10 Questions with ... Dan and Michelle

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

DAN: I had worked in radio for quite some time before meeting Michelle but doing the morning show with her for the first time (filling in for John & Tammy on 96.3 Star Country in Madison, WI) is by far my fave moment. We hadn't been hired by anyone yet, but I knew we had something special. We had so much fun! We still do, to this day.

MICHELLE: Getting our first job. We'd only done a handful of days of fill in together, so being hired to hang out every day with my husband and best friend was so exciting!

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

DAN: Tight End for the 49ers. If not that, I would probably be designing apps.

MICHELLE:Well, I worked in TV as a Meteorologist and Reporter before getting into radio. So, probably that still.

3. Some great advice you've received is…

DAN: Make the listener the star. Make them feel important. I always cringe a little when shows make themselves the stars. You are a star to a lot of people, but if you put the listener first, they'll love you forever.

MICHELLE: Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life. So true.

4. How do you continue learning and growing?

DAN: I/we are still teachable. We meet with Tracy Johnson every week and we genuinely care about making our craft better. You're never too skilled to learn a thing or two!

MICHELLE: We have so much support here at EMF. We work in a yes environment where they encourage us to try new things and grow. We also work with Tracy Johnson who's incredibly inspirational and really pushes us to use different story telling techniques and strategies.

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

DAN: Take pride in your brand! You are an import asset to the station and its brand, but you need to know how valuable YOU are. Build your brand, protect it, and always run things through the filter of, "does this fit OUR brand?" Sometimes you have to say no. It's OK.

MICHELLE: How fun it is! Everyone always thinks TV is where it's at. But it's WORK. Like real, hard, stressful work.

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

DAN: Weird one: Joe Rogan. Here's a guy who said "whatever, I'll do it myself" and he built an empire all by himself. Even though I differ with him on a myriad of things, he must be one of the best interviewers ever. You know why? He listens and he listens well. The guy is a rockstar and I've been super impressed with his hustle.

MICHELLE: Dan. How he works with his wife all day every day is beyond me. I can be EXTRA. But, in all seriousness, he's taught me so much about how to do this job. He's encouraged me and been so supportive. I wouldn't be where I am without his guidance, patience, teaching, and sense of humor.

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

DAN: I've run 6 marathons. Most people look at me and say, "you don't look like a runner" and it's true, I don't. I'm a big dude but I happen to love running.

MICHELLE: I always hated my voice and being on camera when I was in school! How I ended up on TV and then radio can only be a God thing!

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

DAN: Outside where my smoker is. I LOVE to smoke meat and THAT is my happy place.

MICHELLE: Any room my family is in. I just love soaking them in. And the dogs.

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

DAN: HAVE COFFEE. After 26 years in radio I can confidently say, I'm NOT a morning person! I know… totally weird.

MICHELLE: I've had at least 2 cups of coffee. I never drank coffee until I got into radio and now, I cannot function without it.

10. What do you to unwind and chill?

DAN: Every Friday night I stay up til like 2am and play my Xbox and maybe watch a movie. It's my reset for the week.

MICHELLE: Exercise. Reels. Chat with my mom. Netflix.