David Mann Interview

David Mann
APD/Afternoon Host
CJLF – Life 100.3
Barrie, ON

Career Capsule: David also hosts the one-minute Bible feature A Closer Look that airs Sundays on Life 100.3.  David is a contributor to the quarterly magazine, Total Sports Barrie, and is the music writer for The Christian Herald. He has also written for national publications, such as The Canadian Press and The Gospel Coalition Canada. David is a graduate of Broadcast Journalism from Western University and Fanshawe College. He is currently pursuing a Master’s of Theology at McMaster Divinity College. 

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David, tell us what’s new at Life 100.3… any news, changes etc… and what’s new with YOU?

We had a Sharathon the week of March 21 at LIFE. With our listeners’ generous support we raised about a quarter of a million dollars between one-time donations and monthly giving. We always turn over the station to our listeners in some capacity the day before, and this time around one of the things that included was having counsellors at the radio station as part of a prayer line off the air.  We also recently brought on an afternoons announcer in Angela Peacock (1-4). Previously I had done this time slot, as well as 4:30-7, so this frees me up more.

How do you balance work & family, how important is it for someone in Christian Radio to ‘have a life”?

It is so vital to ‘have a life’ while working in Christian radio, let alone any ministry. Over the past couple of years I’ve developed a podcast/radio show, which has also consumed a lot of my time, and for a season in 2020 as the young adults teacher at my church. While both of these experiences have been rewarding, they are in a lot of ways an extension of my job. To have a social life for me provides balance, a change of pace, it forces me to stop working and enjoy the many hobbies I’ve taken up. Not to mention, the more of ‘a life’ you have outside of Christian radio often adds content and life experience to your show/work, and it fuels you to be more effective making decisions and working since you’re refreshed.

Overall, what is the best advice regarding adding new music, that you’ve been given? The worst?

The best advice I’ve given adding new music is that it has to fit the vision of the station. Listeners tune in to you for consistency. For artists, get to know the station that you’re pitching to. For programmers, get to know your audience.

What’s something you’ve learned about Christian Radio due to the pandemic, that you didn’t know before?

Christian radio fosters an incredible local unity among believers. I enjoy podcasts and have tapped into sermons from out of province, and while these have aided me as great resources they don’t have the ability to connect with me on a local level like Christian radio does.

Where do you see Christian radio  in 5 years?  

With culture becoming increasingly secularized I see Christian radio becoming a more necessary form for content consumption and spiritual nourishment. I also see a need for Christian radio to really draw a line in the sand as non-partisan.

What is a unique characteristic for your market, that many wouldn’t know about.

Our market is incredibly diverse. Our station spans communities that are up to four hours away from each other. It also covers suburbia, rural, and Urban centres. For the Americans it’s also worth noting that we abide by different broadcasting regulations in Canada with the CRTC. This includes airing a certain percentage of Canadian content.

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

One of the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio is the lack of an industry for Canadian Christian music. This is such a niche that very few of these artists are able to work at this full-time, and so as a result there can be high turnover. Not to mention, when Canadians do succeed, they’ll typically move to a bigger hub like Nashville. Where this becomes problematic is when their songs get so much American contributions that they’re no longer consider Canadian according to our CRTC guidelines.

Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?

My radio influences right now include Brant Hansen, Phil Vicher and Sky Jethani of the Holy Post to an extent. As well as Corey Kimm, and our station founder Scott Jackson.