There’s a term that epitomizes what we radio producers aspire to create: the “driveway moment.” It’s when a story is so good that you literally can’t get out of your car. Inside of a driveway moment, time becomes elastic--you could be staring straight at a clock for the entire duration of the story, but for that length of time, the clock has no power over you.

But ironically,  inside the machinery of public radio--the industry that creates driveway moments--the clock rules all.

Reporter/producer Julia Barton explores the design of the broadcast clock, the pie diagram that determines what you listen to when.

99% Invisible-88- The Broadcast Clock

Over the past 20 years, there’s been a revolution in the science of arson investigations. Many of the clues that had been used for decades to determine that a fire was not accidental, especially the analysis of burn patterns on walls and floors, have been proven to be false. Reporter Michael May looks closely at two deadly fires to explore the cutting edge of fire science—including how a new understanding of a phenomenon called flashover has disproved much of the old assumptions, and how clues left in victims’ blood can help determine how a fire started and spread.

Forensics in Flames by Michael May

The DIY/maker movement is creating formal opportunities for kids who like to make things with their hands.

Hacker Scouts by Jon Kalish

A tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world.

99% Invisible-10- 99% Sound and Feel

Online crafty marketplace Etsy just became a publicly traded company. What does this mean for makers who sell on the site? 

The file for this show was updated on April 21 to correct a factual error in the original version, which misstated the number of people who founded Etsy. 

03 Etsy: DIY to IPO

This story was inspired by a submission from listener Matthew Mercier, for our Halloween/Election crowd-sourcing experiment. It's based on his experience as caretaker of the last home of Edgar Allan Poe, and imagines what Poe's last living hours may have been like. Performed by Christian Paluck, Ed Herbstman, Chet Siegel, and Louis Kornfeld. Produced & directed by Jonathan Mitchell.

The Death of Poe

A couple goes in search of childhood memories. Performed by Ed Herbstman, Lauren Ashley Smith, and Louis Kornfeld. Story by Jonathan Mitchell with dialogue improvised by the actors. Produced and directed by Jonathan Mitchell.

Mirror Lake

You're cordially invited to spend New Year's Eve with Walt Avery. To attend, simply play this podcast. Performed by Ben Jones and Tom Ligon, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. 

Happy New Year

Everyone thought you were missing, maybe even dead. And now you’re back.

Performed by Ed Herbstman, Ben Jones, Christian Paluck, Chet Siegel, Louis Kornfeld, Amy Warren, and Asher Herbstman. The story was developed collaboratively by The Truth, with dialogue improvised by the actors. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

Where Have You Been?

Are you hearing voices? You're not alone. Performed by Christian Paluck, Carly Monardo, Tom Stephens, Louis Kornfeld, Jon Keller, Kerry Kastin, Nick Mykins, Aina Rapoza, and Ashley Wilson. With special musical guest Elizabeth Ziman (of Elizabeth and the Catapult). Written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell.

You're Not Alone

Rendered (formerly Destination DIY) finds stories about getting creative, making meaning, and breaking rules. We are an independent show from the public radio world carefully crafted for an audience of makers, doers, and curious minds. We are proud to be a part of Maximum Fun family of podcasts. 

03 Etsy: DIY to IPO

Rendered

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