“Chachi Loves Everybody” Drop New Eps With Dan Mason & Dave Santrella

11/4/2026

“Chachi Loves Everybody” Drop New Eps With Dan Mason & Dave Santrella

“Chachi Loves Everybody” Podcast Releases Two New Episodes Featuring Former CBS Radio Head Dan Mason and Salem Media Group CEO Dave Santrella

LOS ANGELES, CA – October 27, 2026 — Benztown, a global leader in radio imaging, voiceover, programming, podcasting and jingles, announces the release today of two new episodes of Chachi Loves Everybody, an original podcast produced by Benztown and hosted by Benztown President and audio brand builder Dave “Chachi” Denes. The episodes feature Chachi’s special guests, longtime broadcast executive Dan Mason, and Dave Santrella, head of Salem Media Group.

To listen to the new Chachi Loves Everybody podcast episodes, visit: https://bit.ly/ChachiLovesEverybody.

On the first new episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Dan Mason shares his remarkable journey from a young radio enthusiast to a media industry leader, offering insights on persistence, innovation, and leadership in broadcasting. This episode explores his career milestones, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring broadcasters. Topics discussed include:

The relentless persistence that helped him realize his childhood dream of working in radio
His philosophy of making big market stations sound small
How he learned by doing as he climbed the ranks through every step of his career
Becoming a programmer GM before being named president of Cook Inlet
Integrating many different cultures and brands while navigating mergers at CBS
Stepping back at CBS, then returning to help struggling stations and launch CBS Sports Radio and digital platforms
Transitioning from CEO to sports broadcaster and horse racing analyst
Investing in VSiN, and selling to DraftKings.
Dan’s involvement in the Broadcasters Foundation of America
His advice for the next generation of broadcasters
And More!

On the second new episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Salem Media Group CEO Dave Santrella, who looks back on a broadcasting career that began as a high-school radio DJ in the Chicago area and grew through sales, station leadership, and executive roles. He shares how early mentors shaped his work ethic, why he puts clients’ needs ahead of a sale, and how a move to Salem allowed him to align his professional skills with his faith.

Topics discussed include:

Dave’s Chicago upbringing in Niles, Illinois, and how early radio curiosity started with a high school building that looked like it held a station tower
His first radio breaks at WMTH and WVVX, including learning the grind of early broadcasting and taking whatever gig was available
How a college job driving the WMAQ White Sox fan van exposed him to advertisers, clients, and the business side of radio
The sales mentorship of Steve Lessman and Joe Dubeck, including the tough love that helped him grow up fast in a grown-up business
Why he believes the best salespeople diagnose client needs first and are willing to say, “I’m not the right fit”
His leadership philosophy, including the value of giving reps credit, helping others win, and avoiding silos
Moving to Salem Media and launching The Fish in Chicago
Salem’s expansion into Salem Surround, Salem Now, and Salem News Channel as a response to digital change and audience behavior
His advice to people entering media
And More!

Chachi Loves Everybody takes listeners with Denes – better known as “Chachi” – as he sits down for candid conversations with broadcasting legends, master brand builders, up-and-comers, and media innovators, revealing the true stories behind their successes and their insights into building iconic brands.

About Dan Mason

Dan Mason began his radio programming career in 1975 at WZGC-FM/Atlanta. Two years later, he became program director at WPGC-FM/Washington DC, while also serving as national program director for First Media, the station’s parent company.

In 1979, the 27-year-old Mason became one of the youngest general managers in the U.S. at KTSA and KTFM/San Antonio before returning to First Media (later Cook Inlet Radio Partners) and becoming president of the company in 1988. Five years later, Mason was appointed president of Group W Radio; when the company merged with CBS Radio in 1995, Mason became president for a seven-year stint. During this period, Mason successfully integrated the original CBS, Group W, Infinity Radio and American Radio Systems stations. After five years as a free-lance adviser and consultant, Mason returned to CBS Radio as President and CEO in 2007 before retiring in 2015.

During Mason’s tenure as head of CBS Radio, the company pursued an aggressive plan for growth, purchasing FM stations in Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Mason oversaw the expansion of CBS Radio’s digital presence in addition to the creation of CBS Sports Radio, which offers national programming to over 300 stations in the U.S. and Canada.

Dan Mason was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2015.

About Dave Santrella

In January 2022 Dave became the Chief Executive Officer after serving 12 years as the President of Broadcast Media for Salem Media Group. Salem is a media company specializing in Christian and Conservative content with over 1400 employees and 3500 affiliates in 30 markets.

Under Dave’s leadership, Salem has launched Salem Surround – a digital platform – which has been a powerful revenue growth engine for the company and has dramatically increased Salem’s digital abilities and footprint to help their clients. Salem Podcast Network, SalemNOW, and the Salem News Channel have also been launched under his leadership.

Throughout his nearly 40-year career in the radio broadcast communications industry, Dave has provided leadership in promotions, marketing, sales, and management. A Chicago native, Dave worked for NBC’s locally-owned radio station WMAQ for 12+ years and then for CBS’s WBBM for 8+ years.

In 2001, Dave felt called to use his talents and abilities in a more significant way and joined Salem to manage the Chicago market. He progressed steadily through Salem ranks, managing both Chicago and Milwaukee assets for Salem, and shortly thereafter was promoted to Ops VP. He served in that role for just 14 months before, in 2010, being promoted the President of Salem’s Radio division and later to President of Broadcast Media, overseeing all local and national business for Salem’s broadcast division.

Due to his depth of expertise in the industry, Dave collaborates with many industry organizations. From June 2021 until June 2023, he served as the Joint Board Chair for the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) and also served as Radio Board Chair prior to that. Upon terming out as Joint Board Chair, Dave now sits on the board of the NAB’s Leadership Foundation. He is also a member of the President’s Council and an Executive Committee member for NRB (National Religious Broadcasters). In 2024 Dave was the recipient of the National Association of Broadcasters National Radio Award.

He has been featured in the Radio Ink “The 40 Most Powerful People in Radio,” for four consecutive years.

Dave and his wife Barb have four adult children, have been married for over 40 years, and reside in Southern California.