November 07, 2016 4 min read 24 Comments
“I believe that everyone has a story,” says KC Armstrong, a 20-year broadcast veteran who has launched an inspirational Internet radio station, WMAP, which rightfully stands for World’s Most Amazing People.
“I interview people who are helping other people, or entrepreneurs who didn’t have anything given to them and they just worked their balls off, who made something of themselves,” he says of some of his intriguing, inspiring guests. “Also, people who help animals, doctors who help people…it’s all positive.”
Add to that guest list the chief of the Maasai tribe. KC’s mom, Virginia, is a retired English teacher and journeys to Africa [Kenya] to teach, in classrooms with dirt floors. The chief, named Joe, often comes back to Long Island, and KC sits down with him for a one-on-one. You never know who is going to drop in, and who is going to inspire you.
In this era of bad news, Internet trolls and general weary cynicism, WMAP is making quite a positive impression. KC, who many people remember as a cast member of Howard Stern’s terrestrial radio show back in the day, comes to this pursuit carrying some damn dramatic baggage.
“I had a real bad drinking problem,” he says, “I had pancreatitis. I had been in and out of the hospital over 30 times. I had bled out one time and almost died.”
Bad news, which led him to good news.
“I don’t want to say that I had an epiphany,” he says, “but I realized that there are some really positive things you have to look for.”
The Long Island native is now back home after a soul-searching journey across America, which included a few bad relationships and failed attempts to self-medicate. KC traveled through the dark side and survived. His show, and its content, reside decidedly on the sunny side of the street, and are heard worldwide.
He says, “After I was fired from Howard – that was due to a pretty severe depression -- I went to go get some help at Newport Coast Recovery [Newport Beach, California]. I ended up staying out there for about eight years. I was living hand to mouth, and I was homeless at times. I got involved with some bad people and made some bad choices. I went to jail about three or four times. I ended up being arrested in Alaska. I followed a girl there. It was a very low time. I started drinking very heavily. Before I knew it, my pancreas was going.”
Although KC figured his story was over at that point, the stars were aligning in the sky for him, despite his talented knack for self-destruction. With time, he found faith, and his voice again. But did the old KC sense of humor that we remember from K-ROCK evaporate in the process?
“I’m still crazy,” he assures us. “It’s still me 24 hours.”
He took one of his weaknesses – a failure to see the good in himself – and turned it into an asset.
“I was always one to see the good in other people, but never in me,” he says. “Bringing out the best in other people, I feel that that’s what my role here is. I know I make a lot of people feel really good. And selfishly, it makes me feel good too.”
As KC’s audience builds worldwide, and his inspirational interviews continue to spread good vibes, his jock/jocular persona is still comfortably reminiscent of his days working with The King of All Media.
“I haven’t really talked to Howard in a while,” he says, “but I have nothing but good things to say about him. I now listen to myself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and I see myself doing a lot of things that he did. I learned so many things from him. The content situation is totally different -- everything is positive. I don’t put anybody down. I don’t do anything like that. But I often see in my cadence that I’ve learned so much from him.”
Part of what he learned from Howard is total, non-negotiable honesty, at all times.
“I’m always very honest with the audience,” he says, “and I let them know what’s going on. People seem to appreciate the honesty. People feel good after they get off the phone with me. I try to find something good in everybody, even if they don’t know it.”
The project is not a podcast – it’s an Internet radio station, and a serious business. It never turns off. KC has learned that it’s heard regularly in at least 14 different countries, and counting. The average listener is listening for 47.2 minutes each time they tune in.
“It’s crazy how it’s really blown up,” he says. “In 30 days, we’ve improved over 4000% with listenership. We’re heard in foreign countries, like Bangladesh. I’ve also signed a contract for a series of books [based on WMAP guests], which brings more clients and advertisers. The 17-18 hours a day I put in really paid off.”
Like any other entrepreneur, KC is taking it one day at a time and learning as he goes.
He says, “As an entrepreneur, you are going to have so many ideas that are just great, but you need that one idea where you don’t see any downside. It’s that idea that is going to make you work your ass off. There’s going to be a big learning curve. I didn’t know anything business wise. I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned. If you really want something, you are going to hit some speed bumps along the way. It’s there for you. You can definitely do it. It’s just hard work. And it’s also treating people with respect. And doing what you say and saying what you do. Those things go a long way.”
Of the current emotional temperature of our beleaguered culture, KC says, “Everything is so negative. We get so beaten up.” As an alternative, he suggests, “Turn on my channel.”
KC is always looking for interesting guests with stories to tell, and who want their message to reach a broad audience. Find out more, get in touch with KC, and give a listen to WMAP here.
April 30, 2018
Wonderful to see K.C doing great and doing inspirational things
February 12, 2018
Great interviews. Great advice. Thank you for a refreshing look at radio.
January 22, 2018
I believe that we were all created to be more unselfish than always thinking ourselves!! i much rather have the feeling of giving than the feeling i get when receiving..
It’s just great what you guys are doing out there, listening to these incredible stories from incredible people, its so inspiring and positive.
I am in Africa(Tanzania) love listening WMAP
KC, Thanks for sharing.
Josef Kessy
September 14, 2017
Myself , an Indian English Poet, author of VOICE OF AN UNACCOMPLISHED SOUL & VOICE OF AN ACCOMPLISHING SOUL loved being acquainted to wmapradio
September 07, 2017
You just went off the radar buddy. So many people worry and wounder what happened to you. So happy to find you in a good place. Peace brother!
August 19, 2017
Wmap has changed my life
Kc and the family took me into their hearts by recognising my work with recovery from mental illness with out meds and my singing and performing like no one else ever did.
I am very grateful and now I do what o can to help promote this great station together with my TV station for humanity
www.movingontv.uk
August 18, 2017
Great interview with Kelsey! Thanks KC
August 13, 2017
Good on you bud Love, Aaron’s Mom
August 13, 2017
GOD BLESS YOU TEAMMATE!
August 13, 2017
KC you were and are always the best! And let me be the first on WMAP to say, “F Jackie!”
August 12, 2017
KC. I am so glad to hear you are doing well and miss the hell out of ya buddy. Miss the days back at Western, but very happy to see your growth now bro. Keep up the good work.
August 11, 2017
What a great story! You really do a fantastic job with your interviews…and you are just as great as when you were at WKU. Thanks for the great job you do.
August 10, 2017
Great to hear this news, KC! Love the idea and love seeing you do this! Have been a fan since our wku days and you deserve the best! xo
August 09, 2017
I enjoyed your article! You are amazing KC!
August 01, 2017
Looking forward to talking with you on air! Leaving you with a few treasures as you are a treasure to me! What Are Your Treasures?
June 29, 2017
Hi KC! Met you at Richies the other day. Ty for the pics…came out great! Listened today to the show! Awesum dude! Very positive vibe!!!!! Keep it up…..
June 20, 2017
KC your the man keep it up
June 13, 2017
Finally, someone as crazy as I am. I love it!
May 30, 2017
guys thanks so much for taking the time to read then say such nice things
April 22, 2017
KC, you were one of my favorites on Stern. So glad to hear you’re doing well and following Christ. God bless you!
January 10, 2017
Wow KC, I am honored to know you and grateful for the dedication you have to making the world a better place through the lives of others. It is through our struggles that we come to know who we are and what else we are capable of. Blessings to you always.
January 02, 2017
Hi Ron,
Love to see what KC is up to these days. I’m a big old school Stern fan and really dig how he’s providing a positive resource for folks to enjoy on a 24-7, 365 basis. Awesome stuff.
Every single human being has a story to tell, and the person who gives the world the platform, to help these folks tell their stories, is doing the world a great service. Kudos to you KC ;)
Thanks for sharing.
Ryan
November 08, 2016
Wow. The very first time you came through the training room door, I saw in you what you now see in yourself…..my little brother, and it breaks my heart to think you ever lost sight of how PRECIOUS you are! I have always known that the love and respect you now share with the world was nestled deep behind those “baby blues!” Okay, enough of that, I HATE I didn’t realize you were back, ding-dong…….my daughter and I were just in the city a couple weeks ago for a week over her fall break! HIT ME UP, and let’s catch up! I Luya Luya Luya!!!!!
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Patty Hudson
April 30, 2018
Wonderful to see K.C doing great and doing inspirational things