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10 Questions with ... Ali Storm
October 28, 2019
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1. Could you please take us through your journey through radio that's taken you to HisRadio?
HIS Radio is my first jump into radio! I've been on the morning show for five years now. I guess I'm kind of an industry outsider because I came here through my work in television.
2. So radio wasn't always part of the plan for you? How did you end up there?
Originally my goal was to be a major market television reporter. I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in journalism. I interned in St. Louis and Los Angeles and landed my first job in my hometown of Sioux City, Iowa. I worked my way up to reporting positions in Fort Myers, Florida and then to Greenville, South Carolina. I got burned out from crime and breaking news; so when my contract ended, I focused on freelance writing. Eventually, my work appeared in women's magazines like REDBOOK and Self.
3. What did you grow up listening to?
In my hometown of Sioux City, Iowa, every kid listened to KG95. I was one of those annoying kids who called over and over to request the same song-probably Debbie Gibson or MC Hammer.
4. Gonna take a stab that "Storm" is not your legal name. What's the story behind choosing your on-air name?
Storm is actually my maiden name. And if you can believe it, my first job out of college was a part-time weather anchor. That was the same year (2001) that tropical storm Allison hit southeast Texas. I had fun with that!
5. Why work in Christian Radio and not another format? Or are you not picky?
For me it's all about storytelling, not specifically radio. I love all forms of storytelling. I'm also the features editor of a local women's magazine, so every month I tell stories of amazing women in our community. And since I love a new challenge, I'm producing a six-episode podcast on a group of women I've been friends with since childhood. We've shared a traveling journal for nearly 20 years. The Today Show and the Wall Street Journal told our story, so I thought I should too with a podcast! As far as Christian radio, I might just be the only person who came to this industry because of video. After I got out of television news, I got a text from Rob Dempsey, asking if I'd ever thought of doing radio. The thing that drew me to the position is the fact that HIS Morning Crew is like a TV show for radio. I get to share my love for visual storytelling without the crime and politics that ultimately left me burned out from local television news.
6. What's the reason you get up every morning and go into work? Conversely, is there anything about work that makes you want to stay in bed?
Storytelling is my passion. I love telling the world about creative, crazy, inspiring, ordinary people doing amazing things for God. I want to give people something to talk about around the water cooler other than the weather. Life's too short for boring small talk! I also think those stories let us know we're not alone in our struggles and give us courage to step out in faith in our own lives.
7. HisRadio has made a name for itself as one of the most unique and interactive morning shows at Christian Radio. How would you explain the dynamic of the team that makes it all work so well?
First of all, thank you for those kind words. I think what makes it work is that we're not following any formula. We're doing our own thing and I've been given the freedom to try anything once. If it flops (and sometimes ideas do!), we laugh and move on. We're also not afraid to laugh at ourselves and be vulnerable with our lives.
8. The morning show doesn't lack for interesting moments on-air with artists, historically. What are a few of your all-time favorites?
Making Matt Hammitt eat a cricket, surprising Laura Story with a childhood pastor, or giving Building 429's drummer a portrait of his dog Booger hand-painted on a pillow were some that stick out! If you haven't noticed, we love surprises! Another of my all-time favorite moments was when I got to talk about adoption with Steven Curtis Chapman. He visited the same day my husband and I were sending our dossier to our adoption agency. He prayed with me over all that paperwork and now, here we are, three years later, wrapping up our adoption!
9. Outside of work, it sounds like you and your family currently have a lot on your plate. What's going on?
Three years and eight months after announcing our plans to adopt, we are finally traveling to meet our daughter! We're adopting a beautiful four year old from Burundi. It's been a long journey, but my prayer has always been that I'm not the same person at the end as I was when we began in 2016. I've run four full marathons and read War and Peace; but nothing compares to the feeling of crossing this finish line!
10. When you try to forecast what the near future will look like with this major addition to the family, what do you anticipate will be the best changes and biggest challenges ahead?
It's very hard to know what life will be like when we bring our daughter home, because children process trauma very differently. But I know that our son Sammy will be an amazing big brother. And I also know God has been a part of this entire journey. I'm excited to simplify life and just focus on my family.
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