Julia Barton and the Invisible Clock of Audio Stories
Summary
Hosts Rob McGinley Myers and Brita Green interview Julia Barton, VP at Pushkin Industries, about her career from editing *Weekend America* to pioneering audio storytelling. They discuss her experimental "Do the Fucking Dishes" podcast, a *99% Invisible* episode on broadcast clocks, and her research into radio’s history. Barton explores why audio is often undervalued and her efforts to legitimize it through audiobooks and anthologies.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Weekend America and Rob's first story
Julia Barton's editing style and the Valentine's Day letter
Julia's departure from public radio and freelance struggles
The 'Fucking Dishes' podcast experiment and daily recording
Roman Mars and the Unsung Icons of Soviet Design
The broadcast clock, anxiety dreams, and radio history
Julia's work with Malcolm Gladwell and audiobooks
The Best American Audio anthology and discovery
The history of radio funding and the device tax
Neil Conan, whale song, and the rigidity of live radio
Behind the scenes of the recording session
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