In the end, it's about freedom.

Okay, it's also about hiring people who have above-average creativity, but that creativity is not served by restricting them and making them follow rules that might not lead to their best work. Radio management has always leaned on the idea that sticking to formulas and doing things the way they've always been done is the way to success, but the hosts who have transcended the medium did things their own way. Greatness doesn't come from shutting up and playing the music, or sticking to political party talking points. Big personalities doing different and entertaining things, playing around with the very medium itself, turning convention on its ear: There aren't a lot of people doing that anymore. Radio is a lot of "more of the same" and precious little "I've never heard that before."

What's the most profound change the radio industry has seen in the 28 years All Access has been around? I think it all comes down to one device. When I started at All Access in the Jurassic era, all I wanted was a computer that fit in my pocket. I wanted it to be able to ...

In the end, it all comes down to time. It's about how much time people have to listen. It's about how much time you have to give them what they want. It's about other things competing for everyone's time. It's also about how much time you have left, but we'll get to that ...

It's only been a couple of weeks since Instagram launched Threads, its Twitter-equivalent, and already it seems like people have tired of it. Engagement is down, and I find myself checking it less and less frequently. It has its good points -- "Twitter without the Nazis" ...

Protect yourself. I'm not going to get into the details of the Hollywood strikes, other than to note that what you heard from Disney's Bob Iger -- things have changed, the strikers are being "unrealistic" -- is pretty much what you've heard from management in radio, and ...

Everybody thinks they can do what you do. Most of them can't. Doesn't matter these days. That's the state of the business in 2023. It's always been the case. You tell someone what you do for a living and they respond, "you know, people tell me I should have a talk ...

When, exactly, was it when the public determined that it was not interested in local news? Oh, right, we don't know that they aren't interested. In fact, there's evidence to the contrary, if you look at local groups on Facebook or, forgive me, Nextdoor. Every single day, ...

Would anyone miss you if you were gone? Calm down, I'm not talking about your mortality. Your radio show. Your station. Your podcast. Would anyone be upset at your absence, or would they move on to something else? This week, Canada's Bell Media pulled the plug on six AM ...

There's something to be said for consistency. Consistency, on the other hand, can be a trap. Take Wheaties. Wheaties? Yeah, think about Wheaties for a moment. At one time, and for a very long time, Wheaties were a reliable breakfast staple. It was one of the top cereals, ...

You're a radio talk show host. Whose interests do you represent? It used to be easy. You represent the listeners. Their best interests are your best interests. And when you interview a politician or celebrity or newsmaker, you have access that the listeners don't, so you ...