From news and traffic reports to talk radio and pop music playlists, local radio hosts bring personality to South Shore airwaves. While the media landscape continues to evolve across on-air and digital platforms, these four local women continue to connect with listeners and keep people tuning in.
By Sydney Hemmer
Photography by Zoe Stoner
Lisa Donovan
Lisa Donovan starts her mornings on the mic as co-host of Billy and Lisa in the Morning on Kiss 108. Her relatable takes on local news and celebrity gossip and her quick sense of humor makes it feel like you’re catching up with a friend on the drive to work–always striking the right balance of real talk and positive energy.
A Milton resident who previously lived in Hingham, Donovan didn’t follow a direct path to a career in radio. After studying entrepreneurship at Babson College, she spent a decade working in public relations before joining Kiss 108 as an executive producer. Just three months later, she was unexpectedly invited to step behind the microphone.
Donovan’s connection with her audience extends far beyond the radio airwaves. She is also the founder of Lisa’s Book Club, which brings listeners together around a shared love of reading through a podcast and wildly popular live events. With a focus on authors from around New England, guests have included people like Elin Hilderbrand, Ben Mezrich, Mel Robbins, Lisa Genova, and Caroline Kepnes. The events foster community and also raise money for Raising a Reader Massachusetts, an organization that helps families build literacy skills at home.
Donovan was recently honored with a New England Women’s Leadership Award by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, a recognition that reflects both her impact on the airwaves and her commitment to the community. For Donovan, the most rewarding part of her job is connecting with people in real time, creating unscripted, in-the-moment content that feels genuine. While she admits that she has noticed shifts in media habits since COVID, she believes radio’s authenticity keeps it timeless. “People love sitting in their cars and listening to free radio and organic content,” says Donovan. “We focus on a lot of local content, which people want to listen to.”
Grace Curley
Grace Curley’s path to radio was inspired by a lifelong love of storytelling. Born and raised in Milton, she spent many summer days in Humarock, where evenings often meant gathering around the kitchen table with family, recounting stories about their day and trying to make each other laugh. Her gift for gab and love of performing eventually led her to a career in media and her role as host of The Grace Curley Show on WRKO, part of the Howie Carr Radio Network.
Curley’s radio program blends political commentary, audience interaction and lighthearted, goofy moments. “I love finding the rhythm and getting into the groove of a show, figuring out when to take calls, when to rant, when to lighten things up or slow things down,” says Curley. “I get to talk for a living, which is a dream come true.”
When she is away from the microphone, Curley focuses on family life with her young daughter and preparations for a new baby on the way. “When I am not working, the days are full of trips to the park or the pool,” she says. She still visits Humarock Beach and enjoys visits to The Bridgewaye and 1st Stop Coffee in Marshfield, as well as Nona’s Homemade and Roht Marine in Scituate. Curley is optimistic about the future of radio—especially its reach across multiple platforms, from live radio broadcasts and online streaming to podcasts, which allow people to catch up on their favorite shows at a later date. “People love having fresh content to listen to as they go through their busy lives,” says Curley. “I think the more the landscape evolves, the brighter the future looks for radio!”
Audrey Constant
Winner of “Best Local Radio Personality” in the 2025 Best of the South Shore Awards, Audrey Constant has been a fixture at 95.9 WATD in Marshfield since 2019. Each weekday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., she keeps listeners company on The Midday Show with Audrey Constant, which features a mix of music from the ’60s to today, sprinkled with local information, traffic updates, and the midday news report at noon.
Constant’s love for radio started young, often listening to Radio 85 WHDH Boston while getting ready for school. “Hearing music from the ‘60s and ‘70s paired with legendary radio personalities like Jess Cain and Sean Casey was magic to me,” she recalls. Now it’s Constant’s own friendly voice bringing that magic to the radio.
A South Shore resident for more than 20 years, Constant has built her career and her life in the community she calls home. When she’s not busy in the studio, she enjoys visiting East Falmouth, walking along Plymouth’s waterfront, fishing off Long Beach, and exploring historic Burial Hill. She sees the future of radio as a blend of traditional broadcasting with digital and social media. “In 2025, radio is still the only place where a listener can get local, up-to-the-minute information and emergency information, even if there’s no internet or the grid fails,” she says. And her favorite things about her job? “Giving away prizes! It’s always a great feeling to be able to make someone’s day.”
Beth Foster
Part of the dynamic duo who host The South Shore’s Morning News on 95.9 WATD, Beth Foster is a champion of all things local. Sharing the studio with the show’s founder, Rob Hakala, her work blends on-air reporting with managing the station’s online presence, sharing news, interviews and stories to their loyal audience in a variety of ways.
Foster’s passion for radio began during childhood, listening to programs like NPR’s Car Talk and the New York’s Z100 morning show, Z-Morning Zoo. She remembers the days after 9/11 when stations went silent–and the relief when familiar voices returned, reinforcing radio’s ability to comfort and connect. “I love any medium that makes people feel like they belong to a community,” says Foster. “Radio can be the cure for loneliness, and that is a very powerful thing.”
When she is not in the studio, Foster enjoys spending time outdoors at scenic spots like Nantasket Beach and Two Mile Farm, and visiting local historical sites (she even discovered she was descended from Plymouth Colony settlers). Working at WATD has deepened Foster’s connection with the community, and she makes a point of referring to her audience as “friends” rather than simply “listeners.” Foster sees the future of radio as part of a converging media world, where a strong social and digital presence are essential. “The outlets that last are the ones that evolve and meet people where they are,” she said. “As long as you make someone feel special and included, they’ll come back.”