by Tim Van Schmidt

How does music mix with social messages on Etown?

We strive to have a healthy balance between music and talk on the program. And so many of our visiting artists have environmental and/or social causes that they support, so it's an easy flow from music to talk about issues they are passionate about. The E-Chievement Award segment highlights ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help others; we hear about these folks from our listeners all over the world - winners tell us about their work in their own words; it's really interesting and personal, and the stories themselves give our listening audience both information and inspiration.

Who have been some of the more memorable non-music guests you have had on the show?

Jane Goodall, Governor Ritter, Dave Barry (the humorist . . love him!) Robert Kennedy Jr., Daryl Hannah (actress/activist - she's so amazing) . . plus, honestly, each and every E-Chievement Award winner who has been on our show over the years. Talk about inspiring and humbling . .these stories of people no different than you and me, who are taking a simple step, reaching out, seeing a problem and figuring out a way to make a dent, make a difference, to make positive change. They are my true heroes.

Etown reaches a lot of people over a large area- when did you realize the opportunity you had to offer more than music?

We just jumped in from the start, I thought this made sense from the very beginning - the power of music to draw a diverse group of listeners in, to grab their attention and then sharing this message of the importance of paying attention to the pressing needs and challenges, both environmentally and socially, that effect us all. You know, Nick and I were driven to start this program because we both could see so much apathy out there (this was 1991 - no one was talking about environmental issues I can assure you! It was so out of fashion at the time) and I've always thought that people are not apathetic because they are lazy or bad or selfish, rather, apathy comes from feeling overwhelmed by the problems out there that we face as a people, as a global community, and from feeling powerless to do anything about them . . . Nick and I created Etown to help listeners feel hopeful and empowered, and to inspire and educate a wide, diverse audience about environmental and social issues that concern us all and what each of us can do to affect positive change. Bottom line is, we've been simply pitching hope all these years; and encouraging our listeners to get involved, make a difference!

How do you find subjects that people from varying areas can relate to?

There are certain things that are simply universal concerns for all of us . . .clean air, clean water, feeding our families with clean, safe food, feeling safe, having a decent place to live, environmental health and balance etc. We've always concentrated on that sort of thing, because honestly these are all subjects we can all relate to, that are so important.

What future issues/subjects would you like to cover on Etown?

I think we will continue to cover environmental concerns and social issues of all kinds, just like we have for the last 18 years. Whoo! Can you believe it? We started doing this back when it was NOT cool to do so; now more and more other media outlets are 'getting with the program, paying attention to and bringing attention to these issues, and I say hurray, the more the merrier! We can all make a difference, that's the message, that's the truth.