Dr. Laura Schlessinger offers no-nonsense advice infused with a strong sense of ethics, accountability, and personal responsibility; she’s been doing it successfully for more than 30 years, reaching approximately 8.25 million listeners weekly. Her internationally syndicated radio program is also heard on Sirius/XM Radio, and is streamed on the Internet and podcast via StreamLink.
She’s also a best selling author of 11 adult books and four children’s books, which range from the provocative (New York Times chart topper “The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands”) to the poignant (children’s book title “Why Do You Love Me?”). Her support of children and family values is legendary, and she is, indeed, “her kid’s mom.” She writes a monthly column for NewsMax, a daily blog (www.drlaurablog.com), and posts videos weekly on The Dr. Laura YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/drlaura).
Her 12th and newest book, “In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms,” will be released by Harper-Collins in April. Here, we ask about the latest on her show.
This new economy–how it has affected your listeners? What are you telling folks to do?
What is interesting about my approach and priorities, is that even prior to this problematic economic climate, I have always told people to live within their means, buy only what they could really afford – and build towards “earning” more and the thrill that brings; focus on the parts of life which give meaning and purpose: children, community and charitable services.
This concept is the preface to at-home moms bringing the attention, peace, joy and focus on family. With the economy collapsing, less folks can afford day-care, etc., and – ironically – are somewhat forced into the home life I’ve been stressing, and they now find less stressful!
What are your thoughts on the state of radio and your recommendations?
I am sad about the state of radio. I’ve been in the arena for over three decades and remember what to me is the golden age: magazine format with each show bringing a different dimension: politics, humor, interview, sports, life-style, medical, etc., so that the entire day offered a wide range of interesting entertainment and information.
These days it’s largely the same all the time with angry politics spewing forth unfettered and unvetted, less information and more partisan passion. It saddens me that so many program directors are just in lock step with this style of programming, which I think is losing listener interest.
Tell us a bit about the latest issues you are addressing on the show.
No matter what the economic or political climate, people still call in everyday with their problems with family, their own psyche, children, religion, philosophy and so forth. The need people have for me to help them “get through their day” doesn’t change with circumstances….interesting and true.
How about a couple of recent standout callers—the topic and story behind?
Standout callers come in many forms: the young woman who is always so messy…I helped her see that being bad (and messy gets people mad at her) had become her style of getting attention since her mom never came to a piano recital or teacher’s meeting unless something was wrong.; the gay young man whose grandfather refuses to allow him to bring his “friend” to family events – threatening a confrontation. I told him his grandpa, which whom he used to be very close, would probably not behave badly at all, and I bet him $10.00 that I was right. The 15 year old girl who was pregnant by a 16 year old boy and wanted to choose between abortion and bringing the child up herself. I pleaded for adoption into a two-parent, married mom and dad family. I hope it worked.
Tell us how you work with and for your affiliates.
I travel to affiliates and work with them on local events – charity and/or promotional. We blast e-mail them about events on the show or on the road or on television so that they might interview me, participate in the event, or just let their sponsors and listeners know.
–Carl Marcucci
