Canzano: Cutting the distance and shedding the old
My plan for 2026 involves you.
Less distance between us is a good thing.
You taught me that.
When I left the traditional newspaper world almost four years ago, you came with me as a reader on this pirate ship. I’ll never forget that. It means so much to me. And I’m thrilled that this independent writing endeavor has put my work in front of more readers than ever.
Working for you works for me. I wake up excited. It’s been the ride of a lifetime, and I’m excited to continue it. But it’s what you taught me in the last few years that I woke up thinking about recently.
Nobody comes between us here.
It’s just us.
You’re in it with me.
It’s why I’m planning an entrepreneurial move with my radio show that will close the distance between us and extend the footprint of my reach.
After nearly two decades working for the same local radio station, broadcasting the Bald Faced Truth radio show, I’ve decided to leap. A new year is a time for a new beginning.
I’ve got big plans. Other radio affiliates will be involved. The legacy Pac-12 footprint will be heavily emphasized. There will be an expanded digital presence on various platforms, and I’m hoping you’re interested in continuing our conversation.
Less distance between us?
Sound good?
My daily radio show is currently syndicated on seven stations across the state of Oregon and Southern Washington. For the last week, “Best of the BFT” shows have been running. Recorded interviews with Bill Walton, Mike Leach, and so many others have been occupying the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. window and will continue to air through Jan. 2.
I’ve been on a planned “vacation.” Really, I’ve been laying the groundwork for a new broadcast endeavor that will debut early in 2026. It will put us in a more direct conversation and provide me with autonomy. I’m excited. I’m hopeful my loyal broadcast audience will come with me in the same way readers did.
Traditional media plays an important role in our society. But what we’ve discovered and proven in this space is that independence provides freedom, authenticity, and the ability to deliver in-depth, sourced content that is unencumbered by outside influences. I go where the good stories are, and I aim to bring you with me.
We’ve watched newspapers, radio stations, and television stations consolidate in recent years. Staffing gets cut. The content suffers. There are lines of talented people out there, fighting a good fight, but they’re doing so as corporate entities squeeze the newsrooms and stations into an uncomfortable and impossible spot. Too many of them have stopped trying to win and, instead, aim to die slowly.
Before I launched this writing endeavor, I met with several small business owners. Their eyes danced when they talked about the fear and exhilaration involved in a self-directed business. I know that feeling now. I wake with it each day.
You’re not just a reader, you’re my boss. This is my livelihood. When I picked up my oldest daughter from college, you helped pay for the gasoline.
New year.
New path.
It’s not lost on me that 2025 was the “Year of the Snake” and in the final couple of weeks, I’m shedding to make room for something new. I’ll be able to share more details in the coming weeks, so be sure you continue to read this column.
If you’d like to be on the journey with me:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Follow the Bald Faced Truth podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, and/or Spotify.
Come with me.
This is going to be great.
We’re both fortunate. You get to do what you love and we get the best sourced info on our favorite life distractions. Win, win.
Of course we'll follow, John. You've made it personal, opened your journey to us and shared depth and human emotion that's hard to find today. Keep reading, man. Your evolution is notable.