Before I get started, I can’t tell you how excited I am to have my website up and running, a HUGE shout out to my sponsor GallantMEDIA for making this one so awesome, they’ve been helping me out with my business development since day one on this thing.

In 2000, I graduated from Loyalist College in radio broadcasting…a few months after that, I got a job at the BIGGEST rock station in my hometown, “The Bear” in Ottawa. I spent 6 years there learning from some of the best in the business but never really getting a shot because the roster was full of phenomenal talent. Them be the breaks, I was simply lucky to have an announcing gig, period. It’s one of those occupations where there aren’t many spots available…and radio announcers come a dime a dozen, so the industry says.

I’ll never forget an assignment we were given just a couple of weeks prior to leaving college, I believe it was copywriting, but instead of putting together a commercial, we were creating our own cover letters, resumes, and short/long term goals. I already knew this concretely. I wanted to work afternoon drive in a major market (primetime spot) and the one, well 2 things I DID NOT want, was to work in country music, and/or work in a small town. Like, get the fu@k outta here, no way!

Let’s fast forward to 6 years later…and I’m working at a country music station, in a small town, LOL! I shit you not. Here’s the kicker. I absolutely fucking loved it. It was also my first crack at the “drive home” show, where I began my personal development and infusing it into my programming in the form of “Words of Wisdom Wednesdays.”

The point of the story, ya never know where you’re going to end up. Life is full of surprises, and the things in life you think you don’t want, sometimes…are the best things for you. Embrace change. In fact, sometimes you have to chase it, as scary as it may be.

I ended up staying in Pembroke for 4 years and never once looked to leave, until one day…I got an email. This email was from an old radio buddy telling me that I was being headhunted for another announcing gig. It turned out to be my dream job, working the “drive home” in a major market, back home in Ottawa, with all my friends and closer to the lady I loved more than life itself, my mother.  I finished off my radio career in my hometown with that station and then one more after that. You guessed it, another “drive home” show.

I got uncomfortable. It’s the only way to grow. You either choose to or life somewhere down the line forces your hand. Mine was a little bit of both and I’ll have to talk about that in another Journal. Let me try and wrap this up if you made it this far!

It’s been 23 years since I graduated from college, and I haven’t worked steadily in radio for quite a few years, maybe one year in the last 7 or so, podcasts were on my radar but I didn’t take them seriously. I remember when podcasts were the “new thing” and I’d snub my nose at the idea, podcasts were for hacks, “I was a professional” Lol. Some podcasters today make tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and in some cases, millions of dollars. Look at Joe Rogan, he’s one of the most influential people on the planet, all because of a podcast. Jason Petrunik, hmmmmmm, J-man’s best year paid between 40 and 50 grand….who’s laughing now?

This is uncharted territory for me, people think that because I was in radio….this must be EASY. It’s not. Radio consists of short bursts of energy in between songs and the music does the rest. This is all me, a guest…with the task of bringing out their best. I’m used to fast-paced, commercial radio, where I would get CRUSHED by my bosses if I talked for 2-3 minutes on a consistent basis instead of about 60 seconds. Now I’m talking for 60 minutes, it’s crazy.

Regardless, I’m hoping to deliver some great content in the form of personal development, in business and beyond. Season 3 is pretty much focused on individuals who performed at an ELITE level in their industry, whether it be music, television, sports, or business….these are some of the BEST of the BEST at what they do or have done. I’m talking about people that have won EMMY awards, CCMA awards, GREY CUP champions, and ALL-STARS, just to mention a few.

Once again, I thank you for supporting me in everything that I do. I’m blessed. I’m grateful. I’m ready to go. Let’s do this!

Take care, be well & love simply because you can” ~J-man