How Susan Stamberg Shaped the Iconic Voice of NPR

Our presence here today, broadcasting live, owes much to Susan Stamberg. While many contributed to shaping National Public Radio’s unique identity, it was Susan’s voice that first resonated across American homes and vehicles over five decades ago. Instead of listeners wondering, “What is NPR?” they found themselves asking, “Who is that captivating voice?”

Breaking new ground as the first woman to co-anchor an evening news program, Susan’s tone was refreshingly informal. She wasn’t the typical polished newsreader; rather, she brought a lively, spirited energy-engaging, witty, and always gracious.

Susan Stamberg didn’t just lend NPR a voice; she infused it with a distinctive warmth and a laugh that could shake the microphones.

When she stepped down last month, NPR and this program honored her remarkable legacy. It’s comforting to know she heard some of the heartfelt appreciation before her passing this week at age 87. Those of us continuing her work recognize that we stand on the foundation laid by Susan and a handful of determined journalists who, more than 50 years ago, built a platform now embraced by millions nationwide.

Reflecting on what I’ve absorbed from Susan over the years, one lesson stands out: the art of listening is paramount in any interview. While journalists often prepare detailed questions filled with facts, Susan taught me that true engagement requires setting aside the script and genuinely hearing the responses.

“You have to be ready to let your carefully crafted questions go,” she once advised, “and allow the conversation to take its own path.”

Her approach also demonstrated that sometimes the simplest inquiries are the most revealing. For instance, she once asked a ballet choreographer, “Don’t your feet ever ache?”-a question both straightforward and insightful.

Moreover, Susan believed that for a news program to become a trusted companion in listeners’ daily lives, it must capture the full spectrum of human experience-joy and sorrow, triumph and struggle-and deliver it with flair. Facts alone won’t hold an audience’s attention; it’s the storytelling style that keeps them engaged.

Back when NPR was just an unfamiliar acronym, Susan Stamberg gave it character and soul.

It’s fitting that the voice guiding visitors in the elevators at NPR headquarters is hers-still leading the way, reminding us which direction to take.