Barnard Reveals Alzheimer's Diagnosis on Podcast

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, March 20, 2026 | 11:00pm CT

Tom Barnard

Longtime Minneapolis radio personality Tom Barnard has revealed that he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, sharing the news during a recent episode of "The Tom Barnard Podcast."

Barnard, best known for his 37-year run as host of the KQRS Morning Show, discussed the diagnosis while joined by family members. "I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, which is not generally good news," he said, adding that he believes his condition has shown some improvement through ongoing treatments. While he did not specify the nature of those treatments, Barnard said they have made him feel better, though he acknowledged there is currently no cure for the disease.

He also noted that his experience with treatment has led to an invitation to speak about it publicly, including a planned appearance at Mar-a-Lago.

Family members said concerns about Barnard's health began following his departure from KQRS-FM in December 2022. His wife and podcast co-host, Kathryn Brandt, described a period of depression and mounting stress, including financial issues, during which the family noticed changes in his memory and overall well-being.

Barnard's career in radio made him one of the most recognizable voices in the Twin Cities, with his morning show at KQRS ranking among the top-rated in the country during the 1990s. After leaving terrestrial radio, he transitioned to podcasting in 2023 with Hubbard Radio.

Earlier, Barnard announced plans to step away from daily hosting duties on his podcast in November, 2026, with his children, Andy and Alex Barnard, expected to take over. Despite scaling back, he has said he does not plan to fully retire.