Douris Named New Host Of ‘World Cafe’
• Non-comm WXPN/Philadelphia, the member-supported public radio station of the University of Pennsylvania and producer of the NPR-distributed daily music program World Cafe, announced that Raina Douris will become the new host of World Cafe, starting October 7.
Douris is an award-winning radio personality from Toronto who segues from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), where she was host and writer for the daily live, national morning program Mornings on CBC Music. Douris succeeds fellow Toronto native (and CBC veteran) Talia Schlanger, who in June announced her intention to step down as host after three years to pursue new creative endeavors. “Raina brings a lot to World Cafe, including a deep love and knowledge of music and a refreshing way of communicating that on the radio and social platforms to a national audience,” said WXPN GM Roger LaMay.
Douris began her career at Corus Alternative CFNY (102.1 The Edge)/Toronto and continued on to CBC Radio 3. In 2013, Douris was part of the team that launched Central Ontario Broadcasting’s Indie88, serving MD and afternoon host before moving to mornings. In 2014 and 2015 she was chosen as the “Best Radio Personality in Toronto” by the readers of Now Magazine. Douris is also involved with Canada’s highest music honors: since 2017 she has hosted the Polaris Music Prize Gala, for which she is also a jury member, and she has also been a jury member for the Juno Awards.
“Music is one of the deepest, most meaningful ways human beings can connect to each other,” said Douris. “It’s a connection that can seem transcendent; almost magical. I’ve spent my life chasing that magic and I’m thrilled that the chase has led me to World Cafe. I can’t wait to discover and share music with World Cafe‘s passionate, curious audience — and I look forward to approaching conversations with the artists who create that music with that same passion and curiosity — to bring you real, genuine, thoughtful conversations you can’t hear anywhere else.”
World Cafe is distributed to more than 200 U.S. radio stations by NPR, and can be heard on WXPN from 2-4pm weekdays. [Photo by Britney Townsend]
