10 Questions with ... Matt Pelishek & Aaron Perlman

1. How in the world did you even get into radio?

MATT: My friend worked at a small-town station, and I needed a job. The manager had me come in, no experience, and read a couple news stories. He said 'ok, sounds good. You're hired' and I took on weekends. A few years later in college, I took radio as an elective, and that class would watch old TV shows and eat pizza. I switched my major to broadcast communication immediately.

AARON: I was a guest talking about singing at a Coffee House night. My interview with Matt Pelishek (my NOW co-host) went as if we had known each other for decades. It was only 5-minutes or less. And then he asked if I wanted to do a radio show.

2. What's one thing you wish you had known about radio when you first started?

MATT: Two things. First, that there is no one blueprint of how all radio should be done. There are standard practices, but personality, market, and culture provide lots of variables. Second, you don't have to act like your demo to connect with your demo.

AARON: How much harder it is to be more concise in storytelling and compelling.

3. How has God pulled you out of your comfort zone?

MATT: More ways than I would have asked for. I'm an introvert, so both getting to know industry people, and even more so, being a 'public figure' took me out of my comfort zone (but both have been rewarding). Also connecting with people MUCH smarter than me who graciously challenge me and my ideas in ways that help me improve.

AARON: I have learned to read more of His Word for content. Then... to use that knowledge for a "Spiritual Moment." You need to be more vulnerable.

4. Some great advice you recently received is…

MATT: Sometimes you make choices for the identity of your station, not the numbers or research. (paraphrased from the wise sage Taylor Hohulin).

AARON: "Less is more". I have heard that over and over, but it cannot be stated enough; especially in radio.

5. Tell us about someone who you really respect and why?

MATT: I really like the Brant Hansen show, but have been recently thinking about just how much I respect producer Sherri. She's like when an artist makes something that takes a lot of skill but makes it look really simple. She is so good at what she does, you don't think about what it takes and the experience to pull it off. The timing, the measured but honest responses, the connecting language she uses, not to mention all the off the microphone tasks that pull it all together in such a cohesive way.

AARON: I will always say my dad and my twin brother. But... when it comes to radio, Matt Pelishek, my PD and co-host. He's the most creative guy I know. If I propose something and he DOESN'T like it for a bit, then I know I am off track. His smarter than he looks!

6. What's one thing you try to do when life gets hard?

MATT: I tend to get overwhelmed when the hard stuff stacks up, so when it gets too hard, I have to be more intentional to slow down and approach things one at a time. I'm not always great at the 'let go, let God' thing but when I am intentional with it, it really takes the weight off.

AARON: Stop. Reflect. Seek God. Pray. And then wait. I follow that principle. Patience ends up being the next step and when I do God shows up every time.

7. What's something about you that would surprise most people?

MATT: I'm a certified instructor for a combat martial art called Yakzir Maka.

AARON: I am an identical twin. He's a pastor in Surprise, AZ of Hope City. He's a bit taller, but I am better looking.

8. What's your go to song when the windows are down and you're driving on the highway?

MATT: Man, I have a whole playlist for this situation… King Jesus by KB is a banger though.

AARON: Christian Rock Band: Polarboy - "Do You Think" or Shaded Red: "Caught." Classic early 2000s rock!

9. In three words describe your ideal vacation.

MATT: Beach, movies, pizza.

AARON: Hiking the Sierras.

10. Tell us one thing that you bought recently that WASN'T on your grocery list.

MATT: The TMNT Cowabunga Collection definitely wasn't on the grocery list.

AARON: Rocky Road Ice Cream