How are languages on the brink of extinction preserved? This episode looks at the Cuttlefish Project, an initiative dedicated to revitalizing the Unangam Tunuu language through a treasure trove of archival recordings. You'll hear how these once-overlooked tapes were brought back to life, thanks to the efforts of educator George Pletnikoff Junior and curator Leslie McCartney, who worked tirelessly to digitize them and make them accessible to a global audience.

We'll also take a look at the past, and the rich cultural significance these recordings hold for the Unangax̂ community and the challenges they face in keeping their language alive. From the heartfelt stories behind the tapes to the complex historical backdrop that led to the decline of fluent speakers, this episode emphasizes the importance of audio archives in cultural identity. However, the path to revitalization is not without its hurdles. With fewer than 200 fluent speakers remaining today, George and his community are grappling with the unique challenges of engaging new generations while honoring their linguistic roots.

The digitized tapes from the Cuttlefish Project can be found and streamed in full from the University of Alaska. To find them, search for "cuttlefish project" in the UA's online catalog, or link directly at https://archives.library.uaf.edu/uncategorized/SO_f708948d-f76b-4dff-81d7-e2590cb7c841/. The excerpts heard in this episode can be located at: https://archives.library.uaf.edu/uncategorized/IO_09335df2-b07b-4d89-bd0e-78a0d6d03ff9/, https://archives.library.uaf.edu/uncategorized/IO_45d2c5d5-69f8-4376-8b97-52e4a4b4bab3/, and https://archives.library.uaf.edu/uncategorized/IO_66ef0a8e-ca10-40f2-8599-c56db445f06d/.

Credits:
Jesse Johnston, creator of Sound Files and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, hosts the podcast. Teresa Carey is the senior producer, editor, and creative lead for Morse Alpha Studios, which produced this podcast. Writing is by Jacob Pinter, and sound engineering by Steve Lack. Original music by Evan Haywood.

Sound Files is presented by the National Recording Preservation Foundation (NRPF), an independent nonprofit dedicated to preserving recorded sound history with generous support from the University of Michigan School of Information and other NRPF supporters.

Support NRPF

Don't forget to look for us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and on the NRPF website. Donations can be made directly via https://www.recordingpreservation.org/donate/.

Step into Eastern Kentucky’s Carcassonne Community Center, home to the state’s longest-running square dance, and explore Appalachia’s rich musical and cultural heritage. Join Leo Shannon and the Appalachian Film Workshop as they preserve rare recordings and stories that keep this vibrant tradition alive amid challenges like flooding and funding cuts.

This episode highlights the resilience of Appalachian culture through powerful stories and music—from coal miners’ ballads to local storytellers—and the urgent work to save fragile archives. It’s a tribute to how music and storytelling connect generations and sustain a community’s identity through times of change.

Credits:
Jesse Johnston, creator of Sound Files and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, hosts the podcast. Teresa Carey is the senior producer, editor, and creative lead for Morse Alpha Studios, which produced this podcast. Writing is by Ashley Hamer Pritchard, editing by Jacob Pinter, and sound engineering by Steve Lack. Original music by Evan Haywood.

Sound Files is presented by the National Recording Preservation Foundation (NRPF), an independent nonprofit dedicated to preserving recorded sound history with generous support from the University of Michigan School of Information and other NRPF supporters.

Support NRPF

Don't forget to look for us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and on the NRPF website. Donations can be made directly via https://www.recordingpreservation.org/donate/.

Ready to step back in time? This episode explores The Great 78 Project, an initiative of the Internet Archive and George Blood Audio. They are preserving old records as digital treasures—bringing jazz, blues, and forgotten voices back to life. Along the way, you'll hear how they perfect the process with fancy turntables and multiple needles, and why preserving these fragile sounds matters for history, music, and culture buffs everywhere.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. High-stakes legal challenges are shaping the future of access to this treasure trove of sound. Major publishers and preservationists don't necessarily agree on the best ways to provide access to the preserved recordings. The episode wraps up with the latest update in this battle: after a long fight, the matter was settled out of court. Still, the work to preserve and share history continues, and we continue to face big questions about access, control, and the sustainability of cultural memory.

Credits:
Jesse Johnston, creator of Sound Files and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, hosts the podcast. Teresa Carey is the senior producer, editor, and creative lead for Morse Alpha Studios, which produced this podcast. Writing is by Ashley Hamer Pritchard, editing by Jacob Pinter, field production by Erin McGregor, and sound engineering by Steve Lack. Original music by Evan Haywood.

Sound Files is presented by the National Recording Preservation Foundation (NRPF), an independent nonprofit dedicated to preserving recorded sound history with generous support from the University of Michigan School of Information and other NRPF supporters.

Support NRPF

Don't forget to look for us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and on the NRPF website. Donations can be made directly via https://www.recordingpreservation.org/donate/.