Behind The Mic with MAB

Amanda Fontaine sits down with Christana Kay, chief meteorologist at 16 WAPT, for this episode of Behind the Mic with MAB. A two-time Emmy Award winner and the 2026 MAB Weather Anchor of the Year, Christana has helped lead her team to six consecutive years of recognition for forecast accuracy. Her commitment to Mississippi extends beyond the broadcast, connecting with communities and teaching stud...

In Episode 44 of Behind the Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with veteran journalist, newsroom leader, and media consultant Kevin Benz. Kevin reflects on a career spent covering major stories and leading award-winning newsrooms while exploring the challenges facing journalism today. They discuss artificial intelligence, rebuilding trust with audiences, investigative reporting, developing yo...

In Episode 43 of Behind the Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Derron Steenbergen, founder of the Swagger Institute, longtime broadcast sales leader, and creator of the Ten Minute Trainer Network. Derron shares what more than 30 years in broadcasting taught him about sales, leadership, relationships, and staying energized in a demanding industry. They talk about why great leaders get in...

What role does media play in shaping the way we see the world? On this episode of Behind the Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Dr. Philip Poe, associate professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, to discuss the power and responsibility of storytelling. Dr. Poe shares his journey from Henderson, Texas, to a career in higher education, jour...

What does a typical week look like for a United States Congressman? In this episode of Behind the Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine goes beyond politics to get to know the person behind the title. Congressman Michael Guest shares what life is really like balancing the demands of serving Mississippi in Washington while staying connected to home and family. He reflects on his path from prosecutor to Con...

From calling championship football games to leading one of Mississippi’s top sports radio stations, Jake Wimberly has become one of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting across the state.   On Episode 40 of Behind The Mic by MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Jake to discuss his journey from earning a Civil Engineering degree at Mississippi State University to becoming an award-winn...

For more than four decades, Maggie Wade has been a trusted voice in Mississippi homes, but her impact extends far beyond the anchor desk. On Episode 39 of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with broadcasting icon Maggie Wade to explore the remarkable journey that transformed a young woman from Crystal Springs into one of the most respected journalists in the state. Maggie shares ho...

What happens when a young man dreams of becoming an actor but discovers an entirely different calling behind a microphone? In Episode #38 of Behind the Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Ryan Johnson, afternoon host on Q101, to discuss his unconventional path into broadcasting. Ryan shares how a high school dream of acting led him to crack the mic at just 19 years old as the morning host...

On episode 37 of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with legendary television news executive, consultant, and transformational coach Lee Eldridge for a fascinating conversation about leadership, storytelling, media innovation, and building winning cultures inside highly competitive newsrooms. With more than 25 years leading CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates across the country, Lee becam...

In Episode 36 of Behind the Mic with MAB, host Amanda Fontaine sits down with Sergeant First Class Shelbi Constancio, Marketing Director for the Mississippi Army National Guard. From enlisting in the Active Army in 2005 to serving as a police officer in Clinton, Mississippi, Shelbi’s journey is one of resilience, leadership, and purpose. She shares her experience re-enlisting in 2015, deploying in...

In this episode of Behind The Mic with MAB, host Amanda Fontaine sits down with broadcast veteran Ted Fortenberry, Regional Vice President and General Manager for Gray Media and WLBT. With oversight of multiple stations across Mississippi and Arkansas, Ted shares what it takes to lead high-performing news teams, adapt to a rapidly evolving media landscape, and stay grounded in local communities. F...

On this episode of Behind The Mic with MAB, host Amanda Fontaine sits down with RaMona Clay Alexander, a powerhouse in the broadcasting world whose leadership has shaped media across Mississippi and beyond. With more than 30 years of experience, RaMona shares her journey from Jackson roots to becoming Vice President and General Manager of WDBD FOX40, along with her impact on industry leadership at...

In Episode 33 of Behind the Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Chief Meteorologist Patrick Bigbie inside Audio Alchemy Studios for a conversation that goes far beyond the forecast. Patrick’s passion for weather started early, watching The Weather Channel instead of cartoons and becoming the youngest Weather Watcher for WSFA at just 13 years old. From there, he built a career rooted in re...

On Episode 32 of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with marketing professional Del Adams for a conversation about purpose, storytelling, and the power of connecting people through meaningful communication. Del Adams is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in Elementary Education, and her career has always centered around serving others. While serving as Executi...

On this episode of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine welcomes Emmy nominated journalist Troy Johnson to the studio for a powerful conversation about leadership, legacy, and the responsibility of trusted storytelling. Troy serves as Evening Anchor for 16 WAPT News at 6 and 10, joining the station in 2018 after decades of experience across major media markets. Since arriving in Mississippi, h...

Today on Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine welcomes a true legend of Mississippi broadcasting, Kenny Windham. Kenny’s impact on the radio industry spans decades. From leading teams and shaping talent to overseeing multiple iHeartRadio stations through seasons of growth and change, his leadership helped define what great broadcasting looks like, both on the air and behind the scenes. His car...

In Episode 29 of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Francesca Crechale, Director of Marketing at Data Street Marketing, a Digio Strategies company backed by the Holladay family and their long standing legacy in broadcast radio across Jackson, Meridian, and Dothan Alabama. Francesca brings more than a decade of digital marketing experience shaped by teaching, mentoring, and han...

In this week’s episode of Behind The Mic, Amanda Fontaine sits down with a true Mississippi legend, Walt Grayson. Walt has spent his entire career telling the stories of the people, places, and history of the Magnolia State. Born and raised in Greenville, Walt fell in love with broadcasting as a high school student working at a local radio station. That passion eventually led him to Jackson, where...

In this episode of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Nichole Cyprian, Director, and Whitney Argenbright, Managing Editor of the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center, for an insightful conversation about the power of local journalism and the stories that shape our communities.   Nichole and Whitney share how the Center supports strong, ethical reporting, why community-focuse...

In episode number 24 of Behind The Mic With MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Grant Chighizola, a familiar and trusted face across South Mississippi. Since joining the WXXV News 25 team in 2019, Grant has anchored, produced, and contributed stories to every newscast the station offers. As News Content Manager, Grant plays a key role in shaping WXXV’s coverage, working closely with reporters and...

In episode number 25 of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine welcomes Jim Sherwood to the Audio Alchemy Studios. Jim is the founder and lead developer of Skyrocket Radio, a company dedicated to helping radio stations thrive in today’s digital landscape. Jim’s career in radio began in 1988 and has taken him through roles at iHeartMedia, CBS Radio, Cumulus Broadcasting, and several local station...

In episode number 23 of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with Java Chatman, Director of Radio at Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Java shares his journey from his early days at Jackson State University’s WJSU to becoming a key voice and leader in Mississippi radio. With experience across commercial, independent, and public broadcasting, Java has spent more than two decades shapin...

In episode number 22 of the Behind The Mic with MAB podcast, Amanda Fontaine welcomes Jessica Wilkinson back to the studio for a fun and festive conversation. Jessica, known for her Taste and Toast segment on WLBT, joins Amanda to talk all things holiday food, hosting, and event planning. With a background that spans theater, film, teaching, and broadcasting, Jessica brings creativity and personal...

In episode number 21 of Behind The Mic with MAB, Amanda Fontaine sits down with WJTV 12 weekend meteorologist, Austin Powell. Austin’s passion for weather began when he was in the third grade, after witnessing the devastating April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak that tore through the southeast. What he saw that day set him on a lifelong path to help warn and protect others when severe weather strikes....

In this episode of Behind the Mic with MAB, host Amanda Fontaine sits down with WLBT News Anchor and Investigative Reporter C.J. LeMaster. Known for his fearless pursuit of truth, C.J. has spent more than a decade uncovering corruption, exposing hidden stories, and holding the powerful accountable across Mississippi.   Amanda and C.J. dive deep into what drives his passion for journalism, the chal...