WXPN’s World Cafe® Earns Two Honors At New York Festivals Radio Awards

World Cafe®, the nationally syndicated music program produced at WXPN in Philadelphia, has been recognized with two honors from the 2025 New York Festivals Radio Awards.

A Bronze Radio Award in the News Report/Features category was awarded for Abdullah Ibrahim Hears the World in Many ‘Different Colors,’ a feature produced and presented by World Cafe contributing host, Stephen Kallao. The segment offers a powerful and poetic conversation with South African jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim, now 90, as he reflects on his lifelong artistic journey—from playing with The Jazz Epistles in apartheid-era South Africa to his current release, 3. Ibrahim’s reflections on “formless form,” the spiritual practice of music, and the colors of sound are interwoven with delicate musical selections from his latest work, creating what Kallao called “a conversation that fills your heart.”

World Cafe host Raina Douris was awarded a Finalist Diploma in the Craft/Interview category for her thoughtful and emotionally rich interview with Nick Cave, timed with the release of his album Wild God. Their conversation explores the relationship between grief and joy, the tension between spirituality and religion, and Cave’s evolving creative process following the devastating loss of his sons. Douris’ deeply researched, empathetic approach invited Cave to reflect with rare openness—turning a discussion about music into a profound meditation on life. Douris deftly handled a discussion of the difficult topics of death, grief, spirituality, and religion with depth, grace and humor, and empathy.

New York Festivals Radio Awards are anchored in New York City where over 150 teams sent their acceptances from around the world. New York Festivals Radio Awards recognizes The World’s Best Work™ in radio broadcasting.