PRI’s picks for the best of 2013

There are many people at PRI whose voices you don’t usually hear on the radio and whose names don’t often appear on PRI.org. From accepting your donations to attending to stations and satellites, they are part of a big team that brings you PRI shows every day. We asked them to think back on the year and select some of their favorite stories. It's difficult to narrow this list down to just eight stories, but we hope you enjoy this look back at what some of us think is the best of PRI in 2013. We look forward to bringing you even more in 2014!

Harper High Parts One and Two: This American Life

"Harper High is truly unforgettable radio."
— Julia (Marketing)

Listen to Part One of Harper High here.

Listen to Part Two of Harper High here.

Not only did these two episodes of This American Life win The Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, which honors standouts in broadcast and digital journalism, but it was a favorite among staff as well.

In February 2013, This American Life devoted two episodes to the violence at Harper High School in Chicago. Last school year, 29 current and recent Harper students were shot. Twenty-one were wounded; eight died. Over the course of five months, This American Life sent reporters to the school and gained unusual access to students and administrators as they struggled to cope with the violence.

Beat Making Lab: PRI's The World

"These are such a talented artists and I love listening to the beats they create."
— Lisa B. (Individual Giving)

Pierce Freelon and Apple Juice Kid (aka Stephen Levitin) have developed the Beat Making Lab. Similar mobile studios exist, from central America to the South Pacific. Beat Making Lab started as a course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Pierce teaches in the departments of music and African, African American and Diaspora studies. We follow them on a trip to Ethiopia and how they are using rap for social good. You can view pictures and video related to this story here.

Studio 360's American Icon: The Disney Parks

"This story brought back such wonderful childhood memories!"
— Elton (Sponsorship)

Generations of Americans have grown up with Walt Disney shaping our imaginations. In 1955, Disney mixed up some fairy tales, a few historical facts, and a dream of the future to create an alternate universe. Not just a place for fun, but a scale model of a perfect world.

Studio 360's award-winning series "American Icons" brings us the inside story about the magic of the Disney Parks. View related photos and videos here.

India's Shifting Gender Roles: PRI's The World

"Rhitu perfectly captures the spirit of Sarita. I just can't forget this incredible child"
— Elisa (Individual Giving)

The gang rape (in late 2012) of a female student in New Delhi brought to light the violence women there can face. But at the same time, a growing number of Indian women are enjoying unprecedented opportunities.

To understand what's happening with those half a billion women and girls, reporter Rhitu Chatterjee brings us the delightful story of just one 12-year-old girl in India. View related photos and video here.

The Science, Fantasy and Romance of Time Travel: The Takeaway

"John Hockenberry never fails to get me thinking."
— Jonathan (PRI.org Editor)

In a special hour dedicated entirely to the science, strangeness and romance of time travel, The Takeaway talks with people from all walks of life to get a handle on time and travel and time travel. Among them: Danny Rubin, who wrote one of the most popular time travel movies of all time, "Groundhog Day;" Professor Michael Searles, an award winning historical re-enactor, whose character "Cowboy Mike" teaches audiences about 19th century African American frontier life; Nancy Stearns Bercaw, a writer who lives with the reality of her own time running out; theoretical physicist Fred Alan Wolf; Peter Galison, physicist and science historian, and others.

Memories of the Movement: The Tavis Smiley Show

"Hearing the actual voices makes this episode powerful."
— Mark (Content)

This special broadcast features the personal, poignant, sometimes painful, yet powerful memories of the Civil Rights Movement, from a few of the men and women who served on the front lines or played a vital role behind the scenes. Tavis celebrates the courage, conviction and commitment of ordinary people who made extraordinary contributions to American social progress.

Studio 360's American Icon: The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial

"So relevant for my generation, plus I have seen the Wall in person and am a great admirer of Maya Lin’s."
— Brooke (Legal)

This is the monument that changed how America remembers war. How do you build a monument to a war that was more tragic than triumphant? Maya Lin was practically a kid when she got the commission to design the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. “The veterans were asking me, ‘What do you think people are going to do when they first come here?’” she remembers. “And I wanted to say, ‘They’re going to cry.’" Her minimalistic granite wall was derided by one vet as a “black gash of shame.” There wasn't a dry eye to be found while listening to Studio 360's look back at this American icon. Access bonus tracks and photos here.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir: Studio 360

"I was mesmorized by his creations and love the idea of a global choir."
— Sharon (Resource Development)

Many of us were amazed listening to Eric Whitacre's compositions. However, his most celebrated success has been online, where he’s organized a virtual choir consisting of thousands of people from all over the world contributing by video. Access videos of these virtual choirs here.