Switchyard

12/24/2024

🎄 The holidays are a time to reflect on life’s challenges and joys, the connections we share, and the stories that bring meaning to it all. In this spirit, we encourage you to explore Dean Bakopoulos’s essay, "Down & Out in Bedford Falls," a moving reflection on It’s a Wonderful Life and the dream of small-town life. From all of us at Switchyard, may your holidays be filled with peace, reflection, and the stories that help guide us through even the toughest times.

https://www.switchyardmag.com/issue-3/bedford-falls

12/23/2024

📚 Switchyard Issue 4 is here!

This latest edition brings together an extraordinary lineup of voices, including Dean Bakopoulos, Mya Frazier, Michael Croley, Amanda Gunn, and Devon Fredericksen! From thought-provoking essays to stunning photography, this issue captures the beauty and complexity of storytelling at its finest.

Don’t miss out—explore the new issue now at www.switchyardmag.com!

12/19/2024

Ted Conover, a pioneer of immersive journalism, joins us to discuss his remarkable career and latest book, Cheap Land Colorado. Whether chronicling the lives of off-grid homesteaders or the struggles of marginalized communities, Ted’s commitment to truth-telling and vivid storytelling is unparalleled. In this episode, we explore the power of journalism to reveal the unseen and the vital importance of honesty in an age of “truthiness.” Tune in to learn more about the stories behind the stories. https://open.spotify.com/episode/21sb9gsYjFwlorDe062lcl

12/18/2024

We're proud to have partnered with the Food & Environment Reporting Network on this illuminating piece by Mya Frazier. Don’t miss it—and stay tuned for more thought-provoking stories in the next issue of Switchyard Magazine!

I had driven for an hour through a landscape blasted by extreme heat and drought before I saw a single combine at harvest. It kicked up a thick dust cloud that coated my windshield, and from then on…

12/17/2024

Switchyard Magazine’s fourth issue will ship in late December! 🎉This edition features thought-provoking essays by Devon Fredericksen, poetic brilliance from Amanda Gunn, and the striking visual storytelling of Tailyr Irvine. With every page, you’ll find stories that challenge assumptions and connect us all. Save the date and spread the word!

12/05/2024

✨ Exciting news! ✨ We’re thrilled to share that Greta has won an award at the Paris Film Festival! 🎉 With a mesmerizing screenplay by director Benjamin Font (adapted from the short story by Miciah Bay Gault), Greta is a hauntingly beautiful ghost story about longing and desire, brought to life by an extraordinary creative team. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this unforgettable film a reality!

11/30/2024

This , gift a year of unforgettable stories with Switchyard magazine from The University of Tulsa! Edited by the award-winning , each issue brings you incredible writing, featuring voices like Art Spiegelman and Tom Colicchio. For the reader in your life who values compelling storytelling and independent voices, a subscription to Switchyard is more than a gift—it’s an invitation to explore new ideas and perspectives all year long. 📚💌 Shop small and gift big! Subscribe today at www.switchyardmag.com

11/24/2024

✨Small Business Saturday is one week away!✨ Support local and small businesses by shopping with intention this season. Looking for the perfect gift for the reader in your life? A subscription to The University of Tulsa’s Switchyard magazine is a unique way to share thought-provoking stories and beautiful writing inspired by diverse voices from rural America and beyond. 📚

Support indie publishing, explore fresh perspectives, and give a gift that lasts all year. 🖊️🌾
www.switchyardmag.com

11/12/2024

America was built on ideals, but how do we stay true to them when hate groups resurface? In this powerful live recording Switchyard episode, Timothy Egan and Kevin Willmott discuss the troubling resurgence of white nationalism and explore how we can reclaim the American story through truth and education. Don’t miss it: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BDkqItwKjG8wdgTxBpfhb

11/10/2024

How do media, leadership, and education influence the fight against modern-day hate groups? Pulitzer Prize-winning author Timothy Egan and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott explore the answers on Switchyard. This eye-opening episode is essential for understanding our past and present. Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BDkqItwKjG8wdgTxBpfhb

11/07/2024

Rural communities often feel overlooked by decisions made without their voices. In this live episode of Switchyard, Jeff Sharlet and Jane Kleeb discuss the challenges of rural organizing and the essential role of local journalism in amplifying community perspectives. Hear how storytelling can bridge divides and foster real understanding. 🎧 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sGm5UUmbcE0pVQuLQySCi

10/31/2024

Curious how storytelling can bridge divides in rural America? In this special live audience episode of Switchyard from Mayfest, Jeff Sharlet and Jane Kleeb unpack the challenges of rural organizing, the vital role of local journalism, and the power of narratives to unite communities. Don’t miss their thought-provoking insights—listen now! 🎧https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OHp88GxpOXdfIADio79Nu

10/29/2024

Rural America is changing, and in this Switchyard episode, we’re diving into the real stories behind the headlines. Monica Potts, Dean Bakopoulos, and Michael Croley tackle topics like depopulation, rural healthcare, and community struggles. Listen to this conversation from now! https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OHp88GxpOXdfIADio79Nu

10/21/2024

Curious about the realities of small-town America beyond the clichés? 🎙️ In the latest episode of Switchyard, host Ted Genoways dives deep with writers Monica Potts, Dean Bakopoulos, and Michael Croley as they unpack the myths, challenges, and evolving dynamics of rural life. From healthcare struggles and depopulation to the impact of racism and the decline of local media, this conversation reveals the complexities often overlooked in the headlines. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion on what’s shaping the future of small towns! Tune into this live recording from now. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OHp88GxpOXdfIADio79Nu

10/17/2024

A rural renaissance is on the horizon! 🌿✨ In this episode of Switchyard, Bill McKibben and Andrea von Kampen explore the transformative power of renewable energy in rural America. Listen now to learn how this shift could redefine our future! 🎧
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EZSgvvqEfWYy2c7RXclZ2

10/16/2024

🌱 How can rural America lead the charge on climate change? Bill McKibben and Andrea von Kampen discuss renewable energy, the emotional toll of environmental changes, and how music can inspire action in this must-listen episode of Switchyard. 🎶 Don’t miss out! 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EZSgvvqEfWYy2c7RXclZ2

10/12/2024

Relive all of the magic from Switchyard at Mayfest! We’ve just released four new live audience episodes, diving deep into rural America’s untold stories. From Jeff Sharlet’s exploration of how hippie communes in rural Vermont became havens for conspiracy theory to Bill McKibben’s fight for climate justice in the Farm Belt, these episodes will bring you closer to the heart of these powerful narratives. 🎧 Catch it all now! https://open.spotify.com/show/03azf3nrIVPHJhYbRJ7WmQ

10/03/2024

🎉 Huge congratulations to Sterlin Harjo on being named a 2024 MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellow!

Sterlin, a visionary filmmaker, has been breaking new ground in Indigenous storytelling. We were thrilled to have him as a guest on the Switchyard Podcast, where he shared his creative journey and insights on telling authentic stories from his community.

Listen to the episode at the link in our bio and celebrate this incredible honor with us! 🎧✨ https://open.spotify.com/episode/6I6cOcGj8OnKaGTggW9eT6