After more than 20 years at the helm, Jim Fleming announced that he will retire at the end of January as host of To the Best of Our Knowledge. Beginning in February, the show will launch the most significant makeover of the program in its 23-year history. Long-time interviewer and producer Anne Strainchamps will become the new host.
To the Best of Our Knowledge will continue to feature in-depth conversations with its ensemble of seasoned interviewers, but the program will also make some significant changes in its format. “Listeners can expect the same salon-style approach to exploring new ideas and cultural trends, but they’ll also experience a less formal, more conversational sound, with more timely content, a mix of short and long segments, more online content and even new theme music,” says Executive Producer Steve Paulson.
Strainchamps has more than 30 years experience in public radio as a journalist, editor, host and producer and is looking forward to hosting To the Best of Our Knowledge. “I’ve believed in the power and intimacy of the interview format since producing Diane Rehm's daily talk show at WAMU in the early 1980s,” said Strainchamps. “This is an exciting opportunity, but bittersweet because we’ve all learned so much from working with Jim,” she said.
“I have loved working on this show, being surrounded by all the talented people who make each hour such a joy to listen to. I look forward to being among the bright and interested people who listen to our program and to hearing Anne warmly welcome us all to the radio each week,” Fleming said.
The show, which is distributed by Public Radio International and is heard on 175 stations around the country, was created in 1990 by Fleming, Paulson and Strainchamps. It can be heard locally on the News & Information Service, Saturday evenings from 5pm-7pm, and again Sunday mornings from 8am-10am.
