{"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":3281,"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. They 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.From 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.Timed highlights (for show notes / description)   1:25 – Welcome back to Circling The Drain and where’s Jay Harper?  2:10 – Losing Phil Valentine, Dave White, and nearly 50 years in radio  3:24 – Radio as an abusive ex-wife you still miss  4:29 – Ratings wins, zero attaboys, and keeping the team’s morale up  6:00 – What good leadership and a healthy culture actually look like  7:58 – Phil Valentine’s “horse blinders” lesson and controlling what you can  8:59 – Getting fired over Zoom and bizarre comments from management  10:21 – When bosses praise your work… and still cut you loose  11:00 – The managers who shielded talent from corporate chaos  12:29 – The GM who fired Johnny after “Googling” him  13:33 – Setting boundaries and standing up to bad management  14:25 – Producing ratings but not getting respect or revenue credit  15:35 – Realizing the audience loves you (thanks to a grocery store trip)  16:33 – Depression after losing Phil and radio, and not knowing what’s next  17:53 – How this podcast became purpose and therapy  18:21 – Radio vs. podcasts: competition in a world of millions of shows  18:52 – Favorite episodes so far: guests, dads, and forgotten artists  19:53 – Interviewing drummer Sandy Gennaro after seeing him as a fan...","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}