It’s been a minute since I posted something blog-ish on the internet. That was back in the LiveJournal days. Seems like 100 years ago.

So, The Jason Durden Show. Where did that come from? Well, let me go back in time a little bit.

For 33 years I was a reporter in Atlanta, GA covering traffic and breaking news. The majority of that time was spent in radio. The last dozen years I worked with local TV. Radio is my first love. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be on the radio. Well, I achieved that dream.

Most of my career was spent in a helicopter both reporting and operating a camera mounted on the nose of the ship. I have thousands and thousands of passenger flight hours in Bell Helicopters. I also spent a number of years in the studio on the weekends hosting and co-hosting NASCAR talk shows on Atlanta radio. At one point I was working 7 days a week.

My TV gig came to an end in early 2020. Yes, that 2020. As the pandemic worsened and lockdowns began going into effect, I realized it was definitely not a good time to be looking for a broadcasting job (or most any other job).

I have an elderly Mother who lived alone at the time. My sister, Kelly, was and is around to help Mom out but she can’t do everything. She works and is a Mom herself – both are full-time jobs. So, although I struggled with leaving Atlanta, I knew what I had to do. I needed to go back to my hometown and help my Mother through the pandemic.

The plan was to stay a couple of months and regroup when the pandemic was over. Well, then the pandemic just continued to get worse. Now, it’s been a year and a half. And, to be honest, I have zero regrets regarding my decision.

I am enjoying being back in Statesboro, GA, a quintessential small southern town if there ever was one. It’s quiet. There is no traffic. Georgia Southern University is here. Historic Savannah and Tybee Island are an hour away. Georgia’s Golden Isles are only 2 hours away. Atlanta is a quick 3 hour drive.

Technology made it possible for millions of people to work from home during the pandemic. I’ve always been a fan of working from home. I did traffic reports from home for 7 years, long before it became a normal thing. As a voice worker, it is easier than ever to work from home.

It is also easy as it can be to get a podcast out there these days (Thanks, anchor.fm!). But if you want to do one for more than a hobby, then there is a lot of work. It’s been slow going thanks to the pandemic. But, finally, pieces started falling into place and here I am. An official podcaster.

One of the things you need to do is set up a website. Something for which I have no talent. Delightful Sites  actually designed (and hosts) jasondurden.com. Definitely check them out if you’re in need of a web prescence. Leslie is wonderful to work with and incredibly talented.

I hope you like the show. If so, please subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow the show on Twitter @JasonDurdenShow. Like our Facebook page, The Jason Durden Show. You can also find me on Instagram.

And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show!

Happy Listening!