Guy Raz
Guy Raz is an independent producer who has been described by the New York Times as "one of the most popular podcasters in history."
He's the founder and CEO of Built-It Productions and the creator and the creative force behind How I Built This. He's also the former host and co-creator of TED Radio Hour.
Guy is also the co-founder of Tinkercast, a children's media company that produces audio podcasts and educational content for kids. Guy co-created and hosts one of those programs, Wow in the World—the number one kids podcast in English.
He's also the creator/host of Wisdom from the Top, a podcast about leadership and The Rewind on Spotify, a program about music.
Together, Guy's programs are heard by nearly 19 million listeners a month.
In 2017, Raz became the first person in the history of podcasting to have three shows in the top 20 on the Apple Podcast charts.
He's been a regular guest on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and is a two-time, New York Times bestselling author. His books include How I Built This and Wow in the World: The How and Wow of the Human Body (co-authored with Mindy Thomas.)
Previously, Raz was weekend host of NPR News' signature afternoon newsmagazine All Things Considered. During his tenure (2009-2012), he transformed the sound and format of the program, introducing the now-signature "cover story" and creating the popular "Three-Minute Fiction" writing contest.
Raz started his career as an intern on All Things Considered with NPR in 1997. He would go on to work as a production assistant, studio director all the way to foreign correspondent and breaking news host.
His first job in journalism was as assistant to the legendary news reporter Daniel Schorr.
In 2000, at the age of 25, Raz was made NPR's Berlin bureau chief where he covered Eastern Europe and the Balkans. During his six years abroad, Raz covered everything from wars and conflict zones to sports and entertainment. He reported from more than 40 countries including the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Macedonia, and the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Raz also served as NPR's bureau chief in London, and between 2004-2006 as CNN's Jerusalem correspondent. During this time, Raz chronicled everything from the rise of Hamas as a political power to the incapacitation of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Israel's 2005 withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. In 2006, Raz returned to NPR to serve as defense correspondent where he covered the Pentagon and the US military.
For his reporting from Iraq, Raz was awarded both the Edward R. Murrow Award and the Daniel Schorr Journalism prize. His reporting has contributed to two duPont awards and one Peabody awarded to NPR. He's been a finalist for the Livingston Award four times. He's won the National Headliner Award and an NABJ award, in addition to many others. In 2008, he spent a year as a Nieman journalism fellow at Harvard University where he studied classical history.
As a host and correspondent, Raz has interviewed and profiled more than 10,000 people including Bill Gates, Condoleezza Rice, Jimmy Carter, Shimon Peres, General David Petraeus, Al Gore, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Eminem, Taylor Swift, and many, many others.
Raz has anchored live coverage on some of the biggest stories in recent years, including the killing of Osama bin Laden, the Newtown School Shootings, and the 2012 presidential election.
He has also served as a Ferris professor of journalism at Princeton University, a Shapiro fellow at George Washington University, and an adjunct professor of journalism at Georgetown.
-
How long will U.S. troops occupy Iraq? The Pentagon plans to withdraw some troops between now and mid-summer. A clearer picture will emerge when Gen. David Petraeus briefs lawmakers in April.
-
The U.S. and Iraq are negotiating an arrangement that would permit U.S. forces to continue to operate in Iraq for many years — possibly decades. Critics says the Bush and Maliki governments are colluding on a deal that would require no legislative approval.
-
A "declaration of principles" that sets the foundation for the future of America's involvement in Iraq is raising questions on Capitol Hill about how long the U.S. commitment there will last. -
Defense Secretary Robert Gates tries to soothe NATO anger over comments he made to the Los Angeles Times in which he seemingly criticized NATO forces in Afghanistan. NATO has been criticized by the Pentagon for "not doing enough" in Afghanistan.
-
Admiral William Crowe, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has died. He was 82. No cause of death was released. He served as the nation's top-ranking military officer under President Reagan during the waning days of the Cold War.
-
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates hold a day of talks with Arab officials in Egypt and Saudi Arabia to seek support on Iraq and try to revive the Mideast peace process.
-
The Bush administration has announced plans to replace Gen. Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Rather than risk a Senate confirmation struggle by reappointing Pace, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would recommend Adm. Mike Mullen to replace him.
-
Rock musician Jeff Buckley died 10 years ago today at age 30. His talent inspired a legion of fans during his short career.
-
Lawmakers assailed Army leaders Monday for the conditions at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing at the hospital.
-
Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, President Bush's choice for top U.S. military commander in Iraq, meets with the Senate Armed Services Committee. But Tuesday's confirmation hearing mostly gave senators a chance to voice their own opinions on the conflict.
