Not sure if we could get into this for public media, but an unhinged mascot could be fun. www.adweek.com/brand-market...

Technical skills fade. Foundational ones don’t. If you're hiring or developing talent? Look for adaptability Moreover, model what you value, because problem-solving + collaboration = long-term performance.

Before we're out, I have something for you at oigo.us!

My AI in public media learning so far? Start with augmentation, not automation. How? Pilot three tasks: transcript cleanup, social copy first drafts and archive search. Set guardrails. Track time saved and errors fixed. Your north star is quality and trust, not speed alone.

Before OIGO drops Friday, catch up on my remarks on how public media can support human connection in an era where Hispanic communities are facing distress. Read more free here: oigo.us.

Want to reduce workplace loneliness? Make connection a team habit, not a side project.

Very astute look at how newsrooms are applying AI with an eye on engagement, and with humans in the loop at every turn. localmedia.org/2025/10/4-re...

It's the last brand-new episode of Check, Please! Bay Area until 2026! From comforting Eastern European brunch, to a variety of pies from a three-time World Pizza Champion, to classic French favorites, join us this Thursday, 11/20 at 7:30 p.m. on KQED 9 as guests dish on their favorite restaurants.

5-6pm: Ghost Frequency From fractured compositions to shifting tonal landscapes, Ghost Frequency is where unseen vibrations reshape the boundaries of sound. @eaxlr.com | ghostfrequency.xyz #Experimental #Noise #MusiqueConcrete #Drone #Electronic *⏰CET

"Proponents of AI in newsrooms say that regardless of the business implications, the technology is a powerful new tool to aid with reporting and editing and engage readers. And they are racing to figure out how to take advantage of that." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/...

Authenticity isn’t oversharing. It’s showing up with purpose. As a leader, regulate before you relate. Model your values, protect your privacy, and lead with empathy, not ego. Your composure sets the tone.

As we're thinking about public media's future, I wanted to remind you of my look at the Researching Unmet Needs study with an eye to how you can use it to understand your local Latino audience interests. Take a peek at my topline assessments here: oigo.us/p/latino-audiences-...

Telling people to rest won't work if urgency is baked into the system. Break the entrainment cycle by redesigning work: slow the tempo, cut reactivity, and rethink meetings. Rest isn't a perk... it’s part of performance.

There's a fine line to me on this one. Making more revenue-oriented decisions makes sense. We probably need to also have more active conversations about what we're doing that isn't yielding what we need. www.amediaoperator.com/anal...

Don’t wait for disruption to get ready. Build career resilience now: sharpen high-value skills, invest in real relationships, and revisit your goals regularly. The strongest careers evolve by design, not by default.

Myth: Younger audiences don’t listen to radio. Fact: They listen when the content is useful, local and easy to find. Myth: Fundraising is a wall of fatigue. Fact: Clear value props and fewer, sharper messages still convert. Refocus on utility, locality and simplicity.

Coming home to Texas in 2026! Put me on your calendar in January in Austin. Would love to see my public media people there.

New leaders: your first move with an inherited team sets the tone. Start with curiosity, not conclusions. → Ask before judging → Ground decisions in data → Communicate with clarity Leadership isn’t about fast fixes—it’s about trust and thoughtful change.

Thanks for all the feedback about my professional website, which has gotten the refresh I've wanted for some time. I invite more of your suggestions! ernestoaguilar.com/

Courage isn’t just for crisis mode, but a daily leadership muscle. 💪 Build it with 3 kinds of everyday courage: → Moral: Align actions with values → Social: Speak up, even when it’s unpopular → Emotional: Stay present in tough moments

In case you missed it, I recently offered why I remain hopeful for public media, even amid cuts. Read more: oigo.us/p/end-of-cpb-public...

Job security is unpredictable. Your resilience doesn’t have to be. Clarify your non-negotiables, strengthen adaptability, and build a network beyond your org. Resilient careers aren’t reactive, but instead they’re intentional.

Really appreciated this look at funding disclosure models and am curious how public media could follow a lead like this. www.cjr.org/analysis/nonpro...

If your team can’t slow down—even on vacation—you may be stuck in an “entrainment cycle.” But burnout isn’t always about long hours; it’s about unsustainable tempo. Want long-term performance? Reset the rhythm, not just the calendar..

You don’t need a new show. You need a repeatable format. Try this: 3x weekly 90-second segment that answers one audience question. Record in batches. Publish on radio, app, website, socials. Cadence beats complexity. Consistency builds habit.

One month after the release of my public radio programming resource guide for producers looking to create content for stations, and it's been a great learning experience. Learn more about the guide here: ernestoaguilar.com/radio

Appreciate the journey, always.

New project alert: I’m exploring a narrative podcast tied to the 60th anniversary of a peculiar historical moment. Short-run series like this are new to me, so I’m listening, reading, sketching, learning. If you've built one before, I gratefully accept any tips you have.

I understand publishers chalking these issues up to anti-DEI campaigns. Also something should be said about companies perhaps following what they saw as a trend and going elsewhere once they didn't. www.theguardian.com/media/2...

Disagreeing with a colleague? A pro tip that will take you far: frame it as a contribution: "I have a different perspective that might help us achieve our goals."

KQED’s Trusted Voice Content turns short promo breaks into authentic, people-first storytelling that bridges radio and digital. Let me tell you how the strategy boosted engagement, donations and trust; and also what stations can learn from it. current.org/2025/10/how-pro...

"Bring your whole self to work" sounds empowering, but for leaders, it can backfire. Leadership is in many ways about clarity, trust and stability. Be authentic, yes. But be strategic.

TODAY IS THE DAY! Bay Area Storytellers of Color hosts a lively conversation on the future of public media. Reserve your seat at the table here: forms.gle/GegRofikeoMZF5qp9

Nashville Public Radio has 48 hours to raise $250k. If you love the great music, news, arts and culture these stations share with Tennessee and beyond, please give what you can now: nashvillepublicradio.org/

Even well-meaning feedback can spark conflict in today’s climate. Want to keep conversations constructive? 1️⃣ Pause, don’t react 2️⃣ Label your emotions 3️⃣ Respond, don’t escalate Civility isn’t just kindness. It’s leadership in this world.

When data stops guiding you, intuition steps in. But intuition isn’t magic. It’s a skill built through pattern recognition, reflection, and small daily decisions. Want better gut calls? Start with the “calm test”: Would I decide the same way if I were completely calm?

My friends at WPLN/WNXP are in the midst of fundraising! If you value the news and culture that these beloved stations amplify in Nashville, now is the time to give. Donate at nashvillepublicradio.org/

Saying “no” isn’t a weakness—it’s a leadership skill. Strategic refusal means: ✔ Reframing no as prioritization ✔ Making trade-offs visible ✔ Offering realistic alternatives It’s how strong leaders protect focus, trust and results.

Join us Thursday! We're tackling the big questions facing public media. I'm so honored to be in conversation later this week with some brilliant minds. RSVP here: forms.gle/GegRofikeoMZF5qp9

IYKYK

I'm wondering how much of a "best and final" culture for saving money is arising in public media? It's certainly an employer's market, but questions about how this alienates employees and damages loyalty and trust remain. www.kornferry.com/insights/...

“Keep me posted” isn’t a strategy. If you want real visibility into your team’s work, set clear expectations upfront: what updates you need, when, and in what format. Clarity builds trust and helps everyone focus on what matters. 

Listeners of KQED may have noticed the subtle change, but it was actually a massive one. If you're at a public radio station, think deeply about how you present your station to the community. Here was our process and how you could rebrand on-air: www.radioworld.com/columns-...

Want lasting momentum when it comes to new technology? Stop upgrading the old model. Instead, start inventing a new one. Redesign roles, workflows and value creation with what you want to see at the core. Track what works, support your people, and keep reinvesting.

A reminder if you're part of KQED's Signal Society: I'll be speaking at the 11/7 Tours & Talks, speaking on how we approach AI. Check your inbox and sign up today! Spots are closing out.

Happiness tip: it’s not all about self-care. It’s about shared care. Strong ties, social circles, and even spiritual reflection can lift our mood and sense of purpose. Don’t just chase productivity. Invest in belonging.

My favorite leaders don’t just speak, but filter. In high-stakes rooms, impulse control is strategy. Write the idea down. Revisit. Then ask: Will this help or distract? Leadership isn’t just knowing what to say, but knowing when (and if) to say it.

ICYMI I got reflect on a 2023 downturn in listenership at KQED, and how we turned around our fortunes. I'm writing about it in hopes it helps other stations steal ideas to boost themselves. current.org/2025/10/playboo...

Listen again: Ghost Frequency / 19th October 2025 Playing tracks by Bob Ostertag, Blackchai, August Fanon, KMRU, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Wendy Eisenberg and more. @eaxlr.com | www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/ghos...

When strategy can't keep up with change, waiting for clarity isn’t an option. 🔑 Prioritize funding to stay flexible 🧠 Use tools to surface inefficiencies 🎯 Focus on your most loyal members Resilience isn’t about guessing right—it’s about adapting fast.