Relevant Radio is a listener-supported Catholic talk radio station based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In this review, I will discuss the weekday program lineup.
5:00 A.M. Daybreak
Daybreak is an hour-long program in which the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed. The Liturgy of the Hours is the official prayer of the Church. Listeners who tune in can expect to hear Psalms recited and Hymns read. Each day the readings change a bit according to the weekday or feast day. The program provides many spiritual gems to meditate on before the day begins.
6:00 A.M. Morning Air
When I was fortunate enough to have a job everyday, I listened to this program during my morning commute. Each day listeners can expect different guests on the program, all discussing family or culture. Guests might include priests, bishops, authors, professors, and experts. Topics are addressed from a Catholic perspective and are often about raising children in our modern wasteland. My favorite segment of Morning Air is Glen's Story Corner. In this short segment, Glen reads a brief inspirational story that contains a hopeful message and a lesson. Also during Morning Air is a segment called "Three Questions" which tests a listener's knowledge of the Catholic faith.
9:00 A.M. Catholic Community of Faith
Catholic Community of Faith is the only Chicago program. All the other programs are hosted out of state. The hosts of this program discuss different agencies and issues in the Archdiocese of Chicago. For instance, I have heard them interviewing school principals from Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. It is an informative program that helps listeners get better acquainted with the archdiocese.
10:00 A.M. On the Journey
In the ten o'clock hour, Relevant Radio used to broadcast talks by Father John Corapi. However, the program was removed after disturbing scandals were revealed about Father Corapi. The hour has never been the same. On the Journey is a good program though. A different speaker is featured each day. The main theme of the program is conversion stories.
11:00 A.M. The Inner Life
The Inner Life is a show on spiritual direction. Everyday the host, Chuck Neff, has a priest on to address listener questions. The program is not open-ended, however. A specific topic--such as marriage, spiritual dryness, forgiveness, etc--is explored. It is a very helpful spiritual program. The host seems like a genuinely nice, sincere man and the priests give great advice.
12:00 P.M Go Ask Your Father
Similar to the Inner Life, Go Ask Your Father is a call-in program run by a priest. Usually different priests host the program each day. However, it seems like Father Richard Simon of the Archdiocese of Chicago is on most often. Unlike the Inner Life, callers may ask about any Catholic topic: morality, Church history, liturgy, etc. Father Simon tends to talk about whatever is on his mind for the first half-hour, and I often wonder if people are trying to call during that time. He is particularly interested in Church history, and sometimes he goes on and on. Other priests who host the program jump right into calls at the beginning, making it more interesting.
1:00 P.M. On Call
On Call is hosted by Wendy Wiese, who I believe is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Like the Inner Life, she has a specific topic to explore each day. The topics may be about Catholic spirituality or women's health. She always has a guest, usually a doctor or an author. Listeners are encouraged to call in and ask the guest for advice. One recent topic was career-related, finding your true calling.
2:00 P.M. The Drew Mariani Show
Drew Mariani is a feisty Italian Catholic, so he automatically scores points with me. He focuses on the problems of our modern culture. In particular, he often addresses Pro-Life issues and problematic legislation. In the past, he has also had segments about pornography addiction, demonic possession, apparitions of the Blessed Mother, and the latest movie releases. New guests are on each hour and listeners may phone in to voice their opinions. He tackles controversial issues, both in the Church and in society. At three o'clock he pauses to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. This tends to be my favorite segment. After each decade, he places a caller on-air to tell their prayer intention.
5:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M. A Closer Look
A Closer Look is the final live program of the line-up. The rest of the night listeners will hear reruns of the earlier programs. On a Closer Look, the host discusses legal issues with a guest, usually a lawyer or politician. The conversation is dry and dull. I love Relevant Radio but could do without this show. read more
