This morning I am sitting in on the WKBK morning show. The host is Dan Mitchell…a recent NH Association of Broadcaster’s “2018 Broadcaster of the Year”.

I’ve been in broadcasting for 26 years and I have always avoided news/talk formats.

Particularly, earlier in my life I avoided getting “too involved”. Partly, because when I was younger I felt that my personality wasn’t good for “smart stuff”.

Not only that, but I can’t read news to save my soul. I also know nothing about sports. I butcher names…especially sports names.

I stayed mostly with music stations because that was in my wheelhouse and I gravitated towards focusing on pop culture and digital marketing. It’s easy for me as I really know the content.

Over the years, as you get older, your perspective changes. You start caring more about your community news and opinions that directly impact you. You get opinionated. You participate in these discussions online and on talk radio stations.

These days, I love listening to local talk news. I am sitting in to “get to know” the format and flow of the station in case they need an emergency person to fill in from time to time. I’ll admit, I am surprised by how exciting the opportunity feels.

Most of the content that I can share on the radio is quick, quick, quick. I’ve been trained that anything past 90 seconds is far too long of a break. This is going to be a big difference.

A lot of the interviews I post on this website and social media are interviews I do because I am interested in the topic or person. Plus, I wanted an outlet to discuss other things that might not fit well in my music based radio show. What sets this station apart from lots of the others in the region is the connection it has to the local community.

Tale the Covid pandemic for example. Local radio stations provided listeners with a valuable connection to the community and to each other even when self-isolating. Stations across the country are not only leading the charge for collecting money and donations for relief funds, but they are also giving their audiences the support and connection they need to maintain their mental health.

Radio stations are also providing listeners with an outlet for social energy. With local radio, you’re never alone.