This Time, Don't Look Away

So much of what most air talent gravitates to is humor-based, and there's nothing wrong with that.

A good sense of humor is one of the most desired attributes listeners seek when they select an air talent.

But as we've pointed out before, it's one thing to be funny ... and another thing entirely to try to be funny ... and fail. That's not only embarrassing for you, as the air talent, it's uncomfortable to hear for the listener.

And, few of us want to be around someone who does nothing but crack jokes every time they open their mouth. We want more depth in our relationships.

So, what do you think would happen if you devoted one show, or one hour, to the homeless in your town?

We don't like to think about them. We don't even like to acknowledge them, or even look at them. It's scary, viscerally - as if by seeing them as fellow human beings, we risk moving closer to where they've dropped.

Out of sight. Out of hope.

Take three minutes and watch THIS.

That entire video was shot on a cell phone, so don't tell me you couldn't possibly create something this moving.

And if you did do something like this, don't you think one of your local TV stations would love to air it? Don't you think it would be effective on your website?

Would it be a huge departure from the normal fare on your station? Absolutely! That's the point.

Do we, as human beings, given microphones and big stages, have a responsibility to be human, to act with humanity ... to remind our listeners to act with humanity?

I think so, but I guess that's something each individual has to answer for him or herself.

You know, it's possible to be great on the air -- and do good, simultaneously.

You can use your talent to inspire and heal, as well as make people laugh.