TALKERS 2026 – TALKERS magazine

Rising Canadian Talk Star Added to KMOX, St. Louis Cracking U.S. Radio Market

By TALKERS | October 21, 2026October 21, 2026 by TALKERS

Up-and-coming talk radio host David Cooper – star of the syndicated program, “The Last Show” – is being added to the roster of Audacy’s heritage outlet KMOX-AM/FM, St. Louis. KMOX brand manager Steve Moore says, “The show is quirky, curious, unexpected and entertaining – a fresh voice in a crowded radio landscape that gives people something they won’t find anywhere else on the dial. We’re excited to bring David’s unique perspective to KMOX and think St. Louis is going to love it.” The program now airs weeknights from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm on the Midwest powerhouse that will serve as its U.S. flagship.

Cooper was honored at TALKERS 2026 this past June as the conference’s “Special International Guest” – see photo with Cooper (r) being introduced by Michael Harrison (l).

Cooper already boasts major market clearances across North America, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. The show connects listeners with brilliant, primary-source experts in technology, AI, science, psychology, relationships, and pop culture.

Driven by genuine curiosity, Cooper steers away from what he describes as “pedantic talk,” guiding guests into “authentic and grounded conversations that connect with a wider audience.” Cooper, a self-described “recovering Silicon Valley software engineer,” created the show to focus on curiosity rather than outrage and divisiveness.

To learn more about “The Last Show with David Cooper” please click here www.lastshow.pizza or contact: Rob Basile at rob@lastshow.pizza or phone 917-300-8042.

TALKERS 2026 Video: Panel Discussion – “Independent Station Ownership”

By TALKERS | June 29, 2026August 3, 2026 by TALKERS

TALKERS continues to post a tsunami of videos recorded at the TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter conference recently held at Hofstra University (6/5). More than 65 speakers participated in the power-packed day’s events. Today’s entry is an enlightening panel discussion titled, “Independent Station Ownership.” The moderator is John Caracciolo, founder / CEO, JVC Broadcasting. Panelists include Vince Benedetto, founder / CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; Paul Gleiser, owner / operator, KTBB, Tyler, TX; Joe Thomas, co-owner / morning host, WTON, Staunton-Harrisonburg, VA; and Paul Vandenburgh, owner / morning host, WGDY, Albany, NY. The discussion covers a candid exploration of the challenges and solutions facing independent station and group operators at this point in the evolution of the industry. It presents a cautiously optimistic but realistic view of radio and station ownership as a going concern. Not to be missed! Stay tuned to TALKERS for continuous daily postings of engaging sessions from the 28th installment of the longest running and most important annual talk media industry gathering. To view this presentation in its entirety, please click here.

Industry News TALKERS 2026

TALKERS 2026 Presents 65 Speakers, Draws 338 Attendees, Addresses Hot Issues

By TALKERS | June 10, 2026August 3, 2026 by TALKERS

Pictured above: Walter Sterling, host of WABC, New York’s and Red Apple Audio Network’s nightly program, “The Other Side of Midnight,” addressing the topic, “Talk Radio: Past, Present, and Future,” at TALKERS 2026.

The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University this past Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.

Pictured above: Lee Habeeb, CEO, host, and producer of the wildly successful syndicated program, “Our American Stories,” addressing the crowd about “The Art of Story Telling” at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter.

The main themes of the conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century. These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.

Speakers and attendees included a cross section of talk media professionals from the worlds of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!

Beginning next week, TALKERS will provide in-depth photo and video coverage of the historic event. Stand by!

Industry News TALKERS 2026

TALKERS 2026 Provided Color with Insight Into the Modern Era of Talk Media

By TALKERS | June 9, 2026August 3, 2026 by TALKERS

Pictured above: The dynamic duo of Beth Troutman (l) and Bo Thompson (r), co-hosts of the highly successful WBT, Charlotte morning show, “Good Morning BT,” got rave reviews for their presentation “Behind the Scenes at a Major News/Talk Morning Show” at TALKERS 2026 on June 5 at Hofstra University. In addition to their conference presentation, their four-hour show that morning emanated live from Hofstra’s state-of-the-art WRHU-FM studios. Michael Harrison describes the duo – ranked number 49 on the TALKERS Heavy Hundred – as “engaging, informative, and dazzling.”

Stay tuned to TALKERS for extensive text, photo, and video coverage of the Talk Media conference of the year in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.

Industry News TALKERS 2026

John Catsimatidis Set to Keynote 28th TALKERS Conference Heading Stellar Lineup of 60+ Speakers

By TALKERS | May 1, 2026August 7, 2026 by TALKERS

WABC, New York / Red Apple Audio Networks owner John Catsimatidis has been named keynote speaker for TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter set for Friday, June 5 on the campus of Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “The selection of ‘Cats’ as keynoter is in keeping with one of the major themes of this year’s edition of the iconic industry event – radio, talk media, and entrepreneurism. John Catsimatidis is presently setting the greatest example of entrepreneurism at work in giving an injection of much needed energy, focus and life to the medium of radio.” Harrison will serve as facilitator of the presentation in a Q&A / interview style format – a role he has played before with the dynamic billionaire media, grocery, and energy mogul.

Catsimatidis will be joined by more than 60 speakers comprised of legendary industry figures as well as fresh faces and rising stars. A detailed agenda including speakers and schedule – a “who’s who” of industry luminaries – will be posted in TALKERS this coming Tuesday (4/28). See the link below for the names of all speakers booked to date.

The power-packed, one-day agenda is being organized and designed to address the field of talk media’s most pressing and existential issues. Harrison continues, “This important conference will illuminate the forward path of the expanding talk media universe, including all aspects of digital communications from AI and podcasting to streaming networks. As has been its tradition, this latest TALKERS conference will approach the onrushing future of the talk business from a radio perspective. This crucial gathering will cover the new undeniable realities of the radio business for those who not only want to survive but thrive as well. It will be about opportunities, networking, and entrepreneurism for individuals in talent, programming, sales, marketing, and management who are serious about staying in the game.”

Attendance at the conference is only open to members of the working media and directly associated industries as well as students enrolled in accredited learning institutions. All attendees will be required to register in advance on the phone payable by credit card. Because attendance will be limited to maintain intimacy, the conference is again expected to be an early sellout. The all-inclusive registration fee covering convention events, exhibits, food, and services for the day is $260. All registrations are non-refundable. This power-packed, one-day event is being presented in association with Hofstra’s multi-award-winning station, WRHU Radio, and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.

For more detailed agenda info please click here

Conference Registration and Hotel Information

To register for TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter or to obtain sponsorship information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.

To book a hotel room at the nearby Long Island Marriott – Uniondale, please click here: www.TalkersRoomRate.com or call 516-794-3800 and mention TALKERS 2026. Act quickly because the number of rooms available at the hotel for this event are limited.