The third annual BNM Summit took place in New York last week, with several major news/talk radio and news television figures in attendance. One of those figures was Eric Stanger, Senior Vice President of Operations for The Sean Hannity Show, one of the biggest news/talk radio programs in the format.
We sat down with Stanger to talk about his biggest takeaways, what he believes the future of the industry looks like, and how he applies what he learned at the BNM Summit as he returns to The Sean Hannity Show and his daily professional life.
Krystina Alarcon Carroll: What was your biggest takeaway from the summit?
Eric Stanger: My biggest takeaway was the overwhelming positivity about the future of our business. The energy was palpable, and I loved how eager everyone was to connect and share ideas. It was wonderful to be surrounded by radio professionals—some of whom I’ve known for more than 25 years and some I just met for the first time—who were all so energetic and excited about our business!
KC: Which panel do you feel was the most important to hear?
ES: That’s a tough choice because they were all great. “Steering the Format Forward” on Day 1, with my colleague Chris Berry and good friends Phil Boyce, Drew Andersson, and Mike McVay, was especially memorable and thought-provoking. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching my boss, Julie Talbott, receive her well-deserved “Gold Standard in Business” award.
KC: What was the most surprising part of the summit?
ES: Jason and his team did an incredible job with the panels. Not really surprising — maybe “impressive” is a better word. I loved how the panels were produced like actual radio shows, with embedded actualities, top-level guests, and a host who obviously has experience steering the ship and keeping things on track and on time!
KC: How are you going to implement what you learned at the summit going forward?
ES: There are so many takeaways, but I left the summit feeling deeply inspired and motivated about our industry, its future, and the incredible people who are pushing boundaries and driving innovation. I feel energized and excited to be a part of the biggest and the best mass reach medium.
KC: Where do you think Artificial Intelligence is going to have the most impact in the next 3–5 years (i.e., the marketing side, on-air talent, writing, etc.) and why?
ES: I believe that radio is art, and AI will never replace art. I’ve yet to see an AI-generated photo, painting, or movie that looks 100% real. When the human element is missing, it stops being art—and the same goes for radio. Smart radio professionals will use AI as a business tool, just like we use Google or PowerPoint, but it won’t replace human scriptwriters, producers, managers, or on-air talent. The heart of radio is human, and that’s something AI can’t replicate.
KC: What do you think the future of spoken word/radio/podcasting looks like?
ES: We’ll continue to see an expansion of platforms and creators—more people launching podcasts, more companies entering the space, and more mergers shaping the landscape. Terrestrial radio still reaches 82% of Americans weekly, which proves its enduring relevance. And with the 24/7, ever-evolving news cycle, spoken-word mass communication will thrive.
Live radio will remain essential — especially during emergencies and breaking news—when immediacy, trust, and accessibility matter most. It’s a lifeline for communities and a reminder of the power of real-time human connection. Over the next five years, I believe spoken word will continue to grow on every platform as both a business and an art form.
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Krystina Alarcon Carroll contributes features and columns for Barrett Media. She has experience in almost every facet of the industry including: digital and print news; live, streamed, and syndicated TV; documentary and film productions. Her prior employers have included NY1 and Fox News Digital and the Law & Crime Network. You can find Krystina on X (formerly twitter) @KrystinaAlaCarr.
