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Disappointments, failures and struggles come in all different forms…but they all have one thing in common: they are a stepping stone to your next jumping off point. Maybe radio has disappointed you, and you don't know what to do next. Or, maybe you LOVE your career but want to explore expressing your unique voice a little more. This interview is for you. My friend Jeff Brown, was with WAY-FM Nashville and now is a very successful coach and mentor in PODCASTING. And, of course, his own podcast is amazing, and you should listen to it and subscribe. Find out all about Jeff at http://www.readtoleadpodcast.com  Whether or not your current career track changes, everyone can (and in my opinion, should) be an entrepreneur. This is an energizing conversation about the possibilities!

Key Quote for radio stations: "If you have a local radio station, if you're gonna bother to be in the market, if you can have talent who are in the midst of the hundred mile radius of your metro -- why are you keeping it all within those four walls? Bring it outside. Allow people to be part of the larger experience. Now, what is that have to do with Nielsen? Nothing. What does that have to do with the experience? Everything." Mark is brillant. Listen. Visit his website at http://www.markramseymedia.com and SUBSCRIBE to his excellent "Media Unplugged" podcast with Tom Asacker. 

How do you create powerful radio via compelling personality? How do you avoid being boring? What are listeners really interested in? What are the most common mistakes air talent make? What is the #1 way to know if your show has the potential to be interesting...or not? I am glad to explore these and other questions with Valerie Geller, president of Geller Media International (@vgeller). She's amazing. Here's her bio. PLEASE follow her on Twitter (@vgeller) for great ideas and inspiration! A self-confessed Talk radio junkie since the age of seven, Valerie Geller worked at Talk radio stations such as KOA, KTAR, WPLP, KFI and WABC before launching her own consultancy, Geller Media International. Her firm now consults over hundreds of radio stations in 30+ countries with personality and news and talk radio throughout the world. She also has written 4 books, the latest of which is "Beyond Powerful Radio - A Communicator's Guide to the Internet Age for News, Talk, Information & Personality," available from Focal Press. Her website is http://www.gellermedia.com

Lori Lewis of Jacobs Media is my guest. She says, brilliantly, "I believe the more we back away from the notion that we must always be clever, witty, or even perfect socially, the more we actually expand our creative efforts. We become open to all ideas and less critical of ourselves and also of each other." Lori and I discuss how radio stations can resist the temptation to cling to "best practices" and be willing to go where the people are and serve them personally and consistently in the many forms that make up social media. reach out to Lori on Twitter - @lorilewis and me @doughannah

Catching up with Brant again to specifically encourage on-air talent.

Lori Lewis is the Director of Digital and Social Media Strategies for Jacobs Media In her role as Dir./Digital and Social Media Strategies at JACOBS MEDIA, LORI collaborates and helps create strategic and tactical digital programs, teaches behaviors behind the targets preferred channels, analyzes what channels will meet the goals of each client and how these tools integrate with radio and other products. Over a 20 year radio career, LEWIS starting out as a disc jockey on AC KSNE/(SUNNY 106.5)/LAS VEGAS, Modern Rock KEDG/103.5 LAS VEGAS, Active Rock WGCX/104.1 MOBILE, Active Rock WXTB (98ROCK) TAMPA, and ultimately became Program Director for WOCT/B104 BALTIMORE & WSMJ 104.3 BALTIMORE. LORI then moved on and created her role as MULTI MEDIA CONTENT MGR., creating comprehensive digital and social programs for MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS for three years before joining JACOBS. LORI also authors the weekly column, “MERGE” that teaches how to use digital and social to strengthen our traditional assets. (http://AllAccess.com/Merge)

Brant Hansen is my co-host. Once a week or so, we just get together and kick around stuff as radio people. Today, "how to be unoffendable".

Bill's website is: http://www.voice-over-training.org Bill DeWees is a high performance talent and business coach. As a seasoned voice over talent, media personality, educator, and marketer, he has successfully mentored hundreds of students in all aspects of media and business. Microsoft, Warner Bros., Hyatt, National Geographic, Sears, Whirlpool, and American Express are among Bill’s thousands of voice over credits. His approach to voice over training is unique in the industry in that the focus is bottom line oriented. If you’re not making money, you don’t have a voice over business. His passion is to equip, educate, and inspire voice over talent to build a sustainable 6-figure income.

Steve Brown is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor and author. He previously served as a pastor for over twenty-five years and now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcast, Key Life. With such varied experience and unique perspective on life, Steve is an original. He refuses to be a "guru," doesn't want to be anyone's mother and gives, in his teaching, the freedom to think. Overall, Steve has become known for his refreshing and practical Biblical applications. Steve serves as Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Reformed Theological Seminary. He sits on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters and Harvest USA. Traveling extensively, Steve is a much-in-demand speaker. Steve is the author of numerous books including A Scandalous Freedom, What Was I Thinking? and Approaching God. His articles appear in such magazines and journals as Leadership, Decision, Plain Truth and Today's Christian Woman. Steve also has a short feature, available for radio and as a podcast, called "You Think About That". These 60 second thought spots were put together with the help of John Frost. You can hear them at http://www.youthinkaboutthat.com

You can email John at john@goodratings.com BE SURE to read his article at HisAir.net if you have not. http://hisair.net/columns/john_frost1-9-13.htm John Frost, partner in Goodratings Strategic Services, has been a successful major market disc jockey and program director for such companies as CBS, Cap Cities, Westinghouse, Sandusky, Gannett, and Alliance during his 38 year broadcast career. Prior to joining Alan Mason in Goodratings in 1999, John served as Vice President of Programming for Paxson Communications’ 47-station group in Florida. He stayed with Paxson through the transition of the company to launch the PAX TV network. Before being promoted to a corporate programming position in 1996, John was Operations Manager for Paxson’s five station cluster in Orlando, Florida. It was at Adult Contemporary Magic 107.7 that John and then consultant Alan Mason launched the first family values, “safe for the family” strategy, resulting in Paxson Communications’ first #1 12+ and #1 25-54 station. Bud Paxson, Chairman of Paxson Communications, cites the success of family values radio as a catalyst for his dream of a family friendly television network. “If not for John Frost….” Mr. Paxson would oft be heard to mutter. Prior to Paxson, John was on the cutting edge of the Smooth Jazz format while program director of The Oasis in Dallas, one of the first Smooth Jazz stations to achieve a top five ranking adults 25-54. John was also part of the team that launched the first “Young Country” station in Dallas, a station that inspired dozens of high personality country stations. In the last decade, John has been involved in the dramatic growth of Contemporary Christian radio, bringing mainstream programming strategies and research principles to help create and develop some of America’s most successful Christian music stations many of which are top ranked in their markets. John has been recognized by CRW magazine as one of the 50 most influential people in Christian music. The Gospel Music Association recognized John with the Scott Campbell Industry Achievement award in 2004, which Alan Mason also received in 2007. John’s radio career began on his 16th birthday on a 500 watt AM radio station in his hometown in West Texas. He cites that day as one of the best in his life, getting his driver’s license, FCC radiophone license and going on the air for the first time on the very same day. Never having lost his love for being behind a mi

The author of the book "The Soccer Mom Myth" and the blog "Marketing To Women Online", Holly Buchanan gives some great insight on avoiding stereotypes and contextualizing our message on female-targeted radio stations. Holly Buchanan is the CEO of Buchanan Marketing LLC, a consultancy specializing in marketing to and selling to women. She is the co-author (along with Michele Miller) of The Soccer Mom Myth - Today's Female Consumer: Who She Really Is, Why She Really Buys. Buchanan Marketing works with companies to increase their success in marketing and selling to women. Our services include creating and reviewing marketing materials, sales training, speaking, seminars and other custom consulting services. Holly Buchanan has worked with hundreds of clients including brands like Waterford, GE Healthcare, HP, 1-800-Flowers, American General Life, and Genworth Financial. Holly Buchanan’s newest book is "Selling Financial Services to Women" and also offers great insight for any marketer on how to avoid the myths, stereotypes, and language that can push, rather than persuade. You can email Holly Buchanan at – holly@thesoccermommyth.com She is on Twitter @hollybuchanan

Our format's leading talent coach offers his perspective on how radio is doing and what he thinks is important. And as usual, he tells it like he sees it. And yet, this is a very uplifting conversation for programmers and talent alike, I think. NOTE: This was recorded about a month ago. Have not had the chance to publish till now. Tommy Kramer has spent over 35 years in radio as an on-air talent, Programmer, and Talent Coach, and has worked with over 200 stations in all formats, specializing in coaching morning team shows. He was elected to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. Contact Tommy Kramer tommy@tommykramer.net

Everything you ever wanted to know about Mike's experience. It's a lot! Music Director at SOS Radio Network Afternoon Show at Life 97.3 Afternoon DJ at Solution FM WaYfm Air Talent at Cornerstone University see less Previously, he was…. Denver Program Director at WAY-FM Media Group, Inc. Nights on 95.1 SHINE-FM, Baltimore Engineering Consultant at McVay Media Contributing Writer at Ross Brittain Report Sharathon helper at WMSJ Tracker at WQFL PD at WLGH/Lansing, MI various at Clear Channel Radio various at WKQI/Detroit, WBCT/Grand Rapids at Clear Channel Communications

Vance Dillard, PD of Salem Music Network and 94 FM The FISH in Nashville is my guest. Vance Dillard is the Program Director for the Today's Christian Music Network, The Word in Praise network, the Solid Gospel network, along with WFFH-FM/WFFI-FM broadcast properties, all operated by the Nashville-based Salem Music Network. Vance spent most of the 1970s working for full service adult AM stations, then the 1980s as program director for a top-rated station in Tampa. In 1988 he went to work for Jacor (now part of Clear Channel) and stayed with the company for 12 years. He spent one year of that time as WLW-Cincinnati operations manager and the rest of the time as program director of Atlanta's adult contemporary station, Peach-FM. Additionally, he served as the corporate adult contemporary brand manager, having programming oversight over scores of Clear Channel adult contemporary stations outside of Atlanta. Dillard also was in a similar position with South Central Communications, owners of several adult contemporary formatted stations, including top-rated Mix 92.9 in Nashville (where your host of this podcast is currently employed)

Here is Erica's answer, courtesy of "All Access" to the question "What makes your show unique?" Stories. "Stories are gifts." That's what Starbucks printed on their cardboard coffee wraps one holiday season. And that's what we believe. We share our stories, they share theirs, and something happens! God can use a story and everyone's got one. The defining moment came for us one morning when a lady joined our conversation about Christmas trees. She said, "I've been waiting for you to ask the right question so I could share my story! Today's the day!" It was Christmas, and she and her mother were so poor that all they could do was go and buy little red bows to put on the tree. It was her best Christmas ever. We believe stories connect human beings to other human beings. And that God is in the thread.

1. Stop doing “random acts of digital” – You can’t do everything, so prioritize and strategize. This approach will help stations and management teams best use their human and financial resources. 2. “Car Wars” – Techsurvey8 underscores the importance of the automotive world. More than half our respondents spend the lion’s share of their radio time on four wheels. And half can now connect their smartphones and iPods into their cars. Nearly one in ten now has a more elegant in-dash entertainment system like Ford SYNC. Our data suggests that about one-fifth of radio listeners who have these systems spend less time with AM/FM radio. (And I don’t have to remind you about the #1 sales category at most stations, do I?) If this isn’t impetus for an industry task force, I don’t know what is. 3. Winning “First Occasions” – Arbitron has taught us the value of creating “listening occasions” to drive higher ratings. There is no more important one than what we’re calling the “First Occasion” – the medium a person selects to start her day. In Techsurvey8, most respondents are core radio listeners. Yet, nearly six in ten begin their mornings with a channel or gadget other than radio. What does this tell us about the job they hire radio to do in the morning – and how well radio is delivering on that need? 4. Radio’s Big 4 – When we asked our respondents the main reasons why they’re AM/FM listeners, favorite songs and DJs were on top of the list. But next in line are four key emotional triggers that speak volumes about how radio can better serve its audiences: listening to the radio while they work, putting them in a better mood, providing companionship, and giving them an escape from their often challenging lives. Slogans like “Favorites of the ‘80s, ‘90s, and Today” fail to get at the key motivators for why broadcast radio is still viable. How many stations are truly delivering on these emotional promises? 5. Rent & Own – Not all channels are created equally. There are the digital pathways that stations are renting – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. And then there are the assets they own – their frequency, website, and database. Of course, it’s important to feed both beasts, but Techsurvey8 suggests that the email database has the potential to create the strongest listener bond. And our respondents are more likely to regularly visit a station’s website than they are to drop by the Fa

As Brant Hansen (afternoons on Air 1) heads off to Afghanistan for CURE, we come to the mutual conclusion that being brilliant in a 6 second break is a goofy thing to aspire to. This is a show for air talent.

In a vulnerable and edifying conversation, the new K-LOVE morning show of Craig, Amy, and Kankelfritz offer great thoughts on on-air chemistry, teamwork, and getting to that place of really being REAL on the air. No matter your format, you'll relate.

Encouragement and ideas for your morning show from two of the best in America's largest radio market!