10 Questions with ... Mary Jones

NAME:Mary Jones TITLE:Host, The Mary Jones Show STATION:WDRC-AM, WMMW-AM, WWCO-AM, WSNG-AM COMPANY:Buckley Radio MARKET:Connecticut BORN:Connecticut RAISED:Connecticut

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Daily talk show host, 5 years; weekend talk show host, 1 year.

Owner, corporate recruiting firm..15 years;

Director, United Way agency..8 years.

1. Since you were last featured, talk radio geared towards women has taken a step forward with the Greenstone Media syndication effort and continued success at The Link in Charlotte, then two steps back when Greenstone closed. On the other hand, you're still on and in a new daily time slot; so, do you see talk for women getting another shot? Will broadcast radio give it another good shot?

I see talk radio for women continuing to get a strong shot. I don't think Greenstone's closing was a reflection of women's talk radio, in general. The balance of positive, upbeat formatting and messaging, which women and men are responding to, continues to be a "breath of fresh air" for listeners and advertisers.

2. What topics have you done recently that are different from what you'd hear on other shows?

We've had great conversations recently on these topics:

Where do you sit in a movie theater? Do you have a favorite section?
When you eat dinner at home, do you eat in front of the TV?
Re: tipping... how do you handle bad service in restaurants?
When you buy eggs, do you open the carton to see if any are cracked?
How often do you take a bath vs, a shower?
Do you put bumper stickers or decals on your car?
Do you have any significant items from your childhood?

I get such a kick out of hearing listeners' responses and experiences, and the thoughts that these, and other, questions, inspire.

3. You issue monthly challenges to your audience; what's the biggest challenge you've faced in life, and how did you meet or overcome it?

One personal challenge was dealing with the death of my husband when he was 40 yrs old... I was 38. Though one is never prepared to face that sense of loss, having to do so at such a young age was especially difficult and painful. But, I was determined to face the rest of my life with a positive outlook and attitude, and not to allow that sadness to define or form my future.

4. One of your weekly questions to your audience recently was, "What would you become if you could go back to the age of 18, and you knew yourself then as you do now? What career/profession would you pursue?" Well? How about you?

I'd like to have pursued television journalism, but most TV anchors have orderly, controlled hair and not curly, somewhat un-manageable hair like mine!

5. What makes you happy?

Laughter, the kind of belly laugh where your stomach aches, your eyes water and you can't catch your breath... just nothing better!

6. What other radio shows do you listen to?

Truthfully, I only listen to local shows in the CT market, no syndicated shows. I never listen to the radio when I'm home..that's my "away from radio" time. In the car, I listen to CT-based talk shows.

7. What do you like best about what you do? What do you like the least?

The absolute best part of my job is that it is a perfect fit for my personal strengths and interests. Radio is the 3rd career I've had..therapist, corporate recruiter, then radio..and the common thread to all of them is the opportunity to probe/interview interesting people about their lives, dreams, goals. My show has created a radio community for our listeners- we all share experiences and insights about life. My sign-off each day is "Believe in Yourself", and that belief is at the core of our daily conversations. My show's intro, ".where friends celebrate life, living and laughter" is so true!

What do I like least? Having done my daily show for 5 years, I have become real selective in choosing guests. And, when I schedule a guest who doesn't bring anything to the show's content and energy, it is a huge disappointment and let-down.

8. What would surprise people most about you?

That I have my motorcycle license.

9. Who's the one person -- living or dead -- that you'd most like to interview and why? What woulkd you ask him or her?

One of my favorite sources of quotes is Eleanor Roosevelt. I'd love to sit with her and ask about her role in the White House during the period in history in which she was First Lady.

Then... Pierce Brosnan... but I have little interest in asking him anything....

10. What advice would you give someone thinking about a career in talk radio?

Make sure they are considering it for the right reasons -- not for ego-satisfaction or money. Talk radio can impact people's lives and it should be viewed as just that. If true passion for the industry, and the daily job, isn't there, reconsider.