In an era of fast headlines, viral clips, and carefully scripted broadcasts, one Saturday morning radio show continues to prove that authentic conversation still matters.
For nearly two decades, Tracy Lundeen’s Talk of the Town has been a staple of Saturday morning radio across the Northland. Week after week, Lundeen sits down behind the microphone and does something that has become increasingly rare in modern broadcasting — he simply talks with people.
The result? The show has quietly become the number one rated non-music program on Saturday mornings, attracting a loyal and surprisingly diverse audience of listeners.
The format is refreshingly simple: real conversations about real life.
Talk of the Town feels like a throwback to the golden era of community radio, when local airwaves were filled with discussions about the things happening right outside your front door. Lundeen moves effortlessly between topics — people, community events, business, sports, kids, music, current events, and emerging trends — often weaving them together in a way that feels less like a program and more like sitting at the kitchen table with a friend.
For a man who has been on the planet since the 1950s, Lundeen has developed a reputation for a style that listeners often describe as refreshingly practical.
He calls it common sense — though he’s quick to joke about the phrase.
“Common sense doesn’t really exist anymore,” Lundeen laughs. “Because if it were common, everyone would have it. And it seems to be in pretty short supply these days.”
That grounded perspective is part of what has kept listeners tuning in for nearly twenty years.
Interestingly, Lundeen rarely prepares for a show in the traditional sense. There are no thick stacks of research notes or scripted segments waiting on the studio desk.
Instead, he describes his entire week as preparation.
“My life is my show prep,” he explains. “I just take mental notes — or sometimes iPhone notes — of things that catch my attention during the week.”
Those observations might come from a conversation at a local business, a youth sports event, a headline that doesn’t quite add up, or a story someone shares in passing. By Saturday morning, those small moments become talking points that guide the conversation.
And conversation is the key word.
Talk of the Town isn’t built on confrontation or hot-take debate. It’s built on curiosity.
Lundeen frequently invites guests who have unique experiences or stories worth sharing. Community leaders, entrepreneurs, musicians, athletes, politicians, artists, and everyday people have all found a seat at the microphone over the years.
“Everyone has a story,” Lundeen says. “Getting to know people and hearing their stories is something I’m passionate about.”
One guest he particularly enjoys welcoming back is boxer Zach Walters, better known in the ring as Jungle Boy.
“Zach is not only a great guy but he has an amazing story,” Lundeen says. “What he’s made of himself and how he helps kids — it’s just heartwarming.”
Moments like those help explain why the show’s audience spans generations. Listeners include men and women across multiple age groups — longtime radio fans who appreciate the throwback format as well as younger listeners discovering the value of thoughtful conversation.
Occasionally the show touches on edgier topics, though Lundeen approaches them with restraint.
“I feel a responsibility on the air,” he says. “Sometimes there are things happening that people just aren’t hearing about elsewhere. If we can shine a light on those issues in a fair way, that’s part of what the show should do.”
That balance — curiosity, honesty, and respect — has allowed Talk of the Town to remain relevant even as the media landscape has changed dramatically since the show first began nearly twenty years ago.
While podcasts, streaming platforms, and social media have transformed how people consume information, Lundeen’s formula remains surprisingly timeless.
A microphone.
A conversation.
And a genuine interest in people.
For many listeners across the region, Saturday mornings wouldn’t feel the same without it.
And for Lundeen, the motivation is simple.
“At the end of the day,” he says, “I just love talking to people.”
Editor’s Note: TOTT is a great resource to get the word out on your event or fundraiser