I Was Fired by Jesus: A Story of Faith and Reinvention

They say when one door closes, another opens. I learned that lesson the hard way when Jesus fired me. Let me explain.

For over two decades, I was living the dream working on 95.5 PLJ’s morning show in New York City. I made it through the station changing hands multiple times, from Disney to Cumulus, by keeping things lively and fun for my listeners during their morning commutes. But in 2019, the Christian music conglomerate that runs K-Love radio acquired PLJ. The new owners suddenly replaced the hair metal of Bon Jovi with the praise music of the Newsboys on the station.

At first, I was in shock. Radio was all I had known since my twenties. Getting up at 3 a.m. was a badge of honor after decades in the business. But the industry was changing, and my skill set wasn’t all that attractive to job recruiters—unless you count knowing Ruben Studdard won American Idol Season 2.

After some soul-searching, I realized I needed to pivot—whatever that meant. Podcasting seemed to be where the growth was, but I lacked confidence. Other than my Science of Sex podcast, I had little experience building an audience from scratch. And I struggled to articulate my value beyond radio trivia. What could I possibly offer beyond knowing Fantasia Barrino won American Idol Season 3?

But then I learned of an opportunity that felt meant to be. A company called Advantage | Forbes Books needed someone to help entrepreneurs and CEOs record business podcasts. I was hesitant at first but decided to take a leap of faith.

What I soon realized was that people are people, no matter what kind of position they hold. Everyone has a story that wants to be told but doesn’t know how. Producing morning radio had given me the skills to draw that story out in an organic way. I was able to put even the most important executives at ease, helping them speak from the heart.

Though the Heavenly Host downsizing me felt like a curse initially, it turned out to be a blessing. As they say, the Lord works in mysterious ways! It took a push from the Good Shepherd to find my true calling, even if I’ll never remember Lee DeWyze winning American Idol Season 9.

Sometimes you need to be kicked out of your comfort zone and trust that things will work out. Everything happens for a reason, even unexpected news from Jesus! I kept faith that my gifts would open new doors, and they did. Now I get to inspire future generations of business leaders instead of just telling you Carrie Underwood won the fourth season of American Idol.

The point is, when life closes one door, don’t lose hope. Stay positive and keep believing in yourself. Your purpose might be just around the corner, even if you have to pivot from what you once thought was your dream. Just follow your heart and remember, Nick Fradiani won Season 14. I think.

Speaking of pivots, my guest this week on the Forbes Books Podcast has mastered the art of the pivot.

As the founder of the coaching platform Liminal, Ashley Sumner joined me to discuss her inspirational entrepreneurial journey as a visionary on a mission to transform lives.

You won't want to miss my fascinating discussion with this remarkable founder, who tackles bold ideas with creativity and care.

Listen on Forbes Books, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

On the subject of connecting, join me on Monday, October 16 at 3 p.m. ET for my next Forbes Books Live. This month, my guest is ALIZA LICHT .

Aliza is an award-winning marketer, bestselling author, and branding guru, and we’re getting together for an interactive discussion that will transform how you use LinkedIn.

In this one-of-a-kind experience, we’ll share insider tips and proven strategies to help you craft your unique story, amplify your message, and position yourself as an authority. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this is your chance to learn from the best and take your personal branding to the next level.

Click here to reserve your spot.

Connect with me on?X,?Instagram, and (of course)?LinkedIn. My book,?Good Listen: Creating Memorable Moments in Business and in Life, is now available at all your favorite bookstores.