Abigail
Beckman
Storytelling portfolio
"Telling stories with sound in an ethical, entertaining & educational way from lead to out-cue."
"I had the pleasure of doing an event recently with Abigail Beckman. And I was blown away. As an interviewer myself, I am constantly seeking ways to draw guests out. I try to ask questions that delight, surprise, probe and keep an audience engaged. I want to give a guest space to think outloud. This time, I was on the other side - being interviewed. And as the interviewer, Abigail nailed it. Truly. I took mental notes because I learned so much. She’s not only skilled as an interviewer and journalist, she also clearly cared about all the public radio supporters who came to the event that evening. Before, during and after the event, she treated the audience with so much respect and gratitude. I love working in public radio - and I’m so happy to call Abigail a colleague. I look forward to following her career wherever it takes her and hope we get to collaborate much more in the future." - David Greene, former Morning Edition host, NPR
Audio samples
Working in public radio has given me an immense appreciation for ethical, accurate, and complete journalism. The listener support that defines public radio keeps journalism independent, allowing sound judgment and unwavering commitment to fairness to take precedence. I am humbled by and thankful for the people who let me into their lives, trusting me to share their voices with others. I’m amazed at how much this job allows me learn every day—just one reason I love being a journalist. Working in public radio is especially rewarding - not only does it bring the opportunity to discover, investigate and appreciate new and changing issues every day, but also the ability to share those things with listeners in a fresh and complete way.
My work has been featured on NPR’s "Only A Game,” “Weekend Edition Sunday,” "Morning Edition," and "All Things Considered." I have also recorded and produced stories for Harvest Public Media and various public radio stations across Kansas and Colorado.
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As a Morning Edition host, I love turning on the microphone each day and entering listener's lives. Although I am in technically in the studio, it's a real joy to be with them as they drink their morning coffee and head out the door. It's an intimate role and I work hard to build a relationship with our listeners, welcoming them into the day with warmth and familiarity.
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In 2018, I was recognized by the Colorado Broadcasters Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and the Associated Press Television and Radio Association Awards with awards for "Best Use of Sound", "Best News Coverage of a Single Event", "Best Writing."
I was honored at both a regional and national level for my feature story “Reaching Out: The Ongoing Relationship Between the WPD and the Homeless." I have been recognized by both the Colorado and Kansas Associations of Broadcasters, as well as Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI) and the Associated Press Television And Radio Association (APTRA).
In 2015, I wrote and produced an 30-minute radio documentary, “The Pieces that Remain: Remembering the Wichita State University Plane Crash.” This project won a 2016 Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media, a 2016 regional Edward R. Murrow Award, and a first place in the News Documentary category from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI). The documentary also took first place in the 2016 special program category from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, and it was named 2015 Outstanding Graduate Professional Project by the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University.
I earned a national Edward R. Murrow Award for another piece, “Reaching Out: The Ongoing Relationship Between the Wichita Police Department and the Homeless." A group project looking into the tight-knit community of Hesston, Kan., following a mass shooting also received first place from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters in 2016 for myself and co-workers Carla Eckels, Deborah Shaar and Aileen LeBlanc.
I graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. in 2012 with degrees in journalism and Spanish. Immediately following, I worked as a reporter and later as the news editor for the Dodge City Daily Globe in Dodge City, Kan. My primary focus at The Globe was covering crime news. In 2015 graduated with a Master of Arts in communication from Wichita State University.