Mic Check…
Perspectives on programming, fundraising, and on-air strategy
When Your Licensee Undercuts Your Business Model
UAB directed WBHM to say "Gulf of America" in all its journalism starting October 1, 2026. The station's published Code of Integrity named UAB, and it didn't matter, which is a warning for every public media station licensed to a university.
On-Air Fundraising Isn't a Mystery Anymore
A staffer once asked listeners why a child could see the value of donating and they couldn't. On-air fundraising has come a long way since then.
What Does Your Story Sound Like?
A videographer’s quick instinct taught me a storytelling lesson I’ve never forgotten.
When A Story Writes Its Own Promo
A Morning Edition story gave me a line so good, I rebuilt the promo around it.
Chalk One Up for Experience: What the WLRH Data Actually Shows
Not all Nielsen numbers are created equal. That distinction matters more than you might think.
When Broadcasters Forget Who They’re Talking To
It’s easy to slip into saying things that sound important but don’t actually help listeners.
An Audience Crisis at WLRH — An Update
This post has been updated and moved. The latest analysis can be found in a more recent piece.
WLRH After NPR: The Audience Transition
The first audience numbers are in, and they reveal a station in transition.
The Bleak Future at WLRH
How one station’s break from NPR set off a chain reaction, and why the real issue isn’t money.