BETA

Excellent way to discover new artists (authors, musicians, filmmakers) and gain novel insights about artists you might already know. Doug Gordon does his research and I’m often inspired to look up more about the guests and related topics after the show. The conversations are surprisingly in depth within a short amount of time and I find myself listening more than once Ito soak in the multifaceted content. The well-placed and playful sound clips really increase the entertainment value and make the show fun. I also appreciate the way Gordon treats each guest with kindness and curiosity— he manages to cover edgy topics without being cynical or pretentious. I’m a big fan.

Beta is a truly unique show from WPR. Fun and relevant, beta balances playful banter with deep discussions with diverse guests. This is my favorite look at art and culture today from the perspective of creators themselves

Playful and smart, quirky and complex- I so enjoy Beta! The topics and interviews are wide ranging. The conversations, questions, and quips show Doug Gordon’s interest and preparation for his guests. I find myself thinking about the episodes long after I listen to them, and am often inspired to dig even further to learn more about the historical event, book, comedian, podcast, etc. that was highlighted. I like that you can tune in during the middle of an episode to catch the next segment, and you also don’t have to listen to the episodes in any order. Even the theme song is catchy! Kudos to WPR for supporting this fun and innovative program.

Fun and interesting interviews about pop culture with the creators themselves. It's a nice magazine format that packs a lot into the hour. Spends just enough time on each segment to make it interesting but not so long that it gets boring. Great interviews that give the guest the chance to share their story but also challenges them to justify their points of view.