Starting Tuesday, April 8, radio station WBEZ Chicago will launch its limited series podcast, “Making: Stories Without End,” which explores the fascinating origins and enduring legacy of soap operas, including the impact made by Irna Phillips, the genre’s pioneer.
From their humble beginnings on Chicago’s radio airwaves to their evolution through television and today’s streaming platforms, “Making: Stories Without End” will unpack how the genre has helped shape pop culture while telling intergenerational stories that continue to resonate with millions of viewers.
“Daytime dramas are a cornerstone of American television history,” said Natalie Moore, former WBEZ reporter and editor, and host of “Making: Stories Without End,” in a statement. “For decades, soaps didn’t just entertain – they led the charge in tackling some of society’s most taboo topics. Issues like sexual assault, abortion, AIDS and LGBTQ+ representation found a platform in soaps long before mainstream media or primetime television were ready to engage with them.”
Joining Moore for the six-episode journey, listeners will hear from historians, creators, writers, actors, including “Days of our Lives” star Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans), and fans who reveal how the soaps have not only reflected cultural change but often pushed the boundaries of what audiences were ready to confront.
WBEZ Chicago
New episodes of “Making: Stories Without End” will debut every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR One, Pocket Casts and wherever listeners find their favorite podcasts. WBEZ Chicago will also air the series on 91.5 FM every Friday at 2:00 p.m. local time, starting Friday, April 11.
Ahead of the launch, DuSable Museum (740 E. 56th Pl., Chicago, IL) will host a special event featuring Moore in conversation about Black representation on daytime television on Sunday, April 6, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. local time, which will be open to the public.
Logline for “Making: Stories Without End”
Chicago is the birthplace of the soap opera, yet its history and influence remain largely untold. More than just melodrama and escapism, soaps have been a driving force in American television, often ahead of the mainstream in tackling issues like abortion, race, AIDS and aging. Yes, they’re campy — filled with midday martinis and glamorous characters — but their legacy runs deep. Created by Chicagoan Irna Phillips, soap operas pioneered modern TV storytelling with no reruns and stories that never truly end.
Episode Descriptions
- “Meet Irna Phillips – The Queen of Daytime” (Episode 1) – Chicago’s Irna Phillips pioneered the soap opera, creating the “cliffhanger” and shaping serialized storytelling. (21:42)
- “Women’s Stories Take Center Stage” (Episode 2) – Soaps have long tackled women’s issues, from cancer awareness to abortion rights, with depth rarely seen on TV. (34:19)
- “Black Representation in Soaps” (Episode 3) – Black actors have been part of soaps for decades, but true leading roles remain a fight for visibility and depth. (40:03)
- “Queer Storytelling on Daytime TV” (Episode 4) – Soaps introduced LGBTQ+ characters before mainstream TV, evolving from token roles to complex, dynamic figures. (33:34)
- “Soaps Built Modern Television” (Episode 5) – From cliffhangers to serialized drama, soaps shaped TV storytelling and once dominated network revenue. (29:34)
- “Behind the Scenes of ‘DAYS’” (Episode 6) – A rare look inside Days of Our Lives, revealing how the show runs five days a week — without reruns. (19:14)
Listen to the “Making: Stories Without End” podcast trailer below.
“Making: Stories Without End” is just one of several of WBEZ’ growing portfolio of popular podcasts from the “Making” series, including “Making Beyoncé,” “Making Obama” and “Making Oprah.” Other podcasts include the investigative series, “Motive; 16 Shots,” which follows the fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald, “The Rundown” and “Curious City.”
With a legacy of innovation as the birthplace of nationally acclaimed programs such as “This American Life” and “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” WBEZ is Chicago’s NPR news station, serving its community with fact-based, objective news and information.