Lisa Williams Interview 3-25-16

Lisa Williams
Host of “Life with Lisa Williams”
Denver

Career Capsule: On-air: 1990-95 KCVO, 1995-96 KCWN, 1998-2007 WPOZ, 2002 WAWZ, 2007-2011 K-LOVE. 2015: On May 1st, with the help of hundreds of friends, I launched a new podcast called Life with Lisa Williams, availabe on iTunes and Soundcloud. 2016: On January 4th, with the help of CURE International and Christian FM, we launched a syndicated radio show with the same name as the on-going podcast, Life with Lisa Williams. I feel blessed and so thankful for all God has done in my life – and for the rare priviledge of being on the radio in America.

1. Lisa, tell us what’s new with you!

I’m still in Denver and I’m so excited about 2016!  In 2015, we launched a podcast which is like my daily audio blog.  I’ve learned and grown so much from exploring a new genre. Then after much prayer and many conversations, on January 4th with the help of Christian FM and CURE International, we launched a new radio show available for Christian music stations.  It’s separate and different from the podcast, although I use some of my guest clips for the radio show.  The new show is 20 breaks a day, Monday – Friday, suitable for four hours of music.  I’m SO THANKFUL for the stations that have added my show!  It is a blessing and an honor to love listeners and help stations love their listeners. The show is on KCVO, KCWN, WCQR, WPER, WRXT, WXHL, and it launches on middays this week on WMUV The Promise in Jacksonville! 

2. What is the best programming advice you’ve been given?

So many brilliant people have spoken into my life.  Their advice, care, wisdom, and passion have merged with what God’s called me to do, the things I’ve learned from my listeners, and my quirky God-given brain.  The result is the pocket where I spend time connecting with another human being on the other side of the radio who needs to remember she’s not alone, she’s going to make it, and that He loves her.

3. Some say more Christian stations in a market the better.  Do you agree with that? 

The only answer that comes to me is a pragmatic answer.  People need Jesus.  The world is dark and dry.  The more faucets pouring into potential lives, the better.

4. What is the ONE thing you must have everyday to do your job?

Recently, I asked KCBI’s Rebecca Carrell how she is able to write and speak and minister so prolifically.  She says before she does anything, she spends time with the Father.  Once she is filled up, she has something to give.  I’ve been following her lead every day – so the main thing I need to do my job is time with Him.  I’m done doing this life in my own strength.

5. Where will future Christian radio air talent come from?

We need great thinkers and communicators, people who love Jesus more than life.  We need storytellers.  Those of us who are older need to be investing in younger talent so they won’t get discouraged and bail.  Those of us who pray and believe need to ask God to call passionate thinkers into our format.  Wow, for real, we need to pray!  That’s where they will come from – from Him.  #prayhard.

6. Do you feel syndication is good or bad for Christian radio?

Bad Christian radio is bad for Christian radio. Cultivate great talent, invest in great coaching, treat on-air people like the amazing professionals they are.  Help people blossom into who they were created to be.  And if a syndicated show offers an amazing talent that makes sense for your budget and enhances your on-air presentation, weigh the pros and cons and make the best choice for your market.  I can’t answer the question: is syndication good or bad for Christian radio.  I can encourage programmers to program smartly and to make the best decision for their station.  If using a syndicated Brant Hansen or Theresa Ross or Eric Allen or Amanda Carroll or Doug Hannah for a day-part that would otherwise struggle, then I would lean towards them.

7. Generally speaking to the industry, what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio?

Lack of passion.  Lack of utter surrender to Christ.  Lack of vision.  Lack of strategic thinking.

8. Who are your radio heroes and influences and why?

Literally, I could go on and on right here.  There are so many people I love and respect in our industry.  But in all honestly, I think the real heroes are the ones in the trenches – the on-air talent who give and give and give and give and give.  Many up painfully early, pouring over content, living their lives on-air, investing their souls into their listeners. They inspire me.