Talk Radio for You

Advice talk radio is part of a long tradition of celebrity advice specialists. Some appear on television, some have columns in editorials and some are talk radio hosts. Advice talk radio is typically hosted by someone with a psychology or psychiatry background because it is life advice that is being sought after. In traditional radio format, the programs are made up of statements by the host, guest interviews and calls that the host receives from the public. The portion of the program that is dedicated to receiving calls is the most important part to the listening audience, because it is their chance to connect with an industry professional for solid life advice.

Public opinion on advice talk radio varies. Some people follow their favorite advice talk radio hosts devoutly and catch every program they air in order to absorb their life wisdom. There are many people who attest to the value of advice talk radio who have had serious issues resolved or guided through the help of the program host. However, there are others who call advice talk radio programs “pop psychology,” meaning that celebrity advice figures are merely selling their brand rather than doing any real good for their listeners. People of this mindset are often harsh critics of psychology in general.

Advice talk radio programs are a free service to their listeners. Radio listeners are free to tune in to them or are free to avoid them. Naturally, those who find them useful will tune in to them and those who do not find them useful will not tune in to them. Therefore, advice talk radio programs are indeed a valuable service for those who are positively effected by them. For many, having access to an industry professional who advises on things that apply to the average listener has made a huge difference in their lives and a positive impact on their mental health.

Talk radio has been around since the 1940’S. Currently, programs such as NPR and ABC News and Talk are some of the most popular on talk radio. Despite the fact that radio is no longer the hottest medium to draw in an audience, talk radio has managed to stay current and well-attended through its ability to inform, enlighten, entertain and advise its listeners. Talk radio is still respected as a good source of useful information and sound opinion.

Talk radio is a popular way of taking in news and trending information for many people. Particularly for people who like to take in the news while they are driving, talk radio is an excellent alternative to reading and watching news. Some radio news programs, such as Morning Edition and The Sean Hannity Show, are very highly acclaimed news sources.

While some programs aim to provide unbiased, objective news, other programs are known as opinion radio. Hosts such as conservative Rush Limbaugh or liberal Thom Hartmann provide the news they feel is relevant along with heavily opinionated interpretations of it. Many people prefer this kind of talk radio to straight news, usually because the views of the host represent their own.

Another popular form of talk radio is advice radio. Hosts with a psychology background, such as Bruce Williams and Amy Alkon, accept phone calls from listeners who need life advice and use their expertise to help their listeners through relationship problems, mental health issues, substance abuse and addiction and more. These programs, which predate Dr. Phil and Oprah, have a wide fan base and many followers who rely on the advice that the host dispenses.

And lastly, entertainment talk radio is a great way of staying amused at home or in a vehicle. Comedy radio and sports radio are both examples of this. Entertainment media is most often associated with television and movies as they are more immersive than radio, but some still prefer the content driven programs that are talk radio.