10 Questions with ... Cal Barner

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

I always try to stop what I'm doing and think about everything that I have or have done with my life, and it really keeps me grateful. Even though life can sometimes be hard to navigate through, I believe everything works out for those who just keep the faith in themselves, their family, and most importantly God and just go for it, it will happen.

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

I spend most of my free time engaging in recreational therapy. That basically means doing activities such as ready Bible stories, creating music playlists, going to the gym, etc. ... to increase my functioning level so I won't fall into a stage of indolence where I'm avoiding anything that has to do with labor. Believe it or not, it really works, ha-ha...

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.

I'm actually more enlightened with the business now than when I was on the inside working as a producer. I'm more observant now than I was then, and it has allowed me to learn more about producing in other fields such as television that has given me opportunities that radio wouldn't have given me. In radio, I learned producing for the ear. I in television, I learned producing for the eye, which is a totally different ball game. I see the radio industry as a place where you've got to have a desire to move up in the business because you can't go as far as you can with television. When I learned this, my desire shifted from just being a great radio producer to being a great producer in broadcasting, period. It's sort of like Quincy Jones and how he was able to go from being a great composer in music, to being a great composer in music and television. It's really cool.

4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

I plan on sticking with broadcasting (radio included), so yes. I had no desire to work in radio until I got in college and needed an internship and my advisor recommended radio because they actually paid interns. So, after an impressive internship, the PD asked my advisor if I could come back for another internship because he really loved my attention to detail and thought I could have a great career in radio (not on-air but behind the scenes).

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

One year, including all the internships in the North Florida area that I've managed to get into.

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

Internships are the best way to get your foot in the door. That's how I got my first job running the mixing desk (Shout-out to Big Moose, midday host at Cat Country 98.7 in Pensacola, FL) and learning everything I can about the business. I've interned for about three different radio stations and one TV station in Panama City Beach, FL. You might not get paid as an intern, but the knowledge is definitely more valuable in the early stages of your career. Don't chase the money; chase the dream and the money will follow.

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

I'm actually a sucker for Indeed and All Access Media Group. These two are definitely my go-to resources when looking for work.

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

This is a true story: When I got my first job in radio working for Adams Radio Group in Tallahassee, FL I lived in Panama City Beach, FL and would drive two hours back and forth between the two cities to get to work and back home. It was definitely crazy because I had a 1992 Honda Accord and it wasn't really in great shape, but I was motivated to continue driving it back and forth because I really wanted to keep my job in radio. I mean, what college student can say they're getting paid for working in radio and haven't graduated yet ha-ha ... (Big Moose will back me up on this story because he found out after I had been working at Adams Radio Group for a few months and he loved my hustle ... ha-ha).

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

I'm currently in the race to become the next radio/TV producer/Dir./Agriculture & Consumer services for the State of Florida. It's a really cool opportunity and I hope I'm chosen for the position.

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

As of now, I am finding salaries/benefits definitely lower than I expected considering the value that I can bring to companies. Again, I don't chase the money but I do need to get a good ROI (return on investment) so I don't live paycheck to paycheck. It's also why I decided to start producing television as well because one has more opportunities and the other has more creativity. However, I'm definitely still optimistic about the future.

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

Cal's Famous Florida "Anything Is Possible" Faith:

• 4 Cups of Hustle
• 3/4 Cup of Discipline
• 6 Cups of Effort
• 1 Pack of Don't Give Up

Step Two:
Mix ingredients with 1 Gallon of Faith

Step Three:
Preheat destination to 350 Degrees

Step Four:
Let success simmer for about an hour

Step Five:
BE HUMBLE!