Life-Changing Event in the Flesh
By Mike Kinosian
TALKERS magazine
Managing Editor
COOKEVILLE, Ten. — Positive outcomes haven’t exactly been the norm for several radio talk show hosts who’ve been hospitalized in the COVID-era.
Spoiler Alert: Don’t read any further unless you want to see how a popular Cookeville, Tennessee personality fashioned a warm & fuzzy post-hospital story and is now enjoying a new lease on life.
On its own, this is the type of feel-good scenario all of us can applaud; the element further enhancing it regards the part the medium itself played.
Those adhering to the English proverb, “Good things come to those who wait,” will undoubtedly nod in approval for what appears below.
Make sure that you and your client are engaging monthly to ensure Proof of Performance, so that your campaign yield will be ready for harvest (renewal). Agree that the measure of success will be both monthly customer counts, and new customer revenue.
What makes a life – or the work we do – matter? In Make It Matter, author Matthew Emerzian explores how recognizing our own worth, making others feel valued, and contributing to something beyond ourselves can give everyday choices a deeper purpose.
guests. Recent interviews have included Stephen A. Smith, Kathie Lee Gifford, Vanilla Ice, Franklin Graham, Rahm Emanuel, Cornel West, and Adam Carolla.
Robinson says, “From cutting my teeth in radio at 12 years old to building a decade of community with “Scoop B Radio,” this network is the culmination of a lifelong commitment to narrative sovereignty and authentic storytelling.” He adds that the network will launch a first-of-its-kind women’s basketball channel led by a veteran storyteller, focusing on strategic execution and cultural momentum in women’s hoops. Crossover Media Group co-founder and managing partner Scott Calka says, “What ‘Scoop B’ has organically built is a masterclass in audience loyalty and cultural relevance. In today’s fragmented media ecosystem, audiences are looking to be authentically connected with trusted, deeply engaged communities. By pairing our cross-platform monetization strategies, brand integration expertise and network infrastructure with Brandon’s unmatched access and eye for content, we are establishing a blueprint for modern sports and lifestyle entertainment.”
in part, “After a lot of thought, I’ve made one of the most difficult decisions of my career. It’s time for me to hang up my headphones and begin a new chapter… retirement.
and most prestigious community recognitions honoring leaders whose personal contributions go beyond professional success to shape the city’s future, strengthen civic life and celebrate Louisville’s creative legacy.” iHeartMedia region president Kristy Beebe says, “For generations, Terry Meiners has been one of Louisville’s most trusted and recognizable voices. Through his commitment to our community, his passion for local storytelling, and his unwavering support of organizations like the Crusade for Children, Terry has made an immeasurable impact on Louisville. We are proud to see him honored as the 2026 Louisvillian of the Year, a recognition that reflects both his extraordinary career and his lasting legacy of service.” AAF-Louisville will host a special reception on December 2 to celebrate Terry Meiners and his contributions to the Louisville community.
family care, housing emergencies, relocation, or theft. BFoA chair Scott Herman says, “This expands our ability to reach broadcasters who are struggling to meet their expenses because of extraordinary circumstances. I was delighted that the Board unanimously approved this initiative. We are up and running and ready to help more members of our broadcasting community when they need it most.” The BFoA also provides Monthly Grants to broadcasters dealing with prolonged illnesses and Emergency Grants to those affected by disasters, including floods and hurricanes. For more information, radio and television professionals who currently or previously worked in broadcasting may visit 
and survived via an STA (special temporary authority) on their two FM repeaters in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville. Thomas says, “Ask my high school teachers. All my projects were done just in the nick of time!” He thanks his engineer Alan Williams, the engineers at Kintronics and his lawyer Patrick Cross from Brooks-Pierce for getting the FCC to give their approval. Pictured here are (from l-r): Thomas Media general manager Vinnie Kice, Elaine Thomas, and Joe Thomas with the Virginia Association of Broadcasters’ CT Lucy Lifetime Achievement award and the 2026 Best Newscast award.
For 100 years, radio programmers have tried to keep listeners listening longer. “Coming up next…”
Commission. Cumulus canceled 100% of its existing funded indebtedness – approximately $600 million – in exchange for 100% of the Company’s reorganized equity and $50 million of new convertible notes issued to former lenders. Cumulus is now a privately owned company with a new board of directors but retains its existing
management team. Cumulus president and CEO Mary Berner states, “I am grateful to our lenders and noteholders for their collaboration throughout this process, and to our employees, vendors, affiliates, customers, and partners for their continued trust and support. Emerging with a significantly stronger balance sheet, we are more committed than ever to providing engaging content across our national footprint, serving as a lifeline and voice for the local communities we serve, driving meaningful growth for our advertising partners, and delivering value for our new shareholders.”
and one of America’s most accomplished interviewers. It’s the culminating celebration of Gross’s 50 years with ‘Fresh Air,’ honoring five decades of curiosity, thoughtful listening, music and revealing conversations.” Gross says, “I was 13, screaming in the movie theater, when A Hard Day’s Night came out. It is an honor to now have the opportunity to talk with Sir Paul, on stage, about different chapters of his life and music. Is there a better way to celebrate my 50th anniversary hosting Fresh Air? Absolutely not! Thank you, Sir Paul.” The event will directly benefit public media and WHYY president and CEO Bill Mazzarro says, “We’re deeply grateful for his generosity and for everyone joining us to help sustain public media and Fresh Air’s work for generations to come.”
confront personal struggles, and build lives defined by faith, family, freedom, and intentionality.” During his more than 30-year career, Mullins built and led 16 business enterprises, “leading diverse teams, and serving on corporate and organizational boards. His career provided him with firsthand experience navigating the pressures, responsibilities, expectations, and sacrifices that often accompany professional success. But behind the accomplishments was a deeply personal journey: In 2006, Mullins surrendered his life to faith, beginning a transformation that would eventually lead him to turn his experiences – both the victories and the failures – into a platform for mentoring, coaching, speaking, and storytelling.” McVay Media president Mike McVay says, “Ryan Kershner and I are honored to work with Myron and join this journey.”
The phone would ring; I recognized the number… call always started the same… in his best radio voice, “Doug Stephan…. Michael Horn”
Too often, for too many in radio, it has been a Blue Christmas in recent years. If you have been displaced – or if you are working, and, shall we say, “assessing your options” – don’t underestimate what you have to offer.
under an LMA. The deal is contingent upon FCC approval. The sale of Galaxy’s stations comes a little more than a month after Galaxy founder and CEO Ed Levine announced his plans to retire at year’s end. Levine says, “I have been fortunate to live out a lifelong dream of mine for the past 36 years. Time and life march on. While I will miss Galaxy and Syracuse/Utica, I could not be
happier to hand things off to Pamal Broadcasting.” Pamal is owned by founder James Morrell and he tells Syracuse.com, “With this addition, Pamal stations cover an enormous geography ranging from New York City, Long Island and Northern New Jersey, through the entire Hudson Valley to the Capital District, up to Lake George and now out through Utica and Syracuse. It truly is a great opportunity for us all.” 
“Morning Update” program – hosted by Jeff Chidester – brought in AARP New Hampshire state director Christina Fitzpatrick and AARP advocates and volunteers Mary Roberge and Stephanie Schuyler to explore AARP’s “non-partisan voter education efforts, its work with candidates, changes to New Hampshire voting laws, Social Security, prescription drug costs, caregiving, fraud prevention, and the issues voters are raising as Election Day approaches.” Chidester told the audience, “I don’t think New Hampshire is ever out of an election cycle. Governing and elections are our sport. We get it at a very young age, and we are actively involved in it through our entire life.” WFEA program director Michael Czarnecki says, “New Hampshire voters take their responsibility seriously, and our responsibility at WFEA is to give them access to meaningful conversations and useful information. The goal of the ‘Morning Update’ is not to tell listeners what to think or how to vote. It’s to bring the people involved in these issues directly to our audience, ask good questions and give listeners the information they need to make their own decisions. This roundtable is a great example of that.”
Markey was a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Retired WGN news anchor Steve Bertrand – who was a regular on the “Kathy and Judy Show” – appeared on WGN’s morning show with Bob Sirott to break the news. O’ Malley addressed Markey’s passing in a post on the WGN website: “Over the years, Judy and I talked on the air several times about our support for medical aid in dying, a highly personal choice but one we felt should be available for those who chose it – and she did. With her family at her side, she peacefully ended her life at a MAID (medical aid in dying) facility in Switzerland.” Of Markey’s success on the radio, WGN notes how it all began: “On a hunch, on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon in 1989, WGN’s program director Lorna Gladstone decided to team Markey and O’Malley. No one could have anticipated they would be, as media critic Rob Feder aptly put it ‘lightning in a bottle.’ For the next two decades ‘The Girlfriends,’ as they came to be known, attracted a fiercely loyal following (of women and men) and dominated the midday ratings,” Feder wrote. “Their authentic chemistry transcended radio. No topic was off limits or too personal. Annual fan conventions and station-sponsored trips drew thousands.” 
THANKS to all who offered feedback about my most recent column.