Watch the replay: 35 years in media and a box of letters in a file drawer

Published 19 days ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader!

Last night's episode is one of those conversations where every story she told had another story inside it.

My guest was Phylis Eagle-Oldson. She walked into the cable industry in 1971 at age 22, answered a Sunday ad in the Washington Post, and met Marty Malarkey, the first president of the National Cable Television Association. She did not know what cable was. He hired her on the spot.

That kicked off 35 years in media. Nineteen at NCTA. Then sixteen as President and CEO of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, where she doubled corporate partners, grew paid internship opportunities by 400%, and raised more than $6 million in grants. She watches ABC News most nights because four of her Bowen kids are on it.

One story has stayed with me since we said goodbye. She mentioned in passing one day to Bill Bresnan, a cable industry entrepreneur and Foundation board member, that her dad was heading up to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for his high school reunion. A few days later her dad called: "Phyllis, who's Bill Bresnan?" There was a fruit basket waiting in his hotel room.

When I asked her what she wants her legacy to be, this was her answer:

"I have a box of every single note any one of my Emma Bowen students sent me, all in alphabetical order. That's my legacy right there. You talk about you're having a bad day. All you have to do is open that box and you're in good shape."

Connect with Phylis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phylis-eagle-oldson-5868914/

Learn more about the Emma L. Bowen Foundation: https://www.emmabowenfoundation.org/

Remember: You are amazing. I am amazing. We are amazing!

Love and gratitude,
Cynthia Manion

Let’s live, learn, and grow together, Cynthia