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10 Questions with ... Kelly Corday
April 5, 2021
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1. So, you made it to DFW, so please tell us about your career journey?
God has allowed me to do this for 22 years, and I continue to learn every day. After a few years as a syndicated TV talk producer, I jumped over to radio in 1999, and fell in love with the ways in which we get to connect personally with our listener. Thanks to some great leaders who gave me a chance, I got to learn the ropes from the very best at CBS Radio (Y98, Mainstream Hot AC), JOY FM (Christian Hot AC), both in St. Louis, then at WayFM (network, Christian Hot AC).
2. Share the most challenging part of your career.
Learning to be completely vulnerable on the air, out of sheer necessity, in sharing my husband’s cancer journey and our family’s loss. Until that point, I was really great at pretending. But learning to be publicly broken, benefiting from the healing that comes from sharing life, and ultimately gaining the wisdom in how to direct our listener to a God Who would never leave them…that has been the greatest challenge, and greatest joy.
3. The best coaching advice you've ever received was…
Be honest.
4. How do you continue learning and growing?
Listen, read, share. I have so many books of which I have read the first chapter, the last chapter, watch all the videos, and finally download to listen on my commute. I’m a huge fan of Simon Sinek (“Start With Why,” “The Infinite Game”). His leadership style fits perfectly in our industry where we have amazing talent who crave encouragement and inspiration to be their best. Donald Miller’s, “Building a Story Brand,” is life changing in understanding our role in our listeners’ lives, and how to position ourselves, particularly in Christian radio. And, I listen to as much radio as I can, and connect with peers often. I can’t do life alone, and I know I can’t serve God well in radio alone either.
5. What’s one thing you wish you’d known about radio when you first started?
I wish I’d understood that I’d never want to leave it. People tell you that, but I didn’t believe it. I wouldn’t change anything. A brief stint at a label gave me clarity, insight, some wonderful friends, and ultimately led me to have some time in network radio, which resulted in a deepened understanding of the impact and necessity of digital, forever friendships, and insight into leadership.
6. Tell us about someone in our industry who you really respect and why?
A few days out of mainstream radio, I got a call from Sandi Brown, JOY FM founder and GM. She began by asking how I was doing. Well, I’d lost my contract at Y98, despite great ratings and having a commercial radio A-game, and part of my identity with it. I said I didn’t understand why this would happen. She said, “Maybe they don’t know why either.” THAT kind of faith, big picture perspective, and trust in God is something I try so very hard to carry with me. It was pivotal for a critical period in the life of JOY FM and the launch of BOOST, and in my own life. To this day, I admire her most in our industry, and it’s because of her faith in what God can do when we simply ask.
7. What would surprise people most about you?
That I’m still single. I mean, come on.
8. What’s on your nightstand?
Burt’s Bee’s Vanilla Bean Chapstick, one pair of earrings, four hair ties, a SIG P365, and a book about workplace culture called, “The Advantage.” (Patrick Lencioni)
9. What are you most excited about this year?
By far, the beginning of a journey in Dallas at KCBI. I am beside myself that God would allow me to serve with such a talented team, that we get to do this…tell people about Him at a time when our world needs God so desperately.
10. What do you do for fun?
I love to hike, alpine ski, and host Taco Tuesdays at my place.
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