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Photo of Beth Finke with Hanni, her current Seeing Eye dog
Author Beth Finke with Hanni, her guide dog.

Beth Finke is a regular contributor to Chicago Public Radio's 848, and a commentator on National Public Radio's Morning Edition. The links below go to a sampling of her past radio pieces. You'll need Real Audio to listen.

National Public Radio, Morning Edition Commentaries

  • Christopher Reeve's Legacy for the Disabled
    Just after the actor and activist's death, NPR aired Beth's essay on why people with disabilities had special reason to mourn.
  • My Seeing Eye Dog
    On the 75th anniversary of the Seeing Eye guide dog school, NPR ran an audio demonstration of what makes guide dogs so special.

  • Group Home
    In this essay, Finke talks about placing her developmentally disabled son in a faraway facility. Originally aired January 6, 2003. Approximately three minutes.

  • Blind Fashion
    On what it's like to pick out clothing when you can't see. Originally aired June 11, 2002. Approximately three minutes.

Chicago Public Radio, Eight Forty-Eight
848 is Chicago Public Radio's morning magazine program hosted by Steve Edwards.

  • A Love of the Theatre
    A personal essay on the writer's appreciation of Chicago theatre. December 2, 2005.
  • Go Go White Sox
    Beth shares stories of her love of the White Sox in the wake of their 2005 World Series sweep. October 26, 2005.
  • Pride of the South Side
    Why the White Sox are Chicago's team. October 14, 2005.
  • Jaywalking
    Beth urges Mayor Daley to reconsider his plan to curb jaywalking. October 7, 2005.
  • The Sensory Pleasures of New Orleans
    Recollections of the sounds, tastes and smells of the Big Easy. September 16, 2005.
  • Listening to Toulouse Lautrec
    Beth takes an audio tour of the Art Institute of Chicago's exhibition, Toulouse-Lautrec and Montmartre. September 9, 2005.
  • Learning to Sail
    Beth takes a sailing lesson designed for the blind. May 25, 2005.
  • Blind Services Association Forced to Move
    An organization that provides indispensable services to the blind is forced to move. May 3, 2005.
  • Blind Justice
    Beth weighs in on a new TV series about a blind cop. March 9, 2005.
  • Teaching Seniors How to Write
    On teaching a memoir class to people with a lot to write about.
  • A Day in the Life of Sox Park
    A very special tour of the home of U.S. Cellular Field, home of the White Sox. August 30, 2004 .
  • Getting A Taxi with a Seeing Eye Dog
    A good cabbie makes all the difference. Scroll to June 23, 2004.
  • Stem Cell Research in Illinois
    Commentary on the ongoing debate. June 21, 2004 .
  • Geraldine Lawhorn—Trailblazer for Blind and Deaf Students
    A talk with Geraldine Lawhorn, the first African-American blind and deaf woman to graduate from college, as Lawhorn prepared to deliver the 2004 commencement address at the Hadley School for the Blind. The 88-year-old Lawhorn teaches poetry at the school in north suburban Winnetka . June 17, 2004 .
  • Seeing Eye Dog: 75th Anniversary
    Think guide dogs read traffic signals? Think again. Steve Edwards follows Beth and her guide dog Hanni around Chicago's South Loop. In the process, he provides a superb primer on how human-canine teams work. January 28, 2004 .
  • Interview
    Beth talks with Steve Edwards about writing "Long Time, No See." Originally aired September 4, 2003. Approximately 20 minutes.

Minnesota Public Radio, Midmorning
Beth appeared on MPR's daily interview/call-in show on June 23, 2003. Approximately one hour.

WILL-AM, Focus 580
WILL is the public broadcasting service of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Focus 580 host David Inge talked with Beth and her husband about the book, and took callers' questions. Originally aired April 4, 2003. Approximately one hour.