MyTalk 107.1 fill-in host Brittany Arneson and Kendall Mark, a Fox 9 traffic reporter and sidekick on “The Jason Show,” will replace the popular “Lori and Julia” afternoon radio talk show after its hosts retire at the end of the month.

Brittany Arneson, left, and Kendall Mark will replace the popular “Lori & Julia” afternoon radio talk show after its hosts retire at the end of June. (Courtesy of Kendall Mark)

“I did not expect to ever be in this position,” said Arneson, 38. “I don’t think I could have ever dreamed this.”

“Jobs at this level just don’t come up,” said Mark, 34. “You don’t pass over it. It was a really obvious decision for me.”

Longtime friends Lori Barghini and Julia Cobbs were among the first hosts hired when Hubbard Broadcasting launched MyTalk, a talk radio station devoted to women, in 2002. They surprised listeners in March when they announced that they were ending “Lori and Julia.” They made the decision due to Barghini’s desire for more free time as well as the rigors of producing the show for more than 20 years.

Station management offered Arneson, a familiar voice to MyTalk listeners after spending five years as a fill-in host, the job and set up meetings with several possible co-hosts. She quickly hit it off with Mark after the two had lunch .

“It felt like, wow, this person probably should be in my life, even if she doesn’t get this job,” said Arneson, who previously co-hosted the KQRS morning show.

“When we met for lunch, just to hang out, it felt like I’ve known her for my whole life,” Mark said. “It was already going to be her show; luckily for me, I’m joining her.”

Mark announced her departure from “The Jason Show” Tuesday on air. She has been with the syndicated daytime TV talk show since 2019. “It’s not goodbye,” she told viewers. “It’s see you later.” Later that afternoon, Barghini and Cobbs shared the news with MyTalk listeners.

‘Lori and Julia’ sign off

Both women said they are fully aware of the big shoes they’ll be filling.

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“Everyone knows Lori and Julia,” Mark said. “It’s intimidating. Usually you want to be the person who takes over after the person who takes over, if you know what I mean. They’ve both been so gracious — kind, wonderful and gracious.”

“In the comment sections, people are mourning and I get it,” Arneson said. “They’ve been on air for so many people’s big milestones, including my own. Nobody is going to mourn ‘Lori and Julia’ being done more than me. Thank God I’m going to be busy now each day from 3 to 6.”

The final installment of “Lori and Julia” will air live from the Fillmore Minneapolis on June 27. Arneson and Mark will make their debut July 8. The program typically takes the week of the Fourth of July off.

Millennial moms

The pair said they’re both millennials and new moms; Arneson has a 2-year-old and Mark has a 9-month-old. Mark added that she’s thrilled she no longer has to work hours that require her to get up in the middle of the night.

“It’s going to be fun,” Arneson said. “There’s not another big market that has two women on the air. And I know our audience is a demographic that isn’t represented enough.”

Arneson said she’s been texting Mark constantly and they share several online documents with ideas for their show.

“I think about it all the time. I also should be thinking about it more,” Arneson said with a laugh. “We want to create a show where people feel in on the joke. The idea is that it will be a working and changing show and we’re letting the audience be in on that experiment.”

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