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Ask the Editor - Listen like family

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WORLD Radio - Ask the Editor - Listen like family

Why do we ask you to help begin the program each day?


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NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Friday, September 3rd. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown. Coming up next: Ask the Editor. Our Editor in Chief Marvin Olasky is currently on a writing assignment so Paul Butler—our Executive Producer—is standing in and answering a question about the way we start every program.

PAUL BUTLER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: The last family reunion I attended before COVID included a table with name tags. The first thing everyone did as they arrived was fill out a large sticker with a Sharpie marker. Some names were in all caps—like mine. A few sported cursive inspired letters with tails. Those with longer names ran out of room as their letters got closer and closer to the edge. A few people underlined their name, or added little sketches and flourishes. Each name tag became a snapshot of the wearer.

Every episode of The World and Everything in It starts with what we call a “pre-roll” as one of our listeners introduces the program. It’s kind of like a name tag. About a year ago, a fellow podcaster told me he thought it was an “odd way to start the program.” He said it was “unpolished and unprofessional.” And he asked me, “so why do you do it?”

Well, in the biz we call it “listener engagement.” Since we’re not a live radio program, it’s challenging to find ways to interact with you. So our pre-rolls are one way you can positively participate with the podcast—it makes it a two-way communication. Frankly, it’s one of my favorite parts of the program as every morning I get to meet one or more of our listeners while I’m out walking the dog...

Today’s pre-roll was from a Texas 8th grader who listens every morning before school. In case you missed it, others this week included a retired military officer, a 6th grade homeschooler, a private music instructor, and a retired school teacher.

As I think back on the many prerolls over the years, I’m amazed at the diversity of our audience. Doctors, missionaries, salesmen, stay-at-home moms, farmers, students, bus drivers, college professors, pastors, computer technicians, government officials…and that’s just the start.

That doesn’t even begin to touch on the demographic diversity. Men and women. Children and senior citizens. Married, unmarried. Some who can donate thousands of dollars, while others sacrificially give just a few. There are listeners who didn't finish high school, while others hold multiple PhDs. Some families send their kids to public school. And others go to Christian school or educate at home. Some have 9 or more kids. While others long for one. We’ve had pre-rolls representing most U.S. states, plus many countries around the world.

I’ll admit, I find myself trying to picture what pre-rollers look like as I listen. I wish I could get to know them more. What’s their favorite book of the Bible? How has God been faithful to them? What church do they attend?

I get excited as I begin to think about all the denominations represented. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, Congregationalists, and folks from scores of other independent and non-denominational churches. I’m humbled by how we come together to listen to this program.

So back to our pre-rolls. We’ve recently discovered another reason to do them—and it’s more than just listener engagement. Last week, we featured a military mom whose son was serving in Afghanistan. Little did we know when we scheduled it, that it would end up being the same day of the suicide attack that killed 13 soldiers outside the Kabul airport. Many listeners emailed us saying that they were praying for her, and her son, and hoped for an update.

That’s amazing to me. Listeners literally around the world suddenly praying for someone they’d never met, hoping that everything was ok and working out for God’s glory. When we checked in with her later, she told us her son was unharmed, and that she marveled at God’s timing. She said she thought her son may have been the most prayed for soldier that day, and she couldn’t wait to tell him of God’s providence through such an unassuming part of our program. You see, God even uses a 15-second podcast preroll for His purpose.

As a Christian who listens to this program, you’re not just an audience member...you’re family. We’re brothers and sisters in Christ. So keep those audio name tags coming. Let us know who you are. Where you’re from. How we’re related. There are instructions on the website if you want to do so. And I invite you to join me in marveling every morning at the amazing diversity of the body of Christ—oh, and let’s keep watching for His purposes in, and through, each one of us while we do so.

I’m Paul Butler.


WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.

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