Spotlight Volunteer — Steve Walden

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 Volunteer

Steve Walden is our MindsEye Spotlight Volunteer for January 2021! Since the COVID crisis began, Steve has been recording two shows from home each week. He wakes up especially early on Saturdays to record the news before it airs at 10am. Earlier this month, MindsEye Broadcast Director Tom Williams interviewed Steve via e-mail.

Tom: When and how did you start volunteering with MindsEye? 

Steve: I’ve been reading for MindsEye at least 10 years. I was recording books for a charity called Talking Tapes and they went out of business, and right away, I saw an article in the Post promoting MindsEye and asking for volunteers. I did an audition and was immediately put on Saturday news and eventually started recording Jefferson/Franklin County news at home. 

Tom: What do you like to read in your spare time? 

Steve: I love horror, like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, legal, detective, mystery thrillers, historical fiction, biographies, and even apocalyptic books (before Covid!) I use a Kindle to read and use the Overdrive app to borrow most of my books for free from the library, and borrow and get a lot of books for free through Amazon Prime Unlimited.  

Tom: Do you have a favorite MindsEye moment or memory? 

Steve: I always loved working with Jim Layton and it amazed me how he could basically run the station all weekend, even though he was blind. Jim was a curmudgeon for sure, but once he knew we could rely on each other, we became fast friends. I will miss him a LOT. 

Favorite moment – I played in Beepball one year, and it was VERY humbling, but a lot of fun. I was excited to hit the ball, but damn near killed myself running to first base. I could not stop laughing, it was so much fun, and it showed me how special our listeners are and what they are able to overcome.  

Tom: What’s your favorite Style Pizza? 

Steve: I actually love this little locally owned place in Maryland Heights called Balducci’s. Awesome thin crust pizza, Mayfest salads, and love their quiche.  

Tom: Where did you go to high school? 

Steve: Pattonville High School. I’ve lived in Maryland Heights for 55 years, and my kids went and graduated from there and my grandkids are going there for grade school now too.

Thank you, Steve, for all you do for MindsEye and our listeners!