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]
Download audio file (liberadio20100412part2.mp3)

Jeff Brousal
[Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100517brousal.mp3)

Howard Jones
[Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100517jones.mp3)

Vic Lineweaver
[Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100517lineweaver.mp3)

Karen Johnson
[Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20100517johnson.mp3)

David Smith
[Click on the arrow below to listen or download mp3]
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 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 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)

Summary: Featuring guests Vanessa Beasley and Kevin Leander, faculty board members for Vanderbilt Student Communications, Matt Collins, Ex-Vice Chair, Davidson County Republican Party, Tyler Slocum, Director of Energy Program for Public Citizen, and Karl Frisch of Media Matters for America.

We’re a Show Full of Misfits, Part 1. Current news, to do, interviews with Matt Collins, Ex-Vice Chair of the Davidson County Republican Party and Tyler Slocum, Director of Energy Program for Public Citizen, and it’s time to get on the phone again. [26.43MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20091214part1.mp3)

We’re a Show Full of Misfits, Part 2 Joe Leiberman gets a little air time, Vanessa Beasley and Kevin Leander, faculty board members for Vanderbilt Student Communications, join us to discuss the board’s decision to cap the number of WRVU community DJs at 25, and Karl Frisch smacks down Glen Beck during the Media Matters for America Smackdown. [23.40MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20091214part2.mp3)

Summary: Featuring guests Betsy Phillips, producer of Tiny Cat Pants blog and contributor to the Nashville Scene’s Pith in the Wind blog and Karl Frisch of Media Matters for America.

This is Tennessee Jumping Up and Down and Yelling “Yoohoo!”, Part 1. News, to do, and why all the good people down in Tennessee need to start paying attention to state politics. [24.56MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20091207part1.mp3)

This is Tennessee Jumping Up and Down and Yelling “Yoohoo!”, Part 2 Why health care reform matters (we’re talking to you Limbaugh), we get on a motherf**king boat with Betsy Phillips, also known as Aunt B. of Tiny Cat Pants and Pith in the Wind (two blogs that most definitely DO pay attention to state politics), and the Media Matters for America Smackdown with Karl Frisch. [23.89MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20091207part2.mp3)

Summary: Featuring guests Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Magdalene House and Thistle Farms; J.C. Smith, Outreach and Alumni Program Coordinator for Operation Stand Down Nashville, Elbert Ventura, Managing Editor for the Progressive Policy Institute, and Karl Frisch of Media Matters for America.

Links: Thistle Farms, Operation Stand Down Nashville, Progressive Policy Institute, and Media Matters for America

Faces of Love, Part 1 A quick run down of the news of the week and then we feature representatives from the two organizations we are adopting this holiday season. Listen to our interviews with Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Magdalene House and Thistle Farms, and J.C. Smith, Outreach and Alumni Program Coordinator for Operation Stand Down Nashville. [20.3MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20091123part1.mp3)

Faces of Love, Part 2 A quick run down of the Senate health care debate. Plus, Elbert Ventura is back! And he’s packing a new website for pragmatic progressives. And Elbert’s replacement, Karl Frisch of Media Matters, issues the smack down on this week’s conservative obstructionist redonkulousness. (He is a very busy man.) And just whose interests are Republican legislators looking out for as they stand in the way of meaningful health insurance reform? [21.3MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20091123part2.mp3)