Damond Benningfield has been writing and producing the radio show STARDATE for more than 22 years. STARDATE is the longest-running science outreach program on U.S. radio, and airs nationally, daily. According to this NYTimes article, "the show, which is heard every day by some 2.2 million listeners on more than 300 radio stations around the country, has inspired an untold number to go out to their backyards to gaze at the stars." Here Damond takes a few minutes to answer some questions for us.
Damond Benningfield
So, what do you do again?
I tell people about the beautiful workings of the universe through radio programs, magazine articles, web sites, podcasts, and occasional videos. Specifically, I write and produce the Star Date radio program, magazine, and web site; Science and the Sea radio program; occasional articles for Air & Space magazine, and other projects.
What inspires you?
Paychecks. Air travel. Space travel. Travel. Exploration. Ed Hochuli. My awesome wife. My amazing children. My amazing parents. Classic Tex-Mex. Tuesday Morning Quarterback. Science fiction. Great, thoughtful writing.
How lucky are you and why?
I’m lucky to have a great family, with a beautiful and brilliant wife who loves football, kind-hearted children who appreciate everything from the Marx Brothers to Mystery Science Theater 3000, and friends who make me laugh.
What do you love about Austin?
That it’s not Dallas or New York. Yet.
What were the major turning points that got you where you are?
I don’t know that my road has really turned that much. The day Star Date called to ask me to produce the radio program was a biggie, but I’d already edited the magazine and done other projects. One of the most pleasant turns was being taken to Tequila Mockingbird a long time ago. It made a big impression on me, and when I needed a new recording studio, it was the first place I visited.
What helps you access your creativity?
Coffee (the real thing, untarnished by milk, sugar, faux sugar, flavorings, foam, chocolate chips, caramel drizzles, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, wheat husks, Wheaties, or anything green)
What are a couple of your most memorable projects?
One of my favorites is a web site about black holes, which is the most extensive anywhere. I also enjoyed visiting a mine in Minnesota to learn about dark matter research, and an observatory in Arizona to see how tiny telescopes are making big discoveries.
What’s the most fun part of your job?
I love working in the studio with Shayna (at Chez Boom Audio) and some wonderful voice talents. It’s also fun to travel around the country to meet scientists and engineers who do amazing work. And getting to work at my home computer, in my sweats, in the middle of the night, is pretty perfect for me.
What do you think Austin needs most to help its production community succeed nationally, internationally?
More Shayna Browns.
What’s your favorite date night place in Austin?
What’s a date night?
If you could shadow anyone for a day, who would it be?
NFL referee Ed Hochuli.
Fill in this blank: If I were Mayor of Austin, I would ____
Ban bicycles.
Franklin’s BBQ or Salt Lick BBQ?
County Line.
Favorite place to hear live music?
We went to see Hugh Laurie at the Paramount a while back and it was a perfect venue.
What do you wish someone had told you 10 or 20 years ago?
Chill a little more.
Check out more of Damond's work on his website. Thanks, Damond!