To the Best of Our Knowledge


To the Best of Our Knowledge is a weekly public-radio interview program produced by Wisconsin Public Radio and distributed by PRX. It is broadcast on 180+ public radio stations in the U.S. and is also available as a podcast. The program was hosted by Jim Fleming until his retirement in January 2014, along with interviewers Steve Paulson and Anne Strainchamps. Strainchamps took over as host after Fleming's retirement.

Program format

To the Best of Our Knowledge produces two one-hour programs each week. Each hour has a theme, which is explored over the course of the hour primarily through interviews, although the show also airs commentaries, performance pieces and occasional reporter pieces. Topics vary widely, from contemporary politics, science and "big ideas," to pop culture themes such as "Nerds" or "Apocalyptic Fiction."
The program produces at least one five-part series every year, which tends to be distributed more widely than the weekly broadcast. "East Meets West," a series on East/West cultural crossroads, included interviews with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Muslim philosopher Tariq Ramadan, Muslim rapper Lupe Fiasco, Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, and Pakistani rock icon Salman Ahmad. "Electrons to Enlightenment," a five-part series on science and religion, included interviews with intellectual heavyweights E. O. Wilson, Richard Dawkins, Francis Collins and Karen Armstrong.
To the Best of Our Knowledge won the 2004 Peabody Award for Programming.