A New Approach to Remembering Lives
Radiolab founder Jad Abumrad is venturing into uncharted territory with his latest podcast project, reimagining how we honor and remember the deceased through audio storytelling. The Obit Project, launching April 2nd, 2026, represents a collaborative effort between Abumrad and University of Montana Journalism Professor Jule Banville to transform traditional obituary writing into compelling audio narratives.
As shown in the promotional image above, the podcast embraces a distinctive visual identity that reflects its contemplative approach to celebrating life and legacy through storytelling.
Educational Roots Meet Professional Production
The 12-episode series emerged from an innovative journalism class at the University of Montana School of Journalism, where students learned the time-honored tradition of obituary writing before evolving their work into this new audio format. The project is a production of the Montana Media Lab, with showrunner Mary Auld directing the initiative.
“After teaching students to write obits for more than a decade, this project and working with Jad again is such a gift,” said Banville, who previously collaborated with Abumrad and hosts the An Absurd Result podcast. “I can’t wait for people to listen, to slow down and contemplate these stories that are really about life.”
Stories That Transcend Traditional Boundaries
The podcast promises to deliver rich, honest portrayals of real Montanans’ lives, featuring everything from an obituary about a circus elephant to one about a historian with an affection for ghosts. Each episode serves as a narrative exploration enhanced by interviews with friends and family members, alongside historical archives uncovered through journalistic investigation.
This approach transforms obituaries from mere announcements of death into profound examinations of legacy, memory, and the universal truths that connect human experiences. The format allows for deeper storytelling that explores what individuals have left behind and how their lives continue to resonate with others.
Wide Distribution and Cross-Platform Reach
The Obit Project will be available across all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Castbox, and Pocket Casts, with weekly episode releases following the April 2nd premiere. Additionally, Montana Public Radio will air adapted versions of select stories, extending the project’s reach beyond traditional podcast audiences.
For those interested in following the project’s development, more information is available at theobitproject.org.
Implications for Audio Storytelling
This innovative approach to obituary writing represents a broader trend in podcasting toward experimental narrative formats that challenge traditional media boundaries. By combining journalistic rigor with intimate storytelling, The Obit Project demonstrates how audio can create space for reflection and deeper understanding of human experiences.
The collaboration also highlights the growing importance of academic-industry partnerships in podcast development, showing how educational institutions can serve as incubators for innovative content formats that push the medium forward.
Source: Podwires Newsletter
