BSM President Jason Barrett connects with his former colleague John Lund on the eighth episode of Season 3 of the BSM Podcast. The conversation covers John’s career travels, what separates a good and bad PD, how hosts can help or hurt themselves entering a new market, why dominating the conversation doesn’t always help a show succeed, the most difficult moment of his career, and more.

AREAS COVERED WITH JOHN:

• How he got his foot in the door in the sports radio business
• What out of market hosts need to do to connect in a new city
• Being willing to sacrifice your shot to make your partner look good
• The qualities that separate a good and bad program director
• What the biggest challenges are to programming a good brand
• How do you adjust to working with a GM who operates differently
• Balancing being critical and soft while hosting on a flagship station
• What a talent should be doing to maximize their value thru sales
• Quick Hits: Tom Tolbert, Best/Worst city, Producers, Divorce or fun features
• The most difficult moment of his sports radio career and how he handled it

FROM THE GUEST

John’s Twitter handle: @JohnLundRadio

Episode seven of Season 3 of the BSM Podcast features a conversation with ESPN 97.5 morning host and NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein. During the span of forty five minutes, Lance reflects on the twists and turns of his broadcasting career. He also offers insight into what goes into preparing for the NFL Draft, how he views media beefs between local hosts, why creating characters and delivering impressions is beneficial to a morning show, and much more.

TOPICS DISCUSSED WITH LANCE:

• Listening to sports radio and eventually moving into it
• How he landed a morning drive show with limited experience
• Leaving 610 and moving to KGOW and how it happened
• Why he left KGOW despite loving the atmosphere
• Moving to SportsTalk 790 and why he made the jump
• Considering an opportunity to host in the Bay Area
• What the preparation process involves for a draft analyst
• Introducing characters and impressions in morning drive
• How he feels about public feuds between sports radio hosts
• Sean Salisbury’s decision to not discuss anthem issues
• Quick Hits: Why he does it, Smartest mind, Biggest concern, Favorite character

FROM THE GUEST

Lance’s Twitter handle: @LanceZierlein

On the fifth episode of Season 3 of the BSM Podcast, Jason Barrett visits with 93.7 The Fan morning host Colin Dunlap. Colin reflects on his path to the Pittsburgh sports radio airwaves, the challenge of replacing Gregg Giannotti, the pros and cons of working with former athletes, what he learned from three experienced program directors, and shares how he tries to lead a normal life with his family despite his daughter battling cancer.

SUBJECTS EXPLORED WITH COLIN:

• How he got sucked into the sports radio business
• Which hosts he listened to prior to getting in the industry
• The way 93.7 The Fan has developed over the years
• When he started thinking about doing sports radio FT
• The pressure of replacing Gregg Giannotti in mornings
• When he began to feel like the morning show was his
• Adjusting from hosting a 3-man show to 2-man show
• The pros and cons of working with a former athlete
• Finding joy in his radio career while his daughter battles cancer
• How his family’s challenge has made the audience feel closer to him
• Giving critical opinions of local athletes who have helped his family
• Making the Pirates interesting despite a lack of household names
• What helps make Penguins talk appealing to listeners in Pittsburgh
• His thoughts on his 3 PD’s – Terry Foxx, Ryan Maguire and Jim Graci
• If he’d alter his approach if local sports radio competition was stronger
• The future of the sports radio business and why he’s not worried about it
• What he enjoys and dislikes about being a personality on social media
• How his show approaches talking about political subjects
• Quick Hits: Unknown fact, Daughtry/Statham, Best advice, Best Pitt. host

FROM THE GUEST

Colin’s Twitter handle: @Colin_Dunlap