Monday Memo: How You Tune Them Out?
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Unintentionally, your poorly phrased comment, dated reference, weary cliché, or offhand remark can at least subtly distance you from your listener and could undercut your credibility, offend, or even spark backlash.
Whether you’re a broadcaster, podcaster, newscaster, or you are crafting commercial or promo copy, take a fresh look at these often-overlooked pitfalls.
Dated references: Nothing can disrupt your listener’s day quicker than quickly changing weather. Being thought of as a weather source can advantage any station in any format. But you risk that currency by calling tomorrow “…a carbon copy of today.” Few under 50 have ever used carbon paper. And with weather more erratic lately, implying otherwise can make your forecast sound – forgive me – “like a broken record.” Also antique: “Rolodex,” now that listeners’ smartphones have “Contacts.” So, purge old-speak from “the radio dial.” Listeners (and advertisers) notice when we keep-up… or don’t.
Stereotyping:
— “Soccer mom in a SUV” sure is the retail super-consumer advertisers want to see pull-into the parking lot. Visualize her in programming and promotion planning and sales prospecting… OFF-air stuff. But reinforcing gender roles and class assumptions ON-air paints a narrow picture of parenting and lifestyle, potentially alienating women.
— “You know how Millennials are.” Yes – like “Generation X” – they dislike being typecast, and you sound out-of-touch and judgmental.
— Calling someone “a Karen” can alienate listeners who have felt ridiculed suffering a situation similar to whatever you’re describing. And there are millions in the potential ratings sample named… Karen.
— “Probably some college kid with no clue how to drive in the snow” implies incompetence based on age and background. This kind of dig can undermine younger listeners or newcomers to your market.
Stereotypes are lazy, often a shortcut to humor or imagery. Ask yourself: “Is this something I’d say to someone’s face?”
Insensitive Humor: “Looks like someone forgot their meds today!” can offend those quietly dealing with anxiety, or depression. Pandemic silver lining: Mental health is no longer a laughing matter. You may have seen TV PSAs by Howie Mandel, sharing how ADHD has impacted his life and asking that it not be a punchline.
“Potty-mouth:” Mom and Dad’s just-the-two-of-them vocabulary is different than the way they speak with kids in the car, and what they want to hear their children repeat after hearing on radio.
— “Pissed-off” has become unnecessarily familiar, particularly with recent inflation…with which we are “annoyed,” “fed-up,” and “frustrated.”
— Even if something sounds commonplace, origins or implications may make it unsuitable for all-audience radio. “Scumbag” began as a term for condom. “Sucks” and “screwed” also have sexual roots some consider vulgar.
Taboo red flags:
— “No offense, but…” or “I’m just saying…” often precede something offensive.
— “It’s just a joke!” often follows a crack at the expense of marginalized groups.
— “Everyone thinks that…” overgeneralizes and can alienate those who disagree.
— Mocking accents or speech patterns can come across as disrespectful rather than entertaining.
— “Real [men/women] do…” Gendered assumptions can feel exclusionary or outdated.
— “This [group] is always…” Sweeping characterizations often reinforce stereotypes.
Words have weight. In a medium where tone, timing, and trust matter, what we say – and how we say it – can either strengthen listener connection or erode it.
NEXT WEEK: Topics to Tune-IN the listeners you want most.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
and achievements of women in media.” The Gracies Gala takes place May 19, 2026, at the Beverly Wilshire and the Gracies Luncheon happens June 16, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. AWMF president Becky Brooks says, “Following a landmark 50th anniversary season, we remain inspired by the power of women’s voices in shaping our media landscape. The 51st Gracie Awards will honor the enduring influence of those who paved the way and spotlight the voices who continue to challenge, innovate, and lead. As we look to the future, we are committed to elevating the diverse and brilliant stories women bring to audiences every day.”
She brings to the microphone more than two decades of experience in communications and marketing across both commercial and political sectors, with commentary featured on FOX News Channel and Univision, as well as published opinion pieces in The Baltimore Sun. She grew up attending Maryland schools while her father served as an Army officer and returned home after graduating from the University of South Florida.” Aviles comments, “As WBAL celebrates its 100th year on the air, I’m incredibly honored to join this legacy of broadcasting and to bring my voice to Maryland’s afternoon drive. This show will be about real conversations – local, national, cultural – I’m excited to connect with listeners every day.”
company’s media platforms, bringing her energy, expertise, and signature charisma to a wide array of content.” Crull will be full-time co-host of “The Buck Belue Show” and will make regular appearances on “The Locker Room” morning show, in addition to leading efforts to expand Dickey Broadcasting’s digital footprint through original podcast content and cross-platform storytelling. Station president and GM David Dickey says, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Kelly on board full time. She’s the kind of multi-talented broadcaster that elevates everyone around her. Whether she’s behind the mic, in front of the camera, or developing digital content, Kelly brings a passion and professionalism that align perfectly with our mission to inform, entertain, and connect with sports fans across Georgia and beyond.”
for free markets, Gomez called out the FCC’s role and Paramount for “cowardly capitulation.” Trusty said, “This transaction reflects the free market at work, where private investment, not government intervention, is preserving an iconic American media institution. During its review of the transaction, the Commission determined the merger was lawful and would serve the public interest. This deal brings fresh 
leadership, new capital, and a clear plan to compete with dominant tech platforms.” Gomez stated, “In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom. Once again, this agency is undermining legitimate efforts to combat discrimination and expand opportunity by overstepping its authority and intervening in employment matters reserved for other government entities with proper jurisdiction on these issues. Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law… The Paramount payout and this reckless approval have emboldened those who believe the government can – and should – abuse its power to extract financial and ideological concessions, demand favored treatment, and secure positive media coverage. It is a dark chapter in a long and growing record of abuse that threatens press freedom in this country.”
Mark Walters
Conventional industry wisdom: “If our morning star leaves, we’re dead. How could we replace them?”
cluster and will continue in that role. Audacy regional president Brian Purdy comments, “Over the past few months, Tatjana has seamlessly led the team with the powerful combination of her contagious passion for this business and people-first leadership. Since stepping in as vice president of sales a little over a year ago, she has been a driving force in the market’s success, and we’re confident she’ll bring that same energy and creativity to her expanded role. We’re excited to see how she continues to uplift our Austin brands.”
In radio and podcasting, editing isn’t just technical – it shapes narratives and influences audiences. Whether trimming dead air, tightening a guest’s comment, or pulling a clip for social media, every cut leaves an impression.
-home media company JCDecaux reveals creative best practices for billboard advertising that the AM/FM radio industry can utilize to improve visual ad impact. Some of the key findings include: 1) Quu visual AM/FM radio ads on auto dashboards increase purchase intent by +89%; 2) You’ve got two seconds so brand fast: Visual logos placed at top of the frame deliver 4X higher brand recognition; 3) Beware the cost of dull: Failure to engage emotionally is the cost of creative mediocrity; 4) Be consistent with a brand’s colors, logos, slogans, and fonts that appear in other advertising; 5) Keep it short: The fewer the words, the greater the brand recognition; and 6) Create happiness: Ads that create positive emotions with happiness, surprise, or humor generate much stronger memorability, brand association, store visits, and website visits. 
Let’s discuss how CBS’s $16 million settlement became a warning shot for every talk host, editor, and content creator with a mic.
tirelessly reporting from along the river between Kerrville and Centerpoint, Texas, “delivering succinct and informative reports on NewsRadio 1080, additional Audacy stations, and various CBS affiliates across the country. His Texas State Network reporting includes hourly newscasts reaching over 100 affiliates in 86 markets.” KRLD brand manager and Audacy news/talk foremat vice president Drew Anderssen says, “‘NewsRadio 1080’has been a critical lifeline for Texans. Our commitment to timely and essential news, weather and traffic information never wavered in the early days of this tragedy, over the 4th of July holiday weekend, and we are committed to continuing our compassionate and impactful coverage in the days ahead.”
monthly audience. In fact, the top eight spots are the same as the May ranker, including FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” holding on to the #5 spot. One move of note is Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” jumping 12 places to the #19 rank. 
featured live each night from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET. Root says, “Tens of millions of die-hard Trump supporters go to theGatewayPundit.com 24/7 for the news and opinions that you won’t find in the mainstream media. It’s the perfect platform and synergy for my podcast. This is a marriage made in heaven. My daily podcast offers raw truth, the most exciting content for MAGA fans, and the most intense, passionate, combative, controversial, in-your-face, high-energy show anywhere in American media, combined with the biggest personality, and the loudest MAGA mouth on the planet. My show takes your breath away. It’s two hours of ‘pedal to the metal, balls to the walls,’ without taking a breath.”
Are archived shows – whole hours – your station’s only on-demand offering? It’s an easy checkbox: post the aircheck, call it a podcast.
solutions executive Michael Katz writes that, according to Scarborough consumer purchase data, consumers were asked to “select auto dealerships where you or other household members might shop if you were planning to buy or lease a new or used vehicle (including in-store and online shopping)” and 36% were unable to name an auto dealer. Katz adds that one out five auto intenders (21%), those who will lease or buy a new or used vehicle in the next year, cannot name one auto dealer. He says, “Auto dealers need ads that teach people who they are and build their brands.” 
If you saved back issues from when TALKERS was a print tabloid, dig-down about 20 years into the stack. A couple times a year beginning then, I was reporting from conferences then called The Podcast and New Media Expo, which later evolved into NMX and BlogWorld and other incarnations.
The drive to stream video of radio shows has always been risky. Remember your shock when you first saw one of your radio heroes? Video streaming can present a constant disconnect between the show in the listener’s head and the show on the stream. Many stations make the disconnect worse by streaming terrible video images. Combine the trauma of how a host really looks with a dreary TV show and the package cannot benefit the relationship between station and listener/viewer.
right, two shows… one on the radio, one on the stream. Seamless and fun.
and Mandarin, with plans to expand to even more shows and languages in the future. Host Jay Shetty says, “We have been fortunate to build a huge global audience that continues to reach more people around the world every day. One of the questions I get asked most is, ‘When will the podcast be in Spanish? When will it be in Hindi?’ And now, not only those, but several more languages as well. Expanding into more languages gives us the special opportunity to serve our audience better and bring these conversations to even more people. I truly believe this will deepen our impact, extend our reach and push forward our mission to make the world happier, healthier and more healed.” iHeart Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne says, “Global podcast listenership continues to rise, with podcast consumption significantly growing in regions such as Latin America, Europe, India and other parts of Asia. Podcast translation is an exciting step forward as content continues to globalize, allowing us to bring our catalog of hit shows and talent to these regions, helping us reach new audiences and bring fresh, insightful content worldwide.”
average downloads and NPR maintains its grasp on the top two spots with “NPR News Now” at #1 and “Up First” at #2. iHeartRadio’s “Stuff You Should Know” is #3 and Audacy’s 
expected to anchor special news or breaking news coverage when it happens. This position becomes an overall ambassador for our brand, and is expected to also work at special events, and alongside our sales staff to promote the station to Northwest Newsradio clients and endorse their businesses if requested.” 
In the golden age of broadcasting, the rules were clear. If you edited the message, you owned the consequences. That was the tradeoff for editorial control. But today’s digital platforms – YouTube, X, TikTok, Instagram – have rewritten that deal. Broadcasters and those who operate within the FCC regulatory framework are paying the price.
This coming Sunday, June 15, is Father’s Day. For that day – and the Friday before (hint-hint) – you might have already readied Harry Chapin’s “
fans their “essential end-of-day rundown of the four most important stories breaking while you were busy.” The Erickson show says “4 Things to Know This Afternoon” delivers “smart analysis of the four biggest headlines shaping the nation and the world in less than ten minutes. From national security to culture, economics to politics, Erick distills the noise into clarity – cutting through the spin with conviction, context, and a clear-eyed view of where things stand.”
end of this week. It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve the American people as a Commissioner. I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility by President Donald J. Trump during his first term.