The Limbaugh Letter

Limball letter. Whether you listened every day, you are at the E I B Network and the Russia Limbaugh program, heard on over six hundred great radio stations where every now and then nation's leading radio talk show, the most eagerly intersepted program in America, are the stories you've never heard from the people behind the scenes who knew him best and loved him most. Rushman Ball having more fundly human being, it could be allowed to have Rush Limbaugh

The Man Behind the Golden EIP Microphone, hosted by James Golden. Hey, James Golden here. You might remember I told you a few weeks ago that my pillow had sent me their entire collection. Well, you know what, it's amazing. They are so luxurious and it's time that you experience some of that luxury to My pillow makes more than pillows. I love the pillow. I sleep on it every night. But you know what else they have. They have sheets that

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listener specials. Use the promo code icon. That's I C O N. You'll find lots of incredible office right now. That's my pillow dot Com romo code icon. Oh, we have with us the edit tricks of the Numball letter. Diana a loco. Welcome Diana. How are you? I am wonderful. It's so good to hear your voice, jays Well, thank you so much. Now where do we begin? Let's begin at the beginning day. Hey, I got it, I have

I have an idea. How about I asked you a question, is that okay, do you remember the day that I cut off radio stations from the studio? No? No, So I wanted to tell that story before you started asking me questions because it is so hilarious in retrospect. At the time, it was very traumatic for everyone. But if you remember what happened when I first started, they wanted me to sit in the studio to absorb all that I could of the atmosphere, and I sat to the

right of you for a few years. If you remember, you were screening calls, and then I sat to the seat next to you. Then there was Mike, Mamone and Kit in the room typically, and this one day Rush was remotely broadcasting. I think he was in California, but as long as he was there, it didn't really matter where here was. I don't remember where it was, but

he was broadcasting remotely. And at the time you would speak to him by pushing a button on the board every time you wanted to add or he had a question for you, so you would keep up your repartee that you usually did well. I used to have comments that he invited me to also make comments and I would tell you, because you were right near the microphone, and I would tell you my comment, and then you

would tell Rush I comment. And after a while, I think you got tired of it, and you said, hey, why don't you push the button yourself if you have something to say to Rush. So, fortunately, James, this was

during an advertisement, an advertising break. I had something to say to Rush, and I pushed the button and I went to make my comment, and all of a sudden, Kit and Mike and You started standing up and scrambling around, and it was like the e R pushing buttons and redoing this and doing that, and I was like, what happened? And you said to me that I had cut Rush off from his entire e I V network of five,

the main field. So fortunately you all scrambled and you all, you know, got the connection going again during the advertising break, and so Rush basically as you, Hey, what the hell happened? And you did not throw me at underbus. I'm still grateful for it. You said, oh, yeah, there was a satellite uploop glitch of some FOD and you covered me. And as far as I know, Rush never knew what really happened. That you had some woman in the studio

basically pushed the wrong button. So, okay, let's talk about um you for a minute. When did you first hear Russia Lamball? When did you first become aware of that there was this guy on the radio Russia Lumba. Well, it is a really cool story. Actually, I was the one of the four issue editors at the Reader's Digest, and it was my job to choose all the material for one full issue. There were four of us and we rotated, and so I was working on I believe it was the possibly May issue, and I was in

charge of picking all the stories. And there had been I believe, in Atlantic profile of Rush Limbaugh, and that was the first time I had ever heard his name. It was a wonderful profile, very positive, and I thought, man, this will be just perfect for the issue. It a round it out. It's different this this guy has such personality, and it's radio, which we didn't have a lot of

material on, so I scheduled it for that issue. When I was putting together and one of the editors who was working underneath me, whose job it was to edit it condense it. Of course, we condensed everything at the Reader's Digest, she brought it in finished ready for my keen, and she said, by the way, you should listen to this guy, because I said, Wyn, he sounds so cool.

She said, nothing competes with hearing him yourself. And that woman's name was Susan France, and I later hired her for the Limball let or believe it or not, but she was the one who introduced me to the idea that you had to hear him. And I went out on my lunch break, turned on the radio in my car and I was immediately hooked. I know everyone has

those same experiences. And from that time I spent every lunch hour in the editorial library at the Reader's Digest secretly listening to Russia show as much as I could. So it actually was, you know, necessary for me to work for him, because it was kind of unethical to be paid by the Reader's Digests and spending an hour listening to the Russia Limbo. So how did it come about that you became the Limba letter the edit Tricks

of the Limb, as Rush calls you of the letter. Well, right after that, I think a month or two after that, I heard through the grapevine that Rush was starting a publication, and I thought, man, I'm made for that. And I saw an advertisement in the New York Times. That's how we found there was no online applying for jobs or searching for jobs in those days. This was the early nineties, and so I read the New York Times. I was in publishing, and that's where the want ads were for

the publishing world. And so I saw this little two line um ad wanted editor for new publication combines humor and conservative politics. And I knew, I'm like, okay, there's only one person on the planet who combines humor and conservative politics. And since I already had gotten win that there was a new publication starting, and so I sent to the company. I sent a two line letter that said, I hear you're starting Excellence in Publications and I am

very interested, and I gave my contact information. So they called me and I had an interview. You know what's fun. The second interview was with Rush himself, and I did not know it at the time, but it was because of something I didn't say in the interview process that I got the job. I didn't ask anybody about benefits. I didn't ask any aboue about vacation time, I didn't ask anybody about anything other than what they wanted in

the job itself. And I learned later that that was just a bug a boo that Rush had that he couldn't stand people who just wanted to know as soon as they were being interviewed, what are the benefits and when's my vacation? And so the fact that I didn't ask those what put me in the plus column. Yeah. I remember the day you first that you were first introduced to the staff. Beautiful dark haired woman comes in

and I'm like, Wow, who's that. That's That's the person that's going to start the Russ lumbab newsletter, and and yeah, and so you hung out with us in the studio a while and then out rolls issue number one, and issue number one I still half of the limbo letter, and it was what it was like, four pages. I think when it first was it four pages? It wasn't. It was eight eight pages. They started with basically two

color news print eight pages. And you know, to me, they had given me a few months to sit in the studio and absorb Rush as much as possible. And my job was to try and contain lightning in a bottle basically is to distill that down somehow into eight pages every month a daily radio show about the news. So that was a you know, my greatest professional challenge, I think, was to figure out a way of containing him into print and you know, as much as it

is possible. And that's why I immediately said, well, eight pages is never gonna be enough, and we bumped it up to well and then to sixteen, which is what lasted its whole life, and then we went full color because it had to be to contain Rush. So it was a real interesting thing to figure out a way. And I noticed that he talked big picture as well as news, and so I was trying to every month hit on for the cover story, help him, you know,

basically convey his main theme of that month. So there we're big picture items that would fit in a monthly publication. And that was the fun of it, is to write down, oh, yes, he's talking about this important subject, education or whatever it was. And then you know, the smaller items we could do, the news items, the funny things, and the stupid quotes.

So we try to combine both humor and substance. And he always wanted to do original research in the newsletter, So it wasn't a duplication of what was on the radio. Know it all all right? Tell us what it was like working with Rush? First time you met him, it was the interview? What about after that? What happened? How? How did you What was your relationship like with Rush? Well?

Rush was wonderful. I mean, I'm going to get choked up, but I loved him and he was the best boss ever because he, as I think you said earlier, he would choose self starters and people that he felt would be independent, work independently and just let us go. And so he was not a person who looked over the shoulder or micromanaged. He trusted us and that trust was such an honor and it really got the best work

out of all of us. I think we all wanted to please him, and we all wanted him to be approving of what the work was, and so we gave it our very best every single day. And also we knew that's what he was doing, so he set the tone for excellence. You know, basically the entire team wide, and everyone worked well together because of that. We all

had the same mindset. But you know, if you don't mind, I have a memory of a pretty funny thing where I think I got my nickname at a tricks and this was in He wanted to do a reprint not only of the thirty five Undeniable Truths of Life, but also update them. So we had a new thirty five Undeniables. But as I was talking to him, he was standing in my office. I had the office next to him at the time, and he came in and were discussing it, and I corrected him on uh, the number twenty four.

Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women of access to the mainstream of society. And I said to him, hey, Rush, you just worded that wrong. You've got too many words in there. It should be Feminism was established to allow you don't need the sow as to it's just superfluous. And so he looked to me after kind of giving me that one eyed look, and he said, let me tell you. He says, you have three hundred and twenty five radio stations and then you could write it however

you want. And I looked at him and I said, point taken. And I immediately he laughed. He was he was being very funny, but he had a boy and I laughed and he left, and after that he started going atriss. So I think there was a little bit of dominatrix soon because I had argued with him and I wanted to correct his ridic So I got a note. I got an email here from the edit Drinks and the limb Ball letter that's the most widely read politic the newsletter in America. Dear boss, I sadly think your

caller is right. I think Hillary is going to be on a higher platform to make her look equal to Trump, a podium, and she's got dictionary definitions here, as though I don't know what these things are. A podium. A podium is the raised platform on which the speaker stands to deliver his or her speech. Podium derived from the Greek word as a podiatrist. A lector is a raised, slanted stand on which a speaker can place his or

her notes or secret teleprompter. Electorn is derived from the Latin word electus, a past participle of the verb legear, which means to eat vegetables. The word elector comes from the same source. So I was confused anyway. It's a long way of saying that the corner might have been right that they're gonna have her jacked up. Each week One Russia Limbaugh, the man behind the Golden E I B Microphone. We delve into Russia's biographical journey with the

help of his friends, colleagues, and family members. Today we welcome one of America's most loved actors and patriots, Scott Bao. The Life of Russia Limbaugh, Chapter ten, narrated by Scott Bayo. On November fourth, two thousand and eight, America made history by electing its first black president, and known for his signature cutting edge analysis and insight, Russia. Limbaugh was quick to explain how Barack Obama was able to convince so

many Americans to vote for him. In fact, Russia was very detailed as to why Obama's election victory was so decisive. The main reason Obama was elected was a bunch of people in this country very distressed and fed up but the ongoing allegation that they and the rest of the country were bunch of racists and bigots, and they believed that if they participated in electing the first African American president, that they could do away with that charge. They could

do away with that notion that idea. I firmly believe that the vast majority outside of the Democrat but the vast majority of white votes for Obama were made with that hope. After eight years of conservative leadership on the president, George W. Bush Rush was eager, willing, and ready to resume his role as chief conservative critic in opposition to the Obama regime. As he frequently labeled, and it fits what the hell else is it? But not a regime.

It didn't take long for Rush to start making waves with only four little words just before inauguration, they I hope he fails. I wanted Obama to fail so that my country would not. I wanted Obama's liberal agenda, his socialist community organizer agenda, to fail. I did not, and never have and never will want a are it could have failed, Never, no way. I wanted America to be saved. Rush soon found plenty more to criticize and what became

the signatures of the Obama administration. From Obamacare to the closing of GIBMO. They ran nuclear deal to Obama's border tactics, and much much more. For Rush Limbaugh, the Obama years were chock full of policies and bad politics to dissect for tens of millions of listeners daily, and throughout Obama's two terms in office, rushed to great pride in telling his listeners that he had no doubt the president was

one of them. As he often explained on air, not only was Obama paying attention to him, he was fixated on him. The Republicans are only concerned about what's on Fox News or what Rush Limbaugh saying, and Democrats are looking at the New York Times or Huffington Post. So Obama comes into office telling Republicans that they can't listen to Rush Limbaugh anymore and get things done. That's just

not how it happens in Washington. And he's leaving office having failed to remove one of his and impediments from his equation, and that would be me. So after eight years, Obama, he comes into office with me living rent free in his hand, and I'm still there. It could be said today that during the Obama administration, Rush Limbaugh was at his best, staunchly defending conservative principles and standing up for

America and its exceptionalism. But in the end, whether at his best or even on a bad day, a few could touch Russia. Limbaugh the Obama chapter was but just eight years of more than thirty of unprecedented broadcast excellence. Unforgettable. That's the impression that you, the Russia Limbaugh audience made with your support for Russia's last charitable effort while Rush was still with us through the Stand Up for Betsy

Ross campaign. Your generosity resulted in a five million dollar donation to the Tunnel to Towers found a. Rush said it best. We chose Tunnel to Towers to be the beneficiary of the campaign because we love the work they do and the story about how they started. When a family experiences significant loss the mother or father passes while serving our country, Tunnel to Towers steps in freeze that family of a major worry during their time of crisis.

Tunnel to Towers pays off mortgages in full for these families and provides them with the comfort of a home when their world has literally been turned upside down. The foundation does the same for first responders and also build smart homes for our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. More heroes need your help. Do good by donating eleven dollars a month to Tunnel to Towers at t two T dot org. That's the letter T, the number two,

the letter T dot org. So this was a relationship that started in the nineties and and and continued right up until the time that Rush left us. And so all those years, I mean, what what what what's your takeaway from working with with Rush? Although those years, well, you know, I don't know if you remember the Nightline appearance. I think it was April of and he had been on along with Carville and some other you know, one New York Times writer, and it was a town hall.

It was supposed to be about Hillary and healthcare. And this was before the midterm elections where the Republicans took over, as they used to quote the Republican takeover. So this was still in the honeymoon phase of the Clinton administration. And Ted Copple really liked Rush at that point and had him on. He was the only one who wasn't

physically in the town hall I think Iowa. And he was supposed to talk about healthcare and Hillary Care, and he was the first person up and he immediately changed the subject, did not talk about anything other than all the lies that these people that Clinton's had been promulgating

about Whitewater, and he started talking listening them. He rattat, you know, the billing records, Whitewater, and went on and on, and the rest of the group was there to talk about healthcare, and they simply just ignore, basically what Rush

had said. They didn't respond to it. And the next day we were all you remember this, We were all standing in the hallway before the show, and I said to Rush, Hey, Rush, did you notice that you basically accused them on television, national television of being liars and they didn't defend her. And he did what you and I used to call that sponge thing. He would look so intently at you when you were talking, and he

wouldn't necessarily say anything. And this was the first time I had experienced it, and he had this piercing look, and he listened to what I had to say, and he didn't respond. He just walked down the hallway to the studio. And then he kind of used that as

his jumping off point. And then a few days later there was the Pretty and Pink conference because Hillary knew she had not been defended by her own people on national TV, and so that was the first time I knew he was probably the best listener that I have

ever encountered in my life. He had the ability, and even after he lost his hearing, he had the ability to absorb information, filter it into this amazing creative mind he had, and be able to then transform it and bring it out as the Rush take, because he would take things that we all would suggest or give a line or whatever, and he would make it into something

miraculous and amazing. And to watch him do that, live that ability to spontaneously think on ninety different levels at once, I tell you that was We all have talked about how much we love him and his generosity and his character, and all those things are true. And the thing that I also appreciate so much as his mind, the most brilliant human being that I have ever been in the presence of, and yet very very gentle and kind and

of all good character. But his brilliance was aside. To behold, we will never ever ever be in the presence of someone as brilliant as him. Again, you made a reference to it, and I want to just get you to expand on it. The Sponge Rush had this uncanny ability to absorb information like nobody else. He could read something and and pick out points that and and find points in it and talk about points that no one else

saw in an article. It could be a sentence and he could then launch into an original take from that that would turn into a monologue. He would talk to people and and something a sentence that they would say. He could develop an entire line of thought that no one else in the media would have. This guy he took everything in and he would say, show prep is life is show prep. He would take everything in. He read an incredible amount of material every single day he

had to in order to do a show. And but he would also listen him and you you you pointed that out too. He would listen to people on the staff. He would talk with them, and you didn't get a lot of time. It was, it was, it was. It was just the most uncanny thing, absolutely, and I think you hit on something so important and I'm sure other people have mentioned it, but not the conventional wisdom. The fact that he could not stand group thing. He hated

the conventional wisdom. It was almost physical with him, and so that natural inclination to ignore what everyone else's take was on something that he wanted to make sure that whatever his observations were, and his conclusions from that were were absolutely original, and that is why everybody tuned in every day. And you and I, if you remember, we used to try and predict an event would happen, and

we'd say, what do you think Russia's taken? And you know, we would sometimes be close, but these we were with him all the time, and we couldn't predict on a regular basis because it was so original. And that is something that I think so many people, especially as critics, took for granted about him because they didn't understand that

was why so many people tuned in every day. And you and I both know that he used to say something like, you know, saying more in five seconds than you know, most hosts say in a lifetime, and that was so true. Once he moved to Florida and I started working from home, I could not leave my radio, I could not use the facilities in the house because I would miss two seconds of what he would say coming back from a break, and it would be important

and significant. And so that hanging onto every word was due to his original thinking and because he was hilarious when you when you look back on it on and I asked the question want to ask it again. First of all, doing what you did is not easy, because Rush never wanted to quote unquote cannibalize the radio show, So he didn't want the same things in the newsletter exactly as he laid it out on the radio. And he would say that he did not want to cannibalize

the radio show. But you had the job of making sure that this profound thinker who could articulate things so well, also was represented in the print medium. And the print medium is very different than the spoken word medium. Yes, and that was a hard Chalee. I'll talk to you about the issue that came out right after Rush past. It was almost as if I don't know it was god thing, I guess because it was, you know, I'm with God, you know God is with me. Actually, how

did that issue happened? Did you kind of was there some sort of sense of knowing? What? What? How did that issue come about? Well? It was really interesting how that came about, because I think Rush knew because that was a throwaway line in a long monernologue about something else. And I thought that the sentence that he said on the air was so poignant, and he said God is

with me, and I put that on the list of suggestions. Um, it wasn't the first because he was talking about other things, but I did put that on because I thought what a powerful sentence that just was. And he chose that for the cover. And at the time, of course I didn't know. We knew he was very ill, but we didn't know, and I think he may have and that's why he picked it. And he chose the art of him basically with praying him, and that was a beautiful cover.

And I felt so honored to have helped that come about, because I know Catherine held that up at the Sea Pack meeting and so that meant a lot to her, and it meant a lot, I think to all of us. How are you going to remember Rush? You know, I mostly as great just his greatness, and you know, you know when you're in the presence of greatness, and he was,

so he didn't wear that on his sleeve. He was so wonderful to be around, fun just you know, hilarious, and he always interacted with people as equals, you know, it was there was never a sense I'm the great one and kissed my ring. There was none of that. He would just joke around with everybody and enjoyed that. And however, just being in his presence and knowing how wise and wonderful and brilliant and how he helped this country.

I remember when I first was hired that at that time there was the similar feeling in the country you couldn't say out loud of things you thought, and here was this guy on the radio. Do you remember people used to call up and say, are you allowed to say this on the air? People were shocked to keep hear that their own ideas and wisdom reflected back at them in such a compelling way. So what he did

was he gave voice to all of us. And I have been so honored to have at the part of my career as well is just to be to be a supporter of getting his message to as many people possible that America is wonderful and we will fight for her. So I would say, his great is and I think the term you used was, you know, a second generation founding father, and you wrote the cover story for that for the Limbo Letter last month, and that he is going to be remembered as one of the greatest Americans

who ever lived. I miss him. So before we wrap up on masks one more time, anything else that you'd like to add that you haven't said. Just what an honor it's been personally for me to be part of this team. And you know I will remember with just great love and joy every single moment that I was a part of the Rush team. Now I'm gonna just say this to you, Um, the folks. Diana is one

of my best friends on the face of the art. Um. She There was a time when I first started working with Rush that Um and Diana had come on board, and I realized how brilliant this woman was, and I felt almost inadequate, and I remember asking, how how do I It was so funny, how do I get as smart as you people? You guys, do you remember that? Do you remember those conversations? You don't remember. I don't remember that because it was because it's obviously so not true.

I mean, you are way quicker than me, and you are got all kinds of wit and wisdom, and if anyone could predict a Rush take, you were as close. So what I did was though you you recommended that at the time, because I kept pressing you on it, so you recommended that. I watched two or three different shows.

I won't reveal what they were because they're all going now anyway, Um, you said, every night, if you really want to get to where the landscape is politically in this country, watch this, this, this, this, read this, this, this, this, and with then two or three months, you'll you'll have it down. And I did, and I did. What good advice? Yes,

what good advice? And uh but but beyond that, you know, um, you have with the Limball Letter, like every like every body else that that reads the Limball Letter, it's an impressive it is an impressive body of work that that you and Rush put together there. And I hope that, uh, that limb Ball Letter is looked at by historians and by educators for what it is. It is truly reflective of a time, those thirty three years, those those that thirty period. How how many years did you you didn't

start at the beginning? How many years? Nope? Started in the first issue was the October issues, so we we will this October will be our twenty nine. So only nine years, almost thirty years, the Limball Letter stood as the the number one political newsletter in America. And and you are largely responsible for that, along with Russian what an amazing thing. Then well, Russia is the one the

inspiration for it all. And I have to say, at the time a lot of people copied him, and there was the various newsletters I won't name for other hosts who I won't name, and they lasted maybe a year or two, and Rush has lasted this long and it's because of him. But I gloat. No, you recite history honestly. Low alright, Diana, thank you. I really appreciate you. Thank you. James ye parable about pictured worth a thousand words. The Limbaugh letter this this month was worth the whole library.

It was great of Limbo letter. It said it all, well, thank you sir. You know, we don't get a lot of calls about the Limball Letter, but when we do, everybody on that staff just loves it. The Limball Letter is sixty. People don't know how difficult that is because look at fifteen hours a week here on the radio. That is that is then reproduced on the website, and then here's the sixteen page monthly publication that's not on digital. What do you do to put things in it that

that haven't been said? It's a it's a monthly challenge and the people that put that together are excellent at it. I agree, it's good. It's good magazine and they follow my example. That's why it's great. And but really it all candor. It is it is fifteen hours a week. What is They're not said? It turns out a lot. And the newsletter is the repository for So I'm really flattered that you mentioned that whoever had to cover that

was that was brilliant. That was brant. Today you get a chance to hear from Denise and May, who is the creative director not just for the Limball Letter, but for I Heart Media and Premier Networks. And Denise welcome, how are you? I'm good? How are you? James? It's so good to hear your voice. And well, that's good to hear your voice as well. Now listen, you came on board. I remember when you came on board. You were a young thing. Yeah, it was four years old.

I mean I can't even like, Yeah, it was amazing and so um all I remember we started the newsletter Diana a loco, who's the edit tricks of the Limball Letter. And then the next person that was hired was you. So let me ask you a question. The first time you met Rush? What was that? Like? Oh my god. It was at a party and um, I was invited to when we were doing some sort of dinner and he was standing there and it was a group and I think it was John Axton who said, you know, Denise,

come over here. I want to introduce you to Rush. And I remember like being completely awestruck. Just be like, Hi, I'm a big fan, That's what I said, and he went, oh, thank you very much, right, And I was like, oh crap, Like, well, I'm such a ding dong, you know. I just you know, when you meet him, he's you know, he's got such

a presence. And obviously I was just in awe of him. Okay, so now you so now here you are twenty four years old and you're in New York City and and here's this this job, and what's like, what's it like working with Rush? Oh my gosh. It was such a gas. I mean we I mean, well, we were all about.

We were all at w ABC Radio. We had these small offices at the end of the hall, and um, we just had so much fun um interacting and we would sit in the studio while Rush was talking and obviously the Limball letter is a product of the radio show, um where we you know, and take content from what Rush is talking about and expand upon that and create new content. So it's super important for us to like listen in and hear what he was saying, and it

was so inspiring. And then and on top of it, like you know, hanging out with you and Kit and Mike and UM, we just it was just such an inspiration to be there and and to experience that energy. You know, it continue to grow and and get more and more subscriptions, and we all grew with the show and kept going and so finally we reached the point. Um that brings us to one of the reasons that I asked you here to do, Russ this announcement. What

what you were on the phone? I think Diana called me and told me at the time, you know, I've never known anybody to have stage four lung cancer, and um,

I've known people that have survived cancer. So at the time, I think I thought, if anybody can do it, I mean, obviously, you know, we've been there through a lot of adversity that rushes fast, you know, and I thought, well, this is just one hurdle that we're all gonna like pull together and do what we do best, and you know he's going to pull through and he'll get to the other side. I was with you. I mean, I was sad that he had to go through all this, but

I absolutely thought he was going to beat it. Yeah. And were you were you listening at the moment that Catherine made the announcement or were you did you find out about the I did. I mean, obviously I heard Catherine and make the announcement. I was told beforehand. Um, it was awful. I mean, we it was a Wednesday. We were going on pressed with the Limball letter on a on the Thursday that following day, so we were

like crazy busy on deadline. Um, the Limball letter is written in first person, and it's just you know, it's just it was just so like surreal because we were like, you know, we have we always have Rush on the cover. And I think it was Monday, Diana and I had a conversation and we were like, you know, it's weird. We just had a feeling like things were not good.

What do we do like and and so we had we had talked about how we should probably in the in the case that something should happen to Rush have something as a backup cover, because we can't have Rush on the cover if he's if he's not here anymore in the in the same capacity as we have in

the past. So we came up with an alternate cover, and um that was really that was really difficult because it was the first cover in thirty years that I've designed that he um was not on the cover, and I just I couldn't imagine doing Milamo Letter without him

on the cover. You know. It just it's just such a staple of of what we do and how we we visualize the Limball letter and the whole Limba Letter is written obviously in his you know words, and as I and you know, we had to kind of rethink that and it's just, you know, after thirty years, it's just unimaginable to think about how we could do that. And I have the I have so many amazing memories about him and and just hang out with him and like, and I just didn't I just didn't see it coming.

I really didn't when Katherine, you know, even when Katherine was talking about it on air, I just was just like, oh my god, I can't I can't. And it was you know, we had this issue to get out, and we were working full blasts and the only thing I kept thinking about is that Rush would want me to finish, and we have to keep going and we have to keep doing what we're doing, and you know, that's what

we do. And so we pulled the you know, pulled the cover and put the alternate on and and we moved and you know, we've been moving forward and you know, trying to Well, let me tell you something about that cover I have. That cover was perfect. Yeah, you know, God is with me. That cover was the cover we

did before he died. That was the cover before. The cover that we did when he died was the one of just the microphone, right, Okay, Well, the cover that was out the limbo letter that was out when he died. It was almost like the time. It was perfect. I know, it really was, and it was almost surreal because when

we did it, it was interesting. We had we when I presented covers to Russia, I often did like a couple of different covers for him to choose from, and we had a couple of different ideas for that cover, and honestly, we were surprised he chose that one and we were like okay. And you know what, Rush is never wrong ever ever, Like you know, sometimes Diane and I are like, oh, maybe we'll do this, and we show him something and he goes with something else and

it's always perfect. It's always somehow per sees the future. I don't know how he does it. And so that cover, yeah, he chose that one, and we were like, oh, okay, great, and you know, we moved forward. And then later on when we looked at them, I mean, Katherine held it up at Seapack and it was just like, yeah, he's with God. It's like, it's amazing. And I was in the room when Catherine held that up up and that

was just I'll tell you, that's a moment I won't forget. Yeah. Yeah, and those people that could see it, you know, they had they had monitors people that could see it, and you could hear the reaction through the room. Yeah, it was really impactful. And yes, and Rush shows that he Rush chose every cover. He was very involved in the covers and yeah, and I missed that so much. But let me hear one of those in using stories about Rush. Okay,

so I know which one you're talking about. So when we were in New York, and I know you you were probably there for this, and you might never remember this, but we used to go out all the time, right and go to like, um fancy restaurants like Rus Crisp and twenty one Club, and we always had a private room in the back, and um we entertained clients when they came in, like advertisers, important advertisers. And once a time, I remember I was I think I had just I started.

I think Rush was curious about like what I was like or who I was, you know. So I was sitting next to him at dinner and we had a great time there was you know, we were always having you know, so much fun, giggles, lots of giggles with all of us. But at the end of the dinner, he turned to me and he said, you know, his niece, Um, we're gonna we're gonna smoke cigars. Do you mind moving? And he kind of like gave me this like sheep's grin like and I was like looked at him and

I didn't want to move. I was having way too much fun. I listened to him. I go, well, Rush, you're not going to offer me a cigar, like I like smoking cigars. And he started to laugh and he was like, sure you could have a scar. I didn't know you smoked cigars. And he had a human door, and um that he always you know, we at those types of things, there was always a humid door. We were always smoking cigars. You know, it was a different time.

It was a long time ago, you know. And he opened up the human door, and of course you know now the challenge. He goes, well, which one do you want? Now? Right, I know nothing about cigars. I was totally bluffing, right, I mean like and I turned to him and I go, well, which one is the most expensive one? He's laugh because that was the only thing I knew that there were probably an expensive cigars in there, and they were probably

really expensive cigars. And if I was gonna do this, like I gotta have the best, right so I um so he says, well, this one's the most expensive one or something like that, and I go, well, then I'll have that one. And I love that story because we just we were giggling and it was just sort of him. That was sort of him, like he liked to kind of like test you kind of a little bit to see and it was it was fun. We just were That's how we interacted, and we had such a good time.

And remember just enjoying that cigar. And I think I held onto the cigar for I didn't smoke the whole thing. I couldn't smoke the whole thing, but like, um, you know, holding onto it for a really long time because it was just such a great memory of us all hanging out and and having such a good time. I read a post that you put a tribute on your Facebook page to Rush, and I want you to read it.

What do you feel comfortable reading from it? You don't have to read it all, you know, if you want to skip a were a few things, that's fine too, But give us the gist of that Facebook post if you don't mind. So you know, it was really important to me when he died, and it took me a really well long time to sort of like think about how I wanted to honor him. And I have a lot of people who were asking me about my relationship

with him, how I was doing. And you know what, people, and I'm sure you encountered this, like what's he really like? And I wrote this post it was important to me to put down in words like what I was feeling about Rush, and I told in the beginning of the post. I told a story that I just told about the cigar because I wanted to give context, like to how he and I kind of interacted. But I do want to kind of read some of it if you don't mind it, because I want you to share this, all right,

So I'm gonna start sort of in the middle. So his friendship was unconditional that he was first foremost my boss. Today it's unheard of to work for thirty years for one person, but I'm not alone in my tenure. His commitment to family values meant unwavering support for his staff's family that instituted unprecedented loyalty. When I proposed something unheard of in telecommuting, he did not blink an eye and said,

do it, show me how it can be done. This was during a time the internet was in its infancy. He was a visionary and self professed techie. This new idea of working from home intrigued him, and he trusted me to show him the way. He also supported my desire to move to Rhode Island, where my fiance lived and keep my job. I packed up my equipment, drove to Rhode Island, fired up my computer and modem, and

launched a will. I sent him a test email, and in return I received an enthusiastic congratulations, and we never looked back. Over the next six years, we exchanged thousands of emails. Our mutual respect meant he had trusted me to work from home with very little oversight, and eye in turn worked tirelessly to support him to ensure work move forward, even when he had the misfortune of personal troubles that impacted his ability to work and took him

away from the office for months at a time. He had no allusions that his great success was done on his own. Every person who worked for him received recognition for their valuable contributions. He did not often share his appreciation in writing or verbally. It made him uncomfortable. Instead, he sent numerous surprise packages over the years, at great personal expense without warning. His generosity knew no limits. He also worked tirelessly for many charities and gave millions of

millions of dollars to support them. He did not boast about his charity work because it was not something you did for recognition. It was just some thing you did because it was the right thing to do. It is purposeful that I do not mention him by name, because his name is often wrongfully mischaracterized, creating an unfair bias in many people. It's important to me to share the person I knew without these overshared shadowing misnomers, to share that we did not always agree, nor did he expect

me to. That He always applauded individual thinking and welcome discourse that differed from his own. There's no denying he said and did things that he admittedly regretted, but haven't we all. The difference is he was brave enough to do it under the public eye, knowing the unfriendly media stood at the ready to pounce, to lie and twist contexts to suit their agenda. Many people, including my own family, have tried to discredit him, who never took the time

to really listen to him. He was not impervious to this injustice aimed at him. He described himself as quote unquote, a lovable fuzz ball, and there is no true words. It was his unwavering passion for his convictions that fueled his ability to continue his mission that made him great. This mission firmly rooted in his belief in God, individual freedom, and love for his country, his bravery to continue to

always speak his truth. It is for this reason he will be remembered as one of the most important men of our time. This man, this legend, Rush Limbaugh gave me an opportunity when I was twenty four years old that turned into a great grand adventure, so that the precipice of fifty four will be one of the crowning achievements and honors of my life. Many tributes have been made about Rush since his passing from people who are more well known than myself, but it was important for

my own healing process to express my experience. I know my role will not be mentioned in the big picture of the Rush Limbaugh legacy. I am good with this because I know he thought my contributions were significant, that he valued me, and then I made him proud. My wren regret will be that I did not have the chance to really thank him, share with him how much he meant to me, and tell him how much I

loved him, and say goodbye to my dear friend. I take comfort knowing roses with God and that we will meet again and share a good laugh over an adult beverage. But for now I will move forward the way he would want me to and continue to make him proud. So, in closing, using Russia to signature, sign off an appreciation that you have done me the honor of reading this far. Thank you for listening. It means a lot. It means

a lot. As we mirror the final episodes of Rush Limbaugh The Man Behind the Golden EIP Microphone, we'd like to offer you sincere thanks for listening to the podcast, and a special thanks for those of you who have shared your own store and Rush memories, or have taken the time to write and share reviews of this series.

Thank you one and all. Rush Limbaugh, The Man Behind the Golden e I B Microphone is produced by Chris Kelly and Phil Tower, the Best producers in America, Production assistant Mike Mamone and the executive producers Craig Kitchen and Julie Talbot. Our program distributed worldwide by Premier Networks, found on the I Heart Radio app or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast. This is James Golden, This is both Snerdley, This is James Golden. I'm honored to be

your host for this. In every single episode of Russia, Limbaugh, the man behind the Golden e I B microphone, thank you for being with us.