Writing Careers: Write for Radio – Meet Jesse Thorn: American Radio Star
by Julia H. Jackson
Jesse Thorn, also known as “America’s Radio Sweetheart,” is the creator, host, and producer of the nationally syndicated radio show The Sound of Young America. Jesse sums up his philosophy best on his blog and public forum, MaximumFun.org, by simply explaining that The Sound of Young America is “a public radio show about things that are awesome.” By “things,” he means writers, comedians, filmmakers, musicians, and entertainment personalities such as David Cross, Ira Glass, Patton Oswalt, John Hodgman, and Art Spieglman.
Jesse got his start at UC Santa Cruz, where he and his friends Jordan Morris and Gene O’Neill began the program in 2000. After a few years of co-hosting, Jesse went solo in fall 2004, and made the program available as an Itunes podcast later that year. Public Radio International began distributing The Sound of Young America nationally in 2006.
In addition to The Sound of Young America, Jesse also produces and co-hosts Jordan, Jesse, GO!, manages the MaximumFun forum, and produces the Kasper Hauser and Coyle and Sharpe comedy podcasts. In this installment of Writing Careers: Real Tips from Real Writers, Jesse shared some insight on what it means to be a public radio host.
How did you get interested in public radio?
I was always a public radio listener. Whatever its faults, and it certainly has some, you can rely on public radio to treat you like a human being with a brain, which is more than can be said of almost any other mass media outlet. I knew that if I made something, I would want it to talk up to my audience, and not down, and public radio was the one place where that was an asset and not a liability.
Like a lot of younger people in public radio, it was when I heard This American Life, in high school, that it occurred to me that maybe there was a place for me in public radio. Not because I wanted to make something like that, but because it wasn’t news, which I had no interest in, and it was something completely different. It reminded me that the values of public radio — intelligence, patience, that kind of thing — were at its core, not a particular demographic.
Who or what inspired you to create the Sound of Young America?
I just invited my two funniest friends (Jordan Morris and Gene O’Neill) to do a radio show with me, basically. Once I figured out how easy it was to get on the air, it seemed like a natural decision. As far as what kept me doing it, I guess you’d say inertia. I knew I liked doing it, but I didn’t know how I could make a living, so I figured I might as well keep on driving down to Santa Cruz until I figured it out. The school was supportive in that they let me continue, but it was a very hands-off situation. Everyone at the station was doing their own thing on the air, and while I never exactly had any mentorship or instruction, nobody ever bothered me and everyone was exceptionally nice. That was actually more important than it may sound, because I was doing something that was pretty out of character for the station.
How do you choose your guests?
I listen to my listeners, and I follow my own interests and passions. I’m in constant dialogue with my audience about guests, but I also have really strong tastes, and I think those tastes are what make the show special. It isn’t the widest-ranging show on the air, but I don’t think it should be. It’s a place for discovery, curated like a great boutique.
What advice do you have for students interested in radio and/or podcasting?
Get started and get better. Audio equipment will cost you a couple hundred bucks. You can edit on the computer you already have. Start a podcast, work to make it good, and make new material regularly. Focus on improving your product. Share it, get feedback. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Have thoughts for Jesse, or want to learn more about public radio? The Sound of Young America is carried by many local radio stations, and is available as a free podcast through iTunes. You can also join the MaximumFun forum to learn more about his upcoming projects.
