media careers

If you grew up falling asleep to the radio under your pillow, hoping your parents wouldn’t catch you, this one’s for you.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome the legendary Mark Thompson of Mark & Brian for a conversation that goes way past the usual radio war stories.

We’ll talk about the moment a program director named Bob Kagan changed Mark’s entire approach to broadcasting with six words. The night in Birmingham that led to the partnership with Brian and how a five-dollar raise pushed Mark straight into the arms of Los Angeles radio. 

We’ll also talk about the parts of the journey that don’t usually make it into an interview: Mark’s mother and the words she said to him that carried him through the hardest years, what it costs to build a career while raising a family, and why he still believes credit belongs to whoever earns it.

This one is funny, it’s honest, and by the end, you’ll understand exactly why Mark Thompson is on Gary’s short list of broadcasting legends.

This episode is sponsored by:

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In this episode:

• How a boll weevil statue in Enterprise, Alabama connects two radio careers
• The six words from Bob Kagan that changed Mark’s career forever
• How Mark and Brian found their way to Los Angeles almost by accident
• The life-changing advice Mark received from his mother
• Why sharing your real life creates lasting connections with an audience
• The story behind Mark’s memoir, Don’t Bump the Record, Kid, and why every dollar he earns from the book supports animal rescue

Quotations:

“I’ve always thought in that way. How can I find content? Because you, me, all personality in radio, they’re looking for content constantly. And so I still do that to this day; I still think in that way. – Mark Thompson

“I did that everywhere I went. I would find people who liked being on a microphone, and as long as they were capable, I’d bring them in and make them a star.” – Mark Thompson

“Words. I will tell you that the fame thing was something that I never aspired to. I wanted to be the best that I could be on the radio. Being famous was not my favorite thing.” – Mark Thompson

“I made a decision in this process of becoming me. And the process was this. I’m going to design a radio show every night that I would want to hear if I were driving around in the car. I don’t care what people who don’t like it think because they’re going to go away, and I’m not going to change for them. I’m looking for people who like it, who thought it was funny, and who enjoyed it. And that was the beginning of creating a fan base.” – Mark Thompson

Bio:

Mark Thompson is a legendary radio personality, author, and storyteller best known as one-half of the iconic Mark & Brian Morning Show. Alongside Brian Phelps, he spent 25 years entertaining millions of listeners on Los Angeles’ KLOS-FM, helping redefine morning radio with unforgettable comedy, creative stunts, and authentic storytelling. The show’s success led to national syndication, television appearances, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.

A native of Florence, Alabama, Thompson began his broadcasting career in the South before making the leap to Los Angeles in 1987. Throughout his career, he became known not only for his quick wit and creativity, but also for his ability to connect with listeners through honest, personal stories that made audiences feel like part of the conversation.

In 2022, Thompson released his acclaimed memoir, Don’t Bump the Record, Kid: My Adventures with Mark & Brian, offering an honest and entertaining look at his remarkable career, the behind-the-scenes realities of one of America’s most successful morning shows, and the personal experiences that shaped his life both on and off the air.