Samantha Balaban
Samantha Balaban is a producer at Weekend Edition.
After receiving her M.A. in Journalism and Latin American studies from New York University, she got her start in public radio covering the James "Whitey" Bulger trial for WBUR as an intern. Since coming to NPR in 2014, she has reported on a perfume-loving tiger, traveled to Mexico to meet actor Diego Luna (and cover the elections), ridden with border patrol officers along the Rio Grande River, eaten very well in Houston, interviewed a Bangle and used her waterproof fanny pack to help keep her mic dry during hurricanes. She's also responsible for Picture This, a series of conversations with authors and illustrators.
Most days, you can find her under a pile of books and mail coordinating Weekend Edition's book coverage. On weekends, she's hanging out with her dog, Winnie.
- You already know the song — now, 'The One About the Blackbird' is also a picture book
- Out with the mayo: How Ukrainians reclaim holiday food
- Gather 'round the table — it's time for a 'Family Feast!'
- Earlybirds Club: for ladies who want to get down and also get to bed on time
- Hitch a ride to the moon in a rusty old car and 'The Couch in the Yard'
- Russ & Daughters in NYC celebrates '100 years of appetizing' and family
- Squelch squerch! Stumble trip! Tiptoe! — 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'
- During an 'Island Storm,' two kids on an adventure ask — 'Do we try for more?'