Radio Ted Talk

Radio friends! Every year we take a family road trip somewhere. This year, our trip took us through Little Rock, St Louis, Chicago and several little spots in Iowa. From The Arch to Wrigley to The Field of Dreams to Lincoln’s tomb to the store for American Pickers, we saw a lot of the heartland. Many of you saw the surprise Americana stops posted on Facebook! So much fun! Like any radio nerd, I feverishly scanned the dial and tried to listen to as much radio as I could. My wife of 20 years is always annoyed, but totally used to it and understands my passion. I’m like a fisherman of radio! Looking to hear/catch the next big talent, etc. […]

Mailboxes and Bored Kids

When I was a kid, I would send a self-addressed stamped envelope off for anything that could come to my house for free. If they wanted my info for a free subscription, I’d send it. If it was free-it was for me! I had an impressive catalog of magazines and pamphlets. When my sister wanted to learn about taxidermy, I had a magazine for it and a list of classes she could take. When my dad was looking for a new rifle or hunting accessory, I had tons of magazines for him to choose from. I had a tackle box full of free fishing lures and sometimes hats with company logos on them. Bumper stickers for days.  Have you ever […]

Two Pennies

Christal and I have been married for 20 years?!  Crazy to think about it and the time has flown by so fast. Several moves, several houses, two kids and a whole bunch of friends scattered across the world.  It’s like a badge of honor to be able to hit a benchmark that not everyone or every relationship has been able to accomplish.  The secret?  I’ll let you know when I figure it out.  Hit me up in another 30 years and should have a better idea.  However, I will give you these two pieces of advice that have helped us along the way.  I have given this advice to a few people over the years and I am assuming it […]

Elevator Etiquette

I work on the 19th floor of a 20 story building so I know a few things about riding in elevators. Here’s my top 10 list of things that need to improve. Always let women enter first. It’s the right thing to do and they also ensure that the elevator cables are working. You’d hate to be the first person in on the day the cables break. Yes, it’s chivalrous, but also great for your own personal safety. Do not enter the elevator until everyone has exited. Not sure why this is an issue, but every day I see it happen and there’s that awkward “excuse me” moment. When exiting the elevator…move quickly. If the doors are closing as you […]

Too Soon?

It’s never too soon to laugh about the obvious observations. True life writes the comedy for you. It’s real to give those observations a voice. Good or bad.

My Son is my Hero

My son Sean loves music! Everywhere he goes, he has music playing or he’s humming and singing some song. Music helps him cope and focus on difficult tasks and he, like me, enjoys sharing his passions with others. He loves converting all his friends into fans of the songs or artist that he is currently into. He studies these artists and uses Google to learn all he can. Years ago, he met recording artist Tori Kelly and after meeting my children, she said to me “that son of yours has the music in him. Keep encouraging him”. I’m not one of those parents that thinks that his young child is going to be the next music sensation. I think my […]

What’s your Story?

I recently signed a contract extension that will keep me (potentially) employed at my current job for at least three more years.  This extension coincidentally occurred in the same month I was fired from my previous job, with another radio company, three years prior.  Did you follow all of that?  What a difference just a few years make in a lifetime.  It’s crazy to think where I was then compared to where I am now.  Both physically and mentally.  Sort of symbolic that they just happen to fall days from each, but poetic all the same.  I’ve been in broadcasting for more than twenty years and it’s the only post-college job I have ever had.  During the 115 days I […]

The girl who never kissed a boy before…

Facebook memories remind me every day that my children have gotten huge over the past two years.  Like every parent, I want things to slow down a bit.  Selfishly, it’s because I still live vicariously through them.  What I would give to be nine again!  Much like my son, at that age, you couldn’t pull me off my bike.  If given the option between walking 50 yards or riding 50 yards on my bike, I’d take the bike every time.  Nothing moved fast enough at that age, but now that we are older, we just want things to slow down.  We take the scenic route when we can and chew a little slower to savor the flavor of life.    […]

Six Words and Why Lima Beans Suck

I’ve written over 200,000 words in the past six years. Many of which have made their way into books. All of which are rooted in lessons from my life. It’s safe to say I’m reflective. It’s also why this exercise spoke to me.

What are your six words?

Nicknames vs. Mentors

You need to pick your mentor. You can’t pick your nickname.  You can’t pick your nickname!  Nicknames are things that are given to you by your peers and family. You can’t wake up one morning and start calling yourself by a much catchier and cooler name. If we could nickname ourselves, the we’d all walk around with awesome names like “Goose” or “Maverick” or “chick magnet”.  More often than not, nicknames are derogatory and don’t always showcase our finer features and attributes.  They can often be ironic.  “Slim” for a fat person. “Tiny” for a super tall guy.   Nicknames get attached to you and sometimes you have to age out of them in order to get rid yourself of […]