Brad Shepard Today
The Writers' Group with Bernadette Duncan
At Large with G. Michael Dobbs
Expert Neighbor with Matthew B. Harrison

The Latest

Radio Show #170 – The Sean Byrne Memorial Music Foundation – Stephen and Sheila Byrne

Special guests Stephen and Sheila Byrne join Brad Shepard to talk about their late son Sean Byrne and a night of music at the The Bing Arts Center in Springfield!

Saturday, July 28th, hear three Western Mass. bands live, as they carry on Sean Byrne’s music legacy.

Your tax-deductible donation at the door on the night of the show will go to support the continued work by the mobile recording studio to help young Western Mass. music talent record their demos and work!

There is much more to this event and its background – listen to the program here!

Radio Show #169 – Max Hartshorne – Travel Expert, Editor and Publisher

Looking for some great vacation spots?  Looking for day trips within driving distance from Western Mass.?  Don’t want to venture too far from home, or drop a fortune?

Here are some great locales and ideas from travel expert Max Hartshorne.

Max Hartshorne has been the editor and publisher of GoNOMADTravel.com in South Deerfield, Mass since 2002. He worked for newspapers and in other sales positions for 23 years until he finally got what he wanted, and became the editor at GoNOMAD. He travels regularly, and enjoys publishing new writers.

Radio Show #168 – Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman Shares Her Personal Battle Against Lyme Disease

East Longmeadow resident Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman is a free-lance writer and local business owner who shares her story in The Waiting Room: Invisible Voices of Lyme, (CreateSpace Independent Platform Publishing; June, 2018). This collection of 27 stories was compiled by Vickie Gould and casts light on symptoms for those still undiagnosed, as well as for caregivers and doctors who aim to better understand the Lyme Disease sufferer. You can reach Carleen at www.carleenhoffman.com or www.clutterdoctor.com.

Radio Show #167 – Jordan Goodman,
“America’s Money Answers Man”

Jordan Goodman checks in with us, and discusses the impact on Western Mass. goods and services of ongoing “trade-wars.”
Gas and oil prices are moving up; interest rates, too.
Western Mass. college graduates are faced with their enormous student loans, and Jordan has some advice.
How will the proposed Mass. sales tax holiday affect internet sales?
Jordan also offers some tips on investments to offset the uptick in the cost of living.

Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard Emcees Huge Western Mass July 4th Parade

For over a decade, Springfield, MA-based online media station, Pioneer Valley Radio’s morning host and general manager Brad Shepard has been the master of ceremonies/announcer from the reviewing stand for the East Longmeadow Fourth of July Parade.  This parade has become the signature Fourth of July Parade for the entire region featuring the participation of most of its cities and towns.   Shepard says, “I’ve just realized that I‘ve been doing this long enough – first as morning man on WHYN radio and now as a personality with Pioneer Valley Radio – to be able to recognize folks marching in the parade and to do first name ‘shout outs’ from the stage!  It’s tremendously gratifying to hear them returned!” The excessive 94 degree heat did not deter thousands of all ages from coming out and lining the parade route and cheering on many service organizations, groups and dignitaries in Western Massachusetts.  “I look forward to this every year; it’s an honor to be their choice and it is a fantastic community-connection for our exciting 21st century platform.”  (Pictures:  Brad Shepard at the mic on the reviewing stand.)

Radio Show #166 – Carl Ohlin, the Man Behind the East Longmeadow Fourth of July Parade!

It’s time once again for East Longmeadow’s signature parade for the Fourth of July!

Floats, bands, dignitaries, Shriners, Mummers, clowns, classic cars… and almost every organization in Western Mass. represented!

What goes into it each year?  And what can we expect this year?

Find out in this program as Carl takes us inside this huge undertaking!

Radio Show #165 – Springfield City Councilor Kateri Walsh interviewed by Michael Harrison

Four Springfield City Council members just returned from a two-day fact-finding mission to Denver, CO to gain information and insight into how the Council can best regulate future recreational marijuana business in the city.  Michael Harrison interviews Councilor Kateri Walsh about the trip.  Pictured at the Native Roots marijuana production facility (l-r) in Denver:  Councilors Adam Gomez, Justin Hurst, Kateri Walsh, and Council President Orlando Ramos.

Radio Show #164 – “Star Spangled Springfield” with Judy Matt

Judy Matt joins Brad Shepard with important information about this year’s Fourth of July spectacular!

Due to the rehab of Riverfront Park, the entire fireworks display, “Star Spangled Springfield,” has been moved to Blunt Park.

Listen in for tips on parking, viewing, and a rundown of the events surrounding the great Grucci display!

Radio Show #163 – Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard Featured Speaker at Major National Radio Convention

Brad Shepard was recently invited to speak about Pioneer Valley Radio at the 21st annual TALKERS convention in New York City on June 8 before an audience of hundreds of leading radio and television industry programmers, talent and executives from around the nation. Word of Pioneer Valley Radio’s leading edge approach to hyper-local, personality-oriented, public affairs programming has generated a lot of interest from talk media industry decision makers in other cities across America. View the video of Brad’s important address here.

Radio Show #162 – Jeanne Yocum, Author and
Public Relations Consultant

Jeanne Yocum, who has spent a number of years living in Western Mass., is the author of The Self-Employment Survival Guide: Proven Strategies to Succeed as Your Own Boss, (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018). She’s been a self-employed public relations consultant since 1989.  When she wasn’t ghost-writing books along the way, she co-authored a few of her own. You can find out more about Jeanne and her books at www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com.

Radio Show #161 – Kim Lee, Mental Health Association of Springfield

Kim Lee – a career spent in public service in Western Massachusetts. 

Kim Lee begins a new chapter in her life’s work in human services with the Mental Health Association of Springfield.

From Square One, The United Way and the Center for Human Development, Kim Lee becomes the Vice President of Resource Development and Branding at the MHA.

In this program, you will learn more about this organization and what it means to many in this area, and why Kim has elected to dedicate her life to serving the people of Western Mass.

Pioneer Valley Radio President Michael Harrison Serves as Keynote Speaker at the West of the River Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast.

Michael Harrison, publisher of TALKERS, the leading trade publication in the American talk media (radio, TV and internet) industry, served as keynote speaker at the annual breakfast of the West of the River Chamber of Commerce held Tuesday morning (6/12) at Chez Josef in Agawam.  Harrison, a 32-year resident of Longmeadow, is also president of Pioneer Valley Radio.  Accompanied by Pioneer Valley Radio’s show hosts Bernadette Duncan and the legendary Brad Shepard, Harrison delivered a fascinating 35 minute address on the impact today’s rapid changes in media and technology are having on small business as well as all of society.  He explained how the term “fake news” has evolved during the past two years and emphasized the importance of local business, media and politics as composing the foundation of a healthy society.  He further discussed freedom of speech and emphasized the fundamental role the First Amendment plays in maintaining American democratic principles. Other speakers included Chamber executive director Robin Wozniak, Chamber co-chairs Frank Palange and Ryan McLane as well as Agawam Mayor Bill Sapelli and West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt.  The first-class event was attended by approximately 75 local business people who collectively expressed a feeling of energetic optimism about the current direction and future of Agawam, West Springfield and all of Western Massachusetts.

Radio Show #160 – Amy Cohen – Retired WNEU Law Professor, Local Novelist and Genealogy Researcher

Amy Cohen has written a fact-based work of fiction called Pacific Street (CreateSpace, 2016), inspired by research on her family genealogy. The story focuses on characters Isadore and Gussie who assimilate to life in New York City in 1899 and deal with the challenges of being immigrants. As Amy points out, this experience sheds light on current events. To learn more about the book by this retired Western New England University School of Law professor, click here.

Radio Show #159 – Jordan Goodman,
“America’s Money Answers Man”

Listen in again as America’s Money Answers Man takes you through the North Korean-Trump summit, the G7, the resulting trade war, and the overall effect on YOU!

Oil and gas prices are also under review, with a shocking prediction of how much you’ll be paying at the pump by the end of the summer.

It’s all here as Brad Shepard probes the mind of Jordan Goodman, “America’s Money Answers Man.”

Radio Show #158 – Lisa Carter – Cher Tribute Artist

Western Mass.’ top performer, Lisa Carter, famous for her Cher tribute shows, has a great show for Father’s Day!

Lisa, along with Dave Colucci and four dancers, bring you their interpretations of Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Bobby Darin, Barry Manilow and Roxie and Velma from “CHICAGO!”

This exciting show shimmers its way into West Springfield’s Majestic Theater on Sunday, June 17th –  Father’s Day – with performances at 2:00pm and 7:00pm!

Listen in as Lisa joins Brad Shepard to let you know what to expect!  Dad will thank you!

 

Radio Show #157 – A Tribute to Jim Madigan

The late Jim Madigan, an irreplaceable and towering figure in the history of Springfield media, is remembered in this special program by Springfield-based international political consultant Tony Cignoli.

For years, Jim Madigan presided over debates featuring some of the most famous political figures of the times, including Ted Kennedy and Mitt Romney, right on through to Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren.

Class, intellect and integrity defined the man, cut from the cloth of Russert, Lehrer, and Cronkite,  and remembered in this intimate portrait.

Radio Show #156 – A Conversation with Greg Kolodziey, General Manager of the Western Mass Pioneers Soccer Team

Organized soccer is alive and well in the Pioneer Valley for young people of all ages.  Michael Harrison talks with Ludlow High School boys varsity coach Greg Kolodziey who also serves as GM of the Pioneers.

 

Radio Show #155 – Mark Auerbach –
Getting Your Book Out There!

Springfield-based public relations wizard Mark Auerbach shares tips for authors on how to get the word out on their books. Find out more about Mark on Facebook at Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations.

Radio Show #154 – Brianna Curran, Wells Fargo and Junior Achievement of Western Mass.

Wells Fargo has provided a sizeable grant to Junior Achievement of Western Mass.

The funds will support a special project of JA to help young people develop skills toward meaningful employment.

In this conversation, Brianna Curran of Wells Fargo outlines the specifics of the grant, and why Junior Achievement of Western Mass. has been chosen!

Radio Show #153 – Jordan Goodman,
“America’s Money Answers Man”

In this visit, “America’s Money Answers Man” continues to deconstruct the trade war we have entered into with China, and its far-ranging effects.

Also, as graduation season is upon us, students leaving college and entering the workforce would benefit from Jordan’s information on handling potentially crushing college loan debt!

You will also hear some suggestions on low-risk, high-yield investments!