I grabbed breakfast with a buddy in downtown Greeley this morning, then cruised up 11th Avenue heading for work and spotted a sign I swear has been there forever—“Joyous Media”—yet I’d never noticed it until today. Of course, my first thought was: what in the heck is Joyous Media? A quick Google (and a little detective work) turns up:
- Joyous Media (509 11th Ave, Greeley, CO) is a custom‐apparel shop specializing in one-off designs and apparel decoration for local businesses, teams, and events.
- Their website’s currently taking a nap (“down for maintenance,” or maybe “down for good”?), but they’ve been around long enough to earn a BBB profile and a Greeley arts-picnic vendor spot.
That little detour got me feeling all warm and fuzzy—because, at heart, I’m a media guy. Ever since I left the ranch and fell in to radio, I’ve believed media was a civic superpower: entertainment, information, news, weather, traffic, sports—CONTENT! Back then, “being in media” meant sitting behind a microphone and serving your community, stirring up conversation and fostering connection like a neighborhood campfire.
Candidly, my work as a Town Councilman, Mayor, and County Commissioner is not that much different than my work as a broadcaster: You listen to people, speak with people, serve people, and facilitate community conversations which lead to action.
Fast-forward to 2025, and what do we have? News no longer delivers truth; it sells you a narrative. TV networks and websites aren’t broadcasters—they’re agitators, peddling outrage like it’s the hottest avocado toast in town. Fox viewers seethe at Democrats, CNN and MSNBC audiences tremble at Republicans, and everyone’s tribes get spoon-fed their daily dose of anger—all to inflate click counts and pad ad revenue.
Social media slaps an extra turbocharger on the outrage machine. Your favorite pundit posts a two-sentence rant; your feed ignites; your Aunt Karen shares it; engagement spikes; ad dollars follow. It’s “I see you, I share you, now let’s monetize our mutual tantrum.”
Don’t get me wrong—I’m no Luddite. For forty years I ran stations, sat behind microphones, and loved every second of it. But I’m watching a profession I once revered slip into clown-car chaos. The noble calling of informing and serving the public has become a carnival barker’s act: louder, prouder, angrier.
So here’s my open letter to Joyous Media—wherever you are and whatever creative flair you bring to Greeley:
Remember that media used to mean something. You weren’t just selling T-shirts or caps; you were crafting messages that brought people together. If you’re still in business, use your custom-print powers for good—partner with local nonprofits, amplifier community voices, spread real stories, not just logos on fabric.
And to my fellow Coloradans: seek out the few remaining outlets and creators who honor the old contract between media and community: objective facts, honest dialogue, and yes, maybe a little hometown cheer. Because when we let outrage and tribalism drown out responsible reporting and community service, we all lose.
Media isn’t a resort; it’s the town square. Let’s bring back the fire pit—fewer click-bait torches, more genuine conversation. If Joyous Media and the rest of us can do that, maybe we’ll finally restore some sanity to our airwaves, feeds, and yes, even our custom-printed T-shirts.
