LaborForce Media | Kerri O’Brien | June 8, 2026
LaborForce Media was proud to attend TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter, held June 5 at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on Long Island.
The annual TALKERS conference brought together a powerful cross-section of broadcasters, podcasters, station owners, media executives, producers, digital creators, and communications leaders for a full day focused on the future of talk radio and spoken-word media.
This year’s event featured nationally recognized voices and industry leaders including TALKERS founder and publisher Michael Harrison; John Catsimatidis, owner of WABC New York, Red Apple Audio Networks, and Worldwide News Network; Radio Hall of Fame inductee Mike McVay, president of McVay Media Consulting; Rick Smith of The Rick Smith Show; Frank Morano, former WABC host and New York City Councilman; Rich Valdés, host of the nationally syndicated America at Night with Rich Valdés; Rob Carson of Newsmax Radio; Dr. Asa Andrew, known nationally as “Doctor Asa”; and many others shaping the next chapter of live and digital media.
Throughout the day, discussions explored the major questions facing media today: how to build trust, how to grow audiences, how to break through in a noisy digital world, how to use digital platforms effectively, and how authentic storytelling can still move people to listen, engage, and act.
Sessions such as “Gaining Traction in a Noisy Digital World” reinforced a central theme of the conference: media is evolving quickly, but the need for trusted voices, strong storytelling, and meaningful connection has never been greater.
For LaborForce Media Co-Founders Kerri O’Brien and Darren Yelin, attending TALKERS 2026 was an important opportunity to connect with leaders across talk radio, podcasting, digital media, and communications while continuing to build a national platform dedicated to working America.
The labor movement has powerful stories to tell — stories about unions, workers, apprenticeship programs, healthcare, retirement security, workplace safety, public service, innovation, and the people who keep the country moving every day.
Being in the room at TALKERS 2026 mattered because labor’s voice belongs in the national media conversation. As LaborForce Media continues to grow, the mission remains clear: amplify the stories of working people, elevate trusted voices, and build modern media channels that connect labor, leadership, and communities across the country.
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