John works with the radio team to create our weekly show, and is helping to build our State of Science Reporting Network. He’s also been a long-time guest host on Science Friday.
He and his wife have three cats, thousands of bees, and a yoga studio in the sleepy Northwest hills of Connecticut.
John likes building radio collaborations. He helped bring together 18 stations across the Northeast to cover environmental issues, which eventually led to the New England News Collaborative, worked with NPR on their Collaborative Coverage Project, and with the national talk program America Amplified.
For 25 years, John oversaw news programming at WNPR, where he started the daily talk show, Where We Live. He’s also produced award-winning long-form documentaries on mental health and care for the elderly, and hundreds of short stories for NPR and public radio stations, including one about virtual reality in dentistry that’s actually pretty embarrassing to listen to now.
You can also see him doing live events for The Connecticut Mirror, The Connecticut Forum, and The International Festival of Arts & Ideas.
John grew up in Pittsburgh, and is as big a Mr. Rogers fan as you’ll find anywhere.
12:08
Are Invasive Jumping Worms Taking Over?
This destructive earthworm may not harm your garden, but scientists are worried about its impacts on ecosystems.
17:29
Plastic Surgery, Born In The Trenches
A new book explores the surprising roots of facial reconstruction surgery—the battlefields of World War I.
17:33
The Strange, Scrambled Genomes Of Squids And Octopuses
For Cephalopod Week, two researchers explain the newest science about the fancy tricks and ineffable weirdness of these animals.
1:52
The World According to Sound: Listening to WiFi
Audio art that makes us consider the invisible streams of data that permeate our world.
5:13
Gun Violence Is A Public Health Issue
Research on gun violence was frozen for years. Now that funding is available, a look at what scientists are studying.
6:54
Don’t Panic About Monkeypox Yet, Says Expert
Dr. Anne Rimoin has studied monkeypox for decades. Here’s what she had to say about this latest surge.
11:01
Baby Formula 101: Feeding During A Shortage
Exasperated parents are trying everything to feed their babies during the formula shortage, but not all options are safe.
17:06
Diving Into The Deep World Of Sharks
Many sharks are apex predators, but they aren’t the fearsome threat often depicted. A marine researcher shares his favorite shark facts.
11:53
‘Breakthrough’ In Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Is Misleading
A leading expert in the field says few research samples makes it difficult to pinpoint the cause of sudden infant death syndrome.
17:06
Period Tracking Apps And Digital Privacy In A Post-Roe World
Personal health data, like the kind shared on period tracking apps, may be used in court if abortion protections are overturned.