Leslie Marshall is no newcomer to the world of talk radio; she has been a radio talk host for over 20 years and a political pundit on national television for the past seven. Leslie was the youngest person ever to be nationally syndicated on radio when she replaced Tom Snyder on the ABC Satellite Radio Network in 1992. She was also the first woman to host an issues oriented program nationwide.
Originally from Boston, Leslie earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and attended Emerson College’s Master’s Program. She started her broadcasting career as a radio news reporter at WBSM in New Bedford, Massachusetts; an hour outside of Boston. Hoping to move into television, Leslie took her news skills to Miami, Florida. While there, she started working at various stations; covering news, traffic, weather and even some disc jockey work.
One night, when hosting an overnight nostalgic music program on WFTL, Leslie did a special “Remembrance” hour in which Veterans called in with their experiences. It was that night that Leslie was discovered by a Program Director at the talk station across town. He phoned her, and told she might have missed her calling…. After anchoring, reporting and hosting music programs, she decided to give talk radio a try… and after one show, she was hooked! Leslie started her talk radio career at WNWS in Miami where she remained for 3 years.
When WNWS was sold and changed formats, Leslie’s chose to host mid-days at WGR Newsradio in Buffalo, New York. Although Leslie only spent one year in Buffalo, the audience considered her a native and she felt a connection to the people in that community rather quickly. In just two ratings books, Leslie beat the ratings of the unbeatable Rush Limbaugh. Time Magazine even mentioned her success that year. Having such strong ratings,
Leslie was sought after in the top ten radio markets. Leslie left Buffalo for Houston, Texas where she hosted middays again and, beat Mr Limbaugh again; but this time, it only took one ratings book. All this time the network had been watching Leslie and in 1992 she got her chance. The ABC Satellite Radio Network/Daynet, offered Leslie national syndication, making her the youngest person ever syndicated in talk radio at the time. And she had some big shoes to fill….Mr Tom Snyder’s. Leslie’s program was was heard on over 200 stations nationwide for 3 years. After 3 years the network disbanded and Leslie went to work for WLS/FM in Chicago, hosting an afternoon drive talk show and keeping in the ABC radio family.
When the OJ Simpson trial ended, WLS-FM flipped to a music format, so Leslie decided to join her love of nearly 8 years, move to San Francisco and get married. Leslie approached the ABC talk station there, KGO, and they were happy to bring her on board. In addition to having a weekend show at KGO; she was also the regular bench person for their full time weekday lineup.
She has been seen on programs such as: “The O’Reilly Factor,” “Hannity & Colmes” and “Your World with Neil Cavuto” on Fox News Channel; “Scarborough Country” on MSNBC, “Showbiz Tonight” on CNN, “Kudlow & Company” on CNBC and “Headliners and Legends:Halle Berry.” At the time, Leslie was a regular on the Fox News Channel debating her conservative buddy, radio talk host Mark Williams every Wednesday morning on Fox News Channel for 2 years.
Once again radio came knocking and when 50,000 watt powerhouse WWKB was flipping to a progressive format, they wanted Leslie. Leslie hosted middays on WWKB’s new progressive station “The New Voice, The New Choice” for one year, helping to get it’s progressive feet off the ground.
Leslie can also be heard filling in for such greats as Alan Colmes on the Fox Radio Network and Jim Bohannon on The Westwood One Radio Network. And yes, you can still see Leslie on national television; whether it be Fox News Channel, CNBC, MSNBC or CNN. She is also a much sought after public speaker and does occasional speaking engagements. Leslie broadcasts in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband, their two children and their cat. Her passions (in addition to talk radio!) include travel, spending time with friends and shopping of course!!! You can find out where Leslie is appearing, to invite her to your speaking engagement, or to discuss sponsorship of the program, please go to her website:
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