The Wedge

Colorado Public Radio
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The Wedge

Who hasn’t been there? Angry, hurt and frustrated with someone you love about a polarizing issue. When journalist Erica Anderson and her mom have a falling out over Covid vaccines, they decide not to let it come between them. Instead, they dive deep into a frank and intimate conversation about family, Covid-19, trustworthy information, and disconcerting trends in holistic wellness culture. Erica and her mom bravely take on the kind of dialogue that so many of us are not just avoiding, but dismissing. The Wedge is created and produced by Spaceship Media and distributed by Colorado Public Radio.

Season 1

  1. EPISODE 1

    Grab Your Vitamin C

    New York-based journalist Erica Anderson is fighting with her mom Kini Christie about the Covid vaccine. It’s early 2021, and Erica, who struggled through a bout of Covid early in the pandemic, is eagerly anticipating the vaccine’s arrival. Her mom is suspicious of the vaccine’s safety and says there’s no way she’ll get the shot. In an effort to maintain her relationship with her mother, Erica asks Kini to talk through their differences. However, things only get more complicated from there. Episode 1 of 6. Host & producer: Erica Anderson Senior producer: Maia Laperle Series editor: Emily Harris Final mixes and sound design: Josh Wilcox, with Walter Nordquist, Brooklyn Podcasting Studio Executive producer: Eve Pearlman Special, heartfelt thanks to Erica’s mom, Kini Christie, for being willing to have these conversations. Much love. Thanks to the many other people who made these conversations possible, especially Dr. Julie Colwell, Dr. Keren Landman and Jonathan Jarry. Thanks to The City’s “Missing Them” event for providing audio. Executive Producer of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio: Brad Turner Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón Marketing support: Clara Shelton, Jodi Gersh Additional support: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson, Erin Jones, Luis Antonio Perez, Emily Williams and Kibwe Cooper. For more about Spaceship Media: Journalism to Bridge Divides, visit Spaceshipmedia.org. Contact: spaceshipmedia@spaceshipmedia.org For more on Colorado Public Radio’s podcasts, visit cpr.org/podcasts or follow us on Twitter: @CoPublicRadio.

    30 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    My Mom's Story

    Erica and Kini start their conversation about the Covid-19 vaccine by taking a look back at Kini’s past and how she came to her views. Erica learns about her family’s history of medical skepticism and the traumas that fractured Kini's trust in traditional authorities. And Erica gains a deeper understanding of how Kini thrived in and was supported by the alternative health and spiritual community in Boulder, Colorado. Episode 2 of 6. Content Advisory: This episode contains stories of maternal loss and trauma. Host & producer: Erica Anderson Senior producer: Maia Laperle Series editor: Emily Harris Final mixes and sound design: Josh Wilcox, with Walter Nordquist, Brooklyn Podcasting Studio Executive producer: Eve Pearlman Special, heartfelt thanks to Erica’s mom, Kini Christie, for being willing to have these conversations. Much love. Thanks to the many other people who made these conversations possible, especially Dr. Julie Colwell, Dr. Keren Landman and Jonathan Jarry. Executive Producer of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio: Brad Turner Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón Marketing support: Clara Shelton, Jodi Gersh Additional support: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson, Erin Jones, Luis Antonio Perez, Emily Williams and Kibwe Cooper. For more about Spaceship Media: Journalism to Bridge Divides, visit Spaceshipmedia.org. Contact: spaceshipmedia@spaceshipmedia.org For more on Colorado Public Radio’s podcasts, visit cpr.org/podcasts or follow us on Twitter: @CoPublicRadio.

    31 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Unmuzzled

    Frustrated with her efforts to talk to her mom Kini about the Covid-19 vaccine, Erica decides the two of them need help, and she asks Kini to come to therapy with her. Dr. Julie Colwell, Erica’s long-time therapist, guides mother and daughter, helping them understand the feelings they share. Episode 3 of 6. Host & producer: Erica Anderson Senior producer: Maia Laperle Series editor: Emily Harris Final mixes and sound design: Josh Wilcox, with Walter Nordquist, Brooklyn Podcasting Studio Executive producer: Eve Pearlman Special, heartfelt thanks to Erica’s mom, Kini Christie, for being willing to have these conversations. Much love. Thanks to the many other people who made these conversations possible, especially Dr. Julie Colwell, Dr. Keren Landman and Jonathan Jarry. Executive Producer of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio: Brad Turner Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón Marketing support: Clara Shelton, Jodi Gersh Additional support: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson, Erin Jones, Luis Antonio Perez, Emily Williams and Kibwe Cooper. For more about Spaceship Media: Journalism to Bridge Divides, visit Spaceshipmedia.org. Contact: spaceshipmedia@spaceshipmedia.org For more on Colorado Public Radio’s podcasts, visit cpr.org/podcasts or follow us on Twitter: @CoPublicRadio.

    19 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Whac-a-Fact

    Erica and Kini begin to carry out their plan to learn more about the Covid-19 vaccine, with Erica taking the lead. Erica’s stated goal is to find understanding and coexistence with Kini – not to try to change her mother’s mind. But it’s much more complicated. Episode 4 of 6. Host & producer: Erica Anderson Senior producer: Maia Laperle Series editor: Emily Harris Final mixes and sound design: Josh Wilcox, with Walter Nordquist, Brooklyn Podcasting Studio Executive producer: Eve Pearlman Special, heartfelt thanks to Erica’s mom, Kini Christie, for being willing to have these conversations. Much love. Thanks to the many other people who made these conversations possible, especially Dr. Julie Colwell, Dr. Keren Landman and Jonathan Jarry. Executive Producer of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio: Brad Turner Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón Marketing support: Clara Shelton, Jodi Gersh Additional support: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson, Erin Jones, Luis Antonio Perez, Emily Williams and Kibwe Cooper. For more about Spaceship Media: Journalism to Bridge Divides, visit Spaceshipmedia.org. Contact: spaceshipmedia@spaceshipmedia.org For more on Colorado Public Radio’s podcasts, visit cpr.org/podcasts or follow us on Twitter: @CoPublicRadio.

    38 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Big Girl Panties

    Angry and frustrated by her conversations with her mother, Erica goes back to her therapist, Dr. Julie Colwell. Julie helps Erica see how her own fears are driving the frustration and anger she feels towards Kini. Erica decides to face the difficult choices in front of her, starting by scheduling her first Covid shot. Episode 5 of 6. Host & producer: Erica Anderson Senior producer: Maia Laperle Series editor: Emily Harris Final mixes and sound design: Josh Wilcox, with Walter Nordquist, Brooklyn Podcasting Studio Executive producer: Eve Pearlman Special, heartfelt thanks to Erica’s mom, Kini Christie, for being willing to have these conversations. Much love. Thanks to the many other people who made these conversations possible, especially Dr. Julie Colwell, Dr. Keren Landman and Jonathan Jarry. Executive Producer of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio: Brad Turner Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón Marketing support: Clara Shelton, Jodi Gersh Additional support: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson, Erin Jones, Luis Antonio Perez, Emily Williams and Kibwe Cooper. For more about Spaceship Media: Journalism to Bridge Divides, visit Spaceshipmedia.org. Contact: spaceshipmedia@spaceshipmedia.org For more on Colorado Public Radio’s podcasts, visit cpr.org/podcasts or follow us on Twitter: @CoPublicRadio.

    27 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    An End and a Beginning

    After months of discussions with her mom about Covid and vaccinations, Erica, now seven months pregnant, and her partner go visit Kini in Hawaii. With Covid on the decline and basking in family closeness, Erica decides to figure out a way for Kini to safely come to New York for the birth. But when Erica and her partner get home to Brooklyn a new Covid variant complicates their vision. As the birth draws nearer, Erica and Kini are forced to set their boundaries and find compromises. How will Kini meet the baby? As their family grows, can they keep from growing apart? Episode 6 of 6. Host & producer: Erica Anderson Senior producer: Maia Laperle Series editor: Emily Harris Final mixes and sound design: Josh Wilcox, with Walter Nordquist, Brooklyn Podcasting Studio Executive producer: Eve Pearlman Special, heartfelt thanks to Erica’s mom, Kini Christie, for being willing to have these conversations. Much love. Thanks to the many other people who made these conversations possible, especially Dr. Julie Colwell, Dr. Keren Landman and Jonathan Jarry. Executive Producer of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio: Brad Turner Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón Marketing support: Clara Shelton, Jodi Gersh Additional support: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson, Erin Jones, Luis Antonio Perez, Emily Williams and Kibwe Cooper. For more about Spaceship Media: Journalism to Bridge Divides, visit Spaceshipmedia.org. Contact: spaceshipmedia@spaceshipmedia.org For more on Colorado Public Radio’s podcasts, visit cpr.org/podcasts or follow us on Twitter: @CoPublicRadio.

    30 min
  7. Coming Soon: The Wedge

    10/25/2022

    Coming Soon: The Wedge

    What happens when you love someone but you can’t stand something they believe? The Wedge is a six-part podcast that takes us on the journey of a mother and daughter who believe different things about the Covid-19 vaccine and the pandemic. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Erica Anderson was immersed in her mom’s holistic wellness and alternative healing culture. But when Covid comes along, mother and daughter’s differing beliefs drive a wedge between them. Erica asks her mom to talk through their differences. Together they set out to stop arguing and start listening. They spend an eventful year immersed in difficult, cross-country conversations. Kini, a pie maker, isolated on a tiny Hawaiian island; Erica, a journalist, stuck in a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, NY. They learn that what drives us apart can create an opening. The Wedge is created and produced by Spaceship Media: Journalism to Bridge Divides, and distributed by Colorado Public Radio. First episode drops November 11. Follow The Wedge on your favorite podcast app.

    3 min
  • 7 Episodes

4.9
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Who hasn’t been there? Angry, hurt and frustrated with someone you love about a polarizing issue. When journalist Erica Anderson and her mom have a falling out over Covid vaccines, they decide not to let it come between them. Instead, they dive deep into a frank and intimate conversation about family, Covid-19, trustworthy information, and disconcerting trends in holistic wellness culture. Erica and her mom bravely take on the kind of dialogue that so many of us are not just avoiding, but dismissing. The Wedge is created and produced by Spaceship Media and distributed by Colorado Public Radio.

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