Odyssey (WBEZ)
Encyclopedia
Odyssey was a daily talk show
of ideas produced by WBEZ Chicago Public Radio
. Hosted by Gretchen Helfrich, Odyssey explored topics ranging from religion in the public sphere to reasoning about risk; pacifism to post-national identity; memory to Microsoft
; societal views on mental health
to the state of marriage.
Odyssey first went on the air in Chicago in 1998 and was launched as Chicago Public Radio's newest national program in November 2001.
"Talk radio has a reputation for being either inflammatory or pretentious," said Torey Malatia, the president and general manager of Chicago Public Radio. "Odyssey moves this format in a new direction by providing a forum for the best minds in fields as diverse as politics, science, culture, philosophy, law, and the arts to engage in insightful conversation."
Odyssey's guests had varied and complementary views and were invited to investigate ideas and issues—rather than just to debate them. The first part of the program was an in-depth discussion of ideas that influence the world in which we live. Towards the end of each show, listeners were invited to call in and join the conversation.
Barack Obama
made at least three appearances on the show engaging in deep, non-political, discussions of public policy for the duration of the program.
The theme music for the show was written by little-known Chicago band OK Go
, who later went on to wider fame. Helfrich and other radio personalities also appeared in a video for the band.
Odyssey ended production on September 30, 2005, and the audio archive is no longer available. When the show ended its host, Gretchen Helfrich enrolled in the University of Chicago Law School, graduating in 2009 with honors. She is now an associate at the firm of Mayer Brown in Chicago.
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
of ideas produced by WBEZ Chicago Public Radio
Chicago Public Radio
WBEZ is a noncommercial, public radio station broadcasting from Chicago, Illinois. Financed primarily by listener contributions, the station is affiliated with both National Public Radio and Public Radio International; they also broadcast content from American Public Media...
. Hosted by Gretchen Helfrich, Odyssey explored topics ranging from religion in the public sphere to reasoning about risk; pacifism to post-national identity; memory to Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
; societal views on mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
to the state of marriage.
Odyssey first went on the air in Chicago in 1998 and was launched as Chicago Public Radio's newest national program in November 2001.
"Talk radio has a reputation for being either inflammatory or pretentious," said Torey Malatia, the president and general manager of Chicago Public Radio. "Odyssey moves this format in a new direction by providing a forum for the best minds in fields as diverse as politics, science, culture, philosophy, law, and the arts to engage in insightful conversation."
Odyssey's guests had varied and complementary views and were invited to investigate ideas and issues—rather than just to debate them. The first part of the program was an in-depth discussion of ideas that influence the world in which we live. Towards the end of each show, listeners were invited to call in and join the conversation.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
made at least three appearances on the show engaging in deep, non-political, discussions of public policy for the duration of the program.
The theme music for the show was written by little-known Chicago band OK Go
OK Go
OK Go is a rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, USA, now residing in Los Angeles, California, USA. The band is composed of Damian Kulash , Tim Nordwind , Dan Konopka and Andy Ross , who joined them in 2005, replacing Andy Duncan...
, who later went on to wider fame. Helfrich and other radio personalities also appeared in a video for the band.
Odyssey ended production on September 30, 2005, and the audio archive is no longer available. When the show ended its host, Gretchen Helfrich enrolled in the University of Chicago Law School, graduating in 2009 with honors. She is now an associate at the firm of Mayer Brown in Chicago.