NPR Illinois’ Community Voices editor, Beatrice (Bea) Bonner took time out from her busy schedule to speak with us about her podcast/radio show, which features local businesses and causes in our capital of Springfield, Illinois. 

When did you start working for NPR Illinois? 

I started at NPR Illinois in December 2017 as a leadership lived student worker while completing my undergrad degree in communication. I decided to stay on as a student worker over the summer and applied for a full-time position in the development department. A few weeks after I received my grad school acceptance letter to the University of Illinois Springfield, I found out I got the job as membership and engagement coordinator at the station. 

When did you start your current role? 

I am the Community Voices editor and started the role near the end of summer. COVID-19 created a lot of disconnects everywhere. Community Voices was an idea the station had for the last few years, but honestly, the pandemic provided the perfect stage for a daily show. Randy Eccles, our general manager, approached me with the idea. We developed it and started airing it in October. I was so nervous because the last time I co-hosted a show was back in high school when I first started learning about radio. Randy and I are the co-hosts of the show. I have learned a lot from him. I enjoy co-hosting the show because I can bring a lot of my sassiness, curiosity, and silliness to these segments. That is so fun!

Tell us a bit about the show. 

Community Voices is a daily podcast that explores everyday people in Springfield. We want to hear about your story, art, business, talent, etc. Through these neighbor profiles, we hope that Springfield will feel connected and learn more about the people around them. So far, we have talked to some interesting people. One of my favorite interviews has been about The Springfield Haunted Dead Walk. It was so different. The sky is the limit when it comes to people to interview. Springfield is diverse, and we want to highlight that.

How will the show develop throughout the year? 

One of the goals of Community Voices is to dig in and become more local. This means talking to our small local businesses, talking to our local theaters and what they have going on, and even local events that might interest our audience. We want our listeners to turn on NPR Illinois and hear about what is going on in their neighborhood. We also want people to turn on their radio station and feel like, 'wow, this is Springfield's radio station. I heard my best friend the other day.' The show will help accomplish this.

Why is it important to support local independent businesses? 

I am from the Southside of Chicago. There are a few small black-owned businesses, but many of them have had trouble surviving. After church, my dad would take me to a place called Taurus Flavors. They had the best sweet steak sandwiches and ice cream. Don't get me started on the hoagies. However, they are not open right now because of the pandemic and other circumstances. Seeing the empty building when I came home really hurt me because it was a valued part of the neighborhood. Businesses like this are the culture and life of any community. That is why it is so important to support local independent businesses. We have to realize that these businesses make the community.

Why does the station believe in highlighting local independent businesses and the impact they have on their community? 

The station is a part of the Springfield community. We have relationships with different businesses, community members, and organizations. When we have events, we look a lot of times to our local businesses to see if they can provide food, decorations, entertainment, or whatever we need. We would not be able to do our job without the support of local independent businesses. They are a part of what makes our community thrive. Niche businesses bring attention to the community. We also know the pandemic has been hard on everyone. Anything we can do to help our friends in the community we are happy to do. We want more people to look inside Springfield to see that a lot is happening here, and we should take pride in that.

For anyone not used to being interviewed for a podcast or radio, what advice would you give? 

I always love to tell everyone that being interviewed should be like having a conversation with an old friend. The best radio comes from very natural sounding interviews. Often, I deviate from my pre-planned questions because I am so intrigued about what a person has to say, and I want to know more. I always remind people to relax and take their time with their answers. Sometimes I even have to remind myself to do that. Overall being true to yourself and showcasing your personality helps. When you feel comfortable, people can tell, and they are so much more receptive. 

How do people access the show? 

Community Voices airs Monday to Friday at noon and Saturdays at 5pm. You can tune in at 91.9 UIS or stream the show at nprillinois.org. In case you miss an interview, you can always go back and find them at nprillinois.org under the Community Voices tab.

What is the best way to contact you? 

You can reach me by email at bbonn3@uis.edu. We are always looking for new people in Springfield who are doing some cool things to come to talk with us.