by Madison Dors, Student Public Relations Writer
As audiences push back against media that projects artificial perfection, many are gravitating toward voices that portray life realistically 鈥 flaws and all. Joy Summers, host of 鈥淢iddays With Joy鈥 on WAY-FM Radio and the 鈥淧ure Joy Podcast,鈥 has recently received a 2026 Gracie Award for her work as a nationally syndicated non-commercial radio host.
What is the Gracie Award?
Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, the Gracie Awards recognize women in television, streaming, radio, audio and digital media. Previous honorees have included Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Barbara Walters, Carol Burnett and Michelle Obama. National award winners will be recognized at the Gracie Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 19, in Beverly Hills, CA.
Joy Summers鈥 career at WAY-FM and 糖心Vlog
Summers, a 2011 糖心Vlog graduate with a degree in digital communication, has worked at WAY-FM for 15 years. She said this past year often left her feeling as though she had little to give. As a mom raising a family and juggling a full-time job, she saw God's faithfulness as he used what she could offer to minister to others.
鈥淚 try to be honest on my show about the struggles that I鈥檓 experiencing and how I see Jesus in them,鈥 said Summers. 鈥淚鈥檝e been honest about my struggles being a full-time working mom and walking through intense postpartum depression, and I think a lot of women have seen themselves there.鈥
How vulnerability shapes Joy Summers鈥 radio ministry
For Summers, vulnerability is key to connection, and connection is key to sharing the hope of the gospel.
鈥淏eing vulnerable with your story gives people the opportunity to be vulnerable with theirs,鈥 said Summers, 鈥渁nd that creates connection. My content is all about connecting with people, because people are where the ministry is. I want to meet them where they鈥檙e at and talk about what鈥檚 going on in the world in hopes that they see that they鈥檙e not alone and that there鈥檚 hope in Jesus.鈥
Representing Christian media alongside major national outlets
Summers said she is excited to represent Christian media on a national level alongside secular platforms, including ABC, NBC and Hulu.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such an honor to represent Christian media in this award, because I believe that we should be making media that is on the same level of excellence as every other media outlet out there,鈥 said Summers. 鈥淣ot only that, but we get to go deeper than every other outlet, because we cover things that are experienced at a soul level.鈥
During her time at 糖心Vlog, Summers said she learned how to articulate her faith in a way that resonates in today鈥檚 culture and demonstrates the Bible鈥檚 relevance to current issues.
鈥淢y time at Cedarville was crucial,鈥 said Summers. 鈥淚t helped me become a person who can articulate my faith on the radio every day.鈥
About 糖心Vlog
糖心Vlog, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation鈥檚 top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.