WNZR’s Xander DeVault talked with Jared Ronai, Head Coach of Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Men’s Basketball team, about his 13 years leading the program, the impact of faith and family on his coaching journey, and what fans can expect from this year’s team.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
Ronai reflected on some of his favorite memories at MVNU, including seeing former players return to scrimmages and games to encourage and invest in current players. He also discussed how his coaching philosophy has developed over the years, shaped by significant moments and experiences in his life. While basketball remains an important part of his work, Ronai is grateful for the opportunity to use the game as a vehicle to develop young men and help them grow.
Ronai also shared how God has been working through his family following the tragic passing of his youngest daughter. Over the past year, his family has been able to organize events for children with Down syndrome and their families, creating opportunities for connection and encouragement. Those experiences have influenced his perspective and continue to shape the way he approaches coaching. As he looks ahead to the new season, Ronai discussed the makeup of this year’s team, including its personnel, playing style, and emerging leaders. He also described the team identity he hopes to build both on and off the court, emphasizing the importance of developing players beyond basketball.
Looking ahead to the home opener, Ronai shared some insight into his game-day routine, which includes setting aside quiet time for prayer and reflection. He also talked about what he hopes to see from his players as they take the court at Ariel Arena and how much the support of the home crowd means to the program. After 13 years at MVNU, Ronai says his passion for coaching remains strong because he continues to find joy in investing in the lives of young men. He hopes his current and former players leave the program with lessons that extend well beyond the basketball court. Ronai also shared ways listeners can pray for him, his family, and the team throughout the season.
Food For The Hungry officially kicked off its 45th anniversary campaign on November 6, bringing the Knox County community together to address food insecurity and care for neighbors in need. WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Food For The Hungry staff members Tanner Cooper-Risser and Olivia Stern about this year’s campaign, its impact on local families, and the many opportunities for community involvement.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
Tanner Cooper-Risser, FFTH Annual Drive and Community Relations Director shared that his responsibilities include coordinating volunteers, recruiting community partners, and helping organizations and civic groups understand the ministry’s mission. As a longtime volunteer, he is excited to experience his first full campaign behind the scenes. Stern oversees communications, marketing, event promotion, and media coverage throughout the campaign season, helping keep the community informed about collections, fundraising milestones, and upcoming activities.
The generosity of Knox County residents continues to make Food For The Hungry possible. FFTH Digital Content and Marketing Director, Olivia Stern highlighted last year’s nearly $400,000 campaign total as an example of how the community comes together to support local families. Cooper-Risser added that he has been encouraged by the willingness of volunteers, churches, businesses, and community organizations to go above and beyond when asked to help.
Both guests emphasized that the need for assistance continues to grow as families face rising grocery prices and other living expenses. Stern shared that the Salvation Army served approximately 1,300 children in 2025 through its youth programs, providing thousands of meals and snacks. Local food pantries, including Interchurch Social Services, have also experienced significant increases in the number of people seeking assistance. These growing needs make community support more important than ever, especially for families, seniors, and caregivers working to make ends meet.
The 2026 campaign goal is $345,000 in recognition of Food For The Hungry’s 45th anniversary. Under the theme “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors,” the campaign supports food pantries, hot meal programs, and community ministries throughout Knox County. Food For The Hungry partners with organizations such as Interchurch Social Services and The Salvation Army while also providing grants to smaller food pantries, meal programs, and local ministries. Cooper-Risser explained that campaign funds stay in Knox County and directly benefit local individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Through partnerships with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, every donated dollar creates approximately $4.56 in food purchasing power. The organization also distributes grants throughout the year, helping local agencies address specific needs and provide food assistance to children, families, and individuals.
Community members can support the 45th anniversary campaign in many ways, including donating, volunteering, organizing food collections, and attending fundraising events. Several special events are planned throughout the campaign season, including the Knox County Jazz Orchestra concert, Patsy Cline tribute performances at the Woodward Opera House, the MVNU Turkey Trot, Fire & Ice, the Mount Vernon Holiday Parade, and the Snowflake Gala. Local high schools and middle schools will also participate in collection drives. Food For The Hungry encourages individuals, businesses, churches, and community groups to organize their own food drives and fundraising events. The organization is happy to help promote these community efforts and share stories about the difference they make. The official Drive Day will take place on December 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knox Memorial Theatre.
Cooper-Risser and Stern encourage everyone to find a way to participate, regardless of the size of their contribution. Whether someone gives financially, donates food, volunteers their time, or attends a fundraising event, every effort helps provide resources for neighbors in need. They also ask the community to pray for volunteers, donors, staff members, and the families receiving assistance throughout the campaign season. Stern said the theme, “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors,” is a reminder of the hope that comes from bringing people together. Cooper-Risser agreed, emphasizing that caring for one another and working together are important in every season. To learn more about the 45th anniversary campaign, upcoming events, collection locations, and ways to get involved, visit foodforthehungrycares.org. Community members can also email director@foodforthehungrycares.org or follow FFTHCares on Facebook and Instagram.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Danielle Mincks, intervention specialist and high school student council advisor at Centerburg High School, about the school’s participation in the 2026 Food For The Hungry campaign.
Click HERE to listen to the conversation, or click the image link below!
Mincks has been teaching for 20 years collectively, she’s been at Centerburg for four years. She shares how her role as the High School advisor to help with supporting the community and being a key piece of Knox County. Next week the middle school and high schools will be collecting for Food For The Hungry during first period classes.
Their drive next week is only Monday through Friday, and only in the morning because they really want to build up a solid collection before Thanksgiving. She talks about how students want to help the community and they have extra motivation with classroom competitions, teachers matching donations, and the countywide pizza party awarded to top participating classes.
Minks mentions how Centerburg focuses on generosity, respect, integrity, and thoughtfulness through its school culture and positive behavior programs. Rather than setting a specific fundraising target, the school hopes to surpass its previous contributions and continue building support for local families facing food insecurity. She wants students and community members to continue working together to care for our neighbors in Knox County and talks about last year’s campaign and how a student wanted others to benefit from food assistance and to donate a his dinner from last night, a box of macaroni and cheese.
Friday, November 6th is National Basketball Day and the MVNU Men’s Basketball Team has their home opener on this night! For this week’s Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts will share their favorite basketball memory.
Click HERE to listen to this week’s Friday Favorites, or click the image link below!
Students at Fredericktown High School are coming together to support local families in need through the school’s annual Food for the Hungry collection. WNZR talked with Truth Yarman and Elisha McGuckin, members of Fredericktown High School’s National Honor Society, about the upcoming collection and how students are working to make a difference.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
The collection will take place November 9–13 and will include both monetary donations and canned goods. Students in the middle school and high school will participate in classroom competitions to see which group can collect the most donations. Posters, flyers, and daily announcements are being used to encourage participation, and a surprise prize awaits the winning group. While the competition adds excitement to the project, Truth and Elisha emphasized that the main goal is to help families facing difficult circumstances.
This year, the students hope to surpass last year’s collection total and make an even greater impact in the community. They highlighted Food for the Hungry’s slogan, “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors,” as a reminder that everyone can play a part in helping others. Even a small donation can make a significant difference when many people come together to give.
Truth and Elisha encourage students, families, and community members to support the collection in whatever way they can. They are looking forward to the Food for the Hungry broadcast on December 11, when students hope to celebrate a successful collection and share the impact of the community’s generosity.
WNZR’s Xander Devault speaks with Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of the metal band P.O.D., ahead of Sonny’s appearance at Tragedy Into Triumph on Wednesday, November 4.
Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image link below!
Sonny reflects on his 35 years with P.O.D. and the many different musical genres the band has been part of throughout its career. He shares how he encountered God at an early age and eventually recognized an opportunity to use music as a way to share God’s love with others. Sonny also explains what P.O.D. means when describing themselves as “too Christian for the world and too secular for the church,” and how the band has remained committed to its message while reaching people from all walks of life.
When reflecting on the meaning of Tragedy Into Triumph, Sonny describes it as a picture of redemption and restoration, representing the journey from being lost to being found. Looking back on his own life, he recognizes the ways God rescued him from where he was headed and gave him a new purpose.
Sonny also opens up about his personal faith journey and the lasting impact his mother had on his relationship with God. He remembers how she continued to praise and thank God throughout her battle with leukemia, even as her health declined and she eventually passed away. Her example encouraged Sonny to make his own faith a priority by spending time in prayer and reading his Bible. As his relationship with Christ grew, he began to understand how God could use his life experiences and the platform he had through P.O.D. to reach others with the message of Jesus.
Although Sonny admits that being in the spotlight is not always comfortable, he recognizes the responsibility that comes with the opportunity to influence others, even if it means reaching just one person. He encourages people to bring all their emotions to God, whether they are experiencing anger, hurt, or disappointment, and reminds them that difficult past experiences do not disqualify anyone from being used by Him.
Sonny points to the many people in the Bible who were far from perfect but were still called by God, emphasizing that it is His goodness, grace, love, and Spirit that qualify us for His purposes. Having been involved in some of the first Tragedy Into Triumph events, Sonny has maintained a connection with founder Wendell Brown and hopes to encourage those who may want nothing to do with God to experience a change of heart. Above all, he wants people to understand their identity in Christ, discover the freedom that comes through knowing Jesus, and recognize that God can use their stories, including their tragedies, to bring hope and encouragement to others.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Kandee Popham, founder and executive director of Place for Grace, about the ministry’s work supporting mothers facing difficult circumstances.
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
Beyond providing maternity housing, Place for Grace builds relationships with women by offering encouragement, parenting guidance, practical assistance, and long-term support. Kandee shares how the ministry helps mothers find stability, build confidence, and create healthier futures for themselves and their children.
Kandee also discusses the ministry’s largest annual fundraiser, Flannel Fest, which helps provide housing, food, and essential resources for the women and children they serve. She encourages the community to show compassion toward single mothers and shares ways to support Place for Grace through volunteering, giving, and prayer.
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Cory Myers, teacher and FFA advisor at Danville High School, about Danville FFA’s involvement in the Food for the Hungry Drive!
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
Myers explains how the project connects with the FFA motto, “Living to Serve,” and gives students an opportunity to give back to their community.
The collection runs November 2–6, with Danville Junior High and High School students collecting non-perishable food items to benefit the Danville Interchurch. Monetary donations will go through Food for the Hungry. Myers shares how the project teaches students the importance of serving others and continues Danville’s tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.
Click HERE for more information about Food For The Hungry!
Hear from Carey Nieuwhof on WNZR! He is a well-known podcaster, author, and pastor, and he speaks about his personal experience with burnout.
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
Carey shares how putting work ahead of everything else took a toll on his health and well-being, and how he gradually found his way out of that difficult season. He also discusses the warning signs of burnout and the importance of creating healthier habits.
Carey emphasizes the value of setting boundaries, making time for hobbies and friendships, and learning to lead yourself well. He encourages those struggling with burnout to recognize unhealthy patterns and reach out for help. Carey will be speaking at the Tragedy Into Triumph event at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Wednesday, November 3.
Click HERE for more info about Tragedy into Triumph!
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Lauryn VanHoose, Head Coach of Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Women’s Basketball team, about the upcoming season and the growth of the Cougar program. Click HERE or click on the picture below to hear the full conversation on our first Cougar Conversation of basketball season!
Entering her second year as head coach, VanHoose is focused on staying present, continuing to develop her players, and preparing the team for the physical and demanding competition of the Crossroads League. With seven new players, including five freshmen and two transfers, the team is working to build chemistry and learn to compete together. VanHoose says one of the team’s greatest strengths is how closely connected the players are, both on and off the court.
As the Cougars prepare for the season, the coaching staff is emphasizing mental toughness, defensive play, and the ability to respond to mistakes and challenges. VanHoose is especially encouraged by the leadership of the team’s four upperclassmen, who bring valuable Crossroads League experience. She hopes fans will notice the team’s effort, energy, and commitment to competing for all 40 minutes. Beyond basketball, VanHoose also wants her players to grow in their faith and learn to rely on God through both the challenges and successes of life. She asks for prayer for the team’s safety, health, and mental and physical strength throughout the season.
