For most of you, you know I got Sirius within weeks of hearing that Howard Stern was going to satellite. For some of you, you don't know how much I admire Howard Stern and have followed him since 1997, when he came to CHOM in Montreal. I also watched him CBS until I moved to the US in 1999.
Now there is many reasons I like Howard but I'll try to focus only a few of the reasons. My number one reason for listening to him is that he is honest. He says what he means and means what he says. He does not apologize for who he is. Sure, he does say some of his stuff for shock value but even beneath this shock, there is a grain of truth in it that most people can relate to. Now I already know some people tune out of my blog at this point but please, give it a chance.
Howard grew up in a neighborhood in which he was "different". Now you tell me you cannot relate to that? I have lived a life where I felt different in certain ways: I grew up with a French mother and an English father. I went to French school, while watching mostly English TV. I was the "Bloke" for French speaking Quebecers and the "squarehead" and "Jean-Guy Pepper" for the English speaking Quebecers. I am a Canadian in the USA. You get the picture. Sometimes you feel like an outsider. I know I have. Howard was an outsider in his jobs, whether on the radio, TV, or movies. He hit the big time and still feels like he does not fit in. Again, sound familiar.
He also uses everyday language, the language that some of you are way too embarrassed to admit use. But if you really listen to him, he does not square to only "shock" but to put emphasis on his points. And he also has real feelings. It is so hard to find someone who can be genuine in his feelings but Howard is. If it offends you, listen to the message, don't get hung up on the swear. Listen. And frankly, I like to talk that way and I have put that in place in my practice. Why? People relate to real words, not the psycho-babble. And I think people relate to honest, from the heart words. Think about it: If I say "That sounds difficult" does it really have the same impact and feeling that "That's f#ck up" has? I don't think so. And if someone is in a "difficult" situation, someone else saying that it's messed up makes them feel your empathy.
I have like 40 other points but I'll leave you on this: Howard is who he is and does not make excuses for it. I wish more people were like that. If he messes up, he'll fess up. But most people don't remember all the good stuff he did: He stayed broadcasting in New York on 9/11 and gave all his staff the opportunity to leave if they wanted. He has stayed loyal to all his staff when they have had issues. He has helped people in the "Wack Pack", people most people do not want to deal with. He has given an open mike to people who needed one. He has given to countless charities, but does not want the publicity. He has a heart. He did not publicly destroy his ex-wife prior or after his divorce. He never brought his girls in his work and was very protective of them.
All in all, Howard is more like everyone of us than some of you want to admit. That is maybe one reason people are "repulsed" by him. He is more like us than we want to believe. And even if you still don't want to hear him, you have a choice: Instead of being upset, change the channel. I don't like Rush Linbaugh so I don't listen to him. I don't complain about him, I just change the channel if I hear him. But I for one, think Howard is relatable, honest, and real. And maybe, just maybe, he will bring you to change your way of thinking.
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