10 Questions with ... Matt Stockman

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Anyone who's spent five minutes with Matt Stockman...is going to want more time with him when those five minutes are up. Slow to speak and quick to listen, Matt's disposition may be quiet and unassuming, but his knowledge of the radio world and perspective on life in general has qualified him as one of the most highly-esteemed programmers and consultants in our industry.

In December, Matt accepted the position as Program Director of K-LOVE Network in Rocklin, CA. Obviously no small task, running the largest network in the country. This week, Matt shares some insight into his past and current journey as a radio veteran.

1. First, will you share a brief timeline of your career path that got you to where you are now?

Most recently, five years as Director of Programming for CRISTA Media in Seattle (KCMS, KFMK, KWPZ). Prior to that, I served as a missionary with a Christian radio ministry in Barcelona, Spain. From 2001 through 2010, I was with WMIT in Asheville NC, and before that, Nashville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, and Lynchburg, VA.

2. What's the earliest memory you remember of feeling like you were in way over your head with your job?

I honestly have those moments all the time, but the earliest I can recall goes back to the first Christian station I was a part of. I was on the air when I listener called in who was clearly struggling with some issues; and, thankfully, God knew the words to give me to help encourage them. I'd not been a Christian for more than a few weeks at that time.

3. At this point in your career, what matters most to you?

The most important and meaningful thing to me is impact. Where do I feel that God is leading me that I believe He could use me to make a difference? How can I use the little bit I've learned to be a cheerleader, encourager, or influencer to someone, and who can I pour into to inspire, equip, or help them grow into better communicators?

4. How has your career best prepared you for taking the job at K-LOVE?

In my life and my career, it has always felt like the season I was in was preparing me for what was coming next. So, in a very real sense, I feel like my entire career has been preparing me for this. My approach to work has always been to concentrate on the stuff that I know first, and become a student of the rest-always trying to learn something every day. It can be dangerously easy to think, "I'm the program director of the largest network in the country. I've arrived." But honestly, that's the exact opposite of where God designed and desires our hearts to be. The day I stop trying to be a good student and learn something new, is the day my career is pretty much over.

5. What do you look forward to most about the new position?

Working and growing with the on-air team we've assembled. We've got the best on-air talent around; all with a wealth of experience and background. Individually, they've done some really incredible things in our industry, and everyone is coachable, humble, and willing to learn and try new things-which is exactly what program directors dream about.

6. What makes you the most nervous about the new position?

Staying humble, and making sure that I am always seeking after His face, and listening for His voice in every decision and not doing things out of my own strength or for my own ego. If I have any chance of success in this role, I need to manage this well, every day.

7. What are some of the first tasks on hand for you as it pertains to your new role?

Getting to know the on-air team. What motivates them, their work style, etc. I think that in our format, engaging, normal people on the air is vital to introducing new listeners to our music and message. So, as much as it's the role of the PD to get the science part of our jobs right (the music rotations, the clock structure, etc.) that's only part of it. Creating a culture where on-air talent feel the freedom and have the guidance and coaching to do their best work, is equally important.

Also, working to get up-to-speed on the processes and systems that are already in place to get things done.

8. What does a typical work/week consist of for you?

I try to get to the office by about 7:30 a.m. and handle detailed tasks like email, right away (after coffee). I meet with each of the on-air talent at least once a week to aircheck and talk about their shows, plus talk regularly with our production/imaging guys, our promotions and events folks, etc. Wednesday is typically my music call day. I try to tackle the creative stuff (imagine, writing, etc.) during the middle of the day before my brain starts to mentally shut off after about 4 p.m.

9. What artist writes songs that most consistently resonates with you?

For this particular season in life, it's probably Hillsong United. I genuinely appreciate the lyrical integrity, and I am really thankful that they are pushing the edges sonically for worship music. I've lost count of how many "right song, right time" moments I've had with their music. Others who have really "been there" with me at different points on the journey have been Rich Mullins and Jars Of Clay.

10. Who shared a word of wisdom/advice with you early on that's stuck with you to this day?

Tom Atema, the station manager of WMIT for a period during the early 2000s, taught me so much about leadership. Not just through the words he spoke, but the behavior and mindset he modeled every day. He told me, "always tell people on your team, "thank you"...and mean it. When you're genuine about it, you can't tell people 'thank you' enough."