Help Define "Hostiness" - Talent's X Factor

Izzi,

http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/576

Steve

I believe in philosophic conversation, and I believe you should believe in it too.

My friends tell me that there is a yoga term called "going to ground". It's the place you go when you are tired, or maybe worn out with the stressors of the week, or when you need to tap into a light, easy place to rest. 'Hostiness' as a character trait heard as warm, open, and personable, demonstrating ideas for another mind-challenging talk show, is one facet, and not necessarily getting you to "go to ground": That is a talk show host. And there are many wonderful talk show hosts, with "accessability". However, a Radio Host, who brings me entertainment, welcomes me for a "ride through nurturing voices" and fun ideas: such as Garrison Kiellor or a Vinyl Cafe: They host ideas, which entertained us, and allowed families to go to ground. Should I look forward to hosting a fun show with your health in mind, and with characters who help you go to ground?

BarbaraAnnKaarina Turning-McCord, R.N.

First of all I have to say it is energizing to experience the creations of so many talented and thoughtful people. This is very cool! I think a main ingredient of being a great host is having passion -- a passion for wanting to know more -- how things work, why they don't work, why people do what they do, say what they say -- you get my drift. I think it's about wanting to understand life and always sitting at the edge of your seat with another question. I'm loving this forum. My boyfriend has said to me many times, "Geez Lynn, you have more questions than a quiz show." A friend of mine has said more than a thousand times, "You think too much. Why are you always trying to figure out why people do what they do?" I don't know, perhaps it's because the unquestioned life is not worth complaining about. It's great to be in the company of so many inquisitive and creative people who have sooooo many damn questions about the world. Best of luck to everyone!!!

Voices carry some messages that aren't conscious parts of the whole. Can't you tell when someone on the phone is distracted or annoyed with your question? A good host sounds genuine and hungry for our ideas, not just in love with her own.
As the audience, we hear that hunger. Even if we don't call in, we know that Susan Stamberg would love hearing our story. The good host is sitting next to us in the car.

I think hostiness definitely deals with connecting with your listener.The whole "radio voice" thing is so yesterday.That's mostly for radio spots.A good host has to be able to think on his feet and be entertaining.The guy could have the best radio voice in the world but if I don't connect with him in some way,I'm going to change the station.

The Terrance Pryor Experience:Fridays from 3PM to 5PM(EST)-(908)-497-4284

Hostiness and the listener:
I think there are key words in Izzi's original question: connect, trust, want.

I think a good "host voice" is a good thing, but is not always an indicator of hostiness... Hosts whom I admire and enjoy are the ones that hold my mind through their story - in a connection that I trust and want to share.

Bear in mind that sometimes hosts are grating and irritating - and sometimes I need to be irritated. Sometimes I need a host that entertains and surprises me. Sometimes I need a host that distills complicated stuff to manageable understanding. But, none of these things are part of hostiness. That's part of the story data, the show, the information, the environment.

Hostiness is present in those who connect with me {the listener} - who are authentic and genuine.

Jimmy
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http://jimmybearpearson.com

Please listen to my entry at:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/197

Hostiness: The ability to communicate via radio and imbue a sense of one-to-one or personal communication, humor, warmth, and being friendly, inviting, comfortable. To talk as if sitting on the porch swing or living room couch, around the campfire, or lounging in an easy chair instead of standing on a soapbox, pulpit, or podium. On public radio, it should also involve a sense of intelligence, knowledge, preparation and research, thoughtfullness, and politeness if not outright kindness.

On-air guests are to be the focus of the conversation and have most of the air time. Difficult questions should be asked as gentle inquiries to gain understanding not as attacks designed to promote confrontation. After the guest leaves, both the host and audience should have a geniune sense of having met a new friend about whom we have learned much that we did not know before.

Music should be introduced with story and history in addition to the usual musicology details.

I agree with everything that is being said here, especially the reference to someone being a good host if we're willing to hang on during the fund raising drive to listen to them! Even more than that, someone that is so hosty that they cause me to pick up the phone and contribute during the fund drive. A good host is someone that makes you feel like they're a friend that you've invited into your home to give you an account of the day while you putter around your house living your life.

Lynn Kindler, The "Idea" Coach
www.sacredpathcoaching.com

With all due respect to those in the profession...I'd define hostiness as someone that you'd sit through the public radio fund drive "commercial" or (on typical radio) the screaming-used-car-guy commercial to listen to. I don't know a higher measure of devotion than that!

..to win this contest. Strikes me, this is not just about being a great host, but having a great show idea that the CPB might want to fund. Isn't it really the Great Pubradio Show Quest?

Bonnie Jean

My goal is to get to the heart of the story and dredge out the anecdotes. I want to really talk instead of drabble - Be a comforting voice and let the listener fill in the visual details with imagination. So, so, so, hard to do.

you know, i appreciate a host who isn't afraid to ask off the wall questions. sometimes that predictable q&a (when did you first pick up a guitar?) can drag. a little surprise there like--what was your worst haircut? have you ever grown a moustache?--can really add a little spice. kind of like pillow talk questions.

I would agree with everything that has been said so far. I'd add that a good host does her homework before the interview/event in order that she can make guests comfortable and invite them to share their best. A guest shouldn't have to do too much conversational manuevering to make his point or share his story. A good host also looks for unexpected connections between guests or topics. This helps to keep everyone engaged, keep things moving, and create community (sometimes just for the duration of the interview/event and sometimes more lasting).

That is very insightful bohemiangypsy, and it is good to see how the competition out there thinks. Of course it is nothing but friendly ;-)

I think Honest and Real cover it well. There's no need to be flashy, just talk as if you are sitting and having coffee with me.

Though it definitely takes a bit of charizma to pull it off too. Well, maybe not that. Confidence. Yes, that is a better term. Confident, but not cocky.

To spin it the opposite way, one of the biggest things that turn me OFF from listening to someone, regardless of the content, is a host who is just full of him/herself. You are not all that, and it is not all about you. Unless the name of the show and the subject is you, which then I wouldn't be a listener most likely. *LOL*

But there is a balance that can be achieved here. That's where the talent comes in.... ;-)

I listen to a lot of news. More in-depth knowledge of a subject, along with the host's opinion is always something that draws me in. I've never been one for straight news. I want to know what people THINK about the news. That includes the one bringing me the information.

GREAT topic!
~Dani

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Hostiness attributes I'm drawn to are: a bit of spontaneity, a willingness to relate personally to topics and audience
(rather than as a celeb or "Important Person" trying to project an image of perfection or superiority), and a "voice" rich in life experience and compassionate wisdom.

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play it safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary."
Sir Cecil Beaton