John O'Brien
Producer, Speakers ForumYear started with KUOW: 2006
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.
To see more of John's KUOW portfolio, visit our current site.
-
In the struggle to shape what life on earth will be like years from now, visionary futurists inspire us with dread and hope at turns. Author Brenda Cooper… -
Northwesterners and people around the world have been inspired by Bill McKibben’s prolific environmental activism. McKibben took some time off from his… -
It seems there’s a "how things work" theme on Speakers Forum recently. Last week it was tides, this week, bees.Our guide is Thor Hanson, an uber-biologist… -
Before you listen to this talk by Jonathan White, you might want to be somewhere by the sea as the moon rises or sets. That would be ideal. If not that,… -
Skydiving is a once in a lifetime experience for most people, but not for Seattleite Stuart Williamson. He jumped last year for the first time, on his… -
The city of Flint, Michigan represents the height of American ingenuity, productivity and economic progress — and also the mirror opposite. What was once… -
The term “white fragility” was coined by the Seattle-based educator and author Robin DiAngelo.She defines it as “a state in which even a minimum amount of… -
Ben Rhodes was a 24-year-old aspiring writer living in New York on 9/11. What happened that day made him want to be part of the response. As you’ll hear…
-
Michael Bennett is a man who needs little introduction. He is famous as a professional football player, a philanthropist and an activist. Now, add author… -
Here’s the thing to know about Special Olympics athletes: They’re adrenaline junkies. And for some, the Games is the perfect outlet for that.“It feels…
