-
10 Questions with ... Nick Steele & Kristen Flowers
March 25, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. We definitely let people know that we are married often because we really feel like that makes us stand out. People seem to connect really well to the way we interact with each other and how different we are and they can see their relationships in ours. Every time we go to an event, I'm confronted by people who tell me how totally wrong I was about one topic or another but at the same time their partner agreed with me. So we hope that the one thing people get from our show is a fun conversation with their own significant other at home
-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
NICK (Email): Started in the Music Research department (remember those?!) at CBS/Las Vegas. From there I got weekends at KLUC and weekdays running the board for the morning show on News/Talk KXNT (that's where I met Kristen!). From there I got my first full-time gig at KLJT/Tyler, TX where I was hired for middays and production. After a few months I was moved to nights. Then it was off to the Midwest where I was afternoons on Click 101.9 in Dayton, OH. From there Kristen and I were given our first chance to do a morning show together at WMGI/Terre Haute, IN where we lied about being a couple off the air, although our PD said she knew the whole time (Hey, Natalie!). Soon after, we "gone Country" to KNTY/Sacramento, where we found out how much cooler Country artists are compared to pop artists. Then as a joke, we applied to KOIT/San Francisco and immediately got followed by Brian Figula on Twitter. Now two years later, after a huge sale to Bonneville from Entercom we are still here and loving every minute of it.
KRISTEN (Email): I started my career as a Promotions assistant at KBIG/KOST in Los Angeles. My first on-air job was with Total Traffic as a traffic reporter. From there I took a morning show position with Cherry Creek radio in Colorado. I met Nick while working as a News Anchor at KXNT/Las Vegas. After that, I became the Assistant News Dir. at KTRH/Houston. Nick and I decided to go forward with our morning show and started it at WMGI in Indiana. From there, we got picked up at KNTY/Sacramento then KOIT/San Francisco. www.AccordingtoKristen.com
1) Nick, you and Kristen have been married for four years and have been together for twice as long as that. Your partner really is your partner. How does your relationship play out on the air?
Usually not in my favor! We are lucky to have a really good relationship because we are best friends first and foremost. We genuinely enjoy being around each other and making fun of one another -- and that's exactly how we are on the air. It's a pleasure to come into work every day and talk to your best friend about the craziness of the world.
2) Kristen, if someone was a new listener to your show, how long do you think it would take for her/him to figure out that you're a couple?
Hopefully not long! Being the only married morning show in San Francisco sets us apart from the others, so we highlight it whenever it makes sense. We also have imaging running throughout the day that include testimonials from people who say they love that we're married. We recently had our daughter, so people call and ask about her a lot, so have a lot of clueless parent-type topics now!
3) Kristen, you're also a relatively new mom. The alarm clock already has to be set early. What's it like when your daughter has a rough night's sleep?
I'm not going to lie. It's tough. Luckily, she is a great baby and is only waking up once during the night. Fingers crossed that she stays that way, but I doubt it. Just knowing that I get to go into work to do the thing I love reenergizes me and I find the strength to give it my all. I can always nap when I get home.
4) Nick, you're the only guy on the entire air staff. What's that like?
Not only am I the only guy at work, I'm outnumbered severely at home as well. My cat Gilligan and I are surrounded by four ladies, including my two other cats, daughter and Kristen. The one thing that I've noticed that's really different is I'm not nearly as funny as I thought I was. My corny dad jokes just don't land like they used to. They are all great, strong and independent women who have been in this market for a combined total over 40 years. I am constantly learning about the Bay Area and the best places to get food.
5) Nick, what are some of the show's signature calling cards?
We definitely let people know that we are married often because we really feel like that makes us stand out. People seem to connect really well to the way we interact with each other and how different we are and they can see their relationships in ours. Every time we go to an event, I'm confronted by people who tell me how totally wrong I was about one topic or another but at the same time their partner agreed with me. So we hope that the one thing people get from our show is a fun conversation with their own significant other at home.
6) Kristen, do you like to take the show outside of the studio for remote broadcasts? What's the interaction with your audience like?
We love getting out of the studio and taking the show on the road! We love interacting with our listeners. They always want to know if we really are married, and how we deal with working and living together. Then they always tell us how they could never do it with their spouse! It's fun chatting with listeners because we strive to give them the feeling that we are that couple that friends invite to game night at their house. When we see that they really do feel that way, it makes everything worth it.
7) Kristen, you play plenty of music in the morning. What's the thought process behind that?
Bonneville and our PD, Brian Figula, have spent a lot of time dissecting what the Bay Area really wants in a radio station. They understand that it's our job to serve the community and give them exactly what they want. When it comes to the music, our audience wants to hear all their favorites while they work. Brian has put every song into the playlist thoughtfully. When you turn on KOIT, you know you're listening to a Bay Area radio station.
8) Nick, do you have any favorite show-prep services that you wouldn't want to do the show without?
We do our best to have a very local show so we get a lot of our prep from news outlets in the Bay Area. Then when we can't find anything that's not depressing there, we look inward at our lives and try to see if we can talk about the things going on with us. If that doesn't work, we hit Complete Sheet! There is always something there that can trigger an idea or make a great conversational break.
9) Nick, who would you say that your mentors have been?
My dad was in radio when I was a kid in Southern California, so that's where I got the bug for the business when I was six. Without that I would probably still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I was also incredibly lucky to start my career where I did with some amazing radio people. Cat Thomas at KLUC/Las Vegas gave me my first shot on-air and I still get nervous every time I talk to him 12 years later. Plus, I got to work close with the guy I literally grew up listening too who now runs KLUC, JB King. Every place I go, I learn something new and I'm constantly gaining knowledge and getting better at my job because of it.
10) Kristen, who would you say that your mentors have been?
I've been lucky to work with some of the best that our industry has to offer. I'm constantly inspired by people who go out of their way to innovate the way we do radio. For me, that's people like Shawn Tempesta in Las Vegas who always has the best tech, Jayde Donovan, who built such an impressive brand and charity, Natalie Randall in Kansas City who could make a 10-watt station sound amazing. Also all the women in the Women on the Radio Facebook page. It's wonderful to be part of a group of women who build each other up and support each other.
Bonus Questions
What are your must-see spots in the Bay Area?
It's super-cliché but honestly standing on the beach at Crissy Field looking at the Golden Gate Bridge is beautiful and always stops me in my tracks and reminds me how crazy it is that I live here.
That's what's so great about the Bay! There is something for everyone. We love checking out the Sharks at the SAP Center in San Jose. We love trying all the amazing new restaurants and bars in the East Bay. We love walking the shops in Sausalito. San Francisco is amazing, but the Bay Area is huge and full of so many fantastic things to do and try.
-
-