We closed our eyes as children to dream about being a radio star. My father had a tape recorder. I was four and he showed me how to record my voice. I had the Christopher and Peter Show (Christopher was a canary). I jabbered on with the canary singing in the background.
I dreamed, as I grew older, of playing in the NBA, which was highly unlikely. 5 foot 7 with no actual athletic ability (at my athletic peak, I had a vertical leap of 16 inches.) Majoring in being the class clown, I was frequently either the most hated or loved student by teachers, mostly despised.) Lacking confidence in anything except trying to crack up my classmates or irritate my teachers, it was obvious, except for my dashing and debonair good looks, I was destined to work in radio. Your youth may have taken the very same path.
So, here we are: untalented in many ways except when a microphone is in front of your pie hole or analyzing the on-air performance of others. This is what we do. I could have been an insurance slinger or a peppy real estate agent. But we are made for this.
We sometimes have sacrificed everything. We have left friends and romantic relationships in the dust for that next stop in our addiction.
Time marches on as we pursue the fantasy of our youth. You have made it, now what? I know many great radio people who have developed alcoholism or drug addictions. It masks the solitary existence of being that person who is committed to their craft. Have you looked in the mirror and said “What the hell am I doing?!?” I have. We all probably should do that from time to time.
Every time that I have weighed the option of moving for that next job, I stress over finding new connections in the new location. This is a natural fear and feeling. I always find a place. For those who are unmarried — single, divorced, or just a loner — we are made for belonging and it must be more than work. One of my high school buddies was driving through during my first week on the job. He thought that my outgoing nature would allow me to build relationships quickly. My outgoing nature and probably yours as well is a defense mechanism for the actual introvert that you are. I am introverted.
The confines of a radio station, that microphone creates an open-air confessional for that part of your personality that can’t interact well with others. Is this you as well? I bet it probably is.
Ok, here we are…What now?
We must put ourselves in uncomfortable positions where we arrive at places with no invitation. Perhaps, sit in the corner trying to figure out how to join the conversation. If people are very familiar with each other, that task becomes more difficult.
I grew up with the instructions to never invite yourself unless you are asked. That was drummed into my head, and I remember those words to this day. It’s about being polite. You may have grown up with the same roadmap. So, being the new kid on the block, alone in a new place, can be scary. But, you have that microphone. You have that sanctuary and fantasy from your childhood. Radio!
Radio seems to satisfy all those conundrums, fears, and anxieties. It is our love. It is the mistress to your personal romantic relationships.
So what is the answer to “What Now?”
You create a place of belonging for everyone listening. Your invitation to be a part of your show is a refuge for the dude who had a terrible day at the office and must show some sort of a smile to his wife and kids. You give him some joy during that time when nothing is required from him other than driving his SUV. Be that refuge.
You are better than a song because your emotion is part of the moment. A song may bring a memory either pleasant or regrettable. You bring that poor sucker human connection, and he brings you an ear to confess your opinions, humor, fears, and information.
It is a symbiotic relationship. Kind of like carbon dioxide is plant food. You can’t live without each other. That guy gets home and walks through the front door and all he hears about are the problems that the wife is having at work or with one of his kids. He pours himself a cocktail and volunteers to grill to escape the mayhem. Your moments with him were the highlight of his miserable existence.
He doesn’t get to walk into a radio station with the stresses, laughs, and personal fulfillment. Radio brings us that. How many people hate their jobs? How many people feel insignificant in the pursuit of a dollar to pay the bills? We are chasing the dollar as well. But, we have moments of joy that no other career can even come close to providing.
Peter Thiele is a weekly news/talk radio columnist for Barrett Media, and an experienced news/talk radio programmer. He recently served as program director for WHO/KXNO in Des Moines, IA. Prior to that role he held programming positions in New York City, San Francisco, 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.
