“I never thought I would be here…. yet again”. That’s the phrase that ran through my mind while attending a single mom’s conference over four years ago. You see, I had already walked through devasting divorce years prior, so to find myself as a single mom again after my second divorce felt a bit like a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from.
Wading into the depths of healing was hard. Grieving was difficult. Forgiveness was a daily choice. But I have to say one of the most impactful things for me was to have friends by my side who could raise their hand and say “me too.” To have a person next to me who had walked through what I had walked through and had seen God’s faithfulness all the way through was a source of comfort and hope that I can’t even explain.
Fast forward to 2 years ago, and the Lord had placed on my heart to host a podcast called Bringing Her Hope. I wanted this podcast to be a platform that could be used to share stories of God’s redemption through women’s testimonies. I desired to communicate three things to our listening community with every episode 1) that they weren’t alone in their story, 2) that God would be faithful to redeem their story, 3) to inspire them to step into the story God had for them.
I am not an on-air talent. I don’t have a 3 step plan on how to make a podcast successful. I am a girl who had a team that was willing to take a chance on me and my google search bar as I delved deeply into the research of how to create a podcast.
I knew with this endeavor the definition of “success” wasn’t going to be based on analytics, the most well-known guests, or an eloquent host (because that I am not ?). This podcast was put out in the world because we as a station believe in the power of a testimony. We believed in using our platform as a place where others maybe didn’t have one. We believed that lives would be pointed to Jesus, and a ripple effect would occur. And you know what? It did.
I have received countless emails, messages, and phone calls from women who have listened to the podcast, and it was “just what they needed” at the moment in their lives when they felt like the walls were crashing down around them.
To be honest, never in a million years did I think that I would be writing THIS article for all of the CMB community to read. Still, I want to remind you from one friend to another that through our transparency, vulnerability, and willingness to share our testimonies, God will get the glory, and He will use it in greater ways than we can ever imagine.
Bethany Bravery
Promotions Director, KHPE/Albany
bethany@hope1079.com
Bethany joined Hope 107.9, in Albany, Oregon, part-time in 2016, the Social Media Director, but her role quickly expanded and evolved into a full-time position as Marketing and Social Media Director.
She enjoys networking with people from all walks of life and has a deep passion for encouraging and helping others to be all that God has created and called them to be!
During her short tenure at Hope, she’s helped developed and host a podcast called, ‘Bringing Her Hope’, where she interviews a variety of women who share their story of how God carried them through something challenging and brought hope and healing to their lives. The goal of the podcast is to impact women and encourage them in their own journey.
She’s also helped build a ministry called ‘Prayer Live’. Each week prayer requests are gathered via our social media platforms and Bethany goes live on Facebook and Instagram and shares scripture and encouragement as she prays with our community of listeners.
When she’s not working, you can find her on all sorts of outdoor adventures making memories with her two kids and spending intentional time with her friends!
All of this fuels her soul as she lives into her personal calling of connecting others to Jesus!
Life 102.5 has a heart for Madison! For the 4
Spirit 92.9 continued its commitment of blessing the central Minnesota community through intentional service projects. As the pandemic affected another year, station listeners rose to the challenge of uplifting and encouraging those feeling loss, loneliness, or burnout. Thanks to the help of generous listeners and business partners, Spirit 92.9 raised more than $8,000 in an online tip jar that blessed the staff at 19 local restaurants returning to work full time with huge tips during the Big Tip promotion. The restaurant workers were grateful for the visibility and appreciation. Numerous area teachers nominated by their students and families received special honor at the end of the school year with flowers and $500 VISA gift cards as part of “Thank A Teacher” organized by Spirit 92.9. In the fall, Spirit 92.9 partnered with two local ministries and provided free holiday meals to the community. During the ‘More Than A Meal’ event, the station worked with community members who donated enough to provide 6,000 meals and give help to people in need. Station team members also prepared and served meals together at the local homeless mission. At Christmastime, 11 community members wrote Spirit 92.9 and shared the story of someone they believed deserved some extra joy due to personal hardships. The individuals received $1000 to bless that person during Spirit 92.9’s Share The Joy promotion. Phone calls were made to hundreds of listeners to offer prayer and encouragement. Prayer support and a personal response is offered all year long.
Jim Campbell, Founder & Network President of Radio Training Network, Inc. began his radio career in commercial radio in Tennessee in 1964. In 1966 he moved his family to Lakeland, Florida to attend college, and upon graduation he joined the staff at First Assembly of God Church where he and the church launched in the mid 1970s the first Contemporary Christian Radio Station in the nation, WCIE-FM. The station grew in both market impression and influence not just in Lakeland, but around the country inspiring others to follow Jim’s lead. In 1989 Jim left the church and founded Radio Training Network, Inc. (RTN) and over the next 30+ years, he oversaw the acquisition and development of 40+ stations plus translators. With 130 team members, RTN stations serve the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Missouri. These stations are well recognized in their respective markets thanks to the servant leadership of the staff, aggressive marketing, and a commitment to a strong emphasis on Jesus first. At present RTN has some two million listeners each week on air and approximately the same number online.
Andrea Kleid is a 24-year veteran of radio and records. She began her career working in Christian radio at WNLT in Cincinnati, and then moved onto WAY-FM in West Palm Beach working in programming and promotions. Her next stop took her to JOY-FM in Tampa where she served as the Promotions Director. In 2004, Andrea moved to Nashville to begin her music industry career in radio promotion under Grant Hubbard at Capitol CMG. In 2008, Andrea became the Vice President of Promotion at Word Label Group where she led one of the most successful and influential radio promotion teams in the Christian music industry. Through her signature brand of honesty, passion for Christian music, and focus on relationships, Andrea developed a reputation for successfully launching new artists’ careers including for KING and COUNTRY, NEEDTOBREATHE and Francesca Battistelli. This year, Andrea celebrates her fifth year as the President of her own company, Boxer Poet. An advocate for both radio and artists, Andrea continues to zealously host conversations around further representation for women and people of color on Christian radio.
Jason Sharp has a rich history with CCM radio and leadership. His early years at WONU/Chicagoland and The Bridge/Delaware gave flight to his passion for great programming and innovative promotions. As Program Director of WCQR/Johnson City and eventually the network PD for Positive Alternative Radio, Jason’s influence grew across the industry. In 2007, Jason joined the team at Northwestern Media as Program Director and then Station Manager of KTIS, Minneapolis/St Paul. In 2015, Jason furthered his formal education and earned his master’s degree in organizational leadership. Applying his leadership knowledge and skills to work, he now serves as Senior Vice President of Broadcasting at Northwestern Media’s 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. Jason also served Christian Music Broadcasters, first as a charter member and eventually as the lead of CMB’s educational track at Momentum for more than ten years. He then served as the organization’s board chairman from 2017-2020. Jason continues to inspire others within Christian media toward excellence and compassion through a Christ-centered attitude, education, and practical application.
In 1972, while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Orlando, Johnny Stone dreamt of a second kind of “air force,” that of radio. He took an overnight position at WDIZ-FM, the station where Z88.3 now stands. In the past 50 years of his career, Johnny’s work and personality raised the bar for other programmers in markets ranging from New York City, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Diego, Tampa, Atlanta, Tucson, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. During his stint as Program Director and Morning Show host at Star 99.1 New York, his team won the NAB Crystal Radio Award and CMB Station of the Year. Presently, Johnny serves as afternoon host with his wife, Stacey, at 91.9 WGTS in Washington D.C. winner of the 2021 NAB Marconi Award for Religious Station of the Year. Owner of StoneStudios, LLC. and as a 22-year veteran in Christian media, Johnny mentored several on-air talents. Today, along with his on-air role at WGTS, he mentors college students at CMBU, teaching and modeling the belief that “you have to win in the hallways to win on the airwaves.”
Lisa Williams was called to Christian radio while praying in 1990. She walked into KCVO in Camdenton, Missouri and started on the air that same week. Over the past 32 years, Lisa served in various roles in on-air, programming, fundraising, and station management at radio stations and networks including K-LOVE, Z88.3, Star 99.1, KCVO, and KCWN. As an on-air personality, Lisa earned several number one ratings in several markets and was the recipient of three industry awards. Lisa now serves as the Network Talent Coach for Northwestern Media, owner of 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. While at Northwestern, Lisa hosted the nationally syndicated show Life with Lisa Williams from 2016-2021. She stepped away from the show to focus on coaching more than 90 on-air talents, encouraging and nurturing them to shine the light of Christ through excellent radio. When she’s not coaching talent, Lisa helps stations raise money for their operations. She also hosts a Facebook group for women on-air in Christian radio called GodsRadioGirls and helps facilitate their annual retreat.