10 Questions with ... Julie Pierce

1. Share a moment in your career that you’ll always remember.

I went into labor with my first child on the last day of one of our Fall Fundraisers, at STAR 93.3, where my husband Daryl and I worked at the time. After a few hours, much like the sports fanatic who just HAS to check the score, no matter what else may be going on, my husband HAD to turn on the radio in my hospital room, to check on the fund raiser.

Several exhausting hours later, as I lay in the hospital bed (NOT thinking about work), completely enthralled with our new baby boy, I heard the afternoon DJ, Gary, excitedly exclaim, “Daryl just called and it’s a boy! Welcome Spencer James Pierce into the WAKW Family, born this last day of SHARE! So if you want to give in celebration of this amazing event, you could donate per pound! I think they said the baby is 38.2 pounds!”

There was nothing quite like giving birth and providing content for a fund raising break in real time!

2. If you weren’t working in radio what else do you think you’d do?

I might be an Art teacher! When I was a kid, that’s what I wanted to do, so I went to college and earned an Art degree. However, after a couple of times subbing at a local school, I realized that I was NOT brave enough to be a school teacher! The midday air shift was open at the new Christian music station where my husband had just gotten a job, so I submitted an air check, got hired, and got hooked on working in CCM Radio! I do still enjoy my art, and make time to paint quite often! They don’t like it when I draw on the sound board though…

3. Some great advice you've received is…

...work to grow and improve my strengths, instead of wringing my hands trying to be who I’m not. For instance, as much as I think it would be cool or fun to be the hilarious Morning Show Host who makes everyone laugh and have a great time, that’s just not me. But I can be the warm and friendly bestie who helps Jennifer start her mornings with lots of hope and maybe an LOL or two! ;)

4. How do you continue learning and growing?

Through the years I’ve learned much from attending events like CMB Momentum (and GMA back in the day), from meetings with radio consultants, and from listening to other radio personalities who know well how to be personable. Most recently, thanks to my amazing talent coach, Beth Bacall, I’ve learned much about how to be more myself, while also offering even more relevant and hopeful content to listeners.

5. What’s one thing you wish you’d known about radio when you first started?

I wish that I hadn’t been so afraid to be myself or to be “real”. These lines from Elsa’s song in FROZEN accurately depict my upbringing as a pastor’s kid:

For too long that belief/fear seeped into how I approached my air shift, and I know it kept me from truly connecting with my listeners.

6. Tell us about someone who you really respect and why?

I’ve already mentioned her, but here I want to acknowledge Beth Bacall again. I was so nervous to finally have a talent coach (I’ve not had one before), because I was insecure about having someone with her level of success in the industry listen to my breaks. It felt a little like I would be exposed and I had no idea what to expect. However, Beth has a way of communicating ideas and practices to help me “level up” without sounding critical. In fact, she leaves me feeling encouraged about my abilities, my progress, and my potential. It’s obvious to me that she cares about the talent she coaches, and has a genuine interest in their lives!

7. What’s something about you that would surprise most people?

It might be that I’m a sci-fi nerd/fantasy geek. Since most of my female friends love chick-flicks, I sometimes feel awkward confessing that I have never seen the particular rom-com they’re gushing over, because I would choose Lord of the Rings, Star Trek (okay…and Star Wars), or something from Marvel every time. Oh…and murder mysteries of course. Do they make faith based murder mysteries?

8. What’s your favorite room at home and why?

My Art Studio is my favorite room because, much like when I’m able to execute a well-planned break, painting brings me a deep sense of fulfillment. Whether I’m painting on a jacket, a pair of shoes, or a mural on a wall, I feel joy.

9. Finish this sentence: My day doesn’t start properly until I...

...talk to God about what’s making me anxious. If I forget to pray before I start my shift, it’s harder for me to not become overwhelmed with whatever is going on in the news (or life) at the time, which will most always adversely affects my breaks. Of course a Chick-fil-A diet Dr. Pepper is necessary too!

10. What do you to unwind and chill?

Mystery Podcasts do the trick!