WPR’s “The Larry Meiller Show” seeks out knowledgeable guests who give listeners information and advice on a range of topics impacting your life and community. As the New Year approaches, we asked each member of the show’s team to pick a favorite program among the hundreds they hosted and produced throughout 2023.
Follow the links below to read more and listen to each show.
To batboy and beyond: ‘The Luckiest Boy in the World’ is the story of one Wauwatosa boy’s journey into professional sports
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Host: Larry Meiller
Air date: April 4
Summary: From the dugout to medical school, Patrick McBride has certainly led an interesting life. He joined the show to discuss his book, “The Luckiest Boy in the World,” which documents the time he spent with pro teams like the Packers, Brewers and Bucks.
Why I liked it: I really enjoyed this program and really loved talking with author Patrick McBride about his incredible story of working for three Wisconsin pro teams: the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks. His memoir will leave you with admiration for an incredible person and a life well-lived.
A Guide to Midwestern Conversation
Executive Producer: Jill Nadeau
Air date: May 25
Summary: This was a fun, humorous guide to phrases that are very Midwestern, like “You betcha,” “Well, there ya go,” and “I’m getting eaten alive out there!”
Why I liked it: It was a delightful interview. Taylor Kay Phillips and I clicked, and that came through to the listeners. Who doesn’t like poking fun at themselves? Especially us in the Midwest.
Small but mighty: Spiders could be capable of memory and have a sense of numerosity
Producer: Clara Neupert
Air date: Aug. 30
Summary: A University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor shared his insights on spiders. They’re pretty smart and might be able to remember things and count — which is both eerie and awesome at the same time.
Why I liked it: Our guest, Rafael “Rafa” Rodríguez, is really passionate about spiders. It’s hard not to catch his excitement, and we had great listener engagement.
‘Am I Too Old to Save the Planet?’ is a roadmap to becoming a climate activist later in life
Digital content producer: Liz Dohms-Harter
Air date: Dec. 13
Summary: Author Lawrence MacDonald wrote a book about how members of the baby-boom generation can get involved in the fight against climate change.
Why I liked it: Most content I see or hear that’s related to generations pits one generation against another. As a Millennial, this segment was a wonderful reminder that the baby-boom generation isn’t calloused, dismissive or checked out. Just as I have my own passions, so do many members of this generation. It was a segment that called me into a position of respecting those who’ve lived longer than me and experienced more, instead of seeing them as oppositional. I was grateful for that perspective.
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