Known for his wit and charm, Bill Spadea is back at New Jersey’s 101.5 after running in the Republican primary for governor.
The longtime host stepped away to seek the nomination, but has now found his stride in morning drive with the station. He also hosts a weekend show on Newsmax, in addition to his work on New Jersey 101.5.
He spoke with Barrett Media about his return to the mic, what he learned from politics, and how closely related radio and politics are.
Why The Move to Politics?
Krystina Carroll: Bill, usually people go into politics after radio. You did it the other way around. How does it feel to come full circle and be back behind the mic?
Bill Spadea: I love what I do. It was such an exciting and unique experience to run for governor. I look at it as just an extension of what I do on the radio, which is communicate and help and pay attention and listen.
So, for me, going back to 101.5 — the biggest audience in New Jersey — it was like a homecoming.
I’ll tell you this: my run for governor made my ability to communicate even stronger, because the experiences you have running for office help you really understand the diversity and depth of a state like New Jersey. It was incredible.
I thought I knew New Jersey really well, and then you find out you can learn even more. So I’m able to bring a really powerful experience back to the microphone now. I would say more people should do it this way.
KC: With all these new experiences, did it make it easier to find your stride when you got back to the mic?
BS: Yes. I’ve been doing this long enough. I started my media career in television, and I had a seven-year run on Fox TV with a show called Chasing News. About a year and a half into that, I took on the radio job at 101.5.
I would say the transition from TV to radio was a bigger hurdle to overcome, because television is different. There’s a script; you’re talking to a camera.
Whereas in radio, I’m sitting next to someone in their car — or, during COVID, sitting next to them at the dining room table as they watched their kids do school on Zoom while trying to make a living. It’s personal. You learn that right away when you get into the business.
When I came back from the campaign, it was actually an easy transition, because the people I talked to one-on-one — I was basically just continuing the conversation from behind the mic.
KC: Can your listeners expect anything new in your show now that you’re back?
BS: What they can expect is the same authenticity and sincerity I’ve had since I started. I did not get into media as a “media guy.” I was never looking for a media career.
I was a business person. Then I got into real estate. I love that business too, because real estate is also a very personal business. It matters. The human touch, the interaction with people one-on-one.
So, for me, what I learned on the campaign trail is that it’s not good enough for someone to tell you, “Vote for me because the other guy’s bad.” It’s also not good enough for someone to say, “Vote for me because we’re in the same party.”
When you hear politicians say vote for the person, not the party, a lot of them aren’t sincere about that, because what they’re really saying is, “Vote for me — I’m more important than the party.” What I say is that it is truly about the person and the principles.
I’m able, with a lot clearer focus, to call out the nonsense, the lies, the false promises, and all of the showmanship and theater that is in politics. I saw it firsthand.
So, for me, I’m able to deliver ideas that aren’t encumbered by partisan talking points or by major donors or special interests. I’m able to grab that mic, and it is just me.
I even more so now have an incredible trust with the people I talk to, because they know I’m not going to steer them wrong. They know my interest is delivering truth and helping them navigate through the mess that this state can be. And I’m not asking them for anything — not a vote, not a donation. I’m just here to help.
Best Interview Practice?
KC: Is the way you interview politicians going to change based on this run?
BS: I think a lot of politicians wish I would do it differently, but what they learned — and what I learned — is that my style is still the same. One of the reasons I wasn’t successful in the Republican primary is that I never played the game. I was always willing to challenge politicians and the powers that be.
The two things I loved most about campaigning: one was knocking on doors. I loved it because it brought me right back to radio — one-on-one with somebody, having a conversation.
The second thing I loved was the debates, because on the debate stage I was knowledgeable — I’ve had so many years of experience reading and understanding policy and talking about it on the air. I felt very comfortable discussing detailed policy. But I also felt liberated, the same way I do on the air, because I could just speak my mind.
There are now more Democrats and independents than ever listening to my show, because I can handle a dissenting view, an opposing view, a challenge, a contrarian take. I think too many people in the media business want it one way. They don’t want to hear the other side. They want to steamroll with their own opinion. I look at it as a learning experience.
I’ve always said this about this job, and every job: you have two ears and one mouth. You should use them in that proportion. You listen more than you talk.
KC: When you went through your “political polishing,” was it different than going through media polishing?
BS: That’s a great question. The difference is that in the campaign, we hired professionals. We had some of the best professionals in the business — our general consultant was Bill Stepien, the guy who ran President Trump’s campaign. We had some of the best minds in the business, and I was able to get true guidance.
In media, there are no direct mentors. You’re thrown into it, and there’s no way to practice for that first call.
You can learn the timing of the show. You can learn how to end a call quickly because you’re up against the clock. You can learn those things, but nothing can really prepare you for the interaction.
So you have to learn on the job. I think people who believe they can be taught this are kidding themselves. I’m always interacting with people, talking, listening. But the reality is I’m no different on the air than I am at the doors, or even at home. It’s my same personality that I put on the air.
KC: You mentioned people who challenge your political ideology, which happens to everyone. On some outlets, those calls go straight to the front; on others, not so much. Where do you fall on that spectrum?
BS: If you disagree with me and you communicate that with our producers, you are going to go first. I love a challenge. I don’t like the idea that a show, or any conversation, should just be agreeing.
Remember, most people won’t call the show. 99.9% of people will never interact with you — they’re just listening. So it’s important to get diverse opinions out on the air. I think the best way that happens is when someone challenges you on a premise. It also makes me better. If everybody agrees, I’m not challenged. When you disagree, I’m forced to rely on my research, my reading, and the hours I spend understanding different perspectives. I love detail.
If I can get a caller who disagreed with me to say, “Oh, that’s actually a good point,” I know there are thousands of other people out there thinking, “Oh, I see it differently now.” That’s almost impossible to do on television, but you can do it on radio, when you’re interacting with people one-on-one.
KC: Why do you say it’s impossible for TV, but easier for radio?
BS: Impossible is probably the wrong word, but television doesn’t have live callers — you’re talking to guests. I host on Newsmax, and we bring in special guests and newsmakers. The timing is so tight. I’ve got to get my points about the news out to inform the viewers, and the guest wants to get their points out too, because they thought about what they were going to say beforehand. There isn’t as much time for that natural interaction. The viewer is either going to agree or disagree, which is why I think in television, people gravitate toward channels where they already know what they’re going to hear. It’s predictable.
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