A black and white photo of a young man with dark hair, smiling, sitting at a radio station or recording studio with a microphone in front of him and sound equipment in the background.
Professional middle-aged man with gray hair smiling, wearing a black suit and light blue collared shirt.

My Story

It all started when…

…I was a student at the University of Maine interested in journalism and broadcasting. Our radio station aired what was then called “college rock”, and typical for a student run radio station at the time. I had a specialty show, playing classical music, early Saturday mornings. I soon started to listen to Maine Public Radio for classical music, found Car Talk, and soon learned there was a world of other programs I never knew existed.

Since then, I've spent my career in public radio across news and classical formats, in different sized markets and different roles. I've been a program director, music director, and host. I've led major programming change, participated in numerous on-air fundraisers, produced and edited audio, and interviewed hundreds of artists. Former hosts I've worked with are now in major markets across the industry.

My work reflects decades of hands-on experience and the influence of some of the best thinking in public media and on-air performance, including Cindy Carpien, Lorna Ozmon, Marilyn Pittman, and Dan O'Day.

My experience includes positions with Cincinnati Public Radio, WAMU (Washington D.C.), WBHM (Birmingham, AL), WCBU (Peoria, IL), WKNO (Memphis), WSCL (Salisbury, MD) and Maine Public Radio.

Recent achievements:

  • 2024: Classical music playlists led to notable audience growth during the December and Holiday rating periods, highlighting a strategic approach to seasonal content and listener connection. (WGUC/Cincinnati Public Radio)

  • 2024: Oversaw Spring 2024 on-air fundraising campaign, exceeding revenue goal by 12 percent and a 33 percent increase in new members from the previous drive. (Radio IQ/WVTF - Roanoke, VA)

  • 2024: Maintained top overall rated station in the Washington, D.C. market (WAMU)

  • 2020 and 2021 Radio Station of the Year
    Alabama Broadcaster’s Association (WBHM)

  • 2021 Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence Radio Television Digital News Association (WBHM)

  • 2019 Second Place Interview: R.E.M.’s Mike Mills: Classical Music Isn’t Stodgy Public Media Journalists Association

Discover more of my work
  • logo of Michigan Public

    Michael brought both a proven process and fresh thinking to our Spring fund drive. He reviewed and refined our scripts and delivered a comprehensive toolkit that will serve our team well beyond this campaign. His post-drive aircheck gave us a clear roadmap for what's next. Michael has a rare ability to understand both the craft of fundraising and the people doing the work."

    — Zoe Clark, Associate General Manager, Michigan Public

  • Logo for Wbhm, 90.3 FM public radio station, with the website wbhm.org and the tagline 'Public Radio for the Heart of Alabama'.

    "Michael really helped me to hone my style--he amplified my strengths and helped me feel more confident in areas I needed improvement. One of my biggest challenges was pronunciation and keeping my higher register low. Michael helped me to develop techniques to keep my voice grounded while dramatically cutting down on word stumbles and mispronunciation. What I learned from Michael was immeasurable. He was my biggest advocate while also remaining a guiding light for how to become a better host. "

    - Miranda Fulmore, former WBHM Morning Edition host

  • Radio station logo for WWTF with the slogan 'Radio IQ Music' in black, red, and blue text.

    “The real value of working with Michael Krall is that your team may not just improve, they may transform, thanks to his thoughtful advice and counsel. Michael’s easy-going demeanor made it easy for our entire staff to warm to him personally, but it quickly became clear that he knew exactly what it took to get results. While it's been a short while since he has worked with us in fundraising, the benefits continue to resonate. We’re still applying his strategies and techniques in all our drives.”

    — Roger Duvall. General Manager, Radio IQ/WVTF, Roanoke, VA

  • Logo for WAMU 88.5, American University Radio, with an orange background and white text.

    “I’ve known Michael for years, including during the time he was my supervisor. His deep knowledge of public radio, broad knowledge of classical music, and genuine commitment to community service make him an invaluable resource. As a programming leader, he’s thoughtful, patient, and collaborative — always willing to talk through ideas, mentor colleagues, and refine work with a careful editorial eye. He welcomes constructive feedback, brings humor to the job, and truly cares about the people he works with. Any station or organization would be fortunate to collaborate with him.”

    — Esther Ciammachilli, Morning Edition Host, WAMU, Washington, DC

  • Logo for LA 92.3 FM radio station, featuring bold text with a stylized 'LA' and the station's frequency.

    “Michael Krall is a programmer at heart. When I analyzed his station’s programming in my role at NPR, it was clear someone was paying close attention to the sound and going well beyond the basics. While he excels in the craft of radio, he understands content, how all the moving parts are connected, and has a knack for getting the best out of on-air talent. Any station would benefit from Michael’s knowledge and experience.”

    — Jeff Rowe, Vice President of Programming, LAist (KPCC) and former NPR Consultant

  • Logo of Blue Ridge Public Radio with a blue radio tower icon and text overlay.

    “I’ve known Michael for more than 15 years and I find him to be an excellent resource for programming knowledge. I value his thoughtful view of public radio and I am always happy when we can spend some time discussing our industry. He understands the big picture and how it relates to the small decisions and I’m glad he is someone I can call to brainstorm ideas with.”

    — Ele Ellis, CEO and General Manager, Blue Ridge Public Radio