Our publisher Jason Barrett, wrote a great piece earlier this week inspired by his recent watching of a documentary on Aaron Rodgers.
Jason’s wheels got turning on his own path, work ethic, and sense of self, and how that translated to his leadership style, work with others, and how broadcasters (particularly once they hit the beach as Aaron is contemplating) see themselves.
Good questions. I was having similar thoughts this week but found more conclusive life advice in a new GQ interview with David Letterman (a massive influence on me and a professional hero of mine).
Dave discussed life during and after hosting his daily show, his drive, and who he thinks he is, and it surely resonated with me. The interviewer pointed out that Letterman is often described as “miserable” and “reclusive” in the press during his many years of broadcasting while, more recently, being more open and lighter-hearted.
Letterman cackled with delight at this and shared he hates “show business and show business culture” and yet had a burning desire to pursue it. While doing so he was so completely consumed he hardly considered other facets of life, let alone enjoyed them to the point that even the professional highs left him empty and seeking a greater one.
He described this as a form of addiction similar to his former alcoholism and shared that he, not only since coming off the air, feels he has time and bandwidth to appreciate and enjoy people and activities outside of what his routine once was. He describes the “real me” as a guy excited to cook dinner and eat it with his wife adding “I suppose that’s who I’ve always been really.”
Whether working, retired, sidelined for the moment, or attempting to break in, it’s worthwhile to attempt to keep it all in perspective.
Letterman and Aaron Rodgers describe the ferocious tenacity to consume oneself in the pursuit of greatness. Jason, our publisher, shared that he, too, knows it well. I do, too, but not as much as I once did.
I find myself a little less consumed, a little less obsessed, and a bit happier with family or out to dinner than I once was in the studio. As a matter of fact, I think I’m a more well-rounded broadcaster in that I’m not quite as obsessed with it as I once was.
I am still obsessed with an unhealthy and crazed point, but just a little less to try to keep all in perspective and not take myself or radio too seriously.
I let my radio career define me for a long time, and whatever legacy as a human I’ll leave. I don’t think of myself in terms of my career first as I once did or use it as an emotional crutch “ah no setback here I’ll make it to Hollywood one day I will.” After all, as one of my good friends in this business, super jock Dave Fuller always says, “Radio, it’s a sickness.”
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Robby Bridges works for Press Communications where he serves as the VP of Programming for 99.7 and 107.1 The Boss. He also hosts the morning show ‘Robby and Rochelle’ alongside his wife, Rochelle. He’s been with the company/stations since September, 2021.
Prior to arriving in New Jersey, Robby spent decades working across the country in many top markets for many highly successful brands. Among them include Z100, WPLJ and Q102. He has also worked in Detroit, Boston, Providence, Portsmouth, NH, and served as an exclusive guest host for Scott Shannon on the True Oldies Channel.
To get in touch, reach Robby by email at RobbyBridges@hotmail.com.
