Radio

When I was a young boy growing up in the 90s, I was often afraid to fall asleep at night. For some reason, I had a deep fear of being the last one to doze off, as if that would leave me truly alone. This fear haunted me for years, leading me to listen to talk radio to help me drift off to sleep. It may seem childish that I relied on AM radio at night, but I was just a kid, so I'll give my younger self a break here.

One night, on the particular station I listened to, they aired reruns of "The Golden Age of Radio Theater," which included radio plays originally broadcast between the 1920s and 1950s. If you haven't had the chance to listen to one of these plays, I highly recommend it. Typically, an episode would last around an hour, and sometimes, they would feature a double feature with two shorter plays. As I drifted off to sleep, I was immersed in stories filled with comedy, drama, tragedy, and intrigue. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate the significance of these productions, which often featured guest appearances by acclaimed motion picture actors of the era, many reprising their roles for the audio format. These radio plays were a true work of art, and for many people, they represented the only form of entertainment available. For years, this was an evening ritual for me; hearing these plays gave me comfort and allowed me to feel like I wasn't alone.

Eventually, I outgrew my fear of sleepless nights and moved on from radio plays to more adult programming, like NPR. To be honest, I couldn't stand NPR as a child. I don’t know any kids who genuinely enjoy talk news, but since it was what my parents listened to, I gravitated toward it, much like a child wanting to try coffee for the first time in an attempt to seem more grown-up. I remember my coach once telling me, as we drove in his 90s station wagon, that if I listened to NPR, people would think I was smart. At the time, I had no idea what he meant, but I chuckle now at that memory.

I suppose that experience stuck with me because I still listen to NPR today. It may not be as exciting or dynamic as contemporary news, but I appreciate its simplicity and straightforwardness. It provides me with the information I need—no frills, just the facts. There is something distinct about this and other forms of audio entertainment. Looking back, I realize that this experience is likely what has drawn me to radio throughout my life. There is something uniquely captivating about the auditory medium—it demands your undivided attention while also allowing you to fully absorb the content being presented. The impact on my life, from an early age into adulthood, is hard to quantify, but as I look back on years of interacting with this medium and the cherished memories that came from it, I am thankful it still exists and remains something I enjoy to this day.