Podcast Reimagines Obituaries in Montana

Why this is here: The podcast features an episode about Old Pit, an elephant who lived in the Western railroad town of Dillon, Montana, creating a “sonic road trip” for listeners.

Jule Banville, a journalism professor at the University of Montana, and Jad Abumrad, cocreator of Radiolab, launched a podcast called The Obit Project. The podcast explores the lives of Montanans through obituaries, aiming to present intimate portraits beyond traditional biographical details. Banville’s students at the University of Montana researched and wrote seven of the twelve episodes, interviewing people who knew the deceased.

The project began after Banville noticed her students had affirming experiences reporting on the lives of strangers. Abumrad saw the podcast as a way to counter feelings of disconnection in a turbulent time, emphasizing kindness and noticing others. Episodes feature audio recordings, music, and sometimes take listeners on location—one episode explores the story of an elephant in Dillon, Montana.

The creators acknowledge the podcast is still evolving, and they hope it inspires similar projects in other communities. They want to explore what it means to be human and share beautiful moments between people. The Obit Project is hosted by Montana Public Radio and airs episodes online and on Sunday evenings.