I Am A Talk Radio Host

March 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Career Change: Attorney Turned Talk Radio Host

Editor’s Pick

This is a fantastic interview on so many levels. Note how many times she says she “loves” what she does. Lisa is real. Her story will resonate because she tells it like it is. She is a mother, wife, attorney,  radio host –and more.  In a recent conversation with her, I learned she is generous as well. Her appreciation for life is inspiring and just might help you move towards living the life of your dreams.

“I didn’t want to have any regrets. I really felt that I belonged on the radio and needed to give it a shot. “

What was your previous Career?

Attorney at Law

How did you know it was time to Change Careers?

Where do I begin? I knew it was time after I completed two divorce matters that went to trial. I was burnt out. I did not want to wake up anymore and know that I was dealing with other people’s problems. I needed to create a life that would be stimulating AND fun. Law may have been stimulating at times; it was never fun.

What was an average day like?

An average day began with phone calls and paperwork, occasional stomach-churning confrontations and constant negotiations, and ended late at night , when I caught up on paperwork I did not have time to complete during the day.

I practiced law while also being married, raising a son and daughter, and two dogs. I started my own practice after leaving a Wall Street firm.

What is your new career?

Talk Radio Host.  Now also author of “Secrets of A Jewish Mother,” with my sister Jill Zarin and my mother Gloria Kamen.

What is an average day like now?

Now that the book is completed….

I wake up to an in-box of approximately 50-100 “pitches” a day of people who’d like to come on the show.  I sift through newspapers and magazines to decide what is of importance to discuss with my listeners. My assistant and I decide which guests to book. I prepare for the show. I meet with sponsors who place advertising on the show, because that is also part of our business model. Our revenue is generated by ad sales.  I produce and host a live two-hour radio show from 4-6 every weekday.  Then I go food shopping or pick up dinner for the family.  I spend several hours with my daughter and husband (and dog) in the evenings, before retreating back to the computer for late- night must-dos.  I love my life.

When I was writing “Secrets” during the summer and fall, I began writing at 10 PM and wrote until 3 AM every morning.  I can’t believe I did that…but I’m glad. I’m very proud of our book.

Why change?

Because I was in my mid-40’s and decided that life is too short to keep doing something you hate. I was very lucky. My husband was very supportive of my choice, both emotionally and financially.  I could not have made this change without his support.

Was the recession a factor in your decision for a career change?

No. My own recession was a factor, the fact that I saw my life receding before me. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I really felt that I belonged on the radio and needed to give it a shot.

How did you make the leap?

In stages, initially in small steps. I slowed down my law practice deliberately, enough to carve out seven weeks so I could go to the Connecticut School of Broadcasting full-time. I let go of my paralegal, switching from full-time to part-time help. I set aside a chunk of money to invest in myself and promised myself that I would create enough revenue from the radio business to sustain me.

Then I auditioned for my local radio show and got lucky. A choice spot had opened up on Saturday mornings.  They gave me a chance and I went from a 60  minute show to a 90 minute show to now five days a week, drive-time, in a little over three years. I am the only woman talk radio host on the station during daytime.

How did you fund your business?

With my law earnings and help from my husband’s income. We look at my radio career as a family investment.

Silliest thing about your former occupation?

Silliest? How about the fact that so much brain power is spent on matters which are trivial, petty,  greedy and self-destructive?  Do I detect just a trace of resentment there?

Misconceptions about what you do now?

That I earn money doing it.  Radio is a very difficult medium in which to make money. I think Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity took it all.

How do you stay motivated?

I love what I do. I love talking to fascinating people. I love trying to put the pieces together to make sense of world and local news. I adore the fact that as a radio host, it has opened other doors for me, such as emceeing events, serving on boards of charities, and meeting so many wonderful, accomplished people.

How do you deal with jealousy?

What kind? Jealousy of me, or jealousy by me?

If someone is jealous of me, I do the zen thing, and pretend it isn’t there. If I feel it is there, I have to remove that person, that energy, from my life.

If I am jealous of someone else, I do the same thing.  Jealousy is so negative, so destructive, it’s not good for anyone.

On the other hand, I think it’s healthy for me to look at people who have made a real success of their careers, and study those stories to learn from them.  I don’t think that’s jealousy, I think it is a wise business strategy.

Any moments of Desperation?

Not in terms of doing the radio show. I feel I finally found what I born to do and I am immensely grateful to be doing it.

Occasional economic panic, yes.

Surprises?

So many.  Here is one- that I have fans from all over the country that send me little gifts and cards now and then.  Even though it is a local radio show, we are heard on-line, and many people have discovered me. At my first radio convention, when I had just been on the air on Saturday mornings for a few months, I found myself talking with a stranger who had heard from a friend of hers in Colorado that she had to start listening to my show. This stranger was from Texas and had started listening to me and was so thrilled to meet me in person. That made my day, my week and my year.  My show broadcasts from Connecticut and the metro NY area.

Warnings?

I ignore negative warnings. I plow ahead anyway.  Life is too short to give up on your dreams.

Would you say to those who believe they need a formal education to change careers?

I believe in education. I attended the CT School of Broadcasting because I knew I needed to learn how to edit audio in the digital age. My last experience in a studio had been spinning records, and people don’t even know that word anymore.

I think the answer to that question really depends on the career you seek. For some, like being in the restaurant business, you need to have an apprenticeship in a real, working restaurant. No formal education will substitute for that.  But in general, I believe in school.  You get two benefits there- the substantive knowledge of the classroom and the personal knowledge of people who know your field. You can find mentors, future employers and enthusiastic peers simply by attending classes in your chosen field.

If you could share 1 brief nugget of wisdom, what would it be?

Accept that a change in careers does not happen in one fell swoop. You don’t wake up one morning and automatically “become” something else.

My nugget? If you want to change careers, accept that for a period of time, maybe a long period, you will be doing two careers at once, your old one and a little bit of your new one. With luck and perseverance, your new one will be so successful that you will be able to segue out of your old one altogether.

That said, I’m never giving up my law license. I’m no fool.

Any resources or links that you think would be helpful to others looking to change careers?

Po Bronson’s marvelous book, “What Should I Do With My Life.”

In all humility (she says with a wry smile…), please read ours as well, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother.” Lots of practical tips.

How can we learn more about your business?

Google Lisa Wexler Radio to find articles written about me.  Check out www.lisawexler.com to listen to shows and see what’s on my mind.

The Lisa Wexler Show
AM 1400WSTC/1350WNLK

http://howichangedcareers.com/2010/03/03/i-am-a-talk-radio-host/