I’ve been listening to talk radio since I was a kid. As my mom drove my sisters around in our mini-van from one activity to the next, AM radio blared in our ever-irritated ears. It started with Rush Limbaugh, who my sister particularly despised for the miniscule fact that he constantly tapped on papers in his hands to make a point about what he was saying. She hated his jokes and begged my mom to turn the station to something more suited to our liking—such as The Spice Girls on B97.

I was always amazed at the lengthy time slots afforded these hosts. Wasn’t a “show” supposed to be like a sitcom—a half an hour? An hour at most? These guys were on for endless amounts of time, it seemed, and always talking about something completely boring. All I knew is that I was a Republican and my parents didn’t like big government. But I had no idea what big government was. The political leanings of my life were defined without question and I had little concern with this aspect of life. My moral ideas, however, were of more interest. Luckily, talk radio has been dominated by conservatives and so many of my ideas were shaped towards these common sense ideologies.

After Rush signed off, we listened to Paul Harvey tell “the rest of the story” in his distinctive, authoritative voice reminiscent of a 1940’s radio broadcast. I always loved guessing who he could possibly be describing and mimicking his quirky “good day” at the end. Then came the oh-so-dry but delightfully simple news and weather updates. Compared to the sparkly television news, this straightforward delivery was welcomed and easier to understand—less of a show and more of what news once was.

But my favorite part of this choppy radio blitz—plopping in and flailing out of the sliding van doors—was Dr. Laura Schlessinger. When mom started listening to her, we complained out of habit. But then I started listening and by age 12, I was oddly hooked. Dr. Laura was tough but she was rarely wrong. Her answers to most every problem were simple: just do it. Any whiny caller with the gall to utter, “but” or “it’s hard” or “I feel” was severely reprimanded. As if feelings have anything to do with making the right decision. You are entitled to your feelings, but it’s foolish to make life decisions based on them.

I found my own morality strengthened and shaped in the examples of Dr. Laura’s answers. She signed off with “Now, go take on the day” and “Go do the right thing.” These simple but bold statements were enough to get through a tough situation and I adopted them as my mantra in life. Because of Dr. Laura, I developed a clearer picture of courage, honor, character, and strength. The callers represented people from all walks of life. I heard faceless heroes with only first names, giving up things in trade for the joy of a clear conscious and honorable life. I recognized the picture of the kind of man I should marry and the kind of behavior that should never be tolerated. I was able to realize the immense sacrifice and faithful love of my parents and appreciate them for the life they gave me. I came to see how very lucky I was in life when I heard from 10-year-olds calling about their dad’s live-in girlfriends, and 62-year-olds still trying to come to terms with abuse from their childhood. Dr. Laura’s approach to men and women’s relationships was traditional and refreshing and I believe that I won’t settle in large part to her influence.

Her advice is very straightforward and clean cut. Don’t tolerate evil and blood isn’t thicker than anything. Just like my political beliefs had been fashioned, the personal and moral existence demanded informed, common sensical choice. And your choices direct your life. It is freeing and maddening. You must recognize that you are ultimately in control, so blaming someone else or the past or a circumstance really isn’t an option.

I listen to Dr. Laura almost daily now and cherish her no-nonsense advice. I will never need to call her myself because I’ve got her answers down pat. And if I’m having a tough day or need the grit to just do the right thing no matter how hard it is, I sign onto her program. (I subscribe through streamlink online.) There’s no better fulfillment, no greater padding of confidence, or rush of life than doing what’s hard and coming out of it a better person. And knowing it. I thank God for the mentor that doesn’t even know I exist!