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NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas on Grit, Mentorship, and the Future of Journalism

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas on Grit, Mentorship, and the Future of Journalism

She’s a trailblazer for women in media. Elizabeth Vargas’ hard work and dedication have earned her countless accolades, but this year she adds the 2025 Cynopsis Media Icon Award to her collection.

“I’m just really thrilled and honored that they thought of me,” Vargas told Barrett Media. “I think it’s a great event. I especially love that they’re saluting and recognizing women.”

The NewsNation anchor is living out her childhood dream of being a journalist, but it took a lot of grit to get to where she is today.

She began her career by editing her high school newspaper, then moved on to the University of Missouri, where she fell in love with broadcasting.

“I literally started working the day after I graduated in local news, and I have never looked back,” she said.

Success comes with a lot of sacrifice, and Vargas’ career is no exception. “I had many years when I didn’t know if I could pay my rent or put gas in my car because I couldn’t afford it,” she recalled of her early industry days. “But it never occurred to me to do anything else. I have always, from moment one, absolutely loved this business, and I still do.”

Elizabeth Vargas, who also hosts a podcast called Heart of the Matter, recognizes that while she may share the same financial struggles today’s journalists are concerned about, her path to the national stage was different because of timing. “When I was coming up, everybody, you know, learned on the local level,” the Emmy Award-winning journalist said.

Having started at the local level, she was able to make mistakes in front of a smaller audience. She’s also appreciative of this journalistic upbringing because of the amazing former bosses she met along the way. “I’ve always had really great bosses, at key moments,” she recalled of her bosses in Chicago, Phoenix, and NBC. “[I had bosses who] just took me under their wing and said, ‘This is how you do it.’”

Today, journalists also face another problem: the advent of social media. “There are a lot of people online right now spouting all sorts of things that are categorically biased,” Vargas said. “I was raised and trained in a culture where there was strict fact-checking and standards.”

“[Today journalists are] competing against some yahoo on X, who just has an opinion,” Vargas said. “And the challenge right now, for America and the world at large, is sifting through the incredibly huge avalanche of nonsense and misinformation to find anything that is real information.”

She also does not like the idea of citizen journalism. “Elon Musk loves to talk about the citizen journalist,” Vargas said. “The fact of the matter is that that’s like saying, ‘Okay, I’m a citizen doctor, and I diagnose you with X, Y, and Z.’ It’s ridiculous. Journalists know how to ask questions, they know how to get double and triple sources.”

Aside from “citizen journalists,” another problem young journalists face in the industry is believing they have to have an opinion to create a relationship with the audience. Vargas says this is utter nonsense. “I think my job always is to do copious amounts of homework and to use a lot of critical thinking, and that’s something I wish more people would do in their personal lives,” Vargas said.

“The biggest compliment I got in the last few days was from somebody who said, ‘I love to watch your show, but I’m never really sure what you think. Are you liberal, or are you conservative? I can’t tell.’” What might seem like an imposing question, Vargas views as a compliment. Vargas, a Peabody Award winner, believes, “If you can’t tell [my political party], then I’m doing my job right.”

Elizabeth Vargas encourages everyone to question any and all the information they receive in the news cycle. Questions like, “What’s your source? Where did you read that? How do you know that to be true?” should be going through everyone’s mind.

She added, “Make sure that what you’re reading and what you’re hearing is from a solid source, and you can confirm it. Just because one person says it nowadays doesn’t mean you should believe it. You need to do your homework.”

The sources everyone should be looking for are those with “first-hand knowledge,” Vargas emphatically declared. “I think there’s a reason why newspapers have editorial pages. They report the news throughout the newspaper, and then on the editorial page, they get to spout off with their opinion.”

Vargas believes all this opinion might be “one of the reasons we have such division—because nobody’s hearing from people with whom they might not agree.”

Despite all the challenges and implicit bias in the news world, there are glimmers of hope for the future of the industry. For those looking to follow in Vargas’ footsteps, she suggests they find good mentors and “work hard, ask questions, [and] do not be afraid to ask questions over and over.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Why There Is Nothing Like the Community of Urban Radio

Ken Johnson
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Why There Is Nothing Like the Community of Urban Radio

I don’t want to ruffle any fathers with the title of this week’s article, but since I write about urban radio, the title is the title. I say this because, knowing people in multiple formats, I can say from personal experience that it’s similar in country, rock, gospel, and Top 40.

Last week, I attended the Living Legends Foundation Gala in Atlanta. While Atlanta serves as a great backdrop for almost any industry event, it was the perfect setting for this one. You could check all the boxes — seeing people you haven’t seen in a long time, laughing with some about those you’re glad didn’t attend, remembering the ones no longer with us, reminiscing about the events that have since shuttered, and, most importantly, being thankful for the chance to still reconnect with old friends.

This business will teach you that the term friends can be used loosely. The music and radio industries aren’t alone in that — how many of your 5,000 Facebook “friends” are truly friends? That said, our business has a way of revealing who really matters. When you return to your personal silo, there are those who fade from memory and those you think of fondly, even when you’re not reminiscing about your time in the industry.

I won’t list too many names, but I’ll mention a few who meet that standard for quite a few people.

I often find myself thinking of Mark Boyd — those who know, know. It was Butterball who taught me that this business can’t be about one record, because there are always more records after that one. Mark was one of those guys you could talk to for hours and realize afterward that a record never came up.

Another person who brings a smile to my face every time is Wes “Party” Johnson.

I loved talking with Wes. Just hearing his name brings back great memories. And there are many others — A.D. Washington, Joey Bonner, Alan Lott, Sunny Joe White, Hank Spann, Jack Wellman, Buddy D, James Cochran, and many, many others — some no longer with us and others still carrying the torch. I won’t name everyone because I’d hate to forget anyone who deserves mention.

These are the people I laughed with, debated with, talked family with, and enjoyed breaking bread with. These were — and are — true friends. Not Facebook friends. Not “industry friends.” Just friends.

But events like last week’s Living Legends Foundation Gala are about more than friendship. They’re about mutual respect among colleagues. There were no project pitches or agenda-driven conversations — just reflections on lessons learned from peers, understanding of decisions made in the moment, and shared appreciation for the love of radio and records.

There were plenty of smiles — not all “glad to see you” smiles — but plenty of genuine hugs and mutual recognition. Beyond honoring the award recipients, the night was about honoring the journey — those who came up through the ranks with you, on both sides, united by a deep love and passion for this business.

If you missed this year’s gala, don’t miss the next one. You’ll be glad you didn’t.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and the names of people no longer with us you considered true friends in this business. Email me at ken@kenjohnsonmedia.com or reach out on LinkedIn. 

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

How Tripp Rogers Keeps Spokane Rocking Live And Local

Charese Fruge
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How Tripp Rogers Keeps Spokane Rocking Live And Local

After forty years in radio and television, Tripp Rogers has seen just about everything the broadcast world can throw at him, and he’s still doing it live, loud, and local in Spokane.

Currently the morning show host and program director at Rock 94½, Rogers’ career started with an internship that turned into a lifelong calling.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to learn under legendary programmers like John Rook and Gary Allen,” he says. “I started straight out of an internship in college, and I never left.”

Over the years, Rogers has worked for some of Spokane’s most iconic active rock and AOR stations, including Rock 106 KEZE (the former sister station of Seattle’s KISW) and his current home, Rock 94½, where he first landed in 2001. After a stint in television doing motorsports commentary across the Pacific Northwest, he returned earlier this year to take over the Twice as Much Rock Morning Show and programming duties.

For Rogers, radio has always been about connection—not just with listeners but with the community.

“From helping with Christmas Wish and Toys for Tots to bringing the best concerts and festivals to the Northwest, Rock 94½’s listeners depend on us to deliver what lives inside all of us — a rock and roll attitude and a sense of pride in where we live,” he says.

That connection is something Rogers takes personally. Having helped launch The Mosh Pit All Stars back in 2003, he knows his audience inside and out.

“It’s an incredibly inclusive group that looks out for one another and picks each other up. And if you don’t get what the station is about, that’s fine,” said Rogers. “Not everybody’s going to love a station with this much attitude. But Spokane has loved to rock for decades, and we’re happy to oblige.”

Rogers is also a strong believer that, despite digital competition, radio’s magic isn’t going anywhere.

“Spotify, podcasting, and other outlets have never connected with the masses like radio does. Those who say, ‘I don’t listen to the radio anymore,’ somehow find their way back,” he says. “It’s the immediacy, the community, the promotions—those are things you just can’t replace. Spotify isn’t giving you a shot at Tool tickets every hour. Live radio is where it’s at.”

Rogers practices what he preaches, when he means live.

“Nobody wants to hear AI doing a midday shift,” he laughs. “When you’re live, life happens. So, screw up! Show them you’re not perfect. That’s what makes us real. I get that budgets are tight, but we have to find our way back to what made radio great—personalities. Real people.”

That personality extends online, too. “When it comes to social media, it’s all about promotion, promotion, promotion,” Rogers says. “You can hear the smile on our faces when we talk, so let yourself smile when you write your posts. It makes a difference.”

As for the next generation of talent, Rogers believes the key lies in keeping music discovery alive.

“New music is the fountain of youth. Whether you’re into the new Taylor Swift or stoked about the new Mudvayne, it’s all about that connection,” Rogers says. “Our listeners feed off it.”

And when it comes to great talent, Rogers has one golden rule: “Your reputation needs to precede you. Your name should speak for itself. If you need a résumé to tell me who you are, I may not be interested. Let your reputation speak for itself. And don’t ever put it in jeopardy.”

October, or “Rocktober,” as Rogers calls it, is one of his favorite times of year.

“We’re stacking the deck with concert promotions and live in-studio performances. We just had Autumn Kings and Hollywood Undead in front of a sold-out crowd, and The Funeral Portrait will be in the studio soon as well. It’s going to be wild.”

The team at Rock 94½ also keeps the community fired up with Seahawks giveaways, gas cards, and chances for fans to score tickets to home games. “We’re all about giving back, whether it’s through music, experiences, or community support,” Rogers says.

Rogers sums it up best: “Spokane loves to rock — and ROCK HARD. We’re here to make sure it stays that way.”

Listeners can tune in at rock945.com or connect with Tripp on Facebook at @TrippRock945.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

NPR Senior Vice President of Podcasting Collin Campbell Stepping Down From Role

BNM Staff
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NPR Senior Vice President of Podcasting Collin Campbell Stepping Down From Role

Collin Campbell, NPR’s Senior Vice President of Podcasting, is reportedly leaving the public radio network for Apple. The tech company has not yet made an official announcement, but a memo to NPR staff obtained by The New York Times confirmed Campbell’s departure last week. Multiple sources have since indicated he is set to take on a new role at Apple.

In the memo, NPR Editor in Chief and Chief Content Officer Edith Chapin said Campbell, who is based in Los Angeles, is pursuing an opportunity “a little closer to home” in California.

“Collin has been a constant cheerleader for the work we do,” Chapin wrote. “He raised the profile of our podcasts in outside interviews and appearances and earned attention for our shows on ‘Best Of’ lists and awards.”

Chapin also praised Campbell for navigating what she described as “significant challenges” with Apple and other platforms. She credited him for helping NPR expand into the growing world of video podcasting and for his efforts to keep the network’s slate of shows competitive amid shifting audience behaviors.

A replacement has not yet been named.

Campbell joined NPR in 2023 as part of the network’s strategy to reinvigorate its podcast business.

Before arriving at NPR, Campbell built a two-decade career across public radio, streaming platforms, and podcast studios. He previously served as Executive Editor for New Show Development at Spotify-owned Gimlet Media, where he oversaw the launch of several acclaimed limited series including Conviction, Crime Show, Welcome to Your Fantasy, and 544 Days.

Prior to Gimlet, Campbell worked at Amazon’s Audible as Executive Producer for Original Content. There, he was responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of on-demand audio shows as Audible expanded its original programming slate.

Campbell’s career began in public radio in 2003 as an associate producer for Morning Edition at New York Public Radio. During his time there, he co-created two programs that would later become hit podcasts — Freakonomics Radio and The Takeaway.

Campbell’s reported move to Apple marks a significant crossover between traditional public media and one of the world’s largest digital platforms. For NPR, his exit represents another leadership change as the network continues to adapt to the fast-evolving on-demand audio landscape.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

iHeartMedia, FOX Listed As Potential Buyers as Audioboom Confirms Plans for Merger or Sale

BNM Staff
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iHeartMedia, FOX Listed As Potential Buyers as Audioboom Confirms Plans for Merger or Sale

Podcast company Audioboom has confirmed it has hired a company to evaluate potential buyers, and some reports have linked iHeartMedia and FOX as fitting that bill.

Currently, Audioboom holds a market cap of $134 million, and features plenty of partnerships with top shows like True Crime Obsessed and The Tim Dillon Show, among others.

J Goodwin & Co. is currently managing the review process of potential targets and buyers for the company. While Audioboom has shared that it has not had any offers yet, it is looking through alliances and strategic partners for its network that features more than 40 million unique listeners each month around the world. In the August rankings, the company was ranked as the fourth-largest podcast publisher in the nation.

According to a report from Sky News, iHeartMedia and FOX Corp. are some of the more serious targets for acquisition.

It wouldn’t be the first time Audioboom explored a sale. In 2020, it held talks with a variety of companies, but never struck an agreement, calling off the process.

The idea that a sale could be imminent comes on the heels of comments made by the company’s CEO — Stuard Last — last year who said consolidation is likely in the coming years in the podcast medium.

“We can be a leader in the inevitable consolidation of podcasting over the coming years,” he shared. “We believe that our platform will do a great job of allowing any targets that we bring onto it to focus on what they do best, which is content creation, content curation, and running a network platform, by supercharging their distribution, marketing, and monetization of that content.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Joe Rogan, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson Top List of Podcasts Eligible For First Golden Globes Honors

BNM Staff
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Joe Rogan, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson Top List of Podcasts Eligible For First Golden Globes Honors

The Golden Globes are set to award the honor for Best Podcast at its 83rd annual ceremony next year, and hosts like Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan, and Tucker Carlson cracked the list of those eligible to take home the top spot.

For the first time by a major entertainment awards show, the podcast genre will be included, with the best program taking home the “Best Podcast” category at the event on Sunday, January 11th, 2026.

In total, 25 podcasts were selected as eligible by the Globes’ data partner, Luminate.

Those podcasts include (in alphabetical order:

  • 20/20 (from ABC News) 
  •  48 Hours (from CBS News) 
  • Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard 
  • Call Her Daddy 
  • Candace
  • Crime Junkie
  • Dateline NBC
  • Good Hang with Amy Poehler
  • Morbid
  • MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
  • Pardon My Take
  • Pod Save America
  • Rotten Mango
  • Shawn Ryan Show
  • SmartLess
  • Stuff You Should Know
  • The Ben Shapiro Show
  • The Bill Simmons Podcast
  • The Daily (from The New York Times)
  • The Joe Rogan Experience
  • The Megyn Kelly Show
  • The Mel Robbins Podcast
  • The Tucker Carlson Show
  • This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
  • Up First from NPR

“This year’s inaugural list of eligible programs for the new Best Podcast eligibility list reflects the incredible depth, diversity and creativity thriving in the podcasting world today,” said Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne.

“From groundbreaking investigative series to deeply personal storytelling and innovative audio formats, this list showcases the power of podcasting to inform, entertain, and inspire audiences around the globe,” Hoehne continued. “The Golden Globes is proud to be the first major entertainment award to recognize this medium.”

Those podcasts are eligible to submit entries to the Golden Globes by Friday, October 31st.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

60% of Podcast Listening Spent with User’s Favorite Show, New Point-to-Point Marketing/Strategic Solutions Research Data Shows

BNM Staff
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60% of Podcast Listening Spent with User’s Favorite Show, New Point-to-Point Marketing/Strategic Solutions Research Data Shows

The growth of the podcast medium continues to be studied and examined. New data from Point-to-Point Marketing and Strategic Solutions Research shows that podcast listeners love their top favorite programs.

According to data compiled in The Podcast Study from the two organizations, 60% of total podcast listening time is dedicated to a single favorite program.

Podcast hosts play a large role in the retention of listeners. 80% of respondents said that the host is the largest factor in deciding what their favorite program is. Furthermore, an additional 59% said that they would either listen less frequently or stop altogether should their favorite host leave their favorite podast.

“Podcasting has tremendous momentum right now,” Tim Bronsil, CEO of Point-To-Point Marketing, said. “Winning means creating an ecosystem of engagement — through clips, contests, and community — so listeners feel personally connected to the show and the host.”

The latest information from The Podcast Study by Point-to-Point Marketing and Strategic Solutions Research is set to be released during the third installment of their free webinar series. That presentation is scheduled for Thursday, October 9th at 2 PM ET. Those interested in registering for the event can do so by clicking here.

The survey results are based on responses from 1,200 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 54.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Danny Ocean Steps Down From Program Director Role at 93.5 WSBG

BMM Staff
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Danny Ocean Steps Down From Program Director Role at 93.5 WSBG

Veteran programmer and on-air talent Danny Ocean has announced his resignation from 7 Mountains Media’s Hot AC 93.5 WSBG in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. His final day with the station will be Friday, October 17.

Ocean joined 93.5 WSBG in December 2023 as both Program Director and afternoon host, bringing with him decades of experience across multiple markets and formats. In less than a year, he helped steer the station’s programming direction and strengthen its connection with listeners throughout the Poconos.

“This has been one of the best radio experiences of my career,” Ocean said in a statement. “I give all the credit to the amazing staff in Stroudsburg. Many thanks to 7MM Owner Kristin Cantrell, Chief Programming Officer JC Burton, former COO Jim Loftus, and former Market Manager Pat Lincoln, who all played a big part in our success at SBG.”

Under Ocean’s leadership, WSBG maintained its standing as one of the region’s key Hot AC brands while continuing to build relationships with local advertisers and community organizations. Those familiar with his tenure credit him with fostering a collaborative environment and emphasizing creative content on-air.

Prior to joining 7 Mountains Media, Ocean built a strong career resume that included programming, production, and on-air roles in several Pennsylvania markets, including Philadelphia. His well-rounded background made him a natural fit for the Stroudsburg cluster, which also includes sister stations in the region.

As he departs WSBG, Ocean is planning a return to his Philadelphia roots, where he’ll continue his weekend and swing shifts at Beasley Media Group’s 102.9 WMGK. While he hasn’t revealed what’s next full-time, Ocean said an announcement about his next chapter will be coming soon.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Adrian Wojnarowski Launching Podcast Aiming To Support St. Bonaventure Nil Funding

BSM Staff
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Adrian Wojnarowski Launching Podcast Aiming To Support St. Bonaventure Nil Funding

Adrian Wojnarowski is stepping back behind the microphone — but this time, the motivation isn’t breaking news. The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball general manager and longtime NBA insider is launching a new digital series, The Program with Woj, aimed at supporting the school’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) collective.

According to The Athletic, the weekly YouTube series will feature Wojnarowski in conversation with prominent executives, coaches, and team builders across sports. It’s a return to the interview chair for the veteran journalist. Though not a signal that he’s planning to resume his former role as the NBA’s top newsbreaker.

“I’m learning a lot in this GM role at St. Bonaventure and want to explore my new world with a lot of the innovative team-building minds in sports,” Wojnarowski told The Athletic. “My financial motivation with The Program is simply to raise revenue to be distributed directly back to our players on campus.”

The series is being produced by Chris Corcoran’s In the Arena Studios. With sports betting technology company Novig already signed on as the title sponsor.

For Wojnarowski, 56, The Program marks another pivot in a career defined by influence and reinvention. Earlier this year, he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Recognizing his decades of excellence across print, digital, radio, and television. His move to St. Bonaventure in 2024 stunned both the media and basketball worlds. Coming just months after he walked away from an estimated $20 million deal with ESPN.

At the time, his decision to join his alma mater as general manager reflected a deep connection to the program that launched his professional life. Now, The Program with Woj blends both sides of his career — media and management — while fueling the NIL pipeline that’s become essential for smaller Division I programs to compete.

St. Bonaventure finished 22-12 overall and 9-9 in the Atlantic 10 during Wojnarowski’s first season overseeing the program. Falling short of an NCAA Tournament bid.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Connoisseur Media Continues Expansion with Purchase of Bonneville San Francisco Stations

BNM Staff
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Connoisseur Media Continues Expansion with Purchase of Bonneville San Francisco Stations

When Connoisseur Media announced it was purchasing Alpha Media earlier this year, owner Jeff Warshaw said that he wasn’t done expanding the company. That appears to be true, as the organization is buying another group of stations.

Connoisseur Media has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Bonneville International to purchase its four stations in San Francisco.

Included in the deal are 98.5 KFOX (classic rock), 102.9 KBLX (classic R&B/hip-hop), 99.7 NOW (CHR), and 96.5 KOIT (adult contemporary).

“San Francisco is a world-class media market, and these iconic stations are a perfect complement to our growing portfolio,” said Warshaw. “We are excited to greatly expand our service to the Bay Area. Our goal is to have a real presence with local programming, local voices, and being a significant part of the community. That’s what defines us, and that’s what listeners and advertisers deserve.”

Bonneville said that the sale “reflects its strategy to invest in high-growth areas across radio, television, streaming, digital, and apps.”

The deal is pending FCC approval, with Connoisseur Media suggesting it expects to close the transaction later this year.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

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