By: Steve Lindell, General Manager, MuncieJournal.com, and host of WLBC’s Wake up Crew—
Muncie, IN—Radio, when done well, is alive and thriving. I am so proud to work for Woof Boom Radio. Our core values are directed at helping listeners and businesses thrive, and to that end I have long since adopted a personal policy structure that fits directly into that mold. “We Use our Voice to Build your Community” is more than a phrase – It is WLBC / Woof Boom Radio’s way of BEING.
Divisiveness seems to permeate our country —the greatest country in the world. Much of it seems to come from disagreements which are not necessarily “earth shattering.” Do you recall a time that US citizens were able to disagree, and then go out for coffee afterwards? Do you remember a time when we could elect public officials, and then choose to be supportive of the ones that we didn’t vote for?
Speaking of politics, I am well aware of how campaigns and even party-infighting can be destructive. But consider this fact: We had MANY citizens that WANTED the job as Muncie Mayor (remember the Primary?) — they wanted to serve, and wanted to help. As of this writing, there are three candidates that STILL want the job—can’t we celebrate the fact that they want to serve this community? I choose to honor their desire to take on this challenge, and I pray that they campaign, respectfully, in the interest of the community and what they can bring to the table.
“I believe that people have choices – all the time. One choice is to be positive, or negative. You fall into one of those categories – it is human nature. My choice is to be positive – on the radio and in the community. Let’s try to get along, and show each other respect. Remember how we all felt the day(s) after 9/11? I do – and we don’t need another national tragedy to bring us together.”—Steve Lindell
I also remember a time when we needed first hand facts in order to shape our opinions. Try this exercise: If someone starts a sentence with “Well, what I heard was…” or, “I was told…” or “You didn’t hear this from ME, but…” — take a step back, and seek answers, facts and information for yourself. Do not allow someone to TELL you what to think.
Many, many days I am “supplied” with information about people, places, and things. I NEVER repeat, report, and don’t necessarily believe them until I have corroborating information. My opinions are mine, not what someone tells me they should be.
Most importantly, I choose to talk about mattering to people. I am constantly amazed by the number of people that tell me that I matter to them as “a Radio Buddy.” To this day, people still stop me and talk about the Ice Storm of 2005 – when only 104.1 WLBC remained on the air for many hours.
I was on the air (with the incredible technical help of our Chief Engineer Sean Mattingly) for about 14 hours straight, and am STILL stopped by moms, thanking me for keeping her family and children feel calm and safe with my words. Some of those moms explained to me that (WLBC) Radio was their lifeline – when nothing else worked, they could hear us on their battery operated radio, and hear me say, “Everything’s going to be all right…just stay calm…” My words on the radio helped them do just that.
(Even at 2:45 a.m.)
I like mattering to people, and Woof Boom Radio encourages me to do just that.
