This week Sound Effect brings you tales of childhood dreams, and people who have actually managed to live them out.
Claire Buss grew up bathed in the glow of daytime TV, and she dreamed of someday having her own game show. Then, in her 20s, Buss figured out that she could have one – she just needed to make one up and start doing it in her living room. She talks with Sound Effect producer Allie Ferguson about how she created “The Future Is Zero,” and why contestants keep coming back.
What kid doesn’t fantasize about finding buried treasure? Well before you abandon this little flight of fancy, consider this: There is an actual treasure chest hidden by an actual eccentric millionaire that thousands of actual treasure hunters are out there looking for. But for this quest there is no treasure map, just a cryptic poem full of clues. We talk with one of the quest’s most devoted seekers, who lives in Bellingham.
Diane Whalen grew up wanting to be close to God. As a little girl in Catholic school, that meant being a nun. She then discovered boys, which meant it was time for a new plan. She took on various leadership roles in the church over the years, but none seemed to satisfy her calling. Then, as an adult, she became the first woman in Washington to be ordained by the organization Roman Catholic Womenpriests.
For Kevin Wood, it began with a 1970s picture book about ships. Inside the front cover was a diagram of a clipper ship with dozens of labeled parts. Wood memorized them, fantasized about sailing and occasionally paddled the swamps of Florida in his canoe. He left his dream of sailing the seven seas behind for a straight career, but then a series of accidents brought him back to a life at sea.
Finally, Sound Effect contributor Arwen Nicks probably grew up a little too quick – to the point where at age 10, she felt she was incapable of relating to other kids and would write lengthy letters to Hillary Clinton asking her to sleep over. She shares an essay about being a kid who relates to adults, especially her dad and the First-Lady of the United States.
Sound Effect is your weekly tour of ideas, inspired by the place we live. The show is hosted by KPLU's Gabriel Spitzer.
