The Pell Center at Salve Regina University announces the launch of the 14th national season of the eight-time Telly Award-winning series, “Story in the Public Square.”
The new season will debut on public television on December 30, 2024, through NETA. Viewers can look forward to 24 all-new 30-minute episodes featuring a wide range of guests who will explore the narratives that influence our understanding of pertinent issues in American public life.
This season will explore storytelling and its narrators, featuring a diverse lineup of distinguished guests. Each weekly episode will include insights from journalists, filmmakers, scientists, musicians, bestselling authors, poets, academics, photographers, medical professionals, public health experts, actors, and Pulitzer Prize winners, making pressing topics more accessible to viewers. The ability to host guests virtually and in-studio at Rhode Island PBS continues to enrich the diversity of perspectives shared on the show.
The series thrives thanks to the long-standing partnership between hosts Jim Ludes, Salve Regina University Vice President, and G. Wayne Miller, Director of the Pell Center’s Ocean State Stories initiative.
“I am truly thankful for the chance to present these stories and storytellers to our audience,” said Ludes. “Each week, we engage with remarkable individuals, appreciating the honor of entering their homes for conversations that both enlighten and inspire.”
Miller added, “We remain grateful to our dedicated audience, our guests, and the incredible crew at Rhode Island PBS and the Pell Center. I am excited to kick off our 14th national season!”
The series has been in production at Rhode Island PBS since January 2017 and is currently seen in more than 84 percent of the nation’s television markets with nearly 500 weekly broadcasts nationally. It has won Telly Awards for excellence in politics and commentary, history and social impact in 2022, 2021, 2020 (twice); 2019, 2018 and 2024 (twice).
The show is produced by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and presented by Rhode Island PBS via NETA, the National Educational Telecommunications Association.