Quickfire Round: Cuomo vs. Banfield, Country Music, & News with Markie Martin

Quickfire Round: Cuomo vs. Banfield, Country Music, & News with Markie Martin

Join us for a funny, lighthearted, and casual bonus episode featuring the delightful Markie Martin from NewsNation’s Morning in America, where we get into a quick-fire questions revealing Markie’s preferences, from her favorite coffee choices to her love for country music. Markie shares her admiration for both Cuomo and Banfield, highlighting the unique skills each brings to their shows. The conversation flows as we discuss the refreshing nature of NewsNation, which strives to deliver news without bias, allowing viewers to form their own opinions. With plenty of laughs and personal anecdotes, this episode is a fun dive into the world of news and the connections it fosters across the globe.

Markie Martin joins Grant Alexander in this awesome bonus episode of House of Style, where they chat about into the world of television news and personal passion. The conversation kicks off with a playful debate about favorite NewsNation hosts, Cuomo and Banfield, highlighting the distinct qualities that each brings to their shows. Markie expresses her admiration for both, particularly Banfield’s long-standing commitment to true crime journalism, which she finds captivating and authentic. The two hosts share their mutual love for NewsNation’s approach to news reporting, emphasizing its refreshing lack of opinion and bias — a rarity in today’s media landscape. This focus on delivering news without the clutter of editorializing is a breath of fresh air for viewers, and they discuss how it fills a gap for audiences seeking straightforward news coverage.

As the discussion unfolds, Markie reflects on her experiences as a television personality and the joy of connecting with viewers from all over the world. She shares heartwarming anecdotes of receiving messages from fans in far-off places, reinforcing the impact of her work. Grant and Markie also touch upon the fast-paced nature of news broadcasting, where each moment brings a new story, keeping them on their toes — a stark contrast to the monotony of corporate jobs. The episode takes a lighter turn with rapid-fire questions, revealing Markie’s preferences for coffee and possibly independent coffee shops over chains, showcasing her personality beyond her professional role. They discuss her love for country music and Grant’s family’s budding musical interests, creating a warm and relatable atmosphere that resonates with listeners.

The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of authenticity in media and the unique challenges and rewards of being in the public eye. Markie’s insights into the evolving nature of news consumption highlight a significant trend: the audience’s desire for a balanced perspective. The candid and fun conversation between Grant and Markie not only entertains but also provides a thoughtful exploration of the role of media personalities in shaping public discourse and connecting with viewers on a personal level. This episode is a delightful blend of professional insights and personal anecdotes, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in news media and the personalities behind it.

Takeaways:

  • Markie Martin expresses her admiration for anchors Chris Cuomo and Ashleigh Banfield’s unique talents.
  • Markie enjoys the refreshing, opinion-free news format of NewsNation and its appeal.
  • The connection with viewers from around the world is a rewarding aspect of being on TV.
  • Markie shares her excitement about storytelling in broadcasting and how it keeps her engaged.
  • The hosts discuss the challenge of choosing between favorite news personalities, revealing a lighthearted camaraderie.
  • Markie reflects on her missed opportunity to see Shania Twain live, sharing a humorous anecdote.
Transcript
Grant Alexander:

All right, welcome back to House of Style. This is the Patreon exclusive bonus content.

We're here with Marky Martin still and just thought we'd have a conversation to get to know her a little bit more on a personal level and get some. Maybe some juicy stuff out of News Nation. I feel like News Nation is pretty. I know you love News Nation and so do I, but I. Let's. First question.

Are you watching Cuomo or are you watching Banfield? Who you watching?

Markie Martin:

Can I say both of them?

Grant Alexander:

If you watch both.

Markie Martin:

I do watch. I love both of them for very different reasons. They are talented, man. When I say they have the gift of talking and they can just. Okay, camera on.

I'll talk for an hour. I'll tell. You know, it's a gift. It's a total gift. I admire them both very much.

I love true crime, so I love watching Banfield and, you know, the guests that she gets on. Just that she's, you know, been sources with. She's been following a lot of these stories for, you know, 20 years.

Grant Alexander:

That's what's really impressive.

Markie Martin:

So she is in it. She lives it, she breathes it. So I love the true crime from her. Yeah. And she's a great also, I will add a cheerleader from afar.

I mean, she is a champion for us here. Yeah, she's amazing.

Grant Alexander:

Ashley, big fan. I watch your show every night, too. I mean, I just have a recording for Morning America. Cuomo, Dan and Ashley.

Markie Martin:

Oh, yeah.

Grant Alexander:

Every.

Markie Martin:

Every day.

Grant Alexander:

Every single day.

Markie Martin:

You are a super fan.

Grant Alexander:

Superman. I mean, I love it. I record. Oh, yeah. It's all I talk about. Yeah. I'm legitimately a superfan. I talk about it all the time. It's what I reference.

Like, I used to reference pretty much New York Times when I was reading it. Then I couldn't take it with the editorials I still like. Some of the reporting is fantastic, but the editorials were so much.

Markie Martin:

Yeah.

Grant Alexander:

And, like, that was just about the same time when I came across NewsNation, I was like, oh. And so now I just, you know, spit.

Markie Martin:

News Nation, no opinion. Refreshing, isn't it?

Grant Alexander:

So nice.

Markie Martin:

What a novel idea.

Grant Alexander:

Isn't it in news that it took that long four years ago, five years ago for a network to say, like, we're just not gonna do it that way. Yeah, Maybe a huge chunk of the country will like, will like it, too. It regularly blows my mind.

Markie Martin:

Yeah, it was a risk, but it's paying off for sure because I think people like to live in their own echo chambers. Because a lot of people say, you know, I really want something that's down the middle.

But a lot of people do, like living in a place where they're fed exactly what they want to hear. So we've broken the mold, no doubt about it.

Grant Alexander:

I remember the first time I watched Dan's show and I think about this regularly.

He had on multiple Republicans that were not even like, I won't say like normal because that's, you know, I think that's usually blown out of proportion. He had some very strong Republican and super conservative personalities on and I didn't at first.

There's five minutes went by and I'm like, this is a little too, like, I don't know that I can watch this. And then he just started grilling them. And then the next set of guests was on the left leaning side and he started grilling them.

I was like, oh, this is actually really cool that this is happening.

Markie Martin:

And it let you just make up your mind for yourself.

Grant Alexander:

Yeah, it's been refreshing.

Markie Martin:

Good, I'm glad.

Grant Alexander:

What is your favorite part about being on tv?

Markie Martin:

Oh, gosh. I think connecting with people is amazing. When you have people who.

I had a guy write me the other day, he goes, I watch every day from Spain, you know, and I'm like, awesome. What? You know, just from all corners of the world, like, hey, Marky, you know, my husband and I watch you every morning in Kansas City.

And it's just like, you know, to hear that kind of feedback because I don't see people on the other side of the camera, obviously, but to hear people give feedback in that kind of way and remind you, like, hey, people are watching and we really enjoy what we're seeing. Or sometimes I get feedback, you know, sometimes people, you know, chime in and you hear all sorts of stuff.

But I always welcome feedback as long as it's in a, you know, a respectful. Yes. So I think, yeah, connecting with people in all parts of the world. And I also appreciate that every day is so different.

I don't do well with monotony. And not only is every day different, every 20 seconds is different.

I'm telling a different story every, you know, 20, 30 seconds, you know, an interview might be three, four minutes long, then it's on to the next one. And so it keeps me on my toes and it keeps, keeps my brain churning in a way that I don't think any other job would cool allow for.

Grant Alexander:

Yeah, I love that. I couldn't imagine, can't imagine me still being in my corporate job doing the same thing all the time.

You know, they try to pitch it, like, oh, every day is different. You're like, I'm writing the same exact content just for a different company. Yeah. All right, we're gonna.

We're gonna do some quick, quick hitters, okay?

Markie Martin:

I love rapid fire.

Grant Alexander:

All right, we're so. I'm not.

Markie Martin:

This is, like, first thing that pops to my head kind of stuff.

Grant Alexander:

Coffee or tea?

Markie Martin:

Coffee.

Grant Alexander:

Starbucks, Dunkin or independent?

Markie Martin:

Independent.

Grant Alexander:

Cool.

Markie Martin:

La Colombe. Right. Well, maybe that's not independent. That's probably not independent, but. No, not anymore. It was Starbucks.

Grant Alexander:

Used to be.

Markie Martin:

Okay, wait, take that back. Independent.

Grant Alexander:

There you go.

Markie Martin:

And independent. I'll just go ahead.

Grant Alexander:

Yes. Period.

Markie Martin:

And. Yeah.

Grant Alexander:

Heels or sneakers?

Markie Martin:

Sneakers. Sorry, that wasn't fire. That wasn't quick fire.

Grant Alexander:

Motivational book or fiction novel?

Markie Martin:

Fiction novel.

Grant Alexander:

Louisiana or New York?

Markie Martin:

New York.

Grant Alexander:

Chicago or New York?

Markie Martin:

Chicago, definitely Chicago. Yeah.

Grant Alexander:

All right, this one, you have to pick. Cuomo or Banfield?

Markie Martin:

Get out of here. I cannot. I plead the fish.

Grant Alexander:

Okay, fine.

Markie Martin:

Well, I'll say. Let me say Banfield because I've actually met her.

Grant Alexander:

All right?

Markie Martin:

She and I gave a talk together.

Grant Alexander:

Once, and now speaking to Chris, you have to meet Marky and me. I'd love to meet you too, Chris.

Markie Martin:

One of these days.

Grant Alexander:

Yeah. Wine or cocktail?

Markie Martin:

Cocktail. Margarita.

Grant Alexander:

Oh, that's a good one. That's a good one.

Markie Martin:

I love to kick off a Friday with a margarita.

Grant Alexander:

Favorite genre of music?

Markie Martin:

At night. Not in the morning. Not like before I go on show.

Grant Alexander:

Morning America with margaritas. The newest show brought to you by.

Markie Martin:

News Nation Morning America.

Grant Alexander:

Favorite music genre?

Markie Martin:

Country.

Grant Alexander:

A favorite country artist.

Markie Martin:

Ooh, I don't have a favorite. I love the classics. I Love a Tim McGraw. Kenny Chesney's somewhere with you is my absolute favorite song of all time. I love Blake Shelton.

I love Brantley Gilbert. I love Luke Bryan. I don't know. I don't know. I don't. I can't choose country.

Grant Alexander:

I. Kenny Chesney, did a Soldier Field performance a few years back that was one of the ultimate, best live performances I've ever been to.

Markie Martin:

Do you want to hear my tragic country music show story?

Grant Alexander:

I'd love to.

Markie Martin:

So I'm not a big concert gal. I don't love crowds. It doesn't matter what it is. I don't like football games. No. I don't like crowds.

But last year when I first moved here, my husband and I were like, let's go grill. Let's have dinner.

Let's leave our phones downstairs so we Went up, we grilled, had a loving, lovely night, glass of wine, come back down, check my phone. And I had missed a text from a co worker here who texted me and said, hey, Marky, this is so last minute.

I have front row tickets to Shania Twain tonight in Chicago. And I had missed the text by an hour and a half. He goes, this is so last minute. My buddy I was supposed to go with backed out.

I don't want to go front row alone to Shania. Do you and your husband want it? And by the time I got the text, the show was starting, like, right then.

And when I say devastated because I love Shania Twain, that is a concert that I would have bent over backwards, you know, to get to. So that's my tragic country concert.

Grant Alexander:

I feel for you there. My dad, when we were growing up, we weren't listening to kids songs like we were. We listened to Shania Dwayne. Asa Bass was one of his.

Markie Martin:

The good stuff.

Grant Alexander:

The good stuff. I grew up loving that. But we're.

We're not forcing that on Aspen, but Aspen, like, the past few days and last week, her two favorite things to request in the car on the way to daycare is the soundtrack from the Greatest Showman. And now from Wiki.

Markie Martin:

That's incredible.

Grant Alexander:

It's incredible.

Markie Martin:

She's how old again?

Grant Alexander:

Three and a half.

Markie Martin:

Three and a half.

Grant Alexander:

And singing all of, like, yesterday. She's like, can you put on Never Enough? And she can almost now, without help, sing Never Enough. It's adorable. It's one of the coolest things.

Markie Martin:

That's awesome. And she'll have a love for music and have those kinds of family memories in the car for the rest of her life.

Grant Alexander:

I mean, I've always said I'm not going to push anything on her, whether it's anything from school to whatever her passions, they can choose. But I'm like, okay, if she really loves your showman so much, because it's, like, the story of my life, and I love it.

Well, they're going on Broadway soon. I'm like, she can be the younger daughter that ends up as the tree at the end. Just, like, sitting there waving.

Markie Martin:

That's a perfect. And if that's your happy place, you wave that tree better than anybody else.

Grant Alexander:

I might try to push her into that. She loves theater.

Markie Martin:

An Aspen that would be. That'd be fitting. Exactly.

Grant Alexander:

It's a. Who can play a tree better than Aspen?

Markie Martin:

That's a great.

Grant Alexander:

That's my pitch. Thank you very much, Marky. That's awesome. Um, I think that wraps it. I think we got the quick hitters we need. Um, big thank you again.

Really appreciate this.

Markie Martin:

Thank you for thinking of me.

Grant Alexander:

Of course. This is. I mean, this is really so cool for me to get to be on the set that I watch.

Markie Martin:

Yeah. Well, come back anytime.

Grant Alexander:

Thanks.

Markie Martin:

This was great. I can't wait.

Grant Alexander:

Security is gonna be, like, granted. Make me look good, Grant. Of course. Mike. Mike does a great job at making everybody look good.

Markie Martin:

Yeah. Thank you.

Grant Alexander:

All right, well, thank you very much again. This has been House of Style, and just remember, style isn't in your wardrobe. It's in.

Scroll to Top