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Greta Johnsen

Greta Johnsen

Weekend Anchor/Reporter

Greta anchors weekends and reports on everything from Pi Day to innovative ways of saving endangered ferrets. She also co-hosts WBEZ’s Nerdette Podcast. Prior to joining WBEZ in 2014. Greta hosted Morning Edition at WCQS in Asheville, North Carolina and at KUAC in Fairbanks, Alaska. Greta has a BA in English from Saint Olaf College and a MS in Journalism from Northwestern University. In her abundant free time, Greta enjoys reading, knitting, and walking her corgi.

Recent Stories

Nerdette

Author Samantha Irby Wants To Put Normal On TV

Comedian and essayist Samantha Irby says the first episode of her TV show will feature digestive issues — and no romance.

Nerdette

The Nerdette Summer Homework Special

Take down this bounty of summer homework assignments from astrophysicists, writers, sex-therapists and even Tom Hanks.

Nerdette

Jill Tarter On A Life Spent Searching For Extraterrestrials

Jill Tarter talks about Carl Sagan basing a novel on her career and why it’s important to listen to the universe.

WBEZ News

Some Opt Out Of County Minimum Wage Increase

In July, Cook County’s minimum wage increases to $10 an hour. But not everyone in the county will be getting that raise.

Nerdette

From ‘Homeland’ To ‘Freaks And Geeks,’ She Can Direct Anything

Lesli Linka Glatter talks about directing ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Gilmore Girls’ and how she once accidentally hung up on Steven Spielberg.

WBEZ News

Chicago Charter School Teachers Vote To Join Chicago Teachers Union

Members of the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff, the union representing teachers at city's charter schools, have voted to join the Chicago Teachers Union.

Nerdette

W. Kamau Bell On Embracing Awkward And Loving Shark Tank

The comedian says one time he changed his routine after a friend pointed out how sexist it was. “I was like, 'Who am I doing this for?'”

Nerdette

Avoiding Armageddon With Dr. Carrie Nugent

The asteroid hunter talks about why she appreciates movies like ‘Deep Impact’ and why she will not talk about being a female scientist.

WBEZ News

DCFS Enumerates Failures In Report On Baby Death

A month after a 17 month-old child was found dead in her family’s home, DCFS has issued a scathing review.

Nerdette

Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Sean Gunn Loves Math, Cats, and Rap

Gunn is known for his roles on 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' but there was a time when he considered being a mathematician.

WBEZ Updates

More HIV Positive Chicaogoans Than Ever Receive Treatment

A partnership between the Chicago Dept. of Public Health and community health orgs means more HIV positive people are getting treatment.

WBEZ News

Mayor: More HIV Positive Chicaogoans Receive Treatment

A partnership between the the city and community health organizations means more HIV positive people are getting treatment.

Nerdette

Jane the Virgin’s Jaime Camil Loves His Cast, Broadway, And Ancient Aliens

Jane The Virgin’s Jaime Camil discusses what makes the telenovela-style comedy so relatable and how it’s changing TV.

Nerdette

Breaking Yoga Stereotypes With Jessamyn Stanley

Stanley lays out the case for why yoga needs more hip-hop-listening, cussing yogis who don't look like "an angel and a unicorn had a baby."

WBEZ Updates

Cook County Democrats Are Gearing Up For 2018

Midterm elections aren’t until November of next year, but Cook County Democrats say people are already eager to get involved in politics.

Nerdette

Rebecca Skloot On Henrietta Lacks Immortal Cells

Rebecca Skloot talks about the long journey of turning her book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, into an HBO film starring Oprah.

Nerdette

Neil deGrasse Tyson Wants You To Put Down Your iPhone

Neil deGrasse Tyson and former astronaut Jim Lovell talk about ‘Hidden Figures,’ smartphone apps and how war fuels space exploration.

WBEZ Updates

What Do Illinoisans Think Of Taxes?

It’s tax season, so we asked IL residents what they think of taxes. Their answers might surprise you.

Nerdette

Roxane Gay On Writing, Trashy TV And Channing Tatum

Author Roxane Gay on how Beyoncé, Law and Order SVU and Channing Tatum’s neck all helped her write her latest book.

Nerdette

Let’s Talk About Sex (And Religion) With Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus

Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus, founder of one of the largest women’s sexual health clinics, discusses helping women, particularly Orthodox Jewish women, resolve sexual issues.

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