Inspired by Mister Rogers and a family rooted in giving, Hurst supports public media with passion and purpose–past, present and future.
Gwen Hurst’s first strong memory of public television is watching Mister Rogers Neighborhood. “The way he was in the world was the way I wanted to be in the world,” she explained. “I loved the way he looked at things.”
Early on, her own neighborhood also connected her to public television. “Jack and Jean McBride were neighbors of my grandparents, and they’d sometimes come over to visit,” she said. McBride led Nebraska’s network as general manager from 1953 to 1996.
Hurst grew up in a family that prioritized giving. “For every dollar we earned, I was taught to save 10 cents and give 10 cents. I always considered how to make those same choices for myself,” she said.
As a young adult, she participated in a radio fundraiser, sponsoring programming on her dad’s birthday. “It was a way to honor him and our shared love for public radio,” she said.
Later, Hurst included Nebraska Public Media in her will. She also contributes monthly as a Sustaining Star, recognizing her family’s relationship with the McBrides by giving at a level that allows her to be part of the Jack G. McBride Society. “I knew he was an icon.”
Hurst consumes public television and radio in her own space and at her own pace. She watches and listens over the air, but two member benefits allow her to be more deliberate with the media she consumes. “I used to say PBS Passport was my favorite benefit, but now it’s PBS Passport to watch and NPR+ for listening,” she said.
With NPR+, radio’s newest member benefit, Hurst listens to podcasts and news on her schedule. “I can look through the list and curate what news I listen to each day,” she said. “I am just scratching the surface in my journey of discovery with the app.”
Hurst explains that public media creates a sense of community by bringing people together to support shared values.
“We give to the community because it benefits the community. We want people around us to have more of the good stuff that we enjoy – long into the future,” she said.