We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rich “Trigger” Bontrager. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rich below.
Hi Rich, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Two main influences inspired me to pursue a public speaking and broadcasting career. It all began between the ages of 8- 10 years of age. I can remember listening to my radio late at night and listening to the Chicago Cubs Baseball and the late great Harry Caray. Harry was the Cubs’ play-by-play announcer, and I was captivated by how he described the game and surroundings. How he spoke created a “theater of the mind” experience, and I thought how fun that would be to do for a living. Plus, I loved sports in general.
Second, was staying up to watch the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Johhny was amazing to watch and listen to. Seeing how Johnny Carson interviewed and had fun with guests was thrilling. I can remember playing pretend and hosting my own “Tonight Show.” I knew if I ever got into broadcasting, I would host my talk show one day. Now I host several different streaming talk shows. And yes, it’s just as fun and exciting as I imagined.
Rich, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have been in some form of broadcast media for over 30 years. I began as a child pretending to be on stage, talking to my action figures and toys, and conducting interviews with toys like Superman, Batman, and GI Joe.
My formal training was completed at Northwestern College, now Northwestern University, in St. Paul, MN.
Because I suffered from a bad stutter for most of my life, my professors found it hard to believe that I would ever have a career on-air radio or on TV. My breakthrough came when I could do sports play-by-play on my college radio station.
It was at that time I found that I was good at storytelling and adlibbing, rather than reading a news script and someone else’s words. Since that time, I have worked in broadcasting.
In the mid-’90s, I began a public speaking career, and I expanded my speaking career. Again, I found I had more natural skills and abilities the more than I leveraged my creative and acting skills. I began coaching public speaking skills in the late 90s. Then during the Pandemic, I blended all of my speaking and media skills to help leaders, speakers, and influencers learn how to rock the virtual stage by learning on-camera media skills.
I now host multiple podcasts and streaming video shows while continuing to equip leaders and speakers with how to shine brighter on camera and stage with media skills.
The problem is that we are now a media-centric business world. Most businesses and leaders do not have the training or experience to communicate, engage, or have brand appeal on camera. Without learning how to communicate, and sell, promote on podcasts, podcast shows, or tv interviews, companies will. suffer,
Today I coach and equip leaders on how to build their media empires and shine brighter as Go-To Experts and influencers.
I coach:
On camera skills
Podcast skills
Brand identity
Media persona
Interview skills and more
People white to help them shine on camera, shine on stage and build their brand identity as god-Expert to expand their reach and gain more sales and profits.
I also, emcee and host virtual events, and act as a talk-show host for those that do not want to be the voice or face of the brand.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I leverage social media daily in multiple ways.
I post static pictures on various platforms like most people.
But the biggest way I grow my audience is through live-stream videos.
I host a short program called 2 PM with the Trigger Monday- Friday. This show streams live on multiple channels at the same time. The show is only 10-15 minutes in length and is often a monologue teaching opportunity or a short PR Interview segment for others to appear on and promote their events and services.
I also host a 30-minute live-streaming TV show that features other media-related guests and experts. This live streams on multiple channels as well and then is repurposed as an audio podcast.
I also have three video shows that are now video podcasts on Youtube.
Finally, I partner with other creators for live summits, training events, and more.
By daily streaming live and partnering with others I continue to keep my media brand fresh and seen by a wide audience
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Six years ago, my life stopped due to liver failure. In 2017, I had a liver transplant. Someone had to die for me to live. My life, career, and family were on pause for several years.
During that time, I began to create media content because I did not know if I would ever return to the broadcast booth or the in-person speaking stage. Creating these simple instructional allowed me to keep my creative energy and spirit alive while going through my liver failure and year-long recovery.
When the pandemic hit, I was prepared to work from home and elevate my video coaching and content. My pivot was far easier because I already started the process out of self-preservation. What I did during my medical crisis for the foundation of my Rock the Stage Media Company
My big lesson was to continue to do what inspires and energizes you no matter what.
I am a dreamer and creative b nature, so no matter my situation, I must continue to use my voice, share my creativity, and produce content to help others.
While I am not grateful for the pandemic or my liver failure and transplant, I am grateful for how they prepared mec and help transition from mostly live-stage and in-person broadcast events, to doing all of much better.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rockthestagemedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich_trigger_bontrager/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.bontrager
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-trigger-bontrager-presentationcoach/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeynoteRich
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RichBontrager
- Other: https://www.luminaryspeakers.com/rich-trigger-bontrager https://www.gigsalad.com/rich_the_trigger_bontrager_denver
Image Credits
All Credits are to Rock the Stage Media and Rich “Trigger” Bontrager