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LISTEN: Ken Burns and the American Idea

Laura Knoy speaking with Ken Burns for NHPBS's Ken Burns and the American Idea
NHPBS Staff
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NHPBS
Laura Knoy speaking with Ken Burns for NHPBS's "Ken Burns and the American Idea."

When a nation feels deeply divided, where do we look to understand who we are and where we’re headed? Documentarian Ken Burns offers perspective by looking at our past.

Ken Burns talking to Laura Knoy about the American Idea
NHPBS
Ken Burns talking to Laura Knoy about the American Idea

Experience the power of history, story telling and the American spirit through the lens of one of the country’s most celebrated documentarians. "Ken Burns and the American Idea" is a production of New Hampshire Humanities, the New Hampshire Historical Society, and NHPBS.

How to listen: Tune in Thurs., Aug 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on your radio, listen live at NHPR.org, or anytime by clicking the large red audio player at the top of this page.

In this conversation, journalist and author Laura Knoy sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns to explore how the American narrative — our shared history of struggle, resilience, and self-correction — can help us navigate today’s complex cultural and political landscape.

This conversation was recorded live before an audience at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, N.H. on Jun. 9, 2026.

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Laura is well known in New Hampshire for her in-depth coverage of important issues and is widely regarded for her interviews with presidential hopefuls. Laura is a graduate of Keene High School in New Hampshire. Prior to hosting The Exchange, Laura worked in public radio in Washington, D.C. as a local reporter and announcer for WAMU and as a newscaster for NPR. Before her radio career, she was a researcher for USA Today's "Money" section, and a research assistant at the Institute for International Economics. Laura occasionally guest hosts national programs such as The Diane Rehm Show and Here and Now. In 2007 Laura was named New Hampshire Broadcaster of the Year by the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters.
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