When K-yes Radio host Glen Lewerenz enters the recording studio, he gears himself up for a day of what he knows will be holy, and often lively, conversation. Lewerenz hosts two radio programs aired on K-yes — Relevant Radio’s “Morning Air with John Morales,” a show that covers anything from breaking news to business to parenting and more, and the local program “Conversations with Glen,” that explores the intersection of faith with daily life, regularly featuring local priests, lay people and St. Cloud Bishop Patrick Neary.
Even though he’s been doing this type of work for over 40 years, Lewerenz knows that every time he steps in the booth, he needs to set himself up to listen.
“If you’re curious and you listen, you don’t need to know everything about everything. You just need to know a little bit about a subject, ask a question or two, listen to the answers, and go from there,” he said.
Even outside of work, Lewerenz is inquisitive. He finds himself always eager for knowledge when he meets people for the first time or encounters an unexplored subject.
“If I meet somebody new, and they do something interesting or there’s some fun, unique connections, I’ll almost go into interview mode,” he said. “I’m not trying to be in interview mode, but I’ll ask a lot of questions.”
As a child, his parents gave him an accordion, and, as Lewerenz remembers, wanted him to “be the next Myron Floren,” the lead accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show. He was shy as a child but was drawn to life on the radio, first exploring that option in college, primarily because it gave him permission to break out of his shell.
Over the years he has worked in the broadcast industry, his work has varied from rock music to contemporary Christian music, radio ad sales to talk radio host. Something that’s remained consistent over time is Lewerenz’ curiosity.
This trait also fueled his desire to explore Catholicism.
Lewerenz grew up attending a Lutheran church but as he spent more and more time at Relevant Radio, he felt drawn to the Catholic faith.
“It was a pull to do more with the Catholic Church,” he said. “When you’re interviewing people about things, it makes questions come more easily, and I began to think, ‘What would I like to know about this?’ So, a few years into working there, I started RCIA [the process of being fully initiated into the Catholic Church].”
Lewerenz attends St. Luke Parish in Clearwater with his wife Jennifer, who also works in radio as the news director at KNSI. Glen is grateful for ongoing catechesis opportunities through his radio guests that surprise and inspire him and hopes to instill that same sense of wonder in his listeners.
“It’s a joy to be called to use the radio to further the faith,” Lewerenz said. “I consider it a privilege to work in radio — especially Christian radio — and to talk about the world through the lens of faith.”
