WORCESTER—A Worcester State University professor has been awarded one of the most prestigious honors in media for a podcast that brings to life the voices of a queer faith community during the AIDS crisis.
Dr. Siri Colom, an associate professor of sociology, received a Peabody Award for “When We All Get to Heaven,” a 10-part podcast series built from 1,200 cassette tapes discovered in the basement of a San Francisco church. The series will be formally recognized at the 86th annual Peabody Awards ceremony next month.
The Peabody Awards are widely regarded as among the highest honors in electronic media, recognizing storytelling that informs, engages and fosters empathy. Colom joins a group of 2026 honorees that includes major television and film productions and prominent figures in entertainment.
The podcast, released on Slate last fall, was produced by Eureka Street Productions, a collaboration between Colom, host and lead writer Lynne Gerber and podcaster Ariana Nedelman. The project traces its origins to Gerber’s discovery of recordings from the Metropolitan Community Church in San Francisco, a queer Christian congregation that served as a source of support during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
For Colom, the recognition reflects the enduring significance of the community whose story the series tells.
“Winning a Peabody is a profound testament to the power of these voices,” Colom said. “It affirms that the stories of the Metropolitan Community Church aren’t just local history, but a vital part of our shared human narrative. The three of us are still stunned and deeply honored.”
The series draws heavily on archival audio, immersing listeners in the lived experience of the church community. By digitizing the tapes, the producers captured details ranging from sermons and hymns to the ambient sounds of the sanctuary itself.
Colom described the material as uniquely powerful.
“There is a specific kind of magic in those tapes,” Colom said. “It reminds us that even in the face of death, there was an incredible amount of life being lived.”
University leaders said the award highlights the impact of faculty work beyond the classroom.
“Winning a Peabody is a monumental achievement that brings national recognition to our institution and our faculty,” Worcester State University President Barry Maloney said. “This award is a testament to the high quality of our faculty and proves they are operating at the very top of their game. To see Dr. Colom recognized on this global stage is a proud moment for the entire Worcester State community.”
Dr. Russ Pottle, dean of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, echoed that sentiment.
“We are immensely proud of Dr. Colom’s achievement,” Pottle said. “This award underscores the depth of scholarship and storytelling our faculty bring to the global stage. Dr. Colom’s work amplifies the University’s values of engaging with history in ways that drive meaningful cultural conversation.”
The project also carries personal meaning for Colom, who said her own background shaped her connection to the material.
“This project was always about honoring the community at MCC San Francisco that made these 1,200 cassette tapes,” Colom said. “Winning a Peabody is a testament to the power of those voices and their spiritual defiance. We didn’t just want to tell a story; we wanted to provide a portal to that resilience. It is deeply moving to see this archive recognized on a global scale.”
Colom and her collaborators will be honored at a ceremony scheduled for May 31 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
