA guidelines still specifically bar men who have sex with men from donating blood unless they have been celibate for three months.
Also in this episode:
Without access to wifi, students living in New York’s homeless shelters are falling behind their peers during remote learning.
A therapist reflects on the increase of Black clients in her practice, and what it means to be a safe haven for Black people during this tense and transformative year.
A special education teacher discusses the difficulties she and her students are facing this school year as the coronavirus continues to throw a wrench into classroom learning.
Managing Editor: Jackie Harris
Host/Producer: Holly DeMuth
Associate Producer: Ashley Rodriguez
Reporting by Megan Burney, Valen Iricibar, Ali McPherson, and Erika Wheless.
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Guest: Annie Tan
Editors: Kalli Anderson and Maggie Freleng
Picture credit: Ryan Manuel Koerber
Music credits: Jason Shaw and audionautix.com, statusq, Esther Abrami
For more info on AudioFiles:
www.audiofilespodcast.com
Homeless Folks Residing In Hotels Speak out After City Announces Plan to Relocate Them
During the peak of the pandemic, Mayor De Blasio relocated homeless residents from crowded shelters to hotels, to slow the spread of the virus. Many hotels across the city like Harmonia and Long Island City Plaza have housed homeless folks for years.
After numerous complaints from Upper West Side residents about The Lucerne, the men’s only facility in the Upper West Side, the city announced a plan to relocate Lucerne residents to Harmonia. This plan would relocate shelter residents across the city, creating a domino effect. Mayor De Blasio explained that hotels were meant to be a temporary relief for the homeless. After major backlash from the Coalition for the Homeless, The Legal Aid Society, and other advocates the city has halted the move until September 30th.
AudioFiles reporter Ali McPherson went to Harmonia to speak with residents and virtually met up with a homeless advocate at Lucerne to get a closer look at how they are moving forward.
Featured music is “Creep” by Emmit Fenn
Making It Work: COVID’s Impact on Violins, Bars, and NYC’s Homeless Crisis
COVID-19 has changed everything, from how we work to where we live. In this episode, reporter Erika Wheless looks at how one violin maker is adapting his centuries-old profession to suit the pandemic. And Reporter Valen Iricibar explains the updates to indoor dining and the COVID-19 surcharge. Later we hear from homeless folks who are speaking out after the city announced plans to relocate them after complaints from Upper West Side residents.
Managing Editor: Jackie Harris
Host/Producer: Megan Burney
Associate Producer: Holly DeMuth
Reporting by Ashley Rodriguez, Valen Iricibar, Ali McPherson, and Erika Wheless.
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Guest: Rachel Holliday Smith
For more info on AudioFiles: www.audiofilespodcast.com