You know, nobody ever wakes up one morning and says, “Well, today I feel officially older.” It sneaks up on you. On the Morning Thing Thursday, WNZR’s Eric Brown talks about the fact he is getting older (He turns the BIG 5-0 this year) and how to embrace the fact its actually happening.
It’s the moment you stand up and make a noise without realizing it. Or when you hear a song on the radio and think, “That’s still new,” only to realize it came out 20 years ago.
Getting older doesn’t arrive with flashing lights or an announcement. It shows up quietly—in routines, in habits, in the way your calendar fills up faster than it used to.
And the strange thing is, inside, you don’t feel all that different. You still feel like you. The same thoughts, the same humor, the same dreams. But the mirror tells a slightly different story, and so does the calendar.
Aging sneaks up on you because life keeps moving while you’re busy living it. And maybe that’s not a flaw—it’s a gift. Because if we were constantly aware of time passing, we’d never enjoy the moments we’re in.
Sometimes the quiet arrival of age reminds us to pause, take stock, and be thankful we’ve been given the time to even notice it at all.
Click HERE for more information from Focus on the Family!
Katy talks with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger and shares what brought her back to join WinterJam after being a part of it in 2024. She gives us a little insight on how she staying rooted spiritually while she is busy these nights.
She also talks about the message she wants to bring to the audiences of WinterJam and the heart behind the song’s she’s written.
Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.
Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!
Matthew talks with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger about returning since his last appearance on the Winterjam lineup 10 years ago. He shares what he’s excited about coming back and what God has put in his heart to share with listeners, and what he is looking forward to seeing younger generations be a part of the event.
Matthew shares about about his purpose in writing and singing Christian music, and how the heart has stayed the same since the beginning.
He also gives a sneak peak at some lyrics to a new song he’s releasing soon called, “Good.”
Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.
Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!
The Morning Thing talked about the Sanctity of Human Life on Friday. They shared some eye-opening facts and talked about a new ministry outreach from Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center. Marissa Stephens, Starting Point’s NEW Mobile Operations Coordinator shared the exciting news on how this new part of their ministry will reach our community. Click HERE to hear the full conversation, or click on the link below.
She shared the mission and services that the Mobile Unit will provide to residents. Starting Point is currently looking for volunteers – specifically stenographers or nurses anyone that can provide maintenance to the mobile vehicles. You can support this project at www.friendsofksp.com/give
Facts on Life (from Starting Point):
80% of women choose life after they see an ultrasound
A baby’s Heart starts beating at 5 weeks, often before a woman knows she’s pregnant! The heart beats about 54 million times between conception and birth!
In 2024 there was a total of 2,164,043 client visits to pro-life pregnancy centers, according to a report from Heartbeat International! Starting Point saw 2,033 client visits in 2024 and 2,277 in 2025!
A baby’s unique fingerprints form at 13 weeks
Strong Families are the foundation of a healthy communities. Starting Point served 287 individual clients. 40 of those clients were men seeking fatherhood and other support!
At 18 weeks in the womb, a baby can hear and identify their mom’s voice! (Abortion is legal in Ohio up to 21 weeks and 6 days!)
Also, check out the video below that gives you an overview of the NEW Mobile Unit Ministry with Starting Point. Exciting things are happening here in Knox County. Join the Fight for LIFE!
Captain Christine Moretz of The Salvation Army in Mount Vernon is excited to share news about a long-awaited project that’s finally becoming a reality — the brand-new Learning Lighthouse.
She spoke to WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart about what started back in 2017 as a vision to better serve the community and expand social services has now grown into a place designed to meet one of Mount Vernon’s biggest needs: quality childcare.
The Learning Lighthouse reflects the same mission as The Salvation Army itself: “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name, without discrimination, upholding the dignity of all people.” Simply put, this new space allows that mission to continue in a very practical way. The Lighthouse will provide a safe, nurturing environment for children from as young as six weeks old through 5th grade, offering both childcare and opportunities to learn about Christ.
Captain Moretz walked through the journey of bringing the Lighthouse to life, from early planning to construction and staffing. Ground was broken in 2024, and the building is now in its final stages, with just a few finishing touches left. The official opening will be Monday, January 26, with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Sunday, January 18 at 2 p.m., followed immediately by a dedication service.
Once open, the Learning Lighthouse will serve up to 112 children, offering not only childcare but also meaningful programs that support families and help children grow in a loving, faith-centered environment. Captain Moretz shared how this project has shaped her personally, especially in learning more about childcare, trusting God fully, and depending on Him through every phase of the process.
She also spoke warmly about her team, expressing gratitude for their dedication and support. While challenges came along the way, she credits the strength of the team and her faith for helping her stay focused on doing good and not growing weary.
Thanks to incredible community support, $5.4 million has already been raised toward the project’s just-over-$6-million total cost. The team even came in under budget, though they are still working to raise the remaining $649,000 needed to fully complete the project. Captain Moretz continues to ask for prayers and community support as they move toward the finish line.
She extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped make the Learning Lighthouse possible and looks forward to thanking supporters in person during Sunday’s dedication ceremony. The community is warmly invited to attend and celebrate this milestone together.
As Mount Vernon Nazarene University prepares to welcome students back for spring semester, MVNU President Dr. Carson Castleman recently sat down with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to share updates, reflections, and a look ahead at what’s shaping up to be an exciting season for the University.
Dr. Castleman kicked things off with a lighthearted moment, sharing a funny story from Christmas celebrations with his family. That warm, personal touch set the tone for a conversation filled with optimism, gratitude, and big-picture vision.
Looking back on the fall semester and ahead to 2025 and beyond, Dr. Castleman shared encouraging enrollment news. As MVNU moves toward spring semester and into 2026, applications, acceptances, and deposits are up 30% from the highest numbers seen in the past seven years. It’s a strong sign of momentum and confidence in the University’s mission and direction.
The conversation also highlighted two important leadership transitions at MVNU. Dr. Michaelia Black has been hired as Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer. She will serve part-time over the next few months and transition to a full-time role in May 2026. Additionally, Dr. Joshua Black has joined MVNU as the new Executive Director of Human Resources and Training & Development. This revised role reflects the University’s growing emphasis on training and development across campus, and the position now serves on the President’s Cabinet, ensuring that MVNU’s “Chief People Officer” has a seat at the table.
Academically, MVNU continues to grow and evolve across both CAPS (College of Adults and Professional Studies) and the traditional College of Arts and Sciences. CAPS is launching two new programs—a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology and a Doctorate of Business Administration—with accreditors scheduled to visit campus in February. CAPS enrollment has seen remarkable growth, expanding from 487 students in October 2023 to 900 students in January 2026.
On the traditional side, program evaluations are underway, with decisions expected throughout the semester. Encouraging growth is also being seen among incoming freshmen, particularly in Nursing and Engineering programs.
Dr. Castleman also highlighted several events on MVNU’s 2026 calendar, including athletic competitions in Ariel Arena, Spring Break ministry trips, and an upcoming Pastors Training Event. His upcoming travel schedule includes trips to Dallas, Texas, Florida, and Virginia as he continues building relationships and representing MVNU.
As students prepare to return from Christmas break, Dr. Castleman shared a special message of encouragement, along with appreciation for faculty and staff. He challenged the MVNU community to embrace 2026 as the “Year of Opportunity.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Castleman outlined his key priorities for the year: securing accreditation for the new CAPS programs, increasing enrollment, and focusing on organizational growth through new revenue streams and business opportunities. He also shared plans to work closely with the Board of Trustees on a 2027 strategic plan that will guide the University through the next five years.
The conversation closed with a heartfelt request for prayer—for MVNU’s continued growth and for Dr. Castleman and his family throughout the month of January. As spring semester begins, the message is clear: MVNU is moving forward with purpose, faith, and confidence in what lies ahead.
Happy New Year from The Morning Thing! As we bring in the new year, we took a moment to look back on 2025 and share our favorite memories from this past year. Thanks for listening and making us a part of your mornings!
Click HERE to hear from the hosts or click the link below.
If you’re feeling the effects of the lull between Christmas and the new year, there’s nothing better than finding something fun or productive to do to keep the family busy!
The holiday season has so much momentum and excitement leading up to all the celebrations. Slowing down after the holidays can be confusing for children, so how do we switch off this mindset of hustle and bustle leading into the New Year? It’s great to get back into the groove of your normal routine with your family and slow down, but keep the momentum going just a little bit with some family fun.
Today on The Morning Thing, we shared 10 Things to do with your kids between the Holidays and New Year straight from sunshinehouse.com!
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr opens the Year in Review with WNZR’s Eric Brown by reflecting on the overall direction of the city over the past year. He notes that while there were challenges along the way, Mount Vernon continued to move forward with stability and purpose. The mayor emphasizes teamwork between city staff, council, and the community as a key factor in maintaining momentum.
Mayor Starr also touches on the importance of planning ahead, explaining that much of the work done this year focused on laying a solid foundation for future progress. He frames the year as one marked by steady leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and a continued commitment to serving residents.
Mayor Starr discusses city finances and budgeting, highlighting the importance of being fiscally responsible while still meeting the needs of the community. He explains how the city worked to balance priorities, manage resources wisely, and remain mindful of economic pressures affecting local governments.
He also stresses transparency in the budgeting process, noting that careful planning allows Mount Vernon to maintain services and invest in long-term goals. The mayor reinforces that responsible financial decisions made this year will benefit residents well into the future.
Mayor Starr turns the focus to infrastructure and city improvements, sharing updates on ongoing and completed projects throughout Mount Vernon. He explains how street work, utilities, and maintenance projects play a crucial role in keeping the city safe and functional, even when those efforts aren’t always highly visible.
He also acknowledges that infrastructure work can be inconvenient at times, but emphasizes that these projects are necessary investments. Mayor Starr reassures residents that the city remains committed to improving quality of life through smart, well-planned upgrades.
In this segment, Mayor Starr highlights economic development and growth within Mount Vernon. He talks about efforts to support local businesses, attract new investment, and create an environment where the local economy can continue to thrive.
The mayor also points to partnerships with developers and community organizations as an important part of that success. He notes that growth is being approached thoughtfully, with an emphasis on maintaining Mount Vernon’s character while planning for the future.
Mayor Starr wraps up the Year in Review by looking ahead, sharing optimism for what lies ahead for Mount Vernon. He reflects on lessons learned throughout the year and how those experiences will shape decisions moving forward.
He closes by expressing gratitude to city employees, council members, and residents for their continued support and involvement. Mayor Starr reinforces his commitment to leadership, collaboration, and keeping Mount Vernon moving in a positive direction in the year ahead.
Click HERE to keep up to date with the City of Mount Vernon!
Katie Ellis, Director of the United Way of Knox County, recently sat down with WNZR’s Eric Brown to share an update on this year’s United Way campaign—and the impact it continues to have across the county.
Katie says the community response has been encouraging. Support continues to come in through individual donations and employer matching programs, helping push the campaign close to the $400,000 mark. The overall goal this year is $1.1 million, and while there’s still work to do, the momentum is strong.
She also took time to explain the heart behind the United Way’s mission. With so many organizations working together under one umbrella, United Way helps strengthen local nonprofits while supporting each group’s individual goals. Many of these organizations serve Knox County families in different ways, and the need for their services continues to grow.
One common misconception, Katie says, is that the United Way campaign ends at the close of the calendar year. In reality, the campaign runs through March 31st, giving supporters more time to get involved and make an impact.
Several United Way partner organizations have been serving the community for generations. Thanks to continued support, many have been able to expand their services and reach even more people in need.
Katie highlighted United Way’s three focus areas: education, healthy living, and financial stability. The goal isn’t just to help families survive, but to help them truly thrive. By addressing the greatest needs in the community, United Way works to create long-term, meaningful change.
She also emphasized education around healthy living and financial stability, noting that many programs supported by United Way help people “turn the corner” and, in some cases, completely change their lives.
For those who haven’t given before, Katie encourages taking that first step. Every donation matters—large or small. She notes that even $2.50 a month can help make a difference for someone in Knox County.
Rise and Shine 