10 Questions with ... Jen Myers

1. How would you describe your first radio gig? 

I was so green, so I am forever grateful that they took a chance on me. I was an intern at 103.3 The Edge in the promotions department when I put a demo together to work on the weekends. I would get a call to do the overnight shift and drop EVERYTHING for the chance to be on the air. You know when you still see that spark in someone today that they have the radio “bug.” 

2. What led you to a career in radio? 

I worked at my college radio station while studying English at SUNY/Binghamton. I spent so much time at the radio station that at some point I realized that I should probably find a job in the music industry. 

3. You are closing in on 20 years at the station.  What is it that you love the most about walking in the building every day?

I love the people I work with and that we have the ability to make a difference in St. Louis. I still walk in every day trying to make our community stronger and better, and I think everyone on our team does, too. “The Wake Up with Bret and Julie” is a new show, but they are already showing up for this city in a big way.

4. You were part of the morning show for 15 years, before seguing to middays earlier this year.  Other than the obvious sleep-related benefits, what’s that been like for you?

Leaving the morning show was such a radical change for me. The sleep was a game changer! Living with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, my doctors were dancing with joy! But for me it’s the little things, like getting to hug my kids good morning, and telling them I love them before they leave for school. I was always the missing parent in the morning, so I’m fortunate to experience the mornings with them. I’m so glad that my Brand Manager, Leo Baldwin, gave me the opportunity to focus on my health and my family, while continuing with this company in a new and exciting direction. 

5. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Thankfully, you are a breast cancer survivor. How did the station’s listeners help you during that journey?

Y98’s listeners have carried me through the last five years – from thousands of them showing up to a St. Louis Cardinals’ game for me when I was first diagnosed, to giving me hope with their stories of being cancer survivors, and this past February donating over $25,000 to Siteman Cancer Center during my last week on the morning show – I have felt their love and support always. I try to return the favor when listeners who are newly diagnosed reach out for advice. 

6. Do you think that there was a definitive Song Of Summer for the format? 

I love that Dua Lipa is still going strong with Future Nostalgia and Levitating. I am such a fan girl of hers. Our family has had that whole album on repeat for over a year.

7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. Has your station been able to stay visible and involved in the community? Are you getting back out there these days? 

I think that our station has stayed involved in the community, especially in the last 18 months, by shining the spotlight on local businesses and charities that need our help. We’ve been able to be a voice – both on the air and on social media – to help them through this difficult time. I’ve emceed a few charity events recently that were IN PERSON, which felt really great. I rode 20 miles for Pedal The Cause last month, started working on St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s annual Play Date Fundraiser, and helped raise over $100,000 last week for Pink Ribbon Girls – a charity which provides meals, cleaning services, rides to treatment, and peer support groups for women with breast cancer.

8. What were your favorite stations growing up as a kid? Jock(s)? 

I listened to WKBW and Danny Neaverth with my Mom when I was a kid (my parents finally felt like I had a real job when I first met him), but when I got a little older it was definitely Kiss 98.5, 103.3 The Edge, and even 102.1 The Edge in Toronto. I love that when I go home to visit family all my favorites are still there – Janet and Nick on Kiss, Shredd and Ragan on The Edge…in that respect Buffalo feels a lot like St. Louis. It’s such a rich radio market when listeners want you to stay, and people on air never want to leave.

9. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most? 

So many wonderful mentors! Rich Wall for giving my first on-air job, Jim Schaefer and Steve Goldstein for teaching me how to be “Brilliant at the Basics,” Kevin Robinson for putting me on the morning show at Y98, Guy Phillips for teaching me so much about using my authentic voice on the morning show at Y98, and my current boss, Leo Baldwin, for helping take my career to the next level in programming and management.

10. If you were putting together a Y98 post-pandemic welcome back event, which 3-5 acts would you go for if you had an unlimited budget and the Enterprise Center at your disposal?

I would love to have the acts that I listened to on repeat during the pandemic but didn’t get to see live: Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and Britney Spears. That trio would burn the house down!