Longtime radio nerd, first-time music radio editor & writer here. If we haven’t met yet, we should.
I’m Bethany Kent, the new music radio editor at Barrett Media. I’ve spent the better part of two decades living at the intersection of music, marketing and mayhem.
Over that time, I’ve have had the privilege of building and marketing radio brands and events in Providence, Philadelphia, and New York City. Until 2025, I worked nationally as director of music initiatives for Audacy.
Along the way, I learned that radio works best when it feels alive. When it shows up in real spaces, not just on a dial or an app. Capturing that collective effervescence.
That concept, coined by Émile Durkheim, is defined by Frontiers in Psychology as “a state of intense shared emotional activation and sense of unison that emerges during instances of collective behavior.” Most music industry folks would know the feeling from an unforgettable concert or sports experience.
Radio’s Collective Effervescence
I see that collective effervescence in radio too. When a morning show perfectly reflects the community it serves, it’s magic. That belief has shaped some of the most defining moments of my career.
For six years, I produced HOT 97’s Summer Jam, one of the most iconic live events in music. Last-minute lineup changes, surprise guests, crowds of 50,000 people collectively losing their minds. There’s no better crash course in audience connection than standing backstage while the energy of an entire stadium pulses through the walls.
Experiences like Summer Jam reinforced something I still believe. Radio isn’t just a platform, it’s a catalyst. When radio works, it doesn’t just play music — that’s what Spotify is for.
Radio creates moments.
The Year That Forced Perspective
The past year reminded me that even carefully built careers can shift quickly. I got engaged — a clear high point. But I was also laid off from a role I genuinely loved. That combination forces perspective whether you’re ready for it or not.
At first, the uncertainty felt uncomfortable. Then it became clarifying.
Most of us in radio are generalists. Scheduling music, managing talent, pitching promotions — the list goes on. So the question became where do I go from here?
I didn’t just want another job. Instead, I wanted alignment. To be intentional about where I live (near the ocean in Rhode Island), and how I spend my time. At the same time, staying close to the industry I love while growing in new ways.
First, I started with a passion project: selling vintage décor through my business Anchor & Hope Vintage Treasures. I’ve also been producing events in spaces outside entertainment. This includes work for Microsoft, PayPal, and the global broadcast of the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square.
Each opportunity came from connections built over the years. Every experience was a new challenge. Did I throw on a hip-hop playlist to hype myself up before diving in?
Absolutely.
In 2026, I’m realizing my career doesn’t need to follow a straight line. It can be more like a festival map. A little chaotic, occasionally hard to read, but always leading somewhere worth going.
Why This Role & Why Now
That’s what makes this role at Barrett Media so exciting. The mission to celebrate, educate and challenge the radio and music industry is a framework for meaningful conversation.
Radio is evolving, audience habits are shifting, and technology is accelerating everything. Yet the core question remains. How does radio stay essential?
My goal is to contribute to that conversation in a way that feels both informed and honest. Writing columns and features that spotlight programmers, personalities, executives and creatives. Aiming to push the industry forward. Some will celebrate what’s working. Others will dig into what’s not.
Be prepared to be sick of me.
To quote one of the newly named 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters by The New York Times, and one of my all-time favorites, Jay-Z: “Allow me to reintroduce myself.”
Music Radio Editor at Barrett Media.
I still believe in this business. Because at its best, radio still has the power to shape culture. That’s a conversation worth having.
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Bethany Kent is a Music Radio Editor for Barrett Media. She spent nearly 20 years bringing radio to life on stages, across the airwaves, and through unforgettable listener experiences. Her career spans local markets including Providence, Philadelphia, and New York City, most recently serving as National Director of Music Initiatives for Audacy. From producing major live events like HOT 97’s Summer Jam to leading strategic national marketing initiatives, she has built a career at the intersection of music, media, and culture. She can be reached at bethany@barrettmedia.com.
Good luck with the new adventure!
Congratulations Bethany! Looking forward to reading your features!