Frost Advisory #626 – Your Listeners’ Worldview And Why It’s Important

This week’s Frost Advisory is about something that we all inherently know. But as we approach another political season, understanding your listeners’ worldview will help you avoid potential potholes. After all, I live in the same county as Mar-a-Lago. You can thank me later.

Sure, we understand that targeting is important, but there is more to it than just demo, gender, ethnicity, and shoe size.

“To see things in the same way it helps to be standing in the same place looking in the same direction at the same thing.”

Roy Williams or unknown author or someone else

Successful stations must understand their listeners’ worldview. If you’ve ever gotten complaints about political commercials, which version of the Bible you’re quoting, or a news story that includes the words “Trump” or “Biden,” you’ve come face to face with the issue of worldview.

“One reason it’s difficult to understand each other is that behind the words we use are the worldviews, the emotions, and the beliefs we have before we even consider what’s being said.

Before we get to right and wrong, good or bad, effective or ineffective, we begin with worldview. They affect the way we choose a car, engage in a conversation or vote. These cultural and learned worldviews alter the way we see and hear and speak.

Words like: Fairness, change, interference, freedom, responsibility and opportunity trigger different reactions based on worldview. It’s always easier to encourage action based on an existing worldview than it is to change that view.

Simon Sinek

The sign above caught my eye as I was driving down the highway. I quickly turned my AMC Pacer around, headed back and took this photo, much to the surprise of the bovines grazing on the other side of the fence.

This candidate, it seems to me, knows his audience. I reckon’ his billboards in the fancy part of town might have different messaging.

I know of one Christian radio station that recently aired some spots for an “alternative” dating website. They got complaints. Who would have guessed? 😉

The station violated its values proposition, even inferred, of “we share a worldview.” Your listeners will let you know. (See Frost Advisory #559 – It Needs More Salt).

Now, about that version of the Bible you’re quoting…


John Frost

John has been a successful major market DJ and Program Director for such companies as CBS, Gannett, Cap Cities, Westinghouse, Multimedia, and Sandusky and publishes the Frost Advisory.

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