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10 Questions with ... Caroline Kruse
August 8, 2006
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NAME:Caroline KruseTITLE:Producer/co-hostSHOW:Family Matters RadioSTATION(S): WFHM-FM and WHK-AM/Cleveland, WTOD-AM/Toledo, WIIN-AM/Ridgeland, MSMARKET:NationalBORN:Cleveland, OhioRAISED:Parma, Ohio
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I've worked in all aspects of media and lucky to spend my entire career in my hometown. Started out selling advertising for Scene Magazine, the oldest entertainment weekly in the U.S. First radio job with WCPN-FM (Cleveland's NPR affiliate) as a reporter/producer/host, from live field reports to hosting the morning and afternoon shows to feature pieces and hour-long documentaries for news and cultural arts programming. Got into TV at WUAB-TV 43, a local independent station where I worked as a field producer/reporter for nightly news cast. Hired at WJW-FOX 8 to produce a newly created two-hour local morning show similar to "Good Morning America" featuring local and national guests. Created and produced the afternoon spin-off "Good Day at Mid-Day". Produced the live, unscripted grand opening ceremony of the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame for FOX-8 where Yoko Ono was the center of the festivities! Along with my partner, Jacquie Chakirelis, created Family Matters Radio 10 years ago this December. Winner of nine journalism and broadcasting awards.
1. What got you into radio the first time? Why radio?
My dad's a musician, my brother's an actor and stand-up comic, my sister's a singer - so I guess entertaining people is in the genes! Although I'm not very good at any of those, so I had to find my own niche.
I started out volunteering at a radio station and after a couple of weeks a wonderful woman who was the arts and cultural programming host took me under her wing and assigned me a story about a beloved high school music teacher who died suddenly. To start with a blank canvas and bring in snippets of interviews and music and weave a little story with passion and emotion that connected with listeners was such an exciting, creative process that I was hooked.
2. What are you passionate about?
Interesting, uplifting, entertaining talk radio for WOMEN and MEN. Offering an outlet of help, hope, and a few laughs to families dealing with sometimes difficult issues, sometimes the day-to-day stresses of life.
3. Thinking back on recent topics, what was the most interesting topic or interview you've covered, especially among those other shows don't address?
We interviewed singer Judy Collins about her only child's suicide and her family's legacy of depression and alcoholism. It was the one time I was nervous about an interview not only because of the delicate nature of the subject but it was JUDY COLLINS! Before we went on air, she immediately put us at ease with her warmth and thanked us numerous times for getting the message out and offering help to families dealing with mental health issues. On-air, she showed such strength and grace in talking about a very personal and painful part of her life. We were so inspired by her that we included the interview in a documentary on children and mental illness, which won an Ohio Excellence in Journalism Award.
4. What's the best thing about working with your on-air partner?
You can't fake 25 years of friendship and history and that translates to our on-air chemistry. Although we are opposites in many ways, we share this same passion and mission for talk radio. She's also very smart and saves me money that would otherwise go to a therapist!
5. What are the best- and most difficult- things about being a mom?
Best: Seeing my children blossom into independent people, taking pride in their accomplishments and wise choices, thinking that maybe I'm doing an okay job!
Worst: Fighting with my kids about the amount of time they spend instant messaging. I hate IMing!!
6. Who are your mentors, your inspirations, the people you've learned the most from?
NPR's Susan Stamberg for her conversational style, intelligence and humanity she brings to every interview. Terry Gross for her blend of empathy and genuine curiosity and her ability to connect a person's work and the life that led to that work. Diane Rehm, professionally, it doesn't matter if she's talking with Hillary Clinton or a caller from Parma, Ohio, she brings the same endearing and engaging quality to the conversation; personally, our radio paths are similar, and like Diane, I know how frustrating and frightening living for years with an undiagnosed illness can be.
7. Of what are you most proud?
My radio show and partnership with Jacquie. Surviving 10 years on-air. That we never "sold out"- we were offered an opportunity with several radio stations to do a "Sex & the City" or "Cosmo-Girl" type show but we never compromised our principles and have stuck to our ideals of what women and many men want from talk radio. My marriage (celebrating 20 years with the same man!). My kids.
8. What do you do for fun?
You're in the studio, you picked a great piece of music to go with the interview, the guest is engaging and Jacquie and I are in our element, laughing and having a great conversation. It's not work - it's a total rush!My kids are at the age where my husband and I can enjoy and laugh at a lot of the same movies together. Watch "Gilmore Girls" with my daughter. I'm very competitive, so I love to play games. Have friends and family over for dinner. Eat!
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
....coffee!
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best: Bring more of your personalities into the program (thanks Corny Koehl!).
Worst: You didn't go to the best college, you're not skinny enough, pretty enough, smart enough to be in TV or radio - it was my own advice, and obviously, I didn't take it!
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