Let’s tell better stories this Christmas. Let’s look deeper into the characters and the setting of the Christmas story when we tell it. Let’s reflect on how Jesus brought fresh hope, peace on earth, and goodwill toward men. (What does that tangibly mean to someone who just feels hopeless with the state of our world this December?) As you think about stories, surveys & headlines in the news, dig a little deeper this Christmas. What motivates these characters? How can I use this story to evoke some emotion or generate a discussion between people? What’s my worldview have to say about the way I see the world this Christmas? These angles are what we call idea starters at CreativeCardio.com. – Scott Herrold & Jayar Reeves
Here’s some raw Christmas discussion ideas to spark your creativity!
Is gifting a competition in your circle? “Six in 10 Americans admit they see gift-giving as a competition! They want to “out gift” their family! Who’s the best gift giver in your circle?
Have you ever found an answer to the question: “What do you give that person who seems to have everything?
Is generosity contagious? (What actually makes generosity contagious?)
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen on a kids ‘wish list?’
What’s the Christmas movie that reminds you most of your family? Why?
It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I eat _____!
The gift you truly had to sacrifice in order to give! Go!
The year you sort of “gave above your means” to make Christmas extra special for your family? (Describe what happened!)
What’s the gift that your kids have always remembered? (Maye you didn’t realize it when you originally bought it!)
Do you have a default gift that you tend to give to more than one person?
Are you good at keeping gift secrets? Are you a quiet person or one that can’t hold it all in very long without telling anyone?
Best place at home to hide gifts that the kids never figured out?
Who’s the secret keeper in the house who always spills the beans and lets it out?
My God is bigger than _______ this December!
What’s the one secret you just couldn’t keep all the way until Christmas?
This year, what have YOU overcome that you thought would be impossible before this year began?”
Ever felt like a secret someone told you felt like a burden, cause it was hard to keep your mouth shut?
How do you surprise you spouse w/ a gift at Christmas when you share the same checking account?
Gift you always wanted as a kid and never got?
Does anyone actually eat fruitcake? What’s the Christmas dessert you’re known for?
The most complicated gift you ever received on Christmas?
The gift you couldn’t wait for Christmas, and had to buy yourself early?
Best surprise you ever had on Christmas? Ever wake up Christmas morning completely shocked by something?
The toy you always dreamed about, that totally felt like a letdown when you finally received it?
It didn’t feel like Christmas unless your mom made this dish____!
Most creative thing ever stuffed in a stocking?
The Christmas carol lyrics that get you every time?
The most disappointing Christmas morning memory. (Was it you or the kids? Who’s fault was the disappointment?)
Think about the different ornaments on your tree with history. The Christmas ornament on your tree with the best story?
The Christmas you had as a family that totally didn’t feel like a typical Christmas?
Who’s the overzealous “Cousin Eddie” in your house? Who’s the overzealous “Buddy the Elf” in your family?
Matching gifts? Ever get matching gifts w/ your sibling as a kid? (Ever received an equal gift to your brother/sister that only they wanted and it took place for one of the gifts on your list that you didn’t get?)
Ever get a matching gift w/ a sibling or spouse later in life? (My friend is 41 and his mom got he and his brother matching leather jackets this year!)
I made the mistake of throwing away our 9 foot artificial tree on December 26th last year on trash day. I figured I would buy a new tree when they were on sale in early January, but I didn’t see any. Biggest mistake you made last year that you forgot to remedy until NOW!?
The one thing I want to remember for the day AFTER Christmas this year is ______!
Was it the Grinch, or did procrastination steal Christmas for you? (Talk about how lack of planning, pushing off plans or procrastination bit you this Christmas season!)
So what is an actual deal that would motivate you to get up early and wait in the Black Friday lines this year? 25% off? 50% off? 75% off?? (20% doesn’t cut it for me!)
What’s the one item that you want, that never seems to go on sale?
Christmas crafts you kept from your kids (or grandkids!) The oldest Christmas ornament you have? (What’s the story behind it?)
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The Christmas elves at Creative Cardio showprep have thousands of festive idea starters in their full site! Give the gift of creativity to your team this Christmas! Click www.CreativeCardio.com or call 702.287.2477 to sign up!
Life 102.5 has a heart for Madison! For the 4
Spirit 92.9 continued its commitment of blessing the central Minnesota community through intentional service projects. As the pandemic affected another year, station listeners rose to the challenge of uplifting and encouraging those feeling loss, loneliness, or burnout. Thanks to the help of generous listeners and business partners, Spirit 92.9 raised more than $8,000 in an online tip jar that blessed the staff at 19 local restaurants returning to work full time with huge tips during the Big Tip promotion. The restaurant workers were grateful for the visibility and appreciation. Numerous area teachers nominated by their students and families received special honor at the end of the school year with flowers and $500 VISA gift cards as part of “Thank A Teacher” organized by Spirit 92.9. In the fall, Spirit 92.9 partnered with two local ministries and provided free holiday meals to the community. During the ‘More Than A Meal’ event, the station worked with community members who donated enough to provide 6,000 meals and give help to people in need. Station team members also prepared and served meals together at the local homeless mission. At Christmastime, 11 community members wrote Spirit 92.9 and shared the story of someone they believed deserved some extra joy due to personal hardships. The individuals received $1000 to bless that person during Spirit 92.9’s Share The Joy promotion. Phone calls were made to hundreds of listeners to offer prayer and encouragement. Prayer support and a personal response is offered all year long.
Jim Campbell, Founder & Network President of Radio Training Network, Inc. began his radio career in commercial radio in Tennessee in 1964. In 1966 he moved his family to Lakeland, Florida to attend college, and upon graduation he joined the staff at First Assembly of God Church where he and the church launched in the mid 1970s the first Contemporary Christian Radio Station in the nation, WCIE-FM. The station grew in both market impression and influence not just in Lakeland, but around the country inspiring others to follow Jim’s lead. In 1989 Jim left the church and founded Radio Training Network, Inc. (RTN) and over the next 30+ years, he oversaw the acquisition and development of 40+ stations plus translators. With 130 team members, RTN stations serve the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Missouri. These stations are well recognized in their respective markets thanks to the servant leadership of the staff, aggressive marketing, and a commitment to a strong emphasis on Jesus first. At present RTN has some two million listeners each week on air and approximately the same number online.
Andrea Kleid is a 24-year veteran of radio and records. She began her career working in Christian radio at WNLT in Cincinnati, and then moved onto WAY-FM in West Palm Beach working in programming and promotions. Her next stop took her to JOY-FM in Tampa where she served as the Promotions Director. In 2004, Andrea moved to Nashville to begin her music industry career in radio promotion under Grant Hubbard at Capitol CMG. In 2008, Andrea became the Vice President of Promotion at Word Label Group where she led one of the most successful and influential radio promotion teams in the Christian music industry. Through her signature brand of honesty, passion for Christian music, and focus on relationships, Andrea developed a reputation for successfully launching new artists’ careers including for KING and COUNTRY, NEEDTOBREATHE and Francesca Battistelli. This year, Andrea celebrates her fifth year as the President of her own company, Boxer Poet. An advocate for both radio and artists, Andrea continues to zealously host conversations around further representation for women and people of color on Christian radio.
Jason Sharp has a rich history with CCM radio and leadership. His early years at WONU/Chicagoland and The Bridge/Delaware gave flight to his passion for great programming and innovative promotions. As Program Director of WCQR/Johnson City and eventually the network PD for Positive Alternative Radio, Jason’s influence grew across the industry. In 2007, Jason joined the team at Northwestern Media as Program Director and then Station Manager of KTIS, Minneapolis/St Paul. In 2015, Jason furthered his formal education and earned his master’s degree in organizational leadership. Applying his leadership knowledge and skills to work, he now serves as Senior Vice President of Broadcasting at Northwestern Media’s 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. Jason also served Christian Music Broadcasters, first as a charter member and eventually as the lead of CMB’s educational track at Momentum for more than ten years. He then served as the organization’s board chairman from 2017-2020. Jason continues to inspire others within Christian media toward excellence and compassion through a Christ-centered attitude, education, and practical application.
In 1972, while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Orlando, Johnny Stone dreamt of a second kind of “air force,” that of radio. He took an overnight position at WDIZ-FM, the station where Z88.3 now stands. In the past 50 years of his career, Johnny’s work and personality raised the bar for other programmers in markets ranging from New York City, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Diego, Tampa, Atlanta, Tucson, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. During his stint as Program Director and Morning Show host at Star 99.1 New York, his team won the NAB Crystal Radio Award and CMB Station of the Year. Presently, Johnny serves as afternoon host with his wife, Stacey, at 91.9 WGTS in Washington D.C. winner of the 2021 NAB Marconi Award for Religious Station of the Year. Owner of StoneStudios, LLC. and as a 22-year veteran in Christian media, Johnny mentored several on-air talents. Today, along with his on-air role at WGTS, he mentors college students at CMBU, teaching and modeling the belief that “you have to win in the hallways to win on the airwaves.”
Lisa Williams was called to Christian radio while praying in 1990. She walked into KCVO in Camdenton, Missouri and started on the air that same week. Over the past 32 years, Lisa served in various roles in on-air, programming, fundraising, and station management at radio stations and networks including K-LOVE, Z88.3, Star 99.1, KCVO, and KCWN. As an on-air personality, Lisa earned several number one ratings in several markets and was the recipient of three industry awards. Lisa now serves as the Network Talent Coach for Northwestern Media, owner of 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. While at Northwestern, Lisa hosted the nationally syndicated show Life with Lisa Williams from 2016-2021. She stepped away from the show to focus on coaching more than 90 on-air talents, encouraging and nurturing them to shine the light of Christ through excellent radio. When she’s not coaching talent, Lisa helps stations raise money for their operations. She also hosts a Facebook group for women on-air in Christian radio called GodsRadioGirls and helps facilitate their annual retreat.