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Jonathan Goldstein (author)
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Stuart Goldstein (born August 22, 1969) is an American-Canadian author, humourist and radio producer. Goldstein is known for his work on the radio programs This American Life
and WireTap
.
, New York, where he spent the first four years of his life before the family moved back to his mother's home town of Montreal
. The family settled just outside of Montreal in the suburb of Laval
where Goldstein grew up before attending McGill University
and later completing a master's program in creative writing at Concordia University. After graduation, Goldstein supported himself by working in the telemarketing
industry for ten years, all the while continuing to write and attend readings. In 2000, Goldstein's nascent career got a boost after he was selected to work on Ira Glass
' popular radio program This American Life
and he relocated to Chicago
to work as a producer on the show. In 2002, Goldstein moved back to Montreal and started work on several projects for CBC Radio One
including his own show, WireTap
, which debuted in 2004, and for it, he uses the same music as This American Life (The Cinematic Orchestra
).
Goldstein is a member of the Public Radio Exchange
editorial board.
Currently, Goldstein lives in Montreal.
radio show This American Life
where he is a contributing editor. From 2000 to 2002 he was also a producer of the show.
Currently, Goldstein hosts a show on CBC Radio One
called WireTap
, a program featuring stories told over the phone. He was also the host of the CBC summer radio program Road Dot Trip in 2000 and has contributed to shows like Dispatches
and Outfront
.
, was published by Coach House Books
. Goldstein also co-authored Schmelvis: In Search of Elvis Presley's Jewish Roots with Max Wallace
, an account of a Hasidic Elvis impersonator
and rabbi
's quest to trace the Jewish roots of Elvis Presley
. His latest book, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible!
was published in April 2009 by Riverhead
. Goldstein has also been published in The New York Times Magazine
, Saturday Night
, The New York Times
, The Walrus
, GQ
, the Journey Prize
Anthology and the National Post
. He has also self-produced a number of small publications, most notably carwash the size of a peach.
released a short film featuring Goldstein and WireTap regular Gregor Ehrlich entitled Superstar of the Netherlands on YouTube. Another video was released shortly after entitled Wire Tap Holiday Special featuring Howard Chackowicz
. In February 2008, Goldstein debuted the internet project CBC Web 3.0 which features the short The Future is Yesterday, a comedic take on the impersonal nature of the Internet.
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
and WireTap
WireTap (radio program)
WireTap is a half-hour long radio show which airs on CBC Radio One Saturday afternoons at 3:30 pm, and Thursday evenings at 11:30 pm. An hour-long version of WireTap is distributed in the United States by Public Radio International and is heard on multiple public radio stations...
.
Biography
Goldstein was born to Buzz and Dena Goldstein in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York, where he spent the first four years of his life before the family moved back to his mother's home town of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. The family settled just outside of Montreal in the suburb of Laval
Laval, Quebec
Laval is a Canadian city and a region in southwestern Quebec. It is the largest suburb of Montreal, the third largest municipality in the province of Quebec, and the 14th largest city in Canada with a population of 368,709 in 2006...
where Goldstein grew up before attending McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
and later completing a master's program in creative writing at Concordia University. After graduation, Goldstein supported himself by working in the telemarketing
Telemarketing
Telemarketing is a method of direct marketing in which a salesperson solicits prospective customers to buy products or services, either over the phone or through a subsequent face to face or Web conferencing appointment scheduled during the call.Telemarketing can also include recorded sales pitches...
industry for ten years, all the while continuing to write and attend readings. In 2000, Goldstein's nascent career got a boost after he was selected to work on Ira Glass
Ira Glass
Ira Glass is an American public radio personality, and host and producer of the radio and television show This American Life.- Early life :...
' popular radio program This American Life
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
and he relocated to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
to work as a producer on the show. In 2002, Goldstein moved back to Montreal and started work on several projects for CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
including his own show, WireTap
WireTap (radio program)
WireTap is a half-hour long radio show which airs on CBC Radio One Saturday afternoons at 3:30 pm, and Thursday evenings at 11:30 pm. An hour-long version of WireTap is distributed in the United States by Public Radio International and is heard on multiple public radio stations...
, which debuted in 2004, and for it, he uses the same music as This American Life (The Cinematic Orchestra
The Cinematic Orchestra
The Cinematic Orchestra is a British jazz and electronic outfit, created in 1997 by Jason Swinscoe. The band is signed to Ninja Tune independent record label. In addition to Swinscoe, the band includes PC former DJ Food member on turntables, Luke Flowers , Tom Chant , Nick Ramm , Stuart McCallum ...
).
Goldstein is a member of the Public Radio Exchange
Public Radio Exchange
The Public Radio Exchange is a nonprofit web-based platform for digital distribution, review, and licensing of radio programs. The organization claims to be the largest on-demand catalog of public radio programs available for broadcast and Internet use.-Mission:According to PRX's site, its mission...
editorial board.
Currently, Goldstein lives in Montreal.
Radio Work
Many of Goldstein's pieces have been featured on the PRIPublic Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
radio show This American Life
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
where he is a contributing editor. From 2000 to 2002 he was also a producer of the show.
Currently, Goldstein hosts a show on CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
called WireTap
WireTap (radio program)
WireTap is a half-hour long radio show which airs on CBC Radio One Saturday afternoons at 3:30 pm, and Thursday evenings at 11:30 pm. An hour-long version of WireTap is distributed in the United States by Public Radio International and is heard on multiple public radio stations...
, a program featuring stories told over the phone. He was also the host of the CBC summer radio program Road Dot Trip in 2000 and has contributed to shows like Dispatches
Dispatches (radio program)
Dispatches is a Canadian radio program, which airs Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. on CBC Radio One. The program, hosted by Rick MacInnes-Rae, airs documentary reports on international news and feature topics...
and Outfront
Outfront
Outfront was a Canadian radio program, which aired on CBC Radio One from 8:43 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday to Friday evenings, following the now defunct Nighttime Review....
.
Written work
In 2001, Goldstein's debut novel, Lenny Bruce Is DeadLenny Bruce Is Dead
Lenny Bruce is Dead is the first book by author and radio presenter Jonathan Goldstein. The story follows a lead character, Josh, through various events in his life, including a death in the family and his exploration of sexuality. The novel includes multiple themes, such as love, faith, a...
, was published by Coach House Books
Coach House Books
Coach House Books is an independent Canadian publishing company located in Toronto, Ontario. Coach House publishes innovative and experimental poetry, fiction, drama and non-fiction. The press is particularly interested in writing that pushes at the boundaries of convention.-History:The company was...
. Goldstein also co-authored Schmelvis: In Search of Elvis Presley's Jewish Roots with Max Wallace
Max Wallace
-Who Killed Kurt Cobain?:Wallace coauthored the international bestseller Who Killed Kurt Cobain? with Ian Halperin in 1998, .-Love and Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain:...
, an account of a Hasidic Elvis impersonator
Elvis impersonator
An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis...
and rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
's quest to trace the Jewish roots of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. His latest book, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible! is a book written by author and radio presenter Jonathan Goldstein. The book is a comedic retelling of the Old Testament stories such as Adam and Eve, Samson, Noah, and David and Goliath. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible! also includes a story narrated by Joseph,...
was published in April 2009 by Riverhead
Riverhead
Riverhead may refer to:* Riverhead, Kent, England* Riverhead, New Zealand* Riverhead, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada* Riverhead, Nova Scotia, a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia* Riverhead , the debut album of Goldenhorse...
. Goldstein has also been published in The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times Magazine is a Sunday magazine supplement included with the Sunday edition of The New York Times. It is host to feature articles longer than those typically in the newspaper and has attracted many notable contributors...
, Saturday Night
Saturday Night (magazine)
Saturday Night was a Canadian general interest magazine. It was founded in Toronto, Ontario in 1887.The publication was first established as a weekly broadsheet newspaper about public affairs and the arts, which was later expanded into a general interest magazine. The editor, Edmund E. Sheppard,...
, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, The Walrus
The Walrus
The Walrus is a Canadian general interest magazine which publishes long form journalism on Canadian and international affairs, along with fiction and poetry by Canadian writers. It launched in September 2003, as an attempt to create a Canadian equivalent to American magazines such as Harper's, The...
, GQ
GQ (magazine)
GQ is a monthly men's magazine focusing on fashion, style, and culture for men, through articles on food, movies, fitness, sex, music, travel, sports, technology, and books...
, the Journey Prize
Journey Prize
The Journey Prize is a Canadian literary award, presented annually by McClelland and Stewart and the Writers' Trust of Canada for the best short story published by an emerging writer in a Canadian literary magazine. The award was endowed by James A...
Anthology and the National Post
National Post
The National Post is a Canadian English-language national newspaper based in Don Mills, a district of Toronto. The paper is owned by Postmedia Network Inc. and is published Mondays through Saturdays...
. He has also self-produced a number of small publications, most notably carwash the size of a peach.
Other work
In September 2007, WireTap producer Mira Burt-WintonickMira Burt-Wintonick
Mira Burt-Wintonick is an award-winning Canadian radio and film producer best known for her audio pieces and work on the CBC radio program WireTap. Trained as a classical musician, Burt-Wintonick pursued a Communications degree from Concordia University in Montreal where she currently resides...
released a short film featuring Goldstein and WireTap regular Gregor Ehrlich entitled Superstar of the Netherlands on YouTube. Another video was released shortly after entitled Wire Tap Holiday Special featuring Howard Chackowicz
Howard Chackowicz
Howard Chackowicz is a Montreal-based Canadian artist and musician well known for his contributions to the independent comic book scene. In addition to exhibiting his work internationally, Chackowicz has taught illustration at the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts and presently runs a Comix and...
. In February 2008, Goldstein debuted the internet project CBC Web 3.0 which features the short The Future is Yesterday, a comedic take on the impersonal nature of the Internet.
Awards
- ReLit Award (Regarding Literature Award) (2001)
- Third Coast International Audio FestivalThird Coast International Audio FestivalThe Third Coast International Audio Festival is a festival based in Chicago showcasing feature and documentary audio work...
's Gold Prize (2002) - Canadian National Magazine Awards Silver Award for Humour (2004)
- Gold World Medal for Best Regularly Scheduled Comedy Program (WireTapWireTap (radio program)WireTap is a half-hour long radio show which airs on CBC Radio One Saturday afternoons at 3:30 pm, and Thursday evenings at 11:30 pm. An hour-long version of WireTap is distributed in the United States by Public Radio International and is heard on multiple public radio stations...
) at the New York Festivals (2006)