Leading the way through the radio waves

Marty Moss-Coane can sum up the lessons of life with a simple word -- balance.

Last night, the host and executive producer of WHYY radio station spoke in Houston Hall about her experience as an interviewer on National Public Radio and the importance balance has played in her life.

The colloquium was organized by the Women in Leadership Series, and was one of the most anticipated events of the season.

Moss-Coane hosts Radio Times, a local public affairs interview program that airs on weekday mornings. In the past years, she has had the opportunity to discuss current events with guests of the caliber of former President Jimmy Carter and Pennsylvania governor-elect Ed Rendell.

"She is a really bright and inquisitive woman, and she is able to connect with such a wide variety of people on her show," said College senior Sarah Thompson, a member of the series' planning committee.

About 30 people were present at the meeting to hear how such an "open-minded and confident" woman reached her current position, according to Thompson.

After trying a variety of jobs, Moss-Coane arrived at NPR in the late 1970s. After a period of intense training, she started her own live show on family and human drama, topics that had interested her for some time.

Since then, she has worked incessantly to bring an informed and inquisitive point of view to a variety of fields.

"You have to be open and creative with a guest, but also critical," she said.

More than once, Moss-Coane stressed the total freedom she enjoys as a public broadcaster. She said that she is at liberty to discuss anything, from politics to video-games, without the constraints of a marketing department.

Also, she reminded the audience of her program's push toward fairness and balance of opinions, no matter the topic.

Moreover, Moss-Coane took time to underline the openness of NPR toward women and minorities, in the attempt to provide a different point of view from mainstream media.

"Work can be a place where you can be accepted no matter who you are or what you are," she said.

Moss-Coane took time to illustrate the position of radio today. She said she considers the absence of visual elements a good thing because it enables the listener to focus more attentively on the discussion at hand.

Finally, Moss-Coane talked about balancing work with family life, stating that the solution to such a dilemma can only be a matter of personal choice.

Audience members said they greatly appreciated Moss-Coane's contribution to the series.

"We may forget to focus on local leaders, and this is an important way to do that," College freshman Lola Bakare said.

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