Radio was never a career known for job security. You and I went into this career for a variety of reasons, which included a love of music, an interest in news, the need to make people laugh, and/or the desire to share our opinions.
Most of us are socially awkward eccentrics who are chasing the dream. The one thing that we all share is love and a passion for broadcasting. Because of circumstances beyond our control, many of us live in a constant state of fear over our futures.
If you are working for a company that has overwhelming debt, this fear is not an irrational paranoia. This is reality. With all this uncertainty, how can you keep the passion alive?
If you have been in a long-term romantic relationship or have been or are married, keeping that spark lit can be a challenge. Kids, worries, careers, debt, setbacks, household chores, in-laws, and a variety of other things can take the focus away from the romantic partner of your choice.
About a decade ago, there was a pastor in Texas who got into the news for encouraging married couples to set out time each day for a week to make love. Thinking through this, sex is a connection point between couples. It creates an intimate connection and a reassurance for each other that they are still in love and are connected beyond all the outside pressures.
Radio is a career of passion. There is an intimacy that the performer has with his or her audience. If you are having a good show, it feels like an intensely satisfying lovemaking session.
This comes to my questions: Have you lost your spark for radio? How do you reconnect with that first moment of love? If that love has changed, is it time to walk away on your own terms and divorce the industry?
Do You Still Love Radio?
Do you still love radio? This is a highly personal question. I can’t answer this for you. Are you here because it is what you have done with your life and have no idea what is next?
I can only speak for myself. But I am as passionate now as I was when I was hired for my first radio job. I walked into that station with excitement, ideas, opinions, and commitment. Notice, I didn’t say experience. My guess is that you felt the same way.
I was working my way through school with two other jobs. Surprisingly, my grades were pretty good. I don’t know how I did it, but if I had any spare time, I showed up at the radio station. My first program director, Mike Dorwart, kept booting me out of the building. Mike would ask me if I was scheduled to be there, and I wasn’t. I just wanted to be around everyone at the radio station.
It was like that first love where you couldn’t wait to see that amazing love interest. Do you still have that spark?
Reconnecting With That First Spark
If you still love it but that love has grown cold, how do you reconnect?
I think of that pastor who encouraged couples to set aside time for intimacy each day for a week. Obviously, your intellectual and emotional intimacy is tied to your first love.
What is that? In today’s radio environment, can you redirect that passion to reality? I don’t know that answer. news/talk radio people are a little different — our passion points are a little different. We were not dazzled by a hit song or getting backstage at concerts.
Years ago, local radio stations could influence the music charts. A smart program director and/or music director could add a song by an artist and create a hit all over the world. Those days are largely done. There was a period where being a great impressionist was a sought-after skill. Those days have been basically over since the mid-1990s.
In news/talk radio, sometimes the motivation was to create news. Hosts frequently found an injustice and created a community uproar for change.
In news/talk radio, it is about making a difference. When is the last time that you created a flashpoint of passion in your community?
Knowing When It’s Time to Walk Away
If you no longer love the industry, is it time for a divorce before your employer files first? This is scary. We are built for commitment. Walking away from a dysfunctional relationship is difficult. I went through a divorce. It was tough, emotionally crippling, and liberating all at the same time. I walked away on my terms. Most people know that their relationship with a spouse or a career is coming to an end.
Walking away is the most difficult part if it has been determined that it cannot be repaired. If you are mentally drained by the fear of being downsized and cannot enjoy your life, this may be the high sign to get out on your own terms. The fear is what’s next.
What will you do for your career? I would suggest that you weigh this out. Do what is best for you. I don’t know what that is for you, but you cannot live in a world where fear rules your life.
Taking Steps to Reignite the Passion
If you need to reconnect with the passion that made you fall in love with radio, you need to take some steps. It may be to see a therapist. There is nothing wrong with speaking to a professional where you can let out all your concerns, fears, and hopes. This person can be a priest, pastor, cleric, or a guru.
It is not good for your physical or emotional health to be in a place of worry. You are likely to make the people you love the most miserable. You need to address this today.
If you love this career, what steps can you take to make yourself bulletproof? You have unique skills and talents that are indispensable.
Radio needs passion — and if you don’t have it, and that passion cannot be repaired, divorce may be your only option.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
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.