We are around the halfway point of summer, so we wanted to check in and see how your summer bucket list is looking. The big blue crew shared what they checked off and what they are still itching to do. There are so many more opportunities to have fun this summer, so don’t worry if you still have a lot on your list.
Sometimes a to-do list can be daunting, so remember to rest this summer in the midst of all the fun. Here a few simple ideas to rest while still having fun this summer:
Watch a movie while cuddled up with some popcorn
Have a self-care night
Go for an evening walk and play I-Spy
Play a board game
Listen to music
Read your favorite book while watching the sunset
Click HERE to listen to the Big Blue Crew’s summer bucket list check-in
Do you dread and the Monday morning blues? We can all relate and we have some suggestions to help you have a better Monday. The Big Blue Crew shared their favorite Monday morning gratitudes on The Morning Thing! You can listen to them HERE!
Here are a few Monday Morning gratitudes to start your day off with. One simple way to kick the Monday blues is to finish this sentence:
From classic pairings like French fries dipped in a milkshake to more unexpected favorites like potato chips on a sandwich or peanut butter on a hamburger, everyone had a unique combination they enjoy.
The conversation also invited listeners to share their own unusual food favorites. Whether it’s something you’ve eaten since childhood or a combination you discovered by accident, everyone seems to have that one food pairing that makes other people raise an eyebrow.
As the week wrapped up, it was a fun reminder that when it comes to food, sometimes the strangest combinations become the tastiest traditions.
Click HERE to see some WEIRD food combos from Live Eat Learn!
Today (Wednesday) is Be a Kid Again Day, a lighthearted reminder to slow down, have fun, and reconnect with the simple joys of childhood.
The annual observance encourages adults to embrace their inner child and enjoy the carefree moments that often get lost in the busyness of everyday life.
On The Morning Thing, the Big Blue Crew took a trip down memory lane by sharing some of their favorite summer memories.
Click HERE to hear comments from the Big Blue Crew!
From long days spent riding bikes around the neighborhood to catching lightning bugs, swimming until sunset, and enjoying family vacations, it was a reminder that some of life’s best moments are also the simplest.
Whether it’s flying a kite, eating a popsicle on the front porch, playing catch, or simply watching the clouds roll by, today is a great opportunity to set aside your to-do list—even for a few minutes—and enjoy life through the eyes of a kid again.
Today (Tuesday) is World Chocolate Day, making it the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite chocolate treat.
On The Morning Thing, we heard from the Big Blue Crew as they shared some of their favorite chocolate desserts, and we had some fun imagining what belongs in the ultimate chocolate creation. Whether you prefer brownies, chocolate chip cookies, fudge, cake, or a classic candy bar, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate.
Chocolate has been enjoyed for more than 3,000 years. The ancient Maya and Aztecs prized cacao, using it to make a bitter drink that was considered a valuable part of their culture.
Milk chocolate is America’s favorite. While dark and white chocolate have plenty of fans, milk chocolate continues to be the most popular choice in the United States.
Chocolate begins with cacao pods. The pods grow on cacao trees, and each one contains dozens of cacao beans that are fermented, dried, roasted, and processed to create the chocolate we enjoy today.
Whether you’re reaching for a candy bar, baking your favorite dessert, or sharing a sweet treat with friends, World Chocolate Day is a great reminder to enjoy one of the world’s favorite flavors. Happy World Chocolate Day!
Click HERE to learn more about World Chocolate Day!
As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior Kai Mays to reflect on his time at MVNU and his experiences with WNZR.
Kai, who is from Delaware, says he originally came to MVNU to play soccer after spending most of his life around the sport. While athletics brought him to campus, he eventually found a passion for Communication and Digital Media, graduating with a Business minor as well.
Kai became involved with WNZR through class requirements and later found his place with the station’s video crew. He helped direct productions, run camera, and assist with sports broadcasts. He says one of the biggest lessons he learned was how much work goes into producing content behind the scenes and how important the process is to creating something successful.
During the conversation, Kai also shared a few favorite memories from his time at MVNU, including Christmas parties with friends, exciting moments covering volleyball games, and even jumping into the reflection pond during the recent paint drop celebration.
As graduation approaches, Mays says it still feels a little surreal, but he is excited for the next chapter. After a short trip to Iowa, he plans to work for a renovation company this summer while exploring long-term career opportunities, including possible work in car photography.
Kai also asked listeners to pray for his sister and her fiancé as they prepare for their upcoming wedding in August, along with continued health concerns she is facing.
For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite memories with our Seniors in the MVNU Class of 2026. Congratulations to Abby Almodovar, Zane Menzie, Isaiah Clark, Kai Mays, EJ Temple, Jackson Bush, Kara Jenkins, Naomi Kinne and Traven Griffith!
Click HERE to hear our memories or click on the picture below.
As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior EJ Temple to talk about his journey to MVNU, his time with WNZR, and what’s next after graduation.
Temple, who is from Mount Gilead, says his path to MVNU took a few turns. After attending Waynesburg University and Columbus State, he transferred to MVNU for his junior and senior years. He studied Communications and Digital Media with a focus on sports announcing.
At WNZR, EJ worked on The Viewer, served on the video team, and spent a year as a DJ. He says his favorite role was working behind the camera during sports broadcasts and video projects. Temple says one of the biggest things he learned during his time at the station was patience and how to work with people at different experience levels.
Looking back, EJ says he still remembers being nervous about getting accepted to MVNU, but now sees how worthwhile the journey has been. Some of his favorite memories came while working courtside at basketball games, including a funny moment during a women’s game when a player was less than thrilled to see the camera pointed her direction after a fall on the court.
After graduation, Temple will begin a job with Bankers Life selling life insurance. He says his background in sales and communication helped lead him toward the career. EJ asks listeners to pray for him as he prepares for his insurance exam and begins this next chapter.
Today is a special day for our community, and WNZR is honored to be part of it.
We’re teaming up with the Knox Network of Christian Ministries to make prayer a central focus throughout the day. From morning to evening, you’ll hear voices you know and trust—local pastors and ministry leaders—leading us in prayer at the top of each hour. It’s a simple but powerful way for all of us to pause, refocus, and come together in faith right where we are.
This year’s National Day of Prayer theme, “Glorify God Among the Nations – Seeking Him in All Generations,” reminds us that prayer connects us across every age, every background, and every corner of the world. The theme verse, 1 Chronicles 16:24, says: “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.” It’s an invitation to not only pray, but to remember and share what God is doing.
And we’d love for you to be part of this day in a personal way. If you have a prayer request on your heart—or even a praise report you’d like to celebrate—you’re invited to share it with us. You can email wnzr@mvnu.edu or call 740-392-9090.
However you choose to join in, we hope you’ll take a few moments today to pray with us.
National Day of Prayer Schedule
12:30am – Kandee Popham, Place 4 Grace
1:30am – Marvin Haught, Brandon Baptist Church
2:30am – Troy McNichols, New Life Church of the Nazarene
3:30am – Andy Smith, New Life Community Church, Fredericktown
4:30am – Thom Collier, e-Merge Real Estate Champions and Chaplain
5:30am – Jess Kirby, Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center
6:30am – Captain Christine Moretz, Mount Vernon Salvation Army
7:30am – Marcy Rinehart, WNZR/MVNU
8:30am – Jessica Reynolds, TouchPointe Community Resources
9:30am – Scott Sharpes, Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene
10:30am – Amy McDougale, The Least of These Ministry
11:30am – Jenn Furay, Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center
12:30pm – Carolyn Fergus, Knox County Interchurch Social Services
1:30pm –– Cody Blust, Faith Lutheran Church
2:30pm – Dave Mills, Mount Vernon Nazarene University
3:30pm – Mike McKinley, TouchPointe Community Resources
4:30pm – Dr. Carson Castleman, President Mount Vernon Nazarene University
5:30pm – Mount Vernon Mayor Dr. Matt Starr
6:30pm – Tim Stickle, Revive Knox County
7:30pm – Joe Rinehart from WNZR 90.9 FM/Mount Vernon Nazarene University
8:30pm – Joe Proudfoot, Mount Vernon FirstNaz
9:30pm – Richard Hite, Church on the Rise
10:30pm – David Carter, Child Evangelism Fellowship, former High School Guidance Counselor
11:30pm – Christopher Liberati, Gay Street United Methodist Church
For Mount Vernon Nazarene University senior Jackson Bush, the path to graduation has been shaped by opportunity, hard work, and meaningful connections.
Click HERE for the full conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart!
Originally from Roseville, California, Jackson grew up playing volleyball and continued that passion as a member of MVNU’s men’s team. He began college at Cornerstone University studying film and TV, but a visit to MVNU for a conference tournament changed everything. Impressed by the quality of the video stream—and after his original program was discontinued—he made the decision to transfer and pursue Communications and Digital Media.
Once at MVNU, Jackson jumped right in. He reached out and got involved with WNZR, taking on roles with the video crew, as a communications assistant, and as an intern. Along the way, he discovered just how much goes into media—and embraced the challenge of learning it all.
Some of his favorite moments happened off the court and behind the scenes—road trips, late-night food runs, and time spent with teammates. Those relationships are what he’ll miss most.
While graduation marks the end of one chapter, Jackson isn’t going far. He’ll continue with WNZR as a graduate assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in organizational management. As he looks ahead, he asks for prayer for his mom, who will undergo treatment for multiple sclerosis this summer, and for guidance as he works out his living situation for the year ahead.
It’s a season of transition—but one Jackson is stepping into with purpose and gratitude.
Rise and Shine 