10 Questions – The Best Quotes Of 2020

This week, we look back at 2020 with the best answers to some of our best questions.

Sean Knight
January 7, 2020

How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I've been writing and recording music, playing video games, but I'm also doing as much as I can to keep my head in the game and still know what's going on in the world of rock (and radio in general). I've also picked up a gig bartending which is fun since it let's me interact with people.

Marissa Lanchak
January 14, 2020

How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I've cleaned...a lot. I also love keeping up with the listeners that have supported me through this roller coaster I've been riding. (Just did a Christmas Card Challenge and received just about 100 cards!) Seriously though, speaking of positivity, I've used my "free time" to take some online courses and have recently become a Certified Life Coach and started up my own website and business in hopes to grow as a person and help people at the same time. It's always been something I've done and to make it a side business venture, I feel lucky to have the time to kick it off the right way. (www.feelthishappy.com)

Laura Lee
January 28, 2020

How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

Since I was downsized right before the holidays, I took the opportunity to go see friends and family. I took a week to go to Georgia and see my parents for Thanksgiving. I spent Christmas with my brother's family in New Jersey and was able to spend some solid time with my little niece and nephew. I hung out with my aunt and uncle in Dallas for the new year and was able to go to the NHL's Winter Classic. I also have a voicetracking job that's helped me stay fresh. I'll also admit to spending time playing World of Warcraft Classic. If you're on the Herod server and in need of a healer, my priest's name is TinyTonic.

Chelsea Alayne
February 4, 2020

How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I am involved with a local dog rescue organization. I foster dogs with them and am using my audio/video skills to help get them adopted.

Mark Mueller
February 11, 2020

Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

With the latest cutbacks it definitely is discouraging. I started in radio back in 1986 (as an intern). It’s a different industry than it was then. Radio has evolved, but I am still old school when it comes to having live and local talent in the studio, that is what the listeners deserve.

Ron Roberts
February 18, 2020

Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

There will always be viable formats that excel on terrestrial radio, but that number is shrinking. It takes some time away to realize how little a person *needs* to turn on a radio station and that should concern the industry. That's not sour grapes; heck, I'm a child of the '80s and grew up listening to one of the greatest non-major market CHRs in the country. I WANT to be a fan of a station like that again; I just haven't fallen in love with any one station enough to "set it an forget it." I've found myself drawn to 680 The Fan and 106.3 The Sports X the most, to be honest - which brings me back to my original point: there will always BE viable formats that excel from transmitter sites. Sports Talk, Political Talk, Religious Talk & Music, and Country and Urban/Hip Hop will linger a little longer than Pop and Hot AC and AC will, in my opinion. There's been such a dilution of talent in those last few formats, and with such homogeneity in their playlists, it's difficult for radio stations/brands to stand out. In Atlanta, alone, we have two CHRs along with two hot-to-medium ACs and the music differentiation between each is razor thin. So who wins consistently? The morning show with the dynamic and engaging personalities - The Bert Show.

Chelsea Castoria
February 25, 2020

Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

Lord I feel like this will get me in trouble down the line. Radio’s main issue right now is that it’s suffocating itself. Radio is supposed to be the medium where local celebrities are created. The more automation and syndication become the norm, the less likely you are to have LIVE AND LOCAL talent in studio and that’s just a huge bummer. There’s also a big issue with people being in management positions that still think radio should be done like it was in the ‘80s/’90s. They don’t cultivate talent like they used too and sometimes can be so out of touch with the times that they hinder your connection with the audience.

Chuck Charles
May 18, 2020

Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

This one finally hit me at the beginning of the year. Instead of relying on the brand you’re a part of to separate or make you feel worthy, work on your brand as well. If there’s one thing I’ve been doing is keeping a list of ideas that I could bring to the table just in case the opportunity arises. I’ve always put the station’s brand before mine, and I always will because I don’t believe anyone should be bigger than the station, but I’ve really started to work on how I want to represent myself as a brand.

Julian
June 3, 2020

Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I think enlightened is more on target. I've come to accept the realization that the business is what it is right now, and we have to accept that. I think more to the question is, what am I/we going to do about it? Sit back, and just chill? Or, be more proactive and do things about it. But, it definitely is more fragmented. Last thing, I suggest (if you don't already) find podcasts, and other forms of media, and listen and/or watch stuff you gravitate too. Not only for entertainment but I look at it as research.

Loren Raye
June 10, 2020

Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

This entire situation - losing my job during the middle of a global health crisis - has been so enlightening. It helped me to examine how I was prioritizing my time as an employee, a wife and a mom. Most importantly, it helped me see that I blamed a lot of things on “not having enough time as a working mom,” when in reality I wasn’t setting boundaries, making changes or creating new goals in order to prioritize the right things I need in order to thrive. I look forward to going into whatever my next role is with a much better sense of myself as a person and an employee.