BETA

About BETA

"BETA" comes from producer/host Doug Gordon. BETA is a polyphonic mosh pit where high culture and low culture collide, taking an immersive, innovative, playful and provocative approach to exploring arts, culture and technology.

Publisher

Wisconsin Public Radio

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Dec 2023

Latest episode

26 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

65 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Sept 2025

   Episode 810: Charlie Berens, Patrick Somerville, Phil Cook

   This week on "BETA,"we’ll chat with the one and only Charlie Berens and find out what so funny about bein’ from Wisconsin. Then we’ll chat with Green Bay’s own Patrick Summerville about his work on the HBO series Station 11. And we'll talk with Eau Claire native Phil Cook about how he and birds make music together on his album Appalachia Borealis.

2. 

   12 Sept 2025

   Episode 810: Ottessa Moshfegh, Megan Abbott, Karen Russell

   We're revisiting conversations with some of our favorite authors. Ottessa Moshfegh will talk with us about her novel "My Year of Rest and Relaxation," and Megan Abbott will discuss writing for HBO's "The Deuce" and her novel, "Give Me Your Hand." Also, Karen Russell joins us to talk about her beautifully written book, The Antidote.

3. 

   5 Sept 2025

   Episode 216: Allow Me To Reconstruct This

   Noah Hawley, creator of the FX series, “Fargo” gives us the true story about adapting a masterpiece. Also, comedian Hari Kondabolu pulls the curtain back on his career and graphic […]

Who has been a guest on BETA

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• John Waters
• Scott Thompson
• Dave Foley
• Elias Weiss Friedman
• Dan Nadel

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

99,943

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

35 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

38

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

85

Contact BETA

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.