Fred Zielonko’s Journey Through St. Louis Radio and Building Mental Resilience | Mental

In this episode of "Mental," host Corey Schonhorst interviews Fred Zielonko, a seasoned media professional with a rich history in radio, currently associated with FamilyVisionMedia.org. Fred shares his journey into the radio industry, starting from his high school days when he first caught the "radio bug" while doing closed-circuit commentary for high school basketball and football games. This passion led him to pursue a degree in mass communications at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

Fred discusses how he secured an internship at KMOX, a major radio station in St. Louis, thanks to his persistence and a referral from his academic advisor. During his internship, Fred impressed prominent radio personalities like Bob Costas and Bill Wilkerson with his strong writing skills, leading to his immediate hire as a sports producer.

The conversation delves deeper into Fred’s experience as a producer for the legendary Jack Carney, who hosted the number one show in St. Louis at the time. Fred reflects on the invaluable lessons Jack taught him, particularly about making radio personal and engaging by always focusing on the individual listener. Fred's tenure at KMOX lasted from 1980 to 1996, during which he produced, trained other producers and hosts, and created special segments like the Saturday Morning Comedy Show.

The episode also covers Fred’s experiences working closely with other radio legends, his role in producing celebrity interviews, and the creative freedom he was given to craft memorable radio content. Fred highlights some of his favorite moments, such as creating in-depth biographies for guests like Glenn Campbell and recounts the challenges and rewards of working with Jack Carney until Carney’s unexpected passing in 1984.

Overall, the episode provides an insightful look into the evolution of radio, Fred’s personal growth in the industry, and the importance of mentorship and passion in building a successful career.

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