Interview with Contact Talk Radio
CONTACT Talk Radio International is a highly successful radio station that reaches and assists thousands of people in making positive and empowering choices for themselves. Their programs focus on topics ranging from overall mind/body/spirit; environmental sustainability; social justice and more, connecting the listeners with tools that will assist them in making positive and empowering choices for their lives. We catch up with the founders, Cameron and Davindia Steele about their pioneering work.
1. What made you want to set up Contact Talk Radio (CTR) in the first place? Why radio?
Originally this was Cameron’s brain child. He had a vision years before we met to have a television show sharing ideas, concepts and teaching of sages around the world, bringing these “alternative” views to mainstream. When we met and married in 2000, Cameron moved down to the states from Canada and through a series of synchronicities, he met a wonderful couple that introduced him to the manager of a local Seattle AM station that were building their block programming schedule.
It was then that he realized that the TV concept could be easily adapted to radio and then the birth of Contact Talk Radio the program came to be. It wasn’t long that the listeners thought that Contact Talk Radio was the station. So it was a natural evolution for the program to become the station. And that is where we are now - a full station broadcasting on Internet, HD Radio, Satellite and UpSnap Mobile Communications.
2. Is Contact Talk Radio the pioneer and how do you view other similar radio stations?
We have been told time and again that Contact is THE pioneer for empowering talk radio. We accept that title humbly and do see how Contact has always been on the cutting edge of topics as well as technology. We are just here filling a need for the world community and are committed to doing our part. CTR Network is our part. We are happy to see that others are taking the initiative to do the same. It takes more than one to build something so important. So if others are doing the same then from that perspective its better for everyone.
3. Do you see yourself moving into other media apart from radio?
Absolutely. We already are. Technology is my passion and we want people to have this information easily accessible to them... We’ve been on the internet for 7 years. Radio for 7 years. Now with Satellite and Mobile Communications and the launch of HD radio, it can only get better . We do see ourselves getting into TV and how that unfolds is really up to the gods of technology to assist us with that.
4. What are the obstacles you face in setting up Contact Talk Radio and maintaining it?
Well I think for the most part in the past it has been financially challenging. When we started CTR, it was really out of our own pockets until we got sponsors and hosts then things seem to turn around. I think the biggest block for me was trying to get CTR out to the masses and into the mainstream as I feel that the mainstream was not ready for it and some would say we are ahead of our time. I like to believe that the masses are ready otherwise the information would not be here.
5. What are your future plans?
We follow where the energy is the most dominant to decide on which element we incorporate next. With that said, we have a focus on Webinares / WebTV / E-zine and creating other channels of radio and TV.
6. What are the demographics of your listeners and how are their responses to Contact Talk Radio?
Well for the most part it was female but we are seeing a trend that goes into males wanting this information and in fact right now, I would have to say its almost split down the center when it comes to this information. Age groups seem to be people in their 30’s to 60’s.
7. What advice do you have for lightworkers who are interested in hosting their own shows?
We ask some serious questions of anyone wanting to host their own show. Firstly, how committed are you to the work you’re here to do? How committed are you to communicating your vision? Hosting is not for everyone and our best advise is to always be authentic – and organized. There is a world of marketing and getting your show the attention it deserves that you must be open to and aware of. And remember that if you take ownership of what you do and don’t doubt your work, things will always open up for you.
8. Can you share with us briefly one of the most interesting show that Contact Talk Radio has had?
For both Cameron and I, it would be different shows as we have different interests. I would say that my favorite show was on Dick Sutphen’s Metaphysical World. His topic was sex and radical relationships with Carol Morgan, PhD. I find the topic fascinating and the conversation was so open without judgment that I found it quite refreshing. I even had to call in! For Cameron I would have to say he enjoys everyone’s show as he is always about getting different kinds of information as he is always meeting people that want information so he feels that if he knows a lot about the hosts he can share it more easily.
9. We have heard those lovely voices doing the advertisements and blurbs? Who are the people behind those voices?
We have quite a few people voicing our commercials and such. Our original talent is Barb P. She has been with us for 5 years gracing us with her sexy rich voice. We also have our Sr. Producer “Rev. Gary Glitter” using his great voice, great creativity and much appreciated professionalism to CTR. There is also Rebecca W. who not only ads so much to the shows she produces, she is also an NLP practitioner... So she really gets what we’re doing on a core level. And our newest member Cristina A. And Brianna who as been a great voice addition to CTR. We also have a fellow by the name of Matt and I call him our in house Superman as he looks like the recent version of Superman and he does some great impressions of yoda that you will soon hear.
10. If everyone on Earth tunes in to your radio show for 3 minutes, what would you say to them?
Well what time would they be tuning in? (laughing) No seriously... 3 minutes... We at the CTR Network have heard, and are a response to the public's many cries for connection, direction and meaning in their lives. We all have a burning question that comes with us at birth. “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose?”. Every man, woman and child deserves the right to explore those questions without judgment, ridicule or harm in any way. We at CTR hold a space for self development and exploration. So all you have to do is to make a choice for your self and take the leap to see who you really are in this grand world of ours because and to quote one of our own guests, Joanne Rohn Cook, “Life is not a rehearsal.. it’s the real thing” so get to living and stop dying.
About the Interviewees
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In 1996 Cameron Steele began forming the vision for CONTACT Talk Radio. With a background in TV and Radio, he saw the need for a medium that would bring information and resources to people that would improve their lives, assist in their personal & spiritual journeys and contribute to creating wholeness for the world. An energetic and vibrant free-spirit, Cam has hosted television shows such as Afterhours in Vancouver, BC and New Age Northwest in Seattle. With an eclectic background of blue and white collar experiences, he brings a sense of the common everyman to listeners as he invites them in his warm disarming and no-nonsense way to be extraordinary. |
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Davindia Anjanet Steele's background has been largely spent in the real estate industry. She realized early on that her motivation in the industry was solely community building and assisting people in finding a place where "they belong". Though reluctant in joining husband Cameron on air March of 2002 to co-host the show, it did not take long for Davindia to embrace the opportunity to build community on a mass scale through this unique forum. With an adept ability to ask the questions that get to the heart of the matter, she is able to identify the gems of insight the show's guests bring, and she connects the listeners to that message. Davindia has an enormous heart, and her compassion flows across the airwaves. She has a passion for social justice and environmental awareness that she brings to the show. |