May 27, 2022
What unreachable goal have you accomplished in your life (personally and/or professionally) you thought you never would?
Buster Satterfield, WIOQ: Becoming successful without a degree. Jana Sutter, WXXL: Hosting on the BottleRock Napa stage! Bartel. WKTU: Being here in New York City, and my dream job at KTU!
Drew Heyman, WHYI: Being Music Director and having the #1 afternoon show in the market. R Dub, Z90/Magic 92.5: My life’s passion (Sunday Night Slow Jams) on 200+ radio stations across America including NYC. WOW! So thankful! Jagger, KCHZ: Proudest of making it to NYC and working there for a long time. That was a big goal of mine. I spent well over a decade there which was great.
Guy Zapoleon, Zapoleon Consulting: My radio journey itself: from winning a car on 93KHJ, to getting my Top 1000 in Rolling Stone Magazine at 21, to working with all the great radio stations I was privileged to work with. It would never have happened without the right people in my life. From the GMs, to PDs, to my teammates at the stations I worked, there were people who believed in me and shared a mutual love for radio. And of course, God’s hand was all over it making my dreams come true. | Jonathan Shuford, WRVW: I don’t believe any goal is unachievable. There might be obstacles in the way regarding your timetable, but I think you can do anything you want as long as you go about it the right way. Adam Rivers, WKCI: Being actually decent at golf.
Josh Wolff, WAEB: Syracuse University was my reach school, and I was surprised and delighted when I was accepted. Elise, WPLW: I never thought I’d be on the air. Personally, I’m a big space nerd and I won the opportunity to go “behind clearance” and see a launch less than two miles away from the launchpad. One of my most epic moments in life!
Jeremy Rice, WXXL: Running three NYC Marathons was pretty cool. And of course, having triplets: Winston, Victoria, and Cecilia. Buzz Knight, Buzz Knight Media: Never thought I would have recorded and released over 30 podcasts for my Takin A Walk Series. Lee Abrams mediavisions: Becoming a serious and accomplished pilot. |
Joey Brooks, WKSS: Getting to try out for Team U.S.A. for hockey when I was 16 and 17 years old. I made it to the final tryouts twice. Didn’t make the team, but I was close. Heather Deluca, WSJO: I never thought I’d have the chance as an on-air talent to be heard in multiple markets, and I can be now. So, that’s a recent professional accomplishment for me. A personal one, very appropriate for the release of the Top Gun sequel, is that I was able to fly in an F-16 fighter jet a few years back and it was THE MOST terrifying, exhilarating experiences of my life.
Valentine, WBHT: The opportunity to work in Miami as APD/night jock at Y100. As much as I was pushing to get it, I never thought it would be a reality. Living in Miami, doing a night show, being an APD…they were exciting times. I learned a lot. Fish, WKRZ: Personally, building a house in the country. Professionally, I never thought I would get to be a decisive factor in programming when I broke into the business.
Big Rob, KKPL/KMAX: Figuring out my worth and betting on me. It took me 10 years too long but I’m happy I did it. Huge goal for me! |
Nick Wize, WFLZ
Rich Davis, KDWB: I’m not sure whether I thought it was unreachable or whether I hadn’t even considered it, but I’m pretty proud of getting ready to celebrate 25 years at iHeartMedia this year! 
Dom Theodore, Radio Animal Media Strategies: Early on I never thought I would actually own radio stations, much less several of them, but it happened, and before age 40. Who would have guessed? 
Frankie V, KSSX / KHTS: When my brother Mikey V followed in my footsteps and began a career in radio, we always dreamed about doing a show together. It seemed unreachable at times. But we stuck with it. Now we get to be on the air together in Boston on KISS 108 weeks days from 5p-7p! It’s a dream come true. 
Brian Mack, iHeartMedia: It’s been amazing to me, but there hasn’t been anything I’ve ever set out to do that hasn’t become reality. I learned at an early age what I was capable of when I put MASSIVE action behind my goals when it came to ice hockey and my grades. I continue to apply those lessons. However, I am learning to take credit. For a long time, I truly believed my luck would just run out. That’s a good way for one to get consumed with anxiety. 
Mike O’Donnell, WKRZ: Personally, my mission’s trip to Haiti. It was never on my radar, but I’m so glad I did it. Professionally, being able to keep a huge brand like KRZ #1 for fifteen years. 
Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: Starting in radio at a very early age, my goal was always to be a Program Director, which happened much earlier than expected. And I always wanted to marry an intelligent, beautiful woman who was also my best friend…definitely hit the jackpot there. Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
Summer is quickly arriving, what have been some of your fondest memorable summertime moments (business and/or pleasure)?
e-Mail your responses to: jodorisio@deanemediasolutions.com or bburke@deanemediasolutions.com