about the show
THE MIDDLE WITH JEREMY HOBSON is a live national call-in talk show aimed at elevating the voices of Americans who live in “the middle”— geographically, politically or philosophically — as well as Americans who want to meet in the middle to find solutions to the biggest issues the country faces.
As we approach a crucial election in 2024, these voices are more important than ever. THE MIDDLE opens a safe space to discuss different points of view without judgment, a non-partisan forum meant to bring americans together and listen rather than to divide them.
the middle is the only live national call-in current events program on public radio, and airs on more than 400 NPR stations nationwide each week, with a podcast distributed by iheart media and available wherever you get your podcasts.
Our Team
jeremy hobson
Jeremy is a trusted journalist to public radio listeners and stations, having spent ten years hosting Marketplace Morning Report, Here & Now, and NPR Special Coverage of major news events.
He started in public radio at age 9, working on a show called Treehouse Radio on station WILL in his hometown of Urbana, Illinois. He interned for All Things Considered at 17, and spent years working as a producer and reporter, before becoming the youngest national host in public radio’s history in 2010. he’s so excited to bring more voices from the middle into the national conversation.
Host and Executive Producer
Tolliver
Tolliver is a Chicago-born funk singer, journalist and DJ drawn to the humor in every story, the dance floor and the best BBQ spot in every city.
He's written for Reuters, produced video for LA Times, TOMS shoes and OutTV, interviewed some of the biggest celebrities of our time, and hosted a weekly radio show at KQBH in Boyle Heights dedicated to afrofuturism.
Musically, he's appeared on the Late Late Show, gave a TED Talk and performance at the 2023 conference, has toured all over the US and Europe and is in constant rotation on KCRW. He's also the founder and executive producer of Exotic Fruits Fest, an annual music and film event that benefits local non-profits.
He loves his cat - Jean-Michel Basquicat - more than anything and works only to buy him the finest patè.
DJ & musical director
Joanne Elgart jennings
Joanne Elgart Jennings is an award-winning journalist with more than three decades of experience in public media. As a producer for PBS NewsHour, she guided on-the ground news coverage in politically tumultuous regions, war zones and sites of natural disaster. Through her audio and video productions, she seeks to help people understand one another. A native of Pennsylvania, Joanne has lived on both coasts, and in the middle. She has worked and played in forty-nine states, and looks forward to visiting Alaska soon.
Senior Producer
harrison Patiño
Harrison Patiño is a journalist and producer who has covered topics ranging from homelessness and the economy to music, the arts and culture.
before joining the middle, harrison worked on daily talk shows at While primarily working behind the scenes as a segment producer, he has filled in as a daily host, newsreader and music host in his previous experience at Hawaii Public Radio and KPBS.
Harrison holds a double major in Journalism and Classics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and is interested in stories that spotlight the common ground and shared interests among everyday Americans.
Associate Producer
Danette Alexander
PRODUCER
Danette (Danie) Alexander finished 15 years with the award-winning public affairs program "Up To Date” in January 2023 at public radio station KCUR in Kansas City. She spent the last eight years as senior producer of the live call-in show that broadcast in locations ranging from Royals' home openers to governors' inaugurations to tornado-stricken Linwood, KS. Danie loves exploring America's back roads.
john barth
John Barth runs Creative Media LLC, a content development and talent recruitment company. He was Chief Content Officer of PRX and has been a reporter, news director, and producer in public media and at digital companies since before you were born. John lives in St. Louis, officially the Midwest.
Consultant