Barnabas's Career Capsule
I attended a Christian School called 'The Branch Christian School', I worked for a building company for 5 years and I also worked for a while at a Christian Mission charity called 'Eurovision'.  I then went to University to study media and sports journalism.

1. Tell us any recent changes (news) at Branch FM?

Recently we had to change our website address to www.branchfm.com and also our email address to studio@branchfm.com

 Also this week we interviewed the lead singer (Jeremiah Carlson) of Christian band, 'The Neverclaim'.

In November 2014, we celebrated Branch FM's 7th anniversary on the FM signal, and we had a live broadcast outside in the town of Dewsbury, which is where Branch FM radio station is located. That was a fantastic day of celebration in our local community and our theme this year was 'Hope'.

2. What is the best programming advice you've been given? The worst?

I have received a lot of encouragement and help about working in radio and interview tips and about presenting but the best advice given to me would be that when you are on a live broadcast, when you are presenting a show - think that you are presenting to one person because that creates the idea that you are one-on-one because presenting needs to be about relationship, the listener needs to relate to you, to even think of you a friend. The listener needs to connect with the presenter, and this station is all about encouraging people. I present our weekday Breakfast Show (7-10am)

I guess the worst kind of programming advice is this. There is a lot of work to be done at a radio station and lots of challenges. Some projects and ideas need a lot of planning and organizing, so the worst advice in this situation is to not plan but to just rush ahead with something without thinking about the possible challenges or obstacles. Planning is very important. Also there can be a lot of pressure working in media and that pressure can produce behavior that treats people in a wrong way and any advice that would bring possible harm to a person, well that advice should be ignored. Any advice that causes you to treat someone in an abusive way is wrong and is contrary to what Branch FM is about. We are all about relationships and bringing encouragement into peoples daily lives.

3. Regarding Christian Radio, how does it differ from Christian Radio in the US?

In regards to the music content and the on air encouragement, Christian radio in the UK and in the US is very similar. Aswell as the music, we have a lot of programs where we have speakers and pastors sharing the Gospel, we have interviews and radio theatre (for example the 'Narnia' series or the 'Left Behind' series). Also we don't have a lot of on air advertising. We are more restricted here in the UK than in the US in regards to licencing, government regulations and on air content.\

4. What is the ONE thing you must have everyday to do your job?

I need God's guidance and wisdom and the first thing I need to focus on when I get up in the morning is God and His love. Also I must have hot drinks with me throughout the day.

5. Where will future Christian radio air talent come from?

It will come from those who our fully committed and surrendered to Christ and who have a passion and a desire to tell and encourage others with the truth of the love of God. They will be drawn to the exciting vision of Christian radio. They will not only have great on air God-given talents but most of all will have a passion and excitement for how God is using Christian radio to draw others into a close relationship with Him.

6. Do you feel syndication is good or bad for Christian radio?

There is positives and negatives for syndication for Christian radio. Syndication is good for working with other radio stations and other organisations and to build relationships in this way but also as a station we would want to be careful and to do it in moderation. We wouldn't want to lose the uniqueness of our station and we wouldn't want to lose the local and community based part of Branch FM of being in the town of Dewsbury in the county of West Yorkshire.

7. Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio?

Some of the biggest obstacles to Christian radio is financial, we are a listener supported radio station. Also the society that we live in is becoming more and more secular and more and more against God. So we are here to represent Jesus to tell others about the true nature of God. The fact that He loves them and He is their Hope and He wants to help them. But there is opposition to Christianity and to Christian radio and that may be the biggest challenge. So we must be bold and confident and stand up for the truth of God's Word and not be ashamed of Jesus no matter what.

8. Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?

I listened to a few different radio stations when I was younger. I wouldn't say I have a radio hero, but I did work experience at a radio station called 'Radio Worldwide'. Also the team at Branch FM have been great examples to me and have taught me a lot. I have been influenced by a variety of different things including growing up in a Christian home and I am a huge lover of Christian music and Christian artists.