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
Obadiah you will be missed, I wish you the best with wherever God leads you next. It was your voice and testimonial that convinced me to donate monthly to RadioU. Your openness about depression and mental health give me hope for my son who seems to have a lot in common with you and your quirkiness. Blessings to you.
Thank you Obi for being open and honest about your struggles. It’s helped me to get the help I needed for my depression. Even on the hard days I’ve been able to listen to your show and have some good laughs. You will be missed. I’ll be praying for you and whatever God has in store for you.
God Bless You Obey. Sending you Donuts, Apple Fritters and Positive Waves, 20 plus years worth, Gosh! Gonna miss your morning prayers, your wit, humor and stories. Your devotion, commitment and time for us and God is a massive inspiration. Words are not enough but Thanks So Much. Love You
-Todd
Obadiah,
I remember stumbling onto Radio U and The Riot one time driving through Columbus in the early 2000s and wishing we had something like it in Cincinnati. The production, music, host banter between you and Nikki all were top notch unlike anything I had heard in Christian Radio. Radio U in a way fueled my drive as my wife and I started doing shows at The Underground. Thank you for giving me a taste of what was possible.
Chris Human
Dude. You will truly be missed. From a guy who’s been a listener since 98’ and you were doin Battery and rando things back then. You’re a fave in or out of the mainstream & I’ve played your segments in a mix of settings.
You’re the red headed step child of our family and all of us will miss you. My step son has been listening to The Riot in his showers for quite a long time and we hope the best for your future ventures.
Thank you for your years of service and sacrifice. No one will ever truly understand your sacrifices but you have someone who can relate. I’ve been a broadcaster too for Xian radio & it ain’t easy. Plus just making yourself available to find content and time for yourself- bro, whenever yer in LA – you always have an open door.
-M@tch in LA @matchiam
Hey Obadiah! I haven’t texted in as much as I wanted to over the years (as a West Coast listener, I hear The Riot live stream after you guys are done with the show…I think), but you’ve been a part of my morning routine nearly every weekday. Listening to you and Nikki has been really encouraging and refreshing – you always come across as honest and real. It’s always great to hear your real opinions and to know that you also have bad days as well as good ones.
It’s rare that I find someone on the radio who is as relatable to you and I will miss hearing you in the mornings. Thank you for the interesting things that you have to say, for your life experiences and for your messages of hope. I don’t have a Twitter account, but I’ll do my best to keep up with you as you move on to next things. Plus I’m sure that Nikki will keep all us listeners up to date – she’s great!
Obadiah, your transparency, humor, nerd talk and faith talks have been so impactful over the years. It’s not just your strong opinions I’ll remember (jif or nothing) but your willingness to speak about real struggles and what God has done and is doing for you. I absolutely believe good things are ahead as God brings you to what’s next. And by golly I hope to high five you at that House of Heroes show come December.
Nooooo. My dog is dying and Obadiah is leaving. Why? Obadiah, just want to say thank you. I listen to the riot when I drive, and workout. It’s the only thing my son and I can agree on when we are in the car.
Obadiah, you and Nikki have made me smile (crack up laughing at times), on my 45 minute commute to work on many days. Your love for the Lord, and the sense of humor He has gifted you, are undeniable.
Best Wishes!
I’m going to miss you on the Riot/RadioU. I feel you are a kindred spirit and you’ve more than a few times confirmed my crazy world. Thank you for your sincerity and God Bless you for listing to His direction, especially when it’s difficult. My prayers go with you in all your future endeavors. AND I’ll be praying extra for Hudson with his new wake up time. ;)
Man that’s such sad news. I’ve been listening for just about all of those 20 years. It truly feels like a friend has passed away! I wish you the best and I know God wouldn’t ask you to do it if He didn’t have something bigger and better planned for you. Maybe leave the door open for special guest appearances though!
Obadiah – I remember when RadioU had just started I brought my youth group to the show after they had been on am evangelism training conference for a week. That was so cool for them. You set the tone then and continue to do so. Proud of you for following His lead, even when you don’t yet see where He is taking you
Obadiah,
I’ve loved listening to you. I’ve had multiple co-workers give me sideways looks for laughing at some of your bits. One guy believes Taco Bell has a bounty on your head. I’m happy I was able to make small contributions to the show from heckling you about a question of the morning once, to sending buns from the rat infested Burger King in Delaware, and sending Nikki her eye-catching footwear. I love your humor and how personal and honest you are in your relationship with God. I’ve believed in Jesus most of my life and was still regularly touched by what you said. I’m sad to see you leave but I absolutely wish you the best and that your new opportunities will allow you to get some sleep. And here’s to hoping that you have a going away party with a sheet cake and lots of Taco Bell!
Since I’m not fond of listening online, I have to say that I haven’t listened in ages, BUT I was a huge fan back in the SkyAngel Days of TVU. I found you insightful, funny, and most importantly, relatable. I’ve followed you on Twitter off and on and want to thank you for all that you’ve done for the Christian Rock Industry. You became an icon and that’s an accomplishment! Blessings! All the best in your new endeavors! ROCK ON!
It’s hard to express just how much of an impact you, the Riot, and RadioU have had on my life. I’ve been listening for nearly 10 years now since I was only 12, and you’ve been there for me through everything, nearly every day. I took RadioU with me to graduation and I cried when you said during a fundraiser that that meant something to you. RadioU is what directly gave me all of my music tastes, and sharing your personal experiences with depression helped me through more than I can say. I know you’re moving on to better things for your life and we support you in everything, but you will be very dearly missed.
With all the love I can give, I wish you the best for your future friend.
You were part of the best morning show ever! What made it the best was the way you always got back to what was important and provided prospective that was easy for your listeners to relate to. Well done! And God bless.
Thank you for all of the years of entertainment. I will miss your voice and witty sense of humor. Best of luck to you and whatever the future brings. Live long and prosper.
Man I am 51 now. I was 31 when I start listening to the riot. For my morning commute for the last 20 years has been number 1 COFFEE 2 the RIOT. Wow I am going to miss your loudness in the morning buddy. Also quirky humor. My prayers are with you Obey in what ever you do. Hutson god be with you, them big shoe’s to fill. Ps Obey will you still have a video game review some where?
Love you guys God bless
Tom Biechlin
Obadiah. There are allot of words to say and not enough time. Thank you for being you!!! RadioU has touched my family life and made it better. For that I am forever grateful. It all started with the Riot. It was a story you told about your life that made me change. Thanks for being so brave and sharing your life with us. God is good. Good luck Obadiah!!!! I wish you all the best!!! Enjoy your break!
I’ve been listening for about 20 years and find your sense of humor refreshing, your snark never over the line, your authenticity and personal relatability life changing. Thanks for always pointing back to Jesus and being with RadioU along the way. You will be missed!