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Like Americans everywhere, Central Pennsylvanians were anxious and not comfortable with what they were hearing. This economic collapse wasn't just affecting other people -- everyone was being touched by it. Every day seemed to bring worse news -- Lehman Brothers, the American automobile industry, AIG and others -- all conjure up bad memories of a time that many have described as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
During that time period, WITF saw the need for our various audiences to speak out or ask questions about the economy and or their own financial situations. In direct response to the economic crisis, Radio Smart Talk was planned behind the scenes and debuted Thursday, October 9, 2008 on WITF 89.5 FM. The program was designed to be interactive so listeners could call into the show on-the-air, email questions and comments to the on-air panelists and carry on the conversation on WITF's new website www.witf.org.
Looking back -- we at the station were even surprised by the response. The audience was hungry for reliable information, presented in a thoughtful forum.
We were encouraged to continue Radio Smart Talk beyond the economic collapse. The decision to make the program permanent came in early November.
Much has happened in the past year and not only on the economic front. A new president was elected; health care reform dominated much of the year's discussion; and Pennsylvania's state budget that was proposed last February is still not finalized as we celebrate our one-year anniversary.
On Friday's Radio Smart Talk, we'll look back over the past year and peer into the future as well. Be sure to tune in.
If you have ideas for issues or topics you would like to hear on Radio Smart Talk, please leave a comment.
