10 Questions with ... Joel Burke

NAME:Joel Burke TITLE:Program Director STATION:KYGO/KRWZ MARKET:Denver, Colorado COMPANY:Lincoln Financial Media BORN:Texas RAISED:Texas

Please outline your career so far:

I'm now into my 30th year of radio and my 20th year of being in programming management. I got my first big break when I 26 as the PD of KKMJ, Austin, Texas. Thanks Frank and Barry!

1. You recently published your first book, Inspire! Inspiration For Life And Life At Work. First of all, congrats!! Tell us about the book.

It's a collection of stories with a common thread to inspire and challenge people to be their absolute best in whatever they do. I believe it's even more important for all of us to stay motivated and positive during these tough times. It's available at joelcburke.com

2. What prompted you to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and write this?

This was never planned. It just kind of happened. A countless number of people encouraged me to my thoughts down on paper and I finally gave in. This process took about three years.

3. Your first story in the book is about the legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, someone that you greatly admire. What was it like sitting down with the coach in such intimates settings?

I have admired Coach Wooden for many years for not only being one of the greatest coaches of all time, but also how he has lived his life!

It was amazing experience both times to see first hand his humility and his wisdom. Our world would be a better place if there were more people like John Wooden. We need more real heroes like Coach.

4. On the front cover of the book there is an eagle and word on the street is that you have numerous photographs of eagles in your office. So what's the scoop on the eagles?

Yes, I admit it! I'm a freak about Eagles. I might need some counseling about it! There's a story in the book about my first experience of seeing an eagle when I young boy. Through the years, the more I learned about them, the more Eagles have become somewhat of a mascot or symbol for me. Their Power, Persistence and Patient are truly amazing!

5. It's obvious that you are a very positive person and a Christian. As the world around us seems to be going the other direction and our industry is in worse shape than ever, is it hard to maintain your optimism and faith? What keeps the "can do" attitude alive in you?

As much as we all try, the only area we can control is our own attitudes. If our attitudes stink, it will directly impact our actions both in what we say and what we do. We either have the choice to fly at 30,000 feet or crawl around in the weeds. It truly is a matter of keeping the right perspective.

The older I get, the more real my faith in God grows. I slowly understand that he has a plan both in the good and bad. Since I'm a type A driver personality and very competitive, it's very easy for me to get frustrated and annoyed by the day-to-day circumstances. When I let God do the heavy lifting, it sure makes things easier.

6. Share with us your favorite story from your book.

The first one that comes to mind is a very personal one, "Who's Coming Over to Dinner?" It's a story of having dinner with my grandfather, who never knew my father was born and as result I never met. I learned a lot about myself writing that one.

7. How do the lessons in this book transfer to your daily life as the PD of a Country station, a husband and father?

For many years, I have always set aside a portion of every air-staff meeting to talk about life issues. I truly believe that if I can help an individual grow as person, it will impact every aspect of their of the life. As a result, the person will be a bigger contributor to the success at the radio station.

For me, it's all about commitment when it comes to my more important jobs as a husband and a father. It's a commitment to not give up when tough times come along. I'm happy to say that Julie and I have been married for 24 years and our two kids having grown up to be great young people. I'm very blessed.

8. Now that you have one book under your belt, do you see yourself writing another?

After all the hundreds of hours of getting this book done, I never wanted to write again. Well, here I go writing again. The first one wasn't planned, so only God knows.

9. Did you go into this knowing you wanted to write a book and then did the research, gathered the stories, etc. or had you accumulated all of this wonderful information and knowledge already and decided to write it all down in a book?

Each chapter in the book was a result of reading something or a personal experience that sparked an idea. Then, I wrestled with the idea into trying to tell a story that would make people feel or think about their own life and current circumstances.

10. Changing the subject for a bit, if you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

I would choose all three based upon their character and their leadership during difficult times. All three had every reason to lose their focus or becoming discouraged yet they continued to push forward in the midst of adversity.

Abraham Lincoln
Winston Churchill
Billy Graham

1. So have you made all of your employees at KYGO read and memorize the book?

No, I haven't. They get more than their fair share of my "talks" everyday of the week.

2. What is your favorite inspirational quote?

Well, I have two. "If I had eight hours to cut down a tree, I would spend the first six hours sharpening the saw." Abraham Lincoln

"Why do so many people dread adversity, when it's through adversity that we grow stronger." John Wooden

3. Have you ever thought of hitting the lecture circuit and giving talks to companies?

Yes, I have been thinking a lot about that lately. Maybe someday that opportunity will present itself. In the meantime, I'm grateful to have what I consider the best Country PD anywhere and I'm excited about the future at KYGO!