10 Questions with ... Evelyn Erives

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I began my broadcasting career at 16 years old on a PBS show called "Campus Daze", but began my radio career working at Radio Disney on the street team by day, and by night as a call screener/producer for Doug McIntyre's "Red Eye Radio" on KABC AM 790. In 2002, I was offered the opportunity to join the morning show at the radio station in the community I grew up in and have remained in morning drive on 99.1 KGGI for over 18 years! You can hear me daily on "ODM and EVELYN in the Morning" and now, weekends on KOST 103.5 in Los Angeles too!

1. What got you into the radio?

I was Class President for my senior year in my high school, when I was put in a position to work with a videographer. Little did I know, this gentleman was also a respected teacher and the creator of a show for KVCR/PBS called "Campus Daze". He just so happened to be looking for a host and thought I had a unique sound to my voice and asked me to audition. I did and worked as the co-host for that show for the next few years! That show inspired my career path and passion for broadcast. I decided to further my education of the industry by attending the Academy of Radio Broadcasting & Television after graduation and realized in a radio career I could do everything I loved, minus the make-up! But, social media was invented and that last part went away.

2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

Truly, I thought that I would become a marine biologist or some sort of veterinary technician up until I was struck by the broadcasting bug. I even worked in an animal hospital while going to school to make sure I was making the right decision. Working with animals was great, but not for me.

3. Biggest personal lesson learned from Covid-19 pandemic?

I don't have to be moving a mile a minute to be happy. My kids and husband were constantly moving in 5 different directions with all the activities we are involved with. It was fun but exhausting! We were rarely home on weekends and now we are raising chickens, ducks, cats and a dog like little farmers and LOVE IT. Who am I even??

4. Doing more takeout or cooking during the pandemic?

COOKING! My husband and I have a podcast called "ConversEAT With Us" where we start the show talking about the foods we've been trying, and sometimes failing, to make at home. Cooking has been a therapeutic tool during the pandemic.

5. How the hell do you manage your time with your morning show gig, kids remote schooling, etc?

I'm in the fortunate situation to have a husband who works from home. He gets our three kids started in the morning and I take over in the afternoon. I don't know how I'd be able to manage without the team effort. We also have a home studio, so if I need to come home early to be with the kids, I can get some things done for work at the same time. Sharing a family calendar helps a ton too. It's all a balancing act, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

6. Who were some of your mentors in the business?

Jeff Pope was my first radio husband (co-host) and still a dear friend who I have learned an incredible amount from.
Irma Blanco is the radio sister of my dreams! I know I can come to her when I need advice and she'll tell me like it is.
Chris Donovan, who is my real-life husband, but the person who constantly props me up and has taught me to think like a boss.
Rob Scorpio, was an excellent talent coach for me and I respect the heck out of him.
I could go on and on, but these are some notable mentors to me.

7. Bucket-list vacation spots?

Bali, New Zealand, and Japan

8. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?

That is the hardest question on this 10Q. I imagine I would be doing something in the non-profit world, since that has been such a giant part of my life outside of radio, and has allowed me the opportunity to teach my children about giving back.

9. What do you like to do with your spare time?

What's that? Just kidding. I love painting, crafting, and puzzles. There's usually a puzzle being built in my house that's so complex it takes all of us to work on, so we build it in our down time, when we have some.

10. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?

Ellen's Game of Games seems like the most fun game show to compete on. Actually, this summer, our family competed on an outdoors adventure show called Survivalists for the BYUtv network! Our episode airs this month (December). It was nothing I ever imagined we would do, but so worth it for the memories we made.

Who/what inspires you, personally?

My family inspires me most. We are a close and encouraging bunch. I'm not sure how I got so lucky, but they truly inspire me to want to be the best I can be for them and give back as much as I've been given. Is that the cheesiest answer, or what?

If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?

I could eat Japanese food every single day, for sure!

The Voice, American Idol, or America's Got Talent?

America's Got Talent! I love that the show has people of all ages and walks of life giving it their all.