World Radio Paris

Turning Points - Groove Xanadu

Groove Xanadu released their eponymous debut album, showcasing thegroup's signature sound live on Turning Points.In this episode of Turning Points, Patricia Killeen welcomed singer-songwriterMichael D. Amitin and vocalist Cerenia Capouix to the studio. In the winter of2023–2024, Michael, an American expat in Paris, began exploring new musical ideaswith fresh collaborators. Serendipity played its part, bringing together a talentedlineup: keyboardist Paul Sany, guitarist Guillaume Perrin, bassist Emmanuel Sunnee,and drummer Baptist Castets. Their country-blues foundation soon evolved into arich, multicultural blend of jazz, funk, and soul. A magical, distinctive vocal harmonymelded between Michael and Cerenia, and Cerenia's shining, "angel like"; vocals soontook the lead on several tracks. With good vibes and creative chemistry, GrooveXanadu recorded their debut at QDS Studio with engineer Michael Buyens, and thenoverdubs ensued at Submarine Studios with Isaackito. The result: Groove Xanadu,the eponymous first album by the newly formed group. The album premiered onTurning Points, with Michael and Cerenia performing two tracks live ‘Her MotherDrank Black Coffee’, and ‘Food for the Angels’ to the pure delight of Patricia andAliosha in the studio. The group is now gearing up for the album release party at theSunset Club on September 30 with more events on the horizon.You can find Groove Xanadu on:Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/people/Groove-Xanadu/61573031236354/)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/groovexanadu?igsh=d3ltZnVwdzExNDMx )Bandcamp (https://groovexanadu.bandcamp.com/album/groove-xanadu)

Cups and Dishes: Eating Nostalgia, How Taste Unlocks Emotion

Created and recorded by Wafa Jawad for World Radio Paris.
In this episode of Cups and Dishes, we’re getting a little emotional… in the best way.
Wafa dives into the magic of food and memory—how just one bite can take you back in time. From the Proustian moment to a few personal stories, this episode explores the times where food becomes something more: a memory, a feeling, a connection.
Episode produced by ARBL Murray and Héloïse Daniel

Lost in Frenchlation: Cannes 2025 with Youri Rebeko

It's that time of year again! The Cannes Film Festival wrap up! There were anarchists sabotaging electrical systems and fainting spells during the screenings but was it also an exciting year for cinema? Our guest Youri Rebeko helps us unpack it all and shares his top picks and biggest disappointments this year. 
Youri is a screenwriter, composer, and one of the hosts of the popular French cinema podcast La Perche.
This episode is produced and hosted by Manon Kerjean and ARBL Murray and recorded in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. 
 
Notes on Episode:
Youri's Picks
Sirat 
Left Handed Girl 
A Simple Accident
Manon’s Picks
Des Preuves d’Amour
La Petite Dernière
 

New Arrivals: A guide to renting an apartment in Paris.

In This episode of New Arrivals, Eliza Lorenço walks us through a guide to renting an apartment in Paris! 
"Paris has a bad reputation when it comes to finding a place to live. Advice can also vary widely. It’s important to stay informed and get the facts straight. 
I’d heard that finding a rental was difficult, so when I moved to Paris from Sydney, Australia, I made it a top priority to find accommodation before I had even stepped foot in the country. There’s really no such thing as being too prepared when it comes to moving overseas. 
This is easier said than done. The problem with renting in Paris isn’t necessarily having a lack of money to pay the rent itself; rather, it can be hard as a foreigner to meet requirements. I know first-hand how important it can be to know your rights as a tenant in Paris. It can save you time, stress, and money. For example, I used the tools in the section below on rental controls to negotiate a rent decrease on my studio, something that is practically unheard of in my hometown."
To read the blog go to our website:
https://worldradioparis.org/2025/02/07/

Parentalité: Changing the way France sees Menopause with Christine Siler

In this episode of Parentalité Joelle, Meg, and Rachelle, talk with Christine Siler about Menopause. Christine (Tina) is a menopause policy advocate and is changing the way women, men, doctors, and families see menopause. 
In some cultures it was regarded as a sacred time when a women transitioned into a wiser peaceful keeper of the community, now many fear and dread it. Tina is working to change the policy and medical care around menopause so that the women in our lives can move into this phase with dignity.
Tina is producing a screening of 'The M Factor' an important and controversial documentary about menopause medical policy and a panel discussion afterward on June 4th 2025, 19:00-21:30 at the historic Luminor Theater in the Marais. 
Our crew talks candidly about how, with the appropriate support both emotional and medical, this can be something to look forward to. A huge part of the discussion is around access to medication and research and bringing those things to the medical system in France. How and when to start advocating for yourself. 
To buy tickets and more info about the M Factor screening in Paris visit:
https://www.messageparis.org/event-details/the-m-factor-in-paris
 
For more information on Christine Siler visit:
https://www.christinesiler.com/
Christine's Linkdin
 
Parentalité is produced by ARBL Murray for World Radio Paris and recorded at their studio. 
 

French History Podcast : Philippe Auguste, the first modern king

Learn what King of France Philippe Auguste achieved during rule, around the year 1200. Among his constructions, the protection wall of Paris, the Sorbonne University, the Sewer system, and he established Paris as the Capital of France. Learn a lot more by listening to Dr Gary Girod.

Lost in Frenchlation: Cinemas of Paris with Dina Iordanova

 In this Episode of Lost in Frenchlatin we talk with Global Cinema expert Dina Iordanova about her 2016 book Cinemas of Paris. 
We talk about how Paris is a "never ending film festival," and why movie going in the city of light is unlike anywhere else. 
We talk about the wealth of movie theaters and why they are all different. How some have gone to extreme lengths to keep these cinemas open and some have been saved by the city itself. 
Dina Iordanova is Emeritus Professor in Global Cinema at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. A native of Bulgaria, she has worked around the world for more than three decades. She is a film historian of transnational cinema and has particular interest in the study of film festivals and global film circulation.
In this Episode We Discuss:
Cinemas: 
Le Brady, Cinema La Clef, La Pagode, Espace Saint-Michel and many others. 
You can read more of Dina's Work here:
The Complicated History of Women at Cannes Film Festival (2021)
Cannes Is Not A Film Festival: It Is a Club for Insiders (2018)
For more information about Lost in Frenchlation and to buy tickets go to:
https://lostinfrenchlation.com

Turning Points - Jonathan Ruppin and Emma Claire Sweeney - Ruppin Agency Writers’ Studio

In this episode of Turning Points, Patricia Killeen speaks with husband-and-wife team Jonathan Ruppin and Emma Claire Sweeney, who run the Ruppin Agency Writers’ Studio. Their retreats in Paris (https://www.ruppinagency.com/paris/) and North Wales, along with their mentoring programmes, have become sought-afterexperiences for writers. Their upcoming Paris retreat (18–23 May), hosted by theVéranda Association Culturelle, will take place in a stunning house in the 15tharrondissement, often featured in architectural publications.
Emma Claire Sweeney is an award-winning author and senior lecturer at the OpenUniversity. Her novel Owl Song at Dawn was named Nudge Book of the Year    (literary category), and her co-authored biography A Secret Sisterhood received praise from Margaret Atwood for its contributions to literary history. Emma’s work has appeared in The Paris Review, TIME, and The Washington Post, and she has won the Society of Authors, Arts Council England, and the Royal Literary Fund awards.
Jonathan Ruppin is an editor and former literary agent with over 30 years of industry experience. He led the Ruppin Agency from 2016 to 2024, where every novel sold was award-nominated, with wins including the Portico Prize and the Somerset Maugham Award. He has collaborated with English PEN, the Booker PrizeFoundation, and New Books in German, and served as a judge for the Costa NovelAward, Guardian First Book Award, and the RNA Awards.
Check out Emma and Jonathan’s site: ruppinagency.com or contact Emma andJonathan by email at studio@ruppinagency.com to book a retreat or for literarymentoring.

WRP Presents: Turning War into Words

What happens when war is fought from behind a screen? In this episode, host ARBL Murray speaks with Canadian writer and Afghan war veteran Matt Jones about his new novel, Predators, Reapers, and Deadlier Creatures. Set in Kandahar in 2010, the book follows a drone operator wrestling with the moral and psychological weight of remote warfare.
Now based in Paris, where he teaches creative writing at SciencesPo, Jones explores the challenge of writing about war for divided audiences—drawing on his journey from soldier to storyteller.
Discover more about the author | Buy the book in France | Buy the book in the USA
 

Lost in Frenchlation: Arnaud Desplechin's Ode to Film

In this Episode of Lost in Frenchlatin we talk with lauded French filmmaker and screenwriter Arnaud Desplechin about his new film ‘Spectateurs!' (Filmlovers!) 
 
His film screened at the beautiful Jeu de Paume in the Tuileries Gardens, during the Lost in Frenchlation event. Manon Kerjean and ARBL Murray were able to chat with Arnaud about his films, his inspiration, and what it was like to put together his own personal ode to cinema. Arnaud tells us why he used the mixed forms of narrative and documentary, what his earliest interactions with art were and why Pretty Woman occupies his thoughts from time to time. 
 
In this Episode We Discuss:
Films of Arnaud Desplechin
 
Philosopher:
Stanley Cavell
 
Films:
Shoah by Claude Lanzmann
Killer of Sheep by Charles Burnett
The Exiled by Johnnie To
Pretty Woman by Garry Marshall
 
Arnoud’s must see recommendation for recent films:
Souleymane's Story by Boris Lojkine
 
Listen to Arnaud give a talk about why he loves the film Pretty Woman (In French)
LISTEN HERE ON APPLE PODCASTS 
 
For more information about Lost in Frenchlation and to buy tickets go to:
https://lostinfrenchlation.com