NYC Gazette

CUNY TV, the public educational television station of The City University of New York, has announced the launch of its first original podcast series titled “Audio Maverick.” This nine-part documentary podcast will explore the life and work of radio visionary Himan (Hi) Brown. Brown, a Brooklyn College graduate, produced and directed over 30,000 radio shows for major networks and worked with prominent actors of his era.

The series is produced in partnership with the Himan Brown Collection, held by CUNY TV’s archives. “Audio Maverick” delves into the Golden Age of Radio, spanning from the 1930s to the 1950s when commercial radio was a primary form of home entertainment. The series premieres on Thursday, Oct. 10., with new episodes airing biweekly.

“We’re excited to launch CUNY TV’s first-ever original podcast series, offering New Yorkers a glimpse into the Golden Age of Radio through the legacy of one of their own, who also happens to be a CUNY graduate,” said CUNY Senior Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing Maite Junco. “I congratulate the team at CUNY TV and the Himan Brown Collection for their effort in archiving and documenting Brown’s story.”

The podcast examines Brown's career and how his programming attracted millions of families to their radios every night. It features archival material from famous audio dramas, contemporary interviews with media scholars, and discussions with new-generation audio creators inspired by Brown.

“We are proud to bring to life the extraordinary life and career of Himan Brown, an iconic figure from the Golden Age of Radio whose collection we have the privilege of having archived at CUNY TV,” said CUNY TV Interim Executive Director Chiqui Cartagena. “We know that our listeners will appreciate learning about how this CUNY alumnus shaped the industry, and it’s only fitting that we pay homage to a radio visionary by entering the audio space ourselves with CUNY TV’s first original podcast.”

Brown passed away in 2010 just before his 100th birthday. Over his seven-decade career as a producer, he collaborated with actors such as Helen Hayes, Frank Sinatra, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Gregory Peck, and Orson Welles. He began his broadcast career as a teenager in 1927 before attending Brooklyn College.

He received several awards including the American Broadcast Pioneer and Peabody awards and was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in the 1990s. He remained connected to his alma mater throughout his life by teaching audio drama there and producing programs for WBCR-AM even after turning 90. In 2003, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Brooklyn College.

Born to Jewish immigrants from present-day Ukraine, Brown was committed to Jewish culture. His first broadcast involved reading newspapers in Yiddish dialects. The Himan Brown Charitable Trust continues this legacy by endowing programs for seniors at the 92nd Street Y.

The creative team behind "Audio Maverick" includes veteran producer Sarah Montague; host Margot Avery; sound designer John deLore; and composer Allison Leyton-Brown.

“It has been a privilege to get to know Himan Brown through his life and work,” said Montague. “An architect of what made Golden Age Radio great...everyone in the field today is part of his legacy.”

For more information including full credits and preview audio of the first episode, access the press kit provided by CUNY TV.