Where radio is different than fiction is that even mediocre fiction needs purpose, a driving question.

I was a chubby, unathletic kid and conformed to every possible stereotype you could imagine of someone who would end up in public broadcasting.

...uncorny, human sized drama

I think good radio often uses the techniques of fiction: characters, scenes, a big urgent emotional question. And as in the best fiction, tone counts for a lot.

I think the most famous person I've ever met is Brad Pitt.

You will be stupid. You will worry your parents. You will question your own choices, your relationships, your jobs, your friends, where you live, what you studied in college, that you went to college at all... If that happens, you're doing it right.

The entire culture was organized for people who are happy. People who are miserable need reassurance that other people are miserable.