Yesterday, I learned of layoffs in the radio industry. One of my friends, the only one who ever punched me in the face, lost his gig. We have since made peace, and I wish him no ill will despite the brutal attack and hospitalization I experienced on that fateful St. Patrick’s Day many years ago. It caused me to reflect on my journey back to radio, which began/continued precisely thirteen years ago today.
I hope you’ll pardon a copy-and-paste from my Facebook page, which I rarely do here. I share this with you so that you can find some hope if you need some. The serendipitous timing of all this, including coming just a week after St. Patrick’s Day, overwhelms me. I had to share it with you this morning. I’m going to keep this post public so that you free subscribers (who I only love slightly less than the people who pay to read my words) can find some optimism if you need it today.
Here’s today’s post:
This post is for Carlos Alberto Navarro Rauce Padgett & anyone/everyone who has experience the sudden and gut-wrenching feeling of your dream job coming to a halt (not an end) due to no fault of your own.
I've been there. It sucks. While they mean well, none of the "I'm done listening to that station" or "This will end up being good for you" commenters make you feel any better about it.
Serendipitously, it was 13 years ago, today, when an out-of-the-blue Facebook message from Stevie DeMann (love you, brother) led to me sending a demo to Steve Smith (RIP) which resulted in a sit down at Gaylord Palms with Michael Sharkey & Keith Lawless about a potential return to radio in a top 20 market, hosting a morning show.
I still can't believe it.
I had resigned myself to a life without radio, believing that I had blown my chance. Who would want to take a risk on a 40+ year old loser who had been out of the industry for 3 years? I had no faith in myself, my talents, or the radio industry.
They almost had to convince me to even consider the offer. I sat there, reflecting on the empty feeling of getting laid off three years prior. Could I allow myself to go through that again? Was I even good enough to return?
Doubt, insecurity, and failure clouded my vision and smothered my optimism. This was an enormous mistake.
I drove away from that meeting and thought about it. I realized I was born to do radio. This miraculous opportunity was too great to pass up.
13 years later, I've found my radio soulmate in one John Senning. Shark & Keith have moved on, and Jason Meder & John Brennan have coached & counseled me, transforming me into a leader & better broadcaster. I'm hosting a prime-time radio show in a top-20 market that is a ratings and revenue winner.
All because I took a chance and seized an opportunity. Carlos, Rauce, & everyone who needs to read this: they can take away your job, but only you can remove your hopes and dreams. Don't do it. Believe in yourself, stay focused and positive, and you'll wind up where you are supposed to be. 
And here is a more thorough one from ten years ago:
Exactly three years ago today, I sat down with Michael Sharkey at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando for a lunch meeting. I was on my way to Tampa to do a Radio IO show for Bubba the Love Sponge's network. I had been out of radio for 3 years and was reaching a frustrating point with my sales job at the Orlando Magic.
Shark told me about a potential opportunity to host a morning show at an alternative rock station in Tampa. Still a bit fragile and skeptical about radio due to the format flip I experienced at O-Rock 3 years prior, I politely listened as he explained the opportunity to me. As much as I wanted to explore it, I didn't know if I could trust radio again. It seems ridiculous now, but I thought I owed it to my family to find something more stable. Uprooting them to the Tampa Bay area didn't seem fair or reasonable.
As we continued to talk, I found myself warming up to the idea. I liked Shark when I knew him casually in Orlando. He said the right things with sincerity, and I allowed my defense to drop a little bit. He called Keith Lawless, his boss, to the meeting. They both picked my brain a bit, and despite my hesitance to "buy in," I think they could tell that I was at least casually interested in exploring the opportunity. I left the meeting with a spring in my step, believing in my heart that I should give it a try.
Starting that night, for the next 3 months, I would fall asleep and dream of being back on the radio. I visited Cox Media Group in Tampa and met some of the people involved (Seth, Danielle, Fisher, and a few others). I bought in. I auditioned for the show and thought I blew it, only to hear Shark & others tell me that I did great. I received an offer and immediately accepted, turning in my notice at the Magic.
Now, this man who almost singlehandedly resurrected my radio career is leaving to spend time with his family. I am proud of and happy for him. He taught me to believe in myself and my skills again, and provided me the opportunity, space, freedom, and airwaves to create whatever the hell it is I have created. I am on top of my game with a renewed sense of gratitude and perspective. I get the feeling that my path will once again cross with Shark's, and that the two of us will work closely together.
The best leader is one who makes you realize that the answers to all of your questions rest within yourself. I know I can make it in this cruel and heartless bitch goddess of a radio industry, not because of a boss who believes in me, but because I have the necessary talent and determination. Still, none of this would have been possible had one man not given me the opportunity to try it once again. I will never forget this.
I’m reminded of the words of the late basketball coach, Jim Valvano: Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up. He was referring to people fighting cancer, but the same applies to those of us fighting to keep our dreams alive. Make today great.