Justin Kaufmann: Axios Chicago and radio

Listen at http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG203.mp3

I'd never met Justin Kaufmann before, but he quickly responded to my interview request and was very friendly and smart in this interview. He talks about a lot: why news stories are like radio shows; producing and being on the air at WBEZ; working with producers; working during the pandemic and broadcasting alone; radio challenges; building subscribers; user-generated content vs journalistic context; how comedy helped him for broadcasting; his show "Schadenfreude," which led to Hollywood; challenges of processing information and being timely; Chicago crime and audience response; getting on the air and advice; why producers should focus on supporting the host; communicating with listeners; dealing with pressure and setbacks; newsletters and online relationships; public radio vs commercial radio; WGN and format changes; social media stories; why daily content helps get more exposure; doing Reset on WBEZ and Extension 720 at WGN (reboot); dealing with setbacks; how he got into news; why Axios is great; the writing process; improv and preparation; journalistic discipline; and more. 

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG203.mp3

Tom Shaer: Legendary Sportscaster

Tom Shaer is part of Chicago radio history. He was one of the first broadcasters hired at The Score, WSCR. He starts talking about Rich King and a Crain’s Chicago Business article 1982; why ego is important; being and having an agent: wins, lies, challenges, advice; how the biz has changed; treatment of Mark Giangreco; sports staff issues; working in news and sports; the importance of working in different media; writing and editing; going from sports to news; pre-Internet show prep; Larry Bird and access to athletes; going from TV to radio; working at NBC 5 TV, WBBM Newsradio, and The Score WSCR; doing sports talk in the early days; issues in sports media; why The Score did well; broadcasting and adjusting to Chicago; sportscasters reporting news; being square and the drama at The Score; Mike Ditka, Jack Brickhouse, and Harry Caray; why The Score is a good station with past mistakes; how he got into the media; and he talks about several people, including Ron Gleason, Mike North, Rick Gieser, Dan McNeil, Dan Jiggetts, Drew Hayes and Michael Damsky, Chet Coppock, Howard Cosell, Jerry Reinsdorf, Mitch Rosen, Ron Magers and Carol Marin, and more (let me know who else I should list).

This is from a livestream that we did.

Click this link to play the interview - http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG202.mp3