Road Radio USA shares its message in a fun way | News, Sports, Jobs

Jim Mothersbaugh Jr., the voice of “Jimbo in Stereo” and Founder and Director of Road Radio USA, along with the Road Radio USA team work hard over the summer to broadcast their program to hundreds of cadets at the camp while continuing to get their message out to half a million teens, parents, teachers and educators.

“We understand that kids don’t want to be talked down to and patronized, and the show has a lot of people on it who have lived experiences of having their lives affected by drugs and alcohol,” said commercial director Marianne Beane. “We are present on all social networks and have a TikTok profile with around 50,000 views, a number that continues to grow. We want to reach young people before they take alcohol or drugs.”

Road Radio USA states emphatically: “Underage alcohol and drug use is a national health problem and you can be part of the solution.” Beane began working with Mothersbaugh in 2020 when COVID-19 hit to develop a virtual version of their show to bring their message to hundreds of school districts. That collaboration, of course, has continued to be strong and constantly growing.

Mothersbaugh has been hosting Road Radio USA for decades, after suffering a head injury in a car accident that killed his dear friend while he was driving under the influence. Mothersbaugh was in a coma for four months at Geisinger Medical Center.

Mothersbaugh is in recovery and said he has health issues he has to deal with every day, but he has taken “evil and turned it into good.”

“It’s wonderful that Mothersbaugh has a theater background and that he comes alive on stage.” Beane said.

Mothersbaugh interacts with pre-recorded multimedia programming to reach children, students, teachers and parents. Road Radio USA features informative news, popular music videos and is interspersed with public service announcements such as the dangers of vaping, texting while driving, wearing a seat belt, the dangers of taking pills you don’t know the origin of and the impact of social media on your mental health.

Mothersbaugh said they can “Go anywhere in the country and in 1993 it started to get better and it’s still getting better.”

Mothersbaugh performs with a longtime band, which includes Andy Keister-DJ “Big Andy” Audio/Video, Jim Smith “The Music Blacksmith”-Support DJ/Audio & Video and Ron Johnson-Transportation & Event Photography.

Mothersbaugh and Beane started podcasts, and Road Radio USA grew into a fact-based, testimonial-based interaction.

Everyone is impacted “in one way or another, through drugs and alcohol,” they said.

The first season of podcasts alone has 32 episodes with testimonies and the evolution of the program sharing stories of people who have been affected by drugs and alcohol.

“Road Radio gives a voice and a face to the people concerned and wants to eliminate stereotypes” Beane highlighted. “It’s not shameful and even if you think no one is willing to help you, there are supports that can save your life.”

“It’s designed for middle school kids, but it really resonates with kids and adults of all ages,” Mothersbaugh said.

The live production includes a live DJ, fog machine, lasers and Q&A.

Beane is constantly working on updated segments and explained how “Jim comes alive on stage and thrives on the children’s reactions.”

Mothersbaugh wants to bring more of God into the show because he believes it is God who has helped him overcome all his trials. Road Radio USA visits private, Catholic and public schools.

“This is an evidence-based intervention because the three most effective interventions are community-based, school-based and family-based,” Beane said.We’re working on providing each child with a card with a QR code that they can easily access as a pocket resource. … We don’t want to go once and leave. We want it to be ongoing. The reality is that kids can potentially see this every day. Again, we want to partner with educators to supplement the program — guidance counselors, substance abuse counselors, and many others involved to get their input.”

Road Radio podcasts range from 5 to 30 minutes in length.

Beane and the team at Ignite Business Services in Williamsport provide “full support for Mothersbaugh on Road Radio USA.”

“Go to the website and you can see all of our social media platforms – www.roadradiousa.net. We put out a lot of information,” she says.

Right now, Ignite Inc. is also working on a space in his office where he can interview guests and have a little more structured programming.

“Everyone has a story and it’s powerful to share it.” Beane said.“It’s not a dirty secret and if you think you have to keep it hidden and it’s shameful, then people can use it as a way to control you. It has no power over you if you own it.” She explained that one in five people are affected by either active addiction, in recovery, or know someone who is.

“We need to remove the stigma and encourage children to seek help.”

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