Article by Melinda Eddleman

You may have heard the term “Golden Oldies.” For the lineup of next week’s episodes of Del Mar College’s Viking Radio, they may not be old, but they’re golden. Drawing from the past five months, the College’s 30-minute conversational radio show and podcast, Viking Radio, will feature some of the best episodes produced during the past five months, airing Monday through Friday, Oct. 19-23, on Retro Country 105.9 FM and 103.3 FM and Retro Tejano 104.1 FM.

Viking Radio airs from 9:30 to 10 a.m. weekdays locally and then anytime on Spotify and YouTube after each airing. Episodes are recorded and produced completely in-house with airings in partnership with Retro Radio and the Larry Elizondo Power Hour.

Check out next week’s schedule running Oct. 19-23:

Monday, Oct. 19: Tourism Secrets Revealed
• Guest: Brook Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Corpus Christi

• Description: Brook Kaufman breaks down the art of attracting visitors to the city. Tourism is both an economic engine and a storytelling craft, and Kaufman brings both perspectives to the table as CEO of Visit Corpus Christi. She reveals how Visit Corpus Christi positions the city as a premier destination, ranging from data-driven marketing and brand development to creating memorable visitor experiences that keep people coming back. 

Tuesday, Oct. 20: From DMC to Hollywood
• Guest:  Lydia Blanco Garza, business owner of Hollywood-based The Blanco Agency

• Description: Lydia Blanco Garza’s story starts at Del Mar College, where a young aspiring actor first stepped onto the stage with big dreams and zero guarantees. Now the owner of The Blanco Agency, Garza returns to share her journey from Corpus Christi to Hollywood – the auditions, the setbacks, the breakthroughs and the moment she realized she wanted to help others chase the same dream. She talks about building a career in the entertainment industry and how she now prepares future stars to take their shot.

Wednesday, Oct. 21: A Life Transformed
• Guests: Del Mar College alumna Elizabeth Pacheco and Cornado Gallegos, instructor of Environmental/Petrochemical Lab Technology

• Description: DMC graduate Elizabeth Pacheco and faculty member Cornado Gallegos share a deeply personal conversation about the Environmental/Petrochemical Lab Technology Program and how it transformed Pacheco’s life. They discuss the program’s rigorous training, real‑world applications and the confidence it instills in students seeking stable, meaningful careers. It’s a story of education opening doors and reshaping futures.

Thursday, Oct. 22: Building Homes, Changing Lives
• Guest: Ben Molina, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Corpus Christi, Inc.

• Description: For more than two decades, Ben Molina has dedicated his time, talent and heart to Habitat for Humanity Corpus Christi. From volunteer to executive director, he joins Viking Radio to discuss how safe, affordable housing changes lives and strengthens communities across the Coastal Bend.

Friday, Oct. 23: Leadership with Grit
• Guests:  Texas State Representative and Chairman Todd Hunter and DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Escamilla

• Description: Texas State Rep. Todd Hunter and DMC President and CEO Dr. Mark Escamilla share candid stories of leadership, perseverance and navigating the complexities of Texas politics. They reflect on public service, higher education and the grit required to advocate for the Coastal Bend. It’s a conversation full of insight, experience and behind‑the‑scenes perspective.

Anyone who misses these episodes or wants to hear previously aired conversations can listen on Spotify or YouTube.

Viking Radio features conversations with local educators, leaders, innovators and changemakers shaping the Coastal Bend. With a casual, informative and fun format, Viking Radio guests ranging from Del Mar College students and professors with great stories to share to business owners and representatives of nonprofits who are making a difference in the community.