Columbian Centre’s People First Radio media-based education initiative is about to enter its seventh year with new leadership
People First Radio, an initiative offered by Nanaimo’s Columbian Centre—in partnership with the Radio Malaspina Society—marks six years on the air this week. The “program about people, the society in which we live, and issues related to health and wellness” was conceived by Columbian’s executive director Tom Grauman and then put into motion by co-presenters Kevin Midbo and Jan Coleman.
Experienced CHLY radio programmers, along with former CHLY program director Dylan Perry, supported, nurtured, and assisted People First Radio through its live broadcasts, podcasting, and format development.
Change is on the way in 2014 for the Nanaimo-based program. Program producer and presenter Kevin Midbo is leaving for a study sabbatical and fellow presenter Ashta Cormier is taking a leave of absence for a year from her work at CHLY radio (though Ashta may be appearing from time to time on-air with PFR…discussions are in progress). Leadership at Columbian Centre is also in transition as Tom Grauman, the organization’s executive director (and driving force behind People First Radio) prepares for retirement in spring 2014.
PFR team volunteer Megan will stay on at the CHLY radio station as newcomer Nancy McInnes takes on the production and presenting roles. In a few months they’ll be working from CHLY’s new facilities at The Globe Hotel.
Watch for a streamlined weekly PFR email in 2014 and a fresh start! And continue to visit People First Radio online to find a complete archive of our interviews over years.
Listen to People First Radio on Thursday November 21 (repeated Monday November 25) at noon Pacific for a retrospective look back over some of the stories we’ve shared over the years. Visit our comprehensive story archive online here.
Kevin, Ashta, and Tom want to thank the many people who have appeared over the years, in-studio and by telephone, on the nearly 300 broadcasts of People First Radio. Obviously, we couldn’t have done it without you!
