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3 Things My Son Can Teach You About Radio
May 21, 2021
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Think of a moment in your life when everything changed. For me it was the day my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. T1D typically happens to kids when some sort of internal event triggers their immune system to overreact, attack, and kill their pancreas, having to spend the rest of their life managing blood sugar with insulin. That moment grieved this father’s heart.
HE WAS ONLY SIX
We’ve been on this T1D journey almost seven years now dealing with highs and lows…figuratively and literally. Fortunately, with technology we’re able to help monitor and treat blood sugar levels together. My wife and I try our best to help teach and coach our son to consider how today’s decisions will impact his future quality of life.
At this point my son almost manages his T1D by himself. But a few times a day we’ll help him predict treating his low blood sugar with some carbs or his high blood sugar with insulin. Some of those Facetime calls (and very public) sound like this, “You’re high!!!!!” More on that below.
1. STOP OVERREACTING
It doesn’t matter if you’re a GM, PD, or an-air talent, overreacting to bad ratings or a bad fundraiser rarely helps. Just like an overreactive immune system kills a pancreas, your overreaction can damage culture, trust, and any momentum.
2. EVERYONE NEEDS A COACH
It doesn’t matter your level of experience…everyone needs a coach. A set of outside eyes with different perspectives can help teach and mold someone to make better choices today that will positively impact their future.
3. INSIDER LANGUAGE HURTS
Picture being in the grocery store aisle trying to find that off brand box of cereal and you hear a mother tell her son, “You’re high!!!!!” To a T1D that means their blood sugar is high and needs treated with insulin, but to a stranger that could mean something completely different (think dispensary). The biggest mistake I continue to hear is when on-air talent uses insider language. Context matters especially to new listeners. Insider language alienates and doesn’t make new listeners feel included.
Ironically, I wrote this at 4am after treating “a high” with more insulin.
If you’d like to talk, I would be honored to help build confidence in you, your team, and your brand. Together, we can grow the greatest message and the greatest songs Beyond the (615) and into your local community.
Todd is the Christian Format Editor at AllAccess.com as well as the Owner of a Consulting & Coaching service at beyond615.com. He helps build confidence where people feel unsure.
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