Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz

Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 3 - Win-Win

Jan 30, 2024

Jess documents Judy's life struggles in exchange for help, causing complications in their relationships. The focus shifts to handling chaos, facing eviction, and navigating personal boundaries. Michael shares his post-prison challenges of isolation and trust. The series delves into personal transformation, blurred relationships, and finalizing the narrative with feedback.

46:35

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Quick takeaways

The challenges of maintaining professional boundaries while documenting the lives of vulnerable subjects.

The importance of ethical storytelling practices and considering the potential impact on the individuals being portrayed.

Deep dives

Judy's Housing Struggle and Legal Emergency

Judy, a shelter resident, faces a critical legal emergency amidst her housing instability. Struggling to coordinate schedules, Judy's intent becomes unclear. Jess reacts with empathy and tries to connect her with legal aid.

Introduction

4min

Finding Hope Amidst Challenges

19min

Organizing Chaos and Facing Eviction

3min

Navigating Professional and Personal Boundaries

12min

Navigating Isolation and Trust Post-Prison

1min

Navigating Relationships and Personal Transformation

5min

Navigating Feedback and Reflection in Storytelling Journey

3min

Jess makes a deal with Judy, an unhoused senior. Judy will let Jess document her, and Jess will help Judy resolve some of her ongoing life problems. As Jess gets sucked into Judy's crises, the rest of the series starts to slip and Jess’ relationships with her other subjects get messy. Jess starts to doubt the premise of this entire undertaking.

Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative is written, hosted and produced by Jess Shane. Sara Nics is the story editor. Sound design, mix/mastering by Michelle Macklem. Production support from Mona Hassan. Cover art is by Justin Broadbent. Jess’s bibliography is available here.

This reporting was supported in part by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G.Buffett Fund for Women Journalists.

Special thanks to Eleanor McDowall and Chioke I’Anson.

For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the managing producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. It’s a production of PRX’s Radiotopia and part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.

Learn more about Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

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Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz

Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative 3 - Win-Win

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Judy's Housing Struggle and Legal Emergency

Michael's Complicated Past and Housing Turmoil

Jess's Discomfort with Boundaries and Shift in Dynamics

Documentary's Impact on Subjects and Ethical Dilemma

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts