Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Tracking the Red Cross’ Haiti Funds, Sheryl Sandberg on Grief, and Brian Wilson
The Red Cross raised half a billion dollars in aid money to help Haiti recover from its devastating 2010 earthquake. But the charity only built six houses in the country, and now it’s pulling out. Where did all the money go? We hear from one of the investigative reporters behind a new report that tracks the Red Cross’ Haiti spending.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenThe Red Cross raised half a billion dollars in aid money to help Haiti recover from its devastating 2010 earthquake. But the charity only built six houses in the country. We hear from one of the investigative reporters behind a new report that tracks where the money went. Then, in our weekly web roundup, Sheryl Sandberg’s viral essay on grief has struck a chord. Next, the director of Love and Mercy, a new film about Brian Wilson, talks to Madeleine about the making of the movie. And finally, why is the business of scoring films and television moving overseas?
In this episode
4 storiesTracking the Red Cross’ $500 Million in Haiti Relief
A new investigation into the Red Cross in Haiti has revealed shocking news. After an earthquake nearly leveled the island in 2010, the Red Cross raised half a billion dollars in aid money. It pledged to use the money to build tens of thousands of new homes and entire communities from scratch.
Read the story10 minWeb Roundup: Sheryl Sandberg on Grief and More
Sheryl Sandberg, the Facebook executive famous for her book Lean In, published a much more personal piece of writing yesterday. She posted an emotional essay about her grief since her husband, David Goldberg, died in an accident a month ago.
Read the story12 min'Love & Mercy' Tells Brian Wilson’s Story
The classic Beach Boys album Pet Sounds came out in 1966. Soon after that Brian Wilson, the main composer and driving force behind the Beach Boys, began hearing voices. He had a mental breakdown, which led him to spend three years in bed.
Read the story16 minRunaway Film Scoring Leaves Some Musicians Behind
They say that if you notice a film’s score, it’s not doing its job. Of course, anyone can hum the theme to “Jaws.” But for the most part, scores exist in the background, making the action seem more intense, the love scenes more romantic and the drama more dramatic.
Read the story10 min
