Ernesto Aguilar
@eaxlr.com
Public media, engagement, AI & new leadership • Radio Programming and more, KQED • write oigo.us x AI & Public Media Futures on LinkedIn x Anoixe for Treble • Body in San Francisco, soul in Houston. 🤠 ernestoaguilar.com
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Ernesto Aguilar
@eaxlr.com
· 18d
Here's How San Francisco's KQED Rebranded to Boost Listenership - Radio World
"When radio leaders refresh how we describe our service to communities, we remind audiences why radio exists."
www.radioworld.com
Listeners of KQED may have noticed the subtle change, but it was actually a massive one. If you're at a public radio station, think deeply about how you present your station to the community. Here was our process and how you could rebrand on-air: www.radioworld.com/columns-...
Coming home to Texas in 2026! Put me on your calendar in January in Austin. Would love to see my public media people there.
November 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Coming home to Texas in 2026! Put me on your calendar in January in Austin. Would love to see my public media people there.
New leaders: your first move with an inherited team sets the tone. Start with curiosity, not conclusions.
→ Ask before judging
→ Ground decisions in data
→ Communicate with clarity
Leadership isn’t about fast fixes—it’s about trust and thoughtful change.
→ Ask before judging
→ Ground decisions in data
→ Communicate with clarity
Leadership isn’t about fast fixes—it’s about trust and thoughtful change.
November 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
New leaders: your first move with an inherited team sets the tone. Start with curiosity, not conclusions.
→ Ask before judging
→ Ground decisions in data
→ Communicate with clarity
Leadership isn’t about fast fixes—it’s about trust and thoughtful change.
→ Ask before judging
→ Ground decisions in data
→ Communicate with clarity
Leadership isn’t about fast fixes—it’s about trust and thoughtful change.
Thanks for all the feedback about my professional website, which has gotten the refresh I've wanted for some time. I invite more of your suggestions! ernestoaguilar.com/
Bienvenidos - Ernesto Aguilar
Hola. I am Ernesto Aguilar, a writer, speaker and thought leader dedicated to exploring the transformative power of public media in American lives. My extensive body of work investigates how public media can effectively engage communities, bridge cul
ernestoaguilar.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Thanks for all the feedback about my professional website, which has gotten the refresh I've wanted for some time. I invite more of your suggestions! ernestoaguilar.com/
Courage isn’t just for crisis mode, but a daily leadership muscle. 💪 Build it with 3 kinds of everyday courage:
→ Moral: Align actions with values
→ Social: Speak up, even when it’s unpopular
→ Emotional: Stay present in tough moments
→ Moral: Align actions with values
→ Social: Speak up, even when it’s unpopular
→ Emotional: Stay present in tough moments
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Courage isn’t just for crisis mode, but a daily leadership muscle. 💪 Build it with 3 kinds of everyday courage:
→ Moral: Align actions with values
→ Social: Speak up, even when it’s unpopular
→ Emotional: Stay present in tough moments
→ Moral: Align actions with values
→ Social: Speak up, even when it’s unpopular
→ Emotional: Stay present in tough moments
In case you missed it, I recently offered why I remain hopeful for public media, even amid cuts. Read more: oigo.us/p/end-of-cpb-public...
November 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
In case you missed it, I recently offered why I remain hopeful for public media, even amid cuts. Read more: oigo.us/p/end-of-cpb-public...
Job security is unpredictable. Your resilience doesn’t have to be. Clarify your non-negotiables, strengthen adaptability, and build a network beyond your org.
Resilient careers aren’t reactive, but instead they’re intentional.
Resilient careers aren’t reactive, but instead they’re intentional.
November 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Job security is unpredictable. Your resilience doesn’t have to be. Clarify your non-negotiables, strengthen adaptability, and build a network beyond your org.
Resilient careers aren’t reactive, but instead they’re intentional.
Resilient careers aren’t reactive, but instead they’re intentional.
Really appreciated this look at funding disclosure models and am curious how public media could follow a lead like this. www.cjr.org/analysis/nonpro...
For Nonprofit Newsrooms, Ethical Funding Is Essential
How outlets are updating their strategies to protect editorial independence.
www.cjr.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Really appreciated this look at funding disclosure models and am curious how public media could follow a lead like this. www.cjr.org/analysis/nonpro...
If your team can’t slow down—even on vacation—you may be stuck in an “entrainment cycle.” But burnout isn’t always about long hours; it’s about unsustainable tempo. Want long-term performance? Reset the rhythm, not just the calendar..
November 5, 2025 at 8:51 PM
If your team can’t slow down—even on vacation—you may be stuck in an “entrainment cycle.” But burnout isn’t always about long hours; it’s about unsustainable tempo. Want long-term performance? Reset the rhythm, not just the calendar..
You don’t need a new show. You need a repeatable format.
Try this: 3x weekly 90-second segment that answers one audience question. Record in batches. Publish on radio, app, website, socials.
Cadence beats complexity. Consistency builds habit.
Try this: 3x weekly 90-second segment that answers one audience question. Record in batches. Publish on radio, app, website, socials.
Cadence beats complexity. Consistency builds habit.
November 4, 2025 at 9:32 PM
You don’t need a new show. You need a repeatable format.
Try this: 3x weekly 90-second segment that answers one audience question. Record in batches. Publish on radio, app, website, socials.
Cadence beats complexity. Consistency builds habit.
Try this: 3x weekly 90-second segment that answers one audience question. Record in batches. Publish on radio, app, website, socials.
Cadence beats complexity. Consistency builds habit.
One month after the release of my public radio programming resource guide for producers looking to create content for stations, and it's been a great learning experience. Learn more about the guide here: ernestoaguilar.com/radio
Radio – Ernesto Aguilar
ernestoaguilar.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
One month after the release of my public radio programming resource guide for producers looking to create content for stations, and it's been a great learning experience. Learn more about the guide here: ernestoaguilar.com/radio
Appreciate the journey, always.
November 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Appreciate the journey, always.
New project alert: I’m exploring a narrative podcast tied to the 60th anniversary of a peculiar historical moment.
Short-run series like this are new to me, so I’m listening, reading, sketching, learning. If you've built one before, I gratefully accept any tips you have.
Short-run series like this are new to me, so I’m listening, reading, sketching, learning. If you've built one before, I gratefully accept any tips you have.
November 3, 2025 at 2:37 PM
New project alert: I’m exploring a narrative podcast tied to the 60th anniversary of a peculiar historical moment.
Short-run series like this are new to me, so I’m listening, reading, sketching, learning. If you've built one before, I gratefully accept any tips you have.
Short-run series like this are new to me, so I’m listening, reading, sketching, learning. If you've built one before, I gratefully accept any tips you have.
I understand publishers chalking these issues up to anti-DEI campaigns. Also something should be said about companies perhaps following what they saw as a trend and going elsewhere once they didn't. www.theguardian.com/media/2...
Publications aimed at LGBTQ+ audiences face discrimination from advertisers, editors warn
Media figures say ‘gold rush is over’, as attacks on diversity and inclusion have led to some advertisers avoiding outlets
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I understand publishers chalking these issues up to anti-DEI campaigns. Also something should be said about companies perhaps following what they saw as a trend and going elsewhere once they didn't. www.theguardian.com/media/2...
Disagreeing with a colleague? A pro tip that will take you far: frame it as a contribution: "I have a different perspective that might help us achieve our goals."
October 31, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Disagreeing with a colleague? A pro tip that will take you far: frame it as a contribution: "I have a different perspective that might help us achieve our goals."
KQED’s Trusted Voice Content turns short promo breaks into authentic, people-first storytelling that bridges radio and digital.
Let me tell you how the strategy boosted engagement, donations and trust; and also what stations can learn from it.
current.org/2025/10/how-pro...
Let me tell you how the strategy boosted engagement, donations and trust; and also what stations can learn from it.
current.org/2025/10/how-pro...
How promos can build audience, and trust, for public media journalism
When KQED began producing unscripted audio spots for news stories, the audience response revealed a new strategy for building digital engagement.
current.org
October 31, 2025 at 12:46 PM
KQED’s Trusted Voice Content turns short promo breaks into authentic, people-first storytelling that bridges radio and digital.
Let me tell you how the strategy boosted engagement, donations and trust; and also what stations can learn from it.
current.org/2025/10/how-pro...
Let me tell you how the strategy boosted engagement, donations and trust; and also what stations can learn from it.
current.org/2025/10/how-pro...
"Bring your whole self to work" sounds empowering, but for leaders, it can backfire. Leadership is in many ways about clarity, trust and stability. Be authentic, yes. But be strategic.
October 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
"Bring your whole self to work" sounds empowering, but for leaders, it can backfire. Leadership is in many ways about clarity, trust and stability. Be authentic, yes. But be strategic.
TODAY IS THE DAY! Bay Area Storytellers of Color hosts a lively conversation on the future of public media. Reserve your seat at the table here: forms.gle/GegRofikeoMZF5qp9
October 30, 2025 at 1:31 PM
TODAY IS THE DAY! Bay Area Storytellers of Color hosts a lively conversation on the future of public media. Reserve your seat at the table here: forms.gle/GegRofikeoMZF5qp9
Nashville Public Radio has 48 hours to raise $250k. If you love the great music, news, arts and culture these stations share with Tennessee and beyond, please give what you can now: nashvillepublicradio.org/
Home
Visit Nashville Public Radio Stations: WPLN News WNXP Nashville Classical Radio WPLN International
nashvillepublicradio.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Nashville Public Radio has 48 hours to raise $250k. If you love the great music, news, arts and culture these stations share with Tennessee and beyond, please give what you can now: nashvillepublicradio.org/
Even well-meaning feedback can spark conflict in today’s climate. Want to keep conversations constructive?
1️⃣ Pause, don’t react
2️⃣ Label your emotions
3️⃣ Respond, don’t escalate
Civility isn’t just kindness. It’s leadership in this world.
1️⃣ Pause, don’t react
2️⃣ Label your emotions
3️⃣ Respond, don’t escalate
Civility isn’t just kindness. It’s leadership in this world.
October 29, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Even well-meaning feedback can spark conflict in today’s climate. Want to keep conversations constructive?
1️⃣ Pause, don’t react
2️⃣ Label your emotions
3️⃣ Respond, don’t escalate
Civility isn’t just kindness. It’s leadership in this world.
1️⃣ Pause, don’t react
2️⃣ Label your emotions
3️⃣ Respond, don’t escalate
Civility isn’t just kindness. It’s leadership in this world.
When data stops guiding you, intuition steps in. But intuition isn’t magic. It’s a skill built through pattern recognition, reflection, and small daily decisions.
Want better gut calls? Start with the “calm test”: Would I decide the same way if I were completely calm?
Want better gut calls? Start with the “calm test”: Would I decide the same way if I were completely calm?
October 28, 2025 at 8:33 PM
When data stops guiding you, intuition steps in. But intuition isn’t magic. It’s a skill built through pattern recognition, reflection, and small daily decisions.
Want better gut calls? Start with the “calm test”: Would I decide the same way if I were completely calm?
Want better gut calls? Start with the “calm test”: Would I decide the same way if I were completely calm?
My friends at WPLN/WNXP are in the midst of fundraising! If you value the news and culture that these beloved stations amplify in Nashville, now is the time to give. Donate at nashvillepublicradio.org/
October 28, 2025 at 1:55 PM
My friends at WPLN/WNXP are in the midst of fundraising! If you value the news and culture that these beloved stations amplify in Nashville, now is the time to give. Donate at nashvillepublicradio.org/
Saying “no” isn’t a weakness—it’s a leadership skill. Strategic refusal means:
✔ Reframing no as prioritization
✔ Making trade-offs visible
✔ Offering realistic alternatives
It’s how strong leaders protect focus, trust and results.
✔ Reframing no as prioritization
✔ Making trade-offs visible
✔ Offering realistic alternatives
It’s how strong leaders protect focus, trust and results.
October 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Saying “no” isn’t a weakness—it’s a leadership skill. Strategic refusal means:
✔ Reframing no as prioritization
✔ Making trade-offs visible
✔ Offering realistic alternatives
It’s how strong leaders protect focus, trust and results.
✔ Reframing no as prioritization
✔ Making trade-offs visible
✔ Offering realistic alternatives
It’s how strong leaders protect focus, trust and results.
Join us Thursday! We're tackling the big questions facing public media. I'm so honored to be in conversation later this week with some brilliant minds. RSVP here: forms.gle/GegRofikeoMZF5qp9
Bay Area Storytellers of Color – Fall Meetup @ KQED
Event Address: 2601 Mariposa St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Contact us at 808-640-7125 or fweems@gmail.com
forms.gle
October 27, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Join us Thursday! We're tackling the big questions facing public media. I'm so honored to be in conversation later this week with some brilliant minds. RSVP here: forms.gle/GegRofikeoMZF5qp9
I'm wondering how much of a "best and final" culture for saving money is arising in public media? It's certainly an employer's market, but questions about how this alienates employees and damages loyalty and trust remain. www.kornferry.com/insights/...
The Rise of ‘Best and Final’ Pay Offers
In a job market tilted toward employers, more firms are trying to stop salary negotiations before they start. Will that backfire?
www.kornferry.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I'm wondering how much of a "best and final" culture for saving money is arising in public media? It's certainly an employer's market, but questions about how this alienates employees and damages loyalty and trust remain. www.kornferry.com/insights/...