I’ve always loved the land of motivation. In fact, self-help books were my only friends growing up and I owe everything I have in my life to guys like Dr. Wayne Dyer and Tony Robbins. They made a painfully shy kid believe he could have a career in the entertainment industry. Over the years I’ve become an expert in the field with continued education, seminars and speaking engagements.
In 2006 I started a podcast for nobody but myself called Terry Jaymes Alive. The idea wasn’t one of my most creative, I simply wanted to thank those who’ve inspired me over the years and to continue having powerful conversations.
Back then podcasting was very new and my project seemed to ruffle a lot of feathers. It was also the source of a lot of rumors that I was leaving the Lex and Terry Show. Even though I was able to get interviews with a few of my heroes, I felt that I had to stop the podcast because it became a distraction to my day job. Something that I regret to this day.
Let’s be honest, being a part of an ensemble cast can suck the life and creativity out of you. Between bit pitch meetings, people not carrying their weight, egos, consultants and program directors weighing in on your every word, the pressures of a daily talk show can be exhausting. I needed something, anything to make me feel a little different about my current situation and since podcasts are now more mainstream I made the decision to dive back in.
My goal was never to become a full-time podcaster. My goal was simple. I just wanted to make some of my own decisions in a safe space where I could fail and nobody, including me got hurt.
I achieved that on day one. However I never expected what would happen next.
It turns out that podcasting boosted my creativity, confidence and above all, it has made me a better broadcaster.
My desire to take chances returned. When something on the radio show is working and you’re getting ratings, why would you mess that up? The truth is you stop growing professionally when you rest. The ideas are flowing again. The kind of ideas that led to the success of Lex and Terry in the first place. The stuff that makes people talk.
Doing a podcast alone showed me just how much I relied on my radio show mates to keep things moving on a slow day. A deeper appreciation for them manifested but I quickly realized I needed to be better prepared when I hit that record button. It’s just me now. This led to the development of a whole new way to show-prep. With my new system I no longer fear slow news days and can easily recover from a segment that didn’t go the way I visualized.
Let’s take that a bit further. Podcasting has taught me how to dig deeper on a subject and because of that we can stretch one planned segment into two or three super informed breaks. Our show now has a familiar podcast feel. At first I didn’t think that would be a good thing, but it really is.
Podcasting has sharpened my ability to get to the point quicker and to trim the fat. Teasing the next and upcoming segments on radio has always been an art. But with a podcast you have to get to the point out of the box. You have only one opportunity to tease the entire show so you better make it colorful. This practice, and it is a practice has made it to the Lex and Terry Show. I just need to get everyone else on board.
My podcast is bringing new listeners to Lex and Terry. Even though the content is a lot different, I feel it has deepened the connection between host and audience. They are seeing a whole new side of me which is making the radio show more interesting. I also feel more comfortable bringing up my other passions on the air which has enriched my personal brand. I can feel the connection in the comments.
For most of my career I’ve had somebody else turn my mic on. I had to learn a lot of technology to pull off a one man show. This has given me a deeper understanding of editing, deadlines and just how important planning is.
I’ve always considered myself a great story teller. It’s something I’m very proud of. Podcasting is helping me grow that skill leaps and bounds. I’m blown away when I hear a radio personality who still can’t figure out how to tease a story, then deliver one with a beginning, middle and an end. Podcasting will give you a crash course in the gift of gab. You won’t be able to go to a coffee shop without trying to make content out of it.
Programmers love the word vulnerability. However, it’s one of the harder things to achieve. We all want our audience to think we’re the hippest, best looking people in the world who are living these huge lives. We want to be the coolest person in the room. We all think that we’re keeping our bosses happy in the vulnerability department because we talk about our personal lives, but podcasting slaps you in the face and says “You ain’t shit.” You’re forced to go deeper. Oh and you can toss that “theatre of the mind” crap out the window. It doesn’t make somebody a good personality. It makes them a liar. Podcasting has forced me to peal that protective skin back and be who I truly am. There were some painful moments but it’s been my biggest takeaway. I’ve never felt more me in my entire career and I look forward to pushing many more boundaries. If you’re not scared shitless as you push “publish” you didn’t have a good show.
A 30 year radio career gives one a certain amount of expertise and confidence. However after a few good podcasts under your belt you’ll feel your swagger boosted. For me personally, let’s just say this old dog has learned some new tricks.
I know most radio personalities have a podcast, but they are usually repurposing something to enhance the brand. That, or they put themselves in front of an American flag wearing a backwards ball cap and repeat what their favorite 24 hour news channel says. It’s time to talk about that embarrassing interest you have, check your ego at the door and see what you’re really made of. It’s hard work but the benefits are infinite.
Even though I have no plans to make podcasting my livelihood, the benefits are far to valuable to stop. I can’t imagine the lessons I’m going to learn as I get more serious about it.
I have big plans for my new podcast, T11 with Terry Jaymes (Debuting 1/8/24). A ton of exciting new challenges await me. For example, I'll be live-streaming and as of today I have no clue how to do it., But what I'm most excited about is developing a different kind of humor. Hell, if this baby takes off maybe I can take it to radio where it belongs.
