He's done television and he's done film, but Ira Glass prefers the magic of radio.

Glass, speaking at 7 p.m. Sunday at Blumenthal's Belk Theater, is the host and founder of "This American Life," which airs at 3 p.m. Saturdays on WFAE-FM (90.7).

His show finds people with peculiar personal stories. Last week's episode, for example, was about a group of sexy soccer moms who moonlight as private detectives in Northern California.

Getting people to open up isn't hard, Glass said, when the listener is actually interested.

"That's the most powerful tool you have. Most people don't talk about themselves that much to somebody who's interested."

Radio has a power to connect with people, he says, because it is largely a theater of the mind.

"In radio, you get a huge advantage because people are not seeing anything. It's easier to get people in the audience to relate to characters. I'm glad you can't see because if you just hear their voice talking about something important to them, you'd have to have a heart of stone not to go out to them.

"It's the default position of radio. It's what it does when it's not trying."

Glass, 52, has spent his career in public radio. In 1995, he launched "This American Life" on a Chicago public station and it was soon picked up nationally by Public Radio International.

In his 90-minute Blumenthal show, Glass says, he will talk about how the show is made and play memorable clips. And he'll talk about his formula for good storytelling.

"There's got to be somebody to relate to. If you can't relate, you can't have feelings about it. Things have to happen. Somebody has to come to a new understanding of the world, something has to change."

As for good storytelling by others, Glass confesses he's a sucker for an acclaimed AMC series he recently discovered. "I don't get much free time but if I get 15 minutes, I'm watching 'Breaking Bad.' "

Classic Mecklenburg

WTVI (Channel 42) debuts "Rural Mecklenburg: A Vanishing Way of Life" at 8 p.m. Sunday, a look at how urbanization is erasing the county's historic roots. Produced by Dan Morrill and LG Walker, the special will feature historic sites including the Robinson Rock House Ruin, Hezekiah Alexander House, the Grier-Rea House and Hopewell.

Media Movers

WBT-AM (1110) lands seven nominations among finalists for the 2011 Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas news awards, the most of any radio station: Jeff Sonier for general, political and investigative reporting and N.C. radio reporter of the year; and Chris Miller for best newscast, political and education reporting. In television, WBTV's (Channel 3) Molly Grantham and Steve Ohnesorge are the two nominees for TV reporter of the year. WBTV also has two nominations each for Kristen Miranda and Brian Stephenson in consumer reporting; Dedrick Russell for education reporting; Jamie Boll and Jeff Keene in investigative; and the station's staff for special report. At Fox Charlotte (WCCB, Channel 18), Bruce Snyder, Kelli Bartik and Beth Hamilton are nominated for sports special and Snyder and Bartik for sports reporting; Israel Balderas and Tim Mullican for feature reporting; Terrence Walker for photographer of the year; Suzette Rhee and Justin Garant for general reporting; and Tera Blake for best weathercaster. Station staff was nominated for best series for "Reboot: Charlotte" and best newscast. At News 14 Carolina, Stephanie Stilwell and Bill Welch are nominated for general news; Heather Waliga, A.J. Chodora, Mark Smith and Matt Morano for health reporting; and the channel's staff for political reporting and best website. At WCNC (Channel 36), Rachel Clapp, Bobby Sisk and John Gray are nominated for health reporting. Winners will be named in October. ...

Scott Vandiver, former sales manager for WFNZ-AM (610), is named station manager for WGFY-AM ("Radio Disney" 1480) ... "New York Sports Talk" with Chris Pardo and Brooklyn Mike moves from WAVO-AM (1150) to WZGV-AM (730) starting 8 a.m. Sunday. ...

At WNKS-FM ("Kiss" 95.1), Kevin Buchar, known on the air as "Drex," comes in as music director and afternoon host next week. He did a morning show in Chicago, which was replaced by Brotha Fred and crew December. ... Sally Ganz departs from WSOC (Channel 9) as creative services director after 12 years with the station. ...

Alan Young, a Charlotte-based flight attendant for US Airways, answered his door this week to find Matt Blashaw of DIY Network's "Blog Cabin." Young was told he was the winner of DIY and Food Network Magazine's "Worst Kitchen in America" contest. He will get a kitchen makeover that will be the subject of a DIY special in January. ... Schoolyard gardener Carol Glasshoff of Charlotte was among those featured on Hallmark Channel's "The Martha Stewart Show" Wednesday in a segment with Emeril Lagasse on gardeners and farmers from across the country. ...

Motorsports crew chief Ray Evernham joins Charlotte-based Speed network as a regular analyst on Speed Center, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays. ... Richard Keith, an actor who grew up in Charlotte, had a role in Sunday's "Desperate Housewives." Keith is writing and directing his first full length film, "Fall."