Local NPR talk-show host's surprise on-air resignation. Also: Taking a different path isn't crazy.

[mckitterick]

The revolution will not be televised. The revolution is live.This is fascinating. I've been wondering for a while now why Jabulani Leffall has not been the voice of KCUR's "Central Standard," the show he took over a couple years ago when its long-time host Walt Bodine lost his ability to think clearly (a useful trait for a talk-show host). But the

Comments

[msmitti]

I wondered what happened to him! I didn't listen to it regularly, but it registered when his distinctive voice wasn't coming on anymore.

[mckitterick]

My feelings exactly!

[sf_reader]

I had noticed just yesterday that he wasn't on and the show sounded more interesting than the last few times I had heard him. I rarely listen to KCUR live, just downloading Friday Central Standard when they have different hosts with food critics or history. Ocasionally I download an Up To Date.

For drive time news, I listen to the Lawrence station, which has become my best source for Kansas news.

[mckitterick]

Good to know that the other NPR station has good stuff! All I ever seem to hear on it is classical music.

[msmitti]

I think KPR has morning edition and all things considered but none of the talk programming between, instead filling the time with classical music.

[sf_reader]

It also has Star Date and most of the same weekend shows that KCUR does, including my favorite, "Whad'Ya Know?,"

[nottygypsy]

Quitting a job that makes you unhappy, that makes you feel like you're just a tool of a machine, seems the sane thing to do.

Hoping to do this soon myself.

[mckitterick]

Good luck on finding something and a workplace that you love!

[philrancid]

Quitting a job that makes you unhappy, that makes you feel like you're just a tool of a machine, seems the sane thing to do.

AAGH DO NOT SAY THIS NOW!!

*bitter, wry, rueful laughter*

[mckitterick]

Well, perhaps now is the time to hear it. Sounds like you pretty much despise your job... well, I think Lefall simply walking out on his job without financial backup is a bit unsound, but if he can keep from growing panicked about having no money, he ought to be able to put tons of creative energy into his creative pursuits. If you can do the same, why not?

This is why so many artists of all stripes have day-jobs (or night-jobs as the case may be) that don't sap their creative energy. It's a battle for me, because most everything I do for my day-job requires a lot of that. Still, I've been working hard to put my writing first, and getting way better at that.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

[garyomaha]

Interesting story. Thanks for mentioning the name "Walt Bodine."

I remember listening to Walt Bodine when I was young, visiting my grandparents in KC. He had a talk show, I think on WHB (which was a pop station during the day). It was one of the first non-music radio shows I remember listening to. To my young ears, Bodine sounded ancient back then. He must have been all of 40!! I had heard he transitioned to public radio many years later, but I never had the pleasure of hearing him there.

[mckitterick]

I've heard some of his older shows, and he was always a great interviewer. It was sad to see his decline in the last several years.