November 14, 2026
Virtual via Zoom
HostCon returns Saturday, November 14, 2026 as a virtual conference built for public radio hosts and producers. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. central with sessions on the craft of hosting, continuing coverage, resilience on the job, and a conversation with one of public radio’s most familiar voices.
A Conversation with NPR’s A Martinez
This year, we’re pleased to welcome A Martinez, host of NPR’s Morning Edition since 2021. Someone who crossed into public radio mid-career — he joined NPR member station KPCC in 2012 — Martinez believes public radio journalism can be accessible, relatable, and understandable to everyone. He joins us virtually for a 90-minute conversation about the challenges of taking on a national role, his Morning Edition interview process, and the view from a network host chair. He’ll also take your questions.
Continuing Coverage and Lessons Learned
Best practices for public radio hosts and producers on continuing coverage. This session explores how the Minnesota Public Radio and Chicago Public Media newsrooms handled reporting on the surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, including the deaths of two American citizens at the hands of ICE agents in Minneapolis. It also looks at how public radio stations in Michigan managed continuing coverage of life-threatening, widespread winter weather that left large areas without power for several weeks.
Resilience Training: Dealing with the Mental Toll of the Job
Journalism is a high-stress, trauma-facing profession. Journalists regularly cover traumatic events and navigate ethical challenges while facing harassment and threats. According to the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma, studies show a direct link between journalists’ psychological well-being and professional resiliency and a newsroom environment that feels accepting and supportive — one where leadership is perceived as informed, consistent, and fair, and where staff are bound by a clarity of mission and standards.
In this 75-minute virtual session, John Barth — an associate trainer for the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma and the former chief content officer at PRX — offers tips on the basics of self-care, along with tactics to cope with stress, trauma, and burnout.
One-on-One Airchecks with Michael Krall
HostCon attendees have the opportunity for a separately scheduled aircheck session. In his decades in public media, consultant Michael Krall has served as a program director and host in multiple markets — including Cincinnati, Memphis, and Birmingham — working with a wide range of hosts. Michael is offering up to 10 virtual aircheck sessions, providing practical tips that apply directly to on-air work. Each session can last up to two hours. Participants are asked to provide one hour of their regular on-air hosting, recorded between October and December of this year.
Registration Information
This year, HostCon is offering a 3-for-1 deal. Registration is $150 plus processing fees, and allows up to three people from your station to attend. Additional discounts will be offered if more than three people want to attend from your station. All sessions are virtual in 2026, and there will not be an in-person option. Registration will open on September 14, 2026.
