Your Postal Podcast

Photos (left): Film actors Bradley Cooper (third from left), Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis act out a scene for Director Todd Phillips (far right) in front of the Nogales, AZ, Post Office. Hollywood movie magic recently transformed the postal facility into a stand-in for a Mexican jail during production of the starring trio's new film. (Right photo:) A few of the 250 celebrity photos currently on display at the Nashville Post Office, Acklen Station, include pictures of Eric Church and Garth Brooks. (Nogales photo by Melinda Sue Gordon.) Stars from the worlds of music and movies come together for this month's edition of Your Postal Podcast. First, you'll learn how country music legends helped earn a Nashville Post Office the honor of being labeled among "America's Quirkiest" by Travel + Leisure magazine. Next you'll learn how Hollywood movie magic has transformed many Post Office facilities into movie and TV show locations. Both the audio and transcript versions of this and previous shows can be found at Your Postal Podcast. Please send any feedback to yourpostalpodcast@usps.gov. Thanks for listening, and don't forget to visit Your Postal Blog for daily updates on all things postal

Even comic strip detective Dick Tracy (left) got involved in promoting ZIP Codes when they were first introduced. Tables, file cabinets and a Mr. ZIP poster (right) are among dozens of items awaiting auction buyers at a Kansas postal facility. April’s edition of Your Postal Podcast provides an inside look at how the Postal Service recycles used equipment while generating revenue. Items finding a new life include old USPS conveyor belts, cut up by one farmer for use as truck mud flaps and repurposed by another to transport hay bales into a barn loft. The audio program also offers a primer on the 1-2-3’s of ZIP Codes to celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary. The podcast concludes with a roundup of postal news, plus details on how you can enter to win a free Mr. ZIP bobblehead doll. To read the transcript, click here. To comment, click here.

Transcript for the April 2013 show. To read the transcript, click here. To comment, click here

This month we'll take you on what some would consider a ride of a lifetime, but it is just another winter day's work for Fred Caravetta who crosses a frozen lake to deliver the mail to Minnesota customers. You'll also hear about an iconic letter carrier who is celebrating five decades of service this year. The program concludes with a roundup of postal news, plus details on how you can enter to win a Mr. ZIP collectible bobblehead doll. Thanks for listening -- and don't forget to visit Your Postal Blog for daily updates on all things postal To read the transcript, click here. To comment, send an e-mail to yourpostalpodcast@usps.com. Photos: Minnesota Highway Contract Route Driver Fred Caravetta (l.) with his sled full of mail destined for Oak Island and (r) a vintage 1960's lapel button featuring Mr. ZIP

The February 2013 edition of Your Postal Podcast opens with the story of dozens of volunteers from a small Colorado town whose annual quest is to spread love around the world via special Valentine's Day postmarks. Also, in recognition of the issuance of the a new Forever stamp in Rosa Parks' honor, you'll hear the story of the civil rights activist's famous bus ride as told by the executive director of a Michigan institute founded by Parks. Click here for a transcript of this podcast. Thanks for listening -- and don't forget to visit Your Postal Blog for daily updates on all things postal. To leave a comment, click here. Caption: The Rosa Parks' stamp honored the civil rights leader's 100th birthday. Volunteers place a special postmark on more than 180,000 Valentines in Loveland, C

Transcript for the February 2013 show. To read the transcript, click here. To comment, click here.

The January 2013 edition of Your Postal Podcast provides a look behind the scenes at the task of delivering hundreds of thousands of messages of sympathy and encouragement to the residents of Newtown, CT, after last month’s senseless shooting at an elementary school in that community. You’ll also hear about one class of mail celebrating a significant anniversary this year. As always, the podcast concludes with a roundup of postal news, plus details on how you can enter to win free collectible stamp items. For a transcript of this show, click here. Thanks for listening – and don't forget to visit Your Postal Blog for daily updates on all things postal. To submit a story idea click on the "comments" link below. (Top) A temporary Post Office Box was established in Newtown, CT, to help manage the thousands of cards, letters, fruit baskets, books, teddy bears and other gifts that poured in from people around the world to share messages of grief and sympathy after December's shootings at a local elementary school. (Bottom) When Parcel Post service was launched 100 years ago, a demand for new methods of handling was created.

For a transcript, click here. To suggest a story idea, send an email here.

Photos: New Jersey City Carrier Daniel Eagen delivers mail to a box on his route after Hurricane Sandy devastated thousands of neighborhoods in the region. Customer Relations Coordinator Pete Fontana coordinates Operation Santa from his desk at New York's Main Post Office. The December edition of Your Postal Podcast shows the dedication of postal employees in two special ways during the busiest mailing season of the year. First, follow a New Jersey letter carrier who, like hundreds in the region, returned to his route soon after Hurricane Sandy's devastation of the area. Next, you'll hear from the Postal Service's "Chief Elf" in charge of Operation Santa as he reminisces about the thousands of lives the program has touched over the past century by helping volunteers answer letters to Santa. There's also a roundup of postal news, plus details on how you can enter to win collectible stamp items. For a transcript of this podcast click here. Thanks for listening -- and don't forget to visit Your Postal Blog for daily updates on all things postal.

Click here for a transcript of the December 2012 edition of Your Postal Podcast.  To submit a story idea, click on the comments link below

Photos: Coloradans John and Jim Wark take aerial photographs from their Husky airplane. Five of Jim's photos are featured in the new sheet of 20 Earthscapes Forever stamps, available now at Post Offices and at www.usps.com/shop. One of the stamps is a surreal view of a geothermal spring at Yellowstone National Park. The November edition of Your Postal Podcast takes us into the wild, blue yonder to learn the stories behind several of the photos used to create the new Earthscapes Forever Postage Stamps. You'll meet the photographer responsible for five of the bird's-eye-view landscapes used on the stamps. Next, you'll hear how a Missouri business owner for whom the saying, "A stitch in time saves nine" rings true after he discovered big savings by shipping his company's quilting supplies via Priority Mail. For a transcript of this podcast click here.  There's also a roundup of postal news, plus details on how you can enter to win collectible stamp items. Thanks for listening -- and don't forget to visit YourPostal Blog for daily updates on all things postal

Click here for a transcript of the November 2012 edition of Your Postal Podcast. To submit a story idea, click on the comments link below

Photos: Portland, OR, City Carrier Jeff Brosy found a customer in desperate need of help while making his rounds this summer. The Texarkana Post Office, which literally straddles the state border between Texas and Arkansas, as marked by a sign at its entrance (inset). Traditions of heroics and customer service in every American community are well represented in October's Your Postal Podcast stories. First, you'll hear about a new Portland, OR, letter carrier whose quick actions helped save the life of a customer. Next you'll hear a tale of two cities -- and two states -- which get outstanding mail service from one Post Office that could be excused for having a split personality. There's also a roundup of postal news, plus details on how you can enter to win collectible stamp items. For a transcript of this podcast click here. Thanks for listening -- and don't forget to visit Your Postal Blog for daily updates on all things postal.

Click here for a transcript of the October 2012 edition of Your Postal Podcast. To submit a story idea, click on the comments link below.

Photos (top): A mule is packed with food and other goods for delivery to inhabitants of the Supai, AZ, village at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Bottom: Leadville, CO, City Carrier Leonard Ortega delivers mail from the Post Office at the highest elevation in the United States. Go to extremes with this month's edition of Your Postal Podcast, on a whirlwind trip that starts at the Grand Canyon and then travels to the highest and lowest Post Offices in our nation. We'll also introduce you to new USPS greeting cards designed specifically for sending a salute to everyday heroes. You'll also learn how you can enter to win a free set of Bonsai notecards and stamps. For a transcript of this podcast click here. Thanks for listening -- and don't forget to visit Your Postal Blog for daily updates on all things postal.