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FROM TPT REWIRE: We HAD To Do These Things After Watching PBS

May 19, 2016

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From Rewire — public media with a twist.

 

A recent conversation with my older sister:

Me: Ken Burns’ series The National Parks is re-airing on PBS.

Her: I love Ken Burns.

Me: You do?

Her: Yeah. Ever since I watched The National Parks, I’ve been dreaming to go to Yellowstone. It’s on my travel bucket list.

Me: It IS?

Her: Yeah. We’re finally going this spring.

Me: You ARE?

Her: Yeah. Gotta go be one with nature.

Okay, so this conversation wasn’t captured verbatim, but it went something like that. My sister and her family finally realized her dream of being one with nature this spring…thanks to Ken Burns.

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I learned two things from this conversation:

1) My sister really likes Ken Burns.

2) Public television gets people to do things – good things.

It’s not like turning on “House Hunters International” and then going and buying a house you don’t need. It’s like watching Ken Burns’ The National Parks: America’s Best Idea and then GOING to a national park to be one with nature and see things like wolves and bears.

This got me thinking about the things I’ve seen on public television and the actions I’ve taken as a result. For me, this mostly involves trying out (carb-loaded) recipes (thanks, Lidia) and traveling off to far off lands (thanks, Rick) aka eating well and introducing myself to new cultures. Not too shabby.

What public TV shows have drawn you to commit such acts? Share in the comments!

Here are a few stories from my colleagues:

Producer Maria Bartholdi –

“I buy local art because of TPT’s MN Original. I’ve bought pieces form artists featured on the show because I believe in supporting local artists – and I love their work. I get so many nice compliments from people when they see the art in my home. I love telling them that the pieces are from various local artists. I hope it inspires everyone to buy local art as well!”

Watch MN Original on TPT.org or on the PBS app.

PR Pro Elle Lyons –

“After college, when a friend and I decided to embark on the right-of-passage event that is “backpacking through Europe,” who did I turn to in the month preceding to learn all of the best travel tips and insider cultural advice? Why Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa of course! We had an exhilarating, life-changing, unforgettable trip through Europe – in no small part to what we learned through these PBS shows. I still use them to inform my travel experiences to this day.”

Social Media Person Leif Brostrom –

“While sick last summer, I cozied up with a bunch of tea and opted to jump into a marathon of Ken Burns’ The National Parks. As a child of nature-lovers, I haven’t been to many national parks myself, but have always grown up with an appreciation of what’s out there. After sifting through every single second of the series and being impressed and inspired, I decided to reach out to the local National Park office here in the Twin Cities, which just so happened to be in my apartment building. A few weeks later I was volunteering away with a bunch of building residents helping to sort seeds. I know how to live. Thanks to Ken, John Muir, and all of the others for inspiring us to get out there and explore the original theme parks of the world.” 

Designer Dad Ben Malley –

“I have vivid memories of being a little one and watching Bob Ross create what seemed like magical landscapes with ease. I was completely enthralled by the ease of his brush. Did I go out and start painting happy trees? No. No I did not. What I did do is learn how to make digital art (graphic design) as well as how to make your hair a perfect circle.”

You can watch the The Joy of Painting, Monday mornings at 7 on TPT Life.

Contributor Extraordinaire Mantha Petrovich –

“My mom and I were watching the first season of The Mind of Chef, featuring David Chang, the chef behind the Momofuku restaurants (YUM). We loved the episode all about sweets with Christina Torsi – founder of the Milk Bar – a spinoff of the Momofuku restaurants. She made phenomenal cakes, pies and cookies during the show. The next day we bought the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook to try some of these recipes. As we were leafing through to find the cookies she made on the show, I found this AMAZING birthday cake. I’m not a huge cake person, but it had sprinkles and layers (LAYERS) of cream cheese buttercream frosting – yes please!

Since my birthday was approaching and my mom is the best (both as a mom and a baker), she set out to create this intricate and tasty piece of art. I can only take credit for eating – a lot of – it.  This is one of the best cakes I’ve ever had – and extra special because I know how much time my mom spent on it! I have PBS to thank for introducing these creative desserts to my mom and me.”

Watch The Mind of a Chef on TPT.org or on the PBS app.

Find these inspiring shows and many more at TPT.org or on the PBS app.

 

From Rewire — public media with a twist.

© Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.

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