Podcast Summary: Interrupted by Matt Jones
Episode 26 – Terry Meiners
Release Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Matt Jones
Guest: Terry Meiners
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and lively episode, Matt Jones sits down with legendary Louisville broadcaster Terry Meiners. Together, they reflect on Terry's nearly 50-year career, the evolution of Kentucky's political landscape, the resilience and culture of Louisville, personal philosophies on life and radio, and the challenges of living and working in the public eye. The conversation oscillates between humorous anecdotes, deep reflections, and candid takes on politics, family, media, and sports.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Terry Meiners’ Broadcasting Journey
- Career Beginnings:
- Terry started in radio in 1976 as a freshman at UK, unexpectedly stepping into an on-air role (02:56).
- Nearly 50 years in the industry, Terry plans to keep going "as long as my brain works" (03:19, 03:24).
- “We. You and I know each other very well.” – Terry hints at their longstanding camaraderie (03:27).
- Old School Radio Memories:
- Early radio ‘theater’ with sound effects and playful on-air antics (05:54-06:52).
- Playful reflection on the wilder days of radio: “People would come up and reveal. And we were like, is this necessary?” (06:52).
- Transition to Elder Statesman:
- Matt jokes about Terry’s transformation from punk rocker to city elder: "You're like Snoop Dogg now doing commercials" (05:34).
2. The Louisville and Kentucky Political Scene
- Kentucky’s Outsized Political Influence:
- Discussion of Kentucky’s disproportionate national political relevance (07:07-07:44).
- Terry underscores Mitch McConnell’s fundraising acumen as the source of his power (07:44-08:22).
- Matt details how McConnell built a state-wide network of local loyalists: “He created his own network of 120 Little Mitch McConnells” (08:44).
- Evolving Political Positions:
- Both note McConnell's ideological shifts over the years, comparing to the political “evolution” of figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (09:41-10:05).
- Notable Political Personalities:
- Terry recalls meeting Joe Biden: “He walked up to the front door by himself, walks in, and we sat down... He wanted to argue with me about who pays taxes…” (10:33)
- On interviewing politicians: many are boring, sticking to talking points. “Governors... just sticking to points.” (11:25)
- Most interesting to interview: John Boehner, sharing family and background commonalities (12:10).
3. Family Life & Values
- Meiners Family Dynamics:
- Terry is one of 14 siblings: “We're all on a text thread every day” (12:31-12:44).
- Fond memories of growing up in a bustling house and the shock of first living alone (12:51-14:15).
- Christmas brings the Meiners clan together: “We can have 80 or 100 people at a place. And that's not shocking.” (14:24).
- Matt reflects: “I have zero brothers and sisters... you're one extreme and I'm the other.” (14:45)
4. Louisville’s Evolution & Community Spirit
- Post-2020 Recovery:
- Terry on the city’s recovery after 2020's crises: “It’s like Dorothy walking out of the house in The Wizard of Oz... here we are.” (19:03)
- Louisville’s downtown history—from 1950s boom to 80s/90s decline, then urban renaissance under Mayor Abramson, decline post-COVID, and now rebounding (19:55-20:42).
- Current Leadership:
- Praise for current Mayor Craig Greenberg’s energy, inclusivity, and resilience after an assassination attempt: “To bounce back from that... most people would be scared... he’s pushed through that so well.” (22:58-23:06)
- City’s Cultural Identity:
- Contrast with Lexington: “In Louisville, everyone rocks the boat and isn't very comfortable with people who try to get along.” (24:00).
- Acknowledges city’s collective response to tragedies and the continuing need to address racial and mental health issues (25:07-25:46).
- Racial Dynamics:
- Matt and Terry discuss Louisville’s persistent racial divides, Ninth Street’s historical significance, and gradual progress (26:56-28:20).
- Anecdotes about working with predominantly Black coworkers in youth and the loss of community due to urban planning decisions: “The community feeling was gone. It was like there was a bridge and they chopped off the end of it.” (27:40-28:15)
- Touching story of Muhammad Ali growing up in the area (28:20-28:57).
5. National Politics & Andy Beshear
- Governor Beshear’s Potential Presidential Run:
- Matt: “One of our current governor is being talked about as potentially being president.” (29:11)
- Terry’s advice: Beshear should appear on opposition platforms, as “he needs to do that to open up the lanes a little wider.” (30:21)
- Matt on Beshear’s appeal: “If you wanna elect a nice guy, if we’re tired of 12 years of screaming at each other, here’s Mr. Nice Guy.” (31:36)
- Terry: “I don’t know that America really wants to quit... There's so many people who need to be outraged about something.” (32:09-32:25)
- Political Identity:
- Terry avoids labels: “I’m a Catholic, and that, to me is more important than choosing a political side.” (34:39)
- He’s a registered Democrat—though not ideologically attached, preferring to hear everyone’s viewpoint (37:12-37:21).
- Matt: “That’s how we used to be though... now people are attached to people more than ideas.” (35:21)
Memorable Quote
“I have a couple things. There’s a hate letter from a woman that’s framed... and there’s a big email... ‘Your show sucks, you liberal P-word.’ And then he signs it Bob. And I look at that every day.”
— Terry Meiners (36:13)
6. Kindness, Faith, & Society’s Tone
- Religion’s Influence:
- Both discuss how their parents’ Christian faith shapes their values and distaste for meanness in politics, especially Trump’s cruelty (38:31-39:42).
- “I just shake my head and think, why is that necessary to say that?... He's putting fuel in my gas tank by saying crazy things.” (38:38)
- Public Life & Radio Vulnerability:
- Matt shares the challenges of being transparent with listeners about private family issues: “In order to do radio the way I want... you have to be yourself, which for me implies some amount of vulnerability.” (51:46)
- Terry’s father’s death and grieving on-air: “I drove to the radio station and sat down and cried a little bit on the air…” (53:03-53:29)
- On honoring parents: “Taking care of your parents is why you’re on this earth… You honor them by living the best life you can.” (51:46-54:59)
Memorable Quote
"Eventually the clock stops ticking for every one of us. So hopefully you’ve walked the path... in the right direction. You have to feel good about that so that the people that are following you learn as well."
— Terry Meiners (57:39)
7. Sports, Pop Culture, & Radio’s Future
- Sports Fandom:
- Terry reveals being a genuine fan of both Kentucky and Louisville (41:20-41:29), but is especially passionate about the Green Bay Packers as a link to childhood memories with his father (42:05-42:17).
- On controversial Packers QBs: Favre’s welfare scandal “bothers me... that’s a disappointment” while Rodgers’ eccentricity is “great theater” (42:36-42:55).
- Media Trends and Podcasts:
- Terry celebrates the “more voices, the better,” appreciates personalities like Pat McAfee and the evolution of college sports coverage (47:14-48:44).
- On radio’s unique power: “It’s the most intimate medium, without question... it’s like a fingerprint, you know, it’s an indelible mark.” (49:43-50:10)
- Discusses the challenge of maintaining authenticity and privacy in radio in an era of relentless on-air vulnerability (51:46-52:59).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Radio Longevity:
“As long as my brain works, I'm gonna keep doing it. And I love doing it, just like you do.”
— Terry Meiners (03:24) -
On Matt Getting His Radio Start:
“One time I was making fun of you... and you found out about it and invited me on the air to talk about it. And I did not have a radio show at that time. And that kind of got my foot in the door in the building.”
— Matt Jones (04:00) -
On Political Disconnect:
“I'm never deeply attached to anybody in politics.”
— Terry Meiners (35:21) -
On Vulnerability in Broadcasting:
“In order to do radio... you have to be yourself, which for me implies some amount of vulnerability.”
— Matt Jones (51:46) -
On Honoring Family Legacy:
“Taking care of your parents is why you're on this earth... You honor them by living the best life you can.”
— Terry Meiners (51:46-54:59)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Starting Out in Radio – 02:56-06:28
- Wilder Days in Louisville Radio – 06:28-07:07
- Kentucky Political Influence & Mitch McConnell – 07:07-09:23
- Political Evolution & Biden Anecdote – 09:41-11:09
- On Interviewing Politicians – 11:09-12:10
- Meiners Family & Growing Up – 12:31-15:29
- Louisville’s 2020 Recovery & Urban Identity – 19:01-24:32
- Racial Divides & Urban Planning – 26:56-28:15
- Muhammad Ali Stories & Streets – 28:20-28:57
- Governor Beshear & Political Polarization – 29:11-32:51
- Terry’s Political Identity & Philosophy – 34:39-37:21
- Public Meanness & Society’s Tone – 38:31-39:42
- Sports and Emotional Investment – 40:25-43:21
- Podcasts & Future of Media – 46:53-48:44
- The Intimacy and Challenge of Radio – 49:43-52:59
- Loss, Grieving, and Family Legacy – 53:03-54:59
- Final Reflections on Legacy – 57:18-58:11
Takeaways for Listeners
- Terry Meiners embodies the old-school radio ethos of humor, empathy, adaptability, and community engagement.
- The episode offers a nuanced look at Kentucky’s political clout, Louisville’s resilience, and the complexity of navigating public and private spheres as a broadcaster.
- Both host and guest stress the value of decency, humility, and personal connection in a culture that often prizes outrage and performance.
- For aspiring broadcasters (or public figures), authenticity, kindness, and the willingness to evolve are as valuable as ever.
For new listeners: This episode is a masterclass in radio craft and Kentucky lore, packed with stories, laughs, and thoughtful commentary on the state of media, politics, family, and civic life.