Dobson or Daly?
Who has the message you want to hear?
James Dobson’s final “Focus on the Family” radio show, which he has hosted for more than 30 years, will air Feb. 26.
His new radio show with son Ryan Dobson will air, beginning in May, 
on an as-yet undetermined station, Dobson publicist Becky Lane said today.
The Dobsons’ new show will be called “Family Talk” (for a while the plan was to call it “James Dobson on the Family”) and be similar in format and spirit to the “Focus” radio show.
Meanwhile, Focus said in December that John Fuller will continue as co-host of the “Focus” show. Focus president and CEO Jim Daly, family psychologist Juli Slattery and other family experts will rotate as co-hosts with Fuller, according to a news release.
Focus on the Family and the Dobsons say they won’t be doing any interviews during the transition.
“We’ve decided not to do any more interviews between now and Dr. Dobson’s departure – these will be emotional weeks and really a ‘family time’ more than anything else,” Focus spokesman Gary Schneeberger wrote me in an e-mail on Monday. ”The ministry’s focus will be on honoring and thanking the Dobsons for their years of service. The next couple of weeks, we firmly believe, are not really a ‘media op’ but a ‘family op.’”
Questions remain about whether Focus forced Dobson out, whether Dobson and Daly have had a falling out, and whether the Dobson’s new venture will take donations away from Focus. Whatever the truth may be, neither side is talking.
Things are chaotic for Dobson right now as he looks to get the wheels rolling with “Family Talk,” Lane said today. The show will be broadcast from Colorado Springs, but Lane doesn’t know from where. Lane also didn’t know if Dobson has raised the $2 million he asked for on Facebook to get his venture underway.
Why won’t Dobson be leaving for a quiet retirement?
Dobson, 73, said on his Facebook page in December that he had considered retiring. ”On the other hand, the institution of the family continues to be in deplorable condition, and children are growing up in a culture that often twists and warps their young minds,” Dobson wrote. “Furthermore, our nation is facing a crisis that threatens its very existence. We are in a moral decline of shocking dimensions.”
Thus, “Family Talk” to the rescue.
We’re hoping to hear from fans (or even informed haters) of the show about how they feel about the transition.
So, what will you listen to after Feb. 26? “Focus on the Family” radio? “Family Talk” radio? Both? Neither?
Please call Mark Barna at 636-0367, e-mail mark.barna@gazette.com or comment below. We will need your full name to use your comments.
I will miss hear Dr. Dobson on the radio for now. I am looking forward to his new program.
I hope an pray the anti-Christian on the Gaz. will show some respect here on this story.
Pastor, you have seen it here before. This story will drum up all of the crazy anti-Christian people. Dr. Dobson is a good man and a wonderful radio show host. He is SO close to God that he makes even the demons spaz out! :0) Now, watch them drown in their own vile here! :0)
Neither side is talking, but the reasoning for Dr Dobson creating his new non-profit in direct competition with FOTF sort of explains what happened.
If I was to listen, I’d choose Dr Dobson’s new program.
Solely for the reason of Dr Dobson is standing by his son Ryan, who FOTF rejected because of a Divorce.
I think Dr Dobson realized how wrong certain things are when you had in Leadership roles at FOTF those who struggled and continued to struggle with adultery issues and then FOTF rejected his son because he had a divorce.
Great, just what this community needs is another TALK show telling us the RIGHT way to go through life. Last thing I want to hear is another person preaching to me like Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Savage, Reagan, and Randall. The above list is not all inclusive. Just another reason to turn off the radio. Ahhhhhhh to be back in the days when you can buy a new vehicle with the radio delete option.
Neither – the world would be a better, safer and more tolerant place if none of these right wing pseudo preachers were on the air.
That said, I don’t support censorship, just common sense listener choices. Turn these charlatans off and read a book.
Pastor Roy,
This is your chance to affect the story. Please contact Mark directly to share your thoughts, in addition to posting anonymous comments here that we can’t use.
It is easy to complain that the Gazette has an anti-Christian bias, but your words will seem more sincere if you are willing to be a real part of the conversation. Please join in.
Bill Reed, The Gazette
My family and I have listened to Dr. Dobson for so many years I will be following his ministry with Family Talk. I have listened for so long it seems as if he is a family member. His Biblical teaching have been a firm foundation to raise my six children on during their childhood through to their marriages. Now my children listen to his sound advice on the family. Having been through a divorce myself and raising my children alone, Dr. Dobson provided Godly advice and counsel for me on his program on a daily basis. Having that program as a resource during those difficult years was a tremendous blessing to me and my children. I know the families around the globe need this type of ministry resource even more today.
Go Russ!!!
I won’t be able to lisen to either Focus or the Dobson duo.
I will be too busy “showering with boys” at the Y.
It’s the more “Godly” thing to do.
Then there’s beating my kids until they cry, and then beating them when they don’t stop right away.
When I am not arranging fights between the neighborhood pitbull and those barky terriers.
So, all in all, I won’t have time to listen to Dobson on the radio
Since I work at a radio station that airs FOF, that’s the program I’ll be listening to. However, I don’t think I would be listening to Dobson, anyway, as I believe his time has past. He built an excellent ministry–a ministry that does great things. However, I can’t stand his interview style (mainly, he pretty much answers the questions that he asks his guests) and I’m disappointed that he is starting up a program that is in direct competition with his soon-to-be former program. How much money will he essentially divert from Focus remains to be seen. And will the result be even more cutbacks than we’ve already seen at Focus? Dobson would have been better off making himself available for media interviews as an “expert” on family and moral issues, writing a blog, and concentrating more on writing books. His new program really has the potential to weaken the very ministry he headed for the last 33 years.
This is not news
“Dobson or Daly?”
None of the above.
How can you possibly be so arrogant as to think we would listen to either.
Ever.
Mark Barna is just mad he didn’t get the interview w/ the Dobsons. Ryan Dobson did an interview w/ The Independent locally talking about all the things Barna only speculated about.
In my view, there’s no comparison. Mr. Daly brings a compassionate, authentic and truly biblical perspective to the table. I applaud Focus on the Family for making this move. And I look forward to hearing more relevant and compelling types of programming on their broadcast.
Hi Shaun,
When did the Ryan Dobson story in the Independent run? I did an archive search and didn’t find any reference to him.
Thanks for reading my blog post.
Mark Barna
As for Dobson radio program. Where is it going to be broad casted from? What Radio Station in the Springs will broadcast it? An what show is going to be dropped in order to broad cast it? How will this program effect FOF Radio Program?
We will find out with in 6 month if people listen to FOF Radio Program due to Dr. Dobson or due to the fact the Radio Program came from FOF. We will see within 6 month if, FOF can keep it’s message out there. Will FOF on the Family keep the same message the has cause the Christian to fall in love with this group or will the new leadership, change it’s message? If they change it’s message the question will be in which direction will they go?
Bill Reed, The Gazette
I am sorry if I gave the impression that I view the The Gazette
as anti-Christian. I do view the The Gazette
that way. But many who posted on The Gazette web
page are. They love to attack Christian and FOF and Dr. Dobson. I have had passage from the Bible and my views get removed from the web page, and I have seen other Christian posting also get removed, but people calling Christian Nazi’s got to posting get to stay.
Bill Reed out of the posting here why did you chose to address me?
Cindy R. says:
February 17, 2010 at 7:58 amPastor, you have seen it here before. This story will drum up all of the crazy anti-Christian people. Dr. Dobson is a good man and a wonderful radio show host. He is SO close to God that he makes even the demons spaz out! :
____________________________________________________
Dobson thinks he is so close to god that he is god.
Demons and Witches notwithsatnding, Dobson is an empty vessel, devoid of any positive effect on humanity.
I have listened to FOTF every day for a year and really enjoy it. I hope I will be able to listen to Family Talk as well.
Why does it have to be a competition? Maybe it was Christians agreeing that another talk show to help people will be a good thing. I don’t know how it happened, but I am glad it did. God bless Dr. Dobson, Ryan, Jim Daly and all his staff.
How did it come to this? Why the schism? If Dobson needed to retire, why is he still working? How did he lose control of this giant machine? I will listen to whichever show seems more reasonable.
Neither–They have bastardized Christianity and the Bible with their small and narrow minds.
I would like to know why the Gazette would allow such sickening posts to be put up on their website. And why allow people like “Timmy” and “rambunctious” post their hate like that here at all? People like them make sites like this a miserable place to be. Again, why does the Gazette condone their behavior?
[...] Focus on the Family but announced he would begin his own radio show. The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that Dobson’s show will begin February [...]
David, it is called free speech. This still is a democracy, and there are many people who agree with them. Sorry, if it goes against your religious philosophy. You see, yours goes against mine.
I have been a FOF listener for a number of years. As each transition has been made, leading to this final transition, it has been encouraging to see how Dr. Dobson and the rest of the FOF staff have handled them. They have a passion for God and for the family. I don’t see this new program by Dr. Dobson as competition and I will happily listen to both programs.
The programs from Tuesday and Wednesday share how FOF and Dr. Dobson have had an incredible, positive impact on so many families.
Today’s program talks about the transition. There doesn’t seem to be the conflict and hard feelings that this article would like us to assume are there. I truly believe these men are trying to glorify God- not themselves. Therefore— partnership, not power struggle.
I’m amazed at all the hateful posts above. Such bitterness. Dr Dobson is a great man of God who loves helping families… those families who WANT his help anyway. There are many others out there who are either on the same or opposite side with the same amount of passion, you can choose who to listen to in the raising of your families. There’s a reason Focus grew and flourished as it has all these years… people thriving on his teachings/counsel and on Focus’s resources/programs. There are alot of happy thriving families out there as a result! I’m aware from reading the posts above that several people’s posts have been censored because they were in favor of Dr Dobson and Focus, while the hate mail was left intact. So much for free speech. And small & narrow minds?? I invite ANYONE to go visit the Focus On The Family website to see what they are really about, before suggesting that Focus or Dr Dobson are small and narrow. (and no, I don’t work there). And then when the Focus Talk internet radio program starts up, go see what that’s really about (and no, I don’t work there either). They AREN’T going to be in competition, they will BOTH be relevant for all who WANT to hear or read or benefit from them. Not many others in this world have had the POSITIVE impact on families, marriages and children that Doc and Focus have had. If you don’t want their services, then fine, don’t go there. But stop the hate, for your own sakes!! And Pam, well said!!
I “discovered” FOTF and Dr. Dobson about 5 years ago. I have thorougly enjoyed learning as I’ve listened to the many interviews and through reading some of Dr. Dobson’s books as well as those he’s recommended. Over the past year, I’ve downloaded many of their podcasts. What a blessing and an uplift these have been! As far as the new program, I’m open to continuing to listen to both. However, I must say, that through the years the programs I have loved best were hosted by Dr. Dobson himself and not a guest host. When others have sat in for him, they have invariably been difficult for me to listen to…especially Juli Slattery…not that what she says isn’t good or appropriate, but some people just do not have voices that are pleasant to listen to. May God bless both programs, though- we certainly need all the help we can get in the area of the family.
I will listen to Dr.Dobson because he is in the “Hall of Fame” as a top Radio Broadcaster! Jim Daly is not even close.
Having Dobson dropped as the host is an incredible error. He was no longer the president or chairman of the board of Focus – so what’s the issue?
He questioned Sen. John McCain who should be questioned for his wishy-washy views on our culture along with Obama. Dobson questions authority.
I do appreciate the topics that Focus on the Family.
We will see!
Actually, the Focus on the Family radio broadcast during the transition has made it very clear there’s no bad blood between Dobson and Daly. Focus on the Family even gave Dobson some seed money to start up his Family Talk show.
I have listened to Dr. Dobson for years, and used his Christian perspectives on child-rearing to raise our kids. His organization, Focus on the Family, also helped me thougg a personal crisis.
To me, he defined “Focus on the Family,” so, if he is no longer part of that, but part of a new show, I will tune in to the new show, out of respect for all the help he has been to me. Thank you.
My best days are the days I get to hear Dr. Dobson on the radio. I have had that opportunity several times these past couple of months. If America had a “best friend,” it would be Dr. James Dobson. I know he has been mine, ever since I heard him in the 70s for the first time. Focus was blessed to get their start with him, and he has made them what they are. But I am so grateful that he has chosen to sacrifice his retirement for the rest of us whose families still need him. He is more than an icon – he is God’s man for this hour. Can anyone find a godly and true man like him anymore? They are rare, indeed!
We are in December 2010, I still miss Dr. Dobson in Focus’ broadcasts. Focus is still good and follows the formula but somehow it lost its authority and it’s monnotonous. On the other hand, FamilyTalk is lacking other personalities(those from Focus) NEXT to Dr. Dobson and sacharine sweet but not a scholar, LouAnne makes it difficult to bear. In total: Dr. Dobson should have stayed in Focus and maintain its and his own visibility, Jim Daly should do his best, as he does, but not take over from Dobson. We had a strong organization and now we have none. Is there a way to restore it?