I am an angry little man who has a laundry list of things that drive me nuts. The radio stuff is almost pervasive in our industry. So, here is a small sample of things that irritate the hell out of me…
I love keeping things conversational. While I was working in Alabama there were two towns, Gurley (pronounced “Girlie”) and Warrior. There was a news story about “Gurley Man Shoots Warrior Woman.” Writing “Man From Gurley Shot His Girlfriend From Warrior” makes so much more sense. Now, if the term Florida Man is used, fine, we know that mayhem will ensue in the coming sentences. “Tuesday morning at 6 AM.” I have heard more than I can stomach. Say “Tuesday morning at 6” or “This morning at 11.” It is more conversational and direct. “Tonight at 6 PM.” That makes me mad as hell.
People who mispronounce words and just don’t care. I had a news guy who was amazing in almost anything that he did but he could not pronounce the word “Eastern.” He said “Eastren.” Not kidding. This really good guy and hardworking news dude could say the word “Western.” So, I told him to avoid the word. He occasionally said the word, “Eastren.”
I had another radio news anchor who could not say “Vehemently.” She continually pronounced the word, “Va – Home – Ently”. When I corrected her, she went bonkers. I said, “Don’t be mad at me, it’s not my fault. Check the dictionary.” The anchor said that I humiliated her. I let her know that she humiliated herself every time she said, “Va – Home – Ently” on the air. You are on the air. Don’t come across as a moron!
People who say that they cannot learn. I have spoken with these people. It’s so frustrating. Life is about learning. There is never enough knowledge that you can obtain. I learn so much every day. I just moved after accepting a new job, and I am learning roads, restaurants, radio automation systems, and staff members’ names. It is exciting to learn these things.
I am not in my 20s anymore. Let’s talk about when we were young. Gen Z, I am talking to you creeps. I was the smartest man alive in my late teens through my 20s. As time has gone on, I realized that I didn’t know that much. Learn from the cotton heads. These people know stuff. I told my grandfather about how amazing it was that he was alive and sharp in his 80s. Gramps took a sip from his cocktail and said this… “It’s great to have lived so long. I got to see my grandchildren grow up. The tough part is that nearly all my lifelong friends have died.” I was 20. I now realize how stupid my statement was. My grandfather’s wisdom is with me to this day.
I have a friend who is always bitching about his health. He is diabetic and seemingly has never had it under control. So, I asked him a few questions. What are you eating? “Pop tarts, Nutrigrain Bars, Lucky Charms, Pasta…” Dude, have you ever thought of taking out the carbs? His answer was, “Why?” I told him that Carbs become sugar. I asked him if he had ever gone to a nutritionist. “Yes.” Pop Tarts? The dude said “Pop Tarts have vitamins.”
Show some intellectual curiosity. We are given one life. We have all committed transgressions against our own bodies. How much exercise are you doing? How is your drinking? Are you eating nutritionally dense foods? Do you smoke? It ticks me off when people don’t realize the gift that we are given. It ticks me off when great people are not living their best lives.
Here is something else that I hate: Not reaching your potential. We all have special gifts. We also have our limits. Take it to your capacity. When was the last time that you put yourself in a position where you could fail? Lots of people are frightened to fail. If you are scared to fail, you will never succeed. What is the summit of Mount Everest for you?
I scream at terrible drivers. Focus on the damn road. I had not lived in a community with consistent winter weather in a decade. Des Moines got hammered with 20 inches of snow and -17 weather in my first week here. I drove in every day and watched the shockingly frequent vehicles in the ditch. I white-knuckled my driving on the first day of the weather events.
Negative people really enrage me. If everything is terrible, reassess. If everyone is stupid, change your thinking. In my radio career, I have had unique opportunities. I once had breakfast at the Harvard Club in Manhattan, and I didn’t go to Harvard. I was a ham and egger. Regular guy. To be completely candid, I used to sit with truckers every Saturday Morning at the Waffle House. These people were more well-read than most folk that I have met. Be positive. Be grateful.
Ok, this is what angers me. Not all of it pertained to radio. But now I wonder if I am truly an angry little man.
Peter Thiele is a weekly news/talk radio columnist for Barrett Media, and an experienced news/talk radio programmer. He currently serves as News/Talk Format Captain for Zimmer Communications. Prior to joining Zimmer, Peter held programming positions in New York City, San Francisco, Des Moines, Little Rock, Greenville, Hunstville, and Joplin. Peter has also worked as a host, account executive and producer in Minneapolis, and San Antonio. He can be found on Twitter at @PeterThiele.
