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ONE SIGN THAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE A RADIO HOST

As someone who needs eight hours’ sleep yet rarely gets it while engaged in seminar travels, I’ve longed marveled at the power of the world’s greatest drug:

Adrenaline.

Recently I had an interesting conversation with a famous morning radio jock. He commented, “It’s funny. No matter how tired I am, as soon as I open the mic I’m filled with energy.”

That conversation confirmed what I’ve long believed:

If you’re doing a personality-oriented radio show and the adrenaline doesn’t kick in, as a performer you’re not meant to be there.

Corollary:

If you’re doing a personality-intensive show and you’re not physically exhausted at the end of your shift, you’re doing something wrong.

Why? Because when the show is over, the adrenaline supply suddenly is cut off — and your body suddenly should “crash.”

That, of course, is why subjecting a high-intensity morning show to an immediate post-program meeting is a mistake.

The jocks need time to “come down” and then bounce back up again.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Mike Bratton December 11, 2012, 9:56 am

    Dan, I’ve been performing one way or another for the past 46 years–roughly 20 of that in radio. You could not be more right, but that’s why you’re a genius.