Josephine Baker was an American-born French entertainer, a decorated French Resistance agent during World War Two, and  a civil rights activist. Baker's career was centered primarily in Europe, where in 1927, she became the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture. Born in St. Louis, the singer, dancer, actress and freedom fighter worked for the French as a secret agent during World War Two. She relocated to Paris permanently to escape racial discrimination in the United States, and was celebrated by artists and intellectuals throughout the world well into the 1970s. We will hear Josephine Baker in a rare U.S. radio appearance on NBC's popular Rudy Vallee Show in 1935. More at http://krobcollection.com

Host Ken Robinson explores the need for adoptive parents. More at KrobCollection.com

The Golden Age of radio began just after World War One. Recordings of broadcasts from that era are extremely rare, and so were appearances by celebrities. However, President Calvin Coolidge made a speech on NBC in 1928, reminiscing about the end of his administration. In this podcast you will hear other sounds from the dawn of radio's classic era. We'll begin with one of the first soap operas. The Cecil & Sally Show began in 1928 on KYA Radio in San Francisco, and in a few months went national on NBC. It starred just two characters Johnny Patrick and Helen Troy, with no sound effects or music. Then you'll hear a 1928 broadcast from WAAM Radio in Newark, New Jersey. It's quite different from what we listen to today, but keep in mind, broadcasting was less than a decade old, and the experts were still trying to figure things out. So settle back, close your eyes, and imagine you are listening to radio in the 1920's.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Stand-up comedian, actor, singer, dancer, and author Bob Hope was very popular on radio, and had a career that spanned nearly 80 years. In addition to his long running radio show on NBC, Hope starred in 54 feature films. He also became a sensation on television, and hosted the Academy Awards show 19 times.  Hope was born in southeast London, England but arrived in the United States with his family at the age of four, and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. We have two shows where Bob Hope honors his adopted hometown. A live broadcast from Cleveland in 1946, and a 1948 program where he spotlights the Cleveland Indians, who had just won the World Series. More at http://krobcollection.com

Journalist Ken Robinson takes a look at the unique qualities of Saturday nigh in America, and how people spend their time on the sixth day of the week. Plus, A Nurses' Story, Haunted Houses, and DPLA. More at http://krobcollection.com

It's one of only a few classic radio shows by African-Americas. Destination Freedom was a weekly radio program produced by NBC radio station WMAQ in Chicago from 1948 to 1950. It presented biographical histories of prominent African-Americans as written by the program's producer Richard Durham. You are going to hear a 1950 episode about the creation of the National Urban League, the nonpartisan historic civil rights organization that advocates on behalf of economic and social justice for African Americans, and against racial discrimination in the United States. Plus a 1949 episode about the founder of the city of Chicago. Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was an African-American trader who established the settlement of Chicago in the 1780s. Get ready for living history, right after this break.  More at http://krobcollection.com

We celebrate legendary American jazz pianist, organist, composer, violinist, singer, and comedic entertainer Thomas Fats Waller. He laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano and some say he paved the way for rock-n-roll. Waller started playing piano at the age of 6, and copyrighted over 400 songs during his career, including Grammy winners "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose". Waller was a critical and commercial sensation in the United States and Europe. Unfortunately he died from pneumonia at the early age 39 in 1943. We have Fats Waller performing live in 1938, an appearance on the popular Edgar Bergen Show just before his death in 1943, a tribute concert by Eddie Condon in 1944, plus a dramatization of life of Fats Waller on Destination Freedom. More at http://krobcollection.com

Ken interviews Tim Dimoff of SACs Security & Investigative Services, former ATF Agent Pat Beraducci,  and Winnie Boyland of the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking.  More at http://krobcollection.com

The Big Show was a variety program created by NBC Radio in hopes of keeping the medium competitive with television. In 1950, listeners were deserting radio and becoming TV viewers. NBC's answer was to produce a lavish, expensive, star studded program that would stop the exodus. The Big Show was 90 minutes long, featuring the greatest comedians, stage, screen and music talent of the day, hosted by actress Tallulah Bankhead. It premiered on November 5, 1950. But the Big Show could not turn the tide, the golden age of radio was rapidly ending. NBC cancelled the show after two seasons and a reported loss of $1 million, which was a lot of money in the 1950s. You're going to hear Big Show #5, broadcast on December 3rd, 1950, featuring comedians Fred Allen, Joan Davis, Phil Silvers, and President Harry Truman's daughter Margaret. More at http://krobcollection.com

Crime dramas were very popular during radio's golden age. Most featured tough guy detectives, except one! Candy Matson, was a female private investigator, operating in San Francisco, with a penthouse on Telegraph Hill. The program premiered on NBC Radio in 1949, and was notable for having a veiled gay sidekick serving as Candy's best friend Rembrandt Watson. Candy Matson starred Natalie Masters who went on to play roles on several TV shows in the 1950s and 60s. We're going to hear Candy Matson solve the Symphony of Death, and the Cable Car Cases. More at KRobCollection.com

SEIU's Anthony Caldwell reveals how to get union representation at your workplace. The Ford Motor Company says there's a serious shortage of auto technicians. Mechanic and author Mary Jackson explains how to have your car repaired without being taken for a ride.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Radio's classic era wasn't just about singing, joke telling, and dramatic acting. There were serious, intellectual, thought provoking programs on the air as well. One such program was the University of Chicago Roundtable on NBC Radio. We have two shows from 1949. In the first one, there's a discussion regarding the need for government civil rights programs. On the second program, there's an examination of whether human beings are inherently violent, and what might be done to curb violence and prevent war. Each week, the University of Chicago Roundtable brought together a host of panelists in the fields of journalism, science, philosophy, politics, literature, business, and others, in order to answer the big questions of the day.   More at http://krobcollection.com

Here are two episodes from the classic late 1940's radio show Destination Freedom. It begins with The Saga of Blanche K. Bruce, the first African-American United States senator to serve a full term, from 1875 to 1881. Bruce was born into slavery in 1841. The second episode is entitled Shakespeare of Harlem, The Story of Langston Hughes. The poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist was known as the leader of the Harlem Renaissance. You will hear history come alive.  More at KRobCollection.com

Ken interviews Julia Shearson of the Council on American Islamic Relations about the month of Ramadan. Also, investment strategist Dr. Joseph Belmonte explains how to find growth stocks in both rising and falling markets.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Radio was very popular during the 1930s and 1940s, and the movie industry tried to take advantage of the medium to promote their films. During the era MGM, RKO, 20th Century Fox, Samuel Goldwyn, and Paramount all had preview shows on the air, urging the public to check out their coming attractions. One show was a little different. Warner Brothers Academy Theater presented their stable of rising stars in complete dramatic productions to showcase their young talent. Many of these shows were produced to promote Warner Bros. productions already in wide distribution. You're going to hear three episodes of Warner Brothers Academy Theater from 1938. The Crowd Roars, and That Certain Woman Parts One and Two.  Details at http://krobcollection.com

It's the final game in 1958 NBA World Championship Series between the Western Division champion St. Louis Hawks and the Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics. The series went six games, the Hawks were ahead 3 games to 2, with the legendary Bill Russell playing for the Celtics even as he was suffering from an ankle injury from Game 3. We pick up the action in the fourth quarter with the radio call by Buddy Blattner.  More at KrobCollection.com

Ken explores way to keep your household from going broke during times when cash is tight. His guests are author Carol Keeffe, psychotherapist Collette Dowling, Mark Hamrick senior economic analyst at Bankrate.com, and Shel Horowitz the king of frugal fun.  More at http://krobcollection.com

We're going to hear two major forces that shaped the world of jazz. Fletcher Hamilton Henderson was a pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. Henderson was one of the most prolific black musical arrangers and, along with Duke Ellington, is considered one of the most influential bandleaders in jazz history. He helped bridge the gap between the Dixieland and the swing eras, attracting new young talent to the genre. Fletcher Henderson and his band perform on the radio show Jubilee in 1945. "Dizzy" Gillespie was a jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. Gillespie became a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz in the 1940s and 1950s, becoming one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time". You will hear him perform on the show, This Is Jazz in 1960.  Details at http://krobcollection.com

The Mutual Broadcasting System was the last of the 4 radio networks to go in the air during the golden era, and started operating in 1934. It was called Mutual, because unlike the other 3, it was owned by its founding affiliates. Mutual ended operations in 1999, and was best known for shows like The Lone Ranger, Superman and The Shadow, Major League Baseball, and the NFL. In 1936 MBS celebrated catching up with the Big 3, CBS, NBC Red, and NBC Blue which later became ABC, by going nationwide. The network held a coast-to-coast inauguration. More at KrobCollection.com

Tricia Harte of Digital Third Coast warns of major job losses in the years ahead due to automation. Dave Packer of ABC News reports on the declining coal industry, while Geoff Greenfield of of Third Sun Solar tells of the growing market for renewable energy. Fourteen year old Amber Bennett explains how she obtained a college degree while starting high school.  More at http://krobcollection.com

In this podcast, we're going to the playhouse. Philip Morris Playhouse was a 30-minute dramatic anthology series, that usually involved crime, and was broadcast on CBS radio between 1939 and 1949. It was sponsored by the Philip Morris cigarette company, which reportedly spent $1 million dollars a year on this highly produced program. It had different stars performing each week without a regular cast. In 1953 it premiered as a live television show on CBS-TV but only lasted a few months. You will hear two episodes of Philip Morris Playhouse, The Apology, and Four Hours to Kill, both from 1949.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Our focus is on the medical community and its relationship with African-Americans before and after World War 2. We have two episodes from the classic radio program New World A Coming. From the year 1945: "Negros and Health", examining facts and misconceptions, followed by "The Story of Negro Nurses".   More at http://krobcollection.com

Ken Robinson explores the decline of marriage in America, and it's partly due to COVID-!9. He also takes a look at the number of  men and women who cheat on their mates. Plus, there's an examination of Sam and Marilyn Sheppard, a famous marriage that resulted in a mysterious, gruesome murder.  Ken's guests are ABC News correspondent Mark Remillard, psychologist Dr Lana Staheli, women's humor and wellness speaker Jan King, and historian Eric Eakin.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Destination Freedom was a weekly radio program produced by NBC radio station WMAQ in Chicago from 1948 to 1950. It presented biographical histories of prominent African-Americans as written by the program's producer Richard Durham. You are going to hear episodes about three tireless advocates for civil rights, diversity and inclusion. The 1948 story of James Weldon Johnson, an attorney, diplomat, writer, and co-creator of the Negro National Anthem. The 1949 story of the legendary educator Booker T. Washington, president of the Tuskegee Institute. And the 1949 story of Mary Church Terrell, one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Terrell was a talented journalist and charter member of the NAACP. More at http://krobcollection.com

Albert Einstein the German-born theoretical physicist, is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest scientists of all time. A champion of civil rights, an outspoken critic of racism, plus a lifetime member of the NAACP, Einstein is best known for developing the theory of relativity, and for the development of quantum mechanics. We'll hear a 1950 dramatization of the of life of Einstein from the radio show Eternal Light, and then a 1940 radio interview of the man himself on NBC.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Ken explores the healing power of music therapy, and celebrates Easter Seals. Also, a conversation regarding misconceptions about pit bulls.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Ever wonder what it takes to be a science fiction writer? You will find out as we present, the 1956 NBC radio program Biography in Sound. You will hear interviews with  prominent science fiction authors, including Isaac Asimov one of the greatest sci-fi writers of all time. But first, let's listen to some science fiction. Parts one and two of the Space Merchants from the CBS Radio Workshop in 1957. Then you will hear how writers put these kinds of stories together. More at http://krobcollection.com

We're putting the spotlight on Ella Fitzgerald, the legendary African-American jazz singer who many believe was the greatest of all time. Her career spanned nearly 60 years, in nite clubs, on radio, television, and in movies. The entertainer and civil rights activist won fourteen Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. We will hear Ella Fitzgerald on her own big band radio show in 1940, on the radio program Guest Star in 1950, on Jubilee in 1948, and the Bing Crosby radio program in 1950. More at http://krobcollection.com

Remembering the Cuyahoga River Fire in Cleveland, Ohio USA which sparked the global ecology movement, with the people who were there, and involved in the clean up of the legendary waterway.  More at http://krobcollection.com

The Ink Spots were an American vocal jazz group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. The Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame inductees paved the way for rhythm and blues and dew-wop. The Ink Spots began performing in the Indianapolis area around 1931, appearing on radio station WLW in Cincinnati. By 1934 they made it to the Apollo Theater in New York, and started touring in England. In 1936, the Ink Spots were the first African Americans to appear on television, when the medium was in the experimental stage of development. By 1938 they had their own nationwide radio show. In 1939 they recorded a ballad called, "If I Didn't Care", was a smash hit, selling over 19 million copies. Hoppy Jones, Deek Watson, Charlie Fuqua, and Bill Kenny went on to appear in movies, and made many guest appearances on variety shows during the golden age of TV, between 1948 and 1952. You will hear The Ink Spots 1938 radio show, plus an appearance on the Jack Benny radio program in 1948.  More at http://krobcollection.com

The Zero Hour was a daily Mutual Broadcasting System radio drama hosted by Twilight Zone star Rod Serling. We're going to hear two episodes from 1974 starring African-American actor Greg Morris, the Cleveland, Ohio native who got his start appearing on such TV shows such as The Twilight Zone, Branded, and Ben Casey. Morris is best known for his role as electronics expert Barney Collier on Mission: Impossible,  and as Lt. David Nelson on crime drama Vega$. Now, he stars in Other Sins Only Speak and the Rehabilitation of Citizen Fimple on Zero Hour.  Details at http://krobcollection.com

Meet Gene Shimandle, the former college professor who launched a walking campaign to increase organ donations after receiving a heart transplant. Also Dr. Holly Thacker of the website Speaking of Women's Health who warns of the Osteoporosis Crisis.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Mystery dramas were always a listener favorite during radio's classic era. You will hear four such theater productions in this podcast. Mollé Mystery Theater was a 30-minute anthology radio program that ran from 1943 to 1948. It was sponsored initially by Sterling Drugs, manufacturers of Mollé Brushless Shaving Cream. ABC Mystery Theater was a similar series on the air from 1951 to 1954 and made a brief transition to ABC-TV. We have Mystery Playhouse from 1945, and the CBC Radio Mystery Theater which was written, adapted, produced and broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from 1966 to 1968.  Details at http://krobcollection.com

It's time for Destination Freedom, a weekly radio program produced by NBC Radio's Chicago affiliate from 1948 to 1950. The show presented biographical histories of prominent African-Americans. The show was the brainchild of black journalist and author Richard Durham. This episode is called Dark Explorers, and is about the Moors of New Spain.  More at KRrobCollection.com

An examination of New Thought Christianity, the Catholic Child Abuse scandals, religious violence, and the separation of church and state.   Details at http://krobcollection.com

This podcast is about Huddie William Ledbetter. Better known by his stage name Lead Belly, was one of the most celebrated folk and blues singers of his time. His most popular songs "Goodnight, Irene", "Midnight Special", "Cotton Fields", became American classics. Lead Belly was celebrated for his songwriting skills, strong vocals, and virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar. He's a Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Lead Belly was born in 1888, and faced many hardships as a young African-American growing up in the Jim Crow South, serving several prison sentences for murder, attempted homicide, and assault.  But Lead Belly spent his time behind bars, performing concerts for his fellow inmates and perfecting his craft. Once he got out for good, Lead Belly was given a radio show, and signed a contract with RCA Victor, one of the biggest record companies at the time. You will hear 3 episodes of the Leadbelly Show on New York Radio Station WNYC in 1940, one with special guest, legendary folk singer Woodie Guthrie. You'll also hear Lead Belly perform on the show, This Is Jazz in 1947, just 2 years before his death.  More at http://krobcollection.com

At the age of 25 in 1927, Charles Lindbergh became an international hero when he made the first non-stop solo flight from New York to Paris. Even though British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown made the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight in June 1919. Never-the-less, the solo flight by the former airmail pilot was viewed as a tremendous breakthrough for aviation. A huge celebration was held in Washington DC when Lindbergh arrived to meet with government and military leaders. In the coming years, few would celebrate Lindbergh as he evolved into a Nazi sympathizer and serial adulterer.

Ken interviews a man who travels coast-to-coast preaching the Gospel of Kindness. Also a look at the dangers of fireworks, and the threat of bed bugs.  For more visit http://krobcollection.com

A look at marginalized people in our society. Ken interviews Don Bryant of the Immigrant Support Network, immigrant and author Dulcelina Moore, and LGBT activist Phyllis Harris.  More at http://krobcollection.com

In this podcast, we pay tribute to the Mutual Broadcasting System. It was the fourth nationwide radio network to be established in the United States, after CBS, NBC, and the NBC Blue Network which later became ABC. Mutual was established in 1934 as a cooperative between WOR New York, WGN Chicago, WLW Cincinnati, and WXYZ in Detroit. The network was retired in 1999 after numerous ownership changes. During radio's golden age Mutual was was best known as the home of The Lone Ranger, Superman, and The Shadow, as well as Major League Baseball, the NFL, and college football. Because it didn't have a big budget like it's rivals, Mutual usually avoided airing expensive variety shows, and concentrated on crime, drama, game, music, news and talk programs. For example, you're going to hear, Nick Carter Master Detective from 1945. From 1946 the popular situation comedy Vic & Sade, plus Sherlock Homes starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. From 1947, the game show What Am I Offered, and the Barbara Welles Show with guest James Stewart. Finally, The Saint starring Vincent Price from 1949. More at http://krobcollection.com

During the great depression of the 1930's, CBS Radio cooperated with the federal government to create the series Americans All, Immigrants All, to combat the rising tide of racism, and anti-antisemitism sweeping the nation at the time. Americans All highlighted the many hardships minorities suffered, and the numerous contributions they had made to society. It provided a counter balance to the views of popular radio preacher Father Charles Coughlin, a white nationalist, who promoted anti-minority conspiracy theories, and is considered to be the Rush Limbaugh of broadcasting's golden age. Coughlin also supported some of the fascist policies of Nazi Germany. So in 1938, the Americans All, Immigrants all series took to the airwaves for 26 weeks, promoting equality and inclusion. You will hear three episodes, the first highlighting African-Americans, the second featuring Hispanics, and the third focusing on Asian-Americans.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Ken interviews renowned forensic pathologist and author Dr Cyril Wecht, about sloppy crime scene investigations, including the JFK Assassination the O.J. Simpson case, the Sam Sheppard murder, and others.  Plus, more police officers are dying from suicides than from attacks and incidents involving suspects.  Clifford Kime has organized a special unit to assist cops confronted by stress.  More info at http:/krobcollection.com

In April 1947, modern day baseball changed forever. That's when Jackie Robinson played his first major league game as a Brooklyn Dodger. After that day, there were a string of African-American firsts in baseball.  Four months later, Dan Bankhead of the Dodgers became the first black pitcher to play in a major league game. In 1948, Roy Campanella became the first black catcher. Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians became the first Black player to hit a home run in a World Series. In 1949, there were three African-Americans playing in the World Series when just 3 years earlier Blacks were still excluded from Major League Baseball. All three were playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and pitcher Don Newcombe. Robinson and Campanella would become Hall of Famers, and Newcombe would win both the Cy Young and National League Most Valuable Player awards during the same season. You'll hear all three playing in Game 4 of the 1949 World Series against the Yankees.  Newcombe took the mound with only 2 days rest, from striking out 11 Yankees in Game One, but the Yankees won 1-to-nothing and would go on to take the series.   Get details at http://krobcollection.com

On this podcast, we honor the great Louis Armstrong, one of the most influential figures in jazz. Also called, "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", the African-American trumpeter and vocalist had a career that spanned five decades, starting in the early 20th century. In the 1920s, he was a driving force behind the Harlem Renaissance. In the 1930s Armstrong began appearing in movies, and became a regular fixture on radio. In 1937, Armstrong became the first African American to host a sponsored, national broadcast, the Fleischman's Yeast Show on the NBC Blue Network. He received many accolades including the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for Hello, Dolly! in 1965, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. We'll listen to Armstrong perform live on the wartime program Jubilee in 1943, on the Bing Crosby Show with Ella Fitzgerald in 1951, followed by the story of his early life on Destination Freedom. More at KRobCollection.com

Tracy Plouck of Ohio University says their study shows that suicide is now a major public health threat. Michelle Star attempted suicide but now helps people deal with stressful conditions that could lead to tragedy.  More at http://krobcollection.com

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the first integrated all-women's band in the United States. The Sweethearts were formed at Piney Woods Country Life School in Mississippi in 1938, to help raise funds for the facility which served poor, orphaned, and African American children. By 1941, the band was so successful they hit the road, playing swing and jazz across the nation including New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Europe. In addition to black women, members of the band included Latina, Asian, Caucasian, Indian and Puerto Rican females, making touring the Jim Crow South very difficult. During the 1940s the band featured some of the best female musicians of the era. They made radio and movie appearances, but despite their success, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm disbanded in 1949, as members left to start their families, as big bands started to decline in popularity. You will hear two radio appearances by the Sweethearts on the show Jubilee in 1944, and 1945.  More info at http://krobcollection.com

In this podcast we learn about Lionel Hampton. The African-American jazz great who received the National Medal of the Arts in 1996, and numerous awards throughout his career. Hampton began performing on the xylophone in the 1920s, and became a popular bandleader, percussionist, and pianist. Hampton recorded extensively, constantly touring the nation and the world giving concerts, often appearing on network radio, and in several movies as his wife Gladys handled the business-end of his career. As an activist, Hampton was involved in the construction of many New York City area public housing projects, and served as a member of the city's Human Rights Commission. In the 1950's Hampton raised funds for the new State of Israel. He donated thousands of dollars to the Republican Party, but later switched to the Democrats disappointed that the GOP had become too conservative. You'll hear Hampton perform on radio in 1944, 1945, and 1947, followed by an interview with Felix Grant on WMAL Radio in Washington DC in 1982.  More at http://krobcollection.com

eSports and electronic gaming is now a billion dollar industry. Jonathan Summers of the Cleveland Cavaliers says the NBA is among the major sports leagues getting in on the action.  Bob Cox of H&R Bloch reveals what pitfalls to avoid when filing your income tax return. Best selling author, broadcaster, and money expert Suze Orman explains how to protect your retirement savings when you are young.   For more podcasts visit: KrobCollection.com