10 Questions with ... Joseph Pitt

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

First internship in the suburbs of Northwest Chicago, WZSR (Star 105.5), working under morning host Joe Cicero. Got hired full-time about 10 seconds after the internship ended as the morning show producer.

Cumulus, part-time with WPCK-WPKR/Green Bay-Appleton-Oshkosh as part of the on-air staff for the newly rebranded NASH-FM 99.5 & 104.9. Shortly after that I was brought on full-time as Promotions Director for the five stations in Appleton-Oshkosh (WPKR, WVBO, WWWX, WNAM, WOSH).

In 2016, into the programming department as the afternoon host for the simulcast and then when the simulcast split, took middays on WPCK, afternoons on WPKR, and became APD for both stations.

Former APD/Midday/Afternoons - WPCK/Green Bay & WPKR/Appleton-Oshkosh

1. What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and to stay motivated

It has been hard to actually stay positive as this was actually the first time in my working life I have not chosen the method of my exit. I have my fears and doubts just like anyone, but I'm relying on my faith to carry me through. So far I've managed to avoid the deep end of depression ... but losing a job is a big deal. You have to give yourself time to grieve that loss of not just income, but what was a big part of your life. It's what I'm learning right now. There were things I loved and will miss about that job; and there are things I hated that I learned to tolerate that I am learning I am much, MUCH, better off without. One thing I keep coming back to that makes me smile and lifts my spirit is the list I have written down of all the things I've seen that I hope not to do in my own career down the line.

2. How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

This may surprise a few people but lot of Bible reading ... I know, it's gonna sound cliché or trite, but I am finding that my faith (I'm a non-denominational Christian) is actually helping me stay grounded and positive. I also have a side gig working for ... a dinner theatre-style attraction, so that helps. Between that and packing for a potential move (if/when it arrives) I'm keeping busy.

3. Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

Radio is not nearly as dying as people say it is ... a lot of people still listen; they just listen differently now. They're listening to YouTube, Snapchat, Insta and Spotify ... biggest thing stations could do is have a station Spotify playlist. "But it pushes listeners away from our product!" Maybe ... but I'd rather have them listening to our playlists that we create than Spotify's playlists that are assembled by ... chance? A monkey at a typewriter? I don't know ... it's probably an algorithm. Gotta meet the listeners where they're at ... all the time ... (See Lori Lewis' Internet Minute! Great guide to where we as an industry should be generating content). Which actually leads me to a second point to this...

Listeners miss local DJs. The first thing my non-radio friends asked was "They aren't putting in an out-of-town DJ, are they?" People want local people behind the mic. Someone who gets why it's a big deal that the road construction is slated to take two more years! Seriously, Wisconsin DOT! That 441 Interchange has been under construction since I moved here! #NotBitter

4. Do you plan on sticking with radio?

For sure! I love this business! And I already miss scheduling a day's worth of music ... and talking to people about their lives. Getting to know their stories, too ... Like Joanna and her surgery. Or Katie who decided to get into running because I decided to start running 5k's to lose weight ... She's going to try for track team at her school. Anyone who's sat behind the mic knows the prize pigs, the drama queens, and the friends of the show. I'm not giving that up just because I got laid off one time.

5. What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

First time here...I'll let you know when it's over

6. What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

My personal network exploded after I attended Conclave in 2016, got larger when I was at CRS in 2017. I'm hoping it will grow again when I go back to Conclave in July (Great seats still available ... not paid to say that ... I just think it's true). It's not really a secret among us, is it? It's all about who you know and who you know, knows. This has proven true as lots of people have sent that introductory "Hey this is Joe, this is (Insert PD/OM/SVP here); told him we had some openings and wanted to introduce you two" for me. I have a number of friends who have pointed me in the direction of gigs and have stuck their necks out for me ... which I am forever grateful for and hope to pay it forward soon. Like Tim McGraw says, "When you get where you're going turn back around, help the next one in line."

7. What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

Does it sound desperate to say All Access is my first web hit of the day? I mean, it is ... I just don't want it to sound desperate. HA HA. Besides the trades I keep my ear to the ground ... more accurately eyes to the Facebook.

8. What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

I ordered 200 Nerf Darts to be sent to a PD I have a longstanding Nerf feud with ... he knows what he did ... and vengeance shall be mine. Also I convinced the PD from a different in market station to shoot a short video telling him not to hire me (with no arm twisting whatsoever) ... cause reverse psychology works, right? Also got a few radio friends to vouch for me in the same video. Fingers crossed that worked ... cause I owe a few people some beers.

9. What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

MD/APD/PD. I know I got the chops for the first two ... maybe someone will believe in me enough to give me a shot at the third. Either way as just part of who I am I love being immersed in the minutiae of the stations operations and really being involved in creating and curating the fabric and identity of a station ... Full-Time on-air is always nice too.

10. Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

As soon as I get an offer I'll let you know. HA HA.

Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?

I'm not sure if you're joking or not...but I have one:

Instant Pot Country-Style Ribs

Seriously these are the best. Boneless, Saucy, Spicy, Tender ... mmmm ... They start with a simple dry rub, are smothered in BBQ sauce, and cooked up in the Instant Pot in like an hour.

Step 0.1 - Get an Instant Pot ... NO, NOT THE KNOCK-OFF ONE! A real one. Check Kohl's ... they're almost always on sale.

Ingredients:

• 3 Pounds Country Style Pork Ribs

DRY RUB:

• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Salt, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Pepper, Cumin.
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, Optional
• 3/4 Cup Beef Broth, Water can be substituted
• ½ Cup BBQ Sauce, Plus more for serving

Instructions

• In a small bowl mix together the dry rub ingredients until well combined. Spread the dry rub evenly on both sides of the ribs and massage into the meat.
• Pour the beef broth into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add the ribs to the Instant Pot and pour over the BBQ sauce.
• Lock the lid on the pressure cooker. Cook on manual, high pressure, for 45 minutes. After cooking is finished, use the natural release method. This will take about 15-20 minutes.
• Remove ribs and serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce as desired