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10 Questions with ... Christian Villere
July 1, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I began interning for Sports 1140 KHTK in Sacramento in 2009. Then I did my next radio venture in 2011, starting my own podcast called Epic Rant Radio in July 2011. I ended that show this past February, and I am starting my new podcast titled The Christian Villere Show. In between, I have interned for The Tim Brando Show in Shreveport, Louisiana and worked for WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans. Currently, I am a co-host on "The Founders Show" broadcast on WRNO 99.5 FM New Orleans.
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I keep myself busy as best I can. I am filling in as a co-host on The Founders Show, broadcast on WRNO 99.5 FM, and I am starting up my new podcast titled The Christian Villere Show. I was elected President of my Toastmasters Club, New Orleans Toastmasters Club 234, just last week. To fund all of my media endeavors, I bus tables part-time at the New Orleans Country Club.
I am also interested in pursuing standup comedy and am beginning a class to learn the trade with local New Orleans standup comedian Jodi Borello later this month.
2) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
I have no idea. I love radio. It's better than television in a lot of ways, and with podcasting, people have been able to take even better advantage of the medium.
Ultimately, I want to have my own show in a desirable location. If it means sticking with radio to make that happen, I am all for it.
3) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
I sent out letters. Like ... actual letters, through snail mail. Fortunately, one person responded, who happened to be the Exec. Producer for The Tim Brando Show.
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
An associate producer position. It fits my level of experience and the path down which I would ultimately like to take my career.
5) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
My favorite dumb interview question is, "What are your three biggest weaknesses?" I hate that question. They expect me to negotiate against myself in a sense by stating what is worst about me. And shouldn't they try to figure that out themselves, rather than just asking me? I can't understand why they expect me to do their work for them, when it comes to determining if I am unfit for the job.
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I try to think about what is going to get the attention of whom I am trying to get a job with. If I think I'm doing what others won't, I'm on a good path to getting the job.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I should probably be spending more time listening to radio. However, it has become so homogenized that it's hard to find stations and personalities I can latch on to.
I spend more time listening to podcasts, and will go out of my way to seek out fresh podcasts and fresh shows from podcasts I like more so than I would with terrestrial radio.
8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
Getting the opportunity to work with The Tim Brando Show last summer. I had the opportunity to see what its like to run a show every morning and how much effort and coordination it takes to do a show well.
Tim was even gracious enough to bring me on the show a couple times.
9) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I have learned it takes time to get good at your craft and get yourself into situations where you can succeed. It takes a lot of work to get there, and a good majority of that work is patience.
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
Five years from now, I see myself working on a radio show in a major market, while I work to hone my on-air skills in my downtime through Toastmasters, standup comedy, and improv comedy.
Ten years from now, I see myself having my own show and touring as a standup comedian or in an improv troupe.
Bonus Questions
Your favorite new diversion is ...
Online dating. I've only been doing it a month, and it's just as much work as dating without it.
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