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I’ve heard many sayings over the years that I’ve tried to apply to what has happened to the radio industry over the past few weeks. It’s no secret that the radio business has been rapidly changing. It’s been more focused on saving money over growing talent for many years now. When computers began to replace carts (remember those) and terms like mp3 and wav became normal everyday talk around the office, it was the beginning of “the old way of doing business is no longer the way business is done.” The first proverbial ‘saying’ of this piece of writing.
On November 4th, I was one of many told by iHeartMedia that my services were no longer required. My business told me that after more than thirteen years I was no longer needed. My laptop came out, my cell phone number confirmed, keycard on the window sill, and I walked out the door. A forty-minute drive to the office on a Monday morning, and five minutes later I was headed home.
I was speechless, and felt destroyed and betrayed by the people I called family. The business that I loved, the craft I had studied told me it didn’t love nor need me anymore. In any business layoffs are meant to be cold and soul-less with no correct way to execute. But on my way home I remembered a saying my father taught me many moons ago. It helped me look deep into myself with the entire situation that was ahead of me.
You never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
It’s been over two weeks since that moment, and I can say without a doubt the pain of the moment was realized. However, the opportunity it presented was to re-invest time both personally and professionally into myself. After all, time is the most valuable thing we all have, and it feels like we never have enough of it.
I have time now, and that feels powerful. My plan is to find ways to be better each day, and it’s as simple as following these four steps.
#1 – Try Something New
I’ve re-invested my time and energy over the past few weeks in trying new ways to curate content in an ever-growing digital age. How to cut a sharper reel and increase reach and engagement. What programs work best for the top content creators, and how can I get my hands on them? When I first entered radio, the excitement was in the curiosity of the creative. How do I play with this EQ to make the VO sound a little deeper? Where is the proper place to cross fade this segment into a random movie drop that fits the topic of the conversation?
What was once the electrifying feeling of putting together a highlight package with just audio when I was an intern is now reborn with a YouTube short of my IRL (in real life) phone call with AT&T customer service in video form now to share with the world. If the future belongs to those who believe in trying new things, I want to be ready for that future.
#2 – Connect
The luxury of over twenty-one years in broadcast media is that you get to meet all sorts of people on your journey. They come from many different walks of life. The payoff of that luxury is when you fall, that network of people picks you up. There are not enough words to describe the feeling of getting a text/email/call/DM from someone who saw that you were let go and just wanted to reach out to comfort, chat, or engage in some potential business.
Hundreds of people have reached out over the past two weeks to chat, offer their experience as advice, provide comfort and laughs, and help me heal. That energy fuels me to take time each day to reach out to not only people who I’ve networked with before but also to step out and attempt a connection with people who don’t directly work in the business I’m familiar with. Taking that approach has expanded my horizons of how valuable my skill set is. How much can I still learn and absorb from others? It’s taught me that there are no limits on what could be the next step for me.
#3 – Lift Up Everyone
It wasn’t just myself whose journey hit a significant speedbump over the past couple of weeks. Many friends also learned they were no longer needed. We may not have had the same position before, but we do now. The single biggest thing I could do is the same thing that I felt I excelled at as a manager of two brands, lift up from within. I’ve always felt a great manager must recognize and elevate talent and assist them when they’re in need. What was once filling in running the sound board for their show is now recommending them to people for opportunities.
Time spent previously creating digital marketing for a station promotion around a show is now spent sharing, liking, retweeting, reposting and encouraging those to do the same on social media. If life is a mountain, the goal of any manager should be to find your path and help as many good people as you can reach the top. That doesn’t stop, and will never stop.
#4 – Breathe
We are all humans who go through the emotions of life. Being told your services are no longer needed is not meant to be rainbows and sunshine. The secret of being happy is accepting where you are and making the most of it. For the first time in a long time, I’ve found time to breathe. No more weekly meetings, play by play plotting, scheduling, social media marketing, promotion planning, client calls, spreadsheets, pdfs, etc.. The plan was to be better each day, but courage to do so doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says try again tomorrow.
By following the process of these four steps I’ve found myself better prepared for the next step. I am encouraged by the possibilities to return to radio while intrigued about potential opportunities elsewhere. Also, I’m excited to see what’s next for others I’ve been trying to encourage and help. For the first time in a long time I’m trying to take better care of myself. I couldn’t be prouder of the example I’m setting for my children. The feedback I’ve received from management and teammates at my former employer has given me happiness and confidence to continue every day.
Conclusion
At 43 years old, I’ve never felt more motivated that the future is bright. While the past few weeks have been dark for the business we love, I hope those who share my situation find solace in the approach I’ve taken. It shows you that your story is not over. This is just your next chapter, trust the author.
John Mamola is an experienced sports radio programmer who until recently led WDAE and WFLA in Tampa, Florida. He has spent over two decades in sports radio including starting his career in Chicago at 670 The Score. To reach him for advice or to discuss professional opportunities, email him at JohnMamola@gmail.com.
