Our Declaration of Principles

Still Talkin’ is a new show, but it isn’t starting without a history.

There are decades of radio, thousands of podcast episodes, a community of listeners who have stayed with us through all of it—and now a new chapter for Robb and Josh.

As we get ready for what’s next, we wanted to put down in writing what Still Talkin’ is going to be, what it won’t be, and what we promise to the people coming along with us.

We talked about these on the show. Now we’re making them official.

This is our Declaration of Principles.

1. We Will Keep the Family Together

The Mike O’Meara Show podcast, TMOS on WJFK, and The Don and Mike Show before that were built on a solid foundation of the most dedicated and loyal listeners in the world.

Still Talkin’ will proudly take on the mantle of your daily meeting place—a radio clubhouse where we can all meet up every day and share our lives.

All of us.

Certainly Josh and I, but you guys too.

Happy, sad, victories, losses… let’s hear it all.

That’s what families do.

2. This Will Be a Happy Place

We may argue about important issues (like hot dogs), but Still Talkin’ will be tension-free, panic-free, and a general escape from all the crap that life throws your way.

Less tension and less anger.

We want you to be eager to join us for a visit—whether it be on the internet, via messaging, or even live meet-ups.

We want to hang with you jarheads.

Arcades. Bowling alleys. Theme parks.

A new era of fan interaction.

Let’s do it. Let’s have a good time and do it together.

3. Still Talkin’ Will Be 100% Non-Divisive

I promise.

One reason that Josh and I became such fast friends and continue to get along so well is that we don’t bring up topics that will anger or frustrate each other.

So, if you’re looking to pick a fight over an issue that none of us can control anyway?

Go elsewhere.

4. We Will Re-Invent Ourselves in a Podcast Format

Even though I was brought up in broadcast radio—and worked alongside, literally, some of the best in the business—I realize that radio-style formatting is a thing of the past.

The regular news segment will be gone. If we want to discuss a hot story, we will.

We just don’t need to present it in a special segment that invariably limits our conversation about it.

Beautiful Video/The Audio Vault will be the same. If we need to play you something, we will.

But gone are the days of a rigid five-segment show where some segments sometimes feel like filler when there are other things to talk about.

5. Still Talkin’ Will Be More Organic

We are already seeing this develop on The JAR Shows, and we are quite happy with it.

We have no radio affiliation to limit our structure, so no more “breaking for commercials.” We’ll just incorporate them into the show.

We will not be limited to a staunch 80-minute show length.

We won’t draw something out for the sake of filling time, nor will we cut a discussion short if there is more that needs to be said.

Simply put:

The content will steer the show instead of the show steering the content.

6. No Rules

After 3,700+ episodes of TMOS, we have had a few folks remark that the show can sometimes fall into a rut.

They still enjoy the show, but day after day, the same formatics can almost feel like our hands are tied.

Still Talkin’? No rules.

We will absolutely mix it up.

Guest panelists? Absolutely.

Anyone from friends and family to other podcasters to actual show-biz folk. Their very presence will change the tone of the show, and everyone benefits from that.

Plus, the return of The Talking Head segment.

7. Expect Content Surprises

More than you know.

Will an episode of Hix Nix Stix Pix occasionally show up in your feed?

I’d say yes.

Will RobbRadio return and rear its ugly head?

Bet on it.

My traditional Christmas music shows?

Try to stop me.

Plus, the occasional bonus episodes and one-offs will surprise and delight you.

Jukebox TikToks, anyone?

Your job is to consume it.

That’s your responsibility. We are all partners in this.

8. Remember Where We Came From

As the last member of the original Don and Mike Show cast who is still doing a daily show, I do feel a responsibility to the listeners—more than I could list—who have stayed with all the show iterations of the last 40+ years.

I promise to keep in mind what made all the shows that preceded us so great.

It is literally heritage radio.

I am very proud of my “radio upbringing,” and I like to think I’ve picked up a few notions along the way.

So, my promise to you: I will include the best aspects of those that came before and discard the stuff that just won’t work.

But always remember:

This is a new show.

Not a reboot, a spinoff, or a sequel.

I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Of course, Still Talkin’ boils down to two good friends having fun and bustin’ each other’s balls.

We’ll never lose sight of that.

9. Change Is Good

One of the advantages of starting a show from the very beginning is that we can feel free to try anything on the show that we think will work.

Josh and I both have producing backgrounds, and we love to say “yes.”

So, if we have an idea—or if you, the listener, have an idea—we are game to try it out.

The worst thing that can happen is we laugh at ourselves for blowing it.

10. No More Isolationism

Because of the radio roots of TMOS, there has always been a hesitancy to collaborate with other podcasts.

It’s a radio mindset to think any collaboration benefits the competition.

But in the era of podcasting, collabs benefit everyone involved—even the listener.

Any time that we cross-pollinate with another show, it actually strengthens and reinforces the podcast medium.

“A rising tide raises all ships.”

I hate that aphorism, but it fits here.

11. Us Being Us

The new format and dynamic of the show will let both Josh and me find our comfort zone and be ourselves.

Does that mean 45-minute Orioles dissertations followed by my one-hour TED Talk on “Elvis vs. Whitney”?

No, it does not.

But Josh will talk baseball if something is on his mind, and I will fanboy over The Beatles once in a while.

And then we will give each other grief about our topics.

Because that’s really us and how we talk in real life.

The real Josh and Robb, being ourselves and being genuine.

We’re good guys. Get to know us.

12. Attention to Professionalism

Even though we will provide a nice, laid-back vibe on Still Talkin’, that doesn’t mean we will slack off in show production.

We take extreme pride in having one of the best-sounding podcasts out there, and that will continue.

An audio engineer only fails when you become aware of a miscue or error.

We will provide a daily show that flows smoothly so as not to take you out of your listening vibe.

As I said:

A happy place.

13. Value

Speaking for Josh and myself, we are overwhelmed, pleased, and a bit humbled by the over 100 Founders who have already chosen to support Still Talkin’ before we even start it.

To call it encouraging and exciting would be a vast understatement.

We want to make sure that you don’t regret jumping in at the very beginning.

We promise to provide the content you crave—daily shows, bonus content, one-offs, nutty experimental shows… everything we’ve promised and more.

We know, deep down, that you guys, the Founders, are partners in our venture.

We promise to do our part and make you laugh.

And what not.

14. Appreciation

This is likely our most important principle.

Josh and I are well aware of the fact that without our Founders, our supporters, our viewers and listeners…

Still Talkin’ ceases to exist.

You guys are every bit as important to this show as the microphones and the internet.

We promise you with 100% sincerity that we will never, ever take you guys for granted.

Not no way, not no how.

Every day, we will do our part.

At the risk of being mawkish, you folks mean the world to us—and you must never forget this.

Because we will always remember it, too.

We love you guys.

— Robb Spewak & Josh Sroka

Still Talkin’