Sound Files: The NRPF Podcast
If you ever wondered what it takes to preserve historic sounds, this podcast is for you! Come and listen to hear about the preservation of recorded sounds and the people and organizations who preserve them.
The Cuttlefish Project: Preserving Unangax̂ Culture
Discover the journey of the Cuttlefish Project, where the voices of the Unangam Tunuu language come alive through archival recordings in Alaska. In this episode of Sound Files, we explore how these valuable tapes were rescued from obscurity and digitized, thanks to the dedicated efforts of educators Ray Hudson, George Pletnikoff Junior, and curator Leslie McCartney.
About the Podcast
NRPF’s podcast Sound Files shares stories about the preservation of recorded sound, as well as the people and organizations who preserve them. On the pod, we share and celebrate archival audio through conversations and stories.
The Sound Files podcast:
- Provides “behind-the-scenes” perspectives on the work that goes into archival audio preservation
- Features sounds and stories from some of the most significant American sound collections
- Shares and amplifies the work of audio preservation, the work of archivists, and the challenges and opportunities of preserving recorded sound
Each episode features a story about audio preservation or an interview with audio archivists. In addition, the show features sounds from the collections that NRPF has supported. We will also offer occasional updates on our activities and programs.
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Most Recent Episodes
The Cuttlefish Project: Preserving Unangax̂ Culture
January 2026
Discover the journey of the Cuttlefish Project, where the voices of the Unangam Tunuu language come alive through archival recordings in Alaska. In this episode of Sound Files, we explore how these valuable tapes were rescued from obscurity and digitized, thanks to the dedicated efforts of educators Ray Hudson, George Pletnikoff Junior, and curator Leslie McCartney.
Reviving the Archive: Saving Appalachian Sounds at Appalshop
December 2025
Step into the Carcassonne Community Center, home to the Kentucky's longest-running square dance, and hear Appalachia’s rich musical and cultural heritage. In this episode, Sound Files visits Appalshop and tours their archives in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Learn about the resilience of Appalachian culture through powerful stories and music, from coal miners' ballads to local storytellers, and the urgent work of archivists to save and preserve at-risk audio archives.
The Great 78 Project: A Battle to Save Historic Sounds
November 2025
Ready to step back in time? This episode explores The Great 78 Project, where folks like George Blood are preserving old records as digital treasures.
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Meet the Sound Files Team
Jesse A. Johnston
Host
Jesse is the creator, executive producer, and host of Sound Files. He is the Secretary and Executive Director of NRPF and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information. He has worked in various archival and library roles, including at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more about Jesse at https://www.jesseajohnston.net/.
Teresa Carey
Producer
Teresa Carey is the creative lead of Morse Alpha Studios, a media production company specializing in impactful media projects and storytelling. She is an award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and media producer known for crafting compelling stories in the science technology fields. Her work has been published with Discovery Channel, NPR, NASA, PBS NewsHour and more.
Evan Haywood
Composer, Host, and Engineer
Evan Haywood has engineered, hosted, and composed music for Sound Files. Evan is an audio engineer and founder of Black Ram Sound and Black Ram Treehouse recording studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a Master’s of Science in Information, with a specialization in digital archives, from the University of Michigan School of Information.
Jacob Pinter
Writer
Jacob Pinter is a journalist and audio producer with deep experience translating complicated concepts into resonant, human-centered stories. As a producer at NASA and National Geographic, his work has won Ambie, Signal, Webby, and other awards.
Publishing Details (Colophon)
The podcast is published and distributed by the National Recording Preservation Foundation (NRPF). The following information represents the most current and complete publishing information about the series:
- Title: Sound Files
- Publisher: National Recording Preservation Foundation
- Creator and Host: Jesse A. Johnston
- Producer: Teresa Carey
- ISSN: 3070-3743
- Description: Sound Files celebrates the preservation of America’s recorded sound heritage through conversations with the archivists, librarians, and preservationists who safeguard our audio treasures. From historic radio broadcasts and musical recordings to oral histories and cultural documentation, discover the fascinating work behind the preservation of historic audio. Sound Files is presented by the National Recording Preservation Foundation, an independent nonprofit chartered by Congress to promote and preserve recorded sound collections across the United States. Join us as we amplify the voices of those working to save the sounds and stories of America for future generations.
- URL: https://podcast.recordingpreservation.org/
- Format: Serial Podcast
- Frequency: Episodes are released monthly, during the podcast’s regular seasons
- First Publication Date: May 2024
- Distribution: Episodes can be streamed at https://podcast.recordingpreservation.org/ or found on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, and elsewhere
