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Radiolab's Robert Krulwich Announces Retirement

WNYC
Radiolab hosts Robert Krulwich (left) and Jad Abumrad (right)

After 15 years as the beloved co-host of WNYC Studios’ Radiolab and an illustrious five-decade career in print, television, and radio journalism, Robert Krulwich announced today that he will retire from the show in January 2020. Radiolab will release a special tribute episode in late January.

Robert announced the news in a heartfelt letter, which you can read here

Robert and Jad Abumrad met in 2002, when Jad was given an assignment to record Robert for a fundraising spot. At the time, Krulwich was a correspondent at ABC, and Abumrad was hosting a three hour Sunday night show on WNYC-AM 820 in New York called “Radio Lab.”  Krulwich was renowned for his skill in making complicated topics like interest rates and genomics accessible, and Abumrad had a background in music composition and film scoring. They discovered that what they shared was a deep curiosity about big ideas such as time, space, colors, and the nature of good and evil -- topics that went far beyond breaking news and traditional journalism. 

We’re grateful that Robert Krulwich called Radiolab home for so many years, bringing us all hours and hours of delight and wonder.  Please join me in thanking Robert for making such an indelible mark on public radio and in wishing him the best for his well-earned retirement. 
 
Together, they forged an entirely new audio storytelling aesthetic that combined first-person storytelling, interviews with experts, and innovative, cinematic sound design -- and changed the sound of public radio forever.

Radiolab started as a local WNYC show, but today, the two-time Peabody Award-winning program is heard by public radio listeners across the country on 589 public radio stations.  

Robert’s departure is bittersweet, but Radiolab lives on with a stellar roster of producers and storytellers who have been inspired by Robert’s boundless curiosity, keen intelligence, and genuine kindness. And Robert’s familiar voice will of course still be heard in episodes released for broadcast. 
“Bobby K leaves us in a good place, with an incredible team that he helped train and mentor,” said Jad. “I’m truly sad that I won’t get to see him every day. But more than the sadness, I’m grateful beyond words for his friendship and guidance and blinding brilliance.” Radiolab Executive Producer Suzie Lechtenberg said, “Robert’s creativity and generosity are part of the DNA of the show, which has become a collective of some of the most talented storytellers.”

We’re grateful that Robert Krulwich called Radiolab home for so many years, bringing us all hours and hours of delight and wonder.  Please join me in thanking Robert for making such an indelible mark on public radio and in wishing him the best for his well-earned retirement. 

You can hear Radiolab every Saturday from noon till 1:00 PM on Valley Public Radio.