Should music radio personalities avoid the mid-term election, even though it’s the biggest story this week and next? In a politically polarized country, the challenge is to acknowledge an election that impacts your listeners’ lives without turning into a political talk show. Listeners come to music radio for entertainment, connection, humor, escape, and a familiar […]
Think back to the last time you spoke to an audience. How well did you do? How do you know? I met a media hero this week, a journalist I’ve long followed. Smart, well-spoken, and hilarious, she is a regular on NBC and CNN and has a large social media presence. I was honored to […]
My wife, JoAnn, is a teacher and an avid reader. She says great books flow effortlessly, without speed bumps that pull your attention away from the story. A speed bump might be an awkward sentence, an unnecessary word, a confusing transition, or a detail that makes you stop and reread a passage to figure out […]
Radio has one advantage no algorithm can copy or streaming service can manufacture: you’re from here. But being local isn’t enough. The goal isn’t simply to talk about the community; it’s to sound like the community. Make listeners feel seen, understood, and connected to the people and places they call home. When listeners hear themselves on the show, […]
When I start coaching a show, talents often say:“Nobody calls anymore.” Or: “Listeners in this market don’t call radio shows.” My response is, “That’s interesting, because several of our shows get more calls than they need.” The difference isn’t necessarily the market. It’s often how the show invites people into the conversation. Airing callers and text […]
Jerry Seinfeld wrote every episode of Seinfeld longhand, on a yellow legal pad, with a blue Bic pen. He still writes that way. He’s said the flashing cursor on a screen makes him anxious, like it’s asking, “So, whaddaya got?” Why Start With Pen and Paper?Writing by hand slows you down just enough for ideas to […]
In the era of loud, fast-talking announcer DJs, my radio mentor, Todd Wallace, asked my fellow DJs and me, “Would you talk to your neighbor over the back fence like a pukey DJ or just in natural conversation?” Of course we all said we’d talk to them conversationally. Todd concluded, “Talk to listeners on air like […]
(What Personalities Can Learn From Dolly) We all came together over Dolly Parton. That’s quite a statement in this divided world. Left, right, young, old loved Dolly. Are there any other public personalities that are universally loved? Hmm…Dolly Parton pulled it off. Dolly represents something our culture craves: joy, authenticity, humor, generosity, and a unifying spirit. […]
Albert Einstein famously said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” He went on to state, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” It’s no wonder that so many performers in media and sports use their imagination to visualize success. Jim Carrey was a struggling, broke comedian when he drove up Mulholland Drive in […]
The Rule of 3 is one of the most powerful communication principles because it’s how the human brain naturally organizes and remembers information. Whether you’re writing, coaching, or entertaining, three creates a sense of completeness and rhythm. For media personalities, it’s especially valuable because most listeners can’t retain more than three points. Three is the […]
