Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Big Dog Construction

Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Special Guest, Beni Harmony Part 1

• Chris Hartsook

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0:00 | 40:47

Summary

Part 1 of this engaging conversation, Beni Harmony shares her journey from local journalism in Central Illinois to becoming a White House correspondent. The discussion delves into the challenges she faced in the media industry, her passion for highlighting first responders, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Beni reflects on her experiences at News Channel 20, the impact of her departure, and how she found new opportunities in the wake of adversity. The conversation emphasizes the significance of staying true to one's values and the personal growth that comes from overcoming obstacles.

Takeaways

  • Beni emphasizes the importance of authenticity in journalism.
  • She highlights the need for local stories to be told.
  • She faced significant pushback from management at News Channel 20.
  • Her departure from the station was a pivotal moment in her career.
  • Benny believes in serving the community through her work.
  • She found liberation in speaking her truth on air.
  • The support from her peers was crucial during her transition.
  • Faith played a crucial role in Beni's journey.
  • Support from friends helped Benny navigate challenges.

www.bigdogcc.com

Produced by Big Dog Media group with Big Dog Business Coaching

SPEAKER_04

Welcome to Design and Building Mid-Ellinois, one home at a time with Big Dog Instruction.

SPEAKER_09

The podcast you didn't know you needed.

SPEAKER_04

It's Chris Artuck and Caitlin Morgenini. Join us as we explore the stories, expertise, and project shaping the future right here in Mid-Ellinois.

SPEAKER_09

Whether you're planning to build, curious about the latest trends, or just love innovative ideas, we've got insights and inspiration coming your way. And some laughs too.

SPEAKER_04

Let's go.

unknown

Big dog!

SPEAKER_01

In the military, there's no such thing as good enough. You either do the job the right way, or you don't do it at all. I'm Blake Middleton of Elite Roofing Professionals and Exteriors. I'm a veteran, and I brought the same mission first mindset back to Illinois. While others talk about the way it's always been done, my team focuses on the technical precision of how a roof should be built. We use the best materials, the best technology, and a level of communication you won't find anywhere else. Your home isn't just a job, it's a commitment. Elite roofing, high standards, zero compromise, clear communication. Give us a call today.

SPEAKER_04

Hey, welcome back to Designing Building Mid-Illinois, one home at a time. I'm your host with Big Dog Construction, your local window depot, USA. And back with me again, as usual, is the lovely Caitlin.

unknown

Hi.

SPEAKER_04

And you know what? We have a special guest today, and we're gonna get to that special guest in a special location. But if this is your first time tuning in, hey, welcome. If you've been with us from the beginning, hi golly, thank you for joining us and continuing the journey as we help mid-Elinois homeowners design smarter, build better, and make confident decisions about their homes, and give them some damn information that they might need along the way, right? So plus entertaining conversations, right, Caitlin? It's gonna happen. And so today you might notice that we're sitting side by side and not across from each other because we have a special guest up in front of us on a Zoom because they're not local with us. They're local, but they're not locally in the location we are today.

SPEAKER_08

Presently.

SPEAKER_04

Presently. Yeah. So yeah, we're not gonna mention your name out, but you know, you will build anticipation. But before we build that anticipation more, let's pay a few bills, right? So we we have our 10x partners here at the Big Dog Design and Building Podcast. And we want to give a shout out to elite roofing professionals. They are here to take care of all your needs. Caitlin, I know you work with them a lot with Blake, uh, his team, and I know they're really at this big peak of their season, which their peak runs all summer long into the fall. So if you want to get a hold of elite roofing professionals, you think you have some issues with your home, give them a call at 217-851-3836. Or you know what? You can find them on the interweb at eliteroofingprofessionals.com. So I'm excited. And today's guest is somebody with an incredible story. And if you're from central Illinois, there's a good chance you've already known her name. Yes, her, right? Benny Harmony first became a familiar face to so many of us, trusted voice in Springfield's Channel 20, bringing stories into our homes, keeping our communities informed, and doing it with authenticity, professionalism, and a presence that just connected with people. But here's what makes her story really incredible. She didn't stop there. Benny took the same drive, talent, and passion for asking meaningful questions all the way to Washington, D.C. Yes, folks, the capital, Washington, D.C., of these here United States, where she now works as a White House correspondent, covering the biggest stories in our country, interviewing key leaders, and operating right at the center of national conversation. Think about that for a second. Okay. Journey from Central Illinois to the White House press cores. That doesn't happen by accident. It takes courage, it takes vision, and I can't wait to unpack that journey today, Caitlin and I both. But beyond the titles and the career accomplishments, what I'm really excited about is getting to know the person behind the camera lights, behind the headlines, behind the tough questions, behind the microphone, what shaped her, what drives her, what has she learned making that kind of leap? And what it really like is being in the rooms where history is literally unfolding in real time. This is going to be a fantastic conversation. Benny, welcome to our show.

SPEAKER_10

I mean, how about that introduction, Chris? Come on. It's a red carpet for you, baby.

SPEAKER_05

We got to put you on a pedestal, Benny.

SPEAKER_10

Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be talking with you guys today. Just two people that are truly making a difference in our community. So thank you guys.

SPEAKER_09

Oh, thank you. So I will go ahead and start off with our lovely listeners. Benny, so when did we meet? How many years ago was that? Now when was it?

SPEAKER_10

Oh, it was at 927. No, I think it would have been 2022, the end of 2022. Yeah. And you taught me everything I know, Katie. I mean, I'm here because of you. She's being nice, guys.

SPEAKER_09

Wow. But we worked together at 99.7. Really? The mix. I didn't know that.

SPEAKER_04

That's awesome.

SPEAKER_09

Was not Kiss FM, the mix. I mean, guys, we played 90s, 2000s, and beyond. Wait, what was the thing? We forgot it. 90s 2K in today.

SPEAKER_10

90s 2K in today. That's what it was. And I have to give Bonzi a shout out here because we love because when I first started, I walked into the station and I was like, I need a job. I was like, I need a job, Kevin and Bonzi. And Bonzi was like, Well, do you know anything about radio? And I said, No, but I can learn. And he's like, You remind me of a younger KD B. And I was like, Who's KD B? Who's KD B? And that's when he really wanted you to take me out of your wing. And you did. And you taught me that that radio, you know, that the way to because people can't see us, obviously. The way to relate, yeah. Yes, and relate and but with your voice, and you you do so good at that. And so we just had to give Bonzi a shout-out for bringing us together.

SPEAKER_09

And I have to say that he probably highly regretted it. I don't think that he like assumed that we would be so much alike. I mean, with Italian, the family morals. I mean the family. Yeah. And and I just feel like, and us being kind of like really larger than life and have to be true. He wanted to kill us multiple times. Celebrity bull bartending. I mean, we got in so much trouble for that, Katie. Because we didn't wear our things, we didn't wear our name passes, our badges. So, guys, I just wanted to give you a shout-out of like why Benny was so you know easy to get on the show, guys, because we are friends and we have, you know, stayed in contact throughout this time, of course, have followed her. And I loved your lifestyle show. So let's let's go after 99-7. You even stayed there after I left for just a little bit longer. And then I remember you texting me saying, hey, I can't remember if it was an interview or or there, I just left news channel 20. I'm getting ready to go. I was like, dude, I told you. So go on with that about your lifestyle show. How do you think that helped you to get where you're at today?

SPEAKER_10

Well, so I actually I remember sitting in the studio at 997 and I saw that WICS was hiring for a reporter. And I remember driving by the station multiple times and being from the area, we were so excited when news channel 20 would show up to our games. I mean, we were going to be stars. We were going to be stars. Yes, hundreds. So I didn't tell anyone and I just sent in an application and I got a call right away. And uh it ended up actually falling through as a reporter. Some of the things didn't line up. And so a couple months go by and I get a call from News Channel 20 again, and they're like, hey, our lifestyle host uh is leaving, and we think you'd be perfect for it. You're from the area, you're from the community, and it worked out better than I could have expected. And I knew it was my chance to tell the stories of my community, of the people that raised me, my family small business owners in central Illinois and back to my grandparents. And so I started working there, and I mean, the creativity and just I was so overflowing with ideas. I was like, how can I really touch every part of the community? And I mean, it started with artist highlights where I would bring in local photographers and musicians that perform acoustically, and then we started doing a lot of first responder stuff. And that was that was, and and Katie, I know you're with me on this, and that was where I really started to feel I was making a difference and feeling this fulfillment.

SPEAKER_09

Well, you could tell Benny through the camera how much that that meant to you with the first responders. I mean, that really made me inspired me to want to get involved with it more. I'm really serious. Like, I've got chills. Like you could tell how close you were with that Springfield fire department and how much that they were so thankful and grateful that you were giving them that spotlight that they so much deserve. Sorry, go ahead.

SPEAKER_10

No, Katie, it, you know, because I was in the newsroom environment, but I wasn't allowed to do stories. So like I wasn't allowed to go if there was a shooting or there was some sort of first responder accident, right? I wasn't able to do that. And and I remember sitting in the newsroom and I would always go up there because they stuffed me in the very back, back in the sales department, like as far to the door as you possibly could.

SPEAKER_09

No, you had a cubicle. Right.

SPEAKER_10

I didn't get to be in the newsroom, but I would always go up there. And I remember listening to the scanners. The scanners would be on 24-7. And I'm hearing all of this stuff happening, and I'm like, guys, why aren't you going to this? There's a there's a structure fire, there's an accident. Why aren't you getting live reports from there? And then a light bulb just it it just clicked. And I was like, I want to highlight them. They don't get any attention, Katie. And and Chris. They don't. None. And the only attention that they get is when something horrific happens or or one cop gets does something bad, and then it shows on the whole department and makes the whole department look bad. And so I just jumped right in and I started doing station highlights for the fire department. We started doing ride-alongs with the cops. I was helping with recruiting for the sheriff's department and SPD, the fire department. And to see the way these guys and girls lit up for the first time when a new van shows up, they're not like, here we go again.

SPEAKER_05

Right.

SPEAKER_10

They are like excited. Oh, they loved you to death. You can tell. And and I saw this excitement, but we can get into this too a little bit. I mean, it was not easy. I was told I couldn't do that. I was told you have to stop. You have to stop doing the first responder stuff. It's too much. I was called into the office almost after every single segment that I filmed with the fire and cops. And they told me that's not airing. And I said, What are you gonna do about it? I'm the producer and I'm the host. You're not gonna sideline everything I do. I don't want to turn this into bashing of News Channel 20 because I truly did learn so much about the type of journalist, the type of uh not entertainer, but but just the type of person that I wanted to be.

SPEAKER_09

Well, you gotta be a performer. You you you have to be a performer or else you can't get your message across. But I think that this is good that you're saying this stuff because most people, Benny, when they're getting pulled in the office and they're feeling like a superstar because they're on news channel 20, I would probably be one of these people. Maybe we don't know. But most people would be like, all right, you know, I'll pull back, I'll pull back. But you kept with your heart, and this is one reason why we wanted to have you on here to show how you designed and built, right? Built your life. You went through all these challenges, you didn't fit this, you didn't keep to the status quo. And that's okay, because now look at you. And you stuck up for what you believed in for firefighters in central Illinois.

SPEAKER_04

And Benny, if I can, I picked up on something a few minutes ago that you were saying about it was filling filling a void that you had. And so it sounds like you did you have this longing and and just you wanted to do more good out there, and that was an avenue you felt that was filling that niche there.

SPEAKER_10

No, Chris, for sure, because one of the things they always tried to get me to highlight the local Barbie collectors and woo do stories and and no shade to Barbie collectors, but they wanted to they wanted me to really not actually contribute. And when I started doing the firefighters and the cops, I saw that I was actually making some sort of difference. I could see recruitment numbers going up, I could see the way these people truly felt their message and what they do for a living was getting told. The inside, going in the academy and showing what they're teaching these guys. And and I could see fruit coming from it. Whereas a lot of the other things that I did, you know, and I'm so blessed, I got to talk to so many local businesses, Robert Farrell, you know, my business partner, the incredible people here in central Illinois, but there was something with that first responder content that really not only filled something inside of me, but I felt I was being of service. And and I felt I felt it called by God to do that. And it never went away. It still doesn't. I still see a fire truck or a cop going down the road here in DC, and and I wouldn't report on it. And so it holds a really special place in my heart. I feel I was called to to be a voice for them.

SPEAKER_04

And and that's you said it's a service above self. I mean, that's what we're taught in a good book. I love the story.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_09

So as you and and you know, I do, as a as, and you know, me and you, we love our skincare and our beauty product. No, no, I did enjoy those segments. I gotta throw that in there, okay, that you did. But I know what you mean because when I was fortunate enough to be a part of a local campaign here, it does really get to your heart because you really see the human that is behind the badge or the firefighter outfit, for lack of a better word. It just so I can see why you really enjoyed that. So you're at New Shield 20. You you fought through the first responder.

SPEAKER_10

Yeah. Let me just let me just say I almost got fired probably over 10 times for going and doing these shoots after they told me I was doing too many of them. And I just kept pushing back and and I did not allow at first. At first I did, and I was like, oh, I don't want to step on any toes. But then it got to a point where I was like, you guys, I'm the only one from Central Illinois here. You guys aren't even from here. You weren't raised here. You know the roads in this town. You have to use a darn GPS. So, no, you're not going to tell me who I can highlight and who I can't. You told me I have full creative control. Well, guess what? Here's the creative.

SPEAKER_09

And I also they had to have seen their numbers going up. They had to have. I mean, the way you were posting and and really getting it, there was no way that they did not see their own numbers going up.

SPEAKER_10

Zero. Katie, they lost probably about five to seven uh sponsorships after I left. I'm not surprised one bit. And I they had to get security at their doors after everything happened because people were showing up and and telling them how big of a mistake they made.

SPEAKER_04

Definitely. But don't you think that when that happened, it was probably the best thing that could happen for you in your career?

SPEAKER_10

Well, Chris, when all of it was happening, I told this story. I went on Dr. Phil and a couple other shows. I didn't know that. Yeah, oh my gosh, you have to go watch the episode. It was a whole hour episode. This is big time, girl. Okay. But Chris, when I that day because I I had worked for Turning Point, I had worked for these companies before. I hadn't been in the political world for a very long time. I gave it up because it was so toxic and because the divide and because I could the hatred that it felt, I couldn't talk to someone without them rolling their eyes at me when I'm we're not even talking about politics. And so I made it a point to leave this world behind a long time ago. And so when Charlie died, there's no other way to describe it but the Holy Spirit, whether you're a believer, whether you're not, I had absolutely no, no idea that I was going to go in the studio and make some sort of tribute. But I started seeing people messaging me on Facebook because I'm very active and I always listen and watch what people and they're like, why isn't your station saying anything about Charlie Kirk? Why is it your station mentioning this death at all? And it was that Monday, what was it, the September 15th? I went on the show and I was really just struggling a lot. And one of the things I really pride myself on is the authenticity and just not trying to be someone I'm not, not faking a smile. If I have an um an emotion, I want to show that because I'm human. And so I went on the show. And towards the end of the show, there was two minutes left. It was our outro, which we then tossed to uh the next show. And so I'm sitting there at my little desk and I just felt this overwhelming sense of say something, say something, say something.

SPEAKER_07

Right.

SPEAKER_10

And I just looked at the camera and I started talking and crying. And it felt like an out-of-body experience. I I didn't want to throw my career away. I had just signed with an agent. I was gonna go the normal route and work my way up the ladder, go to go to Fox or do whatever. And in that moment, I I kind of blacked out. And afterwards, when the show wrapped, I fell to my knees and just started sobbing. And I had never felt so light in my life. I had never felt such liberation because I knew it was coming from something deeper than myself. And so, as hard as that journey was, as hard as it was leaving News Channel 20, because that was my heart. I I wanted to tell the stories of my community. I didn't necessarily maybe want to leave Illinois again. I had left a lot of times. There was nothing in me that was like, I'm gonna go back to DC. Right. So when that happened, as hard as it was, there was just this sense of I'm going to be okay. Like this all was for something. I don't know what it was for, but I didn't feel sad. I was a little angry.

SPEAKER_07

Right.

SPEAKER_10

I was a little angry at how things worked out, but there was this light surrounding me. And I can't describe it, but it all went into where I am now and the growth that I have had at 24 years old would not there it is.

SPEAKER_04

That's what I wanted to hear. 24 years old.

SPEAKER_10

At 24 years old, I would not be where I am if it was not for that experience, for the getting called in the office, for the pushback, for having to learn how to deal with criticism and finding compromise and knowing when to push back and when to stop. The life experiences that I learned at that place will nothing will ever compare to to the way WICS is held in my heart because it's why I'm here now.

SPEAKER_04

Well, it's God's plan, obviously. You know what I mean? And that's why He spoke through you that day to put you where you are to make a difference. And you're obviously making a difference at 24 years of age.

SPEAKER_10

And you don't have to agree with Charlie politically or Exactly. Or this is not political. I am not saying I'm a Democrat or Republican. This was somebody that I knew. Went on there. I didn't say one thing political. I said that if this teaches you anything, speak your mind. Speak, use your voice, be loud, and don't be quiet. There was nothing political.

SPEAKER_09

Benny, it was a very powerful thing. I cried when I watched you. Okay. I thought it was very well done. Never once, never once have I seen, and I'm not just saying this because I love you, but never once have I seen you be unprofessional. Of course, we want you to be lively, or I don't want to watch, and and I'm glad that you're beautiful. Like that, that's part of being an inner too. You're easy to watch, you know? So that really upset me because here's the thing. I never even knew of Charlie Kirk until of his death. Okay. So when I go back and I'm just going back at all his things, all I could sit there and think about is his kids, is a dad, man. Like I don't care if he is a rock star up there and and this happens. Like it, he's a dad.

SPEAKER_10

He's a And Katie, as a woman, that's exactly how I felt too. It wasn't about, you know, we lost this man that changed the world with his views and created a movement, which he did. Yeah. But it was this man was just shot in the neck. And I just had to watch blood of someone that I knew running down his neck and dying for being on a college campus. There it was it was so far from political. It was there was nothing. Yeah. It was nothing. It was death. Death is, it doesn't matter if you like the person or not. Death is instant. Death is gone. But I'll never forget getting called into the office after I made the tribute. And they told me you have to remove it. Was that the same day? Uh yeah. So I was actually going to shoot with the firefighters right after the show.

SPEAKER_06

Right.

SPEAKER_10

So at After I finished the tribute, I sent a message to our YouTube editor and I said, Hey, can you clip that for me and send it to me? He sends it to me right away before I leave the station to go to shoot with the firefighters. My last firefighter shoot. Oh, it can make me cry. I posted it real quick because somebody asked. They said, Will you please post? I saw a message come through on my Facebook. Will you post what you just said on air? And never in my mind did I think, oh my gosh, I'm gonna get in trouble for this. And I posted it. I turned my phone on do not disturb because I had a little bit of a feeling because of just how much I got in trouble for everything that I did. Right. So I turned on my phone on do not disturb when I when I went to the firefighter shoot. And I just was present. I was present. And I think in that moment, I kind of knew this might be the end. And I just Katie, it was a I started crying at the firefighter shoot, actually. And the guys were like, Are you okay? I was like, it's fine. But I just sat there with them. And I kind of we did it, it was a lot longer of a shoot than anything before. And I just kind of sat there and we were playing shooting hoops back after outside of the firehouse. And I got in the car to go back to the station and I turned my fire, I turned my phone on, do not disturb. And I got have a text from my boss who says, Are you here? Can I see you? Can you come in my office? It's like this, this might be it. I go in his office and he says, You need to take down. You need to remove that that video you posted from your social media. And I was seeing red at this point. I so my one of my camera guys actually gave me a microphone to put in my pocket so that we could record the conversation. I have no way. Shut up now. Shut up now. Love you more than life. So we have a microphone in my pocket. I go in there, I have it all recorded. And he says, You need to remove that. And I said, But it's my personal social media page. What? It's not the station. It's not the stations. He says, That's our content. It can't be on your page. You need to remove it. And I said, okay, so I said, I post every single one of my segments on my personal page. All your companies that pay, do you want me to remove those as well? I said, every single bit of dollars that you get is on my page. So let me, I'll remove them all. They can all be gone. And he said, I don't know, Benny. I was just told that you have to remove it. And I said, okay, or what? This is where the disrespect a little bit, the sad. I said, or what? And he said, I don't know. And I said, okay, well, you let me know what they decide. And so this was a Friday. So I leave. I turn my phone off for the weekend because I can feel it brewing. I know it's brewing inside of me. So I go in on Monday morning and I had a great weekend. I go in, I get there at 5 a.m. like I did every single day and work my 12-hour days, have my full glam on, and I get a text from my boss and he says, Hey, will you come in my office? And I was like, Okay. I go in. I go in there. This was a daily occurrence. I go in there and he says, Uh, you're not having a show today, and you don't have a show until I'm told you do. I said, Why? He said, I don't know.

SPEAKER_09

And I said, This is shocking to me. I don't know.

SPEAKER_10

I said, Okay. Uh he goes, you can go ahead and do your couple interviews that you had scheduled, which was Robert. He was my one of my last interviews, Chris.

SPEAKER_05

Right, right.

SPEAKER_10

And I go in there, and then after I finish my interviews, he's like, You can go home. And I said, Okay. I said, Well, why? And we're sitting in his office at this point. After my interviews, I go back in there and um he said, There's something I need to tell you. And I said, What is it? He goes, My last day is next Friday. And I was, he, he, as as harsh as he was on me, it was because of management coming down on him. And he just kind of, I felt so bad. I mean, him and I still talk actually. And this was oh, this is none of this, none of this was him. It was all higher management.

SPEAKER_05

Everyone has lost.

SPEAKER_10

He said, I have to tell you, I have to tell you, Benny, my last day is next Friday. And I just started crying. I'm like, what do you mean? Like, I what do you mean? And I said, Well, I'm suspended from my show until further notice. You're leaving. I said, I'm done. I said, I'm done. And he said, Are you sure about this? And I said, Yeah, I am. He said, Okay, send me your send me your resignation letter. So I was suspended, sent in my resignation letter. So then after the show, this is where I went home. He said, You can go ahead and go home. Like there's nothing to do for the rest of the day. I go home and I get a call from him and he said, Your key card, are you guys ready for this? This this is in a span of like two to three hours. You can't tell me they didn't want me gone a long time ago. He calls me and he says, because I put in my two weeks. I didn't like, not like immediately. Right. Right. He calls me and he goes, There's no need to finish your two weeks. Your key card has been uh deactivated. Be here at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning to clear your office, and you're gonna need to wait for me to get here so that I can let you in. And I was like, Wow. Dude, that's rude. Shut it down, but you know, I'm glad you're saying this because you know I've not told this is my first time speaking about really all of this. I have not been into any of it. It kind of feels very liberating because I've been holding this inside for so long.

SPEAKER_06

Let it down, buddy.

SPEAKER_10

Yeah, I'm glad. And so actually, Katie, the amazing jammer, best human on this planet, he actually let me in even earlier than 7 a.m. because I didn't want to be there with it. I didn't want anyone, I had so much stuff to move out. I had a whole dressing room, I had my desk. Right. So I load everything up and I go home. And um, yeah, it was done the next day. The next day.

SPEAKER_04

Did he call you later that day and say, where were you?

SPEAKER_10

or Well, I think Jammer got in a little bit of trouble for letting me in actually. But I just told him, I said, no need, I'm already done, everything's cleared out. And he's like, Who let you in? And I was like, Chris, it's not that deep. I'm gone. I'm gone. Yeah, you got your phone, you got your computer, you got all your stuff. Yeah, so that was the end. And then I made a post on Facebook because I was like, goodness, I was like, I have shoots this week. I have the companies that have literally booked specifically for my lifestyle show because they want me to interview them. And I made a post, and that's when somebody reached out to me from DC and they said, Have you is this real? Because I said, you know, due to values not aligning.

unknown

I don't know.

SPEAKER_10

And they said, Is this real? And I was like, Yeah. And they were like, you need to get this on social media now. And so I made a tweet about it, and the rest is history.

SPEAKER_04

I know Robert did some recordings for you, I think at our downtown studio.

SPEAKER_10

He is, Chris, when I tell you the soul of that man.

SPEAKER_04

Yep.

SPEAKER_10

Ugh. I mean, Chris, I don't even have the words to describe to you what he means to me and his family and the way he stood behind me, stopped recording everything with them, and welcomed me into a place of his because I was in need. I I'd never met anyone like him, and I don't think I ever will again.

SPEAKER_04

He was he was ready to go to battle for you. He and I talked. He was ready to go take up arms for you.

SPEAKER_09

So was this with Robert right after right after that happened? And that that's what I'm saying. To meet someone like that when you're at you're so confused, maybe you're you're feeling did I do it right? Did I do it wrong? You know, to have someone like that behind your back says all- Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_10

And he made me confident in myself because he he kept repeating, and maybe this is the 10x in him, and and the all of it, all the growth that he does, but he made me realize and believe it was all gonna be okay.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_10

And all I had to do was text him. I'm still to this day. All I have to do is text him.

SPEAKER_06

Yep.

SPEAKER_10

And I actually have some things next time I'm home, I need to give to him. I have some souvenirs from Air Force One and stuff, but I just, yeah, he's amazing. He's truly amazing. And he he let me use his studio for everything I needed for all my hits that I was doing. I was supposed to go on Jesse Waters, but um Sinclair or whoever owned in my station ended up calling Fox and getting the interview canceled.

SPEAKER_09

And so okay, can we tell that story? Because I actually never knew what actually happened. Because remember, you're like, yes, I'm gonna be on Fox tonight. Like, we're so excited. I'm like texting everybody. I'm like, dude, Benny's gonna be on Fox, like after all this. And then something happened. So tell tell us about what happened there.

SPEAKER_10

So I don't really know what went down between the corporates, but I was at Robert's studio, the van, our mobile studio that Fox had sent from St. Louis was sitting outside of the studio. Um, the makeup artist that Fox had sent was doing my glam, was getting me ready. And all of a sudden the van leaves. And I'm like, wait a minute. I'm like, wait, what? What's what's going on?

SPEAKER_04

That was at our downtown studio?

SPEAKER_10

Yeah, right outside of the studio.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_10

And so I call the van driver and I was like, hey, where'd you go? And he goes, Oh, the interview's been canceled. I'm heading back to our headquarters. And then I get on social media and it was such a whirlwind. W I C S, they had released something that said everything that I was saying was a lie, that I'm lying, that I was a salesperson, I wasn't even on TV, and all this stuff. I remember people coming after them and being like, Are you guys dumb? Like, look, her videos are she was on TV. You're trying to say she was a salesperson? That's what you're that's your defense.

SPEAKER_06

Wow, wow.

SPEAKER_10

And so from what I know at this point is that RenCon Broadcasting, who had bought our station, they called Fox headquarters or corporate and basically said she's lying and and just completely blacklisted me.

SPEAKER_07

Wow. Dude. Wow.

SPEAKER_09

Well, I'm glad you cleared that up. So, but at this point now, how did you end up? Because we know, and guys, she had talked about before how she had been a part of Turning Point. That was basically 18. Yeah, I was young. I was really young. So that was before she came back to for 99.

SPEAKER_10

That was before I moved to Nashville, before I moved to Illinois. This was when I was still out in Arizona, and that's how I got involved with them because that's where they're based.

SPEAKER_09

Right. Right. So so then you you probably had contacts, obviously, still and friends. And then, so is that how you got into this now?

SPEAKER_10

Like this is Well, this is a fun, this is this is the fun part. And I think I've healed from all of the things that it took me a long time to realize all happened for my benefit. But this is where God really started to work. And and it's it's really unbelievable, actually. So one of my friends, uh, he is he works at the Pentagon. I used to work with him when I was in a congressional office interdiction. He was the communications director. He's actually the one that reached out to me. He's the press secretary, the deputy press secretary for the Pentagon. And he reached out to me and he said, You need to get this on social media. He's the person. And he stuck with me from when I was 18 years old working in a congressional office to we're still very close to this day. And so he did that. He was like, You need to get this out, ASAP. This is going to be big. And I was like, right, right, right. What? I was like, what do you mean? And all of a sudden, all my old people that I used to know, everyone from which I thought was kind of like my old life, these people have forgotten about me. They all came and just marched next to me, side by side. I start getting calls from Newsmax. I'm getting calls from OAN. I'm getting calls from, and I'm at this point, I'm still getting this is a couple kind of a couple days after. The way it took off, it was very overwhelming. All I did was just cry and praise God. I'd never had that much attention. And to be quite honest, I didn't really know what to do with it. All I knew is I don't know what happened. Like I blacked out. Like I all I can say is the Holy Spirit. I don't even know what's happening. And so all these companies are reaching out to me. I'm getting job offers. And oh, do you want to come work for the Tennessee Secretary of State? Do you want to come work for this candidate in Texas or the GOP here? I mean, I am at this point, like I just turn everything off. And I stayed pretty quiet for a couple weeks there.

SPEAKER_04

Did you go hang with your chickens?

SPEAKER_10

Yeah. I was gonna say and your dog. Yes. My mama went to church. And I'll never forget that Sunday after everything happened. I went to church and my parents were sitting at West Side. My parents were sitting way in the front, and I got there a little bit late, so I couldn't, I couldn't see them. So I find this seat in the very, very back. And I'm honestly during the sermon, I'm just crying. I had my I had my journal open and I'm so overwhelmed by everything. I just am crying. And the couple next to me, they look over and they're like, You're you're Benny. You're Benny Harmony. And I just start sobbing. And this wife and husband and older couple, I wish I knew their names. They wrapped me up. They didn't say a word. They not one word. They said, You're Benny Harmony. And I start crying and they hug me and they just said, It's all gonna be okay. We're so proud of you. And I yeah, I'm just I'm sobbing at this point. But to get back on track, there was just a lot of very God moments that week and week after that happened that nothing can describe it besides for God was literally with me that entire time and was walking next to me. And so back in actually 2023, somebody had referred me to Real America's Voice. Okay. I had already moved home at this point, Katie. This was after I was at the radio station, and it was between Real America's Voice and News Channel 20. I had an offer from RAV to go down to West Palm and work in the West Palm studio, and I had an offer from WICS for lifestyle. And I chose WICS because I didn't want to do politics. I wanted my community. That's interesting. I'm glad you you said that. It's crazy. It's crazy how everything kind of comes back around. So the week after everything happens at WICS, I get a call from a number, and he's like, hey Benny, this is Mark Serrano with Real America's Voice. And I we just we start talking, and the only thing we're talking about is God. There's no mention of a job, there's no mention of absolutely anything but God and Christianity, the movement, Holy Spirit, not even politics, really, just like serving. And I didn't even have to think about it. I got on the call with the dad and son that own the company, Real America's Voice, and I just said, I'll take it. I said, I want to work with you guys. I want to be with you guys because Charlie's show was on Real America's Voice. It was so perfect that I it there was no way of turning and and not knowing it was it wasn't God. And so I accepted the job. And my mom was like, Benny, do you think you could like maybe should have like can we wait a little bit? Like this is all happening really fast. I said I said, My starting date is October 6th in DC. It's like September 20 something. Right. It was like, she probably and I go out and I'm staring, I'm staring at my chickens in the yard, and I'm on the phone with the owner, and I said, I know I need to be with you guys. And I started moved up here October 6th, started as a congressional correspondent.

SPEAKER_04

Benny, what an incredible conversation so far. But I tell you what, I feel like we're just getting started because there's still so much more to unpack. The behind-the-scenes moments, the lessons learned, the challenges people never see, and what it's really like operating at that level in rooms where history is unfolding in real time. So instead of trying to rush through this conversation, we're gonna do this the right way. We're splitting this into two episodes. So if you enjoyed today's conversation, and trust me, the best is still ahead. You're going to want to tune in next week as we continue Benny Harmony's incredible journey. Make sure you're following the podcast so you don't miss part two, because we're diving even deeper into the story behind the success of Benny. Benny, thank you for joining us today, and we'll pick up right where we left off today. Until then, keep building, keep growing, and we will see you on the next episode of Designing and Building Mid-Illano Home at a time.

SPEAKER_00

Hey there. I'm Lisa Miller, managing broker and owner of First Choice Realty Pros. We don't just help you find a house, we help you discover home. My team and I are passionate about taking care of your needs, making the process smooth, and ensuring you get the personalized attention you deserve. Ready for the next step? Call us at 217-825-3999. With First Choice Realty Pros, you've got a team that's got your back.

SPEAKER_09

If you enjoyed what you heard, be sure to subscribe and follow us on Facebook or any of your favorite socials.

SPEAKER_04

Check us out on our website, bigdogscc.com. Until next time, Designing the Building.

SPEAKER_09

See you soon!

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SPEAKER_03

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