I host my own music radio show for the Doobie, and can honestly say it has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve had thus far at Denison—mostly because of what it has taught me about myself.

To start off, I joined because I’m a musician. I’ve been playing piano all my life. I regularly attend concerts in Columbus and I had been looking for an outlet on campus for which I could express my passion for music. The Doobie was a perfect way to showcase my own personal musical tastes, speak openly about new and upcoming artists, and even provide a medium for local Denison artists to get involved and promote their own material.

However, when I first started hosting my sessions, I’ll admit that the relative size of the room and its seemingly secluded location in the far backhand corner of Slayter made me feel rather invisible and small to my audience members. The Slayter hustle bustle would oftentimes overpower the music I was playing through the speakers, or sometimes, the manager staff in Slayter would simply forget to turn up the volume. Despite the fact that the show does air online for users to listen in on their own devices, I just wasn’t content with the fact that at times, I couldn’t visibly witness any passerbys nodding their heads in acknowledgment. I figured, if no one was actually listening, what was the point?

The point is, in that intimately sized room in the backhand corner of Slayter, there’s a lot you can learn about yourself when you’re in there for two hours. For one, the thought of a vacant audience is always a concern for a radio show host, but that absence teaches you to direct the intentions of your show (or anything in general) in ways that please and benefit you. Rather than playing music for others, I’ve learned to just play the music I love and be perfectly okay with myself as its sole audience.

Also, while listening to your own music, you get a ton of down time that is dedicated to you. Sometimes being cut off from the rest of the world, especially in the midst of finals and every other stressful event going on in your life makes way for self-reflection and by doing so, allows you to de-stress. Two hours a week of privacy may not seem like a game-changer, but when it comes down to an exam one period followed by a presentation the next, the break in between can alleviate some serious built-up stress.

Another benefit to the Doobie is that it allows you to hone your speaking and presentation skills even if you’re just simply talking to yourself, and it also forces you to become comfortable with hearing your own voice (which is a great skill to have!). I remember the first time I spoke on air in front of my mentor, and believe it or not, I froze up and was unable to form a coherent sentence. Not only was the improvisation intimidating but I also wasn’t used to hearing my own voice. As the semester went on, however, I found that I grew more confident in my ability to speak effectively, and more importantly, on the spot.

Lastly, hosting a radio station allows you to put forth the best version of yourself. Your musical selections, the potential conversations where you find yourself obsessing over an artist with a random caller, and simply the title of your show, all allow you to vocalize different aspects of your personality, an opportunity you may not necessarily be given in another setting. Your radio personality allows you to show people that you take yourself seriously enough to even host a show, that, let’s be honest, is all about yourself!

Contrary to what many students may believe, hosting a radio show for the Doobie isn’t just a place to play music. It is a special environment that not only instills in you a number of valuable life skills, but it more importantly encourages a strong sense of independence, self-reflection, and an overall acceptance of your being.

~vibes~