The Positive Difference: The Drive Home (People Who Inspire)

Inspiration across the Radio Waves @ KLRC 90.9

Last week we introduced you to the hosts of the Morning Show at KLRC 90.9. This week we want to introduce you to the duo that makes our drive home a positive experience. From 3pm to7pm each weekday, you can catch The Drive-Home show with Ansen Bayer and Kara Bird. Not only are these two amazing hosts, they also work behinds the scenes of KLRC. Asen is the Assistant Program Director and Kara is the Imaging Director. Let’s get to know the Drive-Home duo of KLRC. .

Cyndi Kay Green: Please give us a brief introduction (family, hobbies, career, location)

Ansen Bayer: I graduated from John Brown University in 2008, and have lived in Siloam Springs and worked at KLRC ever since. My wife and I have been married for 14 years. We have two daughters (ages 9 and 6), one son (age 2) and one dog—he’s technically the oldest “child” (age 12). I serve as KLRC’s Assistant Program Director, co-host the Drive-Home with Kara, and head up Real FM, our pop and hip-hop focused radio app. I enjoy making music, running, watching sports, and playing video games with my kids.

Kara Bird: I live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas with my sweet husband, and our fur baby (Reverb the cat.) We’ve been married almost 3 years, and are enjoying doing life together. This summer we spent a lot of time on the lake, enjoying our refurbished 1982 boat! We also love some friendly mini-golf competition, which is usually followed by ice-cream. I work for KLRC, a Contemporary Christian Radio Station that reaches Northwest Arkansas, as well as parts of Oklahoma and Missouri. We all wear a lot of hats, but my primary role is production director. (Meaning I get to put together all the fun stuff that plays in between the songs.) And of course, I also get to co-host the afternoon show every day with Ansen!  

CKG: Give us a summary on your journey with Christ and who has influenced your spiritual growth the most?

AB: I inherited a strong foundation of faith from my parents. Attending college at JBU helped me to acknowledge and wrestle with my doubts, ultimately making that faith my own. I’m blessed to be married to a woman who loves Jesus, has a lot of spiritual wisdom, and is very gracious to me… I lean on her often. I enjoy reading authors like R.C. Sproul and Tim Keller. I fail much more than I succeed, but I am so grateful that, as Keller says, “It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that saves you.”

KB: I grew up in a home where my mom and dad both loved Jesus, so I was introduced to him at a young age. Since that time there have been many ups and downs. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety, and gone through some hard and lonely seasons. But if there’s one thing that’s become clear through all that, it’s that even when I feel like I’m not strong enough to hold onto Him? Jesus will always hold onto me. And sometimes, he does that through His people. I’ve had so many spiritual mentors over the years, in addition to my family, and I’m immeasurably grateful. Honestly, this team of people I work with at KLRC, who are really more like a family, have probably influenced my growth and healing the most.

CKG: Who chooses the Office of the Week?

AB: Our Program Director, Mark.

CKG: What has been the most impacting call from one of your listeners?

KB: A few years ago we received a call from a listener who had just begun her journey toward sobriety. She called to let us know that on day 20, she was really struggling, and ready to give up. But when she got in her car, intending to drive to the liquor store, KLRC was on the radio. A song came on that distracted her, and instead she drove straight home. She called to tell us, “if I didn’t have a safe place for music, I probably wouldn’t have made it to day 21.” We’ve continued to celebrate Kara’s healing journey with her over the past few years.

CKG: Do you think that music can sometimes get in the way of true worship?

AB: That’s a very interesting question. Music is an essential part of Christian liturgy—the people of God have been worshipping through music since at least the Exodus from Egypt. Worshipping through song teaches us the gospel, promotes unity, and connects us to God. But music should serve our worship of God, not dominate it. I do think it’s possible for us to get so caught up in our preferred style of music or our favorite songs or leaders that we are distracted from true worship.

CKG: What song have you seen have the biggest impact on your listeners?

KB: Wow, that’s almost impossible to answer. We hear from so many people about so many different songs that have literally changed their lives. I think what’s so amazing about it is that God chooses the song they need in the exact moment they need it. Just a few of the songs we hear mentioned in those stories a lot- Just Be Held, by Casting Crowns, You Say, by Lauren Daigle, and Mercy Me, Even If.

CKG: Tell us about a time that God directly answered a prayer.

AB: My wife and I have experienced two pregnancy losses. We spent many days and nights praying for God’s favor in safely granting us our third child, and we are so thankful (most days!  ) that prayer was answered.

KB:  I feel like I spent a lot of time in my early adulthood asking God to put me where he wanted me. Show me where to go! Make it clear, God! What’s interesting is, as I look back over my history, I can see where he did exactly that. But a lot of the time, it didn’t feel like that’s what was happening. I felt like I was wandering in the dessert. Things felt foggy and confusing. But there was purpose in each uncertain step. He was preparing me in some really unique and beautiful ways for the place He’s brought me today. To a place I couldn’t have dreamed up if I had tried.

CKG: What is the most important tool that you have that helps you stay focused on God?

AB: The rhythms of regularly engaging with church liturgy and practicing spiritual discipline. I get off track easily, so I need constant nudges and reminders to keep God at the center of my life. The practice of confession each week at church reminds me of my position in relation to God. Listening to scripture readings and praying while I exercise has helped me prioritize and structure regular communion with Him.

CKG: What has had the biggest impact on your relationship with Jesus?

AB: Sharing life (both the struggles and the victories) honestly with others who love Him.

CKG: What has been your go to verse for the last year?

AB: Psalm 93.

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;

    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;

    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.

Your throne was established long ago;

    you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, Lord,

    the seas have lifted up their voice;

    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

    mightier than the breakers of the sea—

    the Lord on high is mighty.

Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;

    holiness adorns your house

    for endless days.

CKG: At what moment did you know that God was real?

KB: It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I knew he was real for the first time. But throughout my journey, there have been so many times He has made His steadfast love real to me through story. A movie, a book, a song… all showing up with the exact message I need to hear, at the exact moment I need to hear it. And quite often, that same message or theme will show up in several different places in my life at once.

CKG: What song has made the biggest impact on your life in the last 12 months and why?

AB: My favorite song has long been “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us.” It paints such a clear picture of both the depths of my own depravity and the unfathomable richness of God’s love.

KB: Fighting for Me, by Riley Clemmons. The message of this song is such an anchor for me, especially when the despair starts to creep in and I think, I don’t have what it takes. It’s one God has reminded me of again and again. “You will never stop fighting for me, when I can’t fight for myself. Every word is a promise you keep, because you love me like nobody. You stand up for me. In the darkness, you’re by my side.”

CKG: In the midst of this chaos, do you feel that more people are learning to worship in a deeper way?

KB: I think we’ve all probably had to wrestle a little bit with our view of God in the midst of this chaos. Are we worshiping Him as He is, or how we wish He was? I think that wrestling is good, and ultimately often leads us into a deeper appreciation and trust in who He is. Which is really worship.

CKG: How can our readers get in touch with you?

AB: Feel free to send me an e-mail any time at ansen@klrc.com.

KB: You can reach out to me via e-mail! kara@klrc.com