Is Your Listeners Investment in Time With You Worth It?

 A fair exchange is when you get something back equal to what you gave up. That exchange we are talking about now is TIME. If I give you my precious time that I cannot ever get back, I should have the assurance that I am going to get back something of value. When people spend time with us, we should never take that for granted. Every moment which is calculated measurement (every 90 seconds) should not be wasted. We must be conscious of time. It is a measurement we can never get back, that's why wasting time is dangerous. So when you are broadcasting, writing, or just talking in general, try not to waste people's time, and certainly don't let people waste yours. 

So take more care in how you put your show together. Cancel all those extra words you use to make yourself sound like you are smart (smile) and just get to the point. You don't need a big build up. Just tell me what you want me to know upfront and then expound on it. Wasted words, wasted moments make you a mediocre communicator.

 Let's intentionally move away from taking so long to make our points. This will make you a better speaker than 99 percent of your contemporaries. It's just not necessary to take so long to make a point. Impact statements are allowed. They have no expiration time limit. 

Non impactful statements do.

It’s Time to Build Authentic, Uninhibited Broadcasters Who Make Radio Feel Alive Again: Let's Put Cookie Cutter Radio to Death

We are producing a legion of cookie cutter announcers who lack the tools to make the radio feel alive again. It is not there fault, it is the people who are teaching and training them. Not a lot of instruction is taking place with talent development. We need to intentionally create a new brand of radio personalities that can take this bland one size fits all radio to it's final resting place. 

Here are some of the characteristics we need to cultivate in our future stars of radio:

1. Less concerned about how others perceive them, so they share personal details about their lives freely. They do not allow the judgement of others in the room to stop them from being themselves.  NEVER!

2. Don’t hide behind a façade. They have their own style. Be something different.

3. They execute the show with their heart. They lead with their heart always willing to be vulnerable.

4. They possess the authenticity, to connect with their unseen audience. They are a vibe and the people can feel them. They hear how you treat other people on the air and they can identify you.

5. Make listeners feel like they’re hearing a real person. Not a shock jock, but you may say things shocking unaware because you are being you. Being real does not mean being a vulgar disparaging personality to get people's attention. I personally think people are getting sick of that.

6. Share personal lived experience stories openly.. Shares your emotions. Not what you think people want to hear.

7. Love to take chances that can differentiate their show in a crowded market. None of these shows should have the same features. Don't do the same thing everybody else is doing. Why does everybody do a prank phone call? Come up with something new. 

8. Make radio feel alive by really being themselves in every situation. They are excited to be with the audience everyday. You can hear it in their voice.

9. Aren’t afraid to say what others might hold back, creating powerful moments of truth, humor, or even controversy that stick with the audience ....We need to produce these types of personalities for the future of radio to stay alive and relevant for the next generation..What are some of your thoughts. Leave a comment

For On Air Dominance, Practice Like a Pro

As a professional radio personality, you’re no different from a professional athlete. Athletes don’t just show up on game day—they train their bodies, sharpen their skills, and rehearse FOR GAME TIME.

LeBron James practices every day. Tom Brady practiced every day. Michael Jordan practiced every day. Why? So why aren’t you practicing your on-air skills every day?

Your show is the game. When the mic goes live, that’s your arena, your court, your field. If you’re mumbling through your show, stumbling and bumbling, ripping and reading last minute poorly prepared content and can't get in your rhythm, it’s because you haven’t put in the daily reps. The Show prep.

Stop winging it. Start training. Practice your reads, your intros, your storytelling, your timing. Every. Single. Day.

Because when it’s show time, the audience will know whether you’ve been preparing for your show —or just bull-$@%&*--ting your way through a shift.

write me podcastlikeaproclass@gmail.com

“After 41 years in radio, here’s the one thing that still makes me nervous before I go live"

HAVE I PREPARED ENOUGH?

People that really know me in the radio industry, know that I am a show prep junkie. Each show we would produce what I would call manuals of show prep material. Each day we had a 30-page script of show prep for ideas and conversations. On top of that, I would ask my team to bring at least 10 ideas from the last 24 hours that interested them, or happened to them. Family, TV show, interesting conversation you overheard—just anything was on the table that was interesting. I myself was loaded with at least 15 solid things out of what I wrote for the show. Tom Joyner once said that there is comedy all around you. He said he would take a conversation he had with Doug Banks at night, and would be doing a bit on it the next morning.

If we would concentrate on doing a lot of observing on what you are being exposed to everyday, you would have a list of 20 things every day. Everything won't make it on the air, because they need more development, or you can just chuck it for later. Just keep writing and developing your own thoughts and marry them with facts to make your content strong. The things you have strong opinions about, bring it on air. You can do anything you want to create energy and excitement on your show. Just prepare, prepare, prepare. The more prepared you are, the more spontaneous you can become.

I was never one of those radio personalities who just got to the station in the nick of time before the show started. I was a 3am guy. I was the 4am guy for the 5:30am or 6am show start. That to me was a sin to show up right before your shift. One of my mentees in radio, Shay Moore, arrives at her morning show at 3am in Kansas City, MO. She is a one-woman wrecking crew and she is successfully dominating the market. People who want to be great and impactful every day adopt this type of mentality. Some personalities, because they work at the big stick in the market, will win by default because the signal affords them the luxury of exposure, so the ratings gap may make you think something that may not actually be true. Winning by default is real. I have seen giants slayed by the hard work and dedication of a team on an inferior signal
producing great content every morning to dethrone a market staple.

So in closing, yes I am always uneasy if I feel I did not prepare well according to my standards. So I put more thought into what I want to say. I spend time alone with me and my notepad and come up with my content. So if you care, be careful in preparing for your show.

Storytelling, Vulnerability, and Emotional Truth Are What Make a Podcast or Broadcast Memorable

 How is a radio personality or podcaster identified in the heart of a listener? There was a moment where you said something, and how you said it, that was printed in that person's mind. Here is what the listener says about your relationship...That's my dude, or that's my girl. Now hey have made you their possession. When you meet them in person, they will tell you almost word for word the conversation that touched them that created that bond. When you do that over and over and over again, the likelihood of you getting that same reaction is great. Touching your listener emotionally is the key.

With storytelling your audience will lean in when you paint a picture with words. Share the intimate details that make it worth telling your story.

Vulnerability creates trust  and people will people feel safe with you when they know you are really sharing your life with them. Surface-level chatter fades instantly.

Emotional truth and sincerity has more impact than a polished script. Being honest and sharing a personal story makes conversations more powerful. Please send me your thoughts at podcastlikeaproclass@gmail.com

Avoid Being a Chatty Patty

Always remember that nobody wants to hear endless rambling in a conversation. Maybe your mother, but for everyone else, that is a big turn off. A “chatty patty” is that person who talks just to talk, filling the air with noise and mindless chatter. They think that what they have to say is way more important than what you have to say. The like to hear themselves talk. When you do that, people are looking at their watch, waiting for you to shut up. You want people to say, tell me more, not shut up.

Here’s the danger of being a Chatty Patty:

• You lose impact. The more you ramble, the less weight your words carry.

• You lose trust. People start questioning if you actually know what you’re talking about.

• You lose attention. The audience checks out — mentally, if not physically.

This is how not to be one of those annoying people:

• Make it matter. Speak with intention. Every sentence should move the conversation forward

• 
  Know when to pause. Silence can be more powerful than filler.

• Deliver value, not volume. Listeners would rather get one solid gem than 10 minutes of nothingness.

• And lastly, do not speak to your audience like you are more significant than them. Don't be a self absorbed personality. People resent them, but their own ego blinds them to that fact. Be humble and powerful when you speak.
  

Tell The Truth Even When Your Voice Shakes

 Speaking the truth is rarely easy, but it is always necessary. For me, it has cost friendships, relationships, and even lucrative contracts. Yet for the past twenty years, I have chosen to walk with God. That decision means choosing truth over convenience, no matter the price.

Even a trembling voice has power. When you stand up and speak honestly—even if your voice shakes—it carries more weight than silence or a lie ever could. People may not always like it, but they will feel the truth in your words.

Vulnerability connects. When we open ourselves honestly, with our flaws and fears on display, people see the real us. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s the bridge that allows others to connect with our humanity.

Shaking means you care. The nerves, the trembling hands, the lump in your throat—all of it means what you’re saying matters. If it didn’t, you wouldn’t feel the weight of it. That weight is proof that your words have meaning.

Your voice matters. One honest word can spark courage in someone else to do the same. Truth spoken in sincerity is contagious—it gives permission for others to rise, to stand, and to find their own trembling voice.

So speak the truth. Even if it costs you. Even if it shakes you. Because the world needs your courage more than your comfort.

I’m Doing This For The Ones Who Are Looking For Me..I Will Explain

I’m doing this blog for that one person out there who is trying to find me.

When I started the Black Radio Talent Blog, I thought about myself as a young black child growing up in Goldsboro NC who got bitten by the radio bug when I was around 14 or 15 years old. When I got home from school I would go in my room in my makeshift radio station and begin practicing and pretending I was on the radio all afternoon. That was my daily ritual. I would be in there till my mother said dinner was ready. I duct taped a studio together and made it work. I would make cassette tapes of myself and play them for my classmates and they would not believe it was me. So at 15 I knew I was onto something. I spent my mornings before school eating breakfast sitting in front of that green am radio that sat on the dryer, listening to the morning man give the weather and the school lunch menu. Wow I have a lot of memories on how I got to where I am today. 

This year marks my 41st year in radio broadcasting. So this blog, the written version of myself is my next level of communication connecting to the people who want to have a career in radio. The people who spend time in their rooms like me alone thinking about being behind the microphone. People who have the dream embedded in their soul for this. I tell my radio friends all the time, that we are not the only people on this earth who want to be on the radio. So I pledged not to be a gatekeeper and withhold what I know that can help someone  grow. I am unapologetic in naming this blog Blackradiotalent.com, because that’s what I am. Yes I am a human on the radio, but I wanted to specifically identify myself for people looking for a voice in our community that is talking to them. But anyone who reads my articles, no matter what color or ethnicity you are, you know I know what I'm talking about.

 So I don't spend time worrying about who didn’t like a post, who didn’t comment, or who didn’t acknowledge what we put out. None of that matters. What matters is this: if I don’t keep showing up, the people I’m meant to serve may never find me. That's why I have to continue to learn how to be vulnerable in revealing who and what I really am. I only want to be discovered by the people who are looking for me. When they see my work, they will know I am who they have been looking for. So the more we are being ourselves in our expression of who we are, it will be easier for your people to find you.

I’m not looking for everybody—because everybody isn’t looking for me. But there are a few who are. And for those few, I’ll keep speaking, writing, creating, and showing up for you. I want you to know that you are not alone in your ambition to be a communicator. We all get here on different paths, but the common denominator is that this is something I must do. Radio. Podcasting. Communicating and connecting with people. If you would like to connect with me. email me at podcastlikeaproclass@gmail.com

“Learning to Be Myself on the Mic”

 Honestly, I used to mimic a lot of DJs and their styles. Over the years, I’ve become somewhat of a composite of the best traits I picked up from them. But when I finally learned how to be myself and let it go—which I’m still in the process of doing—I saw the difference in how people responded to me.

I remember my operations manager, in Dallas Tx, Ken Dowe, telling me: “B.J., when you were in Charlotte, you were pretty good. But here’s what I want you to do: go in that studio, say what you want to say, say it how you want to say it. And if anything controversial happens, we’ll be right here to support you.” When he told me that, I went into that studio and had the best time of my life. And I have never looked back…that was 2004.

As I’ve evolved into a more conscious person, expressing myself unapologetically, I became a different type of communicator. I’m still growing in my development, in my life’s ambition as a communicator. This is what I now teach and share with talent all over the country.

I’ve taken people straight out of barber shops and turned them into 6 figure DJ’s, with coaching. I am available to help people who want to go to the next level. I want to share my years of experience with you.

And I only teach what I know.

How Irrelevant Details Frustrate the Hell Out of Your Audience

 

When you’re talking, teaching, podcasting, or writing — the fastest way to lose people is by piling on details that don’t matter.

I just wanted to write this quick note for people who don't know they are doing this in their conversations. Giving too many details when I just asked you a simple question is a real turn off. People's attention spans are shorter than ever. You must learn how to get to the point in the most interesting way possible. I want you to practice speaking only straight words this week. Cut out all the fluff and see how you feel in how you communicate. Watch the reaction you will receive, then listen to how other people just like to hear themselves talk. The people who use run on sentences and just keep talking and never make their point. Here are some tips on how not to be that person:

Frustration – Nobody asked for your whole backstory. They just want the point. Every side note, every rabbit hole, drains their patience until they stop listening.

Losing your message – Your main point is gold. But if you bury it under extra stuff, people forget the point and only remember the rambling.

You look unprepared – When you throw in irrelevant bits, you come across like you don’t know where you’re going. Even if you do, the audience thinks you don’t.

Weak impact – A strong message needs to be sharp. Too many details dull the blade. Instead of leaving people inspired, you leave them tired.

Strive hard to get to the point. It will make you a better communicator and people will seek you out to listen to your wisdom.

Sign up for my Podcasting Like a Pro Course..we will stop taking clients Sept 24th

PODCAST LIKE A PRO COURSE WITH BJ MURPHY

I’m pouring 41 years of broadcasting knowledge into this course. We kicked off on last Thursday, Sept 18th, and we’ve got 7 weeks left. If you’ve ever wanted to find your voice in podcasting and discover your tribe of people who are looking for YOUR message – this is your moment.

This isn’t just another class. This is me opening the vault and giving you everything I know about Broadcasting, podcasting, connecting with an audience, monetizing your platform – WE WILL HAVE SPECIAL GUEST

Some of what we’ll cover:

Module 1: Storytelling and Content Development

Module 2: Podcast in Your Pocket! Technical Production

Module 3: Connecting Emotionally with Your Audience

Module 4: Building Your Brand and Monetizing Your Podcast

Module 5: Code of Ethics: Legal and Ethical Foundations of Podcasting

Module 6: Resilience in the Industry

Module 7: Pathways to Success in the Industry

Module 8: Mentorship and Real-World Experiences

Right now you can pay a reduced rate of $245 for ALL 7 weeks.

Email me at podcastinglikeapro@gmail.com

Or text “I WANT TO JOIN” to 980-337-1535

Don’t wait around. You’ve got 7 weeks to transform your voice, your skills, and your future in podcasting. We will close session in a few days. Sign up!

Freedom Over Corporate Control

I’m not built for corporate cages. I want to say what I think, and how I feel, and mean every word of it. There’s a cost to that honesty in corporate media today. You see it everywhere. Question is, are you gonna let this happen to you?

I’ve been out here on my own for a long time now, building my life and my work without a boss. The idea of going back to having a manager over me makes my stomach turn. Managerial talk is not for me. Never has been for a long time. I asked myself, well what are you gonna do about it BJ?

Well, Being Free is important to me in my next level of broadcasting. I want to be free to create all the time, to use my voice exactly the way I want to. Not to chase corporate approval or to live for the dopamine of public celebration. I just wanna be be all the time. If you’re hooked on being attached to brands, you’ll bend in ways you won’t even recognize just to get a check. And that’s the trade: money at the price of your mouth and your mind. When you decide that's not what you want to do anymore, there is a trial waiting for you.

If you want to keep your voice, you gotta go digital. Let the market — not a marketing department — decide if your voice matters. Put your work out there. Let a real tribe find it. That’s how independence is done. Nobody in a boardroom gets to tell you what you can or can’t say. The only judgment that counts is whether people out here actually listen to you. And then,can you give them a reason to listen to you?

See a lot of people say they want to be free, but if you are not willing to come face to face with poverty, then you are not ready for that challenge. You will have to go to a place of no return. True freedom is walking through the door of no return. There is trouble in there. Things that you never expected will come up. If you are not willing to lose things, do not go through that door. One day I will share with you what is in that door from my personal experience with no shame.

If you want to be free,  you must be willing to go through whatever it takes. I believe God is with me in my deep desire to be independent. That's how I move. You gotta feel that certainty in your chest when you decide whether if freedom is worth the trouble. But you must be tested. You must not be afraid to lose things in order to be truly free.

Being independent on every level takes work, humility, and unshakeable faith in yourself. It means sometimes you won’t get the cushy check or the applause of corporate folks. You will learn how to monetize your work without selling your soul. It means building relationships, being useful, and making things people need. It means learning platforms, building email contacts, learning how to sell without groveling. 

There are people who can’t imagine giving up the corporate way of life, and that is fine if that's how you see your life playing out. Corporate life offers stability and a paycheck on schedule. But ask yourself this: at what cost?  

I’m not against corporate success. I just want to be successful on my own terms. I want to make money, build things, and walk in peace on my terms. I want an honest life over a compromised life. When you want things on your own terms YOU MUST ACCEPT WHAT COMES WITH IT.

So what about you? Do you want to build something that belongs to you? If freedom matters to you the way it matters to me, start thinking like an owner. Start creating. Start learning about who you really are.

Freedom is paid for in late nights, hard lessons, and bets you have to make with your own heart on yourself. I’m willing to pay that price because I’d rather keep my voice,...
because it belongs to me alone. My voice belongs to the people on this earth that want truth from an uncorrupted heart.

Stay free. Stay honest. And if you’re serious about it, get digital — let the world decide if your voice matters. Trust what you have been given as your talent from the creator.

Podcasting: “Your Tribe Is Out There, Waiting For Your Message”

Authenticity Is Your Superpower in Podcasting And On The Radio

When it comes to podcasting, nobody can do you better than you. Your lived experience, your voice, your passion—that’s your advantage. Too many people get into podcasting trying to copy what somebody else is doing. They sound like the hosts they admire, chase topics that don’t move them, and wonder why they can’t connect with an audience. The truth is the copy will never be stronger than the original.

Authenticity is not a strategy—it’s everything. Your audience can smell when you’re faking it. They know when you’re just throwing content together using empty generic words that are going nowhere. They can feel when you’re speaking from the heart or just being general. That’s why, personal stories are the linchpin in connecting with people. Personal stories make them lean in. It makes them stay.

Passion is the fuel that keeps you going in  Podcasting. Building a real audience takes time, and consistency. If you don’t love your topics, you won’t sound passionate. Only speak on something that lights you up—something you would talk about whether a mic was in front of you or not—you’ll find the energy to keep showing up week after week.

Don’t ever take your audience for granted. Somebody is choosing to spend their time with you. Respect that. Bring them value. Talk to them like they’re sitting across the table from you. When people feel like you’re talking to them and not at them, that’s when the bond forms. If you got 100 people to consistently listen to your podcast, thats like being in front of an audience of 100 people every week at an event hall, and they are there because they want to hear you. Even if it was 25, it says that to them, your voice matters. If you only get one or two people an episode consistently starting out, that is still amazing. Someone thinks that what you have to say is valuable. I think that's the way you should look at this podcasting journey. You are not going to connect with people who are not looking for your message. Get over it.

Don’t be afraid to play with formats either. Micro-podcasts, short takes, deep dives, interviews—there’s no rulebook. Experiment until you find what excites you about producing content. Let it be rooted in who you are. Your podcast should sound like your life, your perspective, your passion.

Authenticity is the only superpower that can’t be duplicated. Technology will keep changing. Platforms will come and go. Remember your personal stories your voice, your truth—can never be duplicated. Nobody has the same life. Similar, but not the same. That's the connection point. Similar, but not the same. Use it to connect with your tribe. They are waiting for you to speak directly to them.

Rambling Kills Interest: Trim The Fat And Respect Your Audience’s Time

Hey I have been doing this Radio for 41 years and I am still trying to get better at delivering my message. I want to be clear and concise. The more you read, learn, and explore, the more richness you’ll bring to your craft. Here are some tips on how to stop wasting precious moments on the mic. We call it Rambling and Gambling. Wreckless conversations that are going nowhere that's causing your audience to instantly tune you out. If you have never been taught about word economy, you need to learn it, if you want to be interesting to listen to.

1. Build Emotional Connection

If you want people to stick with you, stop trying to sound like somebody else. Your authenticity is your edge. Let your real voice, your personality, your life experience show through. People don’t connect with people being fake—they connect with realness.

And if you’re interviewing? Don’t just march through your notes like a robot. Listen. Respond in the moment. Let your curiosity pull you into the conversation. Your listeners can hear when you’re truly engaged, and that pulls them in too.

Don’t be afraid of vulnerability either. Share the struggle, the lessons, the scars you picked up along the way. That’s what makes you human, and that’s what makes people relate and connect with you.

2. Deliver Value Every Time

Every episode has to leave people with something. Maybe they laugh. Maybe they learn. Maybe they walk away inspired. What should they feel when they finish listening?

Respect their time. If you’re rambling, you’re losing them. Trim the fat, stay on track with good stuff.

3. Master Presentation Skills

Your voice is your instrument—so play it. Energy matters. Tone, pacing, pauses—they all shape how your message lands. Even the best content will fall flat if you deliver it flat.

Radio and podcasting is theater of the mind. Paint pictures with your words. Tell stories, give vivid examples that let people see what you’re saying.

Hook them at the start, build and be memorable.

4. Create a Unique Listener Experience

Don’t just echo what everyone else is saying. We don’t need another voice repeating the same headlines. Bring your own lens, your own perspective. That’s what makes you stand out.

Talk with your audience, not just to them. Shout them out. Answer their questions. Weave their feedback into your content. When people feel included, they feel invested.

5. Keep Improving

Don’t get comfortable. Play your own shows back and listen with a critical ear. Where did your energy dip? Where did you shine? Where did you ramble on with no end point? The art of communicating better is never ending. Always remember, You can always say it better and shorter.

What AI Can’t Do

Yes AI can copy a voice, write a script, and flood Spotify with shows. But it will never replace the soul. It can’t catch the crack in your voice when a caller shares something painful. It can’t match your rhythm when you’re vibing with a guest. It can’t recreate the life you’ve lived that shapes how you respond when that mic comes on.

That human element—your realness, your emotional connection, your lived perspective. It’s the only thing that cuts through the noise.

The Opportunity for Black Radio Talent

For us, this moment is bigger than just survival—it’s about stepping into leadership. Black radio has always been more than music and chatter but the bank boys came in and gutted it. Now it is just a shell of it's former glory. It is now longer a lifeline for the black community as it once was, It has now become a complicit weapon in the dumbing down of the black community, but that's another article. Sorry I got off point for a minute...Back to AI, LOL.  We’ve been the interpreters, the translators, the voices that take headlines and make people feel them. AI will never be able to step into that role. But we can, if we lean harder into being ourselves. Being human. A Black Human Unapologetically.

That means:

• Tell your stories. Machines don’t know your block, your grandmother’s wisdom, your neighborhood jokes. You do.

• Bring your own flavor. The pauses, the laughs, even the slip-ups—they make you real.

• Lead with perspective. Don’t chase what mainstream is saying. Be first with your lens on what’s happening. That’s why people tune in.

From Fear to Advantage

So instead of stressing about what AI is taking away, flip it. Let the bots handle the generic, soulless content. That just clears a lane for you to shine brightly.

Because the future of radio and podcasting doesn’t belong to whoever sounds the most polished—it belongs to whoever connects the deepest with the souls of other flesh and blood beings. That’s where the power is.

So while the machines get better at being machines, you commit to getting better at being human. Every day. That’s how we win.

Podcasting is On-Demand Intimacy, Niche Topics, Long-Form Storytelling

Podcasting has created a new lane where intimacy is on-demand. Listeners aren’t waiting until a morning drive or a late-night talk show. They’re choosing the exact voice, perspective, or story they want in their ear at the very moment they need it. That’s power. It’s not about mass audiences anymore—it’s about deep connection with the people who care to hear what YOU have to say.

The future of broadcasting isn’t trying to be everything to everybody, but rather being that one thing to the right somebody. Niche topics are thriving because in this crowded media world, general voices get drowned out. But if you’re the one person talking about something with passion and authority, you’re going to find your audience. That’s how you build loyalty. Not by chasing the crowd, but by serving your tribe better than anyone else.

And then there’s long-form storytelling—the art of going deeper when the rest of the world is getting shorter and faster. The quick hit social clips may grab attention, but long-form builds trust. People remember the story you told that made them feel something, that gave them context, that stayed with them long after the episode ended. Long-form storytelling gives your voice weight. 

On-demand intimacy, niche topics, long-form storytelling—is a great formula for impact that lasts.

You Were Not Born To Exist In Mediocrity

You were not born to exist in mediocrity. You were not created to spend your life stuck in a place that you already know is beneath your skill, your growth, and your potential. And for this conversation, I’m applying this directly to your career, your work, or any ambitious goal you’ve been grinding toward.

When I say “beneath you,” I’m not talking arrogance—I’m talking reality. I’m talking about knowing you’ve outgrown your current level, but you’re still trapped in it. You know in your heart and in your skillset that you are two, three, maybe five levels above where you’re sitting right now. That’s why the frustration hits. That’s why you feel restless.

TODAY, I want you to stop letting frustration eat you up. Instead, let me tell you how to move through it—because elevation doesn’t come instantly, and it doesn’t come from somebody else handing it to you.

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Nobody’s Coming to Save You

I’ve lived enough life to know this as a fact: nobody is coming to pull you up. Nobody is going to care about your career, your goals, or your dream more than you do. You might be surrounded by people with influence, and maybe you’re hoping one of them will throw you a lifeline. The reality? That lifeline may never come. At best, maybe one or two people will recognize your worth and open a door—but you cannot build your life strategy on waiting for a handout.

Your progress is your responsibility. Period.

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The Patience to Endure

To win in life, you’ve got to develop patience. Not the sit-around-and-wait kind of patience, but the kind that allows you to endure. Because your path is not like everybody else’s. You will be tested in ways others will never be tested. People will cut in line ahead of you. People will make you feel like they’re better just because they got an opportunity you thought you deserved.

Don’t get distracted. Most of those shortcuts don’t last anyway. What looks like a win for them today may not hold tomorrow. Your job is to build your own lane!

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Creating Your Next Level

Sometimes when you know you are full of greatness, you have to carry the weight of it. You have to endure the long seasons of being overlooked, undervalued, or stuck in a place you’ve already outgrown. But hear me clearly: your next level won’t come by accident. You create it. You catapult yourself forward by refusing to settle, by sharpening your gifts, by putting yourself in the spaces where your value can’t be ignored.

And that’s why you cannot accept mediocrity. Because deep down, you already know—you were not born for it.

Why Being First With a Perspective Matters More Than Being a Parrot of the Mainstream Media

In radio and podcasting, timing is everything. The difference between leading the conversation and just adding noise often comes down to how fast you can frame it. Too many hosts sit back, wait for CNN, Fox, or the Shade Room to tell them what’s hot, and then repeat it like a parrot. That’s not leadership—that’s laziness.

The audience doesn’t need you to echo the news. They need you to connect the dots the moment a story breaks. They’re waiting to hear: What does this mean for me? For my family? For my community? That’s your lane.

When you’re first with a perspective, you stand out. You’re not just reacting—you’re guiding. And when you do it consistently, your listeners begin to trust you as their go-to voice. 

Here’s the key to becoming remarkable with your show:

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• Think with Speed. Don’t overthink. If a story drops at noon, you should be ready to record by 1:00. Perfection is the enemy of presence.

• What's your Angles over headlines. Anyone can read the same AP blurb. Your job is to bring the cultural, historical, or street-level perspective that corporate outlets won’t touch.

• Build muscle memory. Show prep isn’t just about tomorrow’s show—it’s about training your mind to see five different angles on any story. That’s how you avoid sounding like the copy cat DJ.

Think about it: when you hear people call into your show saying, “Man, I was thinking the same thing!”—that’s the magic. That’s when you know you’ve tapped into the pulse. You’re not just reporting—you’re validating what your community already feels but hasn’t put into words.

That’s the connection we want.

The Future of Black Talk Radio is Podcasting

For decades, Black talk radio has been the heartbeat of our community. It was where you heard the church announcements, the barbershop debates, and the neighborhood news nobody else was covering. It was more than content—it was connection.

 Corporate radio isn’t building that connection anymore. They’ve replaced real voices with cookie-cutter shows and celebrity gossip crap. They think all black folks want to do is laugh, thats why they got all the comedians on every National Syndicated Show. The community still craves authentic conversation. And here’s the truth—the future of Black talk radio is podcasting.

Podcasting is the upgrade. It lets us serve our people on-demand, without gatekeepers, and without limits. The challenge for radio veterans and rising talent is this: how do you shift formats without losing the community that made you?

The blueprint is simple:

• Bring the energy of live radio into podcasts. Don’t tone it down—keep that sense of urgency.

• Narrow your focus. Instead of trying to talk to “everybody driving to work,” build your tribe around what Black listeners actually want—self-help, money, culture, faith, race, and news.

• Keep the community loop alive. Use live streams, and social groups to bring the audience into the show just like call-ins once did.

• Stay professional. Independence doesn’t mean sloppy. The sound quality, consistency, and prep that radio demanded must be the standard. Don't give them less than what they are use to. Give them a better presentation.

  
  
  

This isn’t about leaving radio behind—it’s about carrying the best parts of it into a space where we own the mic, the platform, and the revenue.

Black talk radio built movements. Podcasting can do the same. The difference now is that nobody can shut the door on us.

What Sets You Apart?

What Sets You Apart?

Do you really know what makes you special? I’m telling you — you are indeed special because you are unique to the planet. There is not another living soul like you, so you are matchless in your make. You are one of one.

But let’s go deeper. Do you know what sets you apart in terms of your talent, your attitude, your perspective, and the skills you carry that no one else can duplicate? I’m not talking about the things people assume about you — I’m talking about the gifts you are absolutely sure of. The things you know, without hesitation, make you different from anyone else in the room.

Now here’s the real question: have you considered that those very gifts may be your life’s work? If you could take that unique talent, that special skill, and build a life around it — one that pays your bills and fulfills your purpose — would you do it?

Because if the answer is yes, then this is your life calling you. Don’t ignore it. Embrace it. The truth is, you should spend your life doing what you were born to do. Period.

Independent but Professional: The Standard for Black Media

When we say independent but professional, it’s a blueprint for survival and success in Black-owned media.

Independence means ownership — but professionalism is what earns trust, builds credibility, and unlocks revenue. Both must live side by side if you’re serious about making a living in this space.

Principles of “Independent but Professional”

1. Own the Mic, But Respect the Craft
   Independence gives you control of your voice, your platform, your schedule. Professionalism means mastering sound, visuals, timing, and delivery so your product competes with any corporate outlet.

2. Operate Lean, Deliver Big
   Roland Martin runs Black Star Network with a fraction of CNN’s budget — but the quality still feels like prime-time. Small team, smart equipment, big results. That’s the model.

3. Everywhere Distribution
   Professionalism demands that your content lives on YouTube, TikTok, IG, podcasts, and beyond. If you’re not showing up in the feed, you don’t exist.

4. Being Who you are, Anchors You
   Independence means you can speak unapologetically to your people. Professionalism ensures that authenticity is packaged in a way that’s sharp, clear, and accessible to wider audiences.

5. Revenue Beyond Ads
   Independence gives you freedom from gatekeepers. Professionalism means building sustainable models instead of begging corporations that don’t value us.

This is our Agenda

For Black media entrepreneurs, the mission is: we can’t wait for BET-style budgets or ad agency favors. We must own our platforms, sharpen our skills, and demand respect by being excellent at every level.

Independent but professional is how we build trust, grow audience, and prove that Black-owned media is unstoppable if done right

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Because independence without professionalism is ignored. Professionalism without independence is exploited. But when you put the two together? That’s power.

Black Media Can’t Wait on Permission — Neither Can You

Every independent broadcaster, podcaster, and digital hustler building platforms in your own name read this article.

Revolt TV is proving that you don’t need a celebrity mogul at the helm to survive. Under Detavio Samuels, it’s now employee-owned — a model that puts power in the hands of the people who actually create the content. That’s rare in media, but it’s exactly the type of bold experiment we need to pay attention to.

Roland Martin’s Black Star Network is another case study. He was told “Black news won’t work online.” Fast forward — he’s pulling millions of views on YouTube and generating nearly $2M a year in advertising revenue. How? Consistency, professionalism, and staying unapologetically Black while distributing everywhere. He didn’t wait for CNN or TV One to come calling. He built his own.

Robert Johnson, the founder of BET, puts it plain: advertisers and streamers know Black people are the heaviest consumers of media. They just don’t want to pay Black-owned outlets fairly. That’s the challenge. They’ll use our audience to sell their shows, but not invest in our platforms. That’s the economic apartheid we’re still up against.

So what does this mean for you as talent?

It means:

1.Don’t wait for a gatekeeper. Press record. Publish. Flood the zone with your voice.

2.Look beyond just ads. Monetize with merch, Patreon, memberships, live events, and small business partnerships.

3.Own your distribution. Put your content on YouTube, TikTok, IG, podcasts, newsletters — anywhere people are already scrolling.

4.Stay authentic. The culture is your anchor. Speak to your people first, but invite the world to listen.

The future of Black-owned media won’t be handed to us. It’ll be built by those of us willing to grind without a corporate safety net, willing to invest in our own equipment, willing to stay up all night editing a podcast or clipping a TikTok.

That’s our advantage.

Because when you own the mic, you own the message.
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Prep Wins in the Dark (The 3am Advantage)

Everyone hears the punchline at 8am. Nobody sees the drafts at 3am

Shows don’t win on-air—they win in the quiet hours before air. The difference between “I kinda agree” and “Man, I was thinking the same thing!” is prep. Prep that sharpens your angle so your take stance in the world. You cut through the noise.

At 3am, the world is off. Just you, a blank page, and a question: What is the most honest angle I can bring to this story?

That’s where originality lives.

Being Real Is the Currency: Why Execs Keep Missing the Point of Podcasting

 

In both radio and podcasting, being a real person on air is what sells. Listeners don’t stay tuned because of your microphone or your intro music—they stay because they feel you. They hear the passion, the humor, the truth. That’s the bond.

But corporate execs have spent the last 20 years proving they don’t get it.

In my genre of urban radio. The powers that be decided the best way to represent Black America’s voice was to handpick a few comedians and syndicate them across the nation. Steve Harvey. DL Hughley. Rickey Smiley. Others. Now, this isn’t about disrespecting those brothers—they’re talented and they carved out their lanes. But let’s be clear: this was a business decision, not a cultural one.

Corporate execs told legacy Black radio talent, the people who carried our stories for decades, to take a seat. They decided for us who gets to speak for our communities—and apparently, they think it should be comedians.

Now ask yourself: Have you ever seen this model applied to white America?
Are there five or six comedians syndicated across the country as the “voices” of white radio? Of course not. White radio still allows space for political commentators, storytellers, cultural critics, even everyday personalities to rise. But when it comes to Black America, execs boiled our voices down to comic relief.

That’s not authenticity. That’s a business model.

And if you think it can’t get worse, here comes the next wave: AI-generated radio. Imagine waking up to The Fred Sanford Morning Show, complete with Esther’s voice as the sidekick and Lamont and Grady chiming in—every joke programmed by a machine. Funny? Maybe. Authentic? Not at all. That’s the future corporate America is cooking up.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to play that game.

Podcasting is the long game. It’s the antidote.
Because podcasting isn’t about who corporate America picks. It’s about you choosing to share your voice, your journey, your perspective with the world. Nobody can tell you to sit down. Nobody can silence your story. Nobody can AI-generate your soul.

And that’s why execs keep missing the point: the very thing they undervalue—authentic human connection—is the one thing AI and big-box business will never be able to fake.

So, the question is:
Are you going to wait for corporate radio to replace you with an algorithm?
Or are you going to claim your own mic, your own lane, and build your own audience—one authentic conversation at a time?

Because in this game, BEING REAL
is the only real currency.

5,000 Podcasts. 3,000 Episodes a Week. $1 Cost Per Episode — Behind an AI Start Up’s Plan

 AI Hosts Are Being Turned Into Fake “Experts” & “Influencers”

I came across this article in The Hollywood Reporter (link here) about an AI company pumping out 5,000 podcasts, 3,000 episodes a week, at a cost of just one dollar per episode.

Now listen—there are people every single day trying to find new ways to scale in this podcasting game. And if we’re not careful, we’ll get left behind. The truth is, there are no rules in podcasting. No idea is off the table. The only limit is your imagination.

When I saw this article, I said to myself, “Oh my God, people are really pushing the limits.” Here’s what they’re doing:

• Flooding the zone: 5,000 shows, 3,000 new episodes weekly. It’s not about originality—it’s about volume and search engine traffic.

• Cheap to produce: $1 per episode. Just 20 listens can cover costs because the ad money kicks in.

• AI hosts: Fake “experts” in food, gardening, sports—personalities that can be cloned, scaled, and marketed as influencers.

• SEO-driven content: Shows with names like Whales or Pollen Report just to ride trends.

• Test at scale: Launch five versions of the same show with different titles, see what works, then double down.

• Cross-media hustle: Start with podcasts, then move to social clips, short-form video, and influencer branding.

That’s not creativity—that’s a content factory. Automated. Soulless. Scaled up with no heart, no human touch.

So what do we do?

We flip the script.

• Less is more. Quality + trust beats quantity + noise.

• Position human shows as premium. Nobody can replicate your lived experience.

• Lean into connection. History, mentorship, real stories—that’s what sticks.

• Be the trusted voice in the chaos. People want guidance, not noise.

• Own community storytelling. AI can’t touch it.

• Remember: AI can scale quantity, but only you can scale trust.

At the end of the day, only a living, breathing soul can truly connect with another one. And that, my friends, is the real advantage.

Podcasting: The Lifeline for Radio Personalities

 

A new study from Linkee puts three critical roles in radio at the top of the automation risk list:

Add to that the fact that 77% of air talent in the Jacobs Media AQ6 survey said they worry about losing their jobs to AI — and the picture is clear. Radio isn’t immune.

But here’s what I think: Podcasting is the insulation.

Podcasting lets personalities own their voice and community directly, without corporate filters. It breaks the dependence on stations, PDs, and national ad buyers. It’s the path to control, creativity, and independence.

Here's Why I think Podcasting Beats AI in Radio

1. Human Connection – AI can automate playlists, but it can’t recreate your stories, humor, or lived experience.

2. Local & Niche Focus – Hyper-serving your city, culture, makes you irreplaceable.

3. Revenue Diversity – Ads, sponsorships and live events mean you’re not at the mercy of one paycheck.

4. Content Ownership – Unlike radio that vanishes after airtime, podcasts build a lasting archive and legacy.

5. Brand Expansion – Clips, newsletters, and video turn one podcast into a multimedia presence.

What DJs Can Do Right Now

• Build your personal brand outside the station. Don’t just be “the voice on 103.7.” Be a personality across platforms.

• Sharpen storytelling skills. Anyone can play a song. Only you can make people feel.

• Learn the business side. Sell your own ads. Build your own partnerships. Own your value.

• Collaborate locally. Become the media partner for small businesses, nonprofits, and events.

• Upskill in production. Audio, video, editing, live events — become the creator AI can’t replace

The Work Behind the Scenes Is What Makes the Show

Every good show—whether it’s radio, TV, or podcasts—runs on prep, timing, and emotional connection.

Different formats, same ingredients. That’s the secret to holding someone’s attention.

Anybody can repeat headlines.

Anybody can regurgitate the same tired phrases you hear on cable news or social media.

But when you take time to think—to find a fresh angle, a new metaphor, a perspective nobody else has—you stand out.

That’s when people call you saying, “I was thinking the same thing.”

The question is: how many angles can you see in one story?

What lens are you looking through? Are you giving your audience a reason to lean in?

Prep is the difference. Prep is what separates noise from connection. And the only way to stand out—always—
is to be yourself.