In the fall of 2000, just after I finished an interview on Bill Handel’s very popular morning show on Los Angeles radio station KFI-AM 640, I spoke with the station’s program director, David G. Hall. He explained that internationally syndicated talk-show host Art Bell would be retiring soon and wanted to suggest me to the syndicator, Premier Radio Networks, as his possible replacement. What an amazing compliment! I was stunned. I admitted that I had no experience in hosting talk radio and in fact had hardly ever listened to those shows myself, but I said I was willing to give it a try.