For many years I worked in radio at 98five. For the last three years I’ve been working for Compassion Australia.
Last week I was on the other side of the broadcast desk. After conducting hundreds of interviews during my time in radio, I was instead the one being interviewed when I dropped in to take part in 98five’s annual Radiothon. I was a guest during the breakfast program with Kirste and Morro.
If you want to hear how it all went, just click the play button on the audio player below.
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading On the Other Side? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
We hear a lot about ‘reality television’ these days but I still reckon radio is a great way to convey real stories. You don’t need a full production crew with cameras everywhere to capture reality for radio. A small audio recording device is a lot less intrusive than a camera or three and so people can tend to open up a lot more. Of course, having worked in radio for over 25 years I’m probably biased.
In 2008 I saw the work of Compassion for the first time when I was invited to travel to Haiti and Dominican Republic. Back then I was working for 98five, hosting the morning program. (The picture above was taken in Dominican Republic.)
Even though it’s been over two years since I moved out of radio and began working for Compassion Australia, tomorrow I’m hopping on a plane and heading to Manila in the Philippines with a team from 98five. Next week they’ll be broadcasting from Manila to tell the story of how Compassion is releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Our upcoming trip has revived memories from that very first trip where I was gathering stories about Compassion to be used on radio. Today I want to highlight just one of the stories that came out of the trip in 2008.
I’ve interviewed dozens of famous singers, authors, personalities, politicians and celebrities over the years but if I had the chance to choose one moment from my radio career that stands high above the others it is the opportunity to tell Ada’s story.
Ada’s Story
The story of this young girl will break your heart then give you renewed hope in the difference that each one of us can make in the lives of others.
I beg you to take just fourteen minutes to listen to Ada’s story. I know that for many, setting aside fourteen minutes is too much to ask. If you’re one of the few who takes the time, I guarantee it’ll be worth it.
If you want to hear something to lift your spirits just click play on the audio player at the bottom of this post.
The whole story is worth hearing but I’ll warn you now that it will really start to touch your heart around half way through.
Ada is a girl I met and interviewed in Dominican Republic. She was a beautiful twelve year old with a bright future. I wish I could show you the picture I had taken with the two of us but I prefer to keep her identity somewhat private. You’ll understand why as you listen.
I talked to Ada, I visited her home and talked to her parents. I’m sure that all of us that visited her home on that day will remember the warm hug she gave each one of us as we left. She was a remarkable young girl.
I managed to track down her sponsor in Australia and shared Ada’s story with her. Lisa’s reaction to hearing her sponsored child’s voice is priceless. Hearing Lisa describe how she feels when she hears just how much of an impact she has had on Ada’s life is inspiring.
I don’t know what else I can say but to again beg that you take the time to hear this amazing story. If you do take the time, please let me know.
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Reality Radio? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
I have a massive week coming up. It’s a week I face with mixed emotion but one I’m very excited about.
After nine and a half years hosting the morning program and a connection that goes back to before the station began broadcasting, I’ll announce on-air tomorrow that I’m leaving 98five.
My final on-air shift will be on Tuesday and I’ll start work with Compassion Australia as a Relationship Manager on Wednesday.
My new role will involve meeting with donors, church leaders, advocates and others about the work Compassion is doing to release children from poverty. While I’m still passionate about the vision of 98five, I’ve felt a growing desire to be part of the solution for those facing a life without hope.
Over a number of years I have felt a growing burden to serve those who are trapped by poverty. This burden has developed significantly since travelling with Compassion Australia to Haiti and Dominican Republic in 2008. I’ve really enjoyed the variety the Morning Café has allowed me. I’ve been able to interview a range of people including authors, actors, musicians and a range of average people making a difference in our community.
I’ve worked full time at 98five for almost twenty of the nearly 26 years the radio station has been broadcasting. I’ve done part time work on-air during the other 6 years.
I’ve been thrilled by the support I’ve received from those at 98five since announcing the move. General Manager Bevan Jones said: “Rodney goes with our blessing. He’s given his all to 98five over 25 years and is perfect for the role at Compassion. We couldn’t begrudge him the chance to take on a new challenge that helps change lives of those trapped in poverty.”
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Taking a New Road? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
98five, the radio station where I work, began broadcasting full time on the 26th of January, 1988 and over the past week we’ve been celebrating our 25th Anniversary Year.
Someone who was there in the very beginning, over 25 years ago, was Andrew Phillips. Andrew was an announcer and producer in the early years. On a personal level he was also a good friend and the person who conducted my wedding ceremony back in 1992.
Since leaving 98five Andrew has been involved in a number of ventures in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.
I chatted to Andrew this week and you can hear our conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Looking Back with Andrew Phillips? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
98five, the radio station where I work, began broadcasting full time on the 26th of January, 1988 and over the past week we’ve been celebrating our 25th Anniversary Year.
As part of the celebrations we looked back at some of the milestone moments of our history, like the massive concert in 1993 for our fifth birthday.
Sonshine Under the Stars featured local, national and international acts. The concert at Belvoir Amphitheatre was recorded and later broadcast across Australia on Channel Seven. One of the most popular performers on the night was singer-songwriter Chris Falson.
Chris is a singer-songwriter, studio musician, composer, producer, entrepreneur, church-planter, touring artist, published author, teacher and inventor, having co-written several patents on interactive digital media distribution.
With 14 solo albums to date, Chris has performed all around the world for audiences of between one and one hundred thousand. Some of the highlights include Wembley Stadium, The LA Coliseum, Shea Stadium, a bell tower in Burglen and for Pope John Paul’s visit to the US in ’93.
He has written songs and or composed/produced music for film, TV, advertising, gospel choirs, recording artists and musicals. Some of his credits include Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, Without a Trace, Star Trek, Castle, Brothers and Sisters, Las Vegas, Yes Dear, Punk’d, Ron Kenoly, The Oslo Gospel Choir, Avon Breast Cancer, Bloodwork, Tavis Smiley and the CSI franchise.
I spoke to Chris and asked about his memories of Sonshine Under the Stars and of 98five twenty years ago. You can hear our conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player below.
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Looking Back with Chris Falson? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
