Radio Longevity Rooted in Habit, Authenticity, and Evolving Media

LEX 18's Hot Mic · December 29, 2025 · Listen to Original Episode →

Original Title:

TL;DR

Decades of radio experience have cultivated an adaptive mindset, enabling Jack Pattie to navigate industry shifts from analog to digital and embrace new platforms like podcasts.
Early exposure to broadcasting through his mother's television program at Channel 18 provided a foundational understanding of media production and industry connections from childhood.
A pivotal school transfer led to a speech and drama class where a teacher's mentorship secured Pattie his first radio job, demonstrating the impact of opportune guidance.
The evolution of radio from a primary entertainment medium to one of many options necessitates a focus on habit formation and personality to retain listener engagement.
The transition to multimedia journalism, where reporters handle filming, editing, and reporting, reflects a broader industry trend of "doing more with less" due to staff reductions.
Pattie's enduring career success stems from a consistent, habitual presence that listeners rely on, coupled with an ability to adapt his communication style to audience expectations.
The role of Santa Claus offers profound emotional insights, revealing children's trust and vulnerability, and prompting reflection on empathy and genuine connection.

Deep Dive

Jack Pattie, a Lexington radio icon with 50 years at WVLK, offers a perspective on broadcasting longevity rooted in habit, authenticity, and a nuanced understanding of the evolving media landscape. His career, which began in his teens, highlights a transition from traditional radio's intimate, voice-driven engagement to a multi-platform era where personality and connection remain paramount, even as the industry grapples with technological shifts and resource constraints.

Pattie's enduring success is attributed to his ability to become a "habit" for listeners, a testament to consistent presence and a genuine connection forged over decades. This habit formation is crucial in an industry that has seen profound changes, from the dominance of radio dramas in the pre-television era to the current landscape influenced by the internet and the looming presence of AI. He notes that while technology has changed how content is produced and consumed--moving from cutting tape with razor blades to mobile editing--the core of broadcasting, particularly talk radio, still relies on human connection and personality. This is contrasted with local TV news, which Pattie believes is more secure from AI replacement due to its inherent need for human reporting and local context. The industry's trend toward "more with less" is also evident, with fewer staff handling multiple roles, a challenge Pattie has navigated throughout his career and one he anticipates will be amplified by AI.

Beyond his radio career, Pattie's role as Santa Claus offers a unique lens on connection and trust, particularly with children. He approaches Santa not as a costume, but as an attitude, emphasizing empathy and the spirit of giving. His experiences as Santa reveal the profound impact of belief and the trust children place in this figure, often leading to poignant and sometimes challenging interactions. These moments, like a child asking about autism or a grown woman asking for prayers for her father, underscore the unexpected depth and emotional weight of his "side hustle," revealing a ministry of sorts where he provides comfort and a listening ear, demonstrating that genuine human connection transcends any medium.

Action Items

Audit personal communication: Identify 3-5 instances of potentially unprofessional language or tone in recent social media posts and draft revised versions.
Create a "lessons learned" log: Document 2-3 specific instances where personal opinions or biases may have influenced communication, noting the impact.
Implement a content review process: For any public-facing communication, establish a brief self-review checklist focusing on neutrality and professionalism before posting.
Measure communication impact: Track audience reactions or feedback (if available) for 3-5 posts to understand how tone and content are perceived.

Key Quotes

"I took my trumpet lesson come back wait for the bus and come home and I could do that safely unfortunately kids today can't it's very different nowadays and I'm very sorry yeah and I'm very sorry about that the kids can you know people are always talking about kids need to go outside they need to go play outside unless you're supervising them yeah it could be really dangerous you know these days"

Jack Pattie reflects on his childhood experiences in Lexington, highlighting the contrast between the freedom and safety he experienced then and the perceived dangers for children today. He suggests that the ability to navigate the town independently fostered a sense of self-reliance that is less common now.

"I said, 'I'm not going to do it.' And she said, 'Yeah, yeah, you are.' And I said, 'No, no.' And she said, 'How are you going to get there?' I said, 'I'm just going to go to the train station.' She said, 'How are you going to get there?' I said, 'I'm going to walk.' Well, that didn't last even a day. I think I got up to the corner and went out. Here's the interesting part, and this is, I'm very serious about this. It was the best thing that ever happened to me changing schools because I had a student teacher in a speech and drama class who was in the business here."

Jack Pattie recounts a pivotal moment in his youth when his mother insisted he change schools, a decision he initially resisted. He explains how this change, though unwelcome at the time, led him to a student teacher who introduced him to the radio industry, ultimately shaping his career path.

"Well, I of course, you love the attention. Yeah. Anybody, anybody. Yeah, really. I mean, seriously, anybody in our business has an ego. You're a little bit of an entertainer. No, I'm a big, big-time entertainer. A lot of bit of an entertainer. And anyone. Yeah, if you're confident, right?"

Jack Pattie candidly discusses the role of ego and the desire for attention in the entertainment industry, including radio. He humorously asserts his own entertainer status, suggesting that confidence is a key component for those in the public eye.

"I think people are are habitual. They listen. We do everything the same way every day. You don't realize it, but you do. And in order, and you brush your teeth the same way and all that. And, man, when you get to be a habit, that's when you got them. That's when you know you've made it."

Jack Pattie attributes the longevity and success of his radio show to the habitual nature of his listeners. He believes that becoming a consistent part of people's daily routines, much like brushing their teeth, is a key indicator of having "made it" in the industry.

"Well, you've had some pretty incredible guests and callers, you know, which makes me think I had a radio show once upon a time at college. DePaul University. Will you tell me about it? 91.5 Your Sound Alternative. Oh, wow. Would you hire her? I would. I would hire you in a minute. Four to six AM Sunday mornings. And the only caller that I ever got was Dale from the Putnam County Prison. How about that?"

Megan Manering shares her experience hosting a college radio show, highlighting the limited but memorable caller base she had. Jack Pattie humorously responds by offering to hire her, emphasizing the unique nature of her sole caller, Dale from prison.

"Well, you know, you're right about that. The golden age of radio, they talk about, was not when I got in it. It was before I got in it, before my time, more in my mother's age time, and that was before TV. And people, as you see in, again, the Christmas Story, would gather around their radio just like people now gather around their television and listen to to dramas and, you know, you, if you've seen them, like maybe you've recreated where they had a sound effects person that did nothing but the sound effects and all that kind of stuff. And I think that was really the golden age."

Jack Pattie reflects on the "golden age of radio," contrasting it with his own entry into the industry and the era before television. He describes how families would gather to listen to radio dramas, emphasizing the immersive experience that predated modern visual media.

Resources

External Resources

Books

"Leisure" by [Author not mentioned] - Mentioned as a television program hosted by Jack Pattie's mother at Channel 18.

People

Jack Pattie - Guest on the podcast, Lexington radio legend with 50 years on News Talk WVLK.
Megan Manering - Co-host of the podcast "Hot Mic."
Evelyn Schultz - Co-host of the podcast "Hot Mic."
Bill Mac - Meteorologist at LEX 18, known for his serious approach during severe weather.
Malcolm Kilduff - Assistant Press Secretary to President Kennedy, discussed for his account of the assassination.
Leslie Nielsen - Actor, known for his comedic roles and a "fart machine" prank.
Tammy Wynette - Country music artist, called into Jack Pattie's radio show.
George Jones - Country music artist, mentioned as an "old country artist."
Loretta Lynn - Country music artist, mentioned as an "old country artist."
Brady White - Actor who became a spokesperson for Tiffany's and "Santa to the stars."
Paul Prayer - Religion writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader, friend of Jack Pattie.
Chris Kringle - Historical figure associated with the origins of Santa Claus.
Saint Nicholas - Historical figure associated with the origins of Santa Claus.

Organizations & Institutions

LEX 18 - Local television station where the podcast hosts work.
News Talk WVLK - Radio station where Jack Pattie has worked for 50 years.
Channel 18 - Local television station where Jack Pattie's mother hosted a program.
WBLG radio - Radio station where Jack Pattie's speech and drama teacher worked.
WBLG television channel 62 - Television station that eventually became 36, where Jack Pattie's speech and drama teacher worked.
Georgetown, Kentucky - Location of a radio station where Jack Pattie got his first job.
1580 - Frequency of a radio station in Georgetown, Kentucky.
WVLK - Radio station where Jack Pattie has worked for 50 years.
DePaul University - University where one of the podcast hosts had a college radio show.
91.5 - Frequency of the college radio station at DePaul University.
Putnam County Prison - Location from which a caller named Dale contacted a college radio show.
LEX 18's Hot Mic - The podcast being discussed.
National Football League (NFL) - Mentioned in the context of sports discussion.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Mentioned as a data source for player grading.
New England Patriots - Mentioned as an example team for performance analysis.
The XXX - A musical group whose song was requested by a prison caller.
Beverly Hills Mall - Location where Brady White worked as Santa Claus.
Los Angeles Times - Publication where Brady White saw an advertisement for a Santa Claus position.
Tiffany's - Major brand for which Brady White was a print ad spokesperson.
Lexington Herald-Leader - Publication where Paul Prayer works as a religion writer.

Other Resources

Christmas - A recurring theme throughout the discussion, particularly related to Santa Claus and holiday traditions.
Radio - The primary medium discussed, including its history, changes, and the experience of working in it.
Television - Mentioned in comparison to radio and its role in storytelling.
Santa Claus - A significant topic, including the experience of portraying Santa, children's beliefs, and the meaning of the role.
Country Music - A genre discussed in relation to Jack Pattie's early radio career.
The Assassination of President Kennedy - A historical event discussed in relation to Malcolm Kilduff's experience.
Naked Gun - A film series mentioned in relation to Leslie Nielsen.
The Christmas Story - A film mentioned in relation to downtown Lexington's past appearance.
AI - Artificial intelligence, discussed as a potential future impact on media industries.
Internet - Discussed as a technological change that did not end radio.
Boxing Match (Floyd Patterson vs. Ingemar Johansson) - A historical sporting event remembered from radio broadcasts.
MMJs (Multimedia Journalists) - Reporters who film and edit their own content, discussed in the context of modern journalism.
Assignment Desk - A former role in news production that has been cut.
School Closing Reports - A type of radio broadcast that excited children.
Spirit Gum - An adhesive used for theatrical beards and mustaches.
Designer Beard - A term for a high-quality artificial beard used by professional Santas.
Patent Leather Shoes - A detail of Santa Claus costuming noted for its appeal to parents.
Ministry - A concept applied to Jack Pattie's experience praying for a listener's father.
Habit - A factor contributing to the success of Jack Pattie's radio show over time.
Levity - The need for lightheartedness in media, discussed in relation to humor and personality.
Credibility - A quality discussed in relation to broadcast journalists.
Humanity - A quality discussed in relation to broadcast journalists.
Christmas Goose - A playful term used to describe a highly anticipated guest.
Hot Takes, Hot Topics - The general nature of the podcast "Hot Mic."
The Beard - A physical characteristic of Jack Pattie mentioned in relation to his Santa persona.
The Real Santa - A concept discussed in relation to children's beliefs and the role of Santa Claus.
Autism - A condition a child asked Santa Claus about.
Santa is an Attitude - A potential book title and concept about the essence of Santa Claus.