It only takes one person to inspire a world of kindness.

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” was birthed in the movie theaters Thanksgiving weekend juxtaposed to a world of impeachment hearings and social media blame-gaming. This simple idea of being kind to others triggers an innate emotional truth that reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from C. S. Lewis.

“That we can even ponder the meaning of life means there is a meaning of life.”

A recent blog from Mark Ramsey urged Christian radio stations to consider Mr. Rogers’ desire to have his show be “inclusive and welcoming to all, including those who might be turned off by abject religious references. ‘You don’t need to speak overtly about religion in order to get a message across,’ he [Fred Rogers] said.”

Dwell on that for a moment: “You don’t need to speak overtly about religion in order to get a message across.”

Mark summarizes, “Inclusivity is what magnifies your reach, your cume, and your impact.”

I’d like to drill down into three ways your station can make this happen:

Tone

Kindness. Helpfulness. Compassion. “There are three ways to ultimate success,” Rogers said. “The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”

Common ground

Only through common ground can I, as a listener, have a sense that your radio station understands and values me, and has my best intentions at heart.

Timeliness

“Now” is the one thing all your listeners have in common, even more than zip code and faith. We all share now, whether that’s the morning drive into work, the winter storm headed our way, or the day after the big game. (BTW if you’re at a local stations, the big syndicated networks won’t and can’t do this.)

How successful would your station be if someone could say this about you?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you

Would you be my, could you be my…
Won’t you be my neighbor?

It only takes one radio station to inspire a world of kindness.