When I left my corporate job in late 2012, it was ostensibly to concentrate on getting my masters degree in creative writing. That was the plan. Write, go to school, repeat. A few weeks into my little sabbatical from a 40 hour work week, after I cleaned and organized all of our closets, after I made some elaborate meals, after I started to feel a little wacky about being home all day, I applied for an internship at NHPR. That was in January of 2013. About a year ago, they started paying me as a part-time producer and in January I added on the responsibilities of production assistant. I was working part-time, going to school and preparing to part with 60% of my liver. While they didn’t have to, the station let me return to my part-time job after my recuperation from surgery and welcomed me back enthusiastically. I returned to work in June and then, my dear friend and fellow producer on Word of Mouth decided to make a career change. While I’m still sad that he’s gone–he taught me a lot about radio production and continues to be a calming presence in my often chaotic life–his departure meant there was an opportunity for me to apply for his position. Which I did. And on Monday of this week I officially became a full-time public radio producer for Word of Mouth.
I’m ridiculously fortunate that I was able to take time off to–as cliché as it sounds–find myself. Radio production is a daily challenge; there are hard deadlines that occasionally stress me out, but it’s only because I love the team I work with and I want them to be proud of me. I’m consistently amazed by the combined talent of the tiny little team that puts together a mighty fine daily show. If you’d like to listen to the show, we did a theme show this week and it’s pretty great. Here’s a link:
The Derek Janiak Hepatobiliary Forum 
Is there anything you don’t kick ass at?!
Quite a few actually! But I keep striving to learn my multiplication tables.
Ebullient I am about your being full time. Yes. Even more tickled that you love what you are doing when working outside your home. I smiled big time when Derek used the word “factory” linked to your radio gig. Never thought of “factory” and “radio” in the same phrase. Contracts from a not only a former “broadcaster” (yes good exchange for radio), but as a former discoverer of the magic of radio early Sunday mornings in metro NY listening to NYC Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia reading the funny papers to me…just to me. I could not get over seeing the same words and pictures he was seeing as he spoke to me. Too bad the legend of him saying, “That ought to hold the little bastards” is, according to Snopes, not true and not true attributable to any kids’ show host. Great “yarn” though.
sQs O X O X O
It’s still a good story. And radio factory is said in the nicest way. Kind of like Willy Wonka’s factory. A little silly, but good stuff happens.
Fantastic! Congratulations!
Thanks!
Congratulations Logan! Though I will miss being able to chat with you during work hours 😦
Thank you! I’ll have to just call you during the day and “interview” you. 😉
That Rushmore intro music had to be your doing. Your laugh translates well to radio.
Oddly enough, it wasn’t…but it just proves I have found my people. 🙂
I had no idea you were so interested in radio!
Great news! Celebration? Maybe Cafe Momo’s soon?
Congrats, Logan! Good for you! Keep doing what you love and enjoy!