The Opportunity Before Radio: Boldness with Balance
In an opinion piece for TALKERS, radio pro Erik Cudd writes, “In such a time as this, because radio is the medium I know best and love most, I write this appeal to those influential in news/talk. My hope is that you will step forward once again as the architects and innovators you have always been and raise a rallying cry for this unique moment. The freedoms and ambitions that make the format so vital also create challenges. By design, it invites sharp opinions, spirited disagreement, and cultural edge. Those qualities are its strengths. But in our current climate, they also carry the risk of drifting into tribalism and rhetoric that can spill over into something more dangerous. This is not an implication that I believe news/talk is responsible for the death of Charlie Kirk. I would like to be crystal clear. What I am saying is that a perfect storm has been gathering for many years, and no one can deny the polarized, charged landscape we now inhabit. And that storm is not radio’s sole responsibility.” Read Erik Cudd’s entire piece here.
Hillsdal 101.7 FM – is managed by Scot Bertram, who says, “‘The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour’ is designed to bring listeners as close to the Hillsdale experience as possible without having to be on campus. You can’t get [to Hillsdale] unless you intentionally want to be here. We have many people who like Hillsdale, love Hillsdale, admire Hillsdale. The show is an attempt to allow them to be close to what we’re doing without being here on campus.” Bertram says that Vince Benedetto, president and founder of Bold Gold Media Group, airs the “Radio Free Hillsdale Hour” on two of his 15 stations and says the show gives variety to his stations, which mostly broadcast conservative talk radio focused on current events.
hosted the weekend edition of “All Things Considered” since May of 2023. He says, “I’m really excited and honored to step into this role. I’m mindful of just how important All Things Considered’s legacy is for listeners, and I also know just how much I’ve loved working with the show’s team these past two years on weekends. I can’t wait to bring listeners the news five days a week now. And at this moment where we are all focusing on strengthening the entire public media network and working together more closely than ever before, I’m proud that I started out as an ‘All Things Considered’ host at a NPR Member station, and now will be doing that job nationally.”
WURD, in partnership with Renee Chenault Fattah and Love Now Media, will spotlight 250 iconic Philadelphians in the 250 days leading up to July 4, 2026. The series begins at Founder’s Day with a tribute to Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Freedom Journeys is a celebration of the people who have shaped Philadelphia’s culture, history, and future. This storytelling project ensures that significant Philadelphia figures are not overlooked as we mark the semi quincentennial of this nation’s founding. We’re thrilled to launch Freedom Journeys at Founder’s Day and to honor my father’s extraordinary legacy with a night of joy, music, and community.”
with a spotlight on alumni pride and community connection.” The station is featuring the syndicated “Miller and Moulton Morning Show” starring Mark Miller and David Moulton. Beasley Tampa VP and market manager Ron deCastro says, “Florida Alumni Radio is more than a station – it’s a destination for Florida sports fans and alumni to come together and celebrate the teams and traditions they love. We’re proud to provide a platform that not only delivers great sports content, but also connects alumni, students, and fans across the Tampa Bay community in a meaningful way.” The station will also serve as the exclusive home for USF Athletics content.
lineup anchored by Shannon Burke (PM drive) and Bubba the Love Sponge (AM drive), and will welcome Panama City’s own Brian Rust to the network as the new 9:00 am to 12:00 noon host. JVC CEO John Caracciolo says, “This is more than a format flip; it’s a statement. By bringing WYOO into the Florida Man Radio Network, we’ve created a single, dominant talk radio platform that spans from Pensacola through Panama City and beyond. The Florida Panhandle is one of the most politically engaged and conservative regions in the country. This move allows us to deliver content that speaks directly to the values, voice, and lifestyle of real Floridians.”
retirement of Jeff Austin. The station the serves as flagship for University of Oregon Ducks football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. Along with these changes, the station unveils a tweaked program schedule that includes the debut of “The Firm of Harris and Marang,” airing daily from 10:00 pm to 1:00 pm and hosted by Danny Marang and Patrick Harris; “Dirt and Sprague” extending their show an hour from 6:00 am to 10:00 am; and “The Happy Hour with Luke Andersen” airing weekdays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Audacy Portland SVP and market manager Ryan Cooley says, “We’re incredibly excited to bring ‘The FAN’ to the FM dial. This move is long overdue and all about delivering a better listening experience for our audience with clearer sound and great content our fans know and love. For the first time in our history, our entire primetime on-air lineup will be 100% local and led by our new brand manager, Dusty Harrah, a native Oregonian.”
Music on the weekend provides multiple positive strategic weapons for talk stations. From launch, “New Jersey 101.5” (1,000,000+ cumer); WTKS-FM “Real Radio,” Orlando; WABC, New York; WPHT, Philadelphia; and other major market winners air music all weekend or on dayparted shows.
postseason and select Spring Training games. KMOX recently integrated new Cardinals coverage, including the “Gas House Gang,” airing weekdays at 12:00 noon and the “Red Bird Rush Hour” airing weeknights at 5:00 pm. Audacy SVP and market manager Becky Domyan says, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to delivering the content our community loves, and with KMOX now on FM, we’re even more fired up to bring every single game, plus exciting new programming, to more fans than ever before.”
-minute radio specials are hosted by longtime radio personality Larry O’Connor and features stories of our nation’s heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. Hear the demo and register today at 
hosted by Sam Madonia and Greg Halbleib moves from sister sports talk station WFMB-AM/W222CG to WMAY-AM/FM. Current WMAY morning personality Patrick Pfingsten moves to the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm daypart as host of “PM Springfield.” Back over at Sports Radio 92.3 FM/1450 AM, the station debuts a new morning show called, “The Morning Huddle with Darin Pritchett.” Woodward market manager Kevin O’ Dea says, “We’ve heard our listeners loud and clear. These changes allow us to better serve our audiences with the content they love, while strengthening our ties to the community.”
meteorologist. Froney most recently served with WLEX-TV, Lexington, Kentucky. She comments, “I’m looking forward to working with the talented group of meteorologists at FOX Weather. I can’t wait to continue exploring my fascination with meteorology and work with some of the best in the industry.”
suitable for all formats. All are hosted by WMAL-FM, Washington, DC morning personality Larry O’Connor. Fisher House says, “The inspiring and patriotic radio show features interviews with wounded warriors and veterans including heroes from Operation Enduring Freedom, the Vietnam War, and an incredible, emotional story of one of America’s World War II living legends. Listeners will hear their emotional stories fighting for our freedoms, the injuries and illnesses they endured, and the welcoming homes Fisher House provides for them and their loved ones while they endure their painful and painstaking recoveries.” For more information on this radio special, contact Larry O’Connor at: 562-665-9537 or 
and Fayetteville. Dunn says, “After much thought and reflection, I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. Beasley Media Group has been more than just a workplace – it’s been my extended family. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent over 30 years doing what I love, with people I deeply respect and admire. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with late company founder George Beasley, Caroline, Brian and Bruce over the years.” CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “Kent’s contributions to Beasley Media Group – and to the radio industry at large – have been nothing short of exceptional. His strategic insight, collaborative spirit, and passion for radio have guided teams and inspired generations of broadcasters. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
successful there, will have a general election campaign to run in the fall for the next term. Morano issued a statement over the weekend regarding his status. He said, “When I was elected, I had expected to continue hosting my radio show until the swearing-in. However, due to concerns about equal-time rules for the upcoming election and uncertainty around what outside work I’ll be allowed to do once I take office, the decision was made that I would no longer host ‘The Other Side of Midnight’ and would step away from the Red Apple Audio Network for now. This wasn’t a decision I made lightly—or one I made at all, frankly—but I completely understand the reasoning behind it. I’m incredibly grateful to the station’s ownership and management for the opportunity to do a show I loved, with a team I respected, for an audience I adored… I do hope to be back on the radio in some form soon. But for now, I’m off the air. 
some changes in our lifestyle, our geography and our living standards to protect our safety and sanity that include an international move. That simply makes this job no longer feasible.” Reflecting on his career, Grayson remembers getting into the business. “As a kid I was always steered away from potential careers that depended on personal talent alone, since my mom was convinced that people who made their living that way were somehow possessed of a magic that us regular folks don’t have. But the day I first heard talk radio – a day I remember very clearly – I fell in love. I had no choice in the matter. From calling in to talk shows as a college student to beating down the doors of my local station to hire me, this business always held a kind of allure I found irresistible.” During his career, he worked in Tampa, Nashville, and St. Louis, where he worked at KTRS and KMOX. At KMOX he hosted the syndicated “Overnight America” program. 
company had been hopeful Prager would be ready to start hosting an hour of content by June. SDRN says that in the meantime, it will continue airing the Jack Posobiec show in the 2:00 pm ET hour. Salem says, “Jack has done a fabulous job there for months. SRN transitioned Charlie Kirk into the Dennis Prager hours of 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm ET on March 31, one month ago. While it is nearly impossible to replace an icon like Dennis, our affiliates have made that transition work. Listeners love the Charlie Kirk show, while at the same time are missing Dennis. We will continue to keep watching the recovery for Dennis and pray for his improvement.”
co-hosted by Bryan “Riggins” Weber. Ritchie says, “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and getting to do it on the legendary WBT is such a thrill. The timing is perfect because there are so many people who are just starting to become interested in the political landscape of our culture. Being ‘America’s Coolest Conservative,’ I’ll be able to engage them with a high energy, fun, and humorous show. It’s going to be spectacular. All of that AND I get to keep my day job!” WBT program director Mike Schaefer adds, “WBT’s history of night-time programming boasts some of radio’s biggest names – Bob Lacey, ‘Hello’ Henry Boggan, and ‘Charlotte’s Most Beloved,’ John Hancock. When the opportunity to add TJ to that list presented itself, there was nothing to think about besides a start date. We are beyond excited for TJ to bring entertaining late, live, and local programming back to Charlotte on WBT!”
Business You Love is a book in which Ramsey shares the lessons he’s learned starting his business on a card table in his living room and growing it into a $250 million-a-year company. Dave Ramsey says, “For people serious about starting a business, it’s the ride of a lifetime. It will be hard, and it will take longer than expected, but it also offers the opportunity to become a better person as you become a better leader. I hope readers find the courage to keep going, the humility to keep learning and the heart to build something that serves others.”
Eaton/Altadena Fire: 100 Days and Counting,” from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Robinson Park Recreation Area in Pasadena. There will be a panel of survivors, community leaders, activists, experts, and more to reflect on the 100 days since the fire erupted and address hard and heart questions about where the community goes from here. Tavis Smiley, founder of Smiley Audio Media, says, “I’m looking forward to hearing from our beloved Black Altadenians and learning how KBLA Talk 1580 can continue to support their efforts to find justice and accountability to make them whole.”
These books have helped me tell stories, prioritize programming initiatives and manage career strategies. If interested in a book the link connects to its page on Amazon.
was co-host of the morning drive show with co-host Kevin Bowen. Cook was co-host of the midday “Query & Company” program with Jake Query. In the aftermath, Sweeney posted to X: “Let me say this… I loved covering your teams. The @Pacers are a class act organization and covering an NFL team @Colts was something I wanted. Also, it was great working with super dudes like @KBowen1070 and @MarcD1075. I wish them the best, but they won’t need it.” 
engage listeners in meaningful and entertaining conversation make him a valuable addition to the WRVA team. We’re excited to welcome Rich and continue delivering the news that matters most to our community.” Herrera comments, “I am thrilled to join the WRVA team, a legendary station with a great lineup of hosts and shows. After meeting with Bennett Zier and Zach McHugh and getting the chance to host Richmond’s morning news, I fell in love with the station. My family is excited to make Richmond our home. I want to thank Chris Oliviero and Jeff Sottolano for their support and mentorship, as well as Drew Anderssen, our format vice president, who encouraged me a year ago to transition from sports talk to general news.”
fires on the historic Black middle-class community of Altadena, California. The company says, “This groundbreaking series will explore the significance of Altadena, its legacy and the personal stories of survivors and community members who lived through one of the region’s most destructive natural disasters.” The series is hosted by Black Information Network journalist Mimi Brown.
During my tenure at NBC, once a month the division heads would meet at the behest of the CEO to report on their progress and trends in their sector. As the executive vice president of the FM division, I took a seat in that formidable group and tried to keep my remarks as brief as possible. What could I possibly say that would be more damn important than the words of the president of NBC News or the NBC Television network? In addition to NBC’s CEO, the CEO of owner RCA would often join the fun.
