A Voice Worth Hearing

Backstroke & Breakthroughs – Post #8

Landing a job in public media was one of the biggest breakthroughs of my adult life. For the first time, I left Cleveland not out of necessity—but out of purpose. I was hired at WSKG Public Media in upstate New York, and the role let me do something I had dreamed about for years: use my voice.

Literally.

I created and voiced promotional material for both radio and television—spots that played all over the Southern Tier of New York and into Northern Pennsylvania. It was surreal to hear myself on airwaves, knowing that somewhere, someone might stop what they were doing for just a moment and listen. That meant something.

But like most breakthroughs, it didn’t come without pushback.

My manager didn’t like me. Not my work, not my attitude—me. We clashed, and I ended up on probation, constantly walking a tightrope between doing what I loved and proving I deserved to be there. It was one of the hardest environments I’ve ever had to work in—not because I couldn’t do the job, but because someone was invested in seeing me fail.

So I doubled down. Not out of fear, but out of faith.

I sharpened my voice work. Honed my edits. Watched more public media promos than I care to admit, studying cadence, tone, delivery. I turned every negative review into fuel. I made myself undeniable.

Eventually, people outside the station started noticing. National NPR and PBS-affiliated organizations heard my work and reached out. I was invited to produce and attend conferences for Greater Public and Public Media for All—a leading force in nonprofit media.

This week’s takeaway:
Sometimes your breakthrough shows up right after someone tries to break you. Keep creating. Keep speaking. And remember—your voice isn’t just a sound. It’s a force.

With gratitude,
– J.R.