Talk to anyone who regularly listens to Rickey Smiley in the morning on his nationally syndicated radio program, and they will probably tell you that they feel like they know Rickey, which may explain why they start their morning with him in over a hundred US cities.
"People are depending on me to get to work and get their day started, so it's an important responsibility." Smiley is clear that he appreciates his audience, which is why he has authored a new book titled Sideshow, which is designed to take the reader and his audience into his world of loss and faith.
Smiley lost his son to drug addiction, and it is clear that faith is what has guided and kept him during the dark times. In a sit-down interview with Crosswalk, Smiley clarifies that his faith in Jesus matters to him most. Smiley is clear in saying, "I hope when people read the book, that they will know that we serve an awesome God who can get you through anything, even loss."
Crosswalk Headlines: How are you doing?
Rickey Smiley: I'm well. I'm doing good, you know. I'm in therapy trying to get the help that I need after losing my son. I try to get up with a positive attitude and do my job to make people laugh, keep people entertained, and give them information that they need every single day. I'm just glad to be alive because it actually could be worse.
CWH: In the book, you detail the day that you lost your son Brandon. Can you please explain what that day was like for you?
RS: I was out of town when I received the message. The plane felt like it was about to crash because the turbulence was so bad. I had just such peace on me. And then another side of me didn't care if the plane crashed or not because I felt like I didn't want to live. I was sitting in the front row in the aisle because I was the last to board the flight and barely made it. God placed this man next to me, who talked to me the entire time; I never even mentioned why I was going home and what I was facing once I landed. But I was just trying to be nice and polite and keep my mind occupied.
CWH: Losing a child is devastating, what was the book-writing process like?
RS: I got through it pretty easily at first; it was the next day that weighed on me. Being a professional, I know how to separate the material and the content from the emotions. I had to do that even when I did the audio version of this book. I had to sit down, and I just had to read it. There was one part of the book that I had a problem with, but for the most part, I was able to do what I needed to do to get the job done. That doesn't mean that I didn't go home and cry afterward, but I got the job done.
CWH: How did comedy help you through the writing process and through the grief of losing your son?
RS: Watching comedy videos on social media and having a live audience to perform for during the morning show. God taught me through this process that it wasn't just about me. There are others who are going through stuff, which is what I wanted to convey in the book. My pastor also helped me understand that this is a test.
CWH: You mentioned having peace during the grief process. Can you please explain that?
RS: Real surprised by the peace that God has given me. I don't see how people survive without it.
CWH: Where does your authenticity come from that your fans regularly mention?
RS: You put your heart and soul out. You have a platform, an audience, and people out here praying for you. As a public figure, I learned that I could use this opportunity to put some material down to help others, and maybe it'll save some lives.
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MAINA MWAURA is a freelance writer and journalist who has interviewed over 800 influential leaders, including two US Presidents, three Vice-Presidents, and a variety of others. Maina, is also the author of the Influential Mentor, How the life and legacy of Howard Hendricks Equipped and Inspired a Generation of Leaders. Maina and his family reside in the Kennesaw, Georgia area.