Award-winning public radio show that travels the country telling stories about people doing extraordinary work to overcome obstacles.
All around us, every day, we hear, see, and experience stories of the American decline. The current narrative of this nation; of the world, is that things are falling apart. And yet, when you zoom in close and look at the big problems that plague this nation, everyday people are doing extraordinary work to help each other, to engage their community, and to overcome obstacles.
That's what State of the Re:Union (SOTRU) is all about. Telling those stories about the dreamers and doers in cities and towns across America. Our listeners have told us they want more SOTRU, so we're raising money so we can do just that. Our Kickstarter goal is $20,000, so we can create an additional three episodes for our third season.
So far this year we've completed ten episodes and traveled from coast-to-coast (see our FAQ section below for details on locations). Our three additional episodes will focus primarily on education and the military, and will be released by the end of the year, so you can ring in 2013 with more SOTRU!
Sample Stories:
Superman - from the Comics Episode
A passionate Superman fan gets taken advantage of, and the comics community rallies around him.
The 6th Branch - from the Baltimore Episode
How Baltimore-based veterans are serving their community after serving their country.
Laramie After Matthew Shepard - from the Wyoming Episode
An untold story of how Matthew Shepard’s murder changed the town of Laramie.
Snazzy Promotional Video:
Slammin' Rewards:
Because State of the Re:Union is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, if you choose not to receive a reward with your monetary gift, your donation is 100% tax-deductible.
Virtual Date with Al or with Al and the Producers Go on a virtual date with host with the most Al Letson, via Skype or Google+ hangout. Ask him questions, bat your eyelashes, make him perform his favorite poem... don't be shy. You can also choose to virtual chat with Al and super producers, Tina Antolini and Laura Starecheski, and pick their brains about anything your heart desires.
Podcast Underwriting Spot
Align your company or organization with a nationally aired public radio show with a positive message. Your :10 underwriting spot will reach thousands of people and is priced at 50% less than our typical rate. It must adhere to public radio underwriting guidelines, but we'll help you sort out the verbiage. This spot is priced at 50% less than our typical rate. Email Brie at brie@stateofthereunion.com to iron out the specifics.
"We Remember You" Podcast
Honor your loved one with a podcast about them. We'll conduct the interviews and produce a piece that you will love. Email Brie at brie@stateofthereunion.com to discuss details.
Travel with SOTRU
Come on the road with the SOTRU production team to see how we produce an episode. We'll take care of your flight from the continental U.S., hotel and meals. We typically travel for a week at a time, but you can stay for only a few days if you'd like. Travel will likely take place this spring. If you have questions about specifics, please email Brie at brie@stateofthereunion.com.
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Producing an additional three episodes in one season is something we've never attempted before, however, we have a plan in process to ensure we deliver the episodes on deadline. Typically we release five episodes in both the spring and fall, and have about five months of production time for each. We would be releasing these episodes by the end of the year, so would have two months to produce three episodes.
However, to combat this challenge, we have a dedicated group of staff that have created a detailed schedule, and we have brought on a part-time researcher to ensure that the three episodes get completed by our deadline of December 31st. This is our third season of production so we have our workflow solidified and process management in tact to ensure everything runs smoothly.
FAQ
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We typically produce 10 total episodes per complete season or year. We release 5 episodes in the spring, and 5 in the fall. This year, with a little help from our friends, we're hoping to produce 13 total episodes, releasing the final 3 before the end of the year.
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This season we have episodes from the following locations:
Vermont
Baltimore, MD
Missouri Ozarks
Tri-Cities, WA
Tucson, AZ
Pike County, OH
Jacksonville, FLWe also have three episodes produced from different types of communities:
Comics
Internet
Summer in Sanctuary - An American Graduate Special -
We're so glad you asked! Submit your suggestion to us at contact(at)stateofthereunion(dot)com. Include specifics on why you think your community would make a great SOTRU episode.
419
Backers
$20,810
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Funding period
Oct 16, 2012 -
Nov 15, 2012
- 2 created · 1 backed
- Al Letson 1360 friends
- Website: stateofthereunion.com
Pledge $5 or more
34 backers
One of our custom SOTRU stickers for you to proudly display!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $10 or more
62 backers
Love our comics episode? Are you a fanboy? Get a printed or digital copy from the exclusive first run of Planetfall, a comic book written by host Al Letson.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $25 or more
142 backers
Pick one of three slammin' T-shirts designed exclusively for our Kickstarter campaign.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $50 or more
24 backers Limited (26 of 50 left)
***NEW REWARD*** Limited-edition Art Tee designed by pop artist Tony Rodrigues specially for State of the Re:Union's Kickstarter campaign. Extremely limited T-shirt run. To see Tony's work visit http://tonyrodriguesart.com/
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $50 or more
27 backers
Did you fall in love with Al's one-man play, Summer in Sanctuary? Get a DVD of the complete show, from his performance at the New Jersey Rep.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $100 or more
27 backers
Get a beautiful leather travel journal embossed with the SOTRU logo complete with a personalized note from Al, as well as an unreleased CD featuring our favorite stories from the fall season.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $250 or more
5 backers
Want to find out how a SOTRU episode is produced? Or just want to make googly eyes at Al? We understand. For $250 you can have your very own virtual date with Al or Al with producers Tina Antolini and Laura Starecheski.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
A 15-second spot from your company or organization, read by Al during one of our podcasts. (verbiage must meet public radio underwriting guidelines). Email Brie for questions: brie@stateofthereunion.com
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
Celebrate the life of your loved one with a podcast about them. Email Brie to discuss specifics: brie@stateofthereunion.com
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
Travel with SOTRU! Join the production crew on the road as they parachute into a new location to record an episode. We will pay for your airfare from the continental U.S., hotel and meals. Email Brie to discuss details: brie@stateofthereunion.com
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
