Jad Abumrad
Born 1973 · Age 53
American radio host, composer, and producer; creator of Radiolab; MacArthur Fellow; Distinguished Professor at Vanderbilt University.
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Life & Career Timeline
Raised in Tennessee; parental influences
Grew up in Tennessee; father Naji Abumrad worked as a doctor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and mother Nada Abumrad worked as a scientist — formative influences.
Born in Tennessee
Jad Nicholas Abumrad was born on April 18, 1973. Son of a Lebanese father (Dr. Naji Abumrad) and scientist mother (Nada Abumrad).
Entered Oberlin College (approx.)
Began undergraduate studies at Oberlin College, studying creative writing and music composition (inferred start year for 4-year BA completed in 1995).
Graduated Oberlin College (B.A.)
Received a B.A. from Oberlin College, having studied creative writing and music composition with special interest in electronic and electroacoustic music.
Began composing film scores
After college Abumrad composed music for films before choosing radio as a career (approximate timing shortly after graduation).
Produced WNYC '24 Hours at the Edge of Ground Zero' contribution
Reported/produced documentaries including WNYC's '24 Hours at the Edge of Ground Zero' following 9/11; worked on staff at WNYC and produced national documentary work.
Started tinkering with new radio program idea
While working at WNYC Abumrad began experimenting with a new kind of radio show that would later become Radiolab.
Launched Radiolab (first production)
Began producing the program Radiolab, a show combining journalism, music, and sound-design to explore scientific and philosophical topics; Radiolab would go on to be nationally syndicated.
Produced 'The Ring & I' (approx. production)
'The Ring & I', Abumrad's look at Wagner's Ring Cycle, aired nationally/internationally and later won multiple awards (production likely mid-2000s).
Won National Headliner Grand Award for 'The Ring & I'
'The Ring & I' earned ten awards including the prestigious 2005 National Headliner Grand Award in Radio.
Married Karla Murthy
Married Karla Murthy, whom he met in college; Murthy works as a filmmaker and television producer.
Became a parent (first child born)
Radiolab blog 'After Birth' (Aug 24, 2009) indicates he became a new father around this time; the couple have two children.
Radiolab wins George Foster Peabody Award
Radiolab was awarded a George Foster Peabody Award (one of multiple Peabody Awards associated with Abumrad's work).
Radiolab cited as inspiring new generation of podcasters
MacArthur citation and broader press acknowledged Radiolab's influence on podcast sound-design and storytelling.
Named MacArthur Fellow (Genius Grant)
Awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in recognition of his innovative audio storytelling; MacArthur citation highlighted his use of music and sound to explore scientific and philosophical questions.
Radiolab wins another Peabody Award
Radiolab received an additional George Foster Peabody Award (one of multiple Peabodys awarded across Abumrad's projects).
Radiolab reaches large audience milestone (public reporting)
Public reports (WNYC/others) state Radiolab podcasts were being downloaded over 10 million times per month and carried on 500+ stations (approximate timing reported in the mid-2010s).
Named Executive Producer of More Perfect
Served as Executive Producer and creator of the More Perfect podcast beginning with its 2016 launch.
Launched More Perfect (Radiolab spin-off)
Radiolab's first-ever spin-off, More Perfect, a podcast about the U.S. Supreme Court's major rulings, launched; Abumrad created and served as Executive Producer/host.
Returned to music publicly (NYT coverage)
Media coverage noted Abumrad, a lapsed composer, returning to musical work and home-studio projects (NYT coverage in mid-2017).
More Perfect releases compilation album / third season milestone
More Perfect generated ancillary projects including a compilation album inspired by the 27 amendments; Abumrad created/hosted three seasons by this period.
Completion of three seasons of More Perfect (by this period)
By about 2018 Abumrad had created and hosted three seasons of More Perfect (as stated in speaker bios).
Hosted 'UnErased' podcast series
Hosted and presented 'UnErased', a four-part podcast series telling stories of survivors of gay conversion therapy.
Created Dolly Parton's America podcast
Hosted, produced and edited the nine-episode series 'Dolly Parton's America', an in-depth exploration of Dolly Parton's life and appeal; drew on deep interviews and family connections.
Dolly Parton's America wins Peabody and multiple awards
The series won a George Foster Peabody Award and seven national awards for the 2019 podcast series.
Radiolab-associated Peabody Award (2019)
By 2019 Abumrad's projects collectively had won multiple Peabody Awards (2010, 2014, 2019 among them).
Familial connection with Dolly Parton noted publicly
Reported that Abumrad's father, Dr. Naji Abumrad, had been Dolly Parton's doctor following a minor car accident — a personal connection relevant to the Dolly Parton's America series.
Accumulated multiple national awards for audio work
Across Radiolab, More Perfect and Dolly Parton's America, Abumrad's work won multiple national awards (counted as multiple Peabodys and other national awards by 2019).
Delivered TED Talk (TED2020)
Gave a TED Talk titled 'The Third' (date on WNYC/newsfeed referencing June 25, 2020) reflecting on journalism and Radiolab's evolution.
Profiled in The New York Times about home and family
NYT published a profile 'A "Party Palace" Fit for a "Radiolab" Host and a Filmmaker' referencing his home in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and family life.
Radiolab episodes and spin-offs continued production
Continued to produce and appear on Radiolab episodes and related spin-offs such as 'The Vanishing of Harry Pace' (2021 episodes on WNYC).
Announced retirement from Radiolab (handed over hosting duties)
In January 2022 Abumrad announced he would retire from producing and co-hosting Radiolab, handing the reins to producers Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.
Radiolab catalog reach reported as ~110M downloads/year (institution profile)
Vanderbilt profile and other institutional bios state Abumrad's shows cumulatively downloaded about 110 million times a year (reported in profile after his Vanderbilt appointment).
Joined Vanderbilt University faculty
In April 2022 Abumrad accepted a joint appointment as Distinguished Research Professor of Communication of Science and Technology (and advisory role with Vanderbilt communications/marketing).
Profile/appearances and continued public speaking
Agency and institutional bios list speaking engagements and appearances (e.g., CreativeMornings, Roadtrip Nation) and continued profile pieces through mid-2020s.
Port(al) audio project premiered with Brooklyn Youth Chorus
Audio project 'Port(al)', encompassing 250 years of American history, commissioned and premiered by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in May 2025 (as reported on speaker bio).
Key Achievement Ages
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