10 Questions with ... Becky Alignay

1. Share a moment in your career that youll always remember.

It's not so much one moment, but several over the years that just remind me of the power music has to reach people from all walks of life. Ill never forget the time I was invited to cover some press events at the White House. It mustve been a listener who was a staffer at the time that put me on a tier of the press pool. Our team has gotten similar invites over the years (spanning different administrations), but it is our mission to bring everyone we encounter one step closer to Christ”, so we stay out of the fray of politics, and some invites weve chosen to decline. It is just a great reminder to me that everybody needs to be reminded of the hope in Jesus. We hear from people of great wealth and power to people who are experiencing homelessness. You never know who God is going to reach through your radio ministry!

2. If you werent working in radio what else do you think youd do?

Hair cutter perhaps. People tell them everything. Its a beautiful thing to be a person someone trusts enough to be vulnerable with. I consider it a great honor when people call the studio line to share their hearts and ask for prayer. Oh, and if the hair stylist thing doesnt work out (because I cant even get my own hair to cooperate) – I'd love to be an adventure novelist and travel all around the world doing research for stories.

3. Some great advice you've received is…

Stay curious. Dont beat yourself about not knowing it all. Always be open to learning new things – especially from the people around you. Dont be embarrassed to ask questions and keep growing. Staying curious, in my experience, is a great mental exercise in putting my ego aside and being more receptive to moving forward and doing new things.

4. How do you continue learning and growing?

I am blessed to work with an amazing cast of characters – the WGTS 91.9 team! There isnt a day that goes by that I dont learn something new from them. Im grateful for teammates who lift one another up with words of encouragement, sharing knowledge, skills, etc. It is such a gift to have teammates that cultivate that kind of environment. I am also incredibly grateful to work for an organization that invests in continuing education and coaching. The ability to coach with Lisa Williams has been life changing – she is an amazing mentor and guide who is brilliant when it comes to professional growth and engaging the listener, but she also has an amazing ability to coach an individual as a whole being – the head, heart, spirit which is groundbreaking for me.

5. Whats one thing you wish youd known about radio when you first started?

I don't have to be perfect. Our imperfections and quirks actually endear us to the listener. I wouldve spent a lot less time trying to come across as having it all together all the time. The ability to laugh at ourselves is a beautiful way to connect with others.

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

Does it count if hes not real? If so, Ted Lasso because he never stops believing! Hes also not afraid to be awkward in the attempt to connect with others and seems to always be compelled to help those around him to stay hopeful even in the bleakest of circumstances. He always has phrases to remind you that its going to be okay, like the one about the goldfish You know what the happiest animal in the world is? It's a goldfish. It's got a 10 second memory. Be a goldfish.”

7. Whats something about you that would surprise most people?

I grew up basically an only child. To keep myself entertained I would line up my dolls and cats and force them to be my captive audience while I performed mundane tasks like chores, cleaning, homework, well, everything as though I was hosting a talk show. My poor cats!

8. Whats your favorite room at home and why?

Probably the kitchen. Its not that I love cooking, I dont, and I'm quite terrible at it. But I love how meals bring our family together. Some of my favorite memories involve sitting around a table with people I love.

9. Finish this sentence: My day doesnt start properly until I...

ok, this may sound a little weird, but I look forward to a daily 15 minute stand up meeting (which is now via video conference) that we do at WGTS. Since he came to the station, our President and CEO Kevin Krueger began holding a daily 9:45 stand up meeting. It usually consists of an inspiring talk, a Biblical concept, a chance for us to share whats on our hearts, what our goals are for the day, we share prayer requests and its just a really great way to set the tone and get out hearts right for how we can best serve our listener.

10. What do you do to unwind and chill?

My husband and I are foodies – we love to explore every different kind of restaurant, food, culture we can think of. Living in the nations capital is the perfect playground for such a hobby! Not great for our wallets and waistlines, though!