07/08/2025
Looking back at a Radio career, here are the things about radio that bring me joy (note that many of these points explain why I initially got into radio and why I still can’t imagine doing anything else):
The Magic: Someone I don’t even know is speaking to me in a very friendly tone, as though I’m the only person they are talking to. A deejay might make me laugh, cry or get angry, but above all, they make me feel something — when they’re doing it correctly.
The Music: Radio plays music I love and allows me to hear the best of my favorites plus new songs, so I don’t have to wade through thousands of titles to find the really good ones.
The Conversation: Talk stations engage me in ideas and issues and entertain me. Interaction between hosts and listeners can be extremely compelling when done well. On a good talk station, I don’t miss the music.
No Downloading or Extra Fees: It’s simple, it’s easy. I can listen for as long as I want or am able to. It’s up to me! I can hear it on a radio receiver, my phone, a computer or through a smart speaker. Radio is everywhere. I can take it anywhere.
What’s Going On: The radio usually lets me know when something catastrophic happens in my area or in the world and advises ways to cope. Shame on the stations that don’t interrupt regular programming for vital information.
Community: The radio makes me feel like I’m a member of a community. For a moment, or for 10 minutes, or even for a few hours at a time, we share this station, these people, and this music. We interact on socials through the station.
Being Real: In a world in which we are bombarded with messages, it’s great to hear an authentic, friendly voice.
Feeling Good: The radio makes me feel good and better than before I actually turned it on. If it doesn’t, you’re not doing your job properly.
Business Connection: The radio helps businesses in my community succeed through thoughtful, creative advertising that engages listeners.
Predictability: While we want to be unpredictable at times, the routine of a predictable playlist or feature segment helps to order our lives in a world of chaos.
Radio Is the Soundtrack of My Life. It provides wonderful memories of days gone by and reminds me of those events that are yet to happen in my life. Radio can be that meaningful a part of its listeners’ lives, if you let it.
Making the World Better Than How You Found It: Raising money for Children’s Miracle Network, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or your local hospital, or obtaining donated toys for children in need, are powerful ways in which radio partners with the community. It’s one of the big reasons I got into the business in the first place — the motivation to make a difference.
— Joel Raab
