Today, I'm particularly proud of all the years I put into this podcast along with Jeanne Marie Laskas and Erin Anderson. It was born in the aftermath of 2016, when we were searching for answers about the country we live in. That search led us to Donora, PA. (1/3) cementcity.org

We weren't the only ones with that impulse. A high up editor where I work suggested the paper open a bureau in a town somewhere. That's essentially what we did. And we found an America where the best jobs are at the sewage plant and kids can't afford skate rental at the rink.

We found other things, too. An election that was eerily similar to the one that just happened. Characters I will never forget. And a sense of community that is vanishingly rare. Oh, and: it's all out now. All ten episodes. I am so glad we went looking for answers.

CEMENT CITY is the story of one American town. It’s one small attempt to tell a story of America in this moment we now find ourselves. The complete series is finally out – almost 8 years in the making. We hope you’ll listen. cementcity.org Jeanne Marie Laskas Erin Anderson Michael Benoist

Back in 2016, when Jeanne Marie Laskas Erin Anderson and I set out to document life in a left behind town, we did it with a real sense of curiosity and humility. Amazing the Dems didn’t draw the same lessons from Trump 1.0. You learn a whole lot when you listen. cementcity.org

Cement City: The Audio Equivalent Of On All Fours Is it your Me Time listening? Grab a set of headphones and search up Cement City Productions to get started From Jeanne Marie Laskas & Erin Anderson for @AudacyPods A 9h journey to the heart of the Rust Belt you want to take open.substack.com/pub/bingeworth…

Reviews are in! Bingeworthy says Cement City is "a unicorn of a series" and calls it "strikingly original." "Am I guilty for enjoying it this much?" she writes. Podcast the Newsletter calls it "an incredible piece of reporting" and "priceless." cementcity.org

Cement City is a The New York Times best podcast of 2024! "An extraordinarily immersive portrait of day-to-day life in a troubled but irreducibly vibrant community." nytimes.com/2024/12/06/art…

This feels pretty great. A little love for CEMENT CITY in the The New York Times. Best of 2024! Feeling very proud of my tiny team. Jeanne Marie Laskas Michael Benoist Cement City Productions nytimes.com/2024/12/06/art…

Well hey now! Got this news in the middle of a taping for my day job. What terrific news. Proud of you Jeanne Marie Laskas and Erin Anderson . Give it a listen you all! CEMENT CITY is unlike anything else out there. Cement City Productions nytimes.com/2024/12/06/art…

Audio Delicacies 2024 is here 🎉 🍾 We’re highlighting the BEST podcasts and episodes of 2024 that showcase the uniqueness and diversity of the podcast industry. There’s a little something for everyone 🎧 🔗 tinkmedia.co/audio-delicaci…

Thanks to Tink Media for this list -- and to Ian Fox (he/him) for the kind words! "If you want more of S-TOWN's poetry or HEAVYWEIGHT's heart, you should try CEMENT CITY." Cement City Productions

Cement City is a finalist for ASME's National Magazine Award in podcasting! Congratulations to our team: Jeanne Marie Laskas, Erin Anderson, and Michael Benoist!

Big week for our little podcast!! Cement City Productions Jeanne Marie Laskas Michael Benoist cementcity.org

Cement City is a finalist for two awards at #TheAmbies: Podcast of the Year and Best Scriptwriting, Nonfiction!

Cement City was named one of the New York Times' best podcasts of 2024. It examines Donora, known for a smog disaster in the 1940s that changed the face of environmental protection. MORE >> cbsloc.al/4kU9usZ  Cement City Productions  Heather Abraham Boaz Frankel

New music from Donora! (We've heard from so many people asking about our credits music...) donoramusic.com/album/out-here…