When life gives the radio lemons... make an online series about sandwiches?

As NPR gracefully, or not so gracefully, ages in the 21st century some cosmetic changes must be made. The most noticeable, a full on face lift of their online presence. When NPR first came into the internet domain, it was to expand the platforms for which their normal content could be streamed. A library of podcasts and extended versions of their regular programming. That NPR.org does not exist anymore, but merely shadows of what it once was. The current NPR.org may as well be NPR magazine, a hipster's paradise to report on virtually anything possible. With this mindset, the Chicago office created "Sandwich Monday."

As the population of amateur foodies is on the rise so is the need to document food. The Chicago office does this with flare. Younger generations aren't interested in African politics or small town governments coming under fire. They want entertainment, tailored to the trends of today, and "Sandwich Monday" satisfies their appetite.

Similar to a college paper feature "Sandwich Monday" is a room full of fresh college grads and young interns chomping down on the latest food trends. Even better, they offer a dry, sardonic commentary that adds the perfect dash of snark in the morning. But is it enough to save NPR? The question I find myself asking each week. It seems pretty drastic for NPR to create a food blog like this, considering the upper crust inherent pompousness of "The American Table" feeds right into NPR's upper crust audience. "Sandwich Monday" is fresh, made to order, and somewhat like a late night snack, what young people want in their media.

Serial: Serial killer for the public radio market or NPR's new best friend?

'Serial' the explosively popular podcast that reheats a cold 15 year old murder case is changing the listening habits of NPR listeners. As serial is available online on a weekly episode basis, listeners can hear host Sarah Koenig personally read them a cliff hanger bedtime story any time they desire. 'Serial' is personal, intimate, but addictive and wild as the story of Mae Hin Lee and Adnan Syed unfolds. The millions of devout followers of Koenig's creation can thank good 'ole NPR, as 'Serial' is a spin off of the "This American Life" cohort. If it wasn't for NPR, finding justice, or closure for some, would have not been attainable.

If there were no public radio, there would be no WBEZ in Chicago, where “This American Life” began, which means there would be no offshoot like “Serial.” When you listen to Ms. Koenig slowly heating up a cold case, doing interviews that are built on conversations, not sound bites, and taking up to an hour to unfurl a single episode, you are getting aesthetic storytelling that feels like the best of public radio. 

But public radio was not what I was listening to last Thursday, and therein lies the problem for shows like NPR’s “All Things Considered” or American Public Media’s “Marketplace.” For the time being, part of my mindshare belongs to Ms. Koenig and her riveting exploration of a terrible event that took place among a group of friends at a Baltimore-area high school. -David Carr, NY Times

Public radio fuels the thinkers and creative spirits, or truth seeking individuals needed to support a show like 'Serial'. Starting as a modest podcast, using their wild popularity 'Serial' could take their hour long segments to the airwaves, boosting ratings exponentially. David Carr of The New York Times, calls 'Serial', "the best of public radio" but ironically it is only available online. It follows the format of similar NPR programs, however, the subject matter appeals to a larger audience. Ms. Koenig and her colleagues could do wonders for both their brand and the NPR label if they combined forces, serving justice and cooking up success. Your move, NPR.