Chapter 1: Meet the Stable Geniuses

Jen and Manoush leave their public radio jobs to chart a new course.

Jen and Manoush are two public radio veterans who run away from their jobs together to form Stable Genius Productions. At first, their path to building an independent mission-driven media company seems straightforward. But when the grant they’re counting on to jumpstart their new business falls through, Manoush and Jen begin to have doubts.

Is it possible for them to simultaneously be entrepreneurs, mission-driven journalists, and good mothers without falling off a financial cliff? Then, just as panic starts to set in, they meet a mysterious funder with an intriguing proposal. Money? With no strings attached? Surely it’s too good to be true? Maybe not.

Listen to ZigZag on Apple Podcasts.

Read more:

The effects of Cambridge Analytica on democracy and Note to Self’s original episodes, including the lawsuit Manoush donated her data to and a conversation with the creator of some of the tech, Dr. Michal Kosinski. WNYC’s #MeToo moment: NYMag’s take and the latest findings. Who the heck is Old Town Media? What Civil’s big plans are for journalism. A Nieman Lab critique of Civil (and impressive misspelling of "Zomorodi"). How Roman Mars co-founded Radiotopia. Manoush really did do a TED Talk. What exactly is a zig zag?

Credits:
David Herman, Composer and Audio Engineer
Matt Boyton, Audio Engineer
Kat Aaron, Digital Producer
Illustrations, Alice Rutherford
Jordan Lauf, Intern
Tory Williams, Photography