Sometimes the best ideas come from somewhere else. In fact, the true art of appropriating (OK, stealing) an idea is to actually make it better.
Yesterday, Mike Stern stumbled upon a Fast Company article with the unlikely title, “9 CEOs tell ‘Modern CEO’ what they’re thankful for.” It’s an insightful read, mostly because we rarely hear business leaders talk about their employees, their pets, their children, and their holiday gatherings. (But do we really care about what the head honcho of Inspired Capital or Butterball is thankful for?)
Frankly, Mike felt radio people could do a much better job in the gratitude department. So, we put it to the test, reaching out to some of our favorite people from all corners of radio and taking their “thanks temperature.” (You’ll see Mike take his own “turkey trot” at the end of today’s post.)
We hope you find their musings inspirational and timely. And you’re invited to leave your thoughts below in “comments” or on my socials. And if we don’t get a chance to chat, let me wish you the happiest and warmest Thanksgiving greeting – and thank YOU, in particular, for reading and engaging with this blog. – FJ
Terrie Carr – Program Director + On-air Personality, WDHA/New Jersey
I’m always thankful for being a part of the radio community. The reflection this year seems more vivid with the reality of the massive amount of changes the industry is going through and the challenges we continually face; however, the thanks and gratitude I have for the folks that I get to work with daily never changes. Having passionate people around you on-air, in sales and in the advertising and record community is what it’s all about. And being able to be a part of the lives of our listeners is never lost on me. How many people have that opportunity? When I reflect on still being able to be on stage or at a successful event with the people I love, my staff – Thankful is an understatement.
Dave “Chachi” Denes – President, Benztown Radio Networks
I know it’s been a tough year, with many of our friends facing job losses. Despite these challenges, I remain deeply thankful to work in such an incredible industry—one that harnesses its tremendous power to positively impact lives across the country. We keep people informed with vital news and information, support countless charities and nonprofit organizations, and bring joy through entertainment, making life a little brighter for our audiences. Now more than ever, it’s important that we rally around the strength of our medium and extend a hand to help our friends get back on their feet. Together, we can continue to make a difference.
Stephanie Theisen – COO, Leighton Media
I am incredibly thankful for the dynamic team of professionals I work with every day at Leighton Media. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence drive our success. It’s inspiring to see how each team member contributes to our mission of connecting with communities and delivering exceptional value to our audiences and clients. Their dedication fuels our ability to innovate, adapt, and thrive in an ever-evolving media landscape.
I’m also grateful for the trust and relationships we’ve built with our clients, partners, and listeners. I have made it a focus to attend several of our events this year. When I do, the connections I witness remind me of the impact our work has on businesses, families, and local communities. I’m proud of the role we play in enriching lives and fostering engagement. As we look ahead, I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead a company that embraces curiosity, creativity, and the power of “we,” not “me.”
John Williams – Midday host, WGN/Chicago
Well…I do like it when I say something to a stranger – a clerk or random acquaintance – and they say, “Are you John Williams?” Never gets old. Don’t tell anyone I said that. But this is such an interpersonal industry that whenever someone says that, I think, Yup, it’s still working. We still touch people, in good times and bad. They notice, they need that.
So the thing I like most about working on an a three-call letter AM station is that however challenged the band is, the content, the contact, is still unique and important. We strive to be entertaining and interactive and who else can say that? No other platform is so immediate and treacherous. It’s fun, it’s vital and it’s a calling I felt years ago that I still respond to.
I made a point about the news last week and someone wrote to say thank you. I told a stupid joke and someone said, Thank you. Lucky me.
Dave Farra – Co-host, The Dave & Mahoney Morning Show, KSLX/Phoenix (and beyond)
As I reflect on my journey in the radio industry this Thanksgiving, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the bigger picture, but when I take a step back, I’m reminded of how privileged I am to do what I love. Working in radio is so much more than a job—it’s the realization of a lifelong dream.
I can still vividly recall the first time I felt a radio personality speaking directly to me. Growing up in rural Minnesota, that connection felt personal and powerful, sparking a dream that shaped my future. Today, I’m living that dream, and I’m thankful for every moment—even the tough ones that challenged me to grow.
One of the greatest blessings in my career has been the opportunities I’ve received, often before I truly felt ready for them. I owe so much to the program directors who took a chance on a kid with more ambition than experience. Their belief in me, and their openness to fostering new talent, was transformative. This industry thrives on fresh voices and bold ideas, and I’m endlessly grateful to those who invested their time and trust to help me find my own voice.
But what makes radio truly extraordinary is the connection it fosters with listeners. In a world that increasingly leans on digital communication, there’s something irreplaceable about real-time interaction. Whether sharing a laugh on someone’s morning commute or offering comfort during life’s challenges, radio creates a bond no comment section ever could. Listeners don’t just hear us—they feel us.
This Thanksgiving, I’m especially thankful for my incredible co-hosts on the Dave and Mahoney Morning Show, the talented professionals I work alongside, and the listeners who let us be part of their day. Radio is my passion, my purpose, and the reason I wake up excited every morning. I’m endlessly grateful to call this medium my home.
Chuck Armstrong – Host, “Loudwire Nights” / VP, Content Operations / Townsquare Media
As I think about this beloved and complex industry we work in, I’m grateful that in the face of uncertainty, changes and growing competition — realities we’ve always had to confront — that one thing never stops ebbing and flowing: Connection. Whether it’s connection with our listeners and communities or connection with the music and spoken word, there is virtually nothing “out there” that can compete with what we can do. Do we have to change how we do it? Absolutely, sometimes daily. But do we change that sense of deep, distinct connection? Never. I’m a fan of radio and music first and foremost and my life has been changed forever by the connection I’ve felt as a listener and, over the past couple of decades, as a broadcaster, too. Referring to what I do as “work” is a sincere privilege and one I don’t take for granted.
Beyond that, I’m simply thankful for the people I work with and learn from on a daily basis. I think about this often, but during this season, it truly becomes something I hold onto dearly.
Ben Davis – CHR Format Captain, Alpha Media (ops manager/morning host, WDJX / Louisville)
What am I thankful for? I feel like, especially lately in this industry… is a loaded question. This industry is overflowing with incredibly talented people. I’m thankful for the insanely creative people that I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from for over two decades. I’m still learning!
I’m personally thankful for the listeners and clients who support and believe in local radio. I’m thankful for the ability to still make an emotional connection with our audience. I’m thankful for listeners who remind me firsthand of the impact local radio still has on their daily lives. Nothing humbles me more than to have a listener approach, introduce themself, and allow me the opportunity to meet them.
I’m thankful for leadership who trusts me and challenges me to be better. I’m thankful for new hires! For the ability to teach and stoke the passion and fire of radio in others. Finally, I’m thankful for an industry that, for many of us, gives us a creative outlet to write, perform, and be ourselves.
Molly Davis – COO, Radio Research Consortium
This is the time of year when we’re prompted to ruminate on things for which we’re thankful, which can sometimes feel contrived, but “fake it ’til you make it” is really a thing. Practicing gratitude does actually make us more adept at feeling thankful. So today, I’m stretching my gratitude muscles.
For the last 20 years, I’ve been so thankful to have landed in public radio. The first day I crossed the threshold of my station, I found my true calling, my home. Experiencing it from the other side (I was a lifelong listener) gave me new appreciation for what a lifeline and companion public radio is to so many people. As evidence, just look at the fact that the medium is largely funded by people who donate money for something they can consume for free. Public radio means something to people and to communities, and I found so much joy stewarding this public service.
Three months ago, I moved from my station to Radio Research Consortium as Chief Operating Officer, and not a day has gone by since that I haven’t been awash in gratitude for the opportunity to help advance the mission of non-commercial radio on a national level. In my brief time here, I’ve connected with people at stations, and at other organizations, all around the country—people who have affirmed for me the incredible level of creativity, and passion, and just plain spunk that exists in our industry. And I have witnessed firsthand the bright ideas and passion for service to stations that exists among the entire RRC team. So I think what it all boils down to for me is this: I’m thankful for people…all of you. I see you. I see what you give and what you do and how much you care, and I appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Prospector – Mornings, WEZX (Scranton)
I’m so grateful to work in this industry. It’s all I ever wanted to do and I am so happy I have done it for over 38 years. When I was a kid, I’d ride with my dad in his pick-up truck and listen to the radio. I told him then that’s what I wanted to do. Now, I get to be a part of people’s daily lives, part of the community I grew up in, and I get to shine a light on causes and charities that are important to me. Oh, and I get to make silly jokes. What could be better?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cari Kates – Director of Digital Content, Pillar Media
I’m grateful for the intimate connection we get to have with our listeners. Every now and then, we get to hear the stories of how a song, something a DJ said, or even finding a solution to problem through a radio advertiser, has made an impact on someone’s day or life, but there are so very many times that’s happening that we aren’t even aware of. It’s cool to think about the fact that it’s our JOB. We get paid to do this!
Trevor Morgan – Corporate Operations Director / Zimmer Communications (+ mornings KCMQ, Columbia, MO)
First, I am humbled and honored to be afforded the opportunity to work in an industry where we can creatively entertain, critically inform, and dynamically impact our community.
Second, I am thankful to work for a company that values people as the engine that drives the power of radio and works to cultivate their talents.
Third, I am grateful to be surrounded by team members whose passion and talent continue to drive me to elevate my game.
Fifth, to be given the grace to make mistakes and learn from them.
Happy Thanksgiving.
And finally, a couple of gratitude entries from Jacobs Media employees:
Chris Brunt – Director Digital Revenue + All Things AI, Jacobs Media
This year, I’m thankful for the communities that radio creates—both among my passionate colleagues in the industry and the 293 million U.S. listeners who trust us to entertain and inform them. It’s easy to lose sight of the joy and connection radio brings to listeners in the midst of our daily routines, but the impact is undeniable. I’m inspired by the incredible talent in our industry, from superstars conducting headline-grabbing interviews to local broadcasters stepping up in moments of crisis—like the Asheville teams who became lifelines for their community during the Helene tragedy. I’m also grateful for the millions of businesses that rely on radio to grow and the dedicated salespeople who champion its value and effectiveness every day. Lastly, I’m deeply appreciative of the mentors who shaped me and those who continue to guide and inspire the next generation of leaders in our industry.
Mike Stern – Consultant, Jacobs Media
Even more than in most years it feels like I am most thankful for the moments of creativity that can only be found in radio.
I’ve always said that I got into radio for the music, and I stayed for the talent. The truth is that what’s always been the biggest rush, are the moments of creativity that come from finding ideas and building them into something special in a way that only the radio can deliver. It’s what I loved growing up listening to the radio and it’s my favorite thing to be a part of now. That can be finding a unique and compelling way to package and present music. It can be helping hone a talent’s personal story into a great piece of content that listeners will talk about. It can be finding a new, unique way to raise money to benefit people in need. It can even be taking time to bedazzle a pair of jeans to wear on the stage at a live broadcast. It’s those moments where something goes from a little spark to a brightly burning piece of creativity that I find myself being the most thankful for this year.
You are most welcome to fill out our “comments” sections below with your own musings about thanks, gratitude, stuffing, and football. JacoBLOG will be back on Monday with a new post. In the meantime, a safe, happy, and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving to you all! – FJ
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Thankful for Broadcasters who Care and Continue to Enhance Our Craft. May the platforms and owners embrace efforts to truly service The Public Interest. Do you do it for love or do you it for money? Believe in both. Thank you, Fred.
Thank you, Clark, for being the great radio citizen that you are.
I’m thankful for all of the Broadcast Engineers who keep us on the air! On-call 24/7, trekking through sun and snow, they are the unsung heroes of our industry. And to those who are doing everything in their power to recruit, train, and sustain the next generation of engineers, thanks to you too!
Those unsung heroes with oscilloscopes! Thank you, June.
I am thankful that my God-given talent is the ability to program radio. As my friend Chuck Southcott (Music Of Your Life) has said, “you cannot teach someone how to do what we do … you have to be born with the instinct”. Jhani Kaye (ex-KOST, KRTH, KTWV) refined that when I quoted Chuck to him: “Those of us who are programmers first hear the station we are creating in our heads, and the rest is making the station match.”
As for myself, I find it wonderful that my talent, instinct, whatever you want to call it, makes people HAPPY when I use it. It makes listeners happy, which then makes the advertisers happy, and that makes the station owners and managers happy. So I give thanks for it not only at Thanksgiving, but every single day of my life.
My wish is for everyone to find that happiness in their own careers.
I am stuck on your instinct comment, K.M. I beleive Chuck had that right. There is non paint-by-numbers kit for radio programmers. But I wish we had more “instinct PDs” with the running room to be able to do their stuff.
I am thankful to my crewe who got WZPH’s tower back up, and The Zephyr on the air locally (96.7 fm in Zephyrhills, FL) and worldwide on the internet. Big Bad Wolf, Hurricane Milton huffed and puffed and blew down the WZPH 100′ tower, stopping the count of more than 3 1/2 million songs in a row. Back on the air now, retaining the liner “a million songs in a row,” as we reached one million in a row in 2008. When WZPH was announcing the 900,000’s counting, I perceived a growing sadness. I had to ask “Why? We’re almost at one million songs in a row!” Myriad responses were about sadness that the “ride” was ending.
I said, “Wait! Who said we’d stop?” Every face’d light up like a kid’s at Christmas.
Thanks for this, John.
For 50 years now, I have been allowed by various employers to wake up, entertain, inform, put to sleep and even keep up all night various audiences in a number of cities across America. This voluntarily and partially comes to an end soon on a full time basis. Even more amazingly to me, I’ve been allowed to do so for 47 of those years in or nearby my hometown. And I’m well aware that these types of things rarely happen anymore.
I am thankful to all who have employed me over the decades. Who gave me the paycheck that put food on my table, and the benefits that took care of me when I was not feeling well. The savings I have accumulated once returned to my control soon will allow me to pay off a home and live mortgage free.
I am thankful to a former employer for the small pension I receive monthly. It may not be a lot of money, but it all adds up and helps pay the bills.
I am thankful for the experiences that I have had and for the listeners who have tuned in. They, more than anything have sustained me and made me feel as though my work actually meant something.
I am thankful for my radio family. They are my colleagues, yes. But they are also my friends and in the days, weeks, months and years ahead, I hope to continue these friendships while I take this step back and try to take it a little easier and have a little more time for myself. (You see, I discovered I really like those radio reunions I attend once in a while). My friends have been my life and without them, I don’t know how I have made it this long.
I have tried never to make enemies, even as outspoken as I sometimes am. If I have offended someone by accident, my apologies to you.
Will I be remembered by a lot in the industry? Not likely. I know my place. Eventually, I will become like many on air people as the world’s greatest trivia question. You know, “What ever happened to that guy named so-and-so?” But, that’s ok, too.
As I write this, it’s December 1, 2024. I move into my new life and whatever is to come in 31 days. I’ll still work a bit on air here and look forward to it. And I will have the opportunity to do other work both in and outside radio, so…if anyone can use a voice tracker, well. my RE-20 is here at the desk and I’m told I can track pretty well.
What I am looking forward to is having more time to spend with friends who have only seen me during vacations and around my birthday. I am hoping, perhaps to do a little teaching again, perhaps in a high school radio situation. We’ll see. Or maybe I’ll work for Kroger. I hear they are a “major market” (tongue firmly in cheek there).
Besides, hopefully next year, I’ll have an LPFM to help rebuild. It’ll be nice to have more time for it. Just got the call letters a few weeks ago after obtaining the CP in the last licensing window.
Guess I really have been that guy traveling “up and down the dial” for a lifetime and still am unsure how I got to this point. But I am glad I did and thankful radio extended its wattage to me.
See you later.
Kevin, this is so beautifully written and expressed – from the heart. Congrats on a great run, and thanks for giving us your valuable two cents – and much more – in this space. All the best to you throughout a career that still sounds like it’s got some runway left.