Three Men and a Radio Show

I was a sensitive and emotional child. It was one of the things my mom found so frustrating about me. It never held me back as I grew older though. Through high school I participated in sports and other curricular activities and tended to be well liked. Even to this day, I find myself to be more sensitive and emotional than the stereotypical male. Yes, I can get misty eyed listening to James Blunt sing “Monsters” or Trace Adkins sing “You’re Gonna Miss This”. I could even get a little blubbery reading “A Man Called Ove”. But again, as an adult, this has never held me back. I have had a few good careers, a few great relationships, and am one of those pretty well-adjusted humans. Why am I telling you this? It’s because of three men and a radio show. A sports radio show, no less, that’s got me blubbery again.

Over the last few years, I have been listening to the mid-day show on WIP Philadelphia. I tune in when I can. I don’t listen to any of the other shows on the station. It’s because of the camaraderie of the hosts, Joe Decamera, John Richie, and James Seltzer. They have been doing the show together for six years and they have it down to perfection. The rapport they have with call in listeners is fantastic. They talk about life, not just sports. They are funny. This description is not doing the show justice. The morning show host is retiring, and rumor had it that Joe Decamera would be taking over, breaking up my beloved team. Not so! John and Joe and James are all moving together to become the Morning Show. What has my emotions piqued is hearing that it is just not me that loves this trio. The outpouring of support for them has been enormous. Callers have been calling the show to tell them just how much they mean to them. They are being congratulated and praised. It’s considered a promotion for all of them, even though they will have to wake up at 4 am from now on.

This got me thinking of group camaraderie. Have you ever had a job where the relationships with fellow employees just clicked? Not just that you got along, but that you were productive and had fun too. I can think of a few. When I was twenty, my fellow stock clerks, at Weis Markets, and I had a great time and kept the shelves flush as well. For a few years at Crime Victims Council, we all supported each other and fulfilled an important mission. And we had fun! There was a peak time at Bethlehem Counseling when we counselors and staff members bonded well, and it was fun to go to work. I’m sure you all have had similar experiences. Looking back, they were some of the best times of my life. I hope the same for all of you.

In January, Joe and John and James will be on the air at 6 am. I will be able to listen to them less. But that’s okay, because they will be on the air affecting new listeners the way they have affected me. Sometimes the important things in our life can appear in the least expected places. It’s good to always be alert for them.