The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – we are excited for WinterJam 2026!

The Morning Thing wrapped up WinterJam Week with a special musical Friday Favorites. In celebration of the WinterJam 2026 Tour, the hosts shared their favorite song from one of the WinterJam artists. Enjoy!

Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Josiah, Xander and Eric.

Marcy’s favorite song is from Newsong – Arise My Love

Josiah’s favorite song is from Matthew West – What If

Xander’s favorite song is from Katy Nichole – When I Fall

Eric’s favorite song is a duet with Katy Nichole and Big Daddy Weave – God Is In This Story

A special note – the WinterJam times for the Columbus concert on Saturday 1/24 have been changed.
Show Start Time – 4pm
Show End Time – 8pm
Jam Nation Entrance Time – 2pm
General Admission Time – 3pm

There are 2 other stops in Ohio for WinterJam:

  • Saturday, February 21st – at Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway in Cincinnati
  • Friday, March 27th – at the Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave East in Cleveland

For more information, go to https://www.wnzr.fm/winter-jam-2026

0

We wrap up WinterJam Week on The Morning Thing with a conversation with Chris Tomlin.

Chris Tomlin is headlining the 2026 WinterJam Tour. WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Chris about joining this tour for the first time in his career. They also talked about the songs he is bringing to the stage. Chris is excited to lead worship with the younger generation of Christian Music fans.

Chris also shared how humbling it is to see how God has used his songs to give people a voice to worship. He is amazed at what God has done through his music.

Chris also shares about his new album “The King is Still The King” and how he stays in God’s word daily.

Click HERE to enjoy the full conversation or click the link below.

Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.

Important NEWS about WinterJam’s stop in Columbus on Saturday, 1/24/26.

0

Getting Older Isn’t Easy!

You know, nobody ever wakes up one morning and says, “Well, today I feel officially older.”
It sneaks up on you. On the Morning Thing Thursday, WNZR’s Eric Brown talks about the fact he is getting older (He turns the BIG 5-0 this year) and how to embrace the fact its actually happening.

It’s the moment you stand up and make a noise without realizing it. Or when you hear a song on the radio and think, “That’s still new,” only to realize it came out 20 years ago.

Getting older doesn’t arrive with flashing lights or an announcement. It shows up quietly—in routines, in habits, in the way your calendar fills up faster than it used to.

And the strange thing is, inside, you don’t feel all that different. You still feel like you. The same thoughts, the same humor, the same dreams. But the mirror tells a slightly different story, and so does the calendar.

Aging sneaks up on you because life keeps moving while you’re busy living it. And maybe that’s not a flaw—it’s a gift. Because if we were constantly aware of time passing, we’d never enjoy the moments we’re in.

Sometimes the quiet arrival of age reminds us to pause, take stock, and be thankful we’ve been given the time to even notice it at all.

Click HERE for more information from Focus on the Family!

0

It is WinterJam Week on The Morning Thing. Today, we talked to Katy Nichole!

Katy talks with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger and shares what brought her back to join WinterJam after being a part of it in 2024. She gives us a little insight on how she staying rooted spiritually while she is busy these nights.

She also talks about the message she wants to bring to the audiences of WinterJam and the heart behind the song’s she’s written.

Click HERE for the full conversation!

Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.

Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!

0

It is WinterJam Week on The Morning Thing. Today, we talked to Matthew West!

Matthew talks with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger about returning since his last appearance on the Winterjam lineup 10 years ago. He shares what he’s excited about coming back and what God has put in his heart to share with listeners, and what he is looking forward to seeing younger generations be a part of the event.

Matthew shares about about his purpose in writing and singing Christian music, and how the heart has stayed the same since the beginning.

He also gives a sneak peak at some lyrics to a new song he’s releasing soon called, “Good.”

Click HERE for the full conversation!

Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.

Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!

0

Would you like a NEW Marriage for the NEW Year?

Today, The Morning Thing shared some insight from Brooke Wilson – content writer, editor, and digital designer for FamilyLife.

She shared to view your marriage as a ministry. Here is a link to the full article.

Are you ready for a new year, new marriage, and new ministry? Here are three ways to get you started thinking about the impact your marriage can have.

1. Pray about it with your spouse.

2. Prioritize time as a couple.

3. Consider leading a small group.

Click HERE to read more from Brooke Wilson. We hope these 3 ideas challenge you to work on your marriage in 2026.

0

It is WinterJam Week on The Morning Thing. Today, we talked to Emerson Day!

This is Emerson Days first time on WinterJam! WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Emerson about the background story of how she came to be a Christian artist.

Emerson talks about her excitement to play her breakout hit “Get Behind Me” and how that song has impacted many listeners. She also shares what God is doing in her life and what He has put on her heart to share with others.

Click HERE to enjoy the full conversation or click the link below.

Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.

Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!

0

It is WinterJam Week on The Morning Thing. Today, we talked to Russ Lee of Newsong!

Newsong founded the WinterJam concert series in 1995. WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Russ Lee about the background story of this very successful tour and how WinterJam started over 30 years ago.

Russ also shared his excitement about this year’s lineup of artists: Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Katy Nichole, Emerson Day, Hulvey and of course his band Newsong.

Russ also shared how he stays spiritually and relationally rooted as they travel on a very long tour. He also tells us about some new songs that Newsong will debut on this tour!

Click HERE to enjoy the full conversation or click the link below.

Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.

Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!

0

WNZR talks with Marissa Stephens, Mobile Operations Coordinator for Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center

The Morning Thing talked about the Sanctity of Human Life on Friday. They shared some eye-opening facts and talked about a new ministry outreach from Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center.
Marissa Stephens, Starting Point’s NEW Mobile Operations Coordinator shared the exciting news on how this new part of their ministry will reach our community.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation, or click on the link below.

She shared the mission and services that the Mobile Unit will provide to residents. Starting Point is currently looking for volunteers – specifically stenographers or nurses anyone that can provide maintenance to the mobile vehicles. You can support this project at www.friendsofksp.com/give

Facts on Life (from Starting Point):

  • 80% of women choose life after they see an ultrasound
  • A baby’s Heart starts beating at 5 weeks, often before a woman knows she’s pregnant! The heart beats about 54 million times between conception and birth!
  • In 2024 there was a total of 2,164,043 client visits to pro-life pregnancy centers, according to a report from Heartbeat International! Starting Point saw 2,033 client visits in 2024 and 2,277 in 2025!
  • A baby’s unique fingerprints form at 13 weeks
  • Strong Families are the foundation of a healthy communities. Starting Point served 287 individual clients. 40 of those clients were men seeking fatherhood and other support!
  • At 18 weeks in the womb, a baby can hear and identify their mom’s voice! (Abortion is legal in Ohio up to 21 weeks and 6 days!)

Also, check out the video below that gives you an overview of the NEW Mobile Unit Ministry with Starting Point. Exciting things are happening here in Knox County. Join the Fight for LIFE!

0

The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – we celebrate National Nothing Day

Today is National Nothing Day. It is a day to take a break from activities. For our Friday Favorites, we celebrate this special day. The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite ways to unplug and relax! We hope you have some time today to do nothing!

Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Eric, Josiah and Xander. Or click the link below.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑