Nicole Sandler

Name: Nicole Sandler Location: Coral Springs, FL I help to cut through the right wing noise machine with my radio show, working to harness the internet as the last frontier of free speech.

A little about me

I'm a trailblazer who's always been just a little ahead of my time. I helped make history by taking the first radio station from over the air to internet only... just months before the dotcom bust of 2000. But I didn't give up.

After a successful career in music radio, I moved to talk because George W. Bush was destroying our country. I hosted mornings in Miami and, when that station became the 5th sports outlet here, I didn't give up. I moved up!

Air America hired me to do fill-in work and eventually, they gave me the late night show. When Air America went under, I didn't give up. Without skipping a beat, I moved my show online, where it continues today.

Although I struggle to make ends meet, I know I'm not alone. I'm a single mom armed with facts and opinions. I book guests who help my audience and me understand what's happening in our world, and together we try to figure out how to make things better.

The "mainstream" media is corporately owned and operated, so independent voices like mine are an important commodity. If we can keep the internet free and open, I'm blazing the trail for the future of talk radio... one that is not dominated by the right wing money machine.

It's radio, or not.

I would describe myself as a

blogger

Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship

I can't do it alone! My experience at NN10 was amazing. In addition to learning so much from the DFA folks, I met some incredible people, many of whom continue to guest on my show on a regular basis.

Last year I was a bit limited, having broken my foot two weeks before heading to Vegas. This year, I promise to walk on my own two foot!

Seriously, I'm working on taking my show to the next level, which will certainly entail working more closely with people involved with netroots on all levels.

I'd pay my own way if only I could. I've been doing my show online for over a year now, with listeners donations covering the expenses. I have much to offer and a lot to learn.

I manage these blogs

Radio or Not
Help the 99ers

The blogs I use most are

Crooks and Liars
Talking Points Memo

What first inspired me to get involved

I adopted my daughter from Kazakhstan as a single mother. While I was in Kazakhstan, the Supreme Court appointed George W. Bush to the presidency. Over the next couple of years, I watched him systematically destroy the country.

I changed the focus of my work - from music radio to political talk - to try to get the facts out in a world dominated by corporate right wingers. It's an uphill climb, but certainly worth the effort.

How I've gotten others involved

I built a new website to connect people in need with others who can help them. It's www.helpthe99ers.com. I've enlisted the help of listeners/readers to help.

I organized my first action last week, as part of the first US Uncut day of action. I talk to people every day on my show who are involved, and encourage those who aren't to do so.

I do whatever I can on a daily basis to get my listeners to get active in any and every way possible.

The blog post I am most proud of

http://radioornot.com/site/?p=4318

Why I think participation in the blogosphere is important

It's how we communicate. If we don't participate in the town hall meeting of the world, we deserve whatever we get.

More about my involvement with DFA and local work

Yes and no. Unfortunately, there's no DFA chapter convenient to me. But I do participate when possible. I did organize a US Uncut rally for their first US Day of Action in February.