WORT FM

05/29/2026

As always, WORT has many thank-you gifts you can look forward to receiving if you donate during the WORT Summer Pledge Drive, which begins tomorrow, May 30th!

Here are a few of the thank-you gift options:

$60.00 Level
Lightweight Bag
We offered this for the first time during our Winter Pledge drive and received great feedback from donors! This black or royal blue bag is lightweight, has pockets galore, and can be worn crossbody for added ease. Donors say it’s perfect for dog walks, traveling, or anytime you leave your house and want to move light. WORT logo on the front of the bag.
$5/month for monthly donors

$89.90 Level
Guess what we found! We offered an emergency weather radio some years ago. Then the price went up and it became too expensive. While spring cleaning, we discovered a box of them. They run on solar power, or by cranking, or by USB recharging.
Crank to recharge your phone, listen to WORT or emergency weather radio, or shine the super-bright LED flashlight. WORT sticker on the side.
$7.50/month for monthly donors.

Back from Last Summer: Baseball Hat with 1970s Groovy WORT Logo
This lightweight cap is available in black or light khaki. Its unstructured crown and pre-curved visor add to its comfort and looks. The 70s groovy embroidered WORT logo is a simplified version of a popular summer shirt we offered years ago.
Cotton twill, five-panel construction, adjustable self-fabric strap. One size fits most.
$7.50/month for monthly donors.

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At the $100 level, back again is the glow-in-the-dark skull baseball hat and a limited supply of the WORT tote designed by Lynda Barry. At the $120 level, we also have a limited supply of WORT binoculars!

At our $25 level, we have reusable straw sets, and at the $35 level, a new WORT bandana design for your dog or for yourself!🐾

Check out all of the 2026 WORT Summer Pledge Drive Thank-You Gifts by clicking the orange "donate" button on our website!

https://www.wortfm.org/donate/

05/29/2026

We have a tiny staff to deal with your generous pledge drive donations. Consequently, your donation is credited to the show airing when you pledge or donate.

Except today.

Today, Friday. May 29, you can donate online and choose any show to receive your donation, no matter what day or time it airs. I've got an early morning show I love, but that I listen to on the archives, so I'll be donating to it. All thank you gifts are available -- check them out with the link below!

Your generous support makes great radio possible Check. Make your check out to WORT and mail your donation to WORT, Attn: DRD, 118 S Bedford Street, Madison, WI, 53703. Credit […]

05/29/2026

It’s here! The new WORT Pledge Drive short-sleeved T-shirt design: “The Truth is Here” 👽📡👨‍🚀

Remember the 1970s “Is it live or is it Memorex?” ad campaign featuring Ella Fitzgerald? She sang a high note and shattered a glass, then they replayed it on Memorex and the glass shattered again.

Now we ask, is it real or is it AI? Is it real or is it Photoshop?

At WORT, all our music is performed by real people. Our news is covered by real reporters, and our talk shows feature real guests.

Our new t-shirt has a center logo featuring a spaceship, radio tower, and the Eye of Providence (eye inside a pyramid) along with the proclamation that the Truth is Here.

100% cotton, sizes XS – 5XL, available in Navy, Olive, Orange, or Dark Gray.

Tune in to the WORT Summer Pledge Drive May 30th - June 7th!

About the art:
The WORT Development staff came up with the idea and rough sketch, and Becca, an artist who works with our printer, 4imprint in Oshkosh, shared her digital drawing screen with us, and we collaboratively brought the rough sketch to life.

05/27/2026

Check out our gallery of WORT T-shirts that were old Summer Pledge Drive thank-you gifts. Our new T-shirt design will be revealed tomorrow!! What do you think it will be?🤔

Our 2026 Summer Pledge Drive begins this Saturday, May 30th, and runs through June 7th.

We’ve got a couple of phone shifts left to fill, so check out the available shifts by clicking on the image of the switchboard operator on our website, and make sure to tune in to 89.9 FM during the WORT Summer Pledge Drive!

📻🎙🎧

05/22/2026

The WORT Summer Pledge Drive is only a week away! It begins on May 30th and runs through June 7th.

Some of the historically popular phone shifts are still in need of phone answerers. If you have not had a chance to look at the openings, now is the time to do so!

Sign up on our website or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://www.wortfm.org/cgi-bin/longsignup

See what open shifts works best for your schedule:
☎️ 🎶📻

Saturday, May 30
2pm - 4pm: PanAfrica
8pm - 10pm: Two for the Blues

Sunday, May 31
2pm - 5pm: Better Living Through Showtunes, On The Horizon
7pm - 11pm: Hmong Radio
9pm - 11pm: RTQE

Tuesday, June 2
5pm - 8pm: News Block, En Nuestro Patio (ENPA)

Wednesday, June 3
9am - 12pm: Back to the Country
2pm - 5pm: Journeys into Jazz

Friday, June 5
12pm - 2pm: A Public Affair, Mel & Floyd
8pm - 10pm: Friday on my Mind

Saturday, June 6
2pm - 4pm: PanAfrica
4pm - 6pm: La Junta (two open shifts)
6pm - 8pm: I Like it Like That (two open shifts)
8pm - 10pm: Two for the Blues

Sunday, June 7
8am - 11am: Musica Antiqua (two open shifts)
2pm - 5pm: Better Living Through Showtunes, On The Horizon
7pm - 11pm: Hmong Radio
9pm - 11pm: RTQE

05/20/2026

In this AAPI culture and practices-focused episode of Subtle Desi Traits, host Ankita Bharadwaj sits down with certified yoga instructor Marc Milone.

Together, they dissect the practice and spirituality behind yoga, the somatic healing it brings, and how it might actually be one of the most accessible forms of exercise. From the basics to deeper yogic concepts, tune in to learn more about everything yoga!

In this AAPI culture and practices focused episode, host Ankita Bharadwaj and certified Yoga instructor Marc Milone talk about Yoga.

05/13/2026

The WORT Summer Pledge Drive is almost here, beginning on May 30th and running through June 7th.☀

About half of the phone-answering shifts are filled already, which is great, but there are still plenty that need your help!

Remember:
🔸No prior experience is necessary.
🔸Shifts start as early as 7 AM and go as late as 10 PM to fit anyone's schedule.
🔸Free snacks and drinks.
🔸Sign up with a friend and enjoy some great live radio!

Just copy the following link and paste it into your browser to sign up for a phone-answering shift today: https://www.wortfm.org/cgi-bin/longsignup

Thank you for supporting WORT Community Radio!🧡

05/12/2026

Queery turned 30!🎉

These testimonies from the May 6 anniversary celebration feature Vicki Kenyon, Mercury Stardust, John Quinlan, Kat Rhapsody, Hale Sinklair, and Laura Paisley Beck.

Check out the live recording of Queery on WORT-FM's 30th anniversary celebration on our website: https://www.wortfm.org/queerys-30th-anniversary-show/

Thank you for supporting community radio!🧡

05/11/2026

Queery on WORT-FM celebrated 30 YEARS on air on May 6th at Delta Beer Lab!🎉

Queery received a Mayoral Proclamation from Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway declaring that May 6, 2026 is Queery on WORT Day in the City of Madison!! It also received a Certificate of Commendation from Governor Tony Evers for its “iconic radio entertainment, including sharing news of the day and local stories with a focus on uplifting, representing, and engaging LGBTQ communities.”

Vicki Kenyon & Hale hosted a LIVE REMOTE hour-long show at Delta Beer Lab to celebrate Queery’s 30 years on the air at WORT. You can check out the full show on our website, https://www.wortfm.org/queerys-30th-anniversary-show/

They were joined by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway (recorded) – Governor Tony Evers (recorded) – Congressman Mark Pocan (recorded) – Wisconsin State Senator Melissa Ratcliff – singer, Ben Weger – past hosts Bill Kingsbury & John Quinlan – TikTok influencer & local celeb, Mercury Stardust – Delta Beer Lab co-owner, Tim “Pio” Piotrowski – Our Lives Magazine Publisher, Patrick Farabaugh – Open Madison's Executive Director, Laura Paisley Beck.

This was a night of honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking out into the future. Guests in attendance enjoyed the free show, snacks and a plethora of door prizes. This sure was fun!

Thank you to Delta Beer Lab, Invisible String Events, Badger Popcorn, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co., Spare Time Madison, OPEN Foundation - Madison, Tucker Legerski, Nancy Garnier, Katy, Aaron Scholz, Nate and EVERYONE who came before us. And a special thanks to all the volunteers who helped pull this together. Will we do this again?!?! Tune in to find out!

04/24/2026

Do you have a passion for classical music? Here’s your opportunity to step into the schedule and make your voice heard as part of WORT’s esteemed classical music programming!

The deadline for this application is Monday May 18 at 5pm.

We are looking for a host for the 5-8am Friday Classical program. You would be sharing this time slot with at least one other programmer in a rotating schedule.

Your responsibilities include: hosting regular and substitute air shifts, programming music within your show’s theme/genre; operating station equipment, entering your music playlists, participating in our local music community by sharing announcements and music from local artists; writing stories and blogs for our online outlets; reviewing new releases

WORT is looking for a person with strong knowledge of and passion for classical music, especially composers and performers outside of the mainstream; familiarity with people, events and resources within our listening area; and enthusiasm for joining in our on- and off-air fundraising and outreach activities. Strong communication skills and dependability are crucial. An extensive personal music collection is a plus, but WORT has a great music library available for your use. No previous radio experience is necessary, all training will be provided!

Does this sound like you? Our online application is available here: https://www.wortfm.org/wort-is-looking-for-classical-music-hosts/
If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected].

04/22/2026

Do you want to contribute to the leadership at WORT? There are five open Board of Directors seats that will be filled in the upcoming election at the annual Board of Directors meeting on June 28.

We’re looking for passionate volunteers to give us fresh insight and new energy!

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 29, 2026. To apply, fill out the form on our website: https://www.wortfm.org/run-for-the-wort-board-of-directors-2/

What are the duties of a WORT Board Member? Check out this document pulled from the Board Orientation Manual:https://d35i5brrnx3uxo.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/09143540/Board-Member-Duties.pdf

Financial acumen, computer literacy, and a willingness to work within a dynamic group to help shape this great station are all desirable qualifications. People of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Some committee hours are required outside of Board meetings. Board meetings are at 6pm on the third Wednesday evening of each month.

Thank you for supporting community radio!🧡