10 Questions with ... Julie Slater

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I was definitely one of the fortunate ones. I walked into a Country station in Florida with no radio experience, thinking I'd be the receptionist or something. The PD says to me, "We have this part time on-air opening - you want that?" And so, it began.

After some on-air spots in Florida, I got into Rock radio part time on WBAB/Long Island. I worked there for a year, and then decided I was getting out of radio "for good!" (Note to self:You can never leave radio "for good!") During my radio respite, I ended up running an oil company on Long Island while I got my Honors Bachelor's Degree in English (yes, very random, I know).

However, like the mob, radio doesn't let you leave. Q104.3 was a brand-new station in NYC playing Tool and Alice In Chains (whoa!). I left oil behind, got back on the air, and did production on the side.

The station was sold and flipped to Classic Rock. That's when my "92.3 K-Rock OMG That's the Only Place I Want to Work" pursuit began (K-Rock had just flipped from Classic Rock to Alternative).

I spent 10+ glorious years on K-Rock, following Howard Stern in middays. When Howard moved to Sirius, I stayed with "Free FM" to host the music portions of the Talk station.

Thanks to All Access, I found a job working at Variety magazine on Sirius, doing Business News in Los Angeles. I moved west!

About two years later, 100.3 The Sound was born in LA - a Triple A station. I was hired to do middays, then moved to afternoons. Ten months into it, the station flipped to Classic Rock. Seven years into it, Bonneville sold it to Entercom. Months later, I was out.

And here I am! I've been doing my Out on a Limb show on 88.5 KCSN for the past five-plus years, but basically, I was "on the beach" for 15 months. Now, I'm a part-time News Anchor on KFI 640 AM and I do weekends on Alt 98.7, both iHeart and in LA. This is a great start, but I'm looking for more cool opportunities.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

Meditation/yoga! I try to never compare myself to anyone else. Oh, and wine helps. A lot. Best quote from a friend when I was first on the beach, "Now is NOT the time to cut back on wine."

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

This time off has opened me up to pursue every single passion I have ever had. I've studied voiceover more (www.julieslatervox.com). I started a cooking show/food blog (www.sweetjamz.com). I took a wine certification class. I went away for an enlightment/spiritual retreat! I took a Music Supervision class at UCLA Extension. I'm also a musician, and I got to play the big stage at Pershing Square last summer. I've volunteered with CoachArt, teaching a 12-year-old to cook. Oh, and I've kept the wine industry in business.

3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

This was it! Almost 15 months - which just ended with some part-time work in April, 2017. I've been fortunate to not have spent any "beach" time in my career prior to this.

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

I found my KFI job on All Access! I also check particular company websites for openings, indeed.com, and I'm using Entertainmentcareers.net. Word of mouth is always good, too!

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

Many moons ago - when I desperately wanted to work at WXRK (92.3 K-Rock)/NYC. I FedEx'd my demo, along with a tied noose, pretty much saying I'd end it all if they didn't hire me. Risky? I ended up working there for over 10 years! (And I'm still alive.)

6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

I am open to so many things, and am looking for jobs that intrigue me, whether or not I have a lot of experience in the field. Doing news for KFI is a rush that I absolutely love! I am super-passionate about my free-form radio show Out on a Limb on 88.5 KCSN, which is syndication-ready. I'm also available to host a cooking/wine show!

7) Are you able to slow down and enjoy free time doing things with your family and friends that you probably did not have time to do while you were working?

Timing is everything, right? Two months after exiting KSWD, my mom died. Having that extra time in Detroit to spend with my family was so important. I also spent much of 2016 traveling.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Without a doubt, my time at 92.3 K-Rock doing middays after the one and only Howard Stern for 10+ years was an era that will never be forgotten. That time in my career, that time in radio, that time - period - was priceless. We were all just having fun, and enjoying the perks of working at this incredibly unique station in the #1 market.

9) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?

You definitely find out who your real friends are while on the beach, no doubt about that. Your true friends are the ones who help support you mentally and give you great ideas on what to do next. Talking to people who've gone through the same thing helps immensely. Deep down, you know everything happens for a reason. It also helps to have a really adorable boyfriend! ??

10) Where do you see yourself in five years ... 10 years?

I plan on being involved in things I'm passionate about. Never stop learning. I'll always be surrounded by music, food, wine, and now news! I also love to write. It would also be great to find myself touring with Radiohead, but they haven't responded to my e-mails about this idea. Yet.

Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?

You're a Badass by Jen Sincero!

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

I have tons of recipes at www.sweetjamz.com! Here's a favorite:

slaterfridaysweetjamz.wordpress.com/2016/10/10/sweetjamz-cooks-episode-003-touchdown-chili