Abumbrad created and co-hosted the program “Radiolab.” And in 2019, he released “Dolly Parton’s America.” He interviewed Dolly a dozen times, and here’s what he discovered: in a nation that was divided then and still is now, everyone loves Dolly Parton. Her “sad ass” songs about mistreated women, her celebrations of working people of all kinds—even just the idea of Dolly Parton captures hearts across race and class. But Abumrad’s podcast isn’t just about how amazing Parton is; it’s a deep exploration of a great American icon “at the crossroads of America’s culture wars.” We’re rebroadcasting our conversation with Jad Abumbrad about “Dolly Parton’s America.”
GUEST –
Jad Abumbrad | He’s a radio journalist, the creator of “Radiolab” and a host of “More Perfect.” His podcast “Dolly Parton’s America.”
Original Airdate: October 1, 2019