Radiotopia Presents: Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative

Afia tells the truth. S***hole Country is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about S***hole Country and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Afia is due to return to San Francisco in a few days. She wants to pay a visit to an old friend before she leaves. S***hole Country is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about S***hole Country and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Afia celebrates Christmas with the aid of a curious present: meditation. S***hole Country is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about S***hole Country and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

With their “Are You The One?” marathon complete, Afia and her parents must now turn to Accra for entertainment. What will they find? S***hole Country is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about S***hole Country and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Afia’s always had a complicated relationship with her mom Agnes. But if she’s going to get some much-needed clarity, she’ll have to ask Agnes some uncomfortable questions. S***hole Country is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about S***hole Country and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

December 2017. Afia lands in Accra, her first trip to the continent in years. A big surprise awaits her. S***hole Country is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about S***hole Country and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

January 2018. “Afia,” a 30-year-old Ghanaian-American who eats the food but doesn’t speak the language, just spent the holidays in Accra. She flies home to San Francisco, straight into a media s***storm. S***hole Country is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about S***hole Country and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Coming up next on Radiotopia Presents: S***hole Country. Afia Kaakyire has a decision to make. And by God, her family is going to help her figure this s*** out. Join her in this eight-part podcast series as she forages for her family’s guidance in their shared histories during a long-awaited trip to Ghana — true tales dipped in green card anxieties, complicated love, an “Are You the One?” marathon, and liberal portions of the world’s best jollof. S***hole Country is written, narrated, sound designed by Afia Kaakyire, and produced by Afia and Mark Pagán. Julie Shapiro and Audrey Mardavich are our executive producers. Cover art by Sindiso Nyoni. Theme song by Ria Boss. Learn more about S***hole Country at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Behind the Series is a short-run series about the shows previously featured on this very podcast: Radiotopia Presents from Radiotopia. This week, we talk with someone who's had a lot to do with the sound of Radiotopia Presents, Ian Coss. Ian has played a key role in creating some of our favorite series, starting with the very first show featured on Radiotopia Presents (then called Showcase): Ways of Hearing (2017), and including our most recent series, Blind Guy Travels, which he produced and sound designed. After taking on many supporting roles in Radiotopia productions over the past few years, Ian joins us to talk about what he’s learned in making limited run series and how it helped in his newest role: host and creator of the five part series, Forever is a Long Time. Behind the Series is hosted, written, and produced by Mark Pagán. Executive producers are Audrey Mardavich and Julie Shapiro. Music from JD Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, and Ian Coss. Behind the Series is a production of Radiotopia Presents, from PRX’s Radiotopia. We’re looking for new series for Radiotopia Presents! Find out more about how to pitch your show at radiotopiapresents.fm/pitch-us. Wanna learn more about your favorite shows, get audio recommendations, events updates, and podcast news? Sign up for the Radiotopia Citizen newsletter at radiotopia.fm/citizen. Ian’s series Forever is a Long Time is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Blind Guy Travel’s Matthew Shifrin hasn't engaged much with the visual culture of memes. Cue the hosts of Say My Meme, Will Butler from Be My Eyes and Caroline Desrosiers from Scribely. Say My Meme is a podcast that literally describes the world's most #relevant memes, bringing the blind and sighted people together through laughter and the power of visual description. In their neverending crusade to bring memes to to the people who have the least access, Will and Caroline attempted to turn Matthew into a meme enthusiast by tapping into one of this favorite subjects: musical theatre. Blind Guy Travels is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about Blind Guy Travels and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Independence. It’s a word that’s used in the blind community often, but that means different things to different people. What does independence mean for Matthew? On the heels of his Senior Recital and college graduation, Matthew ruminates on what might be next for him. Blind Guy Travels is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about Blind Guy Travels and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Some teachers hang you upside-down to help you sing better. Others sit on you. In the lead-up to his senior recital, Matthew reflects on becoming an accomplished blind musician, through conversations with four of his music mentors who have helped along the way. Blind Guy Travels is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about Blind Guy Travels and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Most dating apps rely heavily on user photos and other visual cues, so Matthew gathers a team of friends to help him craft the perfect dating profile and vet potential romantic interests. Blind Guy Travels is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about Blind Guy Travels and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

Why watch a movie if you can’t see the screen? Matthew and his friend Ben take in a Marx Brothers film and showcase the power of a good description. Blind Guy Travels is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about Blind Guy Travels and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

On his 13th birthday, Matthew’s friend Lilya brings a gift that will change his life, and ultimately touch Lego-loving blind kids all over the world. Blind Guy Travels is a production of Radiotopia from PRX and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed debuting limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. Learn more about Blind Guy Travels and access transcripts at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.