Matthew Fernell’s The Chatter Box covers a number of subjects from education to sports to overcoming obstacles. 

And overcoming obstacles is something the Grade 12 student at Peacock Collegiate knows all too well. 

Fernell was born pre-maturely and underwent numerous treatments as an infant that left him visually impaired. For the past several years, Fernall has taken an interest in broadcasting and wasn’t going to let his impairment get in his way. 

“I would eventually like to get some kind of a job in radio, preferably sports because I'm a sports fan and that's literally all I watch on TV. Music and the news industry might not be the best thing for me, but I mean, hey, if I'm getting paid to go talk on the radio about music or news, I won't complain,” he said. 

He said some broadcasters he looks up to include those on the air at our local radio station as well as WHL and NHL play-by-play announcers.

Fernell’s podcast began as part of his work experience class. He was originally slated to work at Golden West, but the COVID-19 pandemic hit and it was unable to happen.  

Instead, he worked with his teachers and, with his educational assistant as an editor, he started putting together his podcast. 

“My morning class, which is called media, that teacher basically is really helping to try and promote the show and get it out there,” Fernell said.  

“I can't give him and my editor enough credit because they are the true people who are really steering the ship forward. I mean, I just do the main work, but they're the guys who make the show perfect.” 

He also gave a lot of credit to teacher Cameron Church, who has helped him along the way. 

Some of Fernell’s guests have included Golden West’s Teagan Witko, Regina Leader-Post sports reporter Rob Vanstone, Peacock teacher Bert Redstone and former Moose Jaw Warrior Theo Fleury. 

The Chatter Box podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or you can follow him on Instagram.