What The Howard Stern Show Taught Me About No Longer Virtual

I was aware of Howard Stern long before I listened to his show. Some talked about what he did on DC 101. I wasn't listening to morning drive at the time. Radio became more urgent when I started driving.

Howard Stern had the "Shock Jock" reputation. I never cared about lesbians which was the leitmotif of his show during his first marriage. With success in radio there were many women interested in him.

He was married and faithful. Tabloids scrutinized him enough so cheating was not worth Page Six innuendo. He was the same guy at Boston University and at the station in Connecticut where he made ninety-six dollars per week.

Even in 1978 you couldn't live off that. Besides the dirty stuff and prank calls which I never liked (my father was deceptive and never let me in on the joke so I hate all pranks and practical jokes. It also led to trust issues.) while listening to a show that ran later than The Morning Zoo he was talking to the guys around him.

Noticing women who were interested in him when he was happily married led him to say the phrase that began my lifelong enjoyment of the show.

"Where were you then?"

Anyone can take a chance after someone is a known commodity. Any woman could have bought low. Now that they wanted what they could not have- there was still a conversation.

Various members of the show were interested in taking their relationships to the next level. Howard Stern said something I never heard in school. "Marriage is for the long haul." It is nothing to enter into lightly.

Moral compasses can come in the strangest places. What does this have to do with No Longer Virtual? Effective communication when someone is expected to shock. There is a time to be provocative. There is also a time to have real conversations.

Old men are going to stare at me either way. One man stares at me so much I expect him to pull a Mitch McConnell. Whatever the Senator from Kentucky has is nothing I would ridicule and everyone wants to function as long as possible.

Some might be afraid of me. I don't know why. Perception is everything as any of the personal branders would say. They don't reflect on my body of work. Am I recalled for anti rape articles, speaking out against harassment or too many articles on mass shootings?

There are too many mass shootings. No- I am known for speaking my mind and some do not appreciate that. Only the guilty have something to hide. By no means is my work comparable to The Howard Stern Show. Occasionally I have conversations comparable to what is heard on that program. That doesn't mean I can entertain four hours per day.

I can communicate. Sometimes the guests on the show are not interesting to me. I may not care for their performances. They are asked good questions and have worthwhile interviews.

Anyone can be interesting. Ask the right questions. It doesn't matter I have only been on one podcast. The host expected many would beat a path to my door. She has podcast monogamy. I never even listened to it. That's fine- I lived it and there are many conversations yet to be had.

I learned about intimacy. Learning about others is fascinating and adds elements to a relationship. Howard Stern did not like what Jay Leno became. Neither did I. His show was highly rated. Name one memorable moment from that twenty two year gap in The Tonight Show.

Promoting the latest project and not talking about anything that could not be read in a press release is not entertaining. You can be provocative and get to the heart of the matter. I miss deeper relationships. They will return.