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10 Questions with ... Judith Leblein
April 11, 2006
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NAME:Judith LebleinTITLE:HostSTATION:Central Jersey 1450 WCTCMARKET:Middlesex-Somerset-UnionCOMPANY:Greater MediaBORN:Newark, NJRAISED:Newark, NJ
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
While enjoying a rewarding career in public parks, recreation and community services management, I was asked to appear as a frequent guest on on regional cable news program here in the Garden State. After several successful interviews, I was asked to do some on air pieces. I brought that experience along with me to a new position as Director of Community Services for East Brunswick Township. I honed my television skills at East Brunswick TV as a host, producer and news reporter for this professionally staffed municipal access station. During my career there, I developed as a speaker and trainer in the field of parks and recreation management that included presentations in self improvement and management. This developed into a sideline as a speaker, trainer and author in the leisure services business, in particular waterpark and aquatics managment. After twenty successful years in community services, the election of a new mayor resulted in my "early retirement" from public life. I became a consultant and trainer in the waterpark industry.
Still doing regional news pieces for EBTV, I wandered into WCTC studios back in 1997 to do a taped piece on radio fanatics. Before I left the station that day, I was offered an on air position. Nine years later, I have worked all segments of the program clock including hosting the morning show for three different stints, a weekend show called "Inside Central Jersey" and as a "Super Sub" for all of the lineup.
I've returned as host of "The World According to Judith", weekdays from 2-5PM just recently.
1. How did you get started in radio- why radio?
I visited WCTC as a TV reporter and sat in with the Morning Team at the time. Gordon Deal and Walt Perez were the morning team then. They asked me to sit in with them and have some fun. Management liked what they heard and a radio career was born. Having never done radio before, I wasn't quite sure that it was for me. I was happy doing regional television and wasn't quite comfortable with talking into the air. But something about the excitement of working without a net, fielding calls and rattling people's cages, kept calling me back. I was hooked.
2. What are you passionate about?
Other than my husband, I am passionate about the art of conversation. I love to find humor in the oddest places and have a genuine interest in what people have to say. I love to talk and love a good laugh.
3. You're a female host on a mainstream talk station, and you've seen the "talk radio for women" movement growing in the past year. Is there a difference between talk for women vs. talk for men, and where do you see yourself fitting in that scenario?
I'm not quite sure what "talk radio for women" is... and I am one. I get rather insulted by the thought that there are shows just for "the girls". Having burned a bra or two in my protest march days, I worked so hard in hopes for equality that I find it rather demeaning to try to cater just to women. I like talk that is smart and funny. I don't care what sex it is! There is money to be had in the "mommy market" as well as from the buying power of single women. It's just not the kind of radio that I would want to do.
4. What other talk radio do you listen to?
I love Don and Mike, Ron and Fez and Lionel. The "Radio Chick" show rocks and Don Imus is a radio God to me. His show has never been better. I miss Opie and Anthony, as much as I hated lots of their bits, but I'm not buying radio. I can handle their humor, because it is smart and well executed.
5. You have a parallel career going in the leisure/aquatic industry marketing and promoting waterparks and other venues, and worked in municipal recreation positions for years. How have you been able to balance multiple careers and a personal life at the same time?
I'm a very tired woman! Actually, I also managed to get married for the first time to three teenage boys: my husband and his two sons. I was what they call a "mature bride". The senior discount really helped with the wedding dress. My husband proposed to me while on air, during drive time. I guess he knew where to find me. I took a break from a full time air shift to get used to this marriage thing. The schedule can be tough at times, especially AM drive. My new afternoon gig makes life much more manageable. Everybody in this business is an A+ personality. I'm no different. I just get paid less.
6. Who are your mentors and/or your inspirations?
My mother has always been my inspiration. She was widowed very young and raised four kids with very little. She's a gutsy broad and still going strong at 81. She's a regular contributor to my shows.
Bruce Johnson, News Director/Program Director at WCTC, is the world's most patient man. I learn something from him everyday. He winds me up and lets me go everyday. He may be one of the funniest men in this business, but he's all business when it comes to news and those Rutgers games.
7. Of what are you most proud?
I'm a really good daughter, a devoted sister, a loyal friend, a loving wife and a pretty good step-mom. Once in awhile, I say something on air that means something to someone or makes them laugh.
8. What do you do for fun?
My husband Jim and I ride bikes, kayak, hike and love our little bungalow at the Jersey Shore. We've been doing lots of home improvements, so I'm addicted to HGTV and all things TLC.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...a good laugh.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
The worst advice I ever got was that I was too nice to make it in the radio business.
The best advice I ever got was that I was too nice to make it in the radio business.
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