Editors' Note: Issue Three

Where we're coming from and where we're going. Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

What that nerd Charles Darwin did for finches in the Galápagos, Boen is doing for “buddy” in Pittsburgh. Boen Wang is a writer, audio producer, and educator in Pittsburgh. This story was written and produced by Boen. It was edited by Omar Etman and Lio Wong, with help from Jackson Roach, Liza Yeager, and the entire Issue Three cohort.Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

In 1970, Kenneth Koch published a groundbreaking book about writing poetry with kids. Half a century later, Jess Shane tracks down his students to ask what it meant for their lives.Jess Shane is an audio producer and artist from Toronto. This piece was reported and produced by Jess. It was edited by Liza Yeager, Annie Rosenthal, and Jackson Roach. Jess did the mix and sound design, with help from Jackson Roach.Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

A tour of Madrid, New Mexico, made by the kids who live there.Produced in partnership with Transom Story Lab’s The Listeners project. This story was reported and recorded in July 2025 by the kids of radio camp at KMRD-LP FM 96.9: Charlie, Emily, Myrddin, Zander, Frances, Niko, Salome, Konrad, and Dean. It was produced by Annie Rosenthal and edited by Stella Linder Byrne and Ian Lewis. Additional production support from Jackson Roach.Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

The lute is an instrument facing giant panda levels of endangerment. Ruby enters the lute-iverse to meet the people trying to save it.Ruby Tandoh is a writer and lives in London. She’s the author of All Consuming.Paul Smith is an audio producer and lives in London. This story was written and reported by Ruby and produced by Paul. Sound design and additional production by Jackson Roach. It was edited by Annie Rosenthal, Jackson Roach, and Liza Yeager.Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

On the first day of this year, Sharon decided to clip a microphone to her shirt and record her life. Every waking minute of it.Sharon Mashihi is an audio storyteller and sometimes a theater maker. She is the creator of the podcast Appearances.This story was created by Sharon Mashihi. It was edited by Omar Etman, Liza Yeager, and Jackson Roach. Additional editorial support from Annie Rosenthal, Lio Wong, and the Issue Three cohort. Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

Everything was bright and the day felt ordained. The sky was right there. Every object was real, finally, and true. It was impossible to imagine a commodity.Mitchell Morgan Johnson is a writer in Chicago.This story was written by Mitchell and read by Matthew Schlerf. It was produced for sound by Liza Yeager. Special thanks to Leah Dawson. Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

Signal Hill's first-ever installment of Letters to the Editors. We want to hear from you! Tell us what you thought of the issue. Send a voice memo to [email protected] Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

On November 19th, 1969, two American astronauts landed on the moon. The next day, eighty American Indians landed on Alcatraz Island. Lou Cornum is a writer, editor, and professor living in New York City. They are an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.This piece was written and reported by Lou. It was produced and sound designed by Jackson Roach, with help from Lou, and edited by Jackson Roach and Annie Rosenthal.Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!

Signal Hill, Issue Three comes out on July 7th. Cover art by Zak Ziebell.Signal Hill is an independent, listener-funded, nonprofit publication. Help us continue making it by signing up to be a member—there are perks!