Bliss

Great job, Annie! I found your entry very intriguing. The compassion and sincerity come through in your delightful, engaging voice that definitely makes me want to get you know you better. I think you are asking the better question and focusing on the positive. To me, it’s not that there is no right answer to it, but that there’s no wrong answer. People get caught up in their wallpaper, SUVs, and designer everything and wonder why they don’t feel happy -- because that’s an endless void that can never be filled. Yours is an intensely personal question, yet it’s somehow universal. The most compelling stories for me are those of ordinary people, the remarkable tales of the twists and turns of individual lives. It takes reflection to know (or get to know) oneself well enough to answer your question. This is very worthy, even compelling, concept. Thanks for bringing your intelligence and thoughtfulness to it. I can’t wait to see your film and hear you on the radio. Good luck!

Great concept. I think this would make for an interesting show. It is a broad enough question that you could take it in many different directions. Nice voice, too. Good luck!

elizabeth
news director
morning host/producer
kisu 91.1 fm pocatello, idaho

Annie, I think your voice is perfect for a radio show - you are just the type of person I'd like interviewing me, or talking to me as a caller. You sound like the friend next door you want to call and talk to every afternoon. Nice idea!

This is a refreshingly optimistic alternative to the majority of mainstream media today, which tends to follow the old journalism adage: "If it bleeds, it leads." It would be pleasant to turn on the radio and hear Annie's soothing voice chatting up various characters on their personal definitions of bliss. It may even encourage listeners toward some valuable introspection and a search for their own ideas of what constitutes bliss. Good luck with your pursuits, Annie!

We are bombarded with daily news stories that make us cringe and depressed. I can't think of a better contribution to society than an uplifting show about the pursuit of bliss. I also want to know how to achieve bliss whether or not I have the biggest house, fastest car or a stack of money. I think many people have a hard time with wishing to be happy, they feel guilt for not being satisfied with what they have...even if they aren't truly happy. I think personal happiness is more important than than we give it credit. Happy people create more happy people. Bliss is contagious...spread it, Annie! What a lovely voice.

I'd definitely be up for listening and contributing to this radio program. Annie is sincere, passionate, and since I personally have worked w/ her, I know that she's very open minded, competent and easy to talk to and get along. Whenever you want to seek bliss, gimmee a call and I'll go searching w/ you!

What a great concept, and the perfect person to host as well!

By the way, since you will likely be getting calls from all manners of individuals, here are some things you might not have known about "bliss":

1) it is a programming language
2) it has been the name of both a TV series and several films
3) it is the name of a fort (in Texas) as well as a city in Idaho
4) it is the name of a smallish crater on the moon
5) it is the name of at least 3 songs, but the most important one was by Tori Amos

What a fantastic concept for an NPR program! I'd absolutely listen! Ms. Walsh has the articulate intelligence, insight, and compassion to make this program a winner!

What a beautiful voice! Couple that with an excellent program concept and you have a winning combination.

Annie has a wonderful radio voice and is both well educated and well read. I think that she could really make this idea work! Her open-minded pursuit for answers would work very well in a radio talk show venue.

Good luck with this Annie - I hope when you win you'll consider a wide variety of philosophical viewpoints. Some people do not allow themselves to be happy when there is so much suffering in the world. Others find happiness when they achieve something of value to them (in many cases AFTER stuggling to achieve it).

The founding fathers thought it was important to set up a country where people were as free as possible to pursue happiness. Over 200 years later, too many people are failing at this basic quest. Perhaps your dialog will help.

This is such a great idea! I hope that this happens for you Annie!!

What a fascinating concept! In a world that is so desperately seeking happiness, no matter what the cost, this would be a show that would soar! I think Annie is onto something-she definitely needs the venue offered here. 'Bliss' has my vote!

Great concept. I would be interested to hear as the topic is explored. Lovely, resonant speaking voice. Pleasing to the ear.

Wonderful idea, sonorous and delightful radio voice and, above all, an appreciation of excellent documentaries made before 1996. This is a long-overdue idea.

I agree with Ed here. "What makes us happy, despite life's challenges?" is a tough question to answer. It's a probing, even stunning question, and gets to the heart of things and people’s lives immediately. Posing this question to people from all walks of life would be something listeners could draw something from and extrapolate to their own lives--a sort of way for us to find wisdom over the airwaves.

For me, it seems that happiness is a transient state. 2006 was probably the worst year of my life personally, but I was fortunate to discover in the midst of suffering that living the creative life, with purpose, brings me a great deal of fulfillment. So this is my (very) short reflection on your question, but you'll get probably as many answers to it as people you ask, and find some common threads along the way. Questions with no right answers are the best.

I think this is a really great idea for a show, Annie, and I have no doubt you could make it totally enjoyable and inspiring. And, you have a superfine radio voice. I'd listen!

Steve

"What makes you happy, despite life's challenges?"
This is a very tough question to answer. Ordinary people can live many years without realizing that they may not be truly happy. Life's challenges or just meeting expectations of the imaginary community we think we belong to can keep us busy enough for a long time without exploring what makes us happy until it is too late. We often fool ourselves to think we are happy because we are content with what we have now, but deep inside we know something is missing. Asking "what makes us happy" ourselves continuously may help us live our lives to the fullest and in peace. All the best, Annie. I hope you find moments of your own happiness in the process.

It is an interesting premise. Would you interview experts or keep it to people in the street? Would you host it alone or with others?

Sally

a world fraught with pain and strife, from global warming and war to very private and personal suffering

Sometimes I wonder if we would recognize happiness in a perfect world, or if it only stands out in relief against the backdrop of suffering.

There's a great deal to examine in your subject. I don't think you would ever run out of different angles. I can't wait for your exploration to be continued.