10/6/11: The Genius of Jad Abumrad

KUER 90.1 | By Doug Fabrizio

Published October 5, 2011 at 4:18 PM MDT

Radiolab co-host Jad Abumrad is a genius. People in the radio business have known that for years. But last month he was certified when the MacArthur Foundation awarded him a "genius grant" for "bringing a distinct new aesthetic" to broadcast journalism by melding music and storytelling into a singular audio experience. Jad thinks public radio should be more chaotic, more joyous and more lifelike. On Thursday, Doug's talking with Jad to find out what goes on inside the mind of a radio genius.

Listen to Jad's inspiring key note address at last months's Public Radio Programming Conference.
Read Ira Glass' appreciation of Radiolab.
Nieman Journalism Lab has a really great interview-ish article about Jad.

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Doug Fabrizio

Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

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