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10 Questions with ... Lara Dyan
July 4, 2005
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NAME:Lara DyanPOSITION:"Chick"SHOW:ChickChat RadioMARKET:Nationally syndicated, heard on stations nationwide, Sirius Satellite Radio, the Lifestyle Talk Radio Network & The BTR Radio Network, and via www.chickchatradio.com.COMPANY:ChickChat RadioBORN:Annapolis, MDRAISED:Boston suburb, MA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Heidi and I started ChickChat Radio in 2002, when we realized there was room on the dial for women to talk about the things that people really talk about around the water cooler at work, or the bar after work!.
1) You were in corporate America and now you're in radio- how did that happen?
I got lucky! Years ago Heidi and I became fast friends while working in the same marketing department. When we would go out for happy hour after work, strangers always tried to eavesdrop on our conversations. Heidi's husband suggested that Heidi start a radio show to try to fill the gap in radio programming for women, and I was flattered that she thought of me! When people in the industry who knew what they were doing heard our demo, they noted our on-air chemistry and forecast a successful program for us. I haven't looked back - even though I did quit the best-paying job I've ever had to do ChickChat Radio!
2) What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about TiVo, going to the movies, milking my friends for every bit of show material I can, and doing the best possible show I can every day on ChickChat.
3) You're single, Heidi's married- what do you tell women who feel that their lives are not complete without getting a husband/partner? What's the best thing about being single? The worst?
I hate it when women say that their lives aren't complete without a husband or partner! If they can't lead fulfilling lives on their own, they'll never be happy. If you want to feel better about being single, spend an afternoon with a toddler and her parents - that does it for me every time. The best thing about being single is the unstructured free time, combined with the ability to be really, really selfish (you can do what you want, when you want, with whom you want). The worst thing about being single is when people ask, "Why are you still single?"
4) Why do you think there isn't more talk radio targeted to women?
Simple - very few role models. The only woman I remember listening to on talk radio growing up was Dr. Ruth. Now, she's fantastic, but she's only one person! Plus, if you're not into party-politics or don't want advice on your relationship, there's not much out there to listen to FROM women. And don't kid yourself - women ARE listening, we're just not interested in a lot of what's being talked about. We like to think of ChickChat as a radio show that happens to be hosted by two women that is FUN and ENTERTAINING..
5) What are you reading right now? What's your favorite book?
I start every day with The New York Times, New York Post and Wall Street Journal, and read a ton of monthly magazines (Cosmopolitan/Glamour/Playgirl/Esquire.). When we interview authors on ChickChat, we actually read their books, so I've got a healthy collection of dating advice books that I consult from time to time. I'm currently reading the new mystery novel by Kate White (editor-in-chief of Cosmo Magazine), and "The Art of the Interview" by Lawrence Grobel. My favorite book of all time is Harold and the Purple Crayon!
6) What would surprise people about you?
Even though I have an MBA, I can't add two numbers together without a calculator. I can't spell - I just spell checked "calculator," and it was wrong! This is basically my real hair color, I watch too much television, I can cook (even though I have a sorry excuse for a kitchen), and I'm just as nice in person as I am on the air, if slightly shorter than you might expect.
7) You're a New Yorker- what do you love most about New York, and what about the city could you live without?
I love the variety in New York - from the restaurants to the different kinds of people who live and work here. The energy is just amazing, and really, anything can happen! You can have an A-list celebrity sighting at your corner diner, or get into a cab on a really hot day that smells like a cat box that hasn't been changed in years.
Even though I wouldn't change anything about New York City, I could live without the unique smell of garbage day on a hot summer afternoon.
8) Of what are you most proud?
That ChickChat Radio is one of very few (if any) nationally syndicated radio programs hosted by two women, we've been on the air continuously since 2002, and that we get more listener feedback from men than women. This proves that talk radio "for women" does not mean "but not for men!"
9) Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ______________.
...in no particular order, coffee, popcorn, brushing my teeth, the New York Post, and talking with Heidi on ChickChat.
10) What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best advice: Tie, both from my parents: "You should quit your extremely high-paying day job and start a radio show" and "Always wear a bra under a t-shirt."
Worst advice: "Those acid-washed jeans look really good on you - you should wear them all the time" from a former good friend, circa 1984.
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