Radio Stuff Podcast

01/08/2015 -- We kick off the new year on a positive foot. Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) chats with Joel Denver (President, Publisher, and Co-Founder of All Access Music Group) about the 20th anniversary of AllAccess.com. Denver discusses how it started, how it's evolved, where its going and believes while radio is still in a duck and cover mentality due to the economy it's time for everyone to move forward. Life's too short to not be happy. James Cridland checks in with five interesting things in radio from around the world. Big names and big announcements at CES, plus people we know are getting radio jobs. Happy New Year!

12/23/2014 -- This is the final episode of 2014. Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) highlights a BBC Radio 4 holiday programming stunt - a 10-hour dramatization of Tolstoy's War & Peace complete with a live tweeting companion. BBC Radio 4 Digital Editor Rhian Roberts chats about the undertaking. Trevor Dann, the host of Radio Today in the UK, pops in for a chat about the top UK radio stories of 2014. And the episode concludes with a 20-minute flashback at some of the great Radio Stuff moments of 2014. Enjoy! Happy New Year!

In this episode Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) tackles the Serial phenomenon. First, he addresses the Serial haters and then explores many of the lessons radio can take away from this podcast’s success. Fox Sports Radio’s awarding winning host and anchor Tomm Looney sits down for lunch and a chat in Los Angeles. They discuss anchoring on a national network, technique, philosophy, writing, hosting and how to treat people in the business. Jack-FM in Oxfordshire are letting listeners decide the fate of two turkeys destined for the Christmas dinner table; cook it or keep it. We listen in to bits and pieces of how they pulled off the stunt over the course of two weeks.

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) catches up with the Program Director, Dave Beasing, at 100.3 The Sound in LA. This week, The Sound announced Mark Thompson (of Mark & Brian fame) is taking over mornings in February. The discussion starts there and covers the Classic Rock radio war underway with KLOS and how The Sound has gradually claimed the Classic Rock positioning in LA. Radio Stuff Update: Talk host Lars Larson talks about KXL's plans to use drones for breaking news coverage. Breaking: iHeartMedia announces plans to sell $400M worth of radio towers. LBC, the talk station in London that is not the BBC, had a stunning caller this week that went viral. We listen in and add some context as it pertains to radio.

12/04/2014 - This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) contemplates the news that Alpha Media's KXL in Portland is going to be using drones for breaking news and traffic coverage pending FAA approval. Alpha's EVP of Programming Scott Mahalick explains their plans to the Radio Stuff show. iHeartMedia's RIF is underway, reportedly reducing its workforce by 33%. Talk host Larry Elder was pink slipped and Larry Gifford goes off on radio companies that try to dupe the audience by scrubbing all existence of hosts who are let go. Country music stars say so-long to a long-time DJ in Louisville and Sweden announces the shuttering of FM radio by 2022.

11/25/2014 - This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) gives thanks for radio's truth tellers. One of his earliest influences, Bob Conners at WTVN, died this week. He remembers Bob's words of wisdom. Plus, Radio Stuff asks 10 questions of AllAccess.com's Perry Michael Simon - turning the tables on the master of 10 questions. Perry chats about his definition of radio, what he listens to, what excites him and why he still owns a clock radio. Two hosts in Chicago find out they're fired through Twitter while they're on the air - we listen in. And finally, we conclude the Thanksgiving show remembering the WKRP turkey drop.

This is what happens when Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) and UK radio futurologist James Cridland meet for a chat about radio on the beach in Southern California. Larry quizzes James about radio around the world, new trends, his thoughts on U.S. HD Radio, advice he has for US and UK radio, a new definition of radio, and why the valet thought James was driving a "toy." Plus, Larry binged listened to and reviews the new podcast SERIAL from the folks at This American Life.

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) dives head first into Net Neutrality. What is it? Why do we care? Larry attempts to define Net Neutrality and discovers an "Oh Crap" scenario for radio thanks to Global Radio's Nick Piggott. Podcaster and former congressional candidate BIll Yarbrough weighs in on the side of less rules and regulation. Through the discussion listeners should get a better sense of the issue and why it matters. And yes, it does matter. The UK's Radio Academy surprised everyone this week when it cancelled the annual radio festival and awards. Radio Today host and former Academy executive Trevor Dann weighs in. Bob-FM in Ottawa turned off the lights and canned the staff after 11 years -- it's now Country. Seth Godin blogged about the end of radio this week -- again. Larry fires back.

11/06/2014 -- Car Talk co-host Tom Magliozzi, one-half of Click & Clack the Tappet Brothers, died this week at 77. Through archive interviews and insights from producer Doug Berman, Larry Gifford pieces together what made these two brothers from Boston so successful on radio. There are lessons to be learned for sure. Radio Today's Trevor Dann sits down with trans-gender DJ Stephanie Hirst for a discussion of her radio career as Simon Hirst and what the future holds for Hirsty. We listen in to a bit of it. The elections bringing out the worst of talk radio, sports radio callers dial the wrong station, a New York City sports radio feud heats up, and why one is a Boston radio station sensoring a Korean word in a popular song?

Larry Gifford talks to three radio veterans who share their haunted radio station stories; Juli Page Morgan (www.julipagemorgan.com)formerly of KDRS, Len O'Kelly formerly of WXLP, and Chris Pottie at Live 105 in Nova Scotia. Larry also shares a scary predition, a horrifying on-air moment, and Billboard magazines Top 10 Halloween songs.

This week, Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) chats with Salem VP Phil Boyce about his article in Talkers.com assuring everyone that talk radio is not dying. We dive into some of the issues and concerns and his personal philosophies on talk radio. iHeartMedia Chairiman and CEO Bob Pittman was defending radio on Bloomberg TV - we listen in. Breaking News! Gunshots on Parliament Hill in Canada caught on tape by a radio reporter. Must hear audio! Larry's trip to LA this week included a sit-down with the Dean of LA Sports Fred Roggin. The new midday host on 980 The Beast talked about radio's evolution, how he develops topics, what he wants from his producer and his advice for young broadcasters. As the World Series continues, radio stationos in Kansas City and San Francisco are using Lorde's song Royals as inspiration for on air support of their teams. and #tbt 45 years ago this week a radio DJ at WABC in New York started to spread the rumor that Paul is Dead. We listen in.

his week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) chats with Jacobs Media's Fred Jacobs as Dash Conference concludes in Detroit. Radio presenter Stephanie Hirst has an amazing, inspiring story of bravery and embracing who she is. Unfortunately, her employer Global Radio didn't see it the same way. Houston is home to the first classic hip hop station in the country and Dayton has a new "icons of country" format. A new addition to the "I-Can't-Believe-That-Just-Happened-On-Radio" File. A caller apologizes for having to hang because he's being robbed. #tbt compliments of the BBC Genome Project. genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) talks to Tony Russell, a sidekick on 100.3 The Wolf's Fitz in the Morning about his recent revelation that he's stuck. Fitz was signed to a 5-year extension, but nobody signed Tony to a new deal and he's reflecting on how he could have made different choices along the way. His comments are must-listen for co-hosts, sidekicks anyone thinking about getting into radio. Gifford uses tweets from Radio Stuff followers to identify what's trending in radio from Steve Dahl's return to WLS and News 92 shuttering it's doors in Houston to new proposed digital royalty rates. Jimmy Buffett asks Spotify for a raise (we've got the audio) Musician and Oscar winning actor Jared Leto talks to iHeartMedia CEO about the power of radio. Plus a #TBT to 2008 when a Jacksonville DJ found out he was going to be fired. You won't believe what he said on the air.

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) pleads for sanity as the FCC considers banning a word from radio & TV. Yes, REDSKINS is an offensive word, but it doesn't meet the definition of obscenity. Jerry Seinfeld helps to explain how difficult being funny is as Larry continues his mission to encourage hosts to be fun, not funny. A morning show bit gone-wrong costs a radio station in KC $1 Million. Former Radio One breakfast host Chris Moyles is up to his eyeballs in back taxes. Rocker turned Director Rob Zombie laments the demise of rock radio. BBC Sheffield host gets an earful from a caller. Radio can be life and death. A golf analyst crashes while doing a live radio interview. He lives. Is there crying in radio? You bet. And this week even in sports radio. And finally in Chicago, radio legend Steve Dahl attacks WGN with a forked tongue and personal insults. WGN's morning guy Steve Cochran fires back.

On the heels of Clear Channel changing it's name to iHeartMedia this week, Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) chats with Talkers Magazine publisher Michael Harrison about a disturbing trend of radio companies are fleeing from radio's "radioness," denegrating radio, and zapping the magic and mystique of what radio can be. Plus, the weekly Radio Stuff News Quiz. 10 questions (and answers with cool audio) about radio news stories this week.

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) talks with UK-based BOB-FM programmer and breakfast host Graham Mack. Mack is in the center of a controversial stunt banning Scottish artists from the radio station until after Scotland votes on its independence. Mack talks about how the stunt came to be and the lessons learned so far. (00:00 - 11:30) NextRadio (Nextrad.io) ideas conference was this week in London. Radio Today programme host Trevor Dann did some side reporting for Radio Stuff and joins the show for his impressions of the day. (11:30-31:15) The Radio Stuff "Weekly Radio News Quiz" - 10 questions about radio news stories in the past week. (31:15-52:14)

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) chats with Jacobs Media Social Media Strategist and AllAccess.com columnist Lori Lewis about Facebook blocking radio station page administrators. It's a scary look inside Facebooks process to weed out Community Standard Violators and it could impact radio stations around the World. The lines are more murky than FCC indency rules. A stark reminder that we rent social media space and it can be reclaimed at anytime. Plus, the weekly Radio Stuff "Radio News Quiz!" 10 questions about radio this week to help challenge and inform you about what's happening in the world of radio.

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) chats with Napa Valley radio executive Larry Sharp who scrambled Sunday morning to get his stations KVYN and KVON back on the air following a 6.1 earthquake. It's the debut of the Radio Stuff "Radio News Quiz!" 10 hard questions about radio news stories from the week.

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) dives into the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to find lessons for radio. Plus, remembering Don Pardo, QuickHitz on AMP Radio in Calgary gets snipped, and a parody song turns into a sales lead.

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) examines 13 ways radio approached its coverage of Robin Williams suicide. He uses samples from Fox News Radio, NPR, Gil Gross, iHeartRadio, Graeme & Sarah, Kevin & Bean, Toucher & Rich, WTF with Marc Maron, Dennis Miller, Jay Mohr, Michael Medved, Michael Smerconish, CBC, Gresh & Zo, Alan Brazil, and Rush Limbaugh. In Ferguson, Missouri cops are dealing with protests over a deadly police shooting of a young black man and in the process trying to restrict freedom of press. International radio consultant Paul Chantler visited Chicago for the Morning Show Boot Camp and Skype's in from the UK with his takeaways. Radio is helping to fight Ebola in West Africa with catchy jingles and public service programming anchored by the BBC.

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) features Howard Stern. Stern called into radio station WCCC in Hartford, CT on the final day of broadcasting before flipping from rock to christian music. WCCC was Stern's first real radio home back in 1979. He gets nostalgic and contemplative about the radio industry. Good stuff. The annual Morning Show Boot Camp is off and running in Chicago, we check in with Ryan Hoppe who is wowed just a couple hours into the program. Lots of buzz around Pandora "inevitably" entering the spoken word game of "radio." A story so hot -- Radio Stuff reported it back in March. Pandora also brokered a deal directly with artists for the first time. Expect more. We hear from Pandora founder Tim Westergren. iHeartRadio celebrates it's 50 millionth registered user. CKNW-AM in Vancouver says so long to two long-time hosts, Jason Lewis quits his syndicated show (over taxes?), and Elvis Duran turns 50.

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) is upset with how sports radio hosts are making headlines this week. From WEEI's Kirk Minihane calling Erin Andrews a "gutless bitch" to Stephen A. Smith implying women shouldn't "provoke" men who beat them -- Larry talks about the importance of remembering the responsibility and privledge of being on the radio. Sports talker CJ Silas, the author of the book, "No Girls Allowed: The Jock and Jill Mentality of Sports Broadcasting," joins the show to discuss the Stephen A Smith "provoking" comment and how the NFL missed an opportunity. Former WEEI executive Jason Wolfe, now Chief Content Officer of SportsTalkBoston.com, joins the show to talk about Kirk Minihane's comments. In Seattle, long-time morning man Bob Rivers calls it a career and the Dodgers announce Vin Scully will return for a 66th season.

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) continues the conversation about the changing landscape of radio and finds others talking about it too. Brad & Britt used pieces from last week's interview with Tom Leykis to talk about radio, while Talker's Magazine Publisher Michael Harrison waxed about the industry on Boston Herald Radio. Podcaster & Star of his own IFC TV Show Marc Maron takes aim at radio.We listen in. CBS Radio again decides against hiring actual content creators in favor of automation, Weird Al Yankovic proves original content and a social media strategy CAN win, and Clear Channel unveils their iheart Festival line up. In Australia, Kyle & Jackie O pissed of Cameron Diaz. It's Kyle's fault. And an Australian Senator plays along with a radio bit to hook her up and says she needs a man who is rich and "well hung."

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) travels to Tom Leykis' ranch in Central Coast California to spend the day, have a chat, sit-in on the radio show and more. The podcast features a 50-minute conversation with Tom about radio, his internet venture, advice for talent, how loves "radio" but has divorced the device from the concept, his thoughts on radio's business model and more. The show also includes highlights from two hours of his radio show in which Larry interacted with callers about radio vs. internet radio. And finally hear how Tom Leykis and Oprah are more similar than you might have believed.

THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE. This week, Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) examines SiriusXM's decision to fire Anthony Cumia from the Opie & Anthony Show. What happened and why? Joe Rogan and Adam Carolla react to the news. (00:00 – 11:25) What Makes a Morning Show GREAT? Larry chats with Vancouver PD and Corus Radio’s National Morning Show Coach Ronnie Stanton 11:25 – 24:27 710 ESPN Seattle's Brock & Salk are returning to the air. We listen back to a conversation about how they developed their co-host chemistry. 24:27 – 31:39 Radio Days South Africa was last weekend in Joburg. UK Radio Futurologist James Cridland was a featured presenter and filed this report 31:39-39:58 LA Ratings Mess update – Nielson investigates itself and determines everything is okay! 39:58-42:43

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) goes in search of a definition for a "great" radio station. What does it mean? How does a station achieve greatness? It was sparked by comments made by Owen Murphy (@sportsradiocoach) who claims there are no great sports radio stations in the U.S. right now. Owen joins the podcasdt to discuss and together Larry & Owen lay out a path to greatness. Maybe. 50-years ago, LBJ signed historic Civil Rights legislation into law. We listen back to some of the audio. Meantime, contributor Paul Varga (@Pvarga) profiles one radio host who claims discrimination in radio is alive and well for him, because he's blind. Finally, Matt Drudge joins WTOP in DC for a chat and says some things about radio and news that may surprise you AND make you a better host.

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) explores GAME CHANGING innovations in radio. In Seattle, KNDD The End 107.7FM has chopped it's inventory load in half and installed a #2minutepromise that they'll never be away from the music for more than 2 minutes. Brilliant! (00:00-03:24) In New York, CBS Radio and Lexus are teaming up for branded content. This is just the tip of the iceberg for this kind of collaboration. (03:24-04:13) And XAPP Media is makign noise with it's new technology which allows listeners to streaming radio to "talk back" to commercials to get more information, special deals, coupons, be connected to a company immediately, download their app. It's ingenious and long overdue. We talk to Frank Raines, co-founder and executive chairman of the company (04:13-19:08) Graham Mack from Jack FM Hertfordshire ventured to the U.S. for Talkers New York 2014 and filed a special report for Radio Stuff. (19:08-27:06) Bob Costas, Marv Albert and Peter King offer tips of the trade to young Sportscasters. We listen in on the one day event and chat with STAA CEO John Chelesnik. (27:06-40:38) World Cup is in full swing. We catch up with Seth Bennett. He's calling action for BBC World Services. We chat with him at half-time of US v. Germany and make him practice his goal calls. He gets a little uncomfortable. (40:38-52:05) Quick Hits. NBC's Today Show gets a SiriusXM Channel and Matt Lauer hosts a music show (52:05-54:34) Smile FM in Capetown, South Africa solicits pictures from listeners and puts them in their TV campagin! (54:34-55:23) Lost radio recordings of Hank Williams are discovered in a radio station, dusted off and sound great. (55:23-57:04)

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) dives into the LA Ratings Mess with Mark Ramsey Media's Mark Ramsey. It's a big issue that impacts all Nielson rated radio markets. (00:00 - 12:37) "I Am What I Play" is a new documentary about the heyday of rock radio. It features four iconic DJs; Toronto’s David Mardsen, Boston’s Charles Laquidara, New York’s Meg Griffin and Seattle’s Pat O’Day. Voice artist Roger King produced and director the film and he chats about it. (12:37-28:10) www.iamwhatiplaythemovie.com Former rock radio PD and GM Beau Phillips chats with KIRO Radio's Josh Kerns about a new memoir, "I Killed Pink Floyd's Pig; Inside Stories of Sex, Drugs and Rock-n-Roll" (28:10 - 38:46) www.pinkfloydspig.com www.radiostuffpodcast.com

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) remembers the inspiration that Casey Kasem was to him as a teen and listens back to some classic Kasem including bloopers and a must hear rant. Mark Ramsey host his second annual HIVIO unconference. Entercom San Francisco creative director Jeff Schmidt was there and joins us to chat about what and who at the event inspired him to do some deep thinking. Contributor Paul Varga (@pvarga) is moving and in the process is hiring his replacement at his radio station. Oh, the lessons he's learned! Plus, Larry Gifford hosts a webinar on Job Hunting and offers some insights to those on the prowl. Nielsen is delaying the release of PPM numbers in LA. And Gifford offers advice in the form of a commencement speech to the radio class of 2014

On the heels of BBC Radio One's Big Weekend and KROQ's Weenie Roast, Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) and Paul Varga (@pvarga) dive into the summer radio events scene. They talk to three radio event pros to find the do's and dont's of radio events. Paige Nienaber of http://www.cpr-promotions.com/, Keith Goralski of ESPN Radio and Bill Lennert at Bonneville Seattle share their event secrets. Larry moved from Seattle, WA to Astascadero, CA - and he listened to radio for 1,000 miles. Here's what he heard. Plus, Dear Radio Stuff. An insightful letter from a fan.

This week is all about PRODUCING! Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) and Deb Slater (@deb_slater) dive into the world of producing radio from Rock Morning Shows to Sports, Conservative Talk and the most popular breakfast show in Europe! The assistant producer of the Chris Evan's breakfast show, Graham Albans, takes us behind the scenes and shares four things the Chris Evan's team keeps in mind while approaching and creating radio. (00:00 - 09:45) Gene "Bean" Baxter of Kevin & Bean on KROQ chats about how they produce the #1 morning show in Los Angeles. (9:45 - 15:20) In Seattle, one of the great morning shows is the BJ Shea Experience. I sat in on a show and visited with BJ and his producer Steve to find out why it works and how they put it together (15:20 - 21:07) One host, Bob Lonsberry, wrote an open letter to his producer in Talkers Magazine and Larry Gifford delivers a pointed response. (21:07 - 32:38) ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd tells Deb & Larry what makes a producer successful in his eyes.(32:38 - 39:00) Conservative talker Michael Medved sits down with Deb & Larry to talk about the behind the scenes strategies for his show. (39:00 - 42:00) JT The Brick from Fox Sports Radio sits down for coffee with Deb & Larry to discuss the philosophy of his show and it's assembled. (42:00 - 49:12)

This week Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) and Paul Varga (@pvarga) dive into Breaking News. Big breaking news like wild fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and mudslides. What role should radio play in the heat of the moment when news is breaking? KOGO AM Program Director Brian Long talks about how they covered last week's wildfires in San Diego. Jay Fink at RIP radio discusses his small station's reaction to Tropical Storm Irene. (00:00 - 15:24) NPR's long time news anchor and announcer for Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me, Carl Kassell, turns off his microphone. This was his final week on the air. The Simpsons, Tom Hanks, Katie Couric, Stephen Colbert, President Obama and colleagues all pay tribute to his career. (15:24 - 28:00) In the UK, XFM and X-MEN joined forces for a daylong promotion that had mutants hosting the new X-MEN FM radio station. Wolverine Hugh Jackman help to host the breakfast show - and didn't do too bad. (28:00 - 35:33) Ever feel like radio is less fun than it used to be? Larry Gifford has some thoughts on that...and how to refind the fun. (35:33 - 41:45)

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) celebrates one year of the Radio Stuff! The focus this week is on Teens & Radio. Contributor Paul Varga talks to teens about why they listen (or don't listen) to the radio. (3:00 - 14:38) Producer Cheeka Eyers contributes a profile on Podium.me a UK podcasting platform for teens to tell their stories. (14:38 - 21:45) Two internet radio teens tell their stories. Amiri Tulloch and Noah Miller are taking radio into their own hands. (21:45 - 34:30) Radio Stuff conclusions: (34:30 - 38:03) Casey Kasem is missing! and then found. (38:03 - 40:12) Fire Alarms push on-air hosts out of the studio. What would you do? (40:12 - 43:30) Radio Stuff celebrates one year! (43:30 - 45:32) [email protected] @theradiostuff

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) roars out of the gate with a pointed commentary on Mad Dog Russo's rant about ethnic diversity in sports radio. (00:00 - 07:17) UK futurologist James Cridland provides understanding and insight to the launch of new Heart radio stations in UK. (07:17 - 18:28) Entercom San Francisco Creative Director Jeff Schmidt wants to execute taglines he contributes to Radio Stuff with a very well produced audio blog. (18:28 - 25:50) Rob Johnson's been looking for a sports radio gig for six months, Larry listens to his demo and chats him up. (25:50 - 35:55) There's a radio aircheck making the viral rounds this week with a caller requesting the song "Are Those Reebok or Nike?" (35:55 - 37:53) An update on the Paton Trolls podcast lawsuit from USA Today's Jefferson Graham. (37:53 - 40:28) From the "you never know when news is going to break" file - a baseball manager on the radio gets in a car wreck. (40:28 - 43:19) The RAB South Africa makes a small business' dream come true. They team up with a local radio station and creative agency to create and perform a spot live on the air! (43:19 - 46:28) www.radiostuffpodcast.com @theradiostuff [email protected]

This week, Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) chats with Luke Burbank (@lukeburbank) about his very popular podcast TBTL (an iTunes Top 100), the differences between public and commercial radio (he's worked both), and what the future of radio looks like. (00:00 - 26:50) -- COMPLETE INTERVIEW at www.radiostuffpodcast.com Radio Stuff contributor Paul Varga (@pvarga) examines the new Facebook algorithm and how to increase your radio station's Facebook reach despite the restrictions put in place. (26:50 - 35:48) Richest.com released thier Top 10 Most Influential Radio Personalities list, Larry counters with his own. Plus, storytelling tips from Ira Glass, How Howard Stern found his voice, Ryan Seacrest's job description, and Adam Carolla's rant over radio programming. (35:48 - 60:18) www.radiostuffpodcast.com [email protected] @theradiostuff

Deb Slater (@deb_Slater) and Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) go indepth with Pandora founder and Chief Strategic Officer Tim Westergren in a wide-ranging interview about radio, music, Pandora and the lessons broadcast and personal radio can learn from each other. Westergren, Pandora’s Chief Strategy Officer, spent a half-hour chatting with Deb and Larry. It’s clear from the discussion that Westergren’s passion is in the music and for the musicians. "My dream is that they'll come a time when literally the day your song gets added to Pandora you can quit your job and get the band together and hit the road. The impact will be instantaneous and massive and global. So, whether you're blue grass band or a classical pianist -- on Pandora we will find your entire audience right away and allow you to pursue your passion as a career. That's really the grand vision." Along the way Westergren will borrow ideas from wherever he can, including radio; “We've learned a lot from radio, I tell you that. For one, the genius of radio was that it as an industry worked to imbed itself ubiquitously; every car, every alarm clock, and every stereo - ultimately it became a home for AM/FM and that's our same ambition.” Should radio be concerned? Not according to Westergren. "I think radio will always have a place here. I think there's a shared playlist people always like to tune in to. There's a community around that. It's what I grew up on - the Michael Jackson's of the world, U2s, and Cold Plays - these cultural tap roots have been created by radio and I think there will always be an appetite for that. I think they'll live along side each other.” Currently, Pandora’s app is embedded in over 1/3rd of all cars rolling out of factories this year. And while music is Westergren’s passion, don’t be surprised when Pandora adds news, sports, weather, traffic and shows. “It's not hard to imagine you could be playing your Pandora station it can weave in to it your favorite gardening show or news cast or a sporting team or whatnot. That, I think, makes a lot of sense over time." And regarding that word, “radio.” Why did he opt to attach it to Pandora? "It's funny, because we debated that a long time. What we do is very different. Ultimately, we just decided the "pros" out-weighed the "cons" and that it was the fastest and simplest way to communicate generally what we were to people. The truth is we’re still trying to find the right term." He doesn’t think it matters to listeners. Calls the “debate” over what is radio and what isn’t radio irrelevant and frivolous. His advice for broadcast radio; go back to your local roots, invest in communication with your audience transforming listeners to evangelists, and make interruptions as painless as possible.

Deb Slater (@deb_slater) and Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) dive into the secrets of a great rock morning show. The BJ Shea Morning Experience has been on the air since 1999 and just locked in another multi-year contract with Entercom. Larry talks to BJ and producer Steve about the show's success. (00:00-28:00) BBC Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw finds himself in a precarious (and sharp) situation and abruptly leaves his show. (28:00-35:26) Deb leads us on a walk down the proverbial red carpet to look at radio's part in the history of the Academy Awards. (35:27-43:20) International Women's Day is March 8th. How is radio throughout the world celebrating? (43:20)

Deb Slater (@deb_slater) and Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) sit down for an indepth discussion with conservative talk host Michael Medved. From his introduction to politics at age 7, his career as a movie critic and dropping out of Yale Law School to filling in for Rush, having his own show and being lumped together with all the other right-wing "whack job" radio hosts. Enjoy the full conversation with one of the most listened to talk hosts in America.

Deb Slater (@deb_slater) and Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) celebrate the career of Larry Lujack who died at the age of 73 on 12/18/2013. Former Lujack news guy Gil Gross joins the podcast to help us understand the "Super Jock." Uncle Lar's side kick Tommy Edwards remembers the man who paved the way for the shock jocks of the 90's and 2000's. Plus, we listen to Lujack in his own words from a 1980 WLS-TV interview which delves into his ego, animal stories, and the one person in broadcasting he admires.

In this 42 minute wide-ranging interview, JT the Brick discusses his new book "The Handoff," how he transitioned from stock broker to radio host and how his mentor changed his life in more ways than one. He also talks about the evolution of his show, how he preps, how he works with his team, and what he doesn't like about sports talk today.

New Normal Network internet radio trailblazer and former syndicated talker Tom Leykis joins Deb & Larry to discuss the apparent ratings free fall for talk radio stations across the U.S.A. In this captivating interview, Leykis describes being at the epicenter of talk radio's downfall - in 1994! Plus, insights for programmers and talent and he dishes advice to future broadcasters.

Before he was Kidd Kraddick, David Kraddick was a DJ in Tampa Bay. Here's one of his skimmed airchecks from late 1978. Special thanks to Dave Walker for sharing.

Larry Gifford (@giffordtweet) and Deb Slater (@deb_slater) investigate the ratings free fall for talk radio stations across the U.S.A. including KFI-AM, KABC-AM, WABC-AM, WLS-AM, KIRO-FM and more. Talk radio host turned internet radio trailblazer Tom Leykis joins the show to share his insights. He was at the epicenter of what ills talk radio and tells us about it. Deb is back from Amsterdam where she visited the English Breakfast Show http://www.englishbreakfast.nl/ Boston Herald Radio launched this week. Deb & Larry try to make heads and tails of it -- but can't. Plus updates on the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show and lost airchecks of a very young Kraddick before he was Kidd. And Piolin speaks!

What is Twitter's value to radio? We discuss twitter's role with radio with three radio pros who've found success; a host, a producer and an anchor. Terry Jaymes – host of the nationally syndicated Lex & Terry Morning Show @TerryJaymes and @LexandTerry Linda Thomas – @thenewschick - anchor/co-host for the Morning News on KIRO Radio and digital journalist on MyNorthwest.com Owen Murphy – @talkradioowen - sports radio coach. producer, programmer, host of the #SRCHAT on twitter and offering free tips to radio folks on his “STEAL THIS IDEA” blog (http://talkradioowen.blogspot.com/)