If you're a regular listener to 89.7 WUWM-FM, you know the voice of Erin Toner. She's the local host of "All Things Considered," as well as a reporter and producer for the local NPR affiliate.

The St. Joseph's, Mich. native came to Milwaukee just two years ago, but she's actively taken it upon herself to learn more about the area's social issues -- and she thinks that getting more in touch with the community will make her a better reporter.

We caught up with Toner recently to talk about her job, getting her stories aired on "Morning Edition," and why she migrated from print to radio. Enjoy this latest Milwaukee Talks.

OnMilwaukee.com: You play a lot of roles at WUWM. What's your official job description?

Erin Toner: It's mainly reporter/producer. I'm going out and doing interviews and talking to people and putting stories together. That's my main function here, and I host "All Things Considered" every day from 3 to 6 p.m. I insert local news and weather and various other things during the national show.

OMC: What part of the job do you like better?

ET: I like being a reporter better, because that allows me a lot of creativity and opportunity to do new and different things. The hosting is fun and is a nice, different aspect of what I do. But it's the same thing every day.

OMC: Why did you gravitate toward public radio, instead of commercial radio?

ET: Well, commercial was never even an option. You don't get paid anything, and actually I did work for a few summers in college in commercial radio. There's no time to tell a story or to say anything. For me, it was a decision between newspaper reporting and public radio. I was working at the college newspaper at Michigan State for several years. I was there during the big riots when they banned alcohol on the (football) field.

My senior year, I did an internship with the statewide public radio network that covers the capital in Michigan. I got a taste of incorporating sound into reporting, and I thought, well, this is a lot more fun. You can do a lot more when you have sounds and audio to include into your reporting.

OMC: Have you had a lot of interaction with the national reporters and hosts at NPR? Do you know Robert Siegel?

ET: No, I don't know Robert Siegel. I actually just met Juan Williams upstairs, because he's here speaking to the Bar Association. He didn't know me, but I recognized him. I know who they are, but I don't know them. I don't interact with them. I interact with the regional editors, because a lot of times I file stories for the national network that appear on "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered."

OMC: Is that exciting?

ET: It's very exciting! It really throws you into a whole different realm of timeframes and editing. They tell you when they need the stuff and how it's going to be, and they edit you. It's stressful because there's so much at stake. The entire country is going to hear your story. It's exciting to hear Steve Inskeep introduce you and say your name. It's awesome.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by local_yokel on June 21, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (report)

I think WUWM is a great asset for Milwaukee. No wonder it won a national award (last year?). But, I do think the station needs a lesson or two in how to go about fundraising. Maybe there was a reason they did not meet their goals this year. Memo: Practically ordering listeners to go their phones is NOT the way to do it.

Posted by laurafern11 on June 12, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (report)

Thanks for this interview with Erin! I am a public radio junkie and love learning a little more about the lives of the people who report the news. I've been really impressed with Erin's reporting and enjoy listening to her every day. I hope her and her husband will end up staying in Milwaukee for years to come!