By Hope 103.2Friday 27 Aug 2021Hope AfternoonsStation NewsReading Time: 3 minutes
Taking over from Laura Bennett on Hope Afternoons, Hope 103.2 has been excited to welcome Ben McEachen to the team.
And, Ben is excited to share with you “the things of God, the universe and everyday issues, current affairs and the odd post about something weird happening in our world” each weekday between 12pm and 3pm.
So, let’s get to know our newest on-air announcer with some random questions about family, faith, and fun.
Who makes up your family?
My wife Amy, and daughters Elodie and Ingrid.
Something you’ve always loved?
I’m a lifelong fan of checked shirts.
What did you get up to before Hope 103.2?
I studied journalism at the University of South Australia before starting at News Limited’s Adelaide Advertiser as a sub-editor and became their first Film Editor. I spent several years writing about movies, including interviews and reviews and scored my dream job at Empire magazine – loved working there – until Christian convictions steered me to completing a Bachelor of Theology at Moore Theological College in Sydney.
Since graduating, I was a freelancer in Christian media – including co-host of The Big Picture, reviewing for Open House and deputy editor at Eternity News.
You can order anything from a food delivery service to turn up at the doorstep of a Hope 103.2 listener, what are you sending them?
I know the correct answer is “whatever they would like” but as I want to eat hot chips pretty much every day of my life, I’d be more than happy to arrange a massive delivery of fries to their front door. If lockdown had finished, I’d invite myself over for a feast.
When your morning alarm goes off, what do you do?
Turn it off and not get out of bed. For some time. I have huge trouble making myself spring out of bed, so I need to set the alarm a lot earlier than I need to get up.
Do you have any hobbies?
Does watching movies and TV shows count? If not, then no, not exactly. Unless I can say my family, reading the Bible and having a coffee each day. But I think those things are facts of my life, not hobbies. Wow. Turns out I’m really boring.
Where in the world would you like to visit when #pandemiclife settles down?
A driving holiday on the West Coast of the USA. My wife Amy and I want to mark our 10th wedding anniversary in a few years, by taking a road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle. We hope that by 2023, #pandemiclife might be allowing for #internationaltravellife.
As a movie reviewer for more than a decade, what was the best and worst movies you watched?
Great question. Hard to answer. How difficult is it to pinpoint just one?
While I have plenty of favourites and not-so-favourites, Back to the Future (1985) is a personal best. I saw it at the cinema as a kid and have loved it ever since. It’s a fantastic example of movie magic, imagination and skilful execution. As for a worst… the first that comes to mind is The Bounty Hunter (2010). I still remember how riled up I got talking about how terrible that “romantic action comedy” was, on an Open House End of Year Special. Shudder.
Why be part of Hope?
Hope wants to help Greater Sydney to connect better with God, though the big and small things of life. With the ultimate hope for people being found in knowing and loving Jesus more, I am pleased and privileged to be working with a team that creatively communicates Jesus’ love, joy and purpose.
What do you have planned for Hope Afternoons listeners?
I enjoy reflecting on what is happening in the world and discussing how God’s truth, wisdom and practical advice can guide our path through it. Whether it is breaking news or a strange new trend on TikTok, I want us to be able to take a look at it through the Bible’s lens – and see how that helps us all to be a more loving, understanding and content community.