Being a contrarian can absolutely work for a host. It grabs attention, and it can build a brand. But real skill shows up when a host takes a popular topic somewhere unexpected instead of somewhere predictable.
"I think it's important in our industry that we be able to tell stories. And I think it is becoming a lost art form in what we do. And so we work really hard at telling stories on our national radio show."
If you have been given the microphone on a news/talk station, there are many very cool things about it. Emery's introspective musings are a reminder of the gift that you have as a host.