10 Questions with ... Dahlia Kurtz

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I'm an award-winning talk show host and content producer, from one of Canada's heritage radio stations. I'm also the country's first nationally syndicated social media columnist. Oh, and I began my radio career by broadcasting live underwater, while submerged in a 10,000-gallon tank to raise money for Sick Kids. P.S., I'm deathly afraid of water, but no biggie.

1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

When I first decided to move forward and leave my daily afternoon talk show, I had no idea that my plans for a break would be broken. Someone in my family became sick. Not that there's ever a good time for any illness, but the timing worked out well, because I was able to secure my position as favorite child. So I really haven't been looking that long. Besides, considering I not only hosted my show, but also produced it, I have a lot of catching up to do in life. I guess you could say I've been binge-living ... Perhaps my life should be a Netflix show.

2) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Of course! Radio has the unique ability to forge a much more intimate connection than any other medium. And I'm all about connection. That said, in this multimedia world, I feel you really need to embrace all platforms, then each platform can leverage the other. So I'm actively pursuing radio, writing, TV and digital opportunities. Hopefully, Ryan Seacrest can leave a little room for the rest of us.

3) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

Don't look for a door. Build the door.

4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

Allaccess.com, of course. But ... it's not necessarily about looking for job openings; it's about opening up opportunities yourself. Most jobs I've secured were never posted openings. In fact, the companies never even realized they were looking for someone, until I created that opening myself. When I first got a job at CBC (think Canada's BBC), there wasn't an opening. I was interning and was told they never hire interns. Then I broke a story about police brutality, and CBC hired an intern. And then there was "Danger Girl" See below.

5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

So, before I went to school for journalism, I had this idea for "Danger Girl" - an on-air stunt personality of sorts. I pitched this idea all over Canada. Then, after a relentless pursuit of PDs, I finally get the call to meet with one. They're launching a new BOB FM station in a large market ...

PD: "Dahlia, we have a big idea. First, are you afraid of anything?"

ME: "I'm not afraid of anything."

ME IN MY HEAD: "I'm afraid of everything."

PD: "Good. Because we plan to submerge you in 10,000 gallons of water. For 48 hours. To broadcast live on-air. Launch the station. And raise money for sick kids."

ME: "Awesome!"

(Actually, I have no idea how I replied, because I think I blacked-out inside.)

PD: "Oh, and this will be Danger Girl's audition."

(Good thing I already blacked-out, or the word "audition" would've killed me.)

It's the day of the event. A massive tank on a flatbed truck is situated on the parking lot at the city's busiest mall. A crowd has gathered. I put on my full-face mask, no other gear, and prepare to enter the 10,000 gallons of death. (By the time I was done, it was probably 10,010 gallons ... Well, can you hold it in for 48 hours?) Once completely underwater, I go on air -- for the first time in my life. Within the first hour I was swimming around like a mermaid and doing enough flips that my ears were popping (and continued popping for the next month). But, hey, I got the job.

6) What's the most unbelievable on-air bit you were allowed to do?

Other than Danger Girl? Maybe it was when I broadcast live near the Syrian border after overlooking civil war. And that was just part of it: http://www.dahliakurtz.com/have-you-listened-to-civil-war-or-stood-across-from-hezbollah.html

7) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

For one, I'm authentic. Because I screw up the least when I'm myself. Which leads me to my second point ... I remember when I was interviewed for my last job, my then almost-boss told me the station needed someone who "stood out." I replied, "I don't have a problem standing out; blending in is the problem for me."

8) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

More time listening, but less time listening to radio. Instead, I'm getting more into podcasts. On that note, I'd like to thank Two Dope Queens for keeping me company during my morning runs.

9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Matt Cook. Everything changed for good when I made a story go viral; now I aim to make stories go viral for social good ... I wrote this Toronto Star article (http://www.dahliakurtz.com/fight-like-matt.html) about Paralympian Matt Cook (a current day Terry Fox story - Terry being one of the greatest Canadian heroes of all time) to help carry on his legacy. Soon after, Terry's brother Fred (whom I've since had in-studio on my show a few times) and celebrities amplified the conversation. Matt experienced that right before he died. ?FLM: Fight Like Matt!

10) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?

Social good was at the core of my show. While I would have in-studio conversations with everyone from Nobel Prize winners to Oscar winners to the same people Oprah interviewed, my favorite time of the week would be my signature Thank Good People Friday (TGPF) show. People would call in and tell us something nice someone did for them during the week. At the beginning, people would call in to thank a neighbor for mowing their lawn or things of that nature. But TGPF really grew into something remarkable. A father calls from his son's death-bed to thank the doctors and nurses. Or the woman who calls in to thank her selfless friend with MS, who helps others and can't even navigate her own home because modifications are too costly. Then another woman calls in to donate thousands of dollars to the "stranger" with MS, so she can renovate her home. Or the man who calls in to thank the officer for buying his son a loaf of bread at the grocery store. Then other listeners call in with gifts and donations for this down-and-out man and his son ... All because an officer spent $1.99 on a little boy, that generosity grew exponentially and spread like a contagion. And that's what TGPF did: It spread kindness like virus.

And what do I miss the least about my show? The day after TGPFs. Saturdays. They were always so depressing, because nothing could replicate the high those Friday TGPF shows gave me.

Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?

Yes, I care!

MY BANUTTER

• Frozen ripe banana
• 1 T peanut butter (or any nut butter)
• Milk/soy beverage/almond milk/coconut milk to achieve desired consistency
• 1 T vanilla (optional)

After you mix all those puppies together in a blender or food processor it'll be like a rich, creamy milkshake. You're welcome.