Local radio stations are a great way to encourage a connected community by spreading information regarding news stories in the area, promoting events, and creating entertainment for residents in the area. Similarly, podcasts, used as a platform to spread information, have significantly increased in popularity within the past decade.
Building on the rising number of podcasts, Eureka College students are using the tools provided for them by the institution, to share their thoughts and opinions on popular topics on today’s culture and in the sports world.
Around this time last year, Eureka College was granted use of a radio channel, and since then, students have been using their creativity and voices to promote WXEC, Eureka College’s Radio Station at EC 103.1 FM. Dr. John Malone, associate professor of communication and general manager of radio operations, encourages students to be consistent and dedicated to their on-air shifts.
Three women with experience in the radio practicum have created a different, modern specialty show. With an introspective view on matters of pop culture and self-expression, this podcast is made by women, for women, replicating the feeling of hanging out with your girlfriends: a casual vibe with no judgment and a safe place to share your thoughts and emotions and feel heard.
The hosts, Ella Walker, Jaden Randall, and Liv Hardin-Nieri, attended the Illinois Broadcasting Association, where they heard another group of women talking about a podcast they had started. This inspired them to come up with their own specialty show, “Feminine Frequency.”
“We plan to feature women from different majors, sports teams, etc. to hear their voice and opinions on topics! It is fun to hear another set of ideas and perspectives from others, and I think having guests on the show helps to keep it fresh and to keep people coming back for more!” Randall said.
Randall, the first female Eureka College student to win the award of Best Radio Commercial at the 86th annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Conference in New York City, said she would 100% go into broadcasting for a career, and that working in the radio station has become a passion of hers.
Likewise, co-host Hardin-Nieri shares a similar passion, stating that the entire experience of creating the show has been extremely meaningful to her.
“There is trust and confidence that goes into sharing your voice and ideas on public radio. Through this I have found that I am capable of so much more in the technical arena than I ever thought to be possible and that saying yes to opportunities that are presented to you is vital in personal growth,” she stated.
“This podcast is meant to empower women to share their own stories, find community with one another, and remind them that they aren’t alone in moments that feel overwhelming, especially when they feel disparaged by lack of representation or diminished by the spaces they occupy. Connection and listening are two powerful tools, and, while seemingly simple, are vital in movement away from harmful systems that plague our everyday lives.”
The trio is eager to collaborate and elevate stories, hoping to hear from a wide range of voices and individuals. Looking to enhance the college experience by strengthening connections with the community, access to a radio station presents an exciting opportunity for Eureka College.
Beyond simply broadcasting music or announcements, the platform allows students and faculty to share ideas, discuss important issues, and develop valuable communication skills. Whether through talk shows, interviews, or educational segments, the station creates a space for voices that might not otherwise be heard.
Elston Lacey, junior, and Derrick Payton, sophomore, have created their own programming for the radio channel. They came up with the idea after Dr. Malone asked for students to create specialty shows. EC Sports talk, which airs 11a-12p every Saturday, features a variety of sports talk and discussion, primarily focusing on professional sports.
“When the playoffs were going on, we did keep track of scores, player stats, and we also talked about the trade deadline. We’ve also ranked our own players before,” Payton said. Given this focus, discussion naturally centers around major sports like football and basketball.
“We do branch out and talk about baseball,” Lacey continued. In order to prepare for the episodes, two hosting duo track sports throughout the week, using apps such as ESPN and X.
“I really just try to highlight things in my brain, I queue up a couple topics myself that I want to talk about. When Elston gets there, he tells me a couple things that he has, and if there’s an overlap, we throw them together at the end of the conversation, then we have a full show,” Payton stated.
Both Lacey and Payton can both envision themselves searching for a similar job in the future, stating that there is an overall sense of excitement when in the studio.
With EC 103.1, student voices are being amplified, and experiences within the practicum are providing potential career development and social impact. WXEC is more than just a student radio show, it is a tool for empowerment, self growth, and discussion. Though the addition of the radio station is fairly new to the Eureka curriculum, students have become more comfortable being on the radio, and have taken a liking to sharing their knowledge and talents.
