John O'Brien
Producer, Speakers Forum
About
John O’Brien produces Speakers Forum at KUOW. He learned to love radio as a child waking up one summer morning to the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel. As a teenager, he would drive the back roads of Indiana and Michigan late at night listening to vintage radio theater. The question of whether or not he had the legal right to drive then remains a mystery. Only The Shadow knows. Inspired by a chance meeting with Noah Adams, he learned to make radio as an intern on KUOW’s The Conversation with Ross Reynolds. John has been recording talks for Speakers Forum since 2007. Early on he learned Seattle is a Mecca for any touring speaker because Seattleites read so much, support a wide variety of venues and ask smart questions. He says that makes his job easy and always interesting. John is a graduate of St. Johns College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Podcasts
Stories
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KUOW Newsroom
Vashon Island ‘Band of Brothers’ program focuses on identity and healthy masculinity
‘One of the things that surprises me is how contagious vulnerability can be.’
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KUOW Newsroom
A personal, hopeful view of the enduring legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
‘The world has changed, partly because of her work, as an individual, as a lawyer, as a judge, as a feminist.’
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KUOW Newsroom
Coping amid disaster: How we can mentally prepare for a pandemic winter
Mental health professionals anticipate that roughly 3 million Washingtonians will have "clinically significant symptoms" by the end of 2020.
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KUOW Newsroom
Washington state’s new Teacher of the Year sees challenges, opportunities amid distance learning
‘I think teaching is an act of love.’
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KUOW Newsroom
When two civil rights eras collide: The stalwart and the newcomer
Larry Gossett and Girmay Zahilay reflect on leading communities through protests.
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Speakers Forum
It was an economic theory with little traction, then the pandemic hit
Modern Monetary Theory and you, with Stephanie Kelton
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KUOW Newsroom
Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett on her prediction for Nov. 3, and the protests
‘It's going to be up to every American to say we have a responsibility to heal these wounds, too.’
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KUOW Newsroom
Why it’s crucial to get a flu shot as the Covid-19 pandemic continues
‘Even if it prevents 40% of infections, when you look at how many cases of influenza happen every year, that is a very, very large number.’
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KUOW Newsroom
A park. A protest. Cal Anderson remains in flux
‘…perhaps the idea was that security guards might be able to tell people to leave the park.’
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Patty Murray frustrated with U.S. Senate leadership, but hopeful for action
‘That leadership is really lacking right now, and so frustrating to me.’