If I asked you to picture a National Public Radio listener, you probably wouldn’t conjure up the image of a truck driver. Humorists often play on the idea of the public radio listener as a snooty cultural elitist, so you might be surprised to learn that many long haul truck drivers are Super Fans of NPR – for better or worse.
Even drivers who happen to find the politics of NPR frustrating and in opposition to their own views, admit to listening to the station. It seems that getting riled up about the other team is a great way to stay awake on the highway.
Just don’t have too much fun, like long-haul truck driver Stephanie Klang. She had only herself (and a great NPR story) to blame when she got a speeding ticket behind the wheel – her first in ten years. “It was worth it for the story,” said Klang, who had been enjoying the history of U.S. tax law during the Revolutionary War.
Finn Murphy, lifelong truck driver and author of The Long Haul, says “Every single driver I’ve ever talked to listens to NPR.” Drivers cite the steady programming and familiar voices as reasons they love the ability to find an NPR station in every zip code. “I’ll schedule my driving to catch [NPR program] Fresh Air with Terry Gross,” Murphy writes in his book. “I’ve got a little 
crush on Terry, actually. It’s probably because I’ve spent more time with her than anyone
else in my life.”
As for truck drivers seeing content that relates to them on air? You’re in luck. This February, Terry Gross hosted an episode with Finn Murphy himself, reading from his book, The Long Haul. You can check out the episode here.
How about you? Are you an NPR fan? What’s your favorite show? Who’s your favorite personality? Do you even listen during pledge week? Is there a particular show that really impacted you?
I’m looking for a few good podcast recommendations. Because even though we all may be listening, NPR proved that nobody’s reading anymore with this clever April Fool’s Day joke.
Fuel for Thought,
~Bob
