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10 Questions with ... Laura Smith
May 16, 2006
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NAME:Laura SmithTITLE:Program Director/Operations ManagerSTATION:Lime on Sirius Satellite Radio 114MARKET:National via Sirius Satellite Radio and Dish Network, International via Internet, North America and beyondCOMPANY:Lime- Healthy Living With a Twist, a multi-platform media company, part of Steve Case's RevolutionBORN:Elkhart, IndianaRAISED:Indiana, Brasil, Australia
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I hit the ground running 10 years ago jocking in the New York area, (still doing part time weekends at the wonderful LITE FM in New York City) doing voice-overs, and production---and landing this gig to sink my heart, soul, and teeth into. Programming Lime, a brand new channel on Sirius 114, is a labor of love. Our brand just happens to be everything I personally believe in, and I am so lucky to be able to help develop this cool, vibrant format. Check out LIME.COM for a radio schedule and more info. By the way, I got both of my dream jobs at LIME and LITE from checking this website---Allaccess.com ROCKS!!!!!
1. How did you get your start in radio- why did you choose radio?
I had been doing voice overs for ten years, acting locally and running a little gift shop, and realized that what I wanted to do more than anything was to work in radio. So I picked up the phone book, called a 1,000 watt community station, and said, if you train me I'll work for free. Within the year I was the copywriter in the morning, jumped on the air for a smooth jazz midday shift, and got off and produced all the spots I'd written in the morning and got them on the air! It was an exciting and energizing time and gave me the start in the career that I adore.
2. What are you passionate about?
Radio!!! And children, the planet, entertaining, goodness, art, people... reaching out and helping.
3. Lime soft-launched in the Fall (transitioning from the former Wisdom Channel) and is doing a more formal launch now. What is Lime- what's its mission and what makes it unique?
Lime is "Healthy Living With A Twist!" We have about 40 shows that vary in category from alternative healthcare, to personal growth, healthy eating, eco style, the environment, corporate responsibility, the intuitive arts... Our mission is to help folks live a healthier, greener, more balanced life. It's about what's good for you, your family, your home and your planet- but you choose how that should be, in the way that means something to you. We don't preach, we just have a great line up of programming to help you grow and learn more at the pace and depth that is right for you. I think we're different in that we're an aggregate for conscious, mindful, healthful living, in an upbeat more mainstream way. We're also a multi platform media company that launched on five platforms from the get-go. So if you like hearing inspirational thoughts from Deepak Chopra, or hearing "The Lazy Environmentalist," you can also catch them on Lime.com, our linear TV channel, on podcasts, VOD, mobile phone etc. It's an amazing, positive community and brand....
4. And while we're talking about what the network's all about, who do you see as your primary target listeners? And how do you see them using and benefiting from the programming?
Lime's target listeners, we believe, are not just the purists in each of our content categories, but the average person who might be incorporating some aspects of a healthy lifestyle into their everyday life, a step at a time. We basically feel that Lime's audience might be either heavily entrenched in health, personal growth, or the environment, or doing something as simple as buying organic milk and doing yoga once a week, but interested in learning more. We don't regard ourselves as experts, but as a resource for listeners and a connection to the experts, with great information and entertainment.
5. If you hadn't gone into radio, what would you be doing today?
Acting, singing, being Mom of a large brood, being an activist, a documentarian...
6. Who are your mentors, your inspirations, the people you've learned the most from, in radio or in life?
In radio: Right now, my CEO, CJ Kettler, at Lime is a huge inspiration. She's a brilliant business woman, but very much a devoted wife and mother. Also, our SVP of Programming at Lime, Judith Tolkow, has become a mentor to me, and I'm being stretched daily through their expectations and by their examples. My fellow jocks at LITE FM were heroes before I started working there, and besides being the best in the biz, they are wonderful people: working with the legendary Jim Ryan is an amazing honor. Scott Muni. NPR in general. My first boss, Bill Hoover, who gave me my first shot in radio.
In my life: My daughter Hannah, who keeps me honest; my parents; my spiritual mentors, Dr. Scott and Shannon Peck; Marianne Williamson: Jesus; and every one of my dear friends.
7. Of what are you most proud?
Raising my wonderful daughter Hannah on my own, and having an incredibly good, close relationship with her, while still carving out the career of my dreams for myself. Maintaining strong values, and keeping my priorities straight while getting here. Launching and programming Lime, and being on LITE.
8. What do you do for fun?
Don't mean to sound cheesy, but my work at Lime is incredibly fun; spending time with friends; singing in local restaurants; hanging out with Hannah.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...gratitude.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Best: Love yourself and stop apologizing.
Worst: Cut your hair.
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