Jill Hargrave: documentary producer

I met Jill Hargrave in the Writers Guild of America East, and she has lot of TV experience. She has also been producing, writing, and directing documentaries for several years through her company EagleVision Productions. She talks about her career, how she creates documentaries, and her latest documentary: Road to Liberty Through Their Eyes, which is about the battle for American Independence. It will start airing on public television stations next month. This is from a livestream that we did. 

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG210.mp3

Chuck Swirsky: Bulls and more

Chuck Swirsky has been in sports broadcasting for 50 years and does play-by-play for the Chicago Bulls. He talks about his book, Always a Pleasure; doing radio in Columbus, Cleveland, and Seattle; moving to Chicago to work at WCFL; learning on the job and taking risks; filling in for White Sox baseball with Steve Stone; doing basketball vs baseball; working at WLUP/The Loop and WGN Radio; moving to WJR in Detroit; working DePaul games with coach Ray Meyer; broadcasting University of Michigan Athletics games; joining the Toronto Raptors and becoming a Canadian citizen; getting his dream job with the Chicago Bulls; discipline, working hard, dealing with challenges and mistakes; working with all kinds of athletes, coaches, broadcasters, and programmers; meeting The Pope and giving him a Bulls shirt; Jerry Reinsdorf; what he's learned over the years, including the best advice, “You better take care of your homework, because if you don’t, somebody will," and more.

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG209.mp3

American English Minute: vouch for you (Radiogirl)

https://www.radiogirl.us/audio/AEM3.mp3

In today's American English Minute, I talk about phrase you'll hear in the United States: vouch for you. I post this feature periodically, based on the English that I hear in Chicago.

Click to play the minute https://www.radiogirl.us/audio/AEM3.mp3

Mark Maxwell: from sports to TV politics

Before working in news TV, Mark Maxwell worked at Comcast Sportsnet Chicago. Eventually he became Capitol Bureau Chief at WCIA-TV in Springfield, Illinois, and now covers Illinois and Missouri politics for KSDK-TV in St. Louis. He talks about how he works his beat, challenges of covering politics, his biggest controversy, his career in TV news, and at the end explains why he says he grew "up along Chicago’s South Shore in Hammond, Indiana." Mark seems to demonstrate a passion and knowledge of journalism, and has won numerous awards. 

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG208.mp3

American English Minute: you're good (Radiogirl)

https://www.radiogirl.us/audio/AEM2.mp3

In my new short segment called American English Minute, I talk about a common phrase you'll hear here: you're good. I'm doing this feature periodically, based on the English I hear in Chicago.

Click to play the minute https://www.radiogirl.us/audio/AEM2.mp3

Jay Zawaski: Hawks talent

Jay Zawaski is living the dream: he worked for The Score/WSCR and was so successful with his Blackhawks podcast, CHGO Sports asked him to join. Now he's doing everything Hawks on the network and also co-hosts the I'm Fat Podcast. He talks about working at The Score, going digital, podcasting, success, authenticity, sports media, and more.

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG207.mp3

Radiogirl: American English Minute - No problem

https://www.radiogirl.us/audio/AEM1.mp3

This is a new short segment called American English Minute. It’s the English I notice around me in Chicago. Shout-out to Charlie Meyerson, who I worked with [with whom I worked], and who is a stickler for language.

Click to play the minute https://www.radiogirl.us/audio/AEM1.mp3

Steve Scott: now in San Francisco

I've interviewed Steve Scott twice: talking about WLS and when he was at WCBS. When WCBS ceased to exist, Steve got a job at KCBS, where he anchors news. He is also the PA announcer for the Golden State Warriors in his home state of California. He talks about WCBS pulling the plug, what San Francisco is like, crime stories, his alma mater town San Jose, news reporting, NBA announcing, and more.

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG206.mp3

Listen to the previous interview from 2020 when he just got his college degree, and the first interview from 2012 when he talked about WLS, WCBS, and announcing for the Bulls and Knicks.

George Ofman: ten years later!

I interviewed sportscaster George Ofman with Dave Kerner at WBBM Newsradio ten years ago and wanted to get an update because he's written a book, Tell Me a Story I Don't Know, based on his popular podcast series, and now has a new career. He talks about writing for radio, storytelling with sound, his long radio broadcasting career at The Score/WSCR, WMAQ, WGN, WBBM Newsradio, NPR, the BBC, and in Canada at the CBC and CJCL. He's had a lot of success for several years and even got an awesome job at Midtown Athletics: that's the story he wants to tell.

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG205.mp3

Craig Dellimore: class act

Craig Dellimore spent more than 40 years at WBBM Newsradio, and the last time I interviewed him was in 2018 at City Hall (you can listen to that interview here, direct audio link at http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG156.mp3). In this update after his retirement, he talks about his experience in Chicago as an anchor/reporter, managing editor, legislative correspondent, suburban reporter, and political editor. He also talks about how he got into journalism in his hometown, New York, through a program at Columbia University, where he went to j-school, before working at WNYC and WCBS in New York, then the Associated Press in Washington, D.C. He got "the call" and came to Chicago, where he still lives. He is one of the most decent, talented, kindest people in the news biz!

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG204.mp3

Justin Kaufmann: Axios Chicago and radio

Listen at http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG203.mp3

I'd never met Justin Kaufmann before, but he quickly responded to my interview request and was very friendly and smart in this interview. He talks about a lot: why news stories are like radio shows; producing and being on the air at WBEZ; working with producers; working during the pandemic and broadcasting alone; radio challenges; building subscribers; user-generated content vs journalistic context; how comedy helped him for broadcasting; his show "Schadenfreude," which led to Hollywood; challenges of processing information and being timely; Chicago crime and audience response; getting on the air and advice; why producers should focus on supporting the host; communicating with listeners; dealing with pressure and setbacks; newsletters and online relationships; public radio vs commercial radio; WGN and format changes; social media stories; why daily content helps get more exposure; doing Reset on WBEZ and Extension 720 at WGN (reboot); dealing with setbacks; how he got into news; why Axios is great; the writing process; improv and preparation; journalistic discipline; and more. 

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG203.mp3

Tom Shaer: Legendary Sportscaster

Tom Shaer is part of Chicago radio history. He was one of the first broadcasters hired at The Score, WSCR. He starts talking about Rich King and a Crain’s Chicago Business article 1982; why ego is important; being and having an agent: wins, lies, challenges, advice; how the biz has changed; treatment of Mark Giangreco; sports staff issues; working in news and sports; the importance of working in different media; writing and editing; going from sports to news; pre-Internet show prep; Larry Bird and access to athletes; going from TV to radio; working at NBC 5 TV, WBBM Newsradio, and The Score WSCR; doing sports talk in the early days; issues in sports media; why The Score did well; broadcasting and adjusting to Chicago; sportscasters reporting news; being square and the drama at The Score; Mike Ditka, Jack Brickhouse, and Harry Caray; why The Score is a good station with past mistakes; how he got into the media; and he talks about several people, including Ron Gleason, Mike North, Rick Gieser, Dan McNeil, Dan Jiggetts, Drew Hayes and Michael Damsky, Chet Coppock, Howard Cosell, Jerry Reinsdorf, Mitch Rosen, Ron Magers and Carol Marin, and more (let me know who else I should list).

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG202.mp3

Stefan Holt - TV news anchor

Stefan Holt is from Chicago and started at NBC 5 Chicago in 2011. He talks about reporting, anchoring, and working in Florida and at WNBC in New York; why reporting is challenging; what he learned from his dad, Lester Holt, when he was growing up and visited CBS 2 Chicago/WBBM-TV; why he likes working in Chicago; how his bosses and his dad helped his growth and on-the-job training; the importance of journalism and local news; working at a national vs local level; the Today Show, radio news, advice, and his love of flying: he is an instrument-rated private pilot.

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG201.mp3

Joe Donlon - Living the Dream at CBS Chicago

Listen at http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG200.mp3

Joe Donlon is an anchor at CBS News Chicago. He was on the air at WGN-TV and NewsNation in Chicago, and was at KGW-TV in Oregon for several years before coming to Chicago. He talks about why he loves Chicago and feels relaxed; how he's been living the dream; how he got to WGN-TV from Oregon; having fun at work; the journalism profession including: demo reels, challenges in the business, prepping for a newscast and speaking spontaneously, how to be effective on the air, working in national news vs local, why writing is important, how experience helps develop your skills, editing audio and video, advice for structuring a story, reporting and anchoring, changing technology and advice, interviewing and reporting, and working in cable news. He also talks about his Chicago Unscripted podcast, dealing with criticism, why ambition is important, and more. 

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG200.mp3

Molly Jirasek - advice from a TV News Director

I interviewed Molly Jirasek at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association convention six years ago, when she was Assistant News Director at Heart of Illinois ABC in Peoria. Now she is News Director at ABC57-TV in South Bend, Indiana. Molly explains what she looks for in a journalism professional, and gives advice on topics that include: appearance, demo reels, reporting, applying for jobs, important skills for working in TV news, attitude, what to look for in a school to get experience, multimedia journalism, how she runs a newsroom, and more. 

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG199.mp3

And click this link for the previous INBA interview.

Molly is hiring, btw. 

Jerry Agar: 14 years later!

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG198.mp3

Jerry Agar has been on the air since October, 1973. I interviewed him in 2010 when he was starting at Newstalk 1010 CFRB in Toronto. He went back to Canada after spending 25 years in the U.S. (he's originally from Canada), and is still at Newstalk 1010. He talks about a lot in this update: what he thinks of the radio industry and talk radio; why he switched from music radio to talk; his experience including WGN and WLS in Chicago, and smaller markets throughout the country; Kevin Metheny and his father, Terrell Metheny; his struggles, advice, the importance of being authentic, and a lot more. This is from a livestream that we did.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac). 

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG198.mp3

Ron Gleason: The Score, WBBM, Sports

Listen at http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG197.mp3

Ron Gleason worked in sports for many years before switching to news at WBBM Newsradio. He talks about Sports Phone, doing play-by-play, sportscasting, being the boss at WSCR The Score, Mike North and Dan Jiggetts, radio before and during the Internet, how radio can be effective and entertaining, being management vs on the air, starting his radio career in his home state of California, doing sports in Joliet at WJOL, the end of WMAQ news station in Chicago and WCBS in New York, revenue declines, talented broadcasters, going from The Score to WBBM as an anchor then boss, his workflow, advice for getting a job, how sports helps news, how the radio biz has changed, and much more! This is probably the most extensive interview that Ron has ever done and is from a livestream that we did.

"I loved it and I just I knew radio was all I ever wanted to do."

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac). 

Listen at http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG197.mp3

Watch the Radiogirl livestreams and videos on the Radiogirl FB page and on YouTube.

If you like what I'm doing, Buy Me a Coffee...thanks!

Rafer Weigel: getting personal

I first interviewed Rafer Weigel 11 years ago when he was at WLS-TV in Chicago. When I did this livestream with him, he was at KUSI-TV in San Diego. Now he's Chief Communications Officer at VetComm, so but I want to post this anyway because Rafer talked a lot not just about his professional experience, but his personal struggles as well, which is pretty rare in the few-hundred interviews I've done so far. He also shares his opinions about the media biz and news broadcasting. Topics covered: acting, his famous sportscaster dad Tim Weigel, sports broadcasting, breaking the Jussie Smollett story and losing his job, mistakes he's made, mental health, pressure and competition, advice for working in the biz, and much more. This is one of the longest podcasts I've done; it was first posted at the INBA website. 

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac). 

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG196.mp3

Watch the Radiogirl livestreams and videos on the Radiogirl FB page and on YouTube.

If you like what I'm doing, Buy Me a Coffee...thanks!

InternetFM after more than a decade: Steve Leventhal and Eric Leventhal

A musical discussion: Steve Leventhal, creator of InternetFM, and his son and cofounder Eric Leventhal, talk about their music and broadcasting experience, what is top-shelf radio, paying for songs, why vinyl is popular with some younger music fans, commercials, changing technology and music delivery, how they define oldies, the resurgence of psychedelic music, concerts, rock’s waning popularity, the role of the Internet for radio, the future of music radio, and more. The last time I interviewed Steve was more than 10 years ago.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac). 

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG195.mp3

Watch the Radiogirl livestreams and videos at the Radiogirl FB page and on YouTube (also live-streaming on Radiogirl Twitter, Metrolingua Twitter, and my own Fakebook page).

If you like what I'm doing, Buy Me a Coffee...thanks!

Word Balloon's John Siuntres: longest podcast!

John Siuntres (host and creator of the popular Word Balloon livestream and podcast and I often talk on the phone for at least an hour, so we decided to do a livestream conversation, and it ended up being much longer! Topics covered: how entertainment and the media have changed, the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes, creativity and syndication in TV and radio, innovation, digital access and viewpoints, media and cultural nostalgia, podcasting and the radio biz, Instagram and influencers, Gen X, nerd culture, Hollywood and media pay, streaming vs broadcasting, Chicago and national radio, live and recorded broadcasting, job opportunities, working in radio, TV shows and movies, popular music, British vs American actors, vocal fry and people's voices, beauty, and more!

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac). 

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG194.mp3

Watch the Radiogirl livestreams and videos at the Radiogirl FB page and on YouTube (also live-streaming on Radiogirl Twitter, Metrolingua Twitter, and my own Fakebook page).

If you like what I'm doing, Buy Me a Coffee...thanks!