PRX Partners with Smithsonian
PRX rolls out a new partnership today with Smithsonian on the Sidedoor podcast.
More than 154 million treasures fill the Smithsonian’s vaults, but where public access ends, Sidedoor’s stories begin. With the help of biologists, artists, historians, archaeologists, zookeepers and even astrophysicists, host Tony Cohn sneaks listeners through Smithsonian’s side door, using his insider access to search for stories that can’t be found anywhere else.
Episode one is called “If These Bones Could Talk,” and it’s like a real-life episode of the TV show Bones. It investigates the mysterious death of one of the Smithsonian’s scientists 150 years ago. The gist is this: Explorer, scholar and 19th-century Smithsonian darling Robert Kennicott seemed destined to lead a full and adventurous life. Then, at the age of 30, on an expedition to Russian Alaska in 1866, Kennicott was discovered dead by a riverside. Rumors of all colors circulated about his death, including what seemed like the most likely cause: suicide. But it wasn’t until 135 years later, in 2001, that two of the Smithsonian’s forensic scientists cracked the case.
The podcast draws on the Smithsonian’s vast resources of museums, research centers and world-renowned experts, transporting listeners behind the scenes with stories that can’t always be told in a museum exhibit. This season, listeners will hear from a marine biologist hunting for a cancer cure in Florida’s waters, a combat photographer who captures reality and humanity of war and a historian who will make the case that beer history is American history.
“PRX is thrilled to work with the Smithsonian to help translate the in-person experience of discovery and wonder to students, families and fans through highly-produced, unforgettable podcasts,” said PRX Chief Content Officer John Barth.
New episodes will be available every other Wednesday. Check out si.edu/sidedoor for more info, and subscribe in RadioPublic, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts to hear future episodes.
