10 Questions with ... Joey & Lauren

5 for Joey:

1. How happy are you that you’re still able to be based on your home station, KZMG (MY102.7)/Boise, while jumping into syndication?

It’s wonderful and honestly, I think the future of radio needs to follow the model of the rest of YouTube, Tiktok, etc. and realize that really good content can be produced and distributed from anywhere. Moving to New York or Los Angeles isn’t necessary to make it “big” anymore. Social media content creators/podcasts are hopefully teaching radio that a really good show can originate from anywhere and be enjoyed by an entire nationwide, and even worldwide audience. We love our home market and home station and we are raising our family here but want to continue to grow the show while keeping our roots here.

2. You and Lauren have been together since high school. Is there something that she’s said to you on the air that absolutely surprised you?

She always has an untold story from high school that I swear I’ve never heard. I was the geek, she was the rebel skater girl, so even though we were best friends, she got invited to parties that I never did, and she has a memory bank of experiences that I was left out on, which makes a great show. She also does a great job of not telling me things that happen to her throughout the week until show time, so we can get raw and real reactions.

3. You’d been hosting mornings across the hall doing Sports before this opportunity came your way. What was it like to transition from a station that primarily targeted men to one that primarily targets women?

I know this sounds like a lame answer, but it’s true, I’ve always just been myself. Whenever I did my sports show my mentality was to be entertaining, creative, and intriguing and I don’t think I ever thought it had to be those things for only men. The only difference was the topic was sports. Same with our show now, my hope is we are entertaining enough for every age and demographic, and thankfully the ratings, streaming, and podcast downloads show that. I’ve always watched football and The Bachelor too so I think it’s a good mix!

4. You developed benchmarks like ‘Make Up or Break Up,’ ‘Phone Jenks’ and ‘That Awkward Moment.’ Are you pleased with the response from the audience?

Absolutely, it’s been so fun to have those be part of our show, and they’ve connected us to our audience, but more importantly we must intertwine our personality and our own spin on things. Our goal is that no matter what segments we do on the show, we still put the focus on just two friends being ourselves and involving others in those segments. We feel the show is a balance of great benchmarks but also free form conversations.

5. Had syndication been a goal? What’s it like for you to know that you’ve gotten there?

From day one it was the goal which is still crazy to think management had that goal even before the show launched. Since the beginning, we have always wanted to offer this show to other markets, and that’s from our CEO down to the producer. That’s how much belief they have in the show which is humbling. I think because it’s always been the goal, the show truly is built as one that is focused on entertaining anyone from anywhere. The show we do in our home market is the same exact show our affiliates get, and I think that makes it a wonderful opportunity for programmers to jump on!

5 for Lauren:

6. When you joined Joey on the morning show, you had never done radio before. You sound like a natural—what gave you the confidence to “go for it?”

I think knowing I'd be doing the show with someone who I’ve been best friends with since I was 14 gave me confidence and that honestly, it's about two people having fun and talking together and it just happens to be broadcast to thousands of people. I’ve really just tried to focus on being myself, owning my mistakes and awkwardness, and I think that's a part of what makes our show fun, is that we are COMPLETELY comfortable with who we are and each other.

7. What advice would you give to other radio working moms?

Whooooo buddy, this is a tough one. Honestly, just realize you are never going to have a perfect balance, and that's ok. If your goal is to split radio personality and mom 50-50, you are going to fail and feel down. Some days I’m in the studio a bit later than normal, or we have an event, and that’s just a bigger “radio” day for me. Other times the moment the show ends I’m off to a mommy play date, or taking our son to the water park, and that’s more of a “mom day.” Being a mother is my #1 priority, and our company is 100% supportive of that, so if I need to be home more, I will be. Bottom line, you’re never going to be perfect at splitting time and duties, but never feel bad if one day is more unbalanced than another one. That’s real life, and that’s ok. Also the morning hours still gives me awesome mom time the rest of the day and that is invaluable. I truly feel like I am 100% a working mom, and 100% a stay-at-home mom given my schedule and profession. Both are very important to me, but I don’t think I would do anything else other than radio because it fits so perfectly with my lifestyle and being with my children.

8. What have you learned about Joey that you hadn’t known until you began to share the studio with him?

It’s funny, I have known Joey most of my whole life, and I really didn’t think I could learn anything else. However, jumping into a working relationship with Joey is a very different experience. Seeing him in his element is really cool as he exercises creativity and passion through his work. Also - I’ve learned he’s a very particular person - don’t mess with his headphones volume!

9. When you folks are doing one of your trademark bits with a listener, are you the more sympathetic or antagonistic person as the segment plays out?

I would say I’m a bit more of the antagonistic one, but in a good way - Joey is a little more sympathetic and gives more of the benefit of the doubt - but I normally tell it like it is exactly how I feel it. I think it makes for a really good balance with our show, because our audience can lean on the side of one of us in any particular situation.

10. If readers want to find out about syndicating the show, what’s the best way for them to do that?

Visit www.joeyandlaurenshow.com and you can find out anything you need or questions you have. We’re excited to have just added KTPZ (MUSIC MONSTER 92.7)/TWIN FALLS, ID, and our syndication offering is really unique as we have some social media elements that we offer so not only do you get our on air content, but we take care of your social media too. It’s a win-win!