Roman Mars
American radio producer, host/creator of the podcast 99% Invisible, co‑founder of the Radiotopia podcast collective, TED speaker and author focused on design and the built environment.
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Life & Career Timeline
Produced Invisible Ink on KALW
Created and produced a weekly program called Invisible Ink on San Francisco public radio station KALW; described as a radio zine and 'punk rock' take on public radio.
Left PhD program to intern at KALW
Left a graduate PhD program in genetics to undertake an unpaid internship at KALW (San Francisco), launching a full-time trajectory into public radio.
Moved to Chicago to work at WBEZ
Hired by WBEZ in Chicago to produce Resound, a podcast/show that showcased international audio — Roman called it his 'grad school in radio.'
Became senior producer at Snap Judgment
Returned to the Bay Area and worked as a senior producer for Snap Judgment, a weekly storytelling show — a stepping stone toward launching his own show.
Launched 99% Invisible podcast
Quit Snap Judgment and launched 99% Invisible, a podcast/radio show about design and the hidden world of everyday things; name inspired by Buckminster Fuller quote.
Hired by PRX to curate 'Remix' for SiriusXM (PRX Remix)
Public Radio Exchange (PRX) hired Roman to curate a remix radio program/channel (PRX Remix) that was later syndicated and showcased audio pieces; PRX later referenced hiring him ~2011.
First major Kickstarter for 99% Invisible ($170k)
Ran a Kickstarter campaign for 99% Invisible that raised approximately $170,000 — at the time the most-funded journalism project on Kickstarter and a watershed moment for independent podcast funding.
Kickstarter demonstrates sustainable independent podcast funding model
The successful 2012 Kickstarter (~$170k) is widely credited with showing that independent podcasters could finance quality, long-form journalism via crowdfunding — a tipping point for the industry.
Contributed to Radiolab and Planet Money
Roman Mars contributed reporting/segments to other major public-radio programs (Radiolab and Planet Money are cited as shows he contributed to; Planet Money episode 471 referenced on NPR's site).
Launched Radiotopia collective (kickoff via Kickstarter)
In partnership with PRX and the Knight Foundation, Roman co-founded Radiotopia, a curated podcast collective; initial expansion and funding driven by a 2014 Kickstarter.
Radiotopia ethics & ownership model formalized
Radiotopia was organized with a Dischord-inspired ethos: producer-owned IP, simple contracts, shared resources, and a mix of equal and download-based revenue sharing.
Radiotopia stretch goal: add three podcasts by women
Radiotopia reached the $400,000 stretch goal (Nov 2, 2014) to add three podcasts hosted by women (Criminal, The Heart, The Allusionist).
Radiotopia stretch goal: host events
Radiotopia reached a stretch goal (Nov 4, 2014) to host Radiotopia parties/events in multiple cities during 2015.
Radiotopia stretch goal: wages and internships
Radiotopia hit a $500,000 stretch goal (Nov 9, 2014) enabling more content, wage increases and paid internships.
Radiotopia stretch goal: pilot development fund
Radiotopia reached the $600,000 stretch goal (Nov 15, 2014) to create a pilot development fund; the campaign ultimately added Mortified to the collective.
Radiotopia Kickstarter closed with $620,412
Radiotopia season-two / network Kickstarter closed on Nov 15, 2014 having raised $620,412 from 21,808 backers (original goal $250,000 funded within six days).
Hosted AIGA National Conference (New Orleans)
Served as host of the AIGA National Conference in New Orleans (source reference in PRX materials).
TED mainstage talk: city flags (Vancouver)
Delivered a TED mainstage talk in Vancouver titled 'Why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you’ve never noticed'; the talk became one of TED's most-viewed design talks (millions of views reported).
Pioneered asynchronous podcasting (Smart Stuff episode)
Worked with Justin McElroy on asynchronous podcasting (recording parts separately and assembling later) — part of Smart Stuff began on MBMBaM episode 316 (Aug 16, 2016) and completed in 99% Invisible episode 225.
Launched constitutional-law podcast with Elizabeth Joh
Began co-hosting What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law with Elizabeth Joh (UC Davis Law) in June 2017; the show later left Radiotopia and became independently distributed as What Roman Mars Can Learn About Con Law.
99% Invisible recognized as influential independent radio/podcast
By 2020, mainstream press and industry commentary credited Roman Mars and 99% Invisible with defining a movement of independent radio and podcast creators and an innovative narrative approach to design stories.
Published 'The 99% Invisible City' (book)
Co-authored The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design with Kurt Kohlstedt; published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; debuted as a bestseller.
Radiotopia scale reported: 28 podcasts, 19M monthly downloads
Public profile/interview (Standing on the Shoulders) reported Radiotopia supporting 28 podcasts with 19 million downloads per month (reported Oct 8, 2020).
Ten-year milestone: 99% Invisible reaches 10 years and 400+ episodes
After ten years (launched 2010), 99% Invisible surpassed 400+ episodes and had become a major influence in design and podcasting.
Interview on Science Friday about The 99% Invisible City
Appeared on Science Friday (Nov 20, 2020) to discuss the book and the 'hidden stories' in cities.
Donated $1M to PRX/Radiotopia
Following the sale of 99% Invisible Inc., Roman Mars donated $1 million to Public Radio Exchange (PRX) / Radiotopia to support creators and infrastructure (donation spread over four years per PRX announcement).
Sold 99% Invisible Inc. to SiriusXM / Stitcher Radio
99% Invisible Inc., the company producing 99% Invisible, was sold to SiriusXM's Stitcher Radio (announced Apr 26, 2021). Roman donated $1,000,000 of the proceeds to PRX/Radiotopia over four years.
Classic interviews and retrospectives continue (podcast appearances)
99% Invisible and Roman Mars continued to be featured in industry retrospectives, vault episodes and interviews (e.g., republished interview on 'Stuff to Blow Your Mind' Dec 16, 2023 referencing the 2020 book and the show).
Ongoing role: Host & creator of 99% Invisible
Roman Mars continues as creator/host of 99% Invisible and remains a prominent voice in independent podcasting and design storytelling (ongoing role noted across sources).
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