podcast

Roving Mike in America

In October 2012 I quit my job at the ABC to travel America to meet and learn from radio producers, tour local NPR stations, and make short packages.

The three month trip was a unique time in US history; the Obama vs Romney presidential race was in full swing and just before the vote New York City was hit with Superstorm Sandy.

The experience was immense. Not only was it key to developing my craft as a storyteller, but it was also my first time overseas. Listening back to some of this work now I hear my voice developing, and remember the challenges I overcame, like recording script in a hostel room with seven guys.

With a recorder in one pocket and a camera in the other I was free, on the road. There really is nothing like going it alone.

Here are some of the stories I filed during this time.

Halloween costumes for dogs

The fun of dressing up for halloween does not need to stop with humans.

This pet store in San Francisco sells a wide range of costumes for dogs.

First broadcast on All the Best.

Live music at Austin Airport

When Austin-Bergstrom Airport was under construction a special task force made recommendations about what its philosophy should be.

The committee, along with the council, came to the conclusion that it should actively support local businesses. This is why you’ll find a wide selection of Austin restaurants at the airport — and no McDonalds.

In the same spirit the airport supports local musicians and today boasts 19 live music shows a week across six different venues within the airport. The project is part of the Music in the Air program which helps demonstrates why they call Austin the live music capital of the world.

Produced for the Austin Music Map and aired on Austin’s NPR affiliate, KUT 90.5.

One week on from Superstorm Sandy

On the eve of the 2012 US presidential election the clean up of New York City continues.

Many residents are still waiting for power to be turned back on after Superstorm Sandy flooded much of the lower Manhattan.

With these pressing issues and limited makeshift voting centres will survivors still make the effort to vote?

First broadcast on RN Drive.

Storm art damage overwhelms NYC conservators

The New York City the entertainment and arts community has begun assessing the impact of Superstorm Sandy. The city’s damage bill is set to exceed US $44 billion.

Broadway alone lost about US $8 million in just one week.

Meanwhile, in the subterranean art studios and galleries in downtown Manhattan, artists and gallery owners are left with millions of dollars worth of water damaged art.

First broadcast on RN’s Books and Arts Daily.

Picking a president while New York picks up the pieces

People on the east coast of the US still affected by Superstorm Sandy were forced to vote at makeshift polling booths today. Due to the mass displacement, many New Yorkers were able to vote at whatever district they happened to be in.

So did the way the candidates handled Sandy change their vote?

First broadcast on triple j’s Hack.

America decides: voxpopping the 2012 election

In the run up to the 2012 US presidential election I produced voxpops for RN Drive.

Americans in Barack Obama’s hometown of Chicago give their views on who won the first presidential candidates’ debate.

In the shadow of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge we find out if Americans are happy with the election policies from either party. What are they looking for from the candidates?

Undecided American voters will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the hard-fought US Presidential election. We went to a Greyhound bus station in Los Angeles to ask passengers their thoughts on undecided voters.

In Austin, Texas we ask if Americans could embrace compulsory voting.

Selling Christmas trees

A Christmas tree vendor explains how his job connected him to his estranged father.