{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Circling The Drain ","title":"Today’s State of Radio: Losing the Industry, Finding the Podcast :: Ep 32 Circling the Drain Podcast","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3286,"description":"Johnny and Jim talk candidly about the state of radio today, the toll of bad management, and how podcasting has become a lifeline after nearly 50 years on the air. \n\nThey share raw stories about being let go over Zoom, losing close friends and mentors like Phil Valentine and Dave White, and trying to find purpose again in a fractured media landscape. Guest appearance by longtime radio pro John David Wells, who breaks down what every radio company must give its talent to survive: money, opportunity, training, and respect.\n\nFrom Jesse Jackson on Radio Row to meeting your heroes (and being disappointed), to why personality is still radio’s last great hope, this episode is a love letter, a warning, and a blueprint for what comes next.\n\nTimed highlights (for show notes / description)  \n \n1:25 – Welcome back to Circling The Drain and where’s Jay Harper?  \n2:10 – Losing Phil Valentine, Dave White, and nearly 50 years in radio  \n3:24 – Radio as an abusive ex-wife you still miss  \n4:29 – Ratings wins, zero attaboys, and keeping the team’s morale up  \n6:00 – What good leadership and a healthy culture actually look like  \n7:58 – Phil Valentine’s “horse blinders” lesson and controlling what you can  \n8:59 – Getting fired over Zoom and bizarre comments from management  \n10:21 – When bosses praise your work… and still cut you loose  \n11:00 – The managers who shielded talent from corporate chaos  \n12:29 – The GM who fired Johnny after “Googling” him  \n13:33 – Setting boundaries and standing up to bad management  \n14:25 – Producing ratings but not getting respect or revenue credit  \n15:35 – Realizing the audience loves you (thanks to a grocery store trip)  \n16:33 – Depression after losing Phil and radio, and not knowing what’s next  \n17:53 – How this podcast became purpose and therapy  \n18:21 – Radio vs. podcasts: competition in a world of millions of shows  \n18:52 – Favorite episodes so far: guests, dads, and forgotten artists  \n19:53 – Interviewing drummer Sandy Gennaro after...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/jbzYKmJ73FZVZuxNcZj5UcgwQO6RpVkbuouo8pAnG9E/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80ZDgz/NDgxODNlYjBlNzky/MzU1NWY1YmZjM2Jj/NDlkNS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}