Commonspace

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Commonspace, a collaboration by WHYY and First Person Arts, shares remarkable true stories that speak to the pressing issues of our time. Whatever tomorrow’s news cycle may bring, we’ll be here with real life stories to put it all into context. This Commonspace is your springboard for processing t…

WHYY


    • Jul 10, 2018 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 52 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Commonspace

    The Storytelling Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2018 29:33


    In this season 2 finale, all-star Commonspace storytellers gather around a table to discuss their craft and creative passion. The post The Storytelling Mind appeared first on Commonspace.

    The One Who Laughs Last

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2018 20:36


    Comedian Margaret Cho gives voice to difficulties in her life through comedy. The post The One Who Laughs Last appeared first on Commonspace.

    Good, Giving, and Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2018 29:00


    What do an egg donor, Australian vacationer, and orgy attendee have in common? They’re leaving judgements about sex at the door. The post Good, Giving, and Game appeared first on Commonspace.

    Feels Like the First Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2018 23:14


    The first time trying anything is likely to be awkward and clumsy. Sex does not seem to be an exception. The post Feels Like the First Time appeared first on Commonspace.

    A Journey of Her Own

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2018 25:11


    As a child, Sok Be and her family fled Cambodia on a bicycle. Now, she reflects her mother’s bravery and selfless sacrifices. The post A Journey of Her Own appeared first on Commonspace.

    A Phoenix Must First Burn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2018 16:47


    Writers Cecily Kellogg and Charlie O’Hay reflect on losing twin boys and their grieving process. The post A Phoenix Must First Burn appeared first on Commonspace.

    Unexpected

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2018 16:17


    From complicated pregnancies to raising children with special needs, these storytellers open up about being a mother in the face of difficult circumstances. The post Unexpected appeared first on Commonspace.

    Breaking the Class Ceiling

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2018 22:38


    If achieving “The American Dream” is a game, how do you play the game? And what forces hold you back? Dr. Daniel Laurison expounds on wealth inequality and systematic class oppression. The post Breaking the Class Ceiling appeared first on Commonspace.

    Looking Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2018 76:27


    Education, race, sex and age are only a few aspects that make up class in America. These storytellers recount their journeys using art to navigate the class system. The post Looking Class appeared first on Commonspace.

    Pussy Riot Grabs Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2018 15:23


    Nadya Tolokonnikova has dedicated her life to disruption and resistance through art. But the fight is far from over. The post Pussy Riot Grabs Back appeared first on Commonspace.

    Beyond the Watch Tower

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2018 26:20


    Kyra felt prepared to leave the Jehovah’s Witnesses at 15 years old. Then the shunning began. The post Beyond the Watch Tower appeared first on Commonspace.

    She Was Always Amelia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2018 20:35


    One family’s touching transition meeting the daughter they always had. The post She Was Always Amelia appeared first on Commonspace.

    No Man is a Failure Who Has Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2018 13:52


    After his mother’s arrest, a young man is responsible for paying his family’s past-due rent…with a little help from his friends. The post No Man is a Failure Who Has Friends appeared first on Commonspace.

    Denied

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2018 17:48


    Even the seemingly best attorneys and absolving witness statements haven’t exonerated Chester Hollman – but his family refuses to give up hope. The post Denied appeared first on Commonspace.

    The Waiting Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2018 25:54


    Giovanni Reid spent 26 years behind bars. After his release, Giovanni reflects on the trials and tribulations of representing himself from jail. The post The Waiting Game appeared first on Commonspace.

    Ashes to Ashes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2018 15:18


    When we die, what do we leave behind? And where does it go? The post Ashes to Ashes appeared first on Commonspace.

    Welcome to the End

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2018 31:02


    Thinking about mortality can be grim. These artists and storytellers don’t want you to fear the reaper. The post Welcome to the End appeared first on Commonspace.

    Going Out with a Bang

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2018 14:21


    Sometimes the party doesn’t start until life is over. The post Going Out with a Bang appeared first on Commonspace.

    I Am a Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2018 31:28


    A doctor, an athlete, an educator, and a veteran join Commonspace host Jamie J. in an honest discussion about living as Black men in America. The post I Am a Man appeared first on Commonspace.

    Verse

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2017 21:10


    Many storytellers express their political and personal concerns through poetry. We look back on some of the best poems from Commonspace Season 1, including work from Ross Gay and Emi Mahmoud. The post Verse appeared first on Commonspace.

    One Step Forward, One Look Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2017 56:28


    From the silence breakers to the bathroom ban and immigrant hardships, Commonspace reflects on 2017 with true, brave stories from those who stood up and spoke out. The post One Step Forward, One Look Back appeared first on Commonspace.

    Transforming Traditions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2017 30:13


    Holiday traditions wax and wane naturally over generations. Three guests share their own renditions of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. The post Transforming Traditions appeared first on Commonspace.

    Hospice for the Holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2017 18:42


    As a hospice nurse, Nina has spent many holidays with patients who have a difficult decision to make: live or die. The post Hospice for the Holidays appeared first on Commonspace.

    Holiday Seasoning

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2017 56:05


    Between hiding from family members on Thanksgiving, and sneaking Christmas trees into Saudi Arabia, these storytellers reveal their classic holiday memories. The post Holiday Seasoning appeared first on Commonspace.

    Look For the Helpers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2017 22:57


    Natural disasters are a devastating part of life worldwide. In the face of catastrophe, who takes the lead to help? The post Look For the Helpers appeared first on Commonspace.

    Gen. R(esilient)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2017 17:07


    Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg’s work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia centers on building resilience in kids. But how do you teach resilience to a child with a weak support system or traumatic past? The post Gen. R(esilient) appeared first on Commonspace.

    Haunted

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2017 56:06


    Storytellers reminisce about prevailing over troubling childhood moments— and look to the next generation of courageous kids. The post Haunted appeared first on Commonspace.

    The Path of Peace Resistance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2017 37:37


    Cathie Berrey Green has participated in large and small-scale protests since she was 16. In a time of great political anxiety, what can people learn from her? Step one: keep your cool. The post The Path of Peace Resistance appeared first on Commonspace.

    App-tivism

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2017 13:52


    Is “slacktivism” real political action, or just feel-good futility? Jumping into political activism can be intimidating and time consuming, but utilizing civic-minded technology is a great place to start. One app helps people stay informed and in contact […] The post App-tivism appeared first on Commonspace.

    What We’ve Gained & What We’ve Lost

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2017 33:44


    In every Philadelphia neighborhood, the social and architectural history from past generations is still visible. It fills residents with a sense of place and home. But what happens when the old family grocery store is scrapped for a […] The post What We’ve Gained & What We’ve Lost appeared first on Commonspace.

    Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2017 14:43


    The debate surrounding gentrification continues in cities across America, including Philadelphia. PlanPhilly reporter Jim Saksa provides context for this debate. The post Won’t You Be My Neighbor? appeared first on Commonspace.

    Gentrified

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2017 56:46


    Is it revitalization or displacement? Hear true stories of the real impact of gentrification. The post Gentrified appeared first on Commonspace.

    Woke-abulary

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2017 12:45


    Words are alive and go through cycles of meaning. The powerful “woke,” political and provocative, has lost some of its punch as it has been adopted and co-opted. The post Woke-abulary appeared first on Commonspace.

    How much to tell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2017 39:08


    It takes courage to transform a personal experience into a performance story. That’s what we like about these three risk-taking story tellers. The post How much to tell appeared first on Commonspace.

    Woke

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2017 55:51


    What does it mean to be "woke?" Are YOU woke? The post Woke appeared first on Commonspace.

    It’s Not Easy Being “B”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2017 20:56


    Bisexuality is neither a fad nor a statement–it’s an identity. Two bisexual people of color talk about their experiences and the complications brought on by society’s discomfort about anything having to do with gender, sexuality and race. The post It’s Not Easy Being “B” appeared first on Commonspace.

    Wholeheartedly Trans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2017 23:41


    Love is hard to find at any time, so what are the chances of a transgender marriage commitment? A trans couple opens up about their journey. The post Wholeheartedly Trans appeared first on Commonspace.

    Gay Pride and Prejudice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2017 54:49


    Parades are celebrating LGBTQ rights around the country. More visibility has increased recognition of gay communities as integral parts of American life. But not for everyone; some still view them with contempt - even aggression and outright violence. Our stories explore both worlds. The post Gay Pride and Prejudice appeared first on Commonspace.

    Like Father, Like Son?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2017 18:35


    Edwin Desamour used to share a prison cell with his father. But today, he’s created a new legacy for his own sons. The post Like Father, Like Son? appeared first on Commonspace.

    Who’s Your Daddy?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2017 52:16


    From a cowboy with a secret obsession to a dad called “Mom,” fathers and children share unexpected and heartfelt stories all about dads. The post Who’s Your Daddy? appeared first on Commonspace.

    Teachers! Why Do They Do It?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2017 19:20


    Taking a cue from memories about the best and the worst teachers they had, these educators talk about the emotional costs and rewards of working with students – and the reasons they continue to do it. The post Teachers! Why Do They Do It? appeared first on Commonspace.

    From Superbowl to Superintendent

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2017 21:08


    It takes a tough teacher to rise to the level of superintendent. Dr. William Hite talks about his early dreams of football stardom, and the mentors, teachers and students who changed his course. In charge of 300 schools, […] The post From Superbowl to Superintendent appeared first on Commonspace.

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