hi,
I'm a bit confused. You use your VCR to record something off of the AM radio dial ?!
Sounds cool, I've never thought of doing that before.
For the shows [just sounds eclectic and says you, both npr shows] that I listen to, both of them have a stream available to listen online and I have a broadband connection, and set up the computer up to record it each week (or in your case, nightly), from the online stream.
As for software to use, it depends on what operating system you're using. I'm on Mac Os X, I use Audio Hijack, it cost about 20 or 30 dollars or so, but seemed worth it.
There might be an open-source program available on windows, not sure. If you're on linux, you can whip up a script using mplayer and cron to record it
(And if you don't, I might be able to help you).
Secondly, the guy might already have podcasts available on his website as well (they are recordings of the show, to play on your computer, or your ipod/other digital audio player). I listen to a couple of them as well.
catcha back on the flipside,
keyshawn