Our Common Nature: West Virginia Coal
Radiolab introduces a special episode from the series "Our Common Nature" in which host Ana Gonzalez and cellist Yo-Yo Ma explore West Virginia's coal country to understand how coal, music, race, and nature shape people's lives. Through stories from miners like Chris Saunders and his mother Zora, poet-activist Crystal Good, musician Kathy Matea, and others, the episode examines the pride, danger, and environmental harm tied to coal, as well as the resilience and community that persist in Appalachia. The journey weaves together mine history, the Upper Big Branch disaster, iconic songs, rafting on the New River, and intimate moments of grief and connection.
#623 - Gary Sinise
Actor and musician Gary Sinise discusses his decades-long mission to support military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through visits, performances, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. He explains how his experiences with Vietnam veterans, his role as Lieutenant Dan, and the post-9/11 wars led him into deep service work, including hospital visits, base tours, mental wellness initiatives, and programs for families of the fallen. Sinise also shares the story of his son Mac's rare cancer, profound faith, and musical legacy, and how Mac's compositions now support the foundation's work and help the family process their grief.
"Lionel Richie"
The hosts open with light banter about family, college move‑ins, and an infamous incident where Jason was photographed skipping an iPhone line before welcoming music legend Lionel Richie. Lionel shares stories from his upbringing in Tuskegee, Alabama, his early days with the Commodores, and how his nickname "Skeet" and lifelong friendships shaped his character. He dives into his intuitive songwriting process, the backstories of hits like "Hello," "Truly," and "Lady," the creation of "We Are the World," and reflects on kindness, gratitude, and surviving decades in the music business with his positivity intact.