The Podcast About Sports Radio : Chats With Industry Leaders

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/mattchernoff

Sometimes, if a station sticks with a host or hosts for awhile, eventually it's going to work.

Now, I don't know if that was the case with Matt Chernoff, afternoon sports talk host on 680 The Fan in Atlanta, but the ball he got rolling in the late 1990s & early 2000s is now rolling so fast that he's one of the most popular hosts in the entire city.

He came up the interning way, grinded like hell, and worked his way all the way to drive time over the years.

And he never left his city.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE...

- Matt tells the "hokiest, dorkiest" story he's ever told publicly. [1:01]

- How did Chernoff get his foot in the sports radio door? [2:25]

- Matt tells the story of one of the bits he had to go out and do as an intern. [5:07]

- Matt describes his "really dumb show." [5:54]

- Matt gives an example of a different way his show will tackle content. [6:56]

- Matt describes his chemistry with his co-host Chuck Oliver. [7:57]

- What comes to mind when the word "successful" is used in sports radio. [10:18]

- Matt talks about when, exactly, he stopped being "comfortable." [11:31]

- How much does an old firing from his competitor down the street fuel Matt? [13:25]

- Matt's philosophy on phone calls. [16:13]

- What's the "sweet spot" on listener interaction with the show. [18:24]

- Chernoff won't answer the question about good interviewing traits. [19:47]

- The word "awkward" as it pertains to radio. It's not always bad. [22:13]

- Pet peeves of Matt's. [26:09]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/podvader

Jay Soderberg worked in radio forever, and did a lot of sports radio working for guys like Todd Wright, Tony Kornheiser, Colin Cowherd, Mike & Mike and others.

Then, a superior at ESPN got a hold of him one day, and altered his career path forever.  It turned him into PodVader.

PodVader produced handfuls--lot of handfuls--of ESPN's podcasts for many years until just recently becoming the head of content at BlogTalkRadio.  There are similarities and differences in podcasting compared to radio, and you'll hear a lot of them in our podcast as well as the winding road that got PodVader to where he is today.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE...

- How PodVader became a podcast producer at ESPN. [0:55]

- ESPN really didn't even know how to do podcasts early on. (Who did?) [11:20]

- What sports talk host piqued PodVader's creativity at ESPN? [17:49]

- PodVader talks about the mainstream podcasters that could make it on sports radio. [19:57]

- What makes Bill Simmons great? [24:40]

- Why is digital, on-demand broadcasting better than terrestrial radio? [27:30]

- What the biggest differences are between sports talk radio and sports podcasting. [30:00]

- When is the tipping point coming where digital overtakes radio as the dominant audio delivery medium. [32:38]

- How would PodVader advise an aspiring sports talker via podcasting. [33:59]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/jon

Jon Chelesnik's road to a my-wife-can-retire-from-work career is one that is very rare.

He went from local update anchor to local host to being hired to host at ESPN Radio.  That's not the part that makes him unique.

When he was replaced at ESPN Radio, he decided to cultivate similar talented people and then, hopefully, find them jobs.  And the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America was born.

Jon tells the story of his rise and fall behind the microphone and the gradually-ascending career he has made starting his own company in the sports talk field.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE...

- Jon talks about how he got into sports radio and how he got to ESPN Radio. [1:29]

- Jon tells a great story about how a question he was asked in a job interview with the boss of ESPN Radio. [5:07]

- Self doubt was a part of Jon's sports radio self. He talks about it. [7:28]

- Success in the sports radio industry is just like any other industry. Jon explains. [9:26]

- The biggest mistake sports talk hosts are making, according to Jon Chelesnik. [12:00]

- The biggest mistake radio play-by-play announcers are making, according to Jon. [13:30]

- The story of the berth of the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America. [15:42]

- The importance of an understanding spouse as a sports talker. [18:30]

- Jon gives the biggest misconceptions of the sports radio industry. [23:20]

- What are the best traits of a good sports talk interviewer? [27:18]

- The greatest, currently, in sports talk radio according to Jon. [29:13]

- Jon tells a very interesting story about how rummaged through Jim Rome's personal possessions. [30:33]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/toddlisenbee

Todd Lisenbee, quite possibly, has the world's most painful and pathetic job--producer and co-host of The Zach McCrite Show, the daily radio show hosted by me (the same man that hosts this podcast).

Todd & I have created a show low on X's and O's (because we're not that smart) and more on not being afraid of being bad (also, because we're not that smart).

Although Todd & I have only worked together less than a year, our chemistry has really started to click in recent months. And that, along with our company's willingness to let us try irregular means of radio entertainment have led not only to some mild success but, more importantly, some memorable moments on Oklahoma City sports radio.

We will never have it all figured out, but we have fun being the guinea pigs around here.

Todd peels back the curtain on what it's like working for a dolt like me in this podcast.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE...

- Todd explains the nuts and bolts of his daily job duties. [2:09]

- Todd & Zach peel back the curtain on what a show, which is only manned by two people at all times, functions behind the scenes. [4:06]

- Todd gives what he thinks are the perfect times to jump on to the air as a producer. [5:12]

- Todd explains how he got into the sports radio business. [7:03]

- Todd gives advice for guys and gals that are wanting to get into or just getting into the radio business. [13:07]

- Todd talks about how he got laid off from radio at one point. [13:38]

- Todd gives what he thinks is the common denominator between all of the most successful shows he's worked on. [15:54]

- Todd describes our local show which originates out of Oklahoma City. [17:43]

- Todd tells a story, relayed to him from our program director, about how our show was being talked about in public... and not very kindly. [20:41]

- Todd talks about his favorite part of our radio show. [21:43]

- I talk about what I think is my biggest weakness in sports radio. [23:25]

- Todd opines about the inclusion of social media and phone calls in a radio show. [28:14]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/skinwade

105.3 The Fan's Skin Wade has one of the most creative sports radio shows in the country. Teamed with co-host Ben Rogers on the Dallas afternoon radio show, it's likely you will hear something nearly completely different than you'll hear on most stations around the country.

And being different is one of the many things that Wade is proud of his show for.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE 

- Skin talks about how he got that nickname. [1:24]

- Skin explains the berth of their radio show. [2:34]

- Skin describes the Ben & Skin show to listeners who have never heard it. [8:11]

- Skin explains why their interviewing is different. [11:31]

- Skin gives an interviewing story that proves that taking chances might whiff, but it still "works." [14:54]

- Skin explains the importance of social media. [20:08]

- Skin talks about what the keys are to a long, successful run with the same radio partner [21:34]

- Skin tells a story of how one program director wanted to break Ben & Skin up. [22:54]

- Skin explains what makes a producer successful. [24:01]

- Skin gives who he thinks is great at radio. [25:31]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/stevesavard

There are plenty of former athletes that are in the business of sports radio these days.  In fact, they are damn near a dime a dozen.

But not like our guest this week.

Steve Savard turned a college and NFL career (cut short by injury) into a career as a TV sports and news anchor.  On the radio side, he didn't become the analyst.  He became the play-by-play announcer.  And his first gig was the National Football League.  That's certainly a one-of-a-kind resumé.

Savard, Voice of the St. Louis Rams, tells the story of how he got one of only 32 jobs in the world--NFL team play-by-play announcer--and how he got there.  He also throws out some interesting nuggets of advice for aspiring play-by-play announcers.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE

- Steve talks about how he transitioned from sports on the field to sports on TV and radio. [1:33]

- Steve talks about how he broke into play-by-play. [3:46]

- Steve explains how bumpy the road was when he first became the play-by-play voice of the Rams. [5:04]

- Steve describes how critical he can get of himself when critiquing his own tape. [6:36]

- Steve explains the dichotomy of having to be critical, at times, of bad play with the Rams. [9:05]

- Steve goes over how to incorporate a new color analyst into a broadcast. [11:59]

- Steve considers what his job title is considering he's got multiple jobs in multiple mediums. [13:45]

- Steve talks about his biggest weaknesses in play-by-play. [16:30]

- Steve's biggest strengths in play-by-play. [17:57]

- Steve advises aspiring play-by-play announcers. [19:16]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/steveczaban

If you're a sports talk radio host or aspire to be one, chances are you've wanted to get out of this business a time or two. If you haven't had that feeling, consider yourself a rare breed. More rare, in fact, than a 25-year veteran of the sports talk industry, Yahoo Sports Radio and ESPN 980 (Washington, D.C.) host Steve Czaban.

Czaban's no-nonsense, BS detecting, logic-first style is one that makes it easy for his listeners to not only comprehend, but to emulate to their friends at work and at the bar.

Czaban works a national show in the morning and a local show in the afternoon. And those hours in the middle are damn precious. How does he do it all? He explains it all in Episode 21 of the PASR.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE...

- Steve talks about how he got into the sports radio business. [3:19]

- Steve describes his on-air style. [4:12]

- Steve gives an example of a nonsense topic hosts talk about sometimes. [5:00]

- Steve talks about how he navigates football talk during the offseason. [6:09]

- Steve explains how topic angles percolate before they hit air. [7:10]

- Steve goes through what he does during his downtime (if you want to call it that) between his morning show and his afternoon show. [8:21]

- Steve talks about his morning routine. [9:00]

- Steve lists the his biggest difficulties with doing two shows daily. [9:36]

- Steve reels off some of his biggest difficulties between doing a solo show in the morning and doing an afternoon show with 'teammates.' [10:27]

- Steve explains his biggest strengths and weaknesses in the sports talk field. [11:37]

- Steve talks about preparing and executing a guest interview. [13:25]

- Steve lists a couple of his annoyances with sports radio hosts. [14:16]

- Steve explains his roughest time in this industry, an industry he's survived 25 years in now. [16:17]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/freddiecoleman

A decade in sports talk radio is an eternity.  But when you hit a decade plus with the same national sports radio network, you are in rarified air.  That's where ESPN Radio's Freddie Coleman sits.

Freddie has continued to defy odds.  He's seen colleagues come and go, hosted benchmark radio shows without his name on it and even dabbled in some television.  But, only recently, after more than a decade in Bristol, did he have a radio show with his own name on it.

He's had to continue to evolve as a host and he is reaping the rewards now.  And he's not finished.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE...

- Freddie talks about how he got the bug for sports radio. [3:06]

- Freddie talks about when the industry "found him." [4:47]

- Freddie gives us the moment when he realized that this could be more than just a job, but a career. [6:30]

- Freddie theorizes about the thing that his early bosses saw in him that made them believe in him. [7:47]

- Freddie goes through a regular day in his life. [9:37]

- Freddie talks about what happens when he gets to the office for his show each night. [11:27]

- Freddie talks about his biggest strength in sports radio. [15:07]

- ...and his biggest weakness. [16:48]

- Freddie elaborates on how he manages trolls on social media. [17:21]

- How often are ESPN Radio executives critiquing Freddie's work. [18:36]

- Freddie found his 'groove' recently and elaborates. [20:10]

- Freddie throws out some names of some great sports talk radio hosts. [22:40]

- Freddie talks about the common denominator in all of the hosts he thinks are great. [24:12]

- Freddie talks about the traits of a great sports talk radio interviewer. [25:23]

- Freddie reveals the thing he does that annoys the people around him the most. [27:20]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/damonamendolara

Damon Amendolara's climb up to national sports talk radio host is well-deserved, if for no other reason than he's willing to be creative and take chances with things that might be unorthodox on the air.

In other words, a missed shot is better than no shot at all when it comes to Damon.  That and his obvious talent for the industry make it no surprise that he is a budding star in the sports radio world.

We talk about those creative juices, roadblocks to success, whose great in this medium and a lot more.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE

- We start early in the phone call, in what we thought was going to be the pre-interview. Damon talks about how he found the podcast and how the podcast got started. [2:52]

- Damon talks about how he got interested in the sports radio industry. [4:59]

- Damon describes the moment he thought sports radio could be a career. [8:23]

- Damon talks about the continuous discomfort that comes with the sports radio business. [10:29]

- Damon talks about how his style has evolved over the course of his career. [11:31]

- Damon talks about the "good radio funnel" and what is at the bottom of that funnel. [14:26]

- Damon talks about his biggest sports radio weakness. [17:29]

- Damon on whose great at sports radio. [19:02]

- Damon gives his sports radio host pet peeves. [21:06]

- Damon talks about what he would be doing for a career if not sports radio. [23:36]

- Damon talks about how different radio is now with the advent of the internet. [26:39]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible

Show notes & BONUS AUDIO available: aboutsportsradio.com/mikeryan

Sometimes you just feel like you want to be a part of something you think is special.

That's what happened to Mike Ryan.  Mike is the super-sharp, super-creative executive producer of The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz.  How did he get to that spot?  He heard something one day.  Mike tells that story that saw him go from veterinary sales to executive producer of one of the most popular shows in sports radio--and how it didn't necessarily happen overnight.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE 

Mike talks about how he got into sports radio. [3:49]

Mike talks about how he eventually worked his way up from intern to LeBatard's show. [4:48]

Mike talks about his typical day for him, which includes writing for Highly Questionable on ESPN. [6:56]

Mike talks about how tough the transition from radio-show-to-radio-and-television-show. [8:39]

Mike talks about the show's consumption through all of the different mediums. [12:45]

Mike gives his description of The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz. [15:01]

Mike describes his on-air role in the show. [17:33]

Mike gives his favorite benchmarks on the radio show. [18:50]

Mike talks about how he thinks he, Dan and Stugotz have all evolved. [21:16]

Mike talks about the things he does that annoys Dan and Stugotz.  [25:56]

Mike talks about the annoyances he has with other radio shows. [27:26]

Want a free audiobook: aboutsportsradio.com/audible