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Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz

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In 2004, a racial controversy erupted at a small, mostly white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts. There were protests. TV news crews. A tense all-school assembly. And then, an announcement: the school would stage an iconic American musical that no one saw coming. This is the story of that production. Coming June 2025.

Radiotopia Presents premiers short multi-episode series in one... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes163Founded8 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for We're Doing the Wiz

Latest Episodes

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would b... more

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would b... more

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would b... more

Welcome to September. Public media has had a rough summer. On July 18th, Congress passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which eliminated $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then on August 1st, CPB announced they would b... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Laura Sullivan
Correspondent on the investigations team at NPR
NPR
Episode: Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
Chuck Edwards
Congressman representing western North Carolina
Episode: Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
Shalena Jordan
Daughter of the missing couple, Nola and Robert Ramsor
Episode: Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
Ben Larabee
Resident who experienced flooding from Hurricane Helene
Episode: Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
Ray Kurzweil
Futurist and inventor known for his predictions on artificial intelligence and longevity
Episode: Prophets of Technology from TED Radio Hour
Stewart Brand
Pioneer of the Whole Earth catalog and cultural activist influencing tech developments and environmental consciousness
Episode: Prophets of Technology from TED Radio Hour
LaKia Bailey
Played Evelyn in The Wiz.
Episode: We're Doing The Wiz 4 - Pass the Squeeze
Cale Guthrie Weissman
Played the Cowardly Lion in The Wiz.
Episode: We're Doing The Wiz 4 - Pass the Squeeze
Daniel Plimpton
Played the Scarecrow in The Wiz.
Episode: We're Doing The Wiz 4 - Pass the Squeeze

Hosts

Sakina Ibrahim
Co-host of We're Doing the Wiz and an important voice exploring cultural narratives through the arts.
Ian Koss
Co-host of We're Doing the Wiz, focusing on collaboration and the shared human experience in storytelling.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Limited depth/capacity for self-reflection

    As someone who grew up “behind the tofu curtain,” I have found the hosts to be unreliable narrators with limited depth/capacity for self-reflection. Is it wild for a majority white school in a majority white community to perform The Wiz? Of course it is. That should have been apparent 20 yrs ago, and was apparent to many of the hosts classmates…just not ones they were friends with/interviewed. That music director thinks he’s a hero, but seemingly just enabled teens with needed mental health prof... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ugottheluv
    United States2 months ago
  • Great Insight into High School and Theatre… and what we can do better

    Absolutely LOVED We’re Doing the Wiz… sent me right back to high school theatre but with an eye to how I teach today and what conversations we need to KEEP having with students.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Musicalgirl1388
    United States2 months ago
  • Self indulgent at best.

    The girl who played Dorothy seems high off her own farts. Ian lacks self-reflection and growth. What these kids needed were real adults to keep them safe, not wannabe rockstars.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    galaxygal<3
    United States2 months ago
  • We’re doing the wiz

    So boring. Great production, of course. But it was basically people recounting their time in a HS play. Boring

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    MyNameisTickles
    United States3 months ago
  • We’re Doing the Wiz!!!

    I want more!! As a theatre kid, this podcast had be welling up and shedding tears on public transport! I loved their storytelling and truly just want to hear more stories like this (I know they’re out there!) well done to everyone involved in making this season:)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mariiimac
    Canada3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the deep exploration of race and identity in a relatable high school setting.
There are contrasting opinions on the depth of self-reflection among hosts, with some finding it lacking.
Feedback indicates that the podcast's blend of personal narrative and societal critique is both engaging and impactful.
The storytelling resonates well with audiences, often evoking strong emotions and connections to their own experiences.
Many listeners express enthusiasm for the authenticity of discussions surrounding cultural representations in theater.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
Q: Why is there political resistance to improving building codes and disaster preparation?
Property rights concerns lead some lawmakers to oppose regulations that would require homeowners to rebuild to higher standards, making recovery more complicated.
Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
Q: What are some challenges faced by communities in rebuilding after a disaster?
Communities are often hindered by outdated building codes, lack of adequate federal programs, and conflicting interests among property owners and developers.
Helene's Deadly Warning from NPR's Up First
Q: What was the impact of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina?
Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage, wiping out entire towns, with significant loss of property and lives, leaving communities struggling to rebuild.
Prophets of Technology from TED Radio Hour
Q: What are some of the key ethical considerations surrounding AI and the technological advancements you discuss?
Kurzweil acknowledges that while technology offers great promise, there are ethical implications and potential dangers that must be managed as technology profoundly impacts society and individual identity.
Prophets of Technology from TED Radio Hour
Q: What is Longevity Escape Velocity, and how do you envision it happening?
Kurzweil elaborates that Longevity Escape Velocity is when advancements in medical technology and science can allow individuals to regain more years of life than they lose each year due to aging, ultimately leading to extended lifespans.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About We're Doing the Wiz

What is We're Doing the Wiz about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This engaging podcast explores the significant impact of a high school production of 'The Wiz' at a predominantly white performing arts school in rural Massachusetts. It highlights the complexities of race, identity, and artistic expression interwoven with the students' personal experiences during contentious times. The narrative is enriched by a mix of interviews, reflections, and anecdotes, making it both a critical examination of societal issues and a celebration of cultural stories. Episodes present an intriguing blend of personal journeys and broader social commentary, ensuring listeners connect deeply with the themes of representation and the transformative power of the arts.

Notably, the podcast is unique in its ability to merge art... more

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Which podcasts are similar to We're Doing the Wiz?

These podcasts share a similar audience with We're Doing the Wiz:

1. Proxy with Yowei Shaw
2. This American Life
3. Normal Gossip
4. Ear Hustle
5. Code Switch

How many episodes of We're Doing the Wiz are there?

We're Doing the Wiz launched 8 years ago and published 163 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on We're Doing the Wiz?

Recent guests on We're Doing the Wiz include:

1. Laura Sullivan
2. Chuck Edwards
3. Shalena Jordan
4. Ben Larabee
5. Ray Kurzweil
6. Stewart Brand
7. LaKia Bailey
8. Cale Guthrie Weissman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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