WIMS AM 1420 in Michigan City has kept residents attentive of news and community happenings since 1947 and they continue to show support today. Throughout these years and all over the U.S., AM listeners have changed their views on talk radio; instead of preferring pop-culture on-air discussions, political disputes and sport conversations have taken over. However, Brian Brophy’s live segments on Sundays (Living Sober and Socially Incorrect) provide a unique support system for those struggling with their addictions and promote direct and indirect community interaction.
Throughout Brophy’s life, AM radio personalities from Chicago such as Steve Dahl, Gary Meier, Jonathon Brandmeier, Howard Stern, Kevin Matthews, Larry Lujack, and “Little” Tommy Edwards always seemed to fascinate him, but it wasn’t until his brother said he had an awesome personality for radio that his true aspirations blossomed. After working for the City of Chicago and attending Columbia College for two and a half years in the radio broadcasting program, Brophy’s life took a hard fall because of addiction. After Brophy sought help, his mother threw another lifeline to him: an invitation to move to Michigan City and meet Ric Federighi, the manager of WIMS.
“Soon after I met Ric—and through the course of several months and sending e-mails and phone calls back and forth—that following summer I started working the air. Ric then gave me the idea for hosting a radio show about recovery and I’ve been sharing my thoughts and others thoughts ever since,” Brophy said.
In the summer of 2007, Brophy started working at WIMS AM 1420 and he has enjoyed every moment. Since only a handful of individuals work alongside him, the group feels very much like a family; they are in it for the community and for their love of radio broadcasting. Being involved with WIMS drives Brophy and betters him.
“I love what I do. This isn’t the only thing I do for community outreach; I work with a lot of people in recovery, myself included, and I work very closely with Mayor Blair Milo and La Porte on her ‘counter-drug task force’ to bring awareness to the drug problem going on in La Porte County,” Brophy said.
As a monthly regular on Socially Incorrect (Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00PM), Milo is very open and upfront about community problems such as drugs and alcohol which is unlike any other mayor. She runs on a platform that she wants to do something to change these issues and she is—through the help and support of La Porte County residents.
And things are looking GREAT.
The community is starting to hear and understand the problems that are going on through the efforts of Mayor Milo and her ‘task force’. A drug court, under Judge Tom J. Alevizos, has been enacted in La Porte which gives first time offenders the opportunity to get help and follow strict instruction. The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is also coming back to La Porte middle schools next year through donated money provided by Bethany Lutheran Church. At the La Porte Civic Auditorium last year, Clint Black performed and $5,000 worth of proceeds went to suicide prevention and alcohol/drug prevention. An anonymous hotline has also been created to aid these issues as well.
By far, the biggest way to help, in Brophy’s opinion, is to be an influence. Mentoring a child can do so much good; it lets them know that there is always someone there to listen, give advice, and bring a smile to their face. The Safe Harbor program and the Hours to Hours program have been promoted by Brophy when others ask how they can get involved.
“There are so many kids in our school systems that need mentoring and so few mentors out there. You can be that positive adult in some child’s life that doesn’t have a positive role model. People don’t have a lot of money to donate, but a lot of people can find an hour out of their week to spend with a child during their lunch break—it’s very rewarding to make a difference. Being that positive role model to everyone is what I strive for,” Brophy said.
Being that genuine role model on the Living Sober radio show (Sundays from 4:00 to 5:00PM) also helps Brophy work with adults recovering from their addictions. For five years, Brophy has given others an insightful look into his life while also opening up his phone line, at any time, for those in need. If others want to share their stories with the community, then they are open to; if not, then that is perfectly fine as well.
Ric Federighi had this to say about Brophy’s Living Sober show, “One cool thing that I really like about the show is that we have cool partners and whether it’s the Swanson Center, Porter Starke, or Saint Anthony—they are great people. Brian is always from the heart. People will e-mail him or call him and say they need help and, no questions asked, he gets them the information. No judgment, very cool. That’s why I think he’s a perfect spokesperson for this community.”
Brophy has taken on so many changes in his life and has proven that having and being a lifeline helps, no matter what the case. He loves when individuals achieve great heights and end up being successful in their own way. Being sober for seven years is a wonderful accomplishment and continues to be a blessing for this Sunday afternoon broadcaster and executive broadcasting producer of live events.
“I’m just a regular guy, but if I can make a difference by just helping one person then it’s all worth it,” Brophy said. “If I help that one person or get that person the help they need then I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing for the both of us. I’m not looking for my name in neon lights on the Vegas Strip. I’m not looking for everyone to say that I’m a hell of a guy. I do this because it helps listeners and myself. It’s nice to be recognized, however I don’t feel like I need the recognition to be of service.”