I first wrote about how I’m “radioactive” in one of my columns last year. Well, guess what??? I’m still radioactive!
No, I don’t glow in the dark and I’m not filled with plutonium, but I do spend a lot of time actively listening to the radio. I spend between 8-16 hours a day in my car, driving all over New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Some Things Never Change
The most valuable aspects of the radio are the traffic and weather reports on CBS (AM 880) and WINS (AM 1010). I often call into the CBS Traffic Team Top Line to report accidents and traffic-related incidents for the traffic reporters to broadcast. I also like to call into various radio stations like WNYC (FM 93.9) and WKXW (FM 101.5) and voice my opinion on current news events of the day.
WPLJ (FM 95.5) is a radio station I’ve listened to since I was in high school. They have a segment at 7:45 and 9:15 every morning called “Blown Off,” that recounts disastrous dates told by the two victims. It is very funny, although I’m not sure if they’re rehearsed or real.
Commentary on Radio Ads
I’m fascinated by the barrage of radio ads. There’s a deluge of “ambulance chaser” ads, “get-rich-quick” schemes for crypto currency, real estate and stock picking… but no ads for divorce lawyers. Fascinating!
What Has Changed
For more than 30 years, Charles Osgood provided his commentaries on Weekday mornings on CBS (880). He retired last year, so “The Osgood File” is no longer on the air. Thank goodness Dave Ross is still on CBS 880 at 12:40 and 16:50 every day. His insights based on current news are both serious and hilarious!
Last year, WOR (AM 710) had the Len and Todd Show last year and featured “Morons in the News,” which I listened to every day. It recounted news stories about clueless criminals and was side-splittingly funny. Todd left the show and they no longer feature “Morons in the News.” Oh, well.
Weekends
Every Saturday and Sunday, I enjoy listening to Dr. Gil Lederman talking about how he treats his patients with cancer. In my previous career, I was both an account manager and a product manager for a variety of products to treat cancer, so this is interesting to me. I also listen to Josh Jilinski, Ric Edelman and Dave Ramsey on their respective radio shows. I’ve called in to speak to Dr. Gil Lederman and to Josh Jilinski about health and financial issues, and it gives me a rush to talk to them live on the air. Since there is a 10-15 second delay (in case the caller says something inappropriate), sometimes I can actually hear my voice on the radio talking to these personalities.
On Sundays, I enjoy listening to the political talk shows that are re-broadcast from the Sunday morning television shows. In particular, I enjoy listening to “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, “Meet the Press” with Chuck Todd, and ABC News with George Stephanopoulos. It amazes me how politicians can never answer any question with a simple “yes” or “no.”
Being radioactive makes my day go by faster, in a more enjoyable way. I learn a lot and, I hope that sometimes alerting others to traffic delays or voicing my opinion on current events might be helpful and interesting for the other radioactive folks out there.
