Introducing Pang!

Episode 4: A Tale of Two Rivers is a journalistic reflection on some of the ways that immigration and food insecurity are enmeshed. Written and narrated by Dan Froot, with Natalie Camunas, Christopher Rivas, Donna Simone Johnson, Theo Bampamirubusa, and Patrick Mulengwa. Music by Robert Een and Gary Bartz.

This is an audio drama podcast episode about the making of a podcast episode: "Cedar Rapids" is based on the oral history of a family living in that Eastern Iowa city. The family arrived there in 2006, after escaping civil strife in Burundi in the mid-1990s, and then spending eleven years in a Tanzanian refugee camp. The play explores what happens when a privileged, well-intentioned podcast host appropriates and manipulates his guests' narratives in order to, in his mind, make a positive impact. Though food insecurity may seem incidental in this story, the play intends to subtly illuminate connections between immigration and food insecurity.  Featuring Dan Froot, Natalie Camunas, Christopher Rivas, and Donna Simone Johnson. Music by Robert Een.

Initially, we hadn't planned to create episodes that, like this one, unpack and contextualize our audio dramas. But as our creative process unfolded, we began to understand that context is vital in understanding how all the stories in this season fit together.  How is it that we're talking about hunger, even when we're not talking explicitly about hunger?  In this episode, you'll meet the real-life Beatrice and Gregorio. You'll hear how their story evolved into the audio drama you heard in Episode 1, and how food insecurity is woven deeply into the life of their family.  Written and narrated by Dan Froot, with Conching Matthews, Orinio Opinaldo, Frank Tamborello, and Hanna Garth. Music by Robert Een. If you're enjoying "Pang!", you can help us out a lot simply by rating, reviewing or sharing it.      

A single mom, her elderly uncle and her nine children teeter on the edge of losing the home that has been in their family for seventy years. From Curious Audio, this immersive audio drama is the first of a 2-part look into the struggle of a real-life family. Starring: Natalie Camunas, Donna Simone Johnson, and Christopher Rivas. Music by Robert Een. Written and directed by Dan Froot. https://www.pangpodcast.com

From Curious Audio, Pang! is a series of immersive audio dramas based on the oral histories of families around the country who are hungering for change. Starring: Natalie Camunas, Cristina Fernandez, Donna Simone Johnson, and Christopher Rivas. Music by Robert Een. Written and directed by Dan Froot.  pangpodcast.com