Five years ago today, NPR brought listeners a new kind of midday-talk program: one charged with offering candid examinations of the way we intersect, and often collide, in a culturally diverse world.
Hosted by Michel Martin, Tell Me More was first introduced online in late 2006 through a novel "open piloting" program development process. That April, the intimate, one-hour program went live: launching as a daily midday show on public radio stations. Those first few programs explored topics ranging from Philadelphia's "Gayborhood"; to how aid was appropriated for Hurricane Katrina victims; to CBS anchor Rene Syler's personal account of her double mastectomy. While news comes and goes, Tell Me More consistently examines a breadth of topics that make you stop, think and reevaluate.
Now, Tell Me Morehas over half-a-million weekly listeners on nearly 100 NPR Member Stations across the country. The show has broadcast from Las Vegas and Philadelphia, where it covered the NABJ; and from Denver and St. Paul for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. It's brought to air conversations with President Obama and First Lady Michele Obama; Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson and Madeleine Albright; U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, Sugar Ray Leonard and Tori Amos. And whether it's looking at politics, family values, religion or finance, Tell Me More hears the real voices of parents and educators; of lawmakers and thought-leaders; of actors, authors, musicians from every genre and medium.
Michel's quick wit, thoughtful approach to content and inherent curiosity helped to engineer an exceptional editorial staff that operates on the belief that – as she puts it – "nobody says what you can't do, it's only how we can do it." Tell Me More has cast itself as a gathering place for dialogue about the stories that affect our daily lives, but aren't necessarily on our radar. By proactively curating content around notable events – whether it's listener-contributed "coming out" stories during LGBTQ month, or paying homage to those who've inspired show contributors during Black History Month – Tell Me More has become a place for smart, and real, conversations.
Celebrate by sharing how Tell Me More has left you informed, inspired, and entertained by using #TMMBirthday and , or by visiting the program's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/NPRTellMeMore.
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