The new leadership playbook? 📍A cross-functional policy desk 📍Pre-defined response triggers 📍A bias for clarity over control In a world of ambient volatility, coherence is a competitive edge.

Registration for the fifth annual Audience Development Summit is open! I'm among the speakers, sharing about KQED's Trusted Voice Content. Join me there! Details at pmcc.org.

The latest edition of OIGO's newsletter, focusing on public media and Latino audiences, is set to be released tomorrow. In the meantime, you can catch up with the first edition of the year for insightful information. oigo.us/p/kcur-lisa-rodriguez

Conflict doesn’t have to be destructive. My key? Separate people from problems. ✅ Encourage consideration of other views. It builds empathy and open-mindedness. 🌱 Model curiosity. A steady, calm response makes it safe for others to speak up and focus on shared goals.

Courage isn’t just for crisis mode, I must remind peers in public media. Really, it's a leadership muscle. 💪 Build it with everyday courage: → Moral: Align actions with values → Social: Speak up, even when it’s unpopular → Emotional: Stay present in tough moments

If you are interested in getting into public radio programming, my guide to creating a show is now available in paperback. It provides a step-by-step walkthrough of everything you need to know to create your own show. Details: ernestoaguilar.com/radio

OIGO is out tomorrow and I need ONE MORE SUBSCRIBER to hit a milestone. Who's with me???? Subscribe, share, sign up your cat, anything at oigo.us!

Public radio’s value isn’t in more content. but trusted context. If your team is stretched, cut one low-impact initiative and double down on what reliably moves membership and listening. Tip: pick one metric to rally around this quarter. Make it visible. Celebrate wins weekly.

My newsletter on public media and diverse audiences is back tomorrow! I look forward to sharing some great insights with you. Join me here: oigo.us

I know many who are feeling digitally drained. Some suggestions: 📍 Match the message to the medium 📍 Batch AND stream messages strategically 📍 Use “time tiers” for replies: 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week I've found that small shifts can reclaim big energy.

If you are looking to launch a new show on public radio, there are several key steps to consider. Understanding the programming structure, defining your purpose, and developing high-quality content are essential for success. Here's my guide to do it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMD77NHL

Listen again: Ghost Frequency / 11th January 2026 Playing tracks by Emeralds, Steve Hauschildt, Mark McGuire, Imaginary Softwoods, Kim Hiorthøy, Zoë Mc Pherson and Acrylwaffen. @eaxlr.com | www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/ghos...

Someone once taught me this quick coaching model: the Coaching Bridge 1️⃣ Ask how they’re thinking 2️⃣ Share your take 3️⃣ End with: “What will you do next?” This 3-part structure builds confidence, not dependency.

It's 2026 and so many stories are bubbling up already for public media. I offered a number of stories you should be watching. Catch up with my insights at oigo.us.

Digital tools should support your focus, not sabotage it. My advice? Audit your apps. Cut the clutter. Set rules for yourself like I did. A few changes like disabling notifications or syncing message timing to task type can unlock real clarity.

Receiving the Public Media for All Award yesterday was a tremendous honor for many reasons. I tried to say why. And I recognize this is not an individual recognition, but a salute to our collective efforts. Thank you for your support.

Coaching doesn’t need a calendar invite. Some of the most powerful growth moments happen in the flow of work. My tips? Ask first, don’t solve. Use silence. Hand back ownership. Leadership isn’t just about answers, but building thinkers.

Today is Public Media for All’s sixth annual Day of Action & Education. Be there to see how the public media industry is charting the course forward. Attend here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/reg...

I'm heading your way in February to talk about Trusted Voice Contrnt! greaterpublic.org/resources/au...

Too much input, not enough insight? Your brain might be stuck in overdrive. Try this: once a week, protect time for no new input. Just synthesize what you already know. Leaders need reflection time to connect the dots.

I will be visiting Austin later this month and would love to connect with my public media colleagues. Please feel free to reach out and schedule a time to meet. I look forward to collaborating with y'all!

If you're an achiever on an understaffed team, be cautious about extra work. Boundaries are okay! Say no when your main job would suffer, there's no clear exit strategy, or the ask is unreasonable. And use a “positive no” to protect your time while still offering help.

Public Media for All is hosting its annual Day of Action & Education this week. The event will showcase leaders who will discuss their visions for a better public media and the steps being taken to achieve it. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/reg...

I'm striving to reach a milestone in OIGO free subs. If you could share my work, I'd really appreciate it! Doing my best to amplify diverse voices in public media still matters. Please encourage a colleague to sign up at no cost at oigo.us.

“If I can do it, so can you” sounds empowering—but it can shut people down. Try this reframe: What worked for me might not work for everyone. True leadership means meeting others where they are, not where you’ve been.

I'm honored to share I've been named Public Media Content Collective's board president. If you're in public radio, I'd love to hear from you about what you need, and how an industry organization like ours can serve you better. LMK!

Your last moment of the year to help public media is here! Donate at adoptastation.org

Before the year ends, an appreciation for public media and especially the voices reshaping our industry: Your commitment to authentic service continues to inspire me. The future of public media is clear when we're using every tool we have to ensure all voices are heard.

Before 2025 wraps, I wanted to share one of the biggest conversations we had this year: the post-DEI landscape for public media. Many dimensions to this that we're still feeling. oigo.us/p/post-dei-public-m...

"When you’re creating, you should be able to see and shape the thing you’re making. When you need a quick answer or the next step lives in another tool, it should be right there." fidjisimo.substack.com/p/mo...

One of the most popular OIGO posts of 2025 was my profile of WFAE's super-journalist! ICYMI catch up over your break here: oigo.us/p/wfae-julian-berge...

“I need to be involved” feels like commitment. But it often leads to bottlenecks. Reframe it: I can do anything, but I can’t do everything. Letting go isn’t stepping back, but making space for others.

Honored to see this!

In 2026, it will be crucial to support strong journalism that delves into the important issues. By donating to KQED, you can ensure access to reliable and informative media coverage that keeps you updated. Give today at kqed.org/donate.

And another thing...

Unchecked fear doesn't just freeze decisions. It rewires priorities. Micromanagement rises. Vision fades. Creativity stalls. The challenge isn't to eliminate fear. It’s to channel it.

The paperback release of my guide for producing programming for public radio is here. It covers everything from developing show ideas to technical specs. If creating a public radio show is on your 2026 bucket list, this guide is for you. Details: ernestoaguilar.com/radio/

ICYMI… www.kqed.org/news/12068148

Mark your calendar now! And join us for our Quarterly Membership Meeting Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 1:00–2:00 PM Join us for updates, discussion, and what’s ahead for the coming quarter. All members are encouraged to attend! us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

🎙️60 years ago next year, a moment changed everything. I'm creating a limited-run narrative podcast to tell that story... honestly, thoughtfully and with care. As a first-time podcaster, I’m all ears: What advice do you have on crafting powerful, accurate storytelling?

This week Google released a comprehensive benchmark that evaluates AI models across four distinct dimensions of factual accuracy. The insights should inform how newsrooms think about deploying these tools. www.hackshackers.com/google...

A well-orchestrated leadership exit protects more than reputation, but preserves momentum. Align incentives, honor legacy, and engage alumni with care. Succession isn’t a legal checklist. Rather, it’s leadership in action.

Next year, staying informed will be crucial. Support KQED to ensure access to quality journalism that covers the midterms and more. Your contribution powers the media you rely on, providing you with the news and information you need. Donate now at kqed.org.

In 2025, we witnessed a lot. Tomorrow morning, join me for a comprehensive capture of the year's energy. Get OIGO here. oigo.us.

In high-stakes moments, values are your best compass. But first you have to define them. Start by asking: When do I feel most alive? What frustrates me? What legacy do I want to leave? Leadership starts with self-awareness.

Talking big public media stories related to diversity and Latinos coming in 2026 this Friday. Subscribe at oigo.us.

Hit me with your recommendations for a solid, out-of-pocket affordable editor of six podcast scripts! 📝

Too many leaders' exits feel like terminations, not transitions. Boards: this is your moment to reinforce culture, clarity and continuity. Succession isn’t just a handoff. Instead it’s a strategic reset.

In my latest newsletter, I spotlighted the major stories public media covered in 2025 related to diversity and Latino audiences. From representation to activism in to political developments, the industry was on it all. Read the latest OIGO here: oigo.us/p/year-in-latino-st...

Fun times!