Fast facts:
Pursuit: Nationally syndicated talk show host, blog columnist, TV news contributor
Definition of success: “When you have accomplished all you have set out to do. And I mean that personally, professionally, socially as well.”
My next guest is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host, Fox News contributor, blog columnist for US News & World Report, and guest blogger for Politix. Owner of her own show, one of the fastest growing progressive talk shows in the USA, and the youngest person to be syndicated in talk radio, here to share the secrets of her success, host of The Leslie Marshall Show, it is of course the one and only: Leslie Marshall!
She’s been in the progressive radio business for twenty seven years – pretty good for a sector not renowned for its longevity! I’m keen to know what kicked off such a successful, long-running enterprise.
“I originally wanted to be a TV News Anchor,” Leslie explains. “And a lot of TV News people started in radio. I am from Boston, raised and educated there, and when I graduated, with so many colleges and universities, there weren’t many opportunities in television; much more in radio. Then, I switched my goal from News to Talk; many of the big TV talk hosts at that time – and now – started in radio: Phil Donahue, Sally Jessy Raphael, Oprah, Larry King…etc.”
As always, I’d like to get some understanding of a typical day-in-the-life, but I’ve a feeling there’s no such thing. As it transpires, I’m not disappointed. Take a deep breath…
“Typical!?” Leslie laughs. “Well…here’s a typical weekday for me: After getting my kids up, dressed, and taking them to school…I answer as many of my nearly two-thousand emails a day that I can. Drive to/from the Fox Studios for my TV appearance – or appearances; attend a phone or email meeting with the TV segment’s producer, making sure to do prep work/research for the topic/segment prior, and make sure I arrive early enough to get my hair and makeup done so I am camera ready.”
Still strapped in? There’s more…
“Then I meet with my producers at the radio show to finalize guests, audio, topics; then do research and prep work for my radio show, host my three hour radio show, then record any commercials, PSAs, etc. that are required for the national show. I often have to pre-tape/pre-record an hour interview for people who aren’t available
when we broadcast, or for holidays when we are done doing the live radio show. Some days I fill in or am a guest on other local or national radio shows as well.”
Wow, that’s quite a –
“Then I’ll write one of my weekly columns. And because I own my own show, I have to have meetings with advertisers, sponsors and staff nearly every day and put out any fires that come up; of which there are many as any small business owner can attest!”
That’s right, the Leslie Marshall Day is still in progress…
“I also am invited to give speeches approximately once per month; I have to write thespeech and present it at the event, and then of course I have to be the Domestic Diva,” she smiles. “Food shop, cook, clean, laundry….all that fun stuff at the end of the day with feeding the kiddies, giving them a bath or shower, reading them a bedtime story and putting them to bed….after going to their sporting events or practices! Of course, I cook for hubby as well and try to say hi as I run to bed and usually fall asleep with the remote control in hand! (But I make sure to take off my Wonder Woman costume first!)”
Right, so among that whirlwind existence can Leslie pick out the highlights? What gives her the most satisfaction?
“In addition to motherhood,” she says, “it’s a tie between my radio show and television. I adore speaking to people worldwide on the radio show. As Oliver Stone said, Talk Radio is “The last neighbourhood left in America.” And I enjoy debating my conservative counterparts on TV. It’s invigorating; it’s a good workout.”
And how much time does she devote to this workout? As with so many of my guests, I wonder how it all gets squeezed in to twenty-four hours.
“Actual broadcasting? Well, my show is fifteen hours a week and I always have to record commercials, pre-recorded interviews, etc. so I would say twenty hours a week for radio. Regarding TV, I may only be on for ten minutes on a segment; unless I’m on an hour long panel. But in Los Angeles, with our freeways and how spread out we are, that can take three hours out of my day! Honestly I work my butt off not to miss my kid’s school functions, sporting events, etc. or time out with friends.”
And the sacrifices?
“I would say sleeping, eating and getting to the gym are the sacrifices!”
I sometimes wonder if there’s a special breed of human who’s able to compress their life into a zip file. In any case it beggars the usual question: does Leslie have cause to envy those from a more routine vocational background? Surely, this time, I’ve found a guest who longs from something a bit more…regular.
“I honestly try not to envy anyone; envy’s ugly and counterproductive. I do sometimes think, “Why didn’t I get a job as a teacher, a good union job with great healthcare and a pension!?” but I wouldn’t have the excitement involved in my job and nowhere to spout my opinions!”
It’s something I’m learning more and more about successful people. Their chosen pursuit is almost mandatory to them, as though they have no choice but to follow it. If that’s a route you want (or should I say, need) to take, what advice does Leslie offer?
“Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t achieve that dream, as I have. Prove them wrong – I did. Be willing to sacrifice – I got married and had children older, and moved numerous times. And don’t just work hard, work harder; constantly raise the bar on yourself.”
I’d like to thank Leslie Marshall for taking the time to give me a candid insight into her life, and to offer me a slice from her clearly hectic schedule. You can follow Leslie @LeslieMarshall and for everything else, as well as the chance to listen live, go to www.lesliemarshallshow.com. You’ll be a smarter person for it, trust me…