A new decade can bring with it many changes as people take stock, revaluate, and re-focus. We have not been left out of this phenomenon, and as we move into the summer of 2010, after long and deliberative thinking and discussions, we have decided to end Liberadio(!) with Mary Mancini and Freddie O’Connell.

As of Monday, June 7, Mary will be the new Executive Director of Tennessee Citizen Action, a public interest advocacy organization, and Freddie’s new inbound marketing agency, SearchViz, is growing at the same time as some of his other civic interests and responsibilities. We both feel that now is the time to focus all our energy and productivity towards these endeavors.

Before we go, however, we have a few final words. Most of which are “thank you!”

For the last 6 years you, our faithful listeners, have turned your dial to WRVU-FM on Monday mornings or pointed your browser to liberadio.com to allow us do our best to entertain and inform you. You’ve listened, called in, shared your thoughts and ideas, and heeded many calls to action. You are the embodiment of a deliberative and participatory democracy and for that, we can’t thank you enough.

We’d also like to wholeheartedly thank each one of our many talented, knowledgeable, and dedicated guests who took the time to share their expertise and passions with us. It’s not easy getting up at the crack of dawn and yet week after week our guests (especially the ones in time zones West of us) did just that. You are the spark that lights the fire beneath a participatory democracy, and for this we thank you.

A special guest acknowledgement goes out to Liberadio(!) team members, Elbert Ventura and Karl Frisch, purveyors of our weekly Media Matters for America Smackdown. Thank you for bringing your on-point media criticism—and the funny!—to the show week after week.

Behind the scenes, we also had tons of help. First and foremost, thank you to Teddy Bart and Karlen Evins, who reawakened Mary’s love for radio and taught us, by example, that words really do matter. And to Jim Ridley, an early and tireless Liberadio(!) cheerleader and Mary’s own personal guardian angel.

And because a show like ours can’t produce itself, big ups to Andy Finley, who shared his audio recording, editing, and podcasting expertise with us in the early days to make our recordings sound really, really good. Also, we’ve had two interns who became full-fledged producers over the years, and both were rock stars. A big “thank you” to Krystal Long and Nat Howry, who volunteered their time and skills to help us produce the show and the podcast each week. Again with the getting up early on cold, wintry mornings. Not easy but you guys were good at it and ever-hopeful that your humble hosts would actually make it to the studio with the equipment before you did!

To all our advertisers, but especially Barbara Moutenot with Village Real Estate, Bill Fletcher and FRR Media, Darek Bell, Pam Kidd & Keri Kidd Cannon, and the Bongo Java Roasting Company. You chipped in when the chips were down, and we thank you!

And though we give a nod to WRFN (Radio Free Nashville), WAMB-AM, and WNSG-AM, other stations that provided us a temporary home through the years, we have to say a huge thank you to our permanent residence: WRVU-FM. We met so many great radio neighbors—like occasional guest hosts Ashley Crownover and Lonnie Atkinson (who became much more than a fan and neighbor), Father Parthenios, and Angela Lin (may she rest in peace). We’d also like to thank the Vanderbilt Student Communications staff (especially Jim Hayes and Chris Carroll) and Board of Directors (especially Bruce Barry, Vanessa Beasley, and Kevin Leander), as well as all the members of the WRVU senior staff we’ve seen come and go through the years, all of whom have been have been more than accommodating to Liberadio(!). And a special shout out to Carl Pedersen of WPLN and long-time WRVU DJ John Brassil, neither of whom ever said “no” to one or another of our special requests for guidance or help. Thank you!

Also, to Sitemason, Nashville’s premier content management system and shared web hosting company (and our friends), who graciously provided us with gratis website and podcast hosting for 6 years without fail and without complaint, thank you!

Finally, to our dear family and friends, you can now all stop fighting over who is our “biggest fan.” With all the support and encouragement you have given us since we started the show, you absolutely must share the title. And for that, we thank you.

Once more with feeling, THANK YOU all so much!

And who knows. We might find that after a long summer on beaches all around the world (Wait. What? – Ed.) that we just can’t tear ourselves away from the microphones forever…

Our love, and till some sunny day,

Mary Mancini and Freddie O’Connell

Summary: Featuring guests Juvenile Court Clerk candidates Jeff Brousal, Howard Jones, Vic Lineweaver, Karen Johnson, and David Smith; Plus, the Media Matters for America Smackdown with Karl Frisch.

Listen to the entire show in two parts or scroll down to listen to each of the separate Juvenile Court Clerk interviews.

It’s the Circle of Clerks, Part 1 We start the show off with some flood relief info and welcome and the Media Matters for America Smackdown with Karl Frisch. Then, it’s the first two of what supposed to be 6 but turned out to be 5 (Vivian Wilhoite got her a.m.’s and p.m.’s mixed up) interviews with Democratic primary candidates for Juvenile Court Clerk. First up this hour is Jeff Brousal followed closely by Howard Jones. [25.47MB Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100517part1.mp3)

It’s the Circle of Clerks, Part 2 In this hour we talk to three more of the Democratic candidates for Juvenile Court Clerk – Vic Lineweaver (the incumbent), Karen Johnson, and David Smith. Because it seemed like too bold an assertion to make on the eve of an election, we contacted Councilwoman Megan Barry for confirmation of the statement made by candidate Karen Johnson that she “recruited” Ms. Johnson to run for Juvenile Court Clerk. Councilwoman Barry said she often advises those who reach out to her to get involved in the democratic process. However, Ms. Barry stressed to us that she did not recruit Ms. Johnson to run for the office of juvenile court clerk. Election day is tomorrow, May 18. Go to Nashville.gov/vote for information about polling changes due to the flood disaster as well as to view a sample ballot.[19.82MB Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]
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Jeff Brousal
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Howard Jones
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Vic Lineweaver
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Download audio file (liberadio20100517lineweaver.mp3)

Karen Johnson
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Download audio file (liberadio20100517johnson.mp3)

David Smith
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Download audio file (liberadio20100517smith.mp3)

Summary: Featuring Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry, Center for American Progress Policy Analyst Ian Millhiser, and Karl Frisch and the Media Matters for America Smackdown.

A Conversation with Justin Bieber, Part 1 We apologize, but by the time our show aired, Justin Bieber had to cancel. We’re sad but we forge ahead with the Liberadio(!) “To Do” list, Freddie as a bicycle valet, the Davidson County Democratic Party straw poll debrief, and a rundown of the news. Plus, Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry joins us live to tell us the story of her client Gaile Owens, one of two women on Tennessee’s death row, and Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper issues an opinion[pdf] on the constitutionality of yet another vanity license plates. Beep, beep, who got the keys to the…ZOMG! Jesus is Lord! [25.4MB Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100419part1.mp3)

A Conversation with Justin Bieber, Part 2 In the second hour we tell you all the fun facts that weren’t reported about self-described “Tea Partiers,” and we speak to Ian Millhiser, Policy Analyst for Center for American Progress about the upcoming Supreme Court nomination – what it means to a court primarily made up of conservatives “nuts” and what the confirmation process will look like. Then, it’s once again time for Karl Frisch(!) and the Media Matters for America Smackdown – this week Karl takes Maureen Dowd and the Sunday morning talk shows to the mat – and a quick but important word about a bill that would outlaw some forms of birth control in Tennessee (which has passed in both the House and Senate and is on its way to the Governor to be signed). [23.4MB Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100419part2.mp3)

Summary: Featuring guests A.C. Kleinheider, the blogger formerly known as Post Politics and Karl Frisch, the contributor formerly known as Senior Fellow for Media Matters.

A Day without a Kleinheider, Part 1Play ball! It’s opening day but we don’t have just baseball on our minds – there’s the Easter weekend, some jobs chatter, college hoops, and the Tennessee state legislature can’t say boo to the coal lobby so the feds are coming in to take a good hard look at the quaint little practice of mountaintop removal. Plus, A.C. Kleinheider, who provided the solo byline for Post Politics – the go to place for state and local political news and views – until he was let go last week, joins us for a little debriefing, dodging, and dancing. Was he really fired as the result of a racist email? [26.92MB download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100405part1.mp3)

A Day without a Kleinheider, Part 2 Our listeners can’t get enough Kleinheider and neither can we so he stays and our listeners ask him some tough questions. Will he or won’t he comment and tell? And Karl Frisch of Media Matters talks Tiger Woods, Jesse James, Justin Beiber, and Ludacris…until he gets back on track and pulls the curtain back on Sarah Palin’s new Fox talk show. Then? You guessed it, we get another fix of Kleinheider. Will he be back again next week? [23.14MB download mp3]
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EXTRA: Read the missing last post from Kleinheider.

Summary: Featuring guests Tony Garr, Executive Director of Tennessee Health Care Campaign and Karl Frish Senior Fellow for Media Matters for America.

Part 1: Yes We Did (Part 2 in a Series) There’s really one one news story this morning – woohoo! health care reform legislation! – and really one “to do” item – call and thank your congressperson who voted for woohoo! health care reform legislation. And then there’s the congressmen from Tennessee who didn’t vote for it. Call those guys too. Plus, what’s good about the legislation and Tony Garr, executive director for Tennessee Health Care campaign joins us to talk about why it’s specifically good for Tennesseans. [27.47MB download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100322part1.mp3)

Part 2: Yes We Did (Part 2 in a Series) So just what was the contemporary Republican party’s agenda during this health care reform debate? Freddie’s got a few ideas. Plus, we take your calls, don’t answer a few questions, and talk to Karl Frisch of Media Matters (who bought Limbaugh not one but TWO plane tickets to Costa Rica) and Mark Naccarato of SEIU Local 205.” [24.14MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100322part2.mp3)

Summary: Featuring guests Bill Howell, Regional Organizer Middle Tennessee Office, Tennesseans for Fair Taxation, John Flansburgh, Senior Fellow, They Might Be Giants, and Karl Frish Senior Fellow for Media Matters for America.

Part 1: Makin’ a Little Birdhouse in Your Radio News roundup, three words to describe the Vancouver Olympics closing ceremonies, the to do list, Tennessee politics are important politics, and while our U.S. Senators refuse to fight for health care security for all Tennesseans, one lone State Senator takes a stand. Plus, our interview with Bill Howell of Tennesseans for Fair Taxation. Fair fair fair fair fair. [23.34MB download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100301part1.mp3)

Part 2: Makin’ a Little Birdhouse in Your Radio We take your calls on what the lack of meaningful health care reform means to ordinary Tennesseans, plus John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants joins us for a rollicking interview in which we learn many, many secrets about New York Politics, kid-friendly rock shows, song lyrics, the Flood album, and bathtub conversations. We finish up with Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization Media Matters for America, and his take on the media coverage of President Obama’s health care summit and Freddie’s comments on Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp’s unchallenged assertions that mountaintop removal is “good for the environment.” [24.14MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100301part2.mp3)

Summary: Featuring guests Dr. Joseph Romm, Senior Fellow for Center for American Progress and editor of ClimateProgress.org and Karl Frish Senior Fellow for Media Matters for America. Listen to the full Weekly Radio Address from President Obama at whitehouse.gov.

Part 1: Best. Invention. Ever. Make a simple hyperbolic statement and soon we’re discussing discussing politics, energy sources, and the existence of God with our listeners all in the context of just what is the Best. Invention. Ever. Remo, Mary’s dad, even calls in with his unique take. Plus the rich are getting richer and we call “shenanigans” on the guy making fun of the President for using a teleprompter while he was, you know, using a teleprompter. [20.59MB download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100222part1.mp3)

Part 2: Best. Invention. Ever. The discussion continues and we conclude that the Best. Invention. Ever. just might be Tennessee State Senator Andy Berke. Plus, a debrief of a trip to our nation’s Capitol (and making plans for another), a listener calls in with a fantastic energy saving idea, an interview with Dr. Joseph Romm of ClimateProgress.org on why now is the time to pay attention to the science of climate change and not the weather, and Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization Media Matters for America, covers Conservative Political Action Conference. [23.7MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100222part2.mp3)

Eric Boehlert of Media Matters nails it – using this past weekend’s tea party festivities as a example – in his essay on the “media double standard that favors Republicans over Democrats.”

And Karl Frisch, a Senior Fellow at Media Matters and Liberadio(!) media correspondent, said on our show on Monday that the responsibility for correcting this, er, “overcorrection,” rests solely in our hands:

Download audio file (frisch-challenge-media20100208.mp3)

“For 40 years, the right has been pushing the idea of liberal media bias, and since Palin is one of the most popular people on the right, the press – because of the pressure they get from every level of the conservative movement from the lowliest volunteer to the presidential candidate – they get immense pressure to bend-over backwards and be “fair.” And by “fair” I mean not correct the public record. The left has only come into its own in terms of coming after the media to get things correct for about 5 or 6 years now in any kind of organized fashion. And even then it’s still not from the lowliest of campaign activists to the tip-tops of the presidential candidates.

It was surely something when the White House started becoming critical of Fox News because we had not seen that before from the left. But this is something that has to be ingrained in the psyche of the progressive movement that you must challenge the media when they get something wrong. Because then, at least, we can bring the press back to a natural center where they’re bending over backwards perhaps for both sides but in the end we’re getting a better news product.

As it stand right now, everybody on the Right complains about the media. Every day. On every issue. That doesn’t happen on the left. And that’s why Joe Biden ends up being charicatured in the way that he’s charicatured but since the campaign nobody has said – I hesitate to say nobody – but, by and large, for all the gaffes Sarah Palin has had, since exiting the campaign trail, she’s certainly not held to the standard that other politicians would be if they were quite as dumb as Palin on the stump.”

Summary: Featuring guests Graham Perry Social Curator of Tennessee State Museum and Karl Frish of Media Matters for America.

Part 1: No Scrimmage: Healthcare on the One-Yard Line. President Obama’s latest weekly radio address, a recap of the most super of bowls, the year of the underdog continues…from 2008, the Tea Party seen through rose-colored glasses, our interview with Graham Perry, curator of the We Shall Not Be Moved: The 50th Anniversary of Tennessee’s Civil Rights Sit-ins at the Tennessee State Museum, and the work continues for affordable health care for all. [24.44MB download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100208part1.mp3)

Part 2: No Scrimmage: Healthcare on the One-Yard Line Guess what? Jobs bills are important for the states! A couple of callers try and scold us for using the term “tea bagger” to describe the racist funny-hat-wearing xenophobes personified by Tom Tancredo at this past weekend’s Tea Party Convention, and Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization, Media Matters for America brings it to the lapdog mainstream media…and Sarah Palin too. [23.7MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100208part2.mp3)

Summary: Featuring guests Robert Weissman of Public Citizen and Karl Frish of Media Matters for America.

The State of the Union is…Party!, Part 1. President Obama’s latest weekly radio address, current news, and the to do list (including details of our 2010 State of the Union Watch Party). Plus, WRVU loses 15-year veteran Doyle Davis when he decides he can no longer “bring da funk,” Air America has gone dark (but not for the reasons you think), our callers think that liberals in Tennessee should just come out already, and Liberadio(!) senior Massachusetts News Correspondent, Julie Bruno, reports from the ground – just what happened to the Coakley campaign and who is this Scott Brown dude? [27MB download mp3]Download audio file (liberadio20100125part1.mp3)

The State of the Union is…Party!, Part 2 This hour we’re joined by Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen, who gives us the 4-1-1 on the latest Supreme Court decision to affect campaign financing, as well as Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization, Media Matters for America. Plus, the Top 10 Progressive Victories of the Obama administration (a.k.a. he brought the change and we can believe in it), Tennessee is – in reality – a nice shade of purpley blue, and public transit fans, rejoice! – the Obama administration announced this week that it is loosening the criteria for using federal funds to finance light rail, bus routes, and other public transit projects. [23MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100125part2.mp3)