Kennedy Elsey has spent more than 16 years on Boston mornings. Over that time, she has now found her true purpose and is using the megaphone of radio to make an impact where it matters.
I have been aware of Elsey’s work in mental health advocacy for a handful of years. I worked alongside her helping to curate content for Audacy’s I’m Listening initiative. But it’s only been recently, since living back in New England and commuting most mornings, that I’ve been able to spend enough time listening to her on-air to really get a full understanding of her work.
Elsey is co-host of “Karson & Kennedy” on Audacy’s Mix 104.1 and recently received the 2026 MIW Airblazer Award. She was chosen by last year’s honoree, Karen Carson. For Elsey, that detail mattered as much as the award itself.
“I was just honored to be honest,” Elsey said. “To be chosen by a woman I truly respect and to be included amongst the women who came before was unreal. She and I are so similar, and we share what it is to be a woman in the industry.”
Passing It Forward to the Next Generation
The Airblazer Award recognizes women who lift up others in the industry. It makes sense that when asked about who she wants to spotlight in the next generation of female radio talent, Elsey already has a list of names.
“Oh my gosh, I love my girly pops,” she said, naming Kira in Columbia, Hannah B in Chicago, and Kadie Daye among the talent she roots for. Her advice to them is simple and direct. “I want them to know that they have value, no matter their age or how long they’ve been in the game. Take up space, my loves.”
That message traces back to her own early years in the format, when confidence took time to build. Now she wants to shorten that timeline for the women coming up behind her.
A Walk That Keeps Growing, and Why That Matters
Elsey’s mental health advocacy has become inseparable from her on-air identity. Her Wicked Long Walk fundraiser has gained a ton of local attention and grown year to year.
“In two years, our listeners donated $113,000,” Elsey said. “I live with a litany of mental health issues, and once I started talking about it on-air, the world changed. Our listeners are the most kind and giving people on earth, and hearing about the donations and stories while I walk is something I will never be able to truly articulate.”
That openness did not stay confined to fundraising season. Once Elsey started sharing her own story regularly on the air, listeners started sharing back.
“It has changed everything,” she said. “Listeners have come up to me, emailed, or DM’d me that because of my story, they have started therapy, or their kid asked them if they could start therapy. I’ve even had a few say that by speaking out, I’ve saved them from taking a dark path. It’s such an honor.”
Few morning hosts can point to a direct line between their show and someone else’s decision to seek help. Elsey can, and she does not take it lightly.
The Penguin Suit and the Value of Being Nobody
Not every side project carries that same weight. Earlier this year, Elsey volunteered at Franklin Park Zoo where she relished in the opportunity to have a bit of rare anonymity by dressing in a penguin costume.
The gig made for an epic on-air bit for Mix 104.1 listeners, when Elsey had to miss work due to an allergic reaction to the penguin costume. What struck me as a listener was hearing her talk about how she loved being able to interact with the public while hidden inside the suit.
“My social anxiety is bonkers, which makes it hard to be at events and in public,” Elsey said. “Being able to hide a bit and just be a ‘normal girl’ keeps me humble and makes it easier for me to interact.”
For someone whose career depends on being recognized, a costume that erased her identity for a day offered a strange kind of relief. It is a small window into how Elsey manages the pressure of a public-facing job while carrying private struggles.
Can’t Beat Kennedy Became a Franchise
On lighter terrain, “Karson & Kennedy” built one of radio’s more durable contesting franchises in “Can’t Beat Kennedy.” Elsey credits programmer Steve Reynolds with bringing the feature to the show, and it has since spread to more than 50 stations.
“CBK is an animal that has grown and become our most popular feature,” she said. “It’s just fun. You don’t need a prize, although the money is nice. People just want to play along.”
The feature has become a generational touchstone for some listeners. Elsey said people in their 20s tell her they played along with their parents on the school run. One listener even listed beating Elsey as a fun fact on her Hinge profile, which Elsey called a highlight of her year.
Nearly Two Decades In, and Still Learning
Elsey and co-host Matt Karson have shared a Boston morning show since 2009. Sixteen-plus years in, Elsey said the rhythm of the job looks nothing like it did at the start.
“We know what we are doing now, and that took a looooong time,” she said. “We were flying by the seat of our pants in the early years. But with time and guidance from Steve Salhany and Steve Reynolds, we were able to fine-tune it into what we have now. We are such good friends and have been for 25-plus years, which helps.”
That friendship, paired with two decades of trial and error, shows up in how the show connects with its city. Elsey pointed to that local connection as the show’s clearest edge over syndicated or AI-generated competition.
“We focus on being hyperlocal,” she said. Explaining that “we are part of the community. We are friends with our listeners. We meet them where they are.”
What Comes Next
Between the Airblazer honor, the growth of the Wicked Long Walk, and a viral zoo shift, Elsey has had a packed year outside the studio. Even so, she is not chasing a new project. She is doubling down on where she sees her impact most valuable.
“I will continue to focus on my mental health work,” she said. “I realize now that THAT is why I was put in front of a microphone. It’s been life-changing.”
For Elsey, the mission is already set. The next chapter is simply doing more of it.
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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.