{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Your Dark Companion Podcast","title":"The Golden Retriever of Local News: Matt Howerton’s Wild Ride to WFAA | Matt Howerton ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":5804,"description":"What does it take to go from a small-town kid in Texas to one of the most recognizable faces on Dallas morning television?\nOn this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner and the crew sit down with WFAA Daybreak anchor Matt Howerton for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, nostalgic, and surprisingly insightful.\nMatt shares the story of growing up in Ennis, Texas, where his love for performing, storytelling, and making people laugh started early—and how that eventually turned into a career in broadcast journalism.\nFrom grinding it out in Waco making $25,000 a year to working his way up to WFAA Channel 8, Matt talks about the realities of building a career in media, the importance of mentorship, and why local news still matters.\nThe conversation also dives into:\nCovering the Texas Rangers’ World Series run and what that moment was really like\nThe legacy and pressure of working at WFAA\nThe evolution of media from traditional TV to digital and streaming\nWild behind-the-scenes stories—including defending a news truck during a Mavs parade\nAnd yes… karaoke nights, wrestling fandom, and random run-ins with Creed\nIt’s a conversation about storytelling, opportunity, and figuring it out as you go—while trying to stay yourself in an industry that’s constantly changing.\nIf you’ve ever watched local news, wanted to work in media, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this one delivers.\n⏱ Chapters\n0:00 — Jesse Hawila, Inside Jokes, and WFAA Stories\n5:33 — Mike Rhyner, Radio Legacy, and First Impressions\n13:25 — Growing Up in Ennis, Texas\n17:38 — The Signs of a Future Broadcaster\n20:45 — From Baylor to Breaking Into TV News\n25:25 — The Mavs Parade Chaos Story\n27:53 — The Legacy of WFAA and Doing It Right\n35:39 — Sponsor: CBD House of Healing\n37:44 — Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit & Mental Health Awareness\n39:34 — Wrestling, Random Tangents, and Podcast Energy\n48:07 — Becoming a Daybreak Anchor\n52:34 — Building a Name in Media\n57:01 — Covering the Rangers’ ALCS...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/MY5pcsVq0QCXSElEJXNsUEiC8gyrgEoWfpnhiVr9GdU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hZTA1/ZjBmZGFkOTk5ZDdi/YWRmMDQ3NGZjY2Ex/ZjgxYS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}