Play by Play Day by Day with Amy Lawrence

What a clever suggestion from a listener about what to name my next radio venture! As I close a proud chapter in my career, I am astounded at the response. THANK YOU for your interest, for caring about me personally and professionally, and for reaching out to tell me the show will be missed. My decision was not made lightly nor on a whim. It wasn’t simple or easy. Nearly two years of prayer and thoughtful consideration were poured into this change.

When After Hours with Amy Lawrence moved to weeknights, I told myself I would do five years in that time slot and then figure out the next step. Haha! There WERE several opportunities to change day parts, but each time, I opted to stay put. We had solid momentum for over a decade–building the audience and establishing a more personal connection. I enjoyed the creative process, and we were generating new ideas. As a host, I was learning and growing, and I knew the show was “routine” for listeners all over North America. When I signed a 3-year deal in January of 2022, I appreciated the stability and consistency. I don’t regret that choice, but so much has changed since then.

Like many other industries, the media world has faced drastic cuts in the last few years. In radio, entire shows and stations are getting wiped out. I understand the economics, but they can be applied with brutal effects. Fewer and fewer people are being asked to shoulder more and more of the load. After Hours was not immune. In the fall of 2020, we were stripped down to one producer. Coming out of the pandemic, very few people worked in the building at night which meant little support behind the scenes. More than once, we had equipment malfunctions and no engineer available. You can imagine how that went.

You’ve probably heard the metaphor of the duck floating serenely and peacefully on the water while frantically paddling underneath. That was me the last several years, taking on tasks and responsibilities that wouldn’t normally be mine to manage. But to come anywhere close to my high standards, I had to try. I spent hours each week and precious time each night scrambling to keep it all together and NOT let the added stress affect the on-air product. But eventually, that’s impossible, right? Ultimately, I realized I had to focus more on the content and ME on the air since that’s what matters most to listeners. Sadly, various features, production, imaging, social media, promotion, the YouTube channel all became outdated or stale or suffered from a lack of attention. It hurt me to know the quality of the show was slipping, that the fun elements I loved were falling by the wayside.

I certainly can’t blame producers for wanting different hours, support from managers or the occasional raise. But the revolving door of people working on the show meant non-stop training and dialing back on what we could do. Creative ideas are only as good as the ability to implement them. As discouraged and frustrated as I felt, I did the best I could to maintain the caliber of the show with genuine and frank discussion, humor, off-beat topics and material, engaging interviews and enthusiasm every night. But often, it felt like a battle I couldn’t win.

As a night owl, the hours weren’t overly difficult until the last 18 months. The lack of regular sleep and constantly flipping my schedule finally took their toll. Even before I got married, I was struggling to keep my priorities in line and maintain a healthy balance. The extra obligations and the non-stop cycle were all-consuming. As far back as summer 2023, I told two managers I couldn’t sign another contract for overnights. I was hopeful the company would take me seriously and see my value as a host. Not the case. I’m not even sure they believed me.

When I received an offer to continue with the status quo last December, I turned it down. I told them I would work through the Super Bowl for the sake of our affiliates and the loyal After Hours audience. As I rejected the offer, a huge weight slid off my shoulders. I’ve had peace about the decision since then. No second-guessing, no wondering if this is the right choice, simply a desire to handle the last 7 weeks with professionalism and a commitment to the craft.

Crazily enough, managing the final month-and-a-half of the schedule was excruciating. Even after huge games or breaking news, it was a struggle to get out of the house. Often, I’ve wondered how the heck I did this for 12 years. Including my stretch at ESPN Radio which was mostly nighttime shifts, I’ve spent nearly two decades as a vampire, ha.🙃

Funny story: when After Hours moved off Friday and Saturday nights to begin 2015, I recall thinking “What’s the big deal about working weekends?” I had Wednesdays and Thursdays off; that was my weekend. But after a couple months, I realized how neat it was to share actual weekends with family and friends, to have more of a social life and be able to teach kiddos at church on Sundays. I believe the same will be true as I leave the overnights. No more staying awake 36+ hours when I travel or returning from trips and going right to work. No more 16-hour stretches of football Sundays into Monday morning shows, phew.

For years, I’ve read articles about how working overnights is detrimental to your health. And for years, I laughed at that idea and determined that I would be the exception to the rule. Training for and running half marathons kept me moving; so did Penny and her strict routine from which she rarely strayed. A few years ago, I went back to reading fiction before bed to settle my mind. That practice continues to bring me joy. But the schedule became more and more demanding with less and less time each week for activities that I love, like playing golf and sitting down at my piano or hanging out with a group of friends.

Since December 2023, my husband and I have navigated opposite schedules and all the challenges that come with working and sleeping at different times. I am grateful for his support and grace and sacrifices with the pets and TV remote, ha. A few months ago, as I considered the end of After Hours, it dawned on me that every decision and move I’ve made since college put career goals first. Now after 25 years of praying and waiting for a partner and spouse, it’s a privilege to finally put my personal life first.❤️ The goal is to get healthier in every way: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually AND professionally.

I LOVED my job for the last 12+ years! I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities and experiences, even the sacrifices and the toughest obstacles. And THAT is how I survived. There’s a verse in the Bible that resonates with me when it comes to work. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10b) Radio is my first love and all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was 16 years old. The joy God gave me for being on the air and hosting a show translated to energy and enthusiasm and propelled me forward, despite the hazards.

I will forever consider the jump to CBS Sports Radio the best career decision I ever made. When Mark Chernoff and Eric Spitz hired me in late 2012 and told me they just wanted me to be “Amy,” their confidence changed me as a host. I was determined to reward their faith in me. And of course, I was also driven to prove the doubters wrong. (That’s not a fair fight anymore.😜)

This is also my tribute to the family and friends who lifted me up when the hours and routine were a grind. I can’t tell you how much it means to hear them say they’re proud of me.❣️ They’re the ones who’ve encouraged me to take this leap of faith and who tell me over and over I need to be ready for the next open door. The hardest part of this whole process is feeling like I’m letting the listeners down. You’ve counted on me and relied on the show for company, conversation, connection, humor, escape, distraction and so much more. I trust you to find me again when I return to the airwaves. Thank you for the unwavering support. It kept me going for a long time.

I hope you’ll read these words and know my heart and understand why I need change in my personal and professional life. We can still connect via “Twix” @ALawRadio or via the Facebook page. Maybe I can even figure out the YouTube channel and post a video soon, ha. I look forward to sharing news and next steps as we move forward in 2025. Amy Xo

It’s hard to believe, but “After Hours” just turned 12! As we marked another anniversary, I realized I’ve hosted more than 2900 shows since the network launch in 2013. Some of you claim to be listeners since the beginning. Amazing! And THANK YOU! In large part, you are the reason the radio show has been successful for so long.🎉

One of my new favorite adventures is teaching future broadcasters at the university level. I’m looking forward to my third term as adjunct professor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at my alma mater Syracuse. What a cool opportunity to pass along some of the wisdom I’ve collected over 25+ years in the radio and TV industry!🧡 In addition to my course, “The Art of Sports Talk,” I enjoy serving as a guest speaker in other college classrooms, conferences and mentoring programs.

When teaching or speaking to groups, I often field questions about the process of constructing a quality program. How do I do it? What kind of “tips” can I offer? While there are countless ways to entertain over the airwaves, I’ve come up with a handful of concepts that work for me. “Good” sports radio is subjective and can be defined a zillion ways. What appeals to one listener in Alabama may not appeal to another in Oregon. What a guy in Phoenix finds interesting might not hold any interest for a woman in Cleveland. A topic that resonates with a college student could be boring or annoying for a retiree.

The consistent challenge of hosting a nationally syndicated show is figuring out how to incorporate more people in the conversation. Of course, I like to smash glass ceilings and challenge norms; so in most cases, I don’t stick with convention, ha. Radio is NOT “one size fits all. From the last 12 years of trying and failing and growing as a host, I’ve compiled a list of twelve guidelines I always keep in mind.

• Criticize actions and choices, not people. The athletes, coaches, GMs, owners and commissioners we cover all worked really hard to get where they are. Most of them poured in time and effort over years to pursue their dreams. They sacrificed and practiced and committed and suffered to be in the arena. They may screw up and fail in HUGE moments; I may not agree with their choices or decisions. But people are not trash! Even kickers deserve respect for making it to the show. I can acknowledge their mistakes and miscues without calling them names or saying they suck. I try to criticize actions instead of taking aim at people and making my opinions personal.

• Redemption stories always resonate. As a society, we LOVE a good comeback! We’re drawn to people who get knocked flat but find a way to get back up and try again. Alex Smith returned to the NFL after life-threatening injuries and extensive rehab and recovery. Klay Thompson won another ring after missing two years. University of Virginia men’s basketball made dubious history as the first top seed ever to lose to a 16, only to win the title a year later. Athletes and coaches get blamed, cut, fired and dumped; when they later end up winners or champions, their stories are worth highlighting. We can all relate to second chances and appreciate people who capitalize on theirs.

• Know your audience. Take time to figure out who’s listening and how and when and where. As a national host, I can’t possibly create or deliver interesting content if I don’t know who’s tuning in. And audiences change over time. When I first started in this business, men made up the vast majority of sports radio listeners. Maybe that’s still true for some shows, but not mine. Just as sports leagues target female fans more and more, I know a large chunk of my audience is women (which I love)! They enjoy listening to someone who’s a lot like them.❤️

• Life would be incredibly boring and stale if we all agreed. It’s alright if we don’t see eye to eye. I don’t need everyone to agree with me all the time, and I don’t feel threatened by people who don’t. I will tell you where I stand and why I believe my opinions are justified. I’ll lay out my arguments to try to persuade and convince you on merit. I love a lively discussion and energetic debate (that doesn’t get personal). When people talk, good things happen! That’s the “After Hours” motto. But if we don’t share the same perspective, I’m okay with that, too.

• It’s fine to admit I don’t know or I say I was wrong. To err is human. Just like athletes and coaches, I make mistakes. I recall information incorrectly, mispronounce names, juxtapose numbers and dates, and say dumb stuff. I also find myself in situations when I don’t have the answers or can’t remember. It’s impossible to be right 100% of the time or communicate perfectly over 20 hours of live radio per week. It’s humbling. But imperfection is both authentic and relatable, so I embrace the suck, ha!

• Connection is the ultimate goal. The spring of 2020 hammered this home like nothing else could. Working solo in the corner of a spare bedroom during a pandemic without sports led to a seismic shift in my perspective. More than ever, connecting with people across the airwaves and miles became my top priority. Sports bring us together despite our differences; I want my show to do the same. Finding common ground, staying genuine and reliable, looking on the bright side, offering hope and encouragement, sharing my life with listeners–these build true connections.

• Do NOT stick to sports. What terrible advice to give a radio host. Are there times when I talk wall-to-wall football or basketball or breaking news? Of course. Do I need to dedicate my show exclusively to sports every second? Heck no. We are not one-dimensional as humans. We juggle a myriad of responsibilities, roles, interests, hobbies, challenges and demands on our time. Stories about moving, my latest chili concoction, the neighbor’s obnoxious light, nearly choking at Thanksgiving dinner, bad dates, travel headaches, cookie recipes, running half marathons, my nieces, my faith, Grammy Helen, Penny, finally getting married after years of waiting–listeners can hear I’m just like them in many ways. I could offer the most brilliant opinion or analysis, but that’s not what resonates and sticks. Sharing my heart is how I cultivate relationships, even over the radio.

• There is no shortcut to experience. I can teach and train; I can tell aspiring broadcasters how I do what I do. But the only way to truly find a style and unique identity is to practice! Reps are the key. The number of times I’ve tried and failed or fallen short of my goals probably equals the number of times I’ve successfully carried out a plan or implemented new ideas. But along my journey, I’ve decided I’m not afraid to mess up. When I stumble or make a fool of myself, it’s not the end of the world. Learn from the mistakes and chalk it up to valuable experience. Then try again!

• Social media is not real life. In fact, it’s neither social nor actual media. Use it sparingly. It’s a tool to connect with people outside of the show, an opportunity to promote what I’m doing on air. Each site represents a minor percentage of the listening audience, so the reaction, positive or negative, is rarely an accurate gauge of the whole. The term “brain rot” refers to mindless scrolling. Don’t overestimate the lasting value of clicks or likes or impact and put social media on a pedestal where it doesn’t belong. (Social media’s redeeming quality is animal videos.😜)

• Take time off. Such a critical lesson I needed to learn for the sake of creativity and career longevity. So many media people deal with severe FOMO. I carried similar anxieties during early on, especially when I broke into network radio. I was afraid to take time off or truly check out in case I missed something. Even when I was away, I kept tabs. Not anymore! I finally understood sports aren’t going anywhere; they’ll be waiting when I get back, ha. Now I tune out when I can. I rarely watch sports “for fun,” except when I attend games in person. Instead, I use vacations and days off to give my mind and soul a break from sports. That allows me to return to work refreshed and rejuvenated and reenergized.

• Choose your battles. Not every battle is worth fighting. Not every hill is worth dying on. Not every conflict is worth your time and energy. A crucial truth from the last 12 years and the best piece of advice I can pass on. Be selective in responding to opposition and criticism. Most of it won’t matter tomorrow. Choose wisely when it comes to taking a stand. Defend the principles and values that matter most to you. Don’t waste your time arguing with fools.

There are hundreds of other lessons and tips and wisdom I could write down. Maybe someday I will! For now, my Syracuse students get the payload. As a bonus: I am convinced we agree on nothing in this country except football…and dogs!😍

I’m not even remotely the same host I was when we launched “After Hours” more than 12 years ago. Thank you for caring about me beyond the radio show! Thank you for sharing this ride. And stay tuned for some big news coming soon! Amy Xo