10 Questions with ... Lauren ‘LO’ Sessions

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Lauren ‘Lo’ Sessions started her radio career as an intern for the Ratboy & Staypuff show at WFLZ/Tampa, FL. She eventually graduated to individual on-air shifts for the station from 2012-2015. Prior to joining ALPHA MEDIA, LO served as the midday talent for WVAQ/MORGANTOWN from 2015-2016. Sessions joined Alpha Media in 2016, first as the evening host on CHR KBFF, then took over MD/midday duties at RHY CHR KINK HD-2 in January 2018. As of Nov 1st 2021, LO serves as the APD/MD/Afternoon Drive host for CHR KTFM - Energy 94.1 and the Content Director for RHY CHR KTFM HD-2 - WE 94.5.

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

My first radio gig was so fun and influential. I didn’t realize it at the time, but starting my radio career at the legendary WFLZ/Tampa was such a monumental accomplishment. I’ll forever be grateful for my time spent there as well as everything I learned and the connections I made.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I think this career path has always been in the cards for me. As a kid growing up in South Florida, radio was a HUGE part of my life. I’d listen to everything from Power 96 and the DJ Laz morning show to Bubba The Love Sponge (Mom & Dad have totally different tastes in music and content lol) From car rides to school or family road trips, music was always something we bonded on and listening to the radio was a major part of my upbringing.

3. You’re 6 months into your adventures in San Antonio. How’s it been going for you?

It's going great! I’ve always wanted to live in Texas ever since high school so when the opportunity presented itself, I definitely went for it. The culture, food and nightlife have been super fun to explore. But ask me the same question in mid-July and I may have a different answer because from what everyone keeps saying, the summers here are brutal.

4. You get to crack the mic every afternoon. What are some of the things that you’ve been establishing as benchmarks during your air shift?

Being able to curate and create content has always been one of my favorite things about this job. Right now I am really leaning into my 60 second pop culture update that I’ve named ‘The Hot Minute.’ There are a few benchmarks I’ve done in the past that I am thinking about bringing back too like ‘Lo’s Unpopular Opinion’ and a video series called ‘Lo Standards.’

5. Who would be a “dream guest” to have on your show?

A ‘dream guest(s)’ to have on my show would probably be either J.Lo or Lady Gaga. I feel like the conversations could go so many different ways from fashion to re-inventing yourself…I find them both so interesting.

6. You also cover some key dayparts on some key Alpha stations. What has that been like for you?

Being able to expand and grow my brand on some of Alpha’s major CHR stations has been a blessing. I love that I can say I’ve done every daypart (aside from mornings) in my career and done them successfully. Next up is taking on different formats simultaneously.

7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?

Just being a part of the community as much as possible and taking up every opportunity to connect with your audience. I feel having local talent on your lineup that your audience can bump into at Target or…the biggest religion in Texas…H.E.B is crucial to the visibility of a station. Being able to say, ‘Hey I’ll be hanging out at Alamo Heights Night ‘during Fiesta and actually bumping into fans is the best feeling ever.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant during your career?

The one thing that has held constant in my career has been change and I’m so grateful for that. Change is good, while it usually isn’t comfortable, it's still a way to measure how far you’ve come and how far you will go.

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

My favorite station to listen to as a kid no doubt was Power 96 in Miami. I’ll forever be a Lucy Lopez stan. I also used to call and harass the Babalu Bad Boyz in my youth as well. Let’s just say Karma is very real.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

Early on I owe a lot to The Rat & Puff show. They were a huge part of my development and nurturing during my time in Tampa, FL. Randi West and Jill Strada are women I look up to in the industry. As I start to carve out my programming path, I hope to share some of their qualities when it comes to management, strategy and what it looks like to represent women in the industry.

With The AT&T Center at your disposal, not to mention an unlimited budget, what 3-5 artists would you pull together for a station show?

This is a fun question. The music appetite here in SATX is so unique and eclectic so I’d have to throw in a few genres. My lineup would be the following: Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo, Morgan Wallan, Doja Cat and Harry Styles