Mornings with Mike and Meg

More Than Twenty Years On, The #1 Morning 
Show In Windsor-Essex Continues To Evolve

Story by Matthew St. Amand
Photography by Mike Kovaliv

Meg Roberts’ first appearance as co-host of Mornings With Mike & Meg on AM800—with veteran broadcaster Mike Kakuk—was momentous for her in more than one way. Certainly, it was a milestone in her career, starting a new position, putting her voice and personality out there for a large listening audience.

“It was also my 30th birthday that day!” she says with a laugh. 

Meg has made good use of those thirty years, working as a video journalist with CBC Windsor in 2016, taking an opportunity in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2018, moving to Toronto to take a position as news reporter in 2022, and then finally returning to Windsor CBC in the summer of 2023.

“It has really come full circle,” Meg says. “I grew up on a forty-acre farm right in the heart of Essex County. I went to Colchester North Public School, and I have to say that the things I learned there really gave me the skill set to do well in life!”

Meg does not spend much time living in the past. Her present is pretty busy.

“Some of our listeners may think we only work four hours a day, but the reality is we’re at it throughout the day,” says Meg’s co-host Mike Kakuk, who, more than twenty years ago, was the new kid on the block, taking over hosting duties following the retirement of venerable Cam Gardiner. 

“After leaving at nine a.m.,” Mike continues, “planning for the next day’s show begins. News happens all day long and we have to respond. We interact with our audience, we know what they’re talking about, what concerns them. Whether it’s shredded pepperoni on their pizza, local events or the American presidential election. We have more of a mix of news.”

There is also the task of lining up guests to interview the next morning. As news changes through the day, this may throw the initial plan into a tailspin. Mike and Meg have to take that in stride, so they present their audience with what’s happening now.

Beyond these practical aspects of Mornings With Mike & Meg, the core of the show has always centered on the on-air personalities. 

As long-time co-host of The Morning Drive, Lisa Williams said in an interview following her retirement: “I’ve been really fortunate that I have had two co-hosts who worked so well with me. You can’t fake it because it wouldn’t last long. You’d hear the tension. The show wouldn’t flow. It wouldn’t be as fun.”

So, when Lisa retired after thirty-eight years, it seemed an insurmountable task to find a replacement for her.

“Nobody can fill that seat,” says Mike who co-hosted with Lisa for more than twenty years. “Lisa did an amazing job. We began our search looking for someone who had broadcast experience. We definitely wanted someone who was local. This area is very passionate about where we come from, what we build. And then we found Meg. She
has youth and experience, and she is local. We were confident she had the talent to make the transition from television to radio.” 

“Radio is a different platform,” Meg says. “It’s more intimate. There is more time on radio. I get the opportunity to interact with a greater number of people, daily—so many people call in or text us. That’s a huge difference. And I’m having fun already—not that I wasn’t having fun in TV! News is a stricter platform. It’s very scripted and not as spontaneous.”

Another significant difference is the show’s early hour.

“I’m still getting used to getting up at 4 a.m.!” Meg says. “After I look at the clock, I realize I have this amazing show to go to. I’m very grateful that I am part of helping people start their day.”

We asked Mike, what has been the response from the listening audience?

“They have accepted and enjoyed Meg,” Mike says. “The audience is really loving the energy she brings. Lisa was such a staple, such a legendary voice in this area and I thought it would take listeners a few weeks to warm up to Meg. The reaction, though, has been one hundred percent positive. People love what she brings to the show.” 

He continues: “We’re so lucky that Meg wanted to move over to this role. I don’t know many people who could make the transition as seamless for the audience, for me, working with this person for over twenty years and reset. It’s a little like starting over. But Meg has fit in perfectly. She has no ego and she’s willing to learn.”

Since the announcement of Meg joining Mike in the morning on AM800, she says her phone has been blowing up, her mother’s phone has been blowing up. After being away from Southwestern Ontario for a number of years, Meg says that she has a whole new appreciation for the area.

“Coming back to Windsor-Essex—it’s been great understanding how other cities work,” she says. “Experiencing other communities, their municipal politics, transportation issues, in Newfoundland and Toronto. Having lived that experience working with Council, different levels of government, allowed me to understand issues with more complexity.”

The human element was present from the beginning of Meg’s involvement with Mornings With Mike & Meg.

“You were so nervous!” Mike says, reminding Meg of her first show.

“I was—for many reasons,” Meg agrees. “Living in this community for so long I know the impact that Lisa Williams had, how the listeners treasured her, and I wondered how to fill those shoes. Radio is so personality driven. ‘Will listeners be receptive to who I am?’ I wondered. Once we got going, though, I felt better—that came from Mike, he was very supportive.”

“It was so cool to watch,” Mike says. “It brought me back to when I replaced Cam Gardiner. He and Lisa established what the show is, and I feel a real responsibility to keep that legacy going.”

Catch up on what’s happening on Mornings With Mike & Meg or listen to past shows by visiting www.am800cklw.com.