Jayar Reeves “The ‘Jock’ Was Never the Job—You’re a Shepherd Now”
I was on a call with Scott Herrold the other day—we’ve been running Creative Cardio Showprep for 13 years, helping radio personalities with idea starters. We started talking about what it means to be a “jock” in 2025, and I had to pause.
Back in 1999 at KISS FM Seattle, my mentors taught me the basics: Hit the post. Don’t say the seven bad words. Play the hits. That was the job. But today? Engagement has changed.
At The JOY FM, we have a video and social media team capturing content. I feel like the old man in the movie ‘Up,’ stubbornly clinging to my house while they remind me, “Sir, the neighborhood has changed.” And they’re right—listening habits have changed. We don’t just talk into a mic and share opinions. We create content that lives everywhere. Our shows are multimedia and they require both connection & community.
I realized something: The jock had to die. Because we’re not putting on a show for an audience. We’re inviting people to live life alongside us.
God didn’t call me to be a jock. He invited me to be a shepherd. A hope-giver, truth-speaker, host and laughter-dispenser. (Let’s be honest, our listeners need it, and so do we!.)
And here’s why what we do matters now more than ever: because hope transforms perspective.
In February, 1/3 of our morning show lost his wife. Our audience grieved with him. And they’ve been walking through life with me too. After years of challenge, my wife & I divorced. My home life imploded. And now, in the darkest valley of my life… I was doing drive time on a station called JOY.
I had a choice: hide my pain or be real.
I decided if God has placed me here, I’m going to be authentic. I’m going to dig in, to understand what true JOY actually is. I don’t dump every detail of my pain, but I don’t pretend either. I point my perspective to the joy He can bring. I decided to talk differently about the tangible ways Jesus was shining His light in my life. I put my eyes up on Him, instead of down on my circumstances. I started to share the journey of restoration I was working through. His restoration compounded in ways I would never have imagined! And the response? More connection with listeners than I’ve ever seen. Listeners aren’t just an audience anymore—they’re brothers and sisters walking through the same valleys we are. When we open up and reflect Jesus’ light into their lives, transformation takes place that that covers most of our flaws.
And this is why your voice matters.
You don’t have to have the perfect life to make an impact. Some days, I don’t feel God’s comfort, but I tell my listeners that. I tell them, “Today, God feels like that weird noise in your attic—you know He’s there, but you can’t figure out what He’s doing.” And you know what they say? “Oh my gosh, me too!”
That’s real life with you.
So keep showing up. Keep speaking hope. Even when you’re hurting. Even when you’re doubting. Even when you’re just trying to make it through the day. Because someone out there needs to hear that “they aren’t the only one” struggling today. (Here’s the key – it’s not what your ego has to say, it’s what the Holy Spirit is saying in and around your life that reflects the listener’s life back to them.)
In 1999, I started my show making sure I had my carts ready for the first hour and a few funny call starters.
In 2025, I start my show by bowing my head and praying:
“Yahweh, come. I am not worthy of this calling. You love our people, and by Your grace, You’ve chosen me to tell them about it. Holy Spirit, give me the words. Give me creativity. Give me wisdom. Give me humility. Help me reflect your light into this community. Be glorified in these four hours. Amen.”
And then? I turn on the mic.
What if innovation for your show actually requires you to go back to the source? What if you started your show by inviting Jesus front & center to reflect His light, while he’s also using your story?
Jayar Reeves is host of The Jayar Show on THE JOYFM, based in Tampa heard in Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta and beyond. He’s worked in mainstream & Christian radio at stations like WayFm, Air1, Kiss 106.1, Star 101.5 and Jayar helped build Total Axxess. He has won the CMB Echo Award for “Personality of the year” in 2006, 2007 & 2010. He’s also had the #1 afternoon show in Tampa with THE JOYFM & #1 morning show in Boise when he was with Magic 93.1. In addition, Jayar is one of the founders of CreativeCardio.com Showprep that shares creative idea starters for radio shows everyday. Connect with him at jayarradio@gmail.com
Jayar, thank you for being authentic !! When you feel low, just remember to call out to HIM in a loud voice like blind Bartimaeus.. “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me” !!! HE will be there with you.
I am a teacher at a Christian School in Ocala. I pray every morning before I go into the school for God to use me. My husband and I have been married 41 years. Best friends and God at the forefront guiding us keeps our marriage together. It has not always been easy, but we stated together and God is blessing us now. No my life is still not easy because, I have a 31 year old Autistic son at home. But I choose to look at my blessings instead of my challenges.
He was so high functioning that they misdiagnosed him when he was younger. He graduated, got his license and a job and worked for 2 years. His older brother left for college and this is when my Autistic son started having problems because they were so close, even 7 years apart. I wasn’t teaching at the time and my husband was away at work, so at the age of 19, my Autistic had his first major meltdown and it scared him so much that he called 911 and they put him in a mental hospital and the worst he’ll of psych meds started on our son. He had the worst reactions because Autism is a neurological development disorder at different levels and not a mental disease like they tried to diagnose him with Schizophrenia. The doctors in these hospitals get kickbacks on the meds and never blood tested my son and treated him like a yoyo changing the meds constantly. He punched holes in our walls, walked outside naked, disappeared for days, and was Baker Acted over and over.
It took 5 years to get him off the meds, and the withdrawals were even worse. He is better now, but the meds stripped him of the high functions he had. Now he cannot look you in the eye, cannot drive, or work, and he only gets $900 monthly on disability. I have tried to get a Florida Med Waiver for him to get assistance on living and relearning his skills. However, APD denies everyone if you were not diagnosed before the age of 18. But God is still good because he says The Joyfm Christian music is what helps him the most. This is why I’m an MMMP.
I went back to teaching music at the same school I had to leave to take care of my son. My oldest son met his wife at church on the worship team amd they both sing together in worship. I played piano and sang worship at my church for years. Now I do ministry in churches helping worship teams not to perform. I look at all God has blessed me with in spite of all the challenges. My 4 year old grandson will be in K5 at my Christian school next year. In my K5 music class, I’ll have to remind him that im the music teacher not him. He already plays piano and guitar and sings about Jesus. God is good…as I have found a program called “U-Matter” at USF for my Autistic son where he can live on campus with assistance and audit classes for ages 25 and up. God is good.
Wow!
I’ve always loved how real Jayar is. I never feel like I’m listening to a show; I’m just hanging out with friends, listening g to great Christian music.
Jay , whatever you are doing now , I wanted you to know that you are well missed the music has changed. you and Carmen are well missed . Please take care of yourself and know that God has used you in a mighty way and I pray that he will continue to use you as you walk this journey. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration.
I pray that you return soon I miss the music. It’s not as uplifting as it used to be.
Praise God.