Doug's promising career took a wrong turn back in 1987. At the time, Dougie had a "real job" as News Director of Boston's NPR affiliate, WBUR. He had been News Director at the NPR station in Amherst, Massachusetts, a Production Assistant for "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" at NPR in Washington, D.C., and had graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where, according to some accounts, he majored in West African drumming (hence, "Bongo Boy").

But in the late '80s, as his mother laments, "He fell in with the wrong crowd." In 1987, when Car Talk was still a fledgling local show, Dougie took charge, turning it into a massive hit for NPR, and a beloved weekly experience for millions.

In the late 90s, Doug launched Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, which he then developed into another beloved, hit show for NPR.  Wait Wait continues to tour the country and be appointment listening for millions every week.

Now, in addition to his ongoing work with those two shows, he’s helping NPR stations raise money through CTVDP, and serving as a programming consultant for NPR.

Favorite CTVDP donation?

My wife’s 1998 Mercury Mountaineer. Thrilled to see it go.

What's your car's name?

“The car”

Ali joined Car Talk VDP in 2018 after teaching in the Boston area for ten years. Always a lover of cars having grown up around the auto industry, her family started Auto Placement Center (APC), a leading automobile auction company, and Comsearch Inc, Ali was quick to jump on the opportunity for a career change with ARS and Car Talk.

Favorite CTVDP donation?

Quite a few! But two that come to mind the most are a 1964 Dodge Custom 880 donated on behalf of WDET. The car was originally owned by one of the Dodge brothers' wives and has been a really unique and fun donation to work with the station on. We also did a raffle of Tom Magliozzi’s 1993 Mazda Miata with the team at WBUR, I had the opportunity to drive the vehicle documents directly to the winner and snap some pictures of the car in its new garage in Newburyport, MA.

Emily started her career working for The New York Football Giants before transitioning into the non-profit sector. After many years raising funds to end childhood hunger for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, she joined the Car Talk team in 2022 and is thrilled to help her favorite NPR stations raise money through car donation.

Where do you listen to NPR?

I have fond memories of growing up listening to Car Talk with my Dad every weekend while he worked around the house, yard or garage. These days, I save my favorite shows for long drives.

Favorite NPR shows?

I still love listening to "Car Talk"; it brings me right back to childhood. And as a nerd with a sense of humor, "Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!" is always at the top of my list.

Jarred joined the Car Talk Team in 2009. He's been the architect and proud papa of our applications and technology. Snowboarding in the great state of Vermont and fishing the waters of Narragansett bay are two of his favorite non Car Talk time wasters.

Favorite car?

Always looking for a classic Peugeot 505 to replace my old highschool crush...

Favorite NPR show?

Loyal Car Talk guy for sure but also a big fan of Kai and Marketplace.

Julie Bausch is the Managing Editor of Car Talk. In addition to writing and editing for Car Talk, her published works can be found in Forbes and The Muse. Julie comes to Car Talk after years of writing, editing, copywriting and project/website management. She is a writer, an editor and content creator with a background in film/television editing, website management, American Sign Language and the Arts. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Tech as well as 5 years of study in American Sign Language. Julie is regularly quoted in the press and online publications on a range of automotive topics. Julie is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Favorite NPR shows?

"This American Life", "Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!", "Fresh Air" and "Car Talk", of course.

Where do you listen to NPR?

WABE is my local station, and I listen in the car, on walks, and sometimes I have it on in the background while I'm working, but don't tell Doug.

Lauren joined Car Talk VDP in 2023. She fell in love with public radio as a student at American University in Washington, D.C., and was lucky enough to land an internship at WAMU. She stayed at the station past graduation, working as editorial assistant for the award-winning, weekly program Metro Connection before later joining the newsroom as the station’s arts reporter and host/producer of a daily, one-minute-long update called “Art Beat.” She also served as a weekend host. After a year managing digital communications for a small non-profit, Lauren found her way back to public radio. She worked at NPR for six years, producing on-air fundraising messages for Member stations and events for major donors. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and their two dogs.

Where you listen to NPR?

On my smart speakers and in the car. I’m a proud evergreen member of Colorado Public Radio!

Dream Car?

Although I am not remotely equipped to care for a classic car and have no idea how to drive a stick shift, my dream ride is a turquoise, first-generation Volkswagen microbus.