MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an innovative new take on its long tradition of promoting intellectual discourse and the exchange of ideas in the community, Kepler’s Books and Peninsula Arts & Letters are partnering with journalist and interviewer Angie Coiro to launch a weekly radio show from Kepler’s in Menlo Park. Titled In Deep with Angie Coiro, the program will comprise an hour-long discussion about a current news, political or cultural event with a prominent guest, followed by a one-on-one, intimate conversation with a newsmaker, author or thinker. Every show will incorporate questions and comments from the live audience. Following its debut on April 15, the show will be recorded live at Kepler’s every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
“Our goal is to bring top writers, cultural and business leaders, scientists and thinkers to the community,” said Jean Forstner, director of programming and operations at Peninsula Arts & Letters, a non-profit, events-focused entity that partners with Kepler’s Books. “This is an extension of that effort, and a unique opportunity to work with a talented and inquisitive journalist to create a live-format event that broadens and extends these great conversations to a national audience. We believe we are the first bookstore in the country to do this.”
Peninsula Arts & Letters was formed in 2012 when Kepler’s was reorganized into a for-profit community bookstore (Kepler’s Books), and a non-profit events entity. Since that time, Coiro has collaborated with Peninsula Arts & Letters multiple times to host its popular Premier Event Series, interviewing cultural and political icons including Gail Sheehy, Barbara Ehrenreich and Congressman Barney Frank. “There was tremendous community response to Angie’s interviews,” said Forstner. “Given that the audience will actually participate in the radio shows, this format provides an even deeper and more engaging experience for both the guest and the audience.”
“I am thrilled to bring In Deep back to the airwaves, and I can’t think of a better venue than Kepler’s Books,” said Coiro. “Kepler’s has been a community home for discourse and ideas for sixty years. More recently, with its partner Peninsula Arts & Letters, Kepler’s has created a vibrant venue for thought-provoking dialogue and smart entertainment.”
In Deep began as The Angie Coiro Show in 2009 and evolved into a syndicated radio show heard across the country. From its new home at Kepler’s, In Deep with Angie Coiro will be nationally syndicated and will broadcast on several public and commercial radio stations and Netroots Radio (www.netrootsradio.com), be available as a podcast on Public Radio Exchange (www.prx.org) and on iTunes, and will be archived on both the Kepler’s (www.keplers.com) and In Deep Radio (www.indeepradio.com) websites.
“Part of the value we are creating here is an important new media opportunity to get the word out about new authors and books,” said Praveen Madan, CEO of Kepler’s Books. “The shrinking amount of space devoted to book reviews and book talks in traditional media has made it harder for publishers to reach readers. We are excited by the potential of this new programming to publicize important books, while also promoting critical thinking, literacy, and conversation in the community.”
Seating at Kepler’s for In Deep with Angie Coiro is free through April 22. After that, tickets will cost $10 and can be purchased on the Kepler’s website or at the door. Audience suggestions for future shows are welcome, and can be emailed to keplers@indeepradio.com. Looking ahead, other confirmed guests include:
- April 15: The Sex Education You Wish You Had, featuring guests Julie Metzger and Dr. Robert Lehman, sex and health educators at Great Conversations in Seattle, Washington.
- May 6: Claire Bidwell Smith, bestselling author of The Rules of Inheritance, with her new book After This: When Life is Over, Where Do We Go?
- May 13: Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law, with his new book Speak Now: Marriage Equality on Trial
- May 20: Andrew Keen, Executive Director of the Silicon Valley innovation salon, FutureCast, with his new book The Internet Is Not The Answer.
About Kepler’s Bookstore
Kepler’s is a premier independent bookstore famous for its outstanding author events and knowledgeable staff. Founded in 1955 by peace activist Roy Kepler, the store quickly blossomed into the cultural epicenter it continues to be to this day. Kepler’s is located in downtown Menlo Park at 1010 El Camino between Santa Cruz Avenue and Ravenswood, one mile north of Stanford University. To learn more about Kepler’s, visit http://www.keplers.com.
About Peninsula Arts & Letters
Peninsula Arts & Letters is a nonprofit entity that partners with Kepler’s to produce multiple, widely attended community events each week. In addition to showcasing cultural figures, the organization has recently broadened its focus to include educational programming designed to promote literacy and foster new generations of readers, and is organizing author events at each of the seven public schools in the Ravenswood School district in East Palo Alto. Peninsula Arts & Letters programs are a project of Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). SVCF is a nonprofit charity exempt from federal income tax under IRS section 501(c)(3).
About Angie Coiro and In Deep Radio
Angie Coiro is an award-winning radio, television, and live onstage interviewer and journalist. Angie has hosted radio shows in San Francisco and national syndication for two decades. In Deep Radio is a syndicated weekly discussion of American culture and politics, recorded live weekly at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park. Archived audio is available at InDeepRadio.com.