Deborah Morton sat down with Shelley Winter, host of the Shelley Winter Show, for a rare role reversal on Inside Georgia Real Estate, turning the microphone on the man who once co-hosted her podcast himself.

Key Takeaways

• Shelley grew up in Harlem's first African American co-op building and calls it the foundation of his belief in community.
• He funded his first baseball glove by selling greeting cards door to door in his own apartment building.
• A detour into TV sales with Fox brought him to Atlanta, where he stayed because he found the work more creative in radio.
• He accidentally launched his broadcasting career after pitching public radio station WCLK on how to sell airtime, then landed a sports talk slot that became his true calling.
• Both of his parents passed away exactly one year apart on the same calendar date, despite being separated for most of his life.
• He credits Atlanta's diversity and slower pace, plus lower cost of living compared with New York, for why he never left.

From Sales to the Airwaves

Shelley traces his path from Syracuse advertising student to Ebony and Emerge magazine ad sales, then to a Fox television sales training program that eventually relocated him to Atlanta. He found TV sales uncreative, but fell for the city and pivoted into radio advertising at WCLK, a public station tied to a local college.

That pivot led to an unplanned on air debut. When the Atlanta Hawks needed a weekly community affairs show to use up leftover budget, Shelley and broadcaster Rose Scott filled the slot, which grew into a full sports talk show and eventually his own program.

Why He Stayed in Atlanta

Shelley describes his first Atlanta apartment near Chastain Park as a culture shock in the best way, saying the sound of birds in the morning replaced the honking horns of his New York upbringing. He points to Atlanta's lower rents, growing entertainment districts in cities like Woodstock, Kennesaw and Mableton, and a steady wave of transplants from the Northeast drawn by the value.

A Personal Note From Shelley

Reflecting on his late parents, Shelley shared a wry take on their unusual timing: "My mom is furious up in heaven that he showed up a year later on the same day. She is cursing every single day."

What Listeners Can Expect

Shelley remains a fixture on the Georgia speaking circuit, from Rotary Club lunches in Conyers to community festivals, driven by what he calls a genuine love of meeting new people. He hinted he might consider a run for local office in 2028 if his radio career ever changes course, though he says it would be more about testing his ideas than seeking influence.

Catch more conversations like this one on Inside Georgia Real Estate with Deborah Morton, airing as a podcast every Saturday, and watch full episodes anytime at youtube.com/@insidegeorgiarealestate.