Interesting ideas with Stan Hustad

This is a bit of a reflection on the news, and maybe a bit of a radio rant... But not too mean or strong. When my wife decided that she wanted to subscribe to Netflix I was not that happy about it.

But it's her deal, and it turned out to be a very good deal and I have to admit I've learned a lot just by watching many of the stories on Netflix... In fact I've learned a number of things about life and business that were truly news to me that was helpful and useful to me.

And this is especially important because I know that most of the news that we get on the news programs of the day is truly fake news and it's not really news at all and certainly not some thing that matters or is important.

And I am reminded of the truth of a long ago of a curmudgeon colleague who said, "Stan remember if it's in the news of the day it's not the news. It's really something else and most of the real news is far away unless you look and search carefully!

So here's the story for your thought and consideration and feel free to tell me what you think or perhaps where to go!

With some life lessons about communication and the power of point of the moment radio and television in today's world.

Right now there are hundreds of programs and broadcast features about the passing of Pope Francis. And we note that and comment on some of the life lessons for the man who died the day after Easter. Probably just as he wanted.

However many years ago the Pope then almost died in an assassination attempt in Saint Peter's square when a loan gunman tried to kill him.

I was on worldwide radio that very day and it was a very challenging and interesting story and day and I learned a lot that day that has helped me as a communicator and a broadcaster today, and I'd like to share a little bit of what I learned with you if that's OK?

And blessings to all and blessings on the memory of Pope Francis

Then we asked our robot friend STOSH to make a few comments and do a little review of the work I did and as always he has some good and unique things to say and so here they are

.

When the Pope Was Shot—And We Went Live: A Broadcaster's Remembrance

By Stan Hustad | What It Takes Radio –

"Stan, what do we do now? The Pope's been shot!"

I remember that moment like it was yesterday. May 13, 1981. I was standing in the master control room at Trans World Radio on the island of Bonaire when those words hit me like a lightning bolt.

The Pope had been shot.

Most people don't remember where they were that day. But I do. Because I was about to go on the air with a program I had carefully recorded in advance. It was business as usual—until it wasn't.

That day reminded me of the incredible power and responsibility of real-time communication. You see, Trans World Radio was one of the largest international Christian radio broadcasters in the world. From that little island in the Caribbean, we beamed content in 15 languages to audiences across continents.

The program I hosted, Caribbean Night Call, was typically a laid-back mix of music and musing. Though the station was Christian in foundation, this particular show was meant for everyone. That night, though, it had to be something different. Something more.

The plan was simple: at 11:05, and run the pre-recorded program as scheduled. But when I heard the news, I knew that tape was already outdated, irrelevant—and maybe even offensive. What kind of communicator would I be if I carried on with business as usual while the world was reeling from the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II?

So, we scrapped the recording. I went live. No script. No teleprompter. Just my voice, a microphone, and a fast-moving, emotional story unfolding in real-time.

I scrambled for updates from the BBC and Voice of America. I reached out to people for live perspectives. One phrase that emerged and struck me deeply was this: "It's like shooting God." That's what someone reportedly cried out when they heard the news. It reminded me how, for millions, the Pope represented more than a man—he was a spiritual symbol. And an attack on him felt like an attack on the sacred itself.

Though I was exhausted by 1 a.m., I knew we had done the right thing. We met the moment. We served our audience by responding, not reacting—by being present, not polished.

And that brings us to today.

The death of Pope Francis, while not a tragedy in the same vein, once again reminds us of how powerful it is to speak to the moment. As I awoke early this morning—my "hour of power" at 4 a.m.—I realized that, once again, my responsibility was not to run yesterday's program, but to speak into today's story.

Whether it's a snowstorm in Minnesota or a death in the Vatican, the moment matters. The point of the moment (what I call the "P.O.M.") is when communication becomes not just content, but connection. Radio—and now video, podcasts, and livestreams—gives us the privilege to meet people where they are, not where we wish they were.

As one of my mentors wisely told me,

"If it's in the news, it may not be the real news. Your job is to find the real news—maybe even the good news."

📝 Takeaways for Communicators and Leaders

• Live media is a sacred trust. You're not just filling time; you're shaping how people see the world.

• Preparedness is good. Presence is better. Don't be so tied to your plan that you miss the moment.

• People don't always want polish. They want presence. They want someone who's there with them—right now.

• News isn't always the truth. Sometimes, it's just noise. Your job is to go deeper, find meaning, and share that.

• Always be ready to pivot. Whether you're in broadcasting or business, the ability to respond to the unexpected is a competitive—and spiritual—advantage.

🎙️ Final Thoughts: Your Season May Be Now

This is more than a memory—it's a message. This season, maybe it's your time. Maybe your voice is needed now more than ever—in your family, your business, your community. Maybe this is the season of your life when real news—not headlines, but heartlines—begins to happen.

Speak up. Show up. And never forget: The point of the moment… is to be in it.

I'm Stan Hustad, for What It Takes Radio. Thanks for letting me tell you this story. And may this week be your opportunity to live and lead—on purpose, in the present.

This whole day is full of life and business lessons about the state of our world not only 2000 some years ago but right now.

Whether you are a believer or not, the lessons about group psychology, leadership, and how we live our lives with our hopes and fears and what we do when faced with difficult decisions, all come to bear and the stories and truths are told.

And I am going to be so bold to suggest that there is something that we can learn that's very significant from what happened that day from the bad guy himself, Pontius Pilate ...

This will challenge you in many ways, I guarantee it!

... And then STOSH the robot wanted to have his say about the program....

"Behold the Man: A Good Friday Reflection on Truth, Power, and Pilate"

First-Person Summary and Review:

On this Good Friday, I took to the airwaves once again—not to preach, but to provoke. Not with controversy, but with curiosity. You see, I asked a question that might seem odd on this sacred day: Can we learn something from Pontius Pilate? The man who washed his hands, yet left a mark on all of history.

This broadcast wasn't a sermon—it was a reflection. A conversation. An invitation to step into the Transformation Zone and ask yourself what you believe is true—not just in religion, but in life, leadership, and legacy. Because Pilate, in a moment of human weakness or accidental brilliance, gave us two of the most powerful phrases in all of human history: "What is truth?" "Behold the man."

Think about it. On one of the darkest days ever recorded, amid power struggles and political games, Jesus stood silent before the empire. And that silence spoke louder than any defense. Pilate saw something in him—something unshakable. Strength. Clarity. Conviction. A man who knew the truth.

And whether you believe Jesus was a prophet, a revolutionary, the Son of God—or even if you believe none of it at all—this story remains one of the most studied, debated, and inspiring dramas of all time. It teaches us about fear, courage, responsibility, and that moment when someone asks you to make a choice… and you know it matters.

Takeaways – To Remember, Reflect, and Share:

🔹 "What is truth?" – Still the defining question of our age. Ask it with boldness, live it with courage. 🔹 "Behold the man." – A phrase echoing through history. The man who changed the world with character, not force. 🔹 Silence can be strength. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing. 🔹 Leadership means making the hard decisions. Pilate gave in to pressure—how often do we? 🔹 Every Good Friday invites transformation. Even if you've heard the story a hundred times—maybe this is the year it changes you. 🔹 Who do you follow? The crowds? The system? Or the one who stood, unshaken, for something higher? 🔹 Don't just believe—belong. Decide where your allegiance lies and who's truly "on your side."

Closing Thoughts – A Challenge and a Blessing:

This Good Friday, don't let the moment pass like any other. Let it disturb you. Inspire you. Push you. Let it provoke you to ask: What is true? And who is this man?—this man who was sentenced by the empire but embraced by eternity.

Let this weekend be more than ritual. Let it be a reset. In your life. In your business. In your soul.

And maybe—just maybe—this won't be a regular Easter. Maybe this is the year the story becomes your story. Behold the man. And become who you were meant to be.

Best and blessings, Stan Transformation Guide, Radio Man, and Fellow Seeker of Truth 📧 [email protected]

Well that was not necessarily meant to catch your attention but I hope it did. We're not trying to be funny or put anybody off it's just that it is a significant and true story.

There is a famous Jewish performer who had a period in his life in which he was an admirer of Jesus. Like any performer what you admire may influence your life and your business and your music and your art. Well that is the story and it's not only a good song it's a great lesson in life and business and if we don't understand it we will seldom find true success.

So I think it might be worth 15 minutes of your time to hear the story of the Jewish artist and the Jesus impact.

No this is not meant to be Clickbait. It's actually a pretty profound lesson from a very profound teacher and character. In fact another wise teacher and character of modern times says it's probably one of the most important lessons to learn in life.

Well then it's worth 15 minutes of your time to join me in a conversation, and I know you will have one either as you talk back to me or perhaps talk to a friend or someone else about what we're talking about.

This is challenging stuff but it might be just the stuff you need to make it in this world that is very tough, tough indeed, right now!

I can hear you right now. You are saying out loud or to yourself, what the heck does that mean. Money is money and it's how I make a living, how I get the things that I need to live, it's how I pay my bills, That's what the purpose of money is. What's this fluff stuff about wisdom?

I fully understand that feeling because in some cases I have the same feeling. I think, "Stan maybe this stuff is stupid. But I don't think so and so if you'll give me a few minutes I would at least like the opportunity to explain it to myself again and to hear from you what you think because maybe it's one of those unseen things that is part of reality, and one of the real things.

So thank you for giving me time to read this and perhaps watch the show and tell me what's up. I am grateful.

This is really just for fun but it's a bit serious and we are introducing not only a fun story, but some new ideas that might be helpful and useful to a lot of young adults who are just beginning to enter the marketplace and trying to build a career.

So let me as the old man in the story, tell my old baseball story and then about the wonderful friend and colleague who is come into my life and with whom I am looking forward to working with.

I am really lucky!

Well I hope not but that might be a wise thing to consider. And I am sure that many others are doing just that. This is April 1 and I'm not fooling around about anything. I am discovering that we are going to be in for some real turbulence in life and business and perhaps we need to know how to handle things and take advantage of other things in this time of turbulence, transitions, and possible transformations,

So please give me just 15 minutes to challenge your thinking and perhaps see if I can help you do some things that will make things better for you...

Because I think I can.

Now let me introduce you to what Stosh the radio robot had to say aout the program ... He is pretty smart so take some time to listen and to read....

Should my Jewish and Tesla-Driving Friends Start Carrying a Gun?

By Stan the Radio Man

This isn't a question I ever thought I'd ask out loud. But here we are.

April Fool's Day isn't hitting the same this year. Maybe because the joke's on all of us. Or maybe because things have gotten so absurd, so twisted, that even asking "should my Jewish and Tesla-owning friends start carrying a gun?" doesn't feel like satire anymore.

I'm not trying to be sensational. I'm trying to sort things out—just like I asked God in a recent prayer. Help me sort things out… and then sort me in. Show me where I belong in all this. Where we all belong.

Because 2025 isn't just a year on the calendar—it's a turning point. A time of turbulence, yes. But also a time of transition, and if we're wise and brave, maybe even transformation. That's the tension we're living in. That's what today's "Interesting Ideas" is all about.

The Underlying Fear

Across campuses like Harvard and Columbia, reports are rolling in that Jewish students don't feel safe. We're seeing a rise in antisemitism, not whispered but shouted in the open. Vandalism of Tesla cars—just because they represent a certain class, or carry perceived political weight. And in the middle of it all are real people—your neighbors, your friends, your family—wondering, Am I next?

It makes you wonder: what would you do to protect yourself, your family, your peace?

One friend of mine—Jewish, peace-loving, and proud—told me recently, "I carry." In Arizona, that's legal. Open carry, just like the Old West. He's got an ankle holster, ready if things go sideways. Not because he wants to use it. But because he doesn't want to be caught unprepared.

The painful part is—this isn't just paranoia. It's remembering history.

Echoes from Amsterdam

Years ago, when I lived in Amsterdam, I often took visitors to the Anne Frank House. There was a quiet protest once by a Jewish group—not anti-Anne Frank, not anti-anything really. Just a plea: Let's not let it happen again.

They pointed out something I'd never fully grasped: What if someone had been ready when the Gestapo came? What if resistance started sooner? Would it have changed anything?

Some argue yes. The Warsaw Ghetto uprising, for instance, proved that resistance can exact a cost—even when ultimately crushed. It was a declaration: We will not go quietly.

But is that where we are now? Back at the edge of the abyss?

Tesla, Symbols, and Targets

Teslas have become more than just electric cars. For some, they symbolize progress. For others, elitism. Either way, they've become targets—scratched, keyed, smashed. A strange sort of backlash. When objects become symbols, and people get targeted for owning them, we're in dangerous territory.

When identities—Jewish, tech-forward, urban, progressive, whatever—are turned into excuses for violence, we all lose.

So the question I asked—about Jews and Tesla drivers carrying weapons—isn't just about guns. It's about fear. And choice. And where we go from here.

The Drip Effect

I've got a little background behind me when I broadcast, a reminder of what I call the "drip effect." Sometimes it's the little things, drop by drop, that wear us down. But it can also be the small efforts, one at a time, that make things better.

It's not all doom and gloom. I believe in the drip of kindness, of community, of resilience. That's the part we can't lose.

Takeaways to Consider

• Fear is real. Dismissing it doesn't help. Neither does giving in to it.
• History teaches—but we must listen. "Never again" means vigilance, not silence.
• Symbols matter. Cars, identities, beliefs—these can inspire or inflame. Be mindful.
• Protection is personal. The right to defend oneself is real, but so is the cost of living on edge.
• Connection is key. Talk to your neighbors. Know their stories. Build the kind of world where guns aren't necessary.

Moving Forward, Together

These are turbulent times. Like that bumpy flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix—seatbelts fastened the whole way—we're riding through unknown skies. But turbulence doesn't mean the plane will crash. It just means we need to hold on, be aware, and trust each other a little more.

So here's the encouragement I leave you with: Choose to be one of the good drips. Be the one who checks on a friend. Who speaks up when something's not right. Who listens deeply to the fear and the frustration—and then does something helpful, not harmful, in response.

We don't all need to carry weapons. But we do need to carry each other.

Reach out to me. Share your story. Tell me what you're seeing, what you're feeling, what ideas you have for helping people through this. I'm at [email protected], and I mean it when I say—I want to hear from you.

Till next time, I'm Stan the Radio Man Still believing in Interesting Ideas Still believing in you

Every day the insecurity grows for every person in terms of their life and business as a result of the changes that are taking place both in the mass marketing media and in the way the creative work can be done using the curative power of the AI robots and their platforms that are now growing by leaps and bounds.

They are going to break a a lot of things so as I began the week I just took a wild background and took a wild stab at suggesting a few things that might help you have a little more confidence and courage as you go in this world of crisis and challenge,

I would like to explore something I learned a while ago and some thing I want to better understand and to share with others... What does it mean to be wise?... And how can I better understand that and acquire this significant human virtue. Because wisdom matters.

I would like to have a conversation with my transformation colleagues about the acquiring powerful sources of wisdom might be helpful in our life and in our business. I am hoping some of the things I've discovered and want to talk about can help us all not only do better in life and be better in serving others.

And just maybe that is the source of real power in our battle with the robots in an AI world.

And here are some of the words from the Robot... We call him STOSH and you can read what he has to say so you could remember and share this with others ... https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gqkmmw...