Thomversations

Thom Kokenge is a broadcasting veteran with over 30 years of experience, focusing on live radio. Starting at the Central Washington University radio station KCAT (now KCWU), he advanced into management at the station and enjoyed broadcasting so much, he worked to get his degree in Mass Media Communication from CWU. And by work, he means he had 3 jobs to earn the tuition and books to get his degree without accruing debt, even though it took him 8 years to finally achieve it. While working at the college station, he started working at the local radio station KXLE. While there he eventually started doing morning and drive-time shows, plus working on weekends. At one point his Saturday night call-in “The Party Barn”, a song request and dedication show, had an unheard of 100% share of listeners 18 years and younger.

After graduation he worked at the other radio station in town, KQBE, as the morning show host, all the while still working at a full-time job. With his new found experience Thom went back to KCWU to hone his morning show chops. For the next couple of years he and his buddy Dale Hubbard woke up the Kitties Valley with "Thom and Dale's Morning Show." Eventhough it was super fun and there was success, Thom got, what was known as “downsized". That is to say, he lost his job, or as they put it, his "position was eliminated.

As you can imagine, this led to a lot of soul searching. So what did he do? He sold his house, took the profits and went on a grand adventure to vagabond throughout the Pacific Rim for 7 months. He basked in Hawaii and Fiji. He purchase a motorcycle and traveled up the east coast of Australia. Then sold the bike and went to New Zealand, Thailand, and Japan, then eventually back to the U.S.A. where he continued his travels around the Northwest. While on this months long journey he had time to get to know himself, and find his true passion in life, and that turned out to be radio.

It was getting to be winter in the states, and he started couch surfed with his family and friends. One such place was  his sister's 5th wheel trailer where she graciously let him live for 6 months. Without which he may never have met his future wife, Elise. Then came the day where he got the start in radio he was looking for, be became the Weekend Edition Host/Producer, and voice of the underwriting announcements, for the NPR affiliate Northwest Public Radio. NWPR happened to be the public radio station where he was already a member, and had even been on their listener advisory board. Life was getting pretty good. After a few years he became the All Things Considered Host/Producer at what is now called Northwest Public Broadcasting.

Throughout his career, Thom has interviewed people from many different backgrounds, from local farmers to state governors and celebrities. He finds that the more people he talks to the more he sees our greater common humanity.

He is an avid motorcyclist who rides from when the snow stops flying to when it starts. He very much enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons. He thinks it's one of the most wholly encompassing creative hobbies you can have. From writing, to drawing, to rolling the dice, to playing a role with other players while telling a tale of heroism with friends around a table.