Telescope

Telescope

Sony Music Entertainment

Welcome to the new normal. For so many of us around the globe, our lives have been forever changed by the coronavirus. And we will never be the same. On Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays for the foreseeable future, Neon Hum's Jonathan Hirsch will bring you stories of people who are far away...up close. Stories of how each of us are learning to live through this pandemic.

Introducing Smoke Screen: Deadly Cure

Introducing Smoke Screen: Deadly Cure

Smoke Screen: Deadly Cure is a podcast about a family on the fringe who convinced tens of thousands of people across the globe to buy a miracle liquid made of poison, the international conspiracy they ignited, and the people who fought to take them down. Smoke Screen: Deadly Cure is a Neon Hum Media, Bloomberg & Sony Music Entertainment production. Want the full story? Unlock all episodes of Smoke Screen: Deadly Cure, ad-free right now by subscribing to The Binge — All Episodes. A

Feb 1, 2023 • 7:25

Introducing: The Sellout

Introducing: The Sellout

From Neon Hum Media and L.A. Taco, this is Smoke Screen: The Sellout, a podcast about a politician dogged by allegations of corruption, harassment and pathological pettiness. It’s about the residents who fought gentrification even as their neighborhoods were auctioned off to the highest bidder. And it’s about a community that feels the pain of betrayal – from one of their own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 26, 2021 • 8:33

Where Are They Now?

Where Are They Now?

It sometimes feels like we’re living in a time warp. Like we just went into lockdown. But it’s been four months – and the whole world is different now than it was then. After 50 episodes of Telescope, we’re checking back in with five people we spoke to this season, to see how they’re handling the new normal.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporters: Catherine Saint Louis, Joanna Clay, Tanner Robbins, Carla Green & Jonathan HirschProducer: Carla Green

Jul 24, 2020 • 30:13

Thank You Letter

Thank You Letter

Eleven-year-old Emerson Weber has something of a hobby: she loves to write letters. And one day, she decided to write one to the person who makes her hobby possible -- her mailman. And, to her surprise, that gesture went much, much further than she ever imagined.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Joanna ClayEditors: Vikram Patel & Catherine Saint LouisEngineer: Mark BushMusic by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot SessionsFollow us on

Jul 22, 2020 • 20:35

A Good Death With Caitlin Doughty

A Good Death With Caitlin Doughty

Caitlin Doughty wants you to reconsider your relationship with death. She’s a funeral director and “Death Positivity” advocate in Los Angeles. And she believes that facing your own mortality can be transformative, even in the middle of a pandemic. Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Tanner Robbins Editors: Vikram Patel & Catherine Saint Louis Engineer: Scott Somerville Music by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot Sessions Follow us on Twitter and Instag

Jul 20, 2020 • 25:10

Predicting A Pandemic With Ed Yong

Predicting A Pandemic With Ed Yong

Science journalist Ed Yong covers the pandemic for The Atlantic. But he also saw it coming, writing a story two years ago predicting the issues that we’re seeing now in the U.S. He reflected on hindsight compared to what he sees now and how this pandemic might end.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteProducer: Joanna ClayEditors: Vikram Patel & Catherine Saint LouisEngineer: Scott SomervilleMusic by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot SessionsFollow us on Twitte

Jul 17, 2020 • 23:36

The Show Must Go On

The Show Must Go On

As the pandemic shuttered stages across the country, playwright Qui Nguyen wanted to give schools a little bit of hope. He took his popular play, She Kills Monsters, and adapted it for video conferencing, with all new cues and ideas. The University of Pittsburgh had put on the play in 2018. They knew the show well. So they thought they’d try to revive it on Skype. How much could be different?Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Kate M

Jul 15, 2020 • 21:16

Shut Out

Shut Out

Something about these long hot days just feels off when there isn’t a baseball game on in the background. Games are about to start up again, but without any fans or most of the stadium staff. Today, we hear from a Dodger Stadium employee who has worked there every season for almost three decades -- until this year -- and what missing this season means for her and her family. Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Hayley Fager Editors: Vikram Pate

Jul 13, 2020 • 23:00

Voting Rights And Wrongs With Sam Levine

Voting Rights And Wrongs With Sam Levine

American democracy is complicated, especially when it comes to voting. Sam Levine is a journalist covering voter rights at The Guardian. As the 2020 election approaches, Sam will help us understand what is going right and what is going wrong as we prepare to go to the ballot box in November.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteProducer: Tanner RobbinsEditors: Vikram Patel & Catherine Saint LouisEngineer: Scott SomervilleMusic by Matt McGinley & Blue D

Jul 10, 2020 • 28:39

Rubber Bullets

Rubber Bullets

Derrick Sanderlin was well-acquainted with the San Jose police department – he volunteered his time to train police on implicit bias. Then, he found himself at a protest where that very same police department was indiscriminately firing rubber bullets at the crowd. Derrick stepped up to try to deescalate the situation – and found that it was impossible.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter: Catherine Saint LouisProducer: Carla GreenEditors: Vikram Pat

Jul 8, 2020 • 33:59

Education: Should You Sue Your College?

Education: Should You Sue Your College?

As COVID settled over college campuses, most schools moved students’ education entirely online. It was a necessary move, designed to prevent the spread of the virus. But American college tuition now costs tens – if not hundreds – of thousands of dollars. And coronavirus has, for the first time, moved students and their parents into the driver’s seat. Some have decided to sue the very schools they’d been so eager to gain admission to, demanding colleges give them some money back.Executiv

Jul 3, 2020 • 35:13

Education: Homeroom

Education: Homeroom

Teaching high school during a pandemic has been near impossible. Educators are in crisis mode. One English teacher in Flint, Michigan, has spent the last few months trying to teach remotely and worrying about her students. Students who have lost family members to COVID and are working essential jobs. But she also sees an opportunity to completely change the system.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Hayley FagerEditors: Vikram Patel

Jul 1, 2020 • 26:46

Education: Pre-K In A Pandemic

Education: Pre-K In A Pandemic

When stay-at-home orders hit, daycares and preschools across the country had to figure out new protocols. Some shut down. Some laid off staff. Some reopened to serve essential workers with new safety measures. We look at two early childhood educators -- Melissa Belnap in Oregon and Tanya Garcia in Los Angeles -- to see how two classrooms are adapting to this new normal.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 29, 2020 • 28:56

The Science Of Happiness With Laurie Santos

The Science Of Happiness With Laurie Santos

Dr. Laurie Santos is something of an expert at being happy. Her class “Psychology and the Good Life” became the most popular class at Yale University. She also hosts a podcast called “The Happiness Lab,” where she talks about counting blessings, battling misconceptions about happiness and maintaining good relationships -- lessons that feel even more relevant in the time of Covid-19. Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Kate Mishkin Editors: Vik

Jun 26, 2020 • 23:42

Deaf Anxiety

Deaf Anxiety

Now that many of us are in isolation, we have to use technology to communicate with each other. But that technology isn’t always built with everyone in mind. On today’s episode, we talk about what the transition to virtual learning -- and to quarantine life in general -- has meant for one person in the Deaf community as she spends her last semester of college online.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter: Catherine Saint LouisProducer: Hayley FagerEdit

Jun 24, 2020 • 25:48

On The Front Lines

On The Front Lines

For many of us, our weekly trip to the grocery store is the most dangerous outing of the week. The place we’re most likely to be exposed to coronavirus. Today on Telescope, we spend some time with two people who are spending forty hours a week in those stores – praying that they don’t get sick. Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Carla Green Editors: Catherine Saint Louis & Vikram Patel Engineer: Scott Somerville Music by Matt McGinley & Blue

Jun 22, 2020 • 24:42

Black Lives: Juneteenth With Soledad O'Brien

Black Lives: Juneteenth With Soledad O'Brien

Today is Juneteenth. It’s a holiday that marks the end of slavery in America, and for many it represents a second day of independence. As the mass protests against police brutality and systemic racism continue across the country, journalist Soledad O’Brien gives her take on how the media narratives around police are changing and how coronavirus helped inspire outrage.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteGuest Host: Catherine Saint LouisReporters: Catherine Sa

Jun 19, 2020 • 36:57

Black Lives: Tik-Toking Your Wokeness

Black Lives: Tik-Toking Your Wokeness

Social media’s role during this moment -- as we face two pandemics in the name of COVID and racism -- is cyclical. It’s both impacting and being impacted by the various tragedies that have unfolded over the last few months. To dig deeper into this phenomena, Neon Hum's Senior Editor Catherine Saint Louis speaks with Slate Magazine reporter Julia Craven about what we're seeing online with white people confronting their whiteness -- how it's different, how it's the same, and whether or no

Jun 17, 2020 • 26:15

Black Lives: Two Pandemics

Black Lives: Two Pandemics

Two activists share their journeys of leading anti-racism protests in response to the killing of George Floyd. KC Short -- an Army veteran based near San Diego -- quickly learned the ins and outs of organizing protests. Melina Abdullah, a longtime organizer and the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, juggles her efforts to defund the LAPD with the overwhelming response to thousands of people joining the protests she’s leading.Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschGuest Host &

Jun 15, 2020 • 40:18

Pride And Black Lives With Zach Stafford

Pride And Black Lives With Zach Stafford

Zach Stafford rose like a comet through the media, going from Huffington Post blogger to Editor-In-Chief of The Advocate magazine in just a few short years. As a Black gay man, Zach’s identity has driven him to fight the systemic problems in our society. Now, he wants LGBTQ Pride to meet the moment and stand up against police brutality. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Tanner Robbins Editors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram Patel Engin

Jun 5, 2020 • 31:27

My Dad

My Dad

Jonathan Hirsch and Seth Fischer tell the stories of their fathers. How their robust intellects fell to late-life mental illnesses. And how living in an elder-care facility made them especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteProducer: Kate MishkinEditors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram PatelEngineer: Mark BushMusic by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot SessionsFollow us on Twitter and Instagram: @neonhummedia. We want t

Jun 3, 2020 • 27:32

Olympians On Hold

Olympians On Hold

Olympic fencers Ysaora Thibus and Race Imboden were set to compete in the most important matches of their careers at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. But when the coronavirus postponed the Games until July 2021, the couple had to scrap their plans and make new ones. Now they have to figure out how to train while sheltering in place in Los Angeles, thousands of miles away from their training facility in Italy.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John As

Jun 1, 2020 • 24:49

Ignoring The Experts With Joel Stein

Ignoring The Experts With Joel Stein

As we all prepare for summer, we’re trying to decide what is safe and what isn’t safe to do. Joel Stein has been reporting on wealth disparities, risk analysis, and whether or not we trust experts to tell us what to do next. And according to his reporting, it seems like we aren’t going through this moment together. Our different circumstances -- jobs, living situations, mayors -- change how we experience this pandemic.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John

May 29, 2020 • 23:56

Korean Baseball

Korean Baseball

Live sports is one of the many things that’s halted during the pandemic. But recently ESPN the got rights to air South Korean baseball games. Dan Kurtz, a superfan, explains why the KBO is worth watching -- and why it holds a special place in his heart.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Joanna ClayEditor: Vikram PatelEngineer: Mark BushMusic by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot SessionsFollow us on Twitter and Instagram: @neon

May 27, 2020 • 21:22

Hot Tub Royalty

Hot Tub Royalty

During the coronavirus pandemic, most non-essential business have taken a hit. But there are always exceptions. And Todd Thornbury’s hot tub business in Southern California happens to be one of the more fascinating ones. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Natalie Rinn Editors: Vikram Patel & Jonathan Hirsch Engineer: Scott Somerville Music by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot Sessions Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @neonhummedia. We want

May 25, 2020 • 23:39

Slowing Down With Sam Sanders

Slowing Down With Sam Sanders

When Sam Sanders isn’t hosting NPR's "It’s Been A Minute," he’s watching TV and movies, reading books, and doing research for interviews with high profile celebrities. In quarantine, all of it has gotten to be a bit much. It’s made him realize that even before quarantine he was cramming too much stuff into his day.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Tanner RobbinsEditors: Vikram Patel & Catherine Saint LouisEngineer: S

May 22, 2020 • 20:26

Home School

Home School

Layla Besson is a special education teacher, and a mother of three boys. She’s well-organized, resourceful – knows how to juggle. But then, the lockdown started. And everything fell apart.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Carla GreenEditors: Vikram Patel & Catherine Saint LouisEngineer: Mark BushMusic by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot SessionsFollow us on Twitter and Instagram: @neonhummedia. We want to stay connected

May 20, 2020 • 22:52

Roommates

Roommates

Self-isolating has inevitably changed the dynamic of every household, but what are the particular nuances involved with quarantined roommates right now? On this episode, we explore three different roommate relationships to try and figure out how people are managing the highs and lows of isolating with housemates.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Mary KnaufEditor: Vikram PatelEngineer: Scott SomervilleMusic: Matt McGinley

May 18, 2020 • 21:25

Honeysuckle With Greyson Chance

Honeysuckle With Greyson Chance

Singer-songwriter Greyson Chance was preparing for one of the most exciting moments of his career, which included a world tour and a new album. When the pandemic hit, he felt like all his momentum deflated. But Greyson has found other ways to bring joy and music to his fans while back home in Oklahoma City.You can find Greyson's new single, "Honeysuckle," and more of his music here: https://greysonchancemusic.com/And you can find Sarah Ramey's book, "The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterio

May 15, 2020 • 18:15

Dad Diaries

Dad Diaries

Scott Duvall and his family, from Athens, Georgia, have been sheltering in place since before the stay at home order came down from Governor Brian Kemp. And in the weeks that followed, Scott realized he and his wife weren’t just processing this new normal -- but so were his three kids. COVID-19 proved to be a reality he couldn’t completely shelter them from.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Joanna ClayEditors: Vikram Pat

May 13, 2020 • 21:55

COVID Boyfriend

COVID Boyfriend

As the host of the podcast "The Lonely Hour," Julia Bainbridge has been studying loneliness in American life since well before we began isolating ourselves. When the pandemic began, her dating life started to feel lonely, as it was limited to the online world. But without the option to meet someone in real life, Julia found love in a hopeless place.Read the article on Julia's story in Refinery 29:https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/05/9794920/new-boyfriend-dating-during-coronavirus-st

May 11, 2020 • 22:37

The Big Picture With Nelufar Hedayat

The Big Picture With Nelufar Hedayat

Nelufar Hedayat wants to change the world one small step at a time. As the correspondent for Doha Debates and host of the Course Correction podcast, she’s personally taking on some of the largest issues facing the world. To her, COVID-19 is just another opportunity to find solutions for the problems facing us all.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Tanner RobbinsEditors: Vikram Patel, Catherine Saint LouisEngineer: Scott S

May 8, 2020 • 25:05

This Will End

This Will End

In Los Angeles, Rabbi Rose Prevezer and is helping young people reimagine what Jewish life could look like for them. Now, as coronavirus forces us to reimagine our daily life, there’s an even greater need to make those traditions last. And Rose’s organization, NuRoots, is finding creative ways to foster community in this unprecedented time. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Kate Mishkin Editors: Vikram Patel, Catherine Saint Louis Eng

May 6, 2020 • 23:16

Detained

Detained

There have been more than 400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people in ICE custody, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. Five of those people who tested positive were at the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas. Cristian Sanchez is an immigration attorney and some of his clients are in that detention center.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteProducer: Hayley FagerEditors: Vikram Patel, Catherine Saint Louis

May 4, 2020 • 18:31

Truth And Lies With Bassem Youssef

Truth And Lies With Bassem Youssef

Nine years ago, Bassem Youssef skyrocketed to fame as Egypt’s most famous satirist – the “Jon Stewart of the Middle East." Three years later, he was forced to flee, with death threats hanging over his head. He’s stuck in quarantine in the United States now, just like us. But despite all of America’s foibles, Bassem says he’s glad to be here.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteProducer: Carla GreenEditors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram PatelEnginee

May 1, 2020 • 22:44

Getting Hitched On Nintendo Switch: An Animal Crossing Wedding

Getting Hitched On Nintendo Switch: An Animal Crossing Wedding

“Animal Crossing” is one of the many Nintendo games blowing up right now during quarantine. Sharmin Asha and Nazmul Ahmed got obsessed with it -- around the same time they had to decide to cancel their April 12th wedding. This inspired Nazmul to come up with a creative way to show his love for Sharmin.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteReporter & Producer: Joanna ClayEditors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram PatelEngineer: Mark BushMusic by Matt

Apr 29, 2020 • 23:31

Stranded At Sea

Stranded At Sea

Addison Proctor and his family left their lives behind to sail across the Pacfic, but the world shut down right as their trip began. Now, they are anchored off the coast of Florida, with hurricane season right around the corner, and their fate in the hands of the coronavirus. Just waiting. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Producer: Vikram Patel, Kate Mishkin Editors: Catherine Saint Louis, Jonathan Hirsch Engineer: Scott Somerville Music by Matt McGinley

Apr 27, 2020 • 23:21

The Future Of Sports With Mina Kimes

The Future Of Sports With Mina Kimes

Sports in America and around the world are on hold, but that hasn’t stopped ESPN Daily host Mina Kimes. In the absence of the NBA playoffs and March Madness, she’s turned her focus to the plight of arena workers and minor leaguers whose jobs up and vanished in March. And though we like to think this hiatus is temporary, she thinks sports will never be the same. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Producer: Tanner Robbins Editors: Vikram Patel, Catherine Sai

Apr 24, 2020 • 19:33

Without Shelter

Without Shelter

Theo Henderson has lived outside a recreation center in Los Angeles’ Chinatown for the past seven years. Since the outbreak started, Theo’s been trying to stay far away from anyone who might have coronavirus. But he’s worried he might get it anyway. He’s worried the city of Los Angeles is going to give it to him. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter & Producer: Carla Green Editors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram Patel Engineer: Mark Bush Music by Mat

Apr 22, 2020 • 20:42

Sober Together

Sober Together

David and Jason are brothers. They describe themselves as opposites. David lives in Florida, has 4 kids and a partner. Jason, who is six years younger, is the cool uncle. He lives in Nevada and spends most of his time skiing and mountain biking. They do have one thing in common: they are both sober. And going through isolation has brought them together in ways they didn’t expect. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Reporter: Shara Morris Producers: Shara Mo

Apr 20, 2020 • 20:01

Tracking The Virus With Alexis Madrigal

Tracking The Virus With Alexis Madrigal

In early March, the Trump administration claimed that a million COVID tests were available, but nobody was keeping tabs on the results. Alexis Madrigal, Atlantic staff writer and co-founder of the Covid Tracking Project, talks about how he stumbled into leading the charge to track the virus, and what the lasting cultural impact of this virus will be.Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschManaging Producer: John AsanteProducer: Tanner RobbinsEditors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram

Apr 17, 2020 • 20:26

Closing Shop

Closing Shop

In Charleston, West Virginia, Kin Ship Goods is more than a shop — it’s an institution. In the middle of March, as Covid-19 came closer and closer, West Virginia still hadn’t reported its first case. But Kin Ship’s owners, Dan and Hillary, decided to do something few other businesses were doing: shut down. For a small business, closing shop was a risky move. Yet for Dan and Hillary, it was the right thing to do. Host & Executive Producer: Jonathan HirschProducer: Kate MishkinEditors

Apr 15, 2020 • 17:23

A Life's Work, On Hold

A Life's Work, On Hold

Dr. Anthony Lazzara dedicated his life to caring for destitute, sick children in a small village in Peru. But the coronavirus trapped him on the wrong continent, and now he is stuck, far away from the people who need him most. And it’s all he can do to keep things going from afar, until he’s finally allowed to return. Host & Executive Producer Jonathan Hirsch Editors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram Patel Producers: Carla Green, Jonathan Hirsch Managing Producer: John Asante Engineer: Scott Somer

Apr 13, 2020 • 14:51

Virtual Goodbye

Virtual Goodbye

When Hue-Tam canceled her trip to Vietnam because of the coronavirus, she had no idea what she would miss.Hue-Tam’s family is scattered around the globe, from Vietnam to France, and now California. But thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to communicate with your loved ones far away. You just don’t feel as far as you really are. You’re just a flight away, you tell yourself. Until one day, someone you love is dying and you can’t be there.Host & Executive Producer Jonathan Hirs

Apr 10, 2020 • 19:30

Comedy On Lockdown

Comedy On Lockdown

Chris Garcia is a comedian and TV writer living in LA. Before COVID-19, he was performing standup in front of live audiences two to three nights a week. But now, he’s got to find more creative ways to test jokes -- like talking to strangers through his phone. Host & Executive Producer Jonathan Hirsch Editors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram Patel Producers: Kate Mishkin, Jonathan Hirsch Engineer: Scott Somerville Music by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot Sessions Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @neonh

Apr 8, 2020 • 21:00

Doing Time

Doing Time

Drew made a huge mistake, and he paid for that mistake. More than he'd ever imagined he would. In May of 2019, he was arrested for a DUI and for evading the police. He was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail. His lawyer told him he'd only serve a few days. But an unforgivable error gave Drew a sentence that was way more than he bargained for. When he returned from jail, it was March 12th, 2020 -- the day the country irrevocably changed. Special thanks to Drew for sharing his story with us.

Apr 6, 2020 • 22:04

Hollywood Story

Hollywood Story

After several years of working non-union gigs as a set dresser for TV shows, Thomas earns security and steady work after joining a union. But when coronavirus brings show production to a screeching halt, he and over 100,000 workers in the entertainment industry are out of work. Now, Thomas is trying to figure out his next steps in a time of great uncertainty.Host & Executive Producer Jonathan HirschEditors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram Patel, Jonathan HirschReporter & Producer:

Apr 3, 2020 • 17:20

Abortion Under Covid

Abortion Under Covid

Dr. Alan Braid is an abortion doctor in San Antonio, Texas. His clinic is one of two that provides abortions in the city. Like all doctors these days during coronavirus, he has a new challenge. He doesn't have the resources and safety measures he needs to do his work. We caught up with Dr. Braid as some news was breaking in Texas.Host & Executive Producer Jonathan HirschEditors: Vikram Patel, Jonathan HirschProducers: Shara Morris, Hayley Fager, Joanna ClayReporter: Catherine Saint

Apr 1, 2020 • 19:40

Street Performer

Street Performer

A local legend, the mysterious Pied Piper of Pasadena is a man who rocks out hard in his car, with the windows down, while playing songs on his recorder. He was a fixture in the lives of many Angelenos, inspiring countless Youtube videos and internet memes. But where is he now? Producer Mary Knauf went in search of answers. Host & Executive Producer Jonathan Hirsch Editors: Vikram Patel, Catherine Saint Louis Producers: Mary Knauf, John Asante, Natalie Rinn Reporter: Mary Knauf Engineer: Scott

Mar 30, 2020 • 19:24

Drive-In Concert

Drive-In Concert

After their residency was shut down because of coronavirus, a group of musicians found a clever way to still perform for an audience: they organized a "drive-in concert" in the parking lot of a Vons grocery store in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.Thanks to Jeremiah Chiu and Celia Hollander for sharing their story.Special thanks to Dublab for their support of the concert. You can find the full broadcast of their show here.Watch the whole video fo the Italian piano player perfo

Mar 27, 2020 • 21:33

Imperfect Timing

Imperfect Timing

In this episode, we'll hear from Stacy. She and her husband have been trying to have kids for years which hasn't been easy. They're currently on their fourth round of IVF - a process that depends on perfectly timed schedules between hormone shots and embryo implants. But COVID-19 doesn't care about calendars and fertility rates. And now suddenly Stacy and her husband face some very consequential decisions.Host & Executive Producer Jonathan HirschEditors: Vikram Patel, Jonathan Hirsc

Mar 25, 2020 • 19:42

The Last Flight

The Last Flight

In the first episode of Telescope, we hear from Carmen Graterol, a Venezuelan living in Mexico City. On a planned trip to Caracas to visit family, suddenly it's unclear whether she'll be able to leave.Host & Executive Producer Jonathan HirschEditors: Catherine Saint Louis, Vikram PatelProducers: Shara Morris, John Asante, Mary KnaufEngineer: Scott SomervilleMusic by Matt McGinley & Blue Dot Sessions.Follow us on twitter and instagram @neonhummedia. We want to stay connected with

Mar 23, 2020 • 21:59

Introducing Telescope: Life In The Time Of Corona

Introducing Telescope: Life In The Time Of Corona

For so many of us around the globe, our lives have been forever changed by the Coronavirus. And we will never be the same. And yet, locked away in social isolation in our homes, away from our normal routine, we are searching for ways to connect with one another, ways to stay sane during this insane time. This is Telescope..a new show from Neon Hum Media. On Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays for the foreseeable future, we’re going to bring you stories of people who are far away -- up close

Mar 20, 2020 • 2:48

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