Say It Anyway

James Ferrigno (00:00)
So yeah, was just thinking just now, there's this kind of, we talked about it at the beginning, the problem with kind of engagement at the community station, getting people to participate, you know? my brain was just, I was just brainstorming about how could that be done, you know? And I wonder, you mentioned the paying dues. I wonder if there's a way to have people

Michael Rosenberg (00:13)
Yeah.

James Ferrigno (00:30)
do outreach for the station and bring in other people and promote it in lieu of their payment? I was just starting to think of different configurations, you know?

Michael Rosenberg (00:39)
We've talked about that. We've said, yeah, we've said if you can recruit

somebody and get them to do at least two quarters, right, six months, then we'll give you a discount on dues, like a quarter free or 50 % off or et cetera. You know, one of the things we communicate very directly to the staff is if we could find ways to bring in more money, fundraisers, just outreach.

James Ferrigno (00:45)
recruit somebody and get them to do at least two quarters, right? Six months. That will give you a discount on dues, like a quarter free or 50 % off, et cetera. One of the things we communicate very directly to the staff is if we can find ways to bring in more money, fundraiser, just

Michael Rosenberg (01:04)
then we will lower dues. don't want to charge anything. Our rent is not cheap. I mean cheap for the area, but not cheap for us.

James Ferrigno (01:05)
outreach, then we will lower dues. I don't want to anything. Our rent is not cheap for the area, but not cheap for us.

Michael Rosenberg (01:14)
And we're a 501c3 under asset indie media. there's talk of us moving for cheaper rent. Nobody wants to move. But it's the idea we signed a three year lease. And you do the math on 17, it would be 1800 a month starting.

James Ferrigno (01:15)
We're a 511 c3. Yeah, I said in the media and There you know, there's talk of us moving for cheaper rent. Nobody wants to move. Yeah, it's the idea of me signed a three-year lease and You do the math on 17. It would be 1800 a month Starting

Michael Rosenberg (01:33)
50 or $50 increases each year, so it'll start at $1,800 a month. You start doing the math, you're talking over $60,000. And to be on the hook for that if everything falls apart is a risk

James Ferrigno (01:34)
this 50 50 or a $50 increases each year. So it started 1800 a month you start doing the math You're talking over $60,000 and you know to be on the hook for that if all this everything falls apart

Michael Rosenberg (01:45)
that I know our benefactor doesn't want to take. And I can respect that, but none of us want to move. So I'm like, well, there's your incentive, folks. If you don't want to move, what you going to do to help us stay?

James Ferrigno (01:58)
Fundraiser Yeah, right? Who the fuck wants a real quad racer, right? I mean, they're hard. We did a live one and that was, I mean, it ended up being great. We had a lot of fun, but it is a heavy lift. And you can't do it alone. And so, you know, a handful of us.

Michael Rosenberg (01:59)
Yeah, right? Who the fuck wants to do a fundraiser, right? I mean, they're hard. We did a live one that was, I mean, it ended up being great. We had a lot of fun, but it is a heavy lift and you can't do it alone. And so, know, a handful of us put it together.

James Ferrigno (02:15)
put it together I honestly because I've done so much I didn't want to be involved. like I'll do some stuff with publicity. ended up recruiting the three bands. I got the sound

Michael Rosenberg (02:15)
honestly, because I've done so much, I didn't want to be involved. I'm like, all right, I'll do some stuff in publicity. I ended up recruiting the three bands. I got the sound guy.

James Ferrigno (02:25)
guy. Oh man I didn't expect to be doing all this. I love the station but I can't do it alone. We have a handful of people on staff that do some really great work and a lot. with me.

Michael Rosenberg (02:27)
man, I didn't expect to be doing all this. I I love the stage show, but I'm not, I can't do it alone. ⁓ We have, you know, we have a handful of people on staff that do some really great work and a lot, you know, like with me, like we do, we do

it, but you know, at the moment, I'm just thinking, cause we just added some people, we have over 50 people, about 50 people on staff ish and

James Ferrigno (02:45)
we do it but you know at the moment

Michael Rosenberg (02:55)
You know, come on, y'all, some have been with us from the start. It's like, need to start to see you do things, but we can't say, or you're out of here because, guess what? We got to pay the bills. So one thing I want to do is I want to go to San Francisco state and city college of San Francisco's broadcast departments. And when I want to talk to the college students and I want to ask them if they would be interested and I'll give them a discount on dues. Cause my feeling is, well, if we could start to fill up the schedule with quality programmers and I'm not going to.

James Ferrigno (02:59)
Yeah but we can't say, oh you're out of here. Guess what? We gotta pay the bills. So one thing I wanna do is I wanna go to San Francisco State and City College of San Francisco's broadcast departments. And I wanna talk to the college students and I wanna ask them if they would be interested and I'll give them a discount on dues.

Feeling is we could start to fill up the schedule with quality programmers

Michael Rosenberg (03:23)
compromise our quality. But quality programmers and youth is awesome. We love the energy. If we can do that, we'll charge you a lot less. But with quantity, we'll just get more of you in there. I know my break-even point. ⁓ And get you in there and start to fill up the schedule. And then ideally, your youthful exuberance will start to inspire other people to start to join. And then it will start to snowball. So that's my biggest objective

James Ferrigno (03:23)
and I'm gonna compromise our quality quality programmers and you can boss that we love the energy if we can do that we'll charge you a lot less but the Quantity we'll just get more of you in there. I know my brain key point and get you in there and start to like fill up a schedule and then ideally Your youthful adjudance will start to inspire other people to start to join and then they start to snowball so that's ⁓ one of my that's like my

and

Michael Rosenberg (03:49)
for sustainability. ⁓ Next, that's goal.

James Ferrigno (03:49)
biggest objective for sustainability. Next, that's goal. That's a good idea. I I've seen that with teaching too. Young people can get so much done so quickly. It's just amazing. you can really get a lot done when you're 21.

Michael Rosenberg (04:02)
⁓ seriously. Yeah.

Wait, yeah, 21 with no, other than maybe school, no other true responsibilities. You got no kids, you have no mortgage, you have no car payment. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

James Ferrigno (04:11)
So yeah, 21 with no other than maybe school, no other true responsibility. You got no kids, you have no mortgage, you have no car payment. Yeah. Yeah. So

yeah, a few people like that and yeah, then you can get 20 people to commit to really doing the fundraiser. Yeah. It's going to be successful. And I know that when I, when I get people in a room.

Michael Rosenberg (04:29)
Yeah. And I know that when I, when I get people in a room,

the energy's great. Like when we can all talk about what we want to do, because I'm, I'm a let's make it happen kind of person. I don't come from a deficit model. I say, how do we do it? Let's, let's do it. And once we get that going in a conversation, we end up doing it. Things, things happen. ⁓ We're a station though, that doesn't require face-to-face meetings. We do all of our communication online.

James Ferrigno (04:36)
The energy is great. We can all talk about what we want to do. I'm a let's make it happen kind of person. I don't come from a deficit model. I say how do we do it? Let's do it. Once we get that going in a conversation, we end up doing it. ⁓ We're a station that doesn't require face-to-face meetings. We do all of our communication

online on a shared group.

Michael Rosenberg (04:58)
on a shared group. ⁓ I have heard from

my staff that many would like maybe quarterly face to face, but we've never mandated that. And again, how do you mandate that? What's the consequence going to be if you don't make the meeting? Right? So I want to get to a point where the money is not an issue. don't have to deal with like money is fine. We're paying the bills, everything's full for that. Yeah, guess what? You know, DJ.

James Ferrigno (05:02)
I have heard from my staff that many would like maybe cornerly face to face, but we've never mandated that. Again, how do you mandate that? What's the consequence going to be if you don't make a meeting? Right? Nothing. So I want to get to a point where the money is not an issue. don't have to deal with it. Money is fine. We're paying the village everything it's full for that. Yeah, guess what?

You know, DJ, you're not making a meeting, you're not contributing, you're not communicating. Good luck. Go find yourself something else. Unfortunately,

Michael Rosenberg (05:25)
You're not making the meetings, not contributing, you're not communicating. Good luck, go find yourself something else. Unfortunately, at

this moment, not, you we don't have that. Luckily, the shows sound great. These are some of my favorite radio shows I've ever heard from these hosts. you know, it's the trade off. You don't show up, you sound great. I don't really want to like that. I want people to contribute. So, yeah.

James Ferrigno (05:32)
At this moment we're not you know we don't have that luckily that the shows sound great It's some of these are some of my favorite radio shows I've ever heard from these hosts So, you know is the trade-off you don't show up if you sound great ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (05:52)
I wanna get rid of the duocracy mindset. It's like, gotta get back to that. Getting rid of

the duocracy. Ain't no duocracy. We're getting shit done, man. Come on. Play along. Play nice with others.

James Ferrigno (05:57)
That be nice.

guess to you, well you're indoctrinating your students so I suppose that some of them have come over.

Michael Rosenberg (06:12)
⁓ I have one of my former students as a host on the station. He's been with us for a few years. He's in his 30s now, so he's not a kid anymore. ⁓ I've had a few over the years, I've had a few come in to the station. ⁓ One of them, his dad is a music critic, and so there was already connection with live music and bands. So he had an interest. didn't do a show with us, but I'm thrilled. And actually we have a new host who

James Ferrigno (06:13)
⁓ yeah I've had a few over the years. I've had a few come in the station. ⁓ One of them, his dad ⁓ is a music critic. And so there was already connection with live music and bands. So he had an interest. didn't show with us, but I'm real. And actually we have a new a

new host to what was.

Michael Rosenberg (06:41)
what was a student at my school

but never a student of mine. And I felt like that was kind of fascinating that she joined the station. So I'm thrilled. Like right on. Bring in the youth. Yeah.

James Ferrigno (06:43)
student at my school but never a student of mine. And I thought that was kind of fascinating that she joined the station. So I'm thrilled, I'm going to bring him to you. Yeah, that's great.

Yeah, I'd like to see the local music industry be alive. And yeah, in fact, I just interviewed Casey Turner, who Casey Turner presents just a couple weeks ago. I don't know if you're aware of him, but.

Michael Rosenberg (07:11)
No, but I'll take a look. I'll watch the podcast.

James Ferrigno (07:12)
He does. He produces

bands in the Bay Area.

Michael Rosenberg (07:17)
That's

great. I think there's a real responsibility actually of promoters, clubs, band management, even to have relationships with radio stations like ours. And we do get sent a lot of music. We have a place for bands to do that and they send it. a lot of us listen to it. I mean, by the quantity we get, I don't have time to listen to everything I get. It is a tremendous stack. And you know, we have to know

James Ferrigno (07:18)
for our live events. I think there's a real responsibility actually of promoters, clubs, band management, to have relationships with radio stations like ours. We do get sent a lot of music. We have a place for bands to do that and they send it. a lot of us listen to it. By the quantity we get, I don't have time to listen to everything I get. It is a tremendous stack. And we

Michael Rosenberg (07:46)
that the reality is

James Ferrigno (07:46)
have to know that the reality is...

Yeah

⁓ Yeah.

Michael Rosenberg (07:48)
some of it is awesome and much of it's not gonna get on my show. Some of it's quality enough, but that's gonna happen anyway. But I do think there's a big responsibility of this continuous crossover. I love being in a room like yesterday at this memorial, radio, music publishing, music critic, should say, music critic, bands, club people.

you know, musicians, et cetera. We're all together

James Ferrigno (08:18)
We're all together and like we know it like we know that weird kind of that industry different parts of that industry and to me that's where a lot of the magic happens when it comes to creating ⁓ like the programming it's it's when we're all together just hanging out shooting the shit having the conversations and all of a sudden something clicks and now we

Michael Rosenberg (08:18)
and like, we know it. Like we know that we're kind of that industry, different parts of that industry. And to me, that's where a lot of the magic happens when it comes to creating like the programming. It's when we're all together just hanging out, shooting the shit, having the conversations and then all of a sudden something clicks and now we want to do something.

James Ferrigno (08:44)
want to do something like let's create this let's do that let me have you in ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (08:44)
Like, let's create this, let's do that. Let me have you in, come in the studio, let's do

James Ferrigno (08:48)
studio let's do a thing yeah and like and then I'm the thing that you're doing and now we're gonna get that to happen hey how about I am see this or we'll co-present will be in the room and then next year what we're all growing together there's been so much success with that over the years but it does take actually like getting together being around each other making the point of engaging it's

Michael Rosenberg (08:48)
a thing. And then I'm gonna promote the thing that you're doing and now we're gonna get that to happen. And hey, how about I am see this or we'll co-present, we'll be in the room and then next, know, we're all growing together. There's been so much success with that over the years. But it does take actually like getting together, being around each other, making the point of engaging. It's great when it just...

James Ferrigno (09:13)
great when it just lifts us it just kind of happens right we love that

Michael Rosenberg (09:13)
It just kind of happens, right? We love that. But sometimes you do have

James Ferrigno (09:18)
But sometimes you do have to be a lot more deliberate in the act. But when it happens, it's great. And that's why I Radio Valencia is going to continue to be relevant because so many of us continue to be so deeply involved in the scene that it just makes sense for the other stations

Michael Rosenberg (09:18)
to be a lot more deliberate in the act. But when it happens, it's great. And that's why think Radio Valencia is going to continue to be relevant because so many of us continue to be so deeply involved in the scene that it just makes sense for the station to continue to grow.

James Ferrigno (09:34)
to continue to grow. Yeah, it's absolutely fantastic. I love that you guys went just for so long. It's just miraculous, really.

Michael Rosenberg (09:44)
Thank you.

James Ferrigno (09:46)
Yeah, yeah, and I have thought about this too. Yeah, we were just talking about the cooperation that if there were more connection between, because I know different people from these different, all in the music area, but that don't necessarily know each other, that, and they're all kind of successful on their own, you know, thing. Yeah, they could, a little bit of community cooperation there. And I think part of it has to do with how.

Michael Rosenberg (10:08)
Yeah. And I think part of it has to do with how like

my mindset, right? Like, let's just make it happen. When I'm around other people who are like that, I mean, the energy is just so obvious. We're just going to keep going. Like, what's again, what's the next thing? know, if Radio Valencia, I don't think about the idea of Radio Valencia ending, know, Mark E. Smith of The Fall, he always said, you know, if it's me and your grandmother, it's The Fall, you know, so like.

James Ferrigno (10:15)
Like my mindset right like let's just make it happen when I'm around other people who are like that. Yeah I don't think about the idea of radio once the ending and you know, yeah Mark B Smith of the fall really said, you know, it's me and your grandmother. It's the fall

Michael Rosenberg (10:36)
I was out of that, but I'm like, yeah, but it's me and your grandmother, it's radio Valencia. Like, am I radio Valencia? No. But I also

James Ferrigno (10:37)
Yeah, I would have a nap and I'm like, yeah, it's me and your grandmother. It's radio Valencia. Like am I radio Valencia? No

Michael Rosenberg (10:45)
am wise enough to know that within an institution like ours, the turnover happens that, you know, I could leave the station. It's still going to continue on as long as people want to see it continue on. That's just kind of how, how that happens. Um, it's funny radio Valencia, the way we got our name.

James Ferrigno (10:45)
But I also am wise enough to know that within an institution like ours, the turnover happens that, you I can leave the station, it's still going to continue on as long as people want to see it continue on. That's how it happens. it's funny.

Radio Valencia, the way

we got our name is when Chicken John asked me to start the station, he named it. Radio Valencia was a restaurant in San Francisco. it actually, the history of it, it closed because it was on a corner. think it was actually, was before it was bugly, it was 22nd at Valencia. Fire engine crashed into it. And they never recovered from that accident. They were never able to kind of get back on their feet again and they closed. So when we started,

Michael Rosenberg (11:06)
is when Chicken John asked me to start the station, he named it. Radio Valencia was a restaurant in San Francisco. it actually, the history of it, ⁓ it closed because it was on a corner. think it was actually, was before it was Boogaloo's, right? was 22nd of Valencia. it was, ⁓ a fire engine crashed into it. And they never recovered from that accident. They were never able to kind of get back on their feet again and they closed. So when we started, and he named

it, I remember him naming it,

James Ferrigno (11:34)
And he made it I'm never naming it He's like it's got any radio plan see I could make you know He's the one who wanted to do the thing you want me to run it or start it, but he wanted it to exist Yeah, it's gonna be called radio Valencia and Now people all the time are like wait the restaurant is still operating like no, we're not we're not the restaurant Okay ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (11:36)
And I'm he's like, it's gotta be Radio Valencia. He's the one who wanted to do the thing. He wanted me to run it or start it, but he wanted it to exist. He's like, yeah, it's gonna be called Radio Valencia. And now people all the time are like, wait, the restaurant is still operating? I'm like, no, we're not, we're not the restaurant. We're not. Sorry, not to be confused with the restaurant. And we're not on Valencia Street either, but you know, we're a block, we're a block from Valencia Street. But hey.

And then there

was thoughts of ⁓ Pirate Cat radio and they changed to Mutiny radio. And then Mutiny radio was ⁓ going to close and we started recruiting Mutiny radio DJs. Then we thought, well, why don't we like just take on all of Mutiny radio? Because we talked to Pam Benjamin who ran Mutiny radio to the end and she took it over from Daniel known as Monkey who ran Pirate Cat. And so we talked to her and she, we're like, well, why don't we take you in?

James Ferrigno (12:02)
And then there was thoughts of ⁓ Pyrecat radio and they changed to Mutiny radio. they did. Mutiny radio was ⁓ going to close and we started recruiting Mutiny radio DJs. Then we thought, why don't we... ⁓

like let's take on all of you radio because we talked to Pam Benjamin who ran a radio to the end. She took it over from Daniel and it's monkey. We ran Pirate Cat. Yeah. And so we talked to her and she were like, well, why

don't we take you in? But it's radio Valencia. You can say me on radio Valencia and she just didn't want to do it. I'm like any radio anymore. She was done. We need to take on some of her staff radio Valencia, it's under our our name.

Michael Rosenberg (12:30)
But it's Radio Valencia. You could say mutiny on Radio Valencia and she just didn't want to do it on any radio anymore. She was done. So we need to take on some of her ⁓ staff on Radio Valencia, but it's under our name.

James Ferrigno (12:50)
Cool, fantastic. ⁓ Let's see.

So how has the radio impacted your own life, your personal growth?

Michael Rosenberg (13:09)
I got to categorize it a little bit. Compartmentalize it, should say. I'm a parent first. I got two kids, 21 and eight. So parenting is, you know, they are both at home. So that's always gonna be my priority, always. ⁓ I gotta pay the bills and obviously teaching is very much full time. But I've been doing teaching so long that I'm not on automatic pilot at all. As a matter of fact,

James Ferrigno (13:10)
gotta categorize it a little bit. I'm a parent first. got two kids. 21 and eight. So parenting, they are both at home.

you go, that's always gonna be my priority, always. I gotta pay the bills and obviously teaching is very much full time. But I've been doing teaching so long that I'm not on automatic pilot at all. As a

matter of fact, I recreate my lessons almost every year to make them stronger so it's not like I just float in a coastal arm. But obviously the job has big precedents, so. ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (13:40)
I recreate my lessons almost every year to make them stronger. So it's not like I just float in a coast alone, but obviously the job has to take precedence. So.

But radio

James Ferrigno (13:52)
But radio is my DNA, right? Radio is really that creative part of me that...

Michael Rosenberg (13:52)
is my DNA, right? Radio is really that creative part of me that I bring to the other parts of my life, especially my teaching, right? It's how I present, how I perform, not to be performative, but like how I am ⁓ presenting something to an audience. So it's that, that in all my years of hosting, producing, and I'm seeing shows, I've been able to bring to my teaching.

James Ferrigno (14:00)
I bring to the other parts of my life, especially my teaching. It's how I present, how I perform, not to be performative, but how I am presenting something to an audience. So it's that, that in all my years of hosting and producing and producing shows, I've been able to

bring to my teaching. So as I present, I've seen so many of my students who said that I am without a doubt the most animated teacher they've ever had. I'm like, well, that'd be gay. I hope you've learned from me.

Michael Rosenberg (14:19)
So like as I present, so many of my students have said that I am without a doubt the most animated teacher they've ever had. I'm like, well, that'd be yay. I hope you've learned from me. But you

know, radio to me just continues to be, it's the music. James, it's the music. It's the idea of I wanna keep listening to new music. I wanna keep sharing new music with you. I want to go out and see those bands. I wanna interview those bands. ⁓ I want that opportunity to say to my audience,

James Ferrigno (14:30)
to me this continues to be it's the music James it's the music I want to keep listening to the music I want to sharing music with you I want to go out and see those bands I want to interview those bands ⁓ I want that opportunity to say to

my audience holy shit I just heard this freaking amazing song you've got to hear this like now I'm gonna play this for you now and I've had so many people

Michael Rosenberg (14:49)
Holy shit, I just heard this fricking amazing song. You've got to hear this. Like now, I'm gonna play this for you now. And I've had so many people over the years,

even practically every week, hit me up, what was that artist? Tell me who that was again. I gotta go buy it or whatever. ⁓ That continues to push me and move me and get me excited to do more of that. And he played at home. mean, I've got vinyl, I've got lots of vinyl, I've got terabytes.

James Ferrigno (15:14)
Yeah I've got vinyl, I've got lots of vinyl,

terabytes of music digitally. I'm always looking for the next new thing to play. My kids hear it all the time.

Michael Rosenberg (15:19)
Tara bites some music digitally. I'm always looking for the next new thing to play. My kids hear it all the time.

My daughter, my daughter, she's got a great music taste. ⁓ My students who hear me play music in my classroom. Wait, what was that? That kind of thing. My friends who are constantly hitting me up. What are you listening to? Send me some music. got it. What do you hear? Or what shows are coming up? Let's go to a show. Yeah, let's do it. ⁓

James Ferrigno (15:41)
Yeah. to send me some music I got it you know what are you here or what shows are coming up let's go to a show yeah I

Michael Rosenberg (15:49)
never understand people who continue to just listen to that same music they listened to in high school. And like, that was the greatest music of all time. I mean, I get it. It's that connection to an exciting moment in their life.

James Ferrigno (15:50)
never understand people who continue to just listen to that same music they listen to in high school and that was the greatest music of all time I mean I get it it's that connection to an exciting

moment in their life and so it's reminiscent, it's in the back but to me what's the next thing? The next discovery. And I love to discover something new. I'll go crate digging right after we're off this

Michael Rosenberg (16:00)
And so it's reminiscent and it takes them back. But to me, what's the next thing? What's the next discovery? I love to discover something new. I'll go crate digging right after we're off this podcast.

James Ferrigno (16:12)
puzzle. Wow. Yeah. Yeah, I know what you mean. You want to have something new and it used to be, I don't know, we were spoiled when I grew up. It was just like...

The new stuff was just coming out of the walls. didn't matter where you were, some radio was on and it was playing something you'd never heard and that was just constantly happening for decades and then it stopped.

Then you had to go look for it. I'll push back a little bit on that. I actually think there's so much great new music right now. I think the ability to self-produce and self-distribute, it's too side of the coin because I look at artists like Ty Stegall or The O.C.'s or King Gizzard as three examples where they're self-producing, self-distributing, and they can just keep recording and doing it because it's not beholden to any record label.

Michael Rosenberg (16:40)
I'll push back a little bit on that. I actually think there's so much great new music right now. I think that the ability to self-produce and self-distribute, it's, I guess, a two-sided coin because I look at artists like Ty Stegall or the OCs or King Gizzard as three examples where they're self-producing, self-distributing, and they can just keep recording and doing it because they're not beholden.

to any record label, right? They're doing their

own thing. But the other side of that is they're taking the massive risk, right? They can lose it all if their stuff isn't any good. So I'm always listening, like there's certain labels I'm a big fan of or certain artists or artists that are like one or two degrees away from a particular artist that I really like that I'm kind of always paying attention to to see what they're doing. And then I pay attention to, you know, who's playing with them and what are they releasing right now? ⁓

James Ferrigno (17:10)
They're doing their own thing.

But the other side that is they're taking the mass at risk. They can lose it all if their stuff isn't doing good. I'm always listening. There's certain labels I'm a big fan of, or certain artists, ⁓ artists that are one or two degrees away from a particular artist that I really like. I'm always paying attention to see what they're doing. And then I pay attention to playing with them and what are they releasing right

now. There is a lot of music out there. ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (17:38)
lot of new music out there that I'm actually doing my best to keep

James Ferrigno (17:42)
actually

Michael Rosenberg (17:42)
up with.

James Ferrigno (17:42)
doing my best to keep up with. Yeah, yeah. There's, yeah, I didn't mean to say there isn't new music, because there's a lot of new music. It's just, I find that it just takes.

some effort to listen to it, to find it. Yeah, so it used to just hit you in the face and you didn't do anything, you know, you were just sitting there doing nothing, you know, and I know something that's different. I don't know if this is good or bad, but it used to be kind of nationwide and possibly global, semi global.

Michael Rosenberg (17:57)
Yes, yes, tremendously. Yeah, you're right.

Yeah, totally right.

James Ferrigno (18:25)
community where everyone was hearing the same things at the same time, you know and Now it's well, this is the whole thing with the internet's kind of broken people up into little commute little tiny communities little tiny groups and ⁓ which is different and Then you have to kind of find your little niche, you know and find the little stuff that you like and Go go do that. But for better or worse. That's just the way it is now, but ⁓

I think it's, you know, the dominant culture was supporting it before and they're supporting something now that's not really...

of the same quality that we might want to hear.

Michael Rosenberg (19:12)
Well,

as I was saying earlier, that Loews common denominator radio is just insulting, you know, and that commodification of, you know, music, it's nothing new, you know, I mean, they're doing this 100 years ago. you know, as we saw in the 1970s, 80s, 90s, when commercial radio got massively commodified and consolidated in the late 90s, starting the late 90s, when you don't have to compete anymore, well, then what's the point of, you know, ever, you know,

James Ferrigno (19:13)
Yeah ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (19:40)
trying out the new artist, is again, where non-commercial

radio plays just a huge role. And yeah, with the internet, it kind of democratized the whole scene where more people had a chance to distribute their stuff and more people had a chance to listen. But you're right, it's so hard. I remember ⁓ DJ, I was training, asking me about, like, how do you learn all this stuff? Like, how do you learn it? I'm like, well, you just have to get into it.

James Ferrigno (20:00)
Yeah. But how do you learn all this stuff? Like how do you learn it? I'm like, let's

have to get into it. You know, I remember walking into the KFJC library and this is from the late eighties and it was already.

Michael Rosenberg (20:06)
You know, I remember walking into the KFJC library, and this is in the late 80s, and it was already considered

one of the largest record libraries in the nation. That was then. Now it's unruly. It's so massive and exciting. Like, they don't just add anything. They are very particular about the music that gets into their library. And I remember being there in the late 80s and looking at multiple rooms of vinyl, just walls of vinyl.

James Ferrigno (20:13)
Wow. ⁓ Wow.

Michael Rosenberg (20:34)
and being so intimidated and talking to the staff about how do I do this? And they said, well, you know,

James Ferrigno (20:43)
You know every week we add music library. We have a current library section So start there the start listening to what's in current already? was responsible for playing 35 % of our shows have to be from library anyway Start

Michael Rosenberg (20:43)
every week we add new music to the library. We have a current library section. So start there. Just start listening to what's in current. Already we were responsible for playing 35 % of our shows had to be from the current library anyway. Start with that.

James Ferrigno (20:59)
with that yeah, and then pay attention who it is you're playing read the liner notes if there are any see you see who the musicians are who produced it see who engineered it see the label start investigating all of those people

Michael Rosenberg (21:00)
and then pay attention to who it is you're playing. Read the liner notes if there are any. who the musicians are. See who produced it. See who engineered it. See the label. Start investigating all of those people. And

James Ferrigno (21:13)
And over time you're gonna get there doesn't have to done overnight and know here I am You know almost 40 years later, right? Like 35 years later 36 years later I'm always learning I'm still learning but now I I know though like I'm

Michael Rosenberg (21:13)
over time, you're going to get there. It doesn't have to be done overnight. And now here I am, almost 40 years later, right? Like 35 years later, 36 years later, I'm always learning. I'm still learning. But now I know the, like I'm clued in.

James Ferrigno (21:29)
clued in to the protocols necessary You know the boxes I have to check when it comes to investigating an artist finding out more

Michael Rosenberg (21:30)
to the protocols necessary, the boxes I have to check when it comes to investigating an artist, finding out more, where it's gonna take me, respecting

specific ⁓ music critics and what they have to say, or friends of mine that I know are in the know, or DJs on the radio that I listen to, I'm like kick ass, they're on the air, I love their show, they know what's what.

James Ferrigno (21:43)
Respecting specific ⁓ music critics and what they have to say or friends of mine that I know we're in the know or DJs on the radio that I was you know my kick-ass that on the air I love their show. They know what's what yeah? I mean it used to be me with the pen and paper now It's you know the shoes that I'm happy to say that was awesome. Yeah DJs stumped Shazam which happens on my favorite ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (21:57)
I mean, it used to be me with the pen and paper, now it's the Shazam app, and the Shazam app is awesome, unless the DJ has stumped Shazam, which happens on my favorite radio stations, where Shazam has no clue what the hell the artist is. ⁓

James Ferrigno (22:11)
Yeah. So I think there's so much to be said. ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (22:11)
So I think there's so much to be said. ⁓ Diving in, but take your time, be deliberate, do the research, and continue to go there, and take the risks.

James Ferrigno (22:17)
Diving in like but take your time be deliberate Do the research and and you're kind of continued and take the

Michael Rosenberg (22:27)
You know, take the risk of expanding whenever I go record shopping, if I buy three things, you know, one must be an international artist so I can continue to grow my library. If it's four things, you know, one has to be from a genre I would not normally, you know, purchase from. You know, if it's five things, has to be all include a

James Ferrigno (22:27)
risk Yeah, take the risk of expanding whenever I go record shopping by three things, you know, what must be an international artist? No one has to be from John I would not normally you know, you know purchase from five things

Michael Rosenberg (22:47)
soundtrack, original soundtrack. So like these are things in my mind that I've done and that I think have really broadened.

James Ferrigno (22:47)
to be all in for the soundtrack, original soundtrack. So these are things in my mind that I've done and that I think have

really broadened my musical horizons. That make me a better DJ, better host, and more relevant. And of course I would say always something new, always something new. Whenever I come out of a mic break, the first thing I almost exclusively is a new brand new. And so that means every show,

Michael Rosenberg (22:56)
my musical horizons that make me a better DJ, better host, and more relevant. And of course, I would say always something new, always something new. Whenever I come out of a mic break, the first thing I play almost exclusively is a new release, something brand new. And so that means every show, if I've got eight

mic breaks, ⁓ that means eight new things every show you're gonna hear.

the same artist, maybe I played that artist the previous week, but it's a different track you just haven't heard. I don't like repeating, kind of thing. But that means if you're listening to my show, you are gonna hear at very least 80 things every show.

James Ferrigno (23:41)
That is fantastic. Yeah, and it's

Michael Rosenberg (23:42)
Yeah, me too.

James Ferrigno (23:48)
saying makes me think that research has become an incredibly necessary skill. It used to be something for academics, maybe reporters, but now it's like to really be able to listen to the music you want to just as a listener, it's not super casual anymore. You really have to be able to know how to do research.

And I learned that in grad school, but I've seen that not everyone even knows that that's possible, much less knows how to do it. And I see the same thing with news, if we want to call it that, information. It's easy on the internet to find out exactly what's going on.

Michael Rosenberg (24:32)
Yes, of course, sure.

James Ferrigno (24:40)
However, you have to have the ability to do research and you have to be able to know what you're looking at is factual. And that's also a skill that, it's a fairly high order skill that really all citizens really need to learn. It's not, it's something that's become, I think.

Michael Rosenberg (24:48)
Yes.

James Ferrigno (25:03)
I haven't seen any talk about that now this skill is absolutely paramount really for every person to have.

Michael Rosenberg (25:11)
Yeah, my bachelor's degree is in media literacy. And I teach it. Critical thinking and media literacy, I teach it in my classes all the time. And it's so essential. I quit Facebook in 2020. And I quit Instagram this past January. I don't miss them at all. I've been back on them. didn't dump the app. I mean, I don't have it on my phone or anything. But I didn't delete my accounts because of my radio show.

James Ferrigno (25:13)
Yeah. Yeah. ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (25:37)
I found myself on Facebook every rare so often not to post anything but ⁓ sorry I post for the radio station

James Ferrigno (25:43)
sorry,

I post through the radio station only, but as I'm looking through it, I'm like, this is terrible stuff. I don't like what I see. I don't enjoy it. I'm happy I quit it. I don't miss it. ⁓ Other than for the promotion of the radio stuff because it's needed for the socials, but I've taken on a, we have a social media intern who's been able to do all that stuff so I don't have to pay attention. But when it comes to the research, I read, I'm an avid reader of many genres, but one thing I love to read is music related stuff.

Michael Rosenberg (25:43)
only but as I'm looking through it I'm like this is terrible stuff man I don't like what I see I don't enjoy it I'm happy I quit it I don't miss it ⁓ other than for the promotion of the radio stuff because it's needed for the socials but I've taken on them we have a social media intern who's been able to like do a lot of that stuff so I don't have to pay attention

But when it comes to the research, ⁓ I'm an avid reader of many genres. But one thing I love to read is music related stuff. And when I started

James Ferrigno (26:13)
When I started getting into music at a young age my dad brought home the blues brothers album Yeah, we got it right there within reach choice I do. So this album, when my dad brought it home, this you? That's you. When my dad brought this home.

Michael Rosenberg (26:13)
getting into music at a young age, my dad brought home the Blues Brothers album, a briefcase full blues. I have it here. is it? Hold on, where is it? Of course I do. Where are you? Here you are. So this album, when my dad brought it home, is this you? That's you. When my dad brought this home, right there.

James Ferrigno (26:33)
⁓ Yeah

Michael Rosenberg (26:34)
1979, I think it came out, know, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. And I went nuts with this album. I'm like eight, nine years old. I'm nuts with this album. And I ruined it. That's the second copy, because I played it all the time. And then I realized, wait, they're covering other artists. These aren't them. So I started looking for the original artists. I was probably 12 years old at record stores looking for the originals of those songs.

And then I collected all of them. got all the originals, including this

James Ferrigno (27:03)
original, including this Toronto blues band that Dan Akroyd loved, the Down Child Blues Band. I got all of it. And then from there, I started buying other compilations and getting the comps and then getting the artists, the full album from the artists from the comps and like that got me down. And then I started reading about it and deep into the blues, deep into Delta blues and got into Robert Johnson, you know, the original.

Michael Rosenberg (27:03)
Toronto blues band that Dan Aykroyd loved, the Down Child Blues Band. And I got all of it. And then from there, I started buying other compilations and getting the comps and then getting the artists, the full albums of the artists from the comps. like that got me down. And then I started reading about it and deep, got deep into the blues, deep into Delta blues and got into Robert Johnson, you know, the original. And, um,

I got to this off my shelf. got to find it. So there's a book

James Ferrigno (27:31)
And I got to this off my shelf. ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (27:33)
that

James Ferrigno (27:33)
So there's a book that came out just a few years ago about Robert Johnson and Scott McCormick who worked for the Smithsonian. ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (27:33)
came out just a few years ago, where are you, about Robert Johnson, this guy, Mac McCormick, who worked for the Smithsonian, ⁓ is that you? Sorry, I'm looking and talking. He did like the, for the Smithsonian, he went and did like the deepest dive on, you know, who Robert Johnson really was, what really happened to him, what really is his story. I think I actually loaned my book out to a friend.

I would do that. know my books out. And this like took me on this path of like, want to know more about that history. I'm so deep into it. And I'm writing down everything I can and then put it on my show. And that's the stuff I continue to love to do is I want to read about it. I want to listen to it. I want to share it. I want you to get into it. You know, and I and then I come back again and do it all over again.

James Ferrigno (28:16)
And that's the stuff I can typically love to do. I want to read about it, I want to listen to it, I want to share it, I want you to get into it, you know, and then I come back

again do all of it. Sounds familiar.

Yeah, that I had really no awareness of blues before the Blues Brothers myself and that's it just made me aware of Aretha Franklin John Lee Hooker who are these people and ⁓ yeah, that's probably not as deep a dive as you had but Just certainly opened my awareness and knowledge of that entire area Of course I feel the same way about film so I'm

Michael Rosenberg (28:38)
head on.

Right, I'm out.

Power of music, my friend.

James Ferrigno (29:01)
multitasking.

Michael Rosenberg (29:02)
Yeah,

right.

James Ferrigno (29:04)
So yeah, there's a lot out there. So much great stuff. Yeah, and I love to learn new stuff, but I also love to unearth old stuff too. Things I never explored, you know?

Michael Rosenberg (29:14)
all the time.

Yeah, I'm very lucky.

I live in the East Bay and Down Home Music is near me and they're the home of our Hoolie Records, which is just a legendary blues, bluegrass, Cajun, zydeco country label. And ⁓ I love them so much. And whenever I go in there, it's just like walking into history. And I always leave so happy with what I picked up. know, there are lot of records stores I love in the Bay Area. We're lucky to live here.

James Ferrigno (29:19)
I'm very lucky. I live in the East Bay and Down Home Music is near me and they're the home of our Hoolie Records, which is a legendary blues, bluegrass, Cajun, Sbytico country label. And I love them so much. And whenever I go in there, it's just like walking into history. And I always believe so happy with what I've picked up. There are lot of record stores I love in the Bay Area. We're

lucky to live here. But that store is...

Michael Rosenberg (29:46)
But that store is, man, the history

is so great.

James Ferrigno (29:49)
history

is so great. Wow, fantastic. It's good to have someplace like that. There's still some, even though so much is gone, especially from the city, there's still a left.

Michael Rosenberg (30:01)
yeah,

agreed.

James Ferrigno (30:07)
Yeah, I've been exploring the replacements lately, who somehow I kind of missed, so I don't know how that happened.

Michael Rosenberg (30:14)
Oh, I thought I had their record next to me, but it's actually The Descendants, but yeah. Yeah, right on. Love Replacement.

James Ferrigno (30:16)
I thought I had the record next to me, but it actually in the

December. Yeah, I remember hearing, I started listening to him like less than a year ago. like, no, this is the real thing. This is the real deal. Yeah. I love Tim. What a great record. Yeah. Yeah. And then that took me to Big Star and yeah.

Michael Rosenberg (30:27)
Yeah, yeah. I love Tim. That's a great record.

Right on,

James Ferrigno (30:40)
right

on man this is the real stuff the whole Minnesota yeah

Michael Rosenberg (30:45)
You know, isn't that interesting to James, the idea of

That music where you're like, no, that's legit. That is genuine. That is authentic. But the line, like where does it cross the line where it's not? It's performative. know? Like sometimes I think to myself, all this stuff that we know is just the best. It's so authentic. It's so real. And I say we, I I think people with more discerning tastes, hello, look at me. But like, how we know that that stuff is really that good?

James Ferrigno (30:52)
That music where you're like, no, that's best. That's that is genuine. That is authentic. But the line like where does across the line where it's not, it's informative. Yeah. You know, like sometimes I think to myself, all this stuff that we know is just the best. It's so authentic. It's so and I say we I think we're more discerning case. Hello, look at me. But like how we know that that stuff is really

that good?

Michael Rosenberg (31:22)
How do we know that? Right?

James Ferrigno (31:22)
Yeah, you can just hear it. You can feel it.

I mean, cause you'll, I don't know. Some things are just, they're authentic. I've been a dating coach for the last few years and there's an authenticity you can feel with people. And it's something that people with intuition, women mostly, women can feel when a guy is authentic. And if he's really inauthentic, he's creepy.

And I think what we've gotten into is lot of creepy music. So, because there's a disconnect, you know, because authenticity is what you're saying and the image that you're putting out is the same as what's going on inside, right? You want that to be consistent. And ⁓ with the music, when what's going on inside the person is coming out through whatever their instrument or their voice, when it's the same,

Michael Rosenberg (31:52)
Sure.

Yeah.

James Ferrigno (32:20)
The closer they can get to having that be identical, the more authentic they are and the more they're like, this is the real stuff, which is why some of like, I don't know, Billie Holiday or something you listen to and you go, oh my God. Because it's just completely authentic. And certainly when I hear the replacements, go, oh, this is real. This is the real thing. And then there's other things that, you know, I don't know, I used to really be into oingo boingo. It's like, this is real. This is not, it's weird.

Michael Rosenberg (32:33)
Yeah.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah.

James Ferrigno (32:50)
but it's real, you know?

But you get into like, I don't know, Duran Duran, it's like, there's some realness here. Yeah, there's definitely some great musicianship, but there's a little bit of something missing, you know?

Michael Rosenberg (32:58)
There's talent there. Yeah.

Well, isn't that the pop mentality? Like, why don't we like boy bands

or Taylor Swift? It's like, you know, we know what you're in it for. Hey, Taylor, I love the fact you write your own lyrics. I think that's outstanding that you're doing it, but let's not be mistaken. We also know that you're a pop star. And if you haven't compromised your own integrity when it comes to the moment of I'm going to use, I'm going to do, say this word and not that word because I am thinking of the bottom line. There you go. Yeah.

James Ferrigno (33:10)
Boy bands or Taylor Swift. We know what you're in it for. Taylor, I love that you write your own lyrics. I think that's outstanding that you're doing it, but let's not be mistaken. We also know that you're a pop star. You haven't compromised your own integrity when it comes to the moment of I'm going to say this word and not that word because I am thinking of a modern line. There you go.

You have to be in a place that you are able.

to produce things and say things that you want to. I just watched that new Billy Joel documentary. It's really long. I watched part one, It's like, he's just doing his thing, you know? And ⁓ that's, think people resonate with that. I think women especially, but even men. In the end...

Michael Rosenberg (33:46)
I watched part one, yeah.

James Ferrigno (34:01)
People want things to be real, they want them to be authentic. And when they see the comparison, that's when it becomes stark. If all they've ever heard is the fake stuff, they won't notice. But then when they hear something like Billy Joe, who's still around, so you could maybe still be exposed to it, know, in the live performance, ⁓ they notice. Right.

Michael Rosenberg (34:04)
great.

Right. Every

Friday at my school, we have these flex periods that run about 45 minutes each. Teachers could do whatever they want. Students have to sign up. So it could be a sewing circle, it could be a macrame, it could be art. And myself and another teacher, we do a music appreciation hour and kids come in, they can sign whatever song they want, right? You know, within reason, we don't want it to be obscene. But the other teacher, my buddy Eric and I, we're super close friends and we go see a lot of concerts together.

James Ferrigno (34:24)
⁓

Michael Rosenberg (34:52)
We also get to put music on.

James Ferrigno (34:52)
Hmm.

Michael Rosenberg (34:54)
it's, know, ideally a video so the kids can see it, not just hear it. And I mean, we get to hear the kids' interests, which sometimes are really great. I'm very impressed with some of them. Most of the time, really, yeah, it's pop shit, but it's all good. But then we put on stuff where like, you should really hear this band. You should really hear this artist. You should really, like, we're going to do this. We're going to play this too. And it's been a great opportunity for us to share things with kids that they would never hear anywhere else. Rarely.

James Ferrigno (34:54)
⁓ Yeah. with some of them most of the time, like, yeah, it's good pop shit, but it's all good. But then we put on stuff where like, you should really hear this band, you should really hear this artist, you should really, like, we're gonna do this, we're gonna play this too. And it's been a great opportunity for us to share things with kids that they would never hear anywhere else.

They rarely would have a kid that would have to take the

Michael Rosenberg (35:22)
with a kid every now and take the chance to

hear some of these artists. I'm like, yeah, well, I feel I have a responsibility for that concern.

James Ferrigno (35:25)
Yeah, that's fantastic. It's a great thing to do. I remember I had a When I just started college 18 years old they had a They do this anymore the history of rock and roll class Which they allowed you to retake by the way to fulfill other categories. I took it three times And but you know I got exposed to all this stuff. You know I didn't know about you know

Michael Rosenberg (35:47)
I love it, that's awesome.

James Ferrigno (35:53)
early history of Pink Floyd but I learned it. Oh yeah. Yeah so yeah so that was pretty yeah our professor was obsessed with Pink Floyd so we got a lot of we got a lot of Pink Floyd. But you know that's good education.

Michael Rosenberg (35:56)
yeah!

Love that.

That's great. That Sid Barrett documentary that came out last

year was just incredible. I loved it. I'm a big fan. ⁓ I said there was a Sid Barrett documentary that came out a year or so ago that I just loved, loved it. I'm a big fan of that early era. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

James Ferrigno (36:12)
Yeah, wait you uh, flipped out for a second. What was that? I have not seen that Yeah,

he's crazy man

Michael Rosenberg (36:27)
Or was he?

James Ferrigno (36:29)
Yeah, yeah, I guess I do Check that out All right, man, so we can wrap up here Maybe one more question What's a good final question? ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (36:31)
You gotta see it.

Well...

James Ferrigno (36:53)
What's something you've learned that you've been taught over your years, your lifetime, that you can,

Just share with people something you think is valuable that can help people to ⁓ maybe be able to move forward and explore some of these areas. Like what works? What worked for you? My dad always said there's no reward without risk. He used say that so much when was a kid. He was a small business owner so he definitely understood risk. ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (37:16)
Yeah. My dad always said there's no reward without risk. He used say that so much as a kid. He was a small business owner, so he definitely understood risk. Now,

My parents divorced at the end of eighth grade and I lived with my dad through high school. And because he was out a lot, you know, working or I was friends, whatever, I had no leash. No leash. Like Michael went and did whatever Michael was gonna go and do. But my dad always used to say, there's no reward without risk. So I took that as, what's the worst thing that could happen? Take a risk, go see what's gonna happen. You know, and so for me as a youth,

James Ferrigno (37:34)
My parents divorced at the end of eighth grade and I lived with my dad through high school. And we could see that a lot, know, working or we have a friend that I am no leash. No leash, like.

Michael went in with never Michael was gonna go and do. I had always used to say, there's no risk. So I took that as, what's worst thing that could happen? Take a risk, go see what's gonna happen. And so for

me as a youth, I did risky things. I dabbled in drugs for a while, but experimentally only, didn't get hooked on anything. But I also did things like, I lived in San Mateo, but my friends were like, let's take the train to the city. I'm 15 years old, 16 years

Michael Rosenberg (38:02)
You know, I did risky things. You know, I dabbled in drugs for a while, but experimentally only, I didn't get hooked on anything. But I also did things like, you know, I lived in San Mateo, but I had friends were like, well, let's take the train to the city. Now I'm 15 years old, 16 years old,

James Ferrigno (38:18)
Yeah Friday night, Saturday night, let's go to the city and let's go to the club and what's the worst thing they could say? Go home kid. And what I experienced was they didn't really do that. Like back in the eighties, they

Michael Rosenberg (38:18)
Friday night, Saturday night, let's go to the city and let's go to the club. And what's the worst thing they could say? Go home, kid. And what I experienced was they didn't really do that. Like back in the eighties, they didn't really card.

James Ferrigno (38:30)
didn't really card, you know, and I wasn't there to drink. I was there to go see music. So I started to go, huh, if I could do that, what else can I As I've gotten older, I have edited or amended my proper phrase to say there's no reward without healthy risk.

Michael Rosenberg (38:31)
You know, and I wasn't there to drink. was there to go see music. So I started to go, huh, if I could do that, what else can I do? As I've gotten older, I have edited or amended my father's phrase to say there's no reward without healthy risk.

And I think as a parent, especially I have responsibility to teach my children how to take healthy risks, right? Cause eventually they have to get out into the world and I don't want them to kill themselves and do stupid things.

James Ferrigno (38:58)
Yeah. helps induce

different things. I mean they'll experiment with that also. So I've learned in my life that risk-taking is really important. Like you to take risks in life. I mean, yes you have to measure it, the cost of medical stuff. Of course you have to put

Michael Rosenberg (39:00)
⁓ mean, they'll experiment with that also. So I've learned in my life that, risk taking is really important. Like you have to take risks in life. I mean, they, yes, you have to measure it, the cost of benefits of it. Of course you have to put in that effort, but

James Ferrigno (39:18)
that up really but should not do it really to prides yourself ⁓ yeah opportunity that that you never know what's going to happen and that if you have a you're a

Michael Rosenberg (39:18)
to not do it really deprives yourself of opportunity that, that you never know what's going to happen. And that if you have a fear of failure, well,

James Ferrigno (39:29)
failure well find your way through it you have a fear of embarrassment I embarrassed myself multiple times a day to this day

Michael Rosenberg (39:29)
Find your way through it. You have a fear of embarrassment. I embarrass myself multiple times a day to this day. Learn to get yourself

through that to see what's waiting for you on the other side. What's waiting for you on the other side can be miraculous, life-changing, awe-inspiring, and more often than not, it's gonna be boring. It's gonna be mundane. It's gonna be meh, whatever. But it's those moments where you're like, holy crap, look what I just did. Never expected to do that.

James Ferrigno (39:55)
Yeah.

to do that. Look what I learned, look who I met, look what I accomplished, look what's coming back to me and be inclusive. Be fully inclusive.

Michael Rosenberg (39:57)
Look what I learned, look who I met, look what I accomplished, look what's coming back to me and be inclusive. Be fully inclusive. Welcome everybody.

Cause the other great thing my dad always said to me was invite everybody to the party, let them decline the invitation. And I always took that as it's a party. Let's have it, let's do it. Let's have a good time. If you want to be a part of it, be a part of it, right? Be a part, you're welcome to be a part of it. But if you don't want to be,

James Ferrigno (40:07)
Welcome everybody because the other great thing my dad always said to me was invite everybody to the party let them to find the invitation and I always took that as It's a party. Let's have it. Let's do it. Let's a good time. If you want to be a part of it Be a part of it, right? Be a part you're welcome to be a part of it But

if you don't want to be you know, don't shit on us who want to be right? we want to we want to make this happen and I really think that I've taken those kind of those two pieces of advice and I

Michael Rosenberg (40:25)
You know, don't shit on us who want to be, right? Cause we want to make this happen. And I really think that I've taken those kind of those two pieces of advice and I think I've done really well with it.

James Ferrigno (40:37)
I think I've done really well with it. I don't look at wealth as like money. look at wealth as like family, friends, engagement, doing stuff. Like let's, that's the wealth, right? Yes, obviously, but let's go and do this thing, whatever it is.

Michael Rosenberg (40:37)
I don't look at wealth as like money. look at wealth as like family, friends, engagement, doing stuff. Like let's eat, that's the wealth, right? Yes, I got to obviously put food on the table, but let's go and do this thing, whatever it is. And, ⁓

James Ferrigno (40:52)
And,

Michael Rosenberg (40:54)
democratize

it, right? The more voices involved, the more amazing it can be. ⁓ So I'd say those are the things that continue to drive me. Those are the things that get me up in the morning. Those are the pieces of advice that have really led me to kind of be who I am today and how I see the world. That's not going to change for me. That's just who I am. And if I can get other people to see that and be a part of that, all the better. You know, I've incorporated mindfulness and meditation in my life over the years. That's just also really helped me tremendously.

James Ferrigno (40:55)
democratize it right the more voices involved the more amazing it can be so I'd say those are the things that continue to drive me those are the things that get me up in the morning those are the pieces of advice that have really led me to kind of be who I am today and how I see the world that's not going to change for me that's who I am and if I can get other people to see that and be a part of that all the better you know I've incorporated my mindfulness and meditation in my life over the years

Michael Rosenberg (41:23)
And I teach that too. I think these are things that have allowed me to have a balance. I can't change the past. I can make amends for it. I can be as present as I can be right now, prepare for the future, but it's not here yet.

James Ferrigno (41:40)
Fantastic I'm on board 100 % Yeah, yeah, give us some it's

Michael Rosenberg (41:43)
And tune in Monday nights at 8 o'clock Pacific to Hell's Kitchen Radio on Radio Alaska.

James Ferrigno (41:53)
RadioValencia.fm? That's correct.

Michael Rosenberg (41:54)
That's correct.

Yeah, we got an app. By the way, my show's called Hell's Kitchen Radio. I had no idea that there was a TV show called Hell's Kitchen. I don't know it, I don't watch that stuff, so I had no idea. my show used to be called A Season in Hell for a very long time, and I was looking to change it. And a DJ I really loved, a wonderful human being made a recommendation, I called it Hell's Kitchen Radio. I don't know if he knew that it was a show, I've never gotten a letter. So, you know, I've done all, like,

James Ferrigno (41:58)
Yeah.

I had no idea that there was a TV show called Hell's Kitchen. I don't know it. I don't watch that stuff. So I had no idea. I was a show used to be called a season in hell for a very long time. I was looking to change it. a DJ I really loved, a wonderful human being made a recommendation. I called it Hell's Kitchen Radio. I don't know if he knew that it was a show. I'd never gotten a letter. So it was on like

Michael Rosenberg (42:23)
over 500 of these shows, but it's nowhere, in no way related to a Gordon Ramsay TV show at all. So

James Ferrigno (42:24)
over 500 of these shows, but it's nowhere in no way related to a Gordon Ramsay TV show at all.

Michael Rosenberg (42:31)
take that as you will.

James Ferrigno (42:32)
Yeah, well it's an area of New York, I think it's public domain, right? Yeah, all right.

Michael Rosenberg (42:37)
Yeah, right. I'm cooking up the platters that matter.

James Ferrigno (42:46)
Alright Michael, thanks a lot. I really appreciate you being on the show. It's been a great conversation. much. So much stuff. Thank you. I'd love to have you on man. Let me know when you want to come on on Monday night. Alright, yeah. I will. Alright, so thanks again and... ⁓

Michael Rosenberg (42:47)
Bye now James.

I've really enjoyed it. Thank you. I'd love to have you on, man. Let me know when you wanna come on on Monday night.

I mean it.