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DING DONG!

Crash headfirst into the world of singing telegrams: bizarre, moving, and absolutely unforgettable. 

You’ll meet Joy Brooker, whose TikTok serenades bring millions to tears and laughter; Jay Bragg, who blends hospice care and honky-tonk into acoustic telegrams; and Paul Mordoff, a children’s entertainer who joins us on a bench by a lake in a tutu-clad gorilla costume. 

At the end, Chion puts it all into practice with her boldest assignment yet: surprising Connecticut Public’s very own president and CEO, Mark Contreras, with a song (while wearing an inflatable axolotl costume).

 

Suggested episodes:
Meet Prince & Elvis tribute artists who are finding fame, fans, and their own voice 
Inside the Mascot: The Phillie Phanatic, a Yard Goat, and a mascot maker 

 

GUESTS: 
Joy Brooker: singing telegram performer from Missouri, known for her creative characters and wide social media following
Jay Bragg: Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who offers acoustic singing telegrams with vintage charm
Paul Mordoff: party entertainer and singing telegram performer based in Monroe, CT, who has been in this business since 1996

Mark Contreras: President & CEO of Connecticut Public

DING DONG!
Crash headfirst into the world of singing telegrams: bizarre, moving, and absolutely unforgettable.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll meet Joy Brooker, whose TikTok serenades bring millions to tears and laughter; Jay Bragg, who blends hospice care and honky-tonk into acoustic telegrams; and Paul Mordoff, a children&rsquo;s entertainer who joins us on a bench by a lake in a tutu-clad gorilla costume.&nbsp;
At the end, Chion puts it all into practice with her boldest assignment yet: surprising Connecticut Public&rsquo;s very own president and CEO, Mark Contreras, with a song (while wearing an inflatable axolotl costume).
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-02-28/meet-prince-elvis-tribute-artists-who-are-finding-fame-fans-and-their-own-voice">Meet Prince &amp; Elvis tribute artists who are finding fame, fans, and their own voice</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-08-29/inside-the-mascot-the-phillie-phanatic-a-yard-goat-and-a-mascot-maker">Inside the Mascot: The Phillie Phanatic, a Yard Goat, and a mascot maker&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://linktr.ee/joy_brooker">Joy Brooker</a>: singing telegram performer from Missouri, known for her creative characters and wide social media following</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jay Bragg: Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who offers <a href="https://www.jaybragg.com/acoustic-singing-telegram">acoustic singing telegrams</a> with vintage charm</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://partytalent.com/">Paul Mordoff</a>: party entertainer and singing telegram performer based in Monroe, CT, who has been in this business since 1996</li>
</ul>
Mark Contreras: President &amp; CEO of Connecticut Public

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

For more: ctpublic.org/audacious

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
For more: <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. 

Audacious with Chion Wolf

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we’re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

Listen at ctpublic.org/audacious

Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we&rsquo;re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Listen at <a href="http://ctpublic.org/audacious">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>
Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

DING DONG! The sweetness and surprise of singing telegrams 

Who rejoices in making a bad episode of public radio? We do! But only the best kind of bad. 

On this episode of Audacious, meet Jon from Jon Breaks Bad News, who delivers other people’s worst messages for a living. Then, the co-founders of the Golden Raspberry Awards - also known as the Razzies - celebrate Hollywood’s most spectacular cinematic failures. And finally, a few listeners share their stories of terrible dates, followed by a conversation with Rachel Lithgow. She shares her memoir, My Year of Really Bad Dates.

Suggested episodes:
I snuck my incarcerated boyfriend out of prison in a dog crate 
Nothing goes as planned: A first-time offender’s prison story from arrest to release 
How regret teaches us to live 

 

GUESTS: 
Jon Breaks Bad News: Creator and host of the Jon Breaks Bad News Show, delivering difficult or awkward messages on behalf of others
John J. B. Wilson and Mo Murphy: Creators of the Razzie Awards
Michelle Horsley, Maria Grove, Lindsay Ewing: Audacious listeners who had really bad dates
Rachel Lithgow: Author of My Year of Really Bad Dates

Who rejoices in making a bad episode of public radio? We do! But only the best kind of bad.&nbsp;
On this episode of Audacious, meet Jon from Jon Breaks Bad News, who delivers other people&rsquo;s worst messages for a living. Then, the co-founders of the Golden Raspberry Awards - also known as the Razzies - celebrate Hollywood&rsquo;s most spectacular cinematic failures. And finally, a few listeners share their stories of terrible dates, followed by a conversation with Rachel Lithgow. She shares her memoir, My Year of Really Bad Dates.
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-09-01/whyd-you-do-it-i-snuck-my-incarcerated-boyfriend-out-of-prison-in-a-dog-crate">I snuck my incarcerated boyfriend out of prison in a dog crate</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-01-24/nothing-goes-as-planned-a-first-time-offenders-prison-story-from-arrest-to-release">Nothing goes as planned: A first-time offender&rsquo;s prison story from arrest to release</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-04-11/how-regret-teaches-us-to-live">How regret teaches us to live</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://jonbreaksbadnews.com/">Jon Breaks Bad News</a>: Creator and host of the Jon Breaks Bad News Show, delivering difficult or awkward messages on behalf of others</li>
<li aria-level="1">John J. B. Wilson and Mo Murphy: Creators of the <a href="https://razzies.com/index.html">Razzie Awards</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Michelle Horsley, Maria Grove, Lindsay Ewing: Audacious listeners who had really bad dates</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rachel Lithgow: Author of <a href="https://racheljlithgow.com/my-year-of-really-bad-dates/">My Year of Really Bad Dates</a></li>
</ul>

The best bad episode ever!

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?

Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.

Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.

Resources:
Donate Life Connecticut
National Kidney Foundation
National Kidney Registry
OrganDonor.gov
Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney 

Suggested episode:
The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant 

GUESTS: 
Joey Shervey: Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia
Kerry Kennedy: Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York
Lindsay Vigue: Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut 

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?
Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.
Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.donatelifect.org/">Donate Life Connecticut</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidney.org/transplantation">National Kidney Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidneyregistry.com/">National Kidney Registry</a></li>
<li><a href="http://organdonor.gov/">OrganDonor.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_drew_the_truth_about_organ_donation">Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/health/2021-07-09/the-story-of-the-first-african-american-face-transplant">The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Joey Shervey:&nbsp;Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia</li>
<li>Kerry Kennedy:&nbsp;Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York</li>
<li>Lindsay Vigue:&nbsp;Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The kidney was just the beginning: Unexpected gifts after transplants

When does creation become prayer? And when does prayer become protest?

Artist and poet Zulynette talks about her new book, Becoming a Soft Woman with a Machete. It's equal parts gospel, therapy session, and roast.

From laughter to liberation, explore how art can be both sanctuary and sword.

Suggested episodes:
Poet Zulynette on “Seeing in the Dark” 
The playfulness of poetry with Andrew Dean Wright
A fireside conversation with Hartford’s “Love Poet”, Olusanya Bey
Words over weapons: When anti-war poems go viral 
An extended conversation about forgiveness with poet David Whyte

GUEST: 
Zulynette: Poet, artist, facilitator, and author of Becoming a Soft Woman with a Machete. She is also the creator and director of the annual storytelling event, A Little Bit of Death, and the author of two other books of poetry, Seeing in the Dark, and Building a Powerhouse

When does creation become prayer? And when does prayer become protest?
Artist and poet Zulynette talks about her new book,&nbsp;Becoming a Soft Woman with a Machete. It's equal parts gospel, therapy session, and roast.
From laughter to liberation, explore how art can be both sanctuary and sword.
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-07-28/poet-zulynette-on-seeing-in-the-dark">Poet Zulynette on &ldquo;Seeing in the Dark&rdquo;&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-11-03/the-playfulness-of-poetry-with-andrew-dean-wright">The playfulness of poetry with Andrew Dean Wright</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-04-21/a-fireside-conversation-with-hartfords-love-poet-olusanya-bey">A fireside conversation with Hartford&rsquo;s &ldquo;Love Poet&rdquo;, Olusanya Bey</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-11-17/words-over-weapons-when-anti-war-poems-go-viral">Words over weapons: When anti-war poems go viral&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-an-extended-conversation-about-forgiveness/id1516288973?i=1000555240215">An extended conversation about forgiveness with poet David Whyte</a></li>
</ul>
GUEST:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.zulynette.com/">Zulynette</a>:&nbsp;Poet, artist, facilitator, and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zulynette.com/poetry-books/becoming-a-soft-woman-with-a-machete-by-zulynette">Becoming a Soft Woman with a Machete</a>. She is also the creator and director of the annual storytelling event,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zulynette.com/upcoming-events-1/a-little-bit-of-death-x-hartford">A Little Bit of Death</a>, and the author of two other books of poetry,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zulynette.com/poetry-books/seeing-in-the-dark">Seeing in the Dark</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://skipprichard.com/6-steps-to-building-a-powerhouse-organization/">Building a Powerhouse</a></li>
</ul>

DING DONG! The sweetness and surprise of singing telegrams

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