Virginia Prescott

Host, Word of Mouth

If Virginia Prescott aspired to a style, she’d be Audrey Hepburn – if Hepburn had starred in “Girl on a Motorcycle.” In truth, she hopes to bring such a blend of highbrow culture and guilty-pleasure kitsch to Word of Mouth.

Prior to joining NHPR, Virginia was editor and producer for the nationally syndicated programs On Point and Here & Now produced at WBUR in Boston. Signing on as host for Word of Mouth completes a full circle of sorts. Virginia grew up in New Hampshire, but began her radio career at WWOZ Radio in New Orleans. She moved to New York City and worked for the team behind NPR’s Peabody Award-winning Jazz from Lincoln Center series with host Ed Bradley. Virginia then joined WNYC to launch the station’s website and oversee all its interactive media sites.

Throughout her radio career, Virginia helped set up independent radio stations in developing regions in southern and West Africa. She has also trained journalists in post-conflict zones from Sierra Leone to the former Yugoslavia. She was awarded a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University where she studied how broadcast media could spark dialogue and build community across terrestrial borders.

She is happy to be back in the relatively peaceful zone of making live radio. Above all, Virginia’s experiences have taught her that empowering local voices can create stronger, more informed communities.

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