Hey, you're listening to the On the Media Podcast Extra. I'm Michael O'anger.

Before we get into the interview, we're working on a forthcoming episode all about the state of public radio.

And we want to feature your voice. What's an example of something that you heard on your local station that benefited you or your community.

Maybe a local reporter held your mayor accountable, or you found out about a bunch of road

closures that changed your commute, or you heard a story about your neighborhood that wasn't

reported anywhere else. Big or small, we want to hear about it.

Record yourself with your voice memo app on your phone

and email us at On the Media at WNYC.org.

We can't wait to hear from you.

Now here's the pod.

Over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump nominated a little-known, largely inexperienced civil servant to an enormous role in his upcoming administration.

Controversial pick to head the FBI, Trump tapping loyalist Cash Patel to lead the FBI.

Patel has promised vengeance against Trump's enemies.

Many of the headlines referred to Patel as a Trump loyalist or ally or firebrand while failing to emphasize just how unqualified he is.

Firing current FBI director Christopher Ray, who has two years left in his 10-year term,

would itself be an alarming break in norms.

According to Elena Plot Calabro, a staff writer with the Atlantic who profiled Cash Patel in August,

some of the weak coverage may stem from the fact that many journalists simply haven't followed him very closely.

As he started his professional career, he served as a public defender in the state defender's office in Miami-Dade County.

He moved to the federal defender's office in Miami.

And then after about a decade of doing that work, he became a prosecutor

with the Department of Justice. And then being in D.C. is essentially how he came to meet

...