Every Listener Counts: The Story of Christopher Kidd’s Path Into Podcasting and Radio

Christopher Kidd (Class of 2010) stepped into a fast‑moving industry earlier than most, carrying a blend of curiosity, drive and the confidence of somebody already comfortable in the radio space. Even without a formal background, he learned by building relationships, asking the right questions, and being determined. The connections which he made early on with his brothers along with his community shaped him and helped him understand the industry. Those early relationships became a quiet advantage, helping him navigate a competitive industry that rewards preparation, community, and the ability to build meaningful connections which helped to give Kidd a strong foundation before he ever stepped into a studio.

Kidd’s interests always leaned toward sports, but he never imagined himself stepping into the world of podcasting. It was during his short drives to the WSU campus that the idea first began to take shape. On the way, he started listening to podcasts every day and soon realized he might want to create one of his own. “I’ve always had the ability to just talk to people,” said Kidd, noting his natural talent for sparking innovative ideas and asking the kinds of questions others might see go over their heads. This daily routine slowly turned into inspiration, showing him that his voice could belong in the space he admired.

The sports media industry is often unforgiving and is known for its fast‑paced changes and high expectations, making it a space where young talent must quickly learn how to stand out. Kidd learned this in multiple ways—one from listening to those podcasts, and two, by staying grounded in the idea that every listener counts. “When people talk about 27 listeners, did you get 27 hugs today?” This principle helped him stay grounded and realize that 27 people tuning in may seem like a small number, but every person is giving you their warmth, their time, and their attention. To Kidd, each listener represented real trust, which motivated him to keep improving rather than chase big numbers.

The connections Kidd built at O’Dea and within his community gave him support and direction as he started figuring out how to move through such a competitive industry. “I got into radio because I knew the right people, and the right people knew the right people at the radio station,” said Kidd. These relationships didn’t hand him success, but they opened doors he was ready to walk through.

One example of this is when an O’Dea alum who was close with Kidd knew the son of Slick Watts, Donald Watts. Donald, at the time, was a program director at KJR Radio (where Kidd works now), and he saw Kidd working on his podcast as he was Kidd’s basketball coach but also a close friend he met through people. One day, Watts invited Kidd into the KJR radio station to film his podcast there, and from then on Kidd has been working and filming at KJR. That single invitation became a turning point, connecting Kidd’s hard work with an opportunity that matched his goals.

Kidd reflected on this by saying, “You never know what door (connections) can open up down the road.” If he had not known a friend, he would have never met Watts, who set him up at KJR. It really is all about the connections you build from the beginning because you never know how that can impact you in life. For Kidd, every relationship big or small played a part in shaping the career he continues to build today.

The story of Christopher Kidd demonstrates the power of determination, interest, and the right connections to create a path forward within an industry that is not always easy to break into. The lessons that he got from his experiences from learning about podcasting on his way to campus to his early connections demonstrate that every step forward, even the small ones, is important. The story of Christopher Kidd demonstrates that hard work and the right connections can open doors that can have a lasting impact on your legacy.

By Torsten Schenck