Her original plan was to major in Psychology and work with serial killers. That plan didn’t necessarily work out for Alt AZ 93.3 Phoenix Morning Show Host, Izzy.
She got distracted by college radio and that derailed her original plan. She completed her Psychology degree, but she does not work with serial killers. At least, not that we know of at this point. “I fell into college radio as something fun to do on the side,” she says. “I quickly fell in love with how much fun it was and how I could affect how listeners felt with my own words!”
After graduation, Izzy went on to do Nights at KISS FM in Springfield, IL. After a year and a half, she moved to Fresno, CA, to do Mornings on 105.1 The Blaze for four years.
Next, she went to mornings in Vegas at KOMP 92.3 for a little over three years, and now she’s in Phoenix with her own show at KDKB. “I got my current job through word-of-mouth, actually,” she explains. “A close friend of mine in the industry spread the word that I was looking for a new job, and the news got to Hubbard Radio Phoenix. They reached out to me to talk, and the rest is history. Radio really is all about who you know, so always stay connected.”
The Morning Show is a different beast. The hours, the exhaustion, the crazy split-day schedule, but Izzy has mastered the art of it. “Luckily, I’ve got 10 years of morning show experience under my belt, so that helps,” she says. “In all honesty, the listeners are my favorite part of every day, and that’s my main motivation. Getting to hear their stories gives me life.”
“For anyone adjusting to a morning show, make sure you’re doing segments that excite you or that you’re passionate about. That alone will get you excited to wake up before the sun. Also, try and have a morning routine before work to get yourself focused. I like to do breathwork, meditation, and some journaling before going in.”
Izzy’s show plays a big role in the community. “Every day, I have a segment called ‘Blow My Mind,’ where listeners call in with their stories based on various topics (i.e., Have you ever been kicked out of an event? What’s your family’s big secret? Have you ever witnessed a crime?). It’s amazing to give them a platform to share their local experiences and relate not only to each other but I relate to a lot of them as well. I’ve cried with listeners, comforted them, and laughed hysterically. It’s such an amazing way to connect.”
“I also do weekly adoption videos at Lost Our Home Pet Rescue in Tempe to find adoptable animals loving, forever homes!”
Music also plays a big role in Izzy’s show. “Since I don’t have co-hosts, my talk breaks tend to be a lot shorter, which leaves tons of room for music. I like to say listeners are getting the best of both worlds. The great thing about ALT AZ 93.3 is that we are big supporters of the local music scene. We have a local music show called ‘Homegrown’ on Sunday nights that’s hosted by our Midday personality Mo. She’s great at keeping up with the local music scene and giving them a platform to be heard on.”
As far as growing her brand, Izzy says, “I use social a lot to share ‘Blow My Mind,’ winners’ stories and to have people write in with their own stories. It’s a great way to take the show beyond the airwaves. Being real and relatable that’s what moves the needle. Don’t be afraid to share embarrassing stories about yourself because you’ll never know when a listener or follower will relate. Having that connection will win you a fan for life.”
Over the years, Izzy has made some exciting memories. But her favorite, like most radio talent, was getting to interview her childhood favorite.
“I just about died when I got to interview Corey Taylor from Slipknot at Aftershock Festival. That was my favorite band growing up, so hanging with him was a full-circle moment. We talked a lot about people, including artists, getting groped at shows, and what kinds of things he likes to do in his free time. It was cool to see him as a real human instead of just an insanely talented frontman.”
“And I won’t name names, but one time I remember an actor/comedian coming in to do a live interview in our studios in Vegas. We’re pretty sure he was coked out. He was speaking really fast and moving around a lot and was super rude. Probably the weirdest and easily the worst interview I’ve ever been a part of.”
The Alternative format has historically been and still is a male-dominated genre. Izzy has her ideas on encouraging more women to get involved, especially on the Programming and talent side.
“The industry needs to do a better job at making women feel safe in these roles,” she says. “It tends to be a ‘no-holds-barred’ type of format where pretty much anything flies, usually with males behind the board and running the show.”
“I’ve been in plenty of situations where co-hosts shut down my ideas for shows, and my bosses didn’t make me feel heard, either. If we can invite more women into the Rock format and even let them lead the shows, I guarantee you’ll see more women applying for these jobs. You just have to give us a chance first.”
It’s “the chance” that Izzy got that reminds her every day of the best advice she’s been given over the years when it comes to radio.
“Even though this may not sound like radio advice, it was at the time. My old boss and ‘radio dad’ Jon Ballard told me, ‘Always make sure you’re running towards something, not away from something.’ I was having a difficult time and was looking for a new job.”
“That advice has always stuck with me and is such a huge reminder to make sure you’re not spending your whole life running away from your problems and that you’re instead moving to a new job or place to be more fulfilled.”
Right now, Izzy is very happy with the team she works with and gets lots of support from management. “I’ll be honest: every time I ask for something here, I always get it. They make me feel heard, they take in my ideas and even help me create new ones. They’re pretty hands-off and let me do my show the way that feels most authentic for me, And they are always there when I need support. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Follow Izzy on Instagram @izzthisthingon.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Charese Fruge’ is an award-winning Content, Broadcast, and Marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas. As the owner of MC Media, she works with radio brands and individual talent, especially young women, helping them grow their brands and negotiate on their own behalf. She is also a Voice Actor and Voice Over Talent as well as a Freelance Writer for International Broadcast Outlets. Find her at @MCMediaOnline or www.mcmediaonline.com.
