“Real Lessons from a Silly Show” details Aidan Hatton’s takeaways and lessons learned from hosting the podcast “Games & Grub” on Marquette University Radio. Starting an interview series after the COVID-19 outbreak, Aidan shares the valuable wisdom given by so many local and national success stories in their conversations, presented in a more professional, business-oriented context.
Written May 23, 2020
I want to start with a story.
It’s February 28, 2020, the spot is Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. It’s around 6:30 PM, an hour or so before tip-off between Marquette and Creighton. The matchup carries so much weight that the Big East’s most recognizable media personality is in town to cover the game.
John Fanta, a product of Cleveland, Ohio and Seton Hall University, can be spotted on-court doing his pregame interviews covering the game for the Big East Digital Network. At that moment, two fans of his see the opportunity and dash across the arena concourse down to court level, trying to get the man’s attention.
I’ll let you guess who one of those two fans was. From left to right: myself, John Fanta, and my roommate/co-host Zachary Passios. During the stay-at-home days, the friendliness of the Fox Sports prodigy extended to an appearance on our podcast. What transpired in our hour-long conversation was nothing short of extraordinary, full of perspective on his career journey packed with insightful advice relevant to college students, young broadcasters, and all those struggling with the current health crisis.
On how his world has changed during COVID-19: “This is a time to spend with your loved ones. I think we all have trouble slowing down, and typically, this time of year the wheels are turning, turning, turning. All I can think of right now are the first responders. It makes you think to yourself, ‘Wow, how lucky we have it.’ Sometimes you don’t appreciate something fully until you’re without it.”
Beginning with this message — voiced within the first three minutes — is the perfect way to show who John Fanta really is. He has found success in doing what he loves, but still has the presence of mind to recognize his stance in society and immediately thank those frontline employees and essential workers dealing with COVID-19 and its consequences. As a Marquette student, it reminds me of the true spirit of cura personalis (more on that later!), and also how grateful I am to be at a university with students who take initiative to express that same gratitude towards our healthcare workers. Before we even got into our first real question, he establishes gratitude for the present day and for those who continue to work to try to keep our world safe.
On his social media presence: “I think you’ve got to be positive; you’ve got to be enthusiastic. That’s not to say you can’t keep it real, but you’ve got to do it in the right tone. I interned at Fox Sports in college and somebody said, ‘Nobody wants to work with a jerk.’ In a world of criticism, for me I try to be that voice of reason. I try to be somebody who’s enthusiastic, and I just try to be true to myself.”
The value of positivity and enthusiasm in all lines of work was first expressed by our first guest, Pantelis Xidias, in last week’s recap. Specifically in media and creative content, Fanta explains that an optimistic tone is crucial. While it may be much easier to be negative in certain situations, he provides proof that holding true to the glass-half-full mentality pays dividends. Ignoring criticism and staying true to self is certainly something Fanta has practiced, both through social media and daily life. He clearly articulates the benefits of producing content he believes is 100 percent him, and nothing else. For those in creative positions, this tidbit of wisdom in particular provides massive value.
He admits the world is full of critics, which certainly rings true in almost every industry. His lesson on how to overcome them? Be yourself, unapologetically. Fanta represents the second guest in as many weeks to attest how you do your whole job attracts who you surround yourself with, which transitions perfectly to his next insight: on managing relationships and connections.
On networking in his position as a media member: “Managing relationships is really key. If you break somebody’s trust on a story and you put something out there, then your bridge is burned, they’re not going to recommend you for anything…you’ve got to put yourself in a good category to build your way up.”
The value of networking is taught to me almost daily as a Marquette Business student — nearly to the point of exhaustion. Whether it’s through a strong LinkedIn presence, appearances at career fairs or finding mentors, the school has not made me forget it. It was interesting to hear Fanta’s spin on networking from a media standpoint, and it only reiterates the importance of making connections. Just as relationship management as a reporter carries enormous weight, managing your contacts in the business world can have major implications on future opportunities for growth.
His advice to young broadcasters: “Be a yes man. If somebody asks you to do something — I didn’t know anything about international softball. But I took the rosters down, I gathered up some information on the teams, and hey, let’s go on the air! And if you sound like you know what you’re talking about, if you’re enthusiastic doing it, isn’t that how we’re playing the game of life anyways?”
On our show, Fanta told the story of his assignment covering international softball that was being played in Japan, and how he did it off a monitor in New Jersey. In a quote that summarizes the mission of this entire article series, Fanta applies a lighthearted sports lesson to the universal “game of life.” Plus, if you are keeping score at home, that’s the second week in a row we get a “life is a game” reference!
The term “yes man” carries a negative connotation in many contexts, but when it comes to being open-minded to every opportunity, the expression has merit. Furthermore, Fanta is an advocate of always doing your best. The simple, yet important calling became widely publicized by author Don Miguel Ruiz in his acclaimed book The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom — a book that has aided the likes of Tom Brady and Oprah Winfrey. Even in a situation like the softball assignment where he felt unprepared, Fanta first put in enough work to feel confident, and then took the leap of faith.
On tough interviews and overall hardships of the job: “It’s hard as a media member to ask a question. It’s hard sometimes. We’re dealing with humans, but as media members we get criticized if we show that human side of us. We’ve got to try to keep this straight line. And to do that when you’ve got a crying player or a coach, that’s the line that you have to toe.”
What stuck with me about Fanta’s comments on “asking the tough questions” was his inclination to deal with the athletes he covers as humans. These days, a culture of empathy sometimes struggles to translate to the media environment. In every industry, however, maintaining an orientation towards service to others will in turn serve that individual well. Throughout his career Fanta has shown this to be true.
Maintaining an attitude towards helping others while navigating the norms of your own position is a challenge that Fanta is not alone in struggling with. A Marquette education has taught me the practice of cura personalis, the Latin phrase for “care for the whole person” and a founding pillar of Ignatian spirituality. In the words of Marquette’s President Dr. Michael Lovell, the philosophy “about helping everyone achieve success” manifests itself to be much more powerful than an approach solely focused on individual prosperity. Although not a Marquette alum, John explains how he incorporates this perspective into his daily work.
Tips for self-isolation: “You catch up with people. Now is the time to catch up with people, make acquaintances, thank those people that helped you get to where you are. Spend some time with your families and try to make the most of these moments.”
It’s fitting to end on this note, because it has certainly been a blessing to “make acquaintances” and meet John, and even catch up with him over video during this difficult time.
Just as he began our interview talking about how to spend these unusual days, he ends it addressing the urgency during this period to “reach out.” He includes our close-knit family and friends in his comments, but also those we haven’t seen recently; you never know what benefit may come from reaching out to that one certain person. He leaves a powerful mark when he declares that the time is now; God knows procrastination can sometimes be our worst enemy (I certainly know this as a college student!).
What began as an innocent run-in between Fanta and some giddy fans has certainly grown into a treasured friendship. I want to thank John for being so generous with his time, especially during the current situation.
Next week, I’ll begin to analyze the streak of interviews conducted with Marquette alumni. We will begin with Jenny Fischer, as she shares her unique story coupled with her passion for telling the stories of others.
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