WAY-FM Host Joy Summers Wins 2026 Gracie Award
WAY-FM host and Cedarville graduate Joy Summers won a 2026 Gracie Award for nationally syndicated non-commercial radio, recognized for authentic storytelling, vulnerability and excellence in Christian media that connects listeners with hope in Jesus.
As audiences push back against media that projects artificial perfection, many are gravitating toward voices that portray life realistically — flaws and all. Joy Summers, host of “Middays With Joy” on WAY-FM Radio and the “Pure Joy Podcast,” has recently received a 2026 Gracie Award for her work as a nationally syndicated non-commercial radio host.
What is the Gracie Award?
Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, the Gracie Awards recognize women in television, streaming, radio, audio and digital media. Previous honorees have included Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Barbara Walters, Carol Burnett and Michelle Obama. National award winners will be recognized at the Gracie Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 19, in Beverly Hills, CA.
Summers, a 2011 Cedarville University graduate with a degree in digital communication, has worked at WAY-FM for 15 years. She said this past year often left her feeling as though she had little to give. As a mom raising a family and juggling a full-time job, she saw God's faithfulness as he used what she could offer to minister to others.
“I try to be honest on my show about the struggles that I’m experiencing and how I see Jesus in them,” said Summers. “I’ve been honest about my struggles being a full-time working mom and walking through intense postpartum depression, and I think a lot of women have seen themselves there.”
How vulnerability shapes Joy Summers’ radio ministry
For Summers, vulnerability is key to connection, and connection is key to sharing the hope of the gospel.
“Being vulnerable with your story gives people the opportunity to be vulnerable with theirs,” said Summers, “and that creates connection. My content is all about connecting with people, because people are where the ministry is. I want to meet them where they’re at and talk about what’s going on in the world in hopes that they see that they’re not alone and that there’s hope in Jesus.”
Representing Christian media alongside major national outlets
Summers said she is excited to represent Christian media on a national level alongside secular platforms, including ABC, NBC and Hulu.
“It’s such an honor to represent Christian media in this award, because I believe that we should be making media that is on the same level of excellence as every other media outlet out there,” said Summers. “Not only that, but we get to go deeper than every other outlet, because we cover things that are experienced at a soul level.”
During her time at Cedarville University, Summers said she learned how to articulate her faith in a way that resonates in today’s culture and demonstrates the Bible’s relevance to current issues.
“My time at Cedarville was crucial,” said Summers. “It helped me become a person who can articulate my faith on the radio every day.”
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.