Podcast Summary: "Tuning into Delilah: Legendary Radio Host Reflects On Her Career, Money and Kids"

Podcast: Here’s the Scoop
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian (NBC News)
Guest: Delilah Rene, National Radio Host
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt Christmas Eve episode, host Yasmin Vossoughian interviews Delilah Rene, the beloved late-night radio host known for her soothing advice and perfectly paired song dedications. Together, they explore Delilah's 40-year broadcasting legacy, her approach to helping millions navigate love and loss, pivotal career moments, financial lessons, the joys and heartbreaks of family, and living through deep personal tragedy. The episode is rich with personal anecdotes and sage advice, interwoven with humor and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unique Intimacy of Radio

• Intimacy of Broadcasting: Yasmin opens with a reflection on why radio—and Delilah’s program specifically—stands out for creating an intimate connection with listeners (03:09).
  • “You're in someone's ear. You're with them when they're cleaning dishes, when they're driving their car… when they're laying in bed, when they're feeling lonely.” — Yasmin (03:09)
• Delilah’s Impact: Yasmin shares personal memories of listening to Delilah during life’s tough moments, underscoring why Delilah’s voice is a national comfort.

2. The Birth of the Show & Career Lessons

• How the Show Began: Delilah explains the origin of her show, its request-driven format, and what made it powerful (04:10).
  • “People want to be heard, they want to be validated, and they want the song that they want.” — Delilah (04:10)
• Finding a Mentor: Delilah credits Victor Stredeke’s mentorship for teaching her not just about audience connection, but also the business mechanics of radio (05:23-06:42).
  • “He became my PR person. He became my advocate. He became my mentor.” — Delilah (06:10)
• Business Acumen: Delilah’s transformation from a $5.75/hr employee to the top-billed show demonstrates her drive to understand and leverage the business side of radio. She shares a formative story of demanding what she was worth—and walking away when promises weren’t kept (07:04-10:14).
  • “You lied. You're admitting you lied and you're ok with that? I don't wanna work for you anyway. You're a liar, liar, pants on fire.” — Delilah (10:01)

3. Philosophy of Connection

• Pairing Stories with Music: The duo explores the magic of coupling life stories with music, and Delilah articulates why music is transcendent in human experience (11:05).
  • “Music touches us like nothing else… And when you're able to take that song and pair it with a human experience, it does it all.” — Delilah (11:05)

4. Advice for New Broadcasters & Life Lessons

• Persistence & Financial Independence: Delilah urges aspiring broadcasters to persevere and shares her father's pivotal advice:
  • “Don’t give up. And don’t give in... Don’t ever go in debt, because the minute you go in debt, you have to work to pay the bills.” — Delilah (12:02-12:17)
• Learning from Financial Mistakes: Delilah deadpans that her “financial mistakes came in the shape of husbands” (13:19).

5. Memorable Listener Stories

• Humor & Heart: Delilah recounts unforgettable calls, including a comic bit about a woman with a “boyfriend away” (in prison for blowing up a truck), and a poignant Christmas Eve where her listeners helped a soldier stranded at the airport reach his terminally ill mother in time for the holiday (15:01-18:06).
  • “Somebody listening called and said, I have a snowplow... and he made it to his mom's porch Christmas Eve morning, all with the help of those listeners.” — Delilah (17:35)

6. Family, Adoption, and Personal Tragedy

• Motherhood: Delilah now has 18 children (15 adopted, three pending), most with medical or special needs. Her eldest is 46, her youngest is 5 (18:23).
  • “That's a lot.” — Yasmin (18:33)
• Loss and Grief: Delilah has lost three children, most notably her son Zach by suicide in 2017 and her adopted son Sammy from medical complications (18:48-20:39).
  • “You don't [recover]. You just learn to live with the grief... you grow your life around it.” — Delilah (21:00)
• Resilience for Her Family: After loss, Delilah vowed to stay emotionally present for her other children, unlike her own parents after her brother's death. She credits having young children and new grandchildren at home for anchoring her in life (21:43-23:13).

7. Coping with Anxiety & Fear

• Imagination as Power: Delilah reframes anxiety as misused imagination, encouraging listeners to envision positive outcomes instead of the worst-case scenarios (23:27).
  • “Why not imagine the best? Every time I've been fired…100% of the times I've been fired, I have ended up in a much better environment.” — Delilah (23:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Delilah’s Resilience:
  • “When you become the best friend of the sales manager, you will start monetizing your show… you will be able to ask for more than $5.75 an hour.” — Delilah (05:45)
• On Leaving Toxic Workplaces:
  • “You looked me in the eye and said if I would do this... I did everything you asked plus. He said yes, but you didn’t get it in writing, did you?” — Delilah (09:35)
• On Marital Lessons:
  • “All my financial mistakes came in the shape of husbands.” — Delilah (13:19)
• On Self-Love:
  • "To my younger self I would say, be your best friend. Stop being your worst critic. Be your own best friend." — Delilah (25:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Delilah’s Early Career & Mentorship: 04:10–08:25
• Negotiating for What You’re Worth: 08:25–10:14
• Magic of Music in Storytelling: 11:05–11:40
• Advice to Broadcasters—Persistence & Debt: 12:02–12:17
• Iconic Call-in Stories: 15:01–18:06
• Family Loss & Parenting After Tragedy: 18:48–23:13
• Coping With Anxiety: 23:27–24:12

Lightning Round: Quick Favorites & Advice

• Most Romantic Song:
  • “Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden (24:22)
• Favorite Song Ever:
  • “Home” by Michael Bublé (24:45)
• Best Relationship Advice:
  • “Don’t marry him just because he’s cute and funny… marry him if you like him, enjoy his company, and he’s supportive.” (25:14)
• Song to Her Younger Self:
  • “You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me” (from Aladdin) —“Be your own best friend.” (25:41)
• Real or Fake Christmas Tree:
  • Both — “Real at the ranch, fake at the farm.” (26:08)
• Favorite Holiday Song:
  • "Polar Express – Believe", "Little Drummer Boy" (For King & Country), "Trans Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Eve” (26:35)

Final Words

Delilah’s closing encouragements highlight her lifelong mission:
“Keep being that voice for those who are voiceless, who are powerless. Don't stop. Don't ever stop. They need you.” — Delilah (27:00)

This episode offers an intimate, moving portrait of Delilah’s resilience, her ethos of connection, and her enduring hope, making it an inspiring listen for fans and newcomers alike.