Obadiah says goodbye…
Let’s get the difficult part over first:
After more than twenty years of service, I am leaving RadioU. It’s harder to type than it is to read. The internet would no doubt ask, “Why though?” Read on for more.
Usually when people leave an organization it’s because something is wrong with them (the person) or with the organization. In this case, neither is true. In prayer, the Lord told me that it was time for me to leave RadioU. When I started here a long time ago, He told me that a time would come when He would have something else for me to do.
It’s time.
I love RadioU with all my heart. I believe strongly in what we do and why we do it. I’m asking you to continue to support, not just financially but with your ears as well. The RIOT will now be Nikki and Hudson. Show up for them. Send them text messages. Pray for them. Pray for me as I continue to seek God’s guidance for what this “other” thing is that I’m going to go do.
I am overwhelmingly grateful to the staff and management of RadioU for their decades of support to me personally and especially grateful to Nikki for being one of the best friends I have ever had. She has seen me at my worst and kept showing up and pulled me along through difficult times. You couldn’t ask for a better friend or finer co-host.
Thank YOU for listening and supporting and allowing me to work a dream job. Jesus is with us and will continue to be there every single moment of every day! Let’s continue to put our faith in Him as things change.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!
— Love, Obadiah
I know it’s a great thing to have such a good relationship with the Lord that you can make decisions that have a big impact, like my dad did when he left a store management position to got into real estate where the checks can be few and far between. But I can’t help but express my sadness. I’ve only had the riot for 3 years and can’t get the ahold of the old stuff. I will probably tune in but you are the reason RadioU stuck with me. Your attitude and wits are too much like mine to not be attracted. I’ll forever miss the riot and you at RadioU. I really wish I would have had the chance to make it up there before you left. It’s like losing a friend even though you didn’t know me.
With love and all the respect, Bryce from okc
When we moved from another state to the OKC area 10 years ago, everything was new. Scanning through stations on the way to work I stumbled on Radio U. I think Adandon Kansas was the first song I heard and loved it. It became my go to station especially for the morning commute when the Riot was on. I always appreciated Obi’s honesty about his situations and God. I got to share the Riot for the first time this year with my 12 year old daughter on the way to school when it started back. She thinks you have one cool voice Obi-wan. I would have missed out on a lot of good music if it wasn’t for the Riot. Good luck and prayers you are lead to the right next place. You will be missed.
I’m going to miss you, Obidiah. When I first started listening to RadioU, it was for the Riot. It took a while for the music to grow on me, but you and Nikki kept me listening until it did. I talk about you and the things you say often enough that some people probably think that we are friends. I wish you luck in what comes next and thank you for all the memories.
We’ll miss you so much Obadiah, but it’s good that you’re doing what you’re feeling called to do. Best wishes, it won’t be the same without you!
Obi, you’ve been a constant for me every morning for many many years. You’ve demonstrated great encouragement for me and so many people all over the world. I’ve had the pleasure of serving with you, bringing food fight items in, and working the fund raising phone lines with you. I will definitely miss the funny stories and hearing you in the mornings. Man I’ve spent a lot of time listening to you two in the mornings. I pray the gift of discernment for you and that you will be filled with the same passion for whatever it is that you do next. Thank you for the years and years of fun, laughs, and ridiculousness. Hopefully I’ll see you around. Take care brother and God bless you!!
Obadiah, you’re going to be greatly missed on RadioU, but I’m so glad you are listening to what God is telling you. We have to go through change to be able to grow.
The RIOT won’t be the same without you. Prayers and blessings for your new journey.
I will miss hearing you in the mornings, although sad that you are leaving, it is great to hear that you are following God’s call. I pray the best for you in your new journey.
Obadiah, you have been part of my life for 16 years. My heart aches knowing that I won’t be able to hear you on the podcast anymore. I’m literally crying while typing this. I will miss you so much. Thank you for being my friend all of these years. You got me through so many hard times in my life. My life will be different without you in it. May God bless you in the next chapter of your life and please don’t be a stranger.
I’ve enjoyed listening to The Riot and the banter between you and Nikki. You guys are truly one of a kind and there are days when one story can have me laughing all day. It will be weird not hearing you on the radio, but Hudson is the perfect fit and his stories are just as amusing as yours. Live Long and Prosper, Obi, and may the Winds of Dune carry you to a galaxy far, far away and may no one ever sneeze on your credits.
Much love to you Obi!
Obi, you and Nikki and I have spent many, many mornings together on drives to work and school. I’ve been listening to you guys since the start. We’ve debated over the Destroyers when they were first in town. We’ve discussed many medical issues as well.
Obi, you have been a big part of my life, a friend without evening coming to dinner at my house or us sharing a movie. I know this must be a movement of God as you have been so dedicated to RadioU and its fans for many years. Hudson is good but you will be missed.
I pray God’s peace and blessings for you in your new journey. May you always remember your family here in Columbus, Ohio and around the world.
I thank the entire staff of RadioU for your work and dedication. Thanks to you all we have been able to enjoy many Christian concerts and artist. Thanks to all RadioU does to promote Christian rock artist.
I always knew it’d happen eventually, but dang it doesn’t seem real. I’ve been listening to RadioU for about 15 years, including a lot of the Riot. Obi was the DJ at our wedding… Nikki and Obi have been such a big part of my life. That said, I wish him the best in his next steps and I know that he will continue to be a blessing to everyone around him. Keep being you, God still has amazing things to do with you!
Who is cutting onions in here? Rude. Thank you for everything you’ve done and for becoming a ‘friend’ for many of us over the years. I’ll miss your highly relatable stories every day, as well as giving me tech and game info that helps me look smart with my husband (Hudson, please take note) – but I know you will go on to do even more amazing things! Prayers for wisdom in your next steps, and blessings through this transition to all.
Thank you so much for all the time you have given us over the radio. I know God is working His wonder to find your next path to great things! Sending lots of hugs and blessings your way as you go on this next great journey.
I’m filled with mixed emotions. I have been listening to Radio U for about 6 years and have loved every minute of listening to the Riot. I’m happy for Obadiah for listening to the Lord and what he has planned for him. Jesus will always be by his side and great things are to come. I will be praying for Radio U and the future adventures. God will always support those who support Him!
Obi will be so very missed! Any way we can follow his career? I have always dreamed of hiring him to DJ my wedding (if I ever get married) if he is going to continue doing DJ-related work. Either way, thank you Obi for blessing my life with your presence on the Riot & helping me fall in love with RadioU as a way to stay close to Jesus. God bless your next step!
God bless you on your next chapter.
I hate to see you go Obi. You have been with radiou since the begining. It won’t be the same without you. God bless you and your journey.
Obi!!!!!! Oh my gosh, this makes me so sad! I know you will follow the Lord wherever He takes you, and that is what is right and best. But MAN will you be missed! For the nearly 20 years that my husband and I have been married & living in Columbus, you have been a part of our lives. And for the past 11 years, you have been a part of our kids’ lives, too. We listen the The Riot religiously every morning on our way to school. On those really tough mornings, you are there to make us laugh and share how much God loves us, even at our worst. Thank you for always making us smile and always blessing us with the reminder of God’s love! Best wishes and lots of prayers as you embark on your new adventure! ❤️
Obadiah,
WOW! 20 years is a long time! I remember back in NY hearing about RadioU in youth group and somewhere I still have a VHS tape with you on it. I believe T-Bone was being introduced for his video Ride With Me. I am heavy into hip hop and at the time I thought the show Radio U was a GREAT alternative to MTV… prayers for you, the staff and for the continued growth of the Station.
I’m so glad that the reason you’re leaving is out of obedience to God- there’s no better reason, and this just goes to show the genuineness of every testimony you shared over the air. I can’t thank you enough for the music and laughs, but also the Godly encouragement and example. You’re in my prayers Obi!
End of an Era. Good luck.