This morning, I announced I am leaving the morning show on WKYC.
If you’re here, it means I’ve been a part of your morning routine for the last 15+ years. And since we’ve been through a lot together, I owe you an explanation.
My answer can be as simple as, “it’s time.” But the truth is that my reason for taking a huge step back from the news department is because of a million little things all added up at the same time. I realize now, I’ve outgrown this chapter in my life that I’ve loved for so long.
Growing up in Cleveland, I had the goal of becoming a local news anchor. When I was in college, I set my sights on the morning show at WKYC. I started as a general assignment reporter 17 years ago, but several months into the job, I became part the morning team.
One month after that, I met my husband. We went on lunch dates, dinner dates were at 5pm (and even that was pushing it) and I was always exhausted. Somehow, this brilliant and handsome man who hated any sort of spotlight asked me to marry him, signing up for a life of 2am alarms. We’ve been together for 16 years and we’ve never spent our evenings sitting on the couch with a glass of wine chatting about our days.
When I came back from maternity leave with my oldest daughter more than 10 years ago, I took on an anchoring role on the morning show and anchoring weekends with my dear friend Michael Estime. It was the job I wanted ever since I could remember. I decided that somehow I would juggle everything, no matter what.
Over those 10 years, I went through two more pregnancies and managed to make it in every morning despite the morning sickness. In fact, when my middle child was born, I spent the first few hours of labor anchoring a Saturday morning show.
I slept when the babies slept. I worked overnight hours so I could be there for every preschool graduation, school story time and after school snack. I’ve coached CYO teams and lead Girl Scout meetings all while on a few hours sleep.
The entire time, I made a promise to my husband: “I’ll work until this doesn’t work.”
And here we are.
I want to make a few things very clear: First of all, I am not totally leaving the newsroom. Secondly, WKYC absolutely asked me to stay full time as an anchor. But dreams change. Lives change. My priorities changed. I know there are going to be Facebook comments and a lot of speculation. So, I’ll explain.
In all this time of juggling motherhood and working, I created a show out of selfish need called “Mom Squad.” What started as a post-pandemic podcast over zoom turned into a streaming show for our parent company that now airs and streams in 51 cities across the country. It’s the company’s most watched content outside of news.
Now, there are opportunities with Mom Squad that I have to take advantage of. I will be shifting my focus to growing and developing that show. There are big things planned for my “little engine that could” show and I can’t wait to share more soon.
Since I am a storyteller at heart, I am humbled and grateful to stay with the WKYC family as a “special contributor”. In this capacity, I will be able to do in-depth stories a few times a month, still appearing in newscasts and occasionally filling in as an anchor.
In a couple months, I will also be launching an Executive Coaching business. I will be helping young executives with presentation and media skills. I have a couple exclusive clients I will be working with immediately and then I’ll be opening up my calendar to other businesses.
I have a few other big projects I will announce in the near future.
All of these opportunities give me the flexibility I need right now, and most importantly, the sleep.
In the meantime, for the first time since becoming a mother, I am going to take full advantage of the warm summer days with my kids. We will be lunching poolside. I am going to stay up late and read books. We are going to go to Cedar Point from sun up to sun down. I’m going to talk to my husband for more than 10 minutes a day.
“Are you going to be here in the morning?”, my 5 year old asked as I picked her up and held her on my hip.
“Yes, and I’ll be here when you get off the bus, too,” I told her.
“Is it because you love us so much?” she asked as she put her two little hands on my cheeks and looked into my eyes.
“Yes, baby, it’s because I love you so much.”
Thank you for your contributions to WKYC and greater Cleveland. I am so happy that you have the opportunity to be present with your family. My youngest son, Tommy had your dad as an English teacher his sophomore year. Thank you for being a person for others and gracing my living room for coffee each morning. Enjoy!
Good luck Maureen! I know you will do well. Have been watching you FOR-ever!!!😘
I’m so proud of you 🥰⭐️!! Priorities, priorities my dear. I’m so happy I was able to be a tiny part of the launching of your stellar career 👍❤️!! Tears of joy here; Happy life 🌟
❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations and best wishes for your future endeavors.
That was absolutely wonderful! So happy for you and your family, it’s so easy to get absorbed into a career that we sometimes don’t have a clear vision of what is truly important. So glad that you took that step to spend more time for what is most valuable, you and your family. All the very best to you Maureen 🙏
You have been an absolute pleasure to spend my mornings with! Family First! Best of luck as you move on to this new chapter in your life!
Follow your dreams! You are settinga wonderful example to not only your daughters but other young girls as well.
Wishing you nothing but the best!
CONGRATULATIONS to you Maureen! You deserve this! Thank you for doing what some of us moms can’t and understanding and not judging us! So glad we are not losing you! Best wishes for continued success and for being ther for your babies!
This is beautiful Maureen. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Enjoy every minute with those beautiful girls.
All the best. We’ve watched you grow up all these mornings and congratulate you and your family.
Enjoy each morning and help your husband build that moat.
Congratulations Maureen on your new endeavors!!! I’m happy you will still be around to catch up with!!!
Oh I so hate to see you go, but I totally understand. It doesn’t surprise me, as you have a heart of gold. You will certainly be missed. I am really happy for you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing your life and your heart with all of us. And please, for me, thank your husband and children for sharing you with so many people. God bless you Maureen and God bless your entire family.
Thanks you for sharing your journey and future plans. I’m excited for you….for all of it….best of luck. You will be missed in the mornings.
C❤️NGRATULATIONS! We are empowered by growth, change, and life! It sounds like you are about to embark on your next journey!
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Congratulations! Change is a wonderful thing! I know you will blossom in this next chapter.
Well, my world has officially been rocked! But that’s purely selfishness on my part. What you have done thus far in your career has been outstanding, reflecting your talent, work ethic and dedication to your colleagues, company and viewers. I’m so glad that you’ll be continuing at WKYC and we’ll be staying in touch. I smiled as I read your thoughts (and thank you for sharing them with us) and reasons for your decision. After 35+ years of getting up at 5 am on weekdays (and often on weekends) I can relate to the sleep deprivation. Catching a 10-minute cat nap after lunch and before the next class was a blessing! Now that I’m retired, I can relax as I enjoy my coffee each morning (I know you’ll love that!), being able to meet someone for lunch, run errands when stores are actually open and being able to stay up to watch something live on evening TV, are all gifts you’ll enjoy.
You can be so proud of your career thus far. We all are. And I SO admire your commitment to and love of your family. Godspeed, Moe. I look forward to seeing you around. ☺️
Wishing you nothing but the Best, but your character, strength and tenacity the business that you’re created will be excellent. I can’t wait to read about it. Congratulations
I have to admit, this one hurts, as you age routine becomes important. That being said it has been a pleasure watching you grow and share your professional and private lives with us. Your reasons are the best, you can never get time back with your family. Thank you for the past experiences, enjoy your future, looking forward to your future work. Stay Well and God Bless!
Life is very short I’m so glad you are taking time to enjoy some of it . You will be missed in the morning for sure! Best of luck to you on your new adventure in life!
Maureen, all the best! I will miss your cheerful face in the morning as I’m sharing breakfast with my husband.❤️
Good luck, Maureen
I don’t know you personally but I knew you would be a success at channel 3. You have that rare on-air presence that speaks volumes — what you see is what you get. You have a unique quality that allows you to display your true personality like a good friend next door. Viewers are smarter than we give them credit and they know when news anchors are as genuine as you. As Dan Rather wrote, “The Camera Never Blinks.” You will continue to succeed in all your endeavors, not because of what you are but who you are and what you bring to the audience. People are drawn to good and caring and happy elements in media. So keep smiling and just be yourself. I’m happy for you and especially for your family. Again, the best of luck!!
Jack, this is the nicest message I’ve received in all of this. I’ve always been a big admirer of yours. I’m humbled that this is how you saw me. I am continuing in this business, just in a different way. Hopefully towards the future of the industry. Your words will stay with me always. Thank you for taking the time to write!
You will be missed in the mornings. However, your incredible creative plate remains full. Besides your Wonderful Family, so many will continue to benefit from everything you are already doing as well as from your future endeavors. Wishing your continued success with everything and especially the normalcy of family time.
Maureen, I am sad to see you leave the morning show. I have been blessed to watch you grow this whole time. May your next chapter be the best. Take care of those babies! Enjoy your family. Best of luck ! You will missed. ♥️
Maureen,
You’re a class act, and you deserve sleep and so much happiness. So many peoples’ lives begin each day to your steady demeanor. You are genuine, and that has always come through. Best of luck in your next adventures!
Congratulations on your new endeavors!! And for realizing your limits and shifting till it feels right!! Enjoy this change. I trust you’ll continue to shift as necessary!! 🍀♥️🍷☕️👪
This is beautifully written. Congratulations Mo! Although we will miss you terribly on the morning show, hopefully it means I will see you more on the tennis court. I don’t think you will ever regret this decision. 💕
Congratulations! And so happy for you for following your heart! Best of luck in your new journey, and enjoy that time with your family. ❤️🍀
You almost got a bobblehead like Austin and Dave…although Dave never showed it. Your smile and charm will be missed Maureen but family comes first no matter what.
All the best to you!!!
I’ve enjoyed waking up with you on WKYC, Maureen. I’m happy for you and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Although you will be missed, family comes first!! Congratulations on making the important decision to be completely present with your family. Although I waited until my youngest was in 7th grade to make a career change, it was worth finally being able to be a room mother and drive for field trips. Best wishes Maureen. I’ll see you around.
Thank you for sharing your life and precious time with us. Enjoy this new chapter of your life! It’s going to be wonderful!
I’ll miss you in the mornings but good for you! Congrats and much success in your opening opportunities!
Congrats! You have always been a gracious personality with beautiful comments and content. I know so many will miss you as a morning anchor, but there is so much more to life ahead. So glad you still have the opportunity to change things up somewhat and get some well earned time to do some other important things.
Congrats on new adventures and endeavors. Enjoy family and late dinners. 🙂
It was a pleasure working with you! I remember when you 1st started at WKYC!! You’re the best!!
I’m sure you will be very successful on your new journey . A great wife, mom, daughter, Christian and newscaster . Good luck and God bless
Maureen, I missed your announcement and just now heard of the change while watching Leon Bibb interview Danita Harris this morning and seeing she will be replacing you.
I will miss seeing you in the morning and wish you all the best! Enjoy your break, your babies and that glass of wine in the evening with your husband!
I’m having a really tough time not having you on my TV in the mornings. Yes, I admit it. Your smile, your delightfulness, your voice and your pretty face were enough to get my day started. Good luck and I’ll keep looking for you to show up on TV again…. In the meantime, I’ll miss you….desperately.