From when he was a boy in the Bay Area in California, Chad Sabadie knew he was destined to be in front of the television camera. He even cut a cardboard box into a makeshift TV set with colored knobs and buttons and pretended to be on the news. Today, Chad brings the news to Baton Rouge and is honored to be a trusted voice for our community. After years in sports media, he is happy to have transitioned into the family friendly role of your nightly news anchor.
Though he absolutely loves his career, his greatest delight is his family. Nothing lights him up like talking about his precious children or his beautiful wife.
How did you meet your wife?
C: We met through mutual friends. My high school friend from Slidell was dating her high school friend from St. Joseph’s. They wanted us to meet. I realized I met the right person.
Tell me about your children.
C: Ellis is a wild man. He’s energetic, entertaining, and dramatic, which is probably like me a little bit. Brynn is sweet, independent and caring. She checks on everyone and wants to do everything on her own. She is very brave, maybe a future LSU gymnast.
Three things you always have with you?
C: Cellphone, coffee, television IFB earpiece just in case I need to report on a story.
Three words to describe yourself?
C: Driven, invested, social.
How would your friends describe you?
C: Talkative, outgoing, ambitious.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them?
C: Accents. Because having grown up in California, I notice the accents more.
Most recent proud parenting moment?
C: We went to a Mardi Gras ball. You never know how children are going to act, but they got dressed up, engaged with everybody, and took care of each other.
Last dad fail?
C: I was at the grocery store and a nice lady tapped me on my back and asked if I had kids. I told her yes and asked why. She said I had stickers all over my back. I guess I shouldn’t have given them those sticker sheets to play with, but that’s dad life.
How do you keep it all balanced?
C: It’s a tricky thing, trying to balance it all. By making things priorities whether it is cutting back and scheduling time for ourselves, or saying no to community requests, I can find
that harmony where I’m not neglecting an
important area.
Greatest thing about being a dad?
C: When I come home. Between the 5:30 and 9 p.m. news, I can go home and see them before they go to bed. I love seeing their smiling faces in the evenings.
Favorite spot around town for date night?
C: Sullivan’s. We had our rehearsal dinner there so it’s very sentimental and special to us.
If you could invite anyone over for dinner, who would you invite?
C: Our entire wedding party. It would be awesome to reunite.
What’s something parents shouldn’t feel guilty about?
C: Scheduling time with your spouse away from the kids.
What good habit do you have that you would like to pass on to the kids?
C: Attention to detail, focus, multi-tasking, and being genuine.
Any bad habits you would not want to pass on?
C: Lack of patience.
Hardest thing about being a dad?
C: Trying to protect them from things you can’t control. You can’t control every aspect of their world and their friends.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
C: I can juggle. Theatre was my minor in college, and I had to learn to juggle during a play.
How did you react when you found out you were going to be a dad?
C: Nervous excitement. It’s one of those holy cow kind of moments. Even if you’re expecting it, buckle up because it’s a life changer, a game changer.
What do you like to do as a family?
C: Play outside, they’re both into soccer. We also like putting puzzles together and going to the movies.
What’s your parenting style?
C: A bit overprotective and a bit rigid, but invested in them and raising them the right way. I can be hard on them because I have high expectations, but I’m still compassionate.
What’s one piece of advice you give your children?
C: Be kind to others and follow the standard of the golden rule.
How has parenthood changed you?
C: It has matured me for sure. Priorities have changed. It has made me not focus too much on the small things, but on the big picture. Ultimately, it’s about them.
What’s one thing your kids have taught you?
C: Not to take myself too seriously.
What advice would you give to other parents?
C: Communication over all. Do what works for you, but communicate with everyone. If everyone’s on the same page, it’s easier to go with the flow when other things happen.
What has your job in broadcast journalism taught you that you use in parenting?
C: To be clear in the message that you are conveying. To be honest and compassionate. In local television news, news can be tough. Families are being affected everyday. Conveying the news to the public and to your children both require empathy.
How does live television compare to the stress of being a parent?
C: It doesn’t anymore. For me, live television is like second nature. It’s commonplace. We do it everyday, multiple times a day. There’s no comparison to parenting moments. They supersede all.
In what ways do you hope to impact the city by being a news anchor?
C: In many ways: being a trusted voice in our community in the best interest of our residents, helpful in an empathetic way, a voice of calm, and someone they can look to and trust. ■
Quick Q&A
Before kids, I never thought I would… build a swingset.
The parenting item I couldn’t live without… wipes.
My guilty pleasures are… M&Ms and watching This is Us.
Favorite movie growing up… Braveheart.
Favorite children’s book is… Goodnight Football.
Growing up, I knew I wanted to… be on TV.
I can’t stop listening to… country, which is Brooke’s influence, Thomas Rhett, but also sports talk radio.
I like my coffee… frequently: Community with chicory, cream, and Splenda.
