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What does it take to go from a small-town kid in Texas to one of the most recognizable faces on Dallas morning television?
On 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.
Matt 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.
From 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.
The conversation also dives into:
Covering the Texas Rangers’ World Series run and what that moment was really like
The legacy and pressure of working at WFAA
The evolution of media from traditional TV to digital and streaming
Wild behind-the-scenes stories—including defending a news truck during a Mavs parade
And yes… karaoke nights, wrestling fandom, and random run-ins with Creed
It’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.
If you’ve ever watched local news, wanted to work in media, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this one delivers.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 — Jesse Hawila, Inside Jokes, and WFAA Stories
5:33 — Mike Rhyner, Radio Legacy, and First Impressions
13:25 — Growing Up in Ennis, Texas
17:38 — The Signs of a Future Broadcaster
20:45 — From Baylor to Breaking Into TV News
25:25 — The Mavs Parade Chaos Story
27:53 — The Legacy of WFAA and Doing It Right
35:39 — Sponsor: CBD House of Healing
37:44 — Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit & Mental Health Awareness
39:34 — Wrestling, Random Tangents, and Podcast Energy
48:07 — Becoming a Daybreak Anchor
52:34 — Building a Name in Media
57:01 — Covering the Rangers’ ALCS Run
1:03:09 — Inside the Rangers World Series Experience
1:05:37 — Creed, Baseball, and Unexpected Moments
1:08:05 — Dugout Stories and Player Interactions
1:13:08 — Music, Tech Issues, and Podcast Chaos
1:16:56 — Travis Jankowski and Underdog Stories
1:21:04 — TV, History, and Media Conversations
1:25:29 — Karaoke Nights and Off-the-Clock Stories
1:32:30 — Stolen Water Media and What’s Next
Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode:
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445
The Old Grey Wolf:
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579
To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
On 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.
Matt 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.
From 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.
The conversation also dives into:
Covering the Texas Rangers’ World Series run and what that moment was really like
The legacy and pressure of working at WFAA
The evolution of media from traditional TV to digital and streaming
Wild behind-the-scenes stories—including defending a news truck during a Mavs parade
And yes… karaoke nights, wrestling fandom, and random run-ins with Creed
It’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.
If you’ve ever watched local news, wanted to work in media, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this one delivers.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 — Jesse Hawila, Inside Jokes, and WFAA Stories
5:33 — Mike Rhyner, Radio Legacy, and First Impressions
13:25 — Growing Up in Ennis, Texas
17:38 — The Signs of a Future Broadcaster
20:45 — From Baylor to Breaking Into TV News
25:25 — The Mavs Parade Chaos Story
27:53 — The Legacy of WFAA and Doing It Right
35:39 — Sponsor: CBD House of Healing
37:44 — Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit & Mental Health Awareness
39:34 — Wrestling, Random Tangents, and Podcast Energy
48:07 — Becoming a Daybreak Anchor
52:34 — Building a Name in Media
57:01 — Covering the Rangers’ ALCS Run
1:03:09 — Inside the Rangers World Series Experience
1:05:37 — Creed, Baseball, and Unexpected Moments
1:08:05 — Dugout Stories and Player Interactions
1:13:08 — Music, Tech Issues, and Podcast Chaos
1:16:56 — Travis Jankowski and Underdog Stories
1:21:04 — TV, History, and Media Conversations
1:25:29 — Karaoke Nights and Off-the-Clock Stories
1:32:30 — Stolen Water Media and What’s Next
Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode:
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445
The Old Grey Wolf:
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579
To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com
Creators and Guests
Host
Mike Rhyner
Mike Rhyner… "a little on the bumpy side, but rather likable"…so stated famously by a grade school teacher in Oak Cliff, where Mike grew up. A complicated guy, yet a guy who can do long division and remember call strike three to A Rod. Probably best left unattended. Don't expect assistance from him if a medical situation arises.
What is Your Dark Companion Podcast?
"Whatever I want it to be about on a given day; is what it is." Your Dark Companion couples your familiar friends from radio, Mike and Grubes! Mike brings his classic interviews that draw you in, and Grubes—The Devil—drops…well the drops, and throws the occasional grenade. Mike likes to draw on his fascinating acquaintances and friends allowing them to tell their stories as you've never heard them. But he also goes outside his network, sharing Grubes' network, and often outside of both, to bring you those they don't know, but believe have a story that will make you laugh, make you think, think differently, or just entertain you…"that's what we are trying to do here."