10 Questions with ... Julia Lepidi

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in promotions when WDZH was a CHR station, I eventually got on air and hosted nights, mornings, and following a flip I moved to Chicago to do nights on B96. I now host afternoons on B96 as well as a National Top 40 midday show across all of Audacy's CHR stations, in addition to hosting mornings on ALT.

1. How did you first become interested in radio?

My mom was a big morning show listener! It became our thing. The only time she'd let me miss school other than being sick was to go to their live broadcasts together. I wanted to do this from a very young age, and went to a trade school for radio locally immediately out of college and got in as quickly as I could.  

2.  How does it feel to be hosting your own morning show in your hometown on the same frequency you started on 10 years ago?

Surreal and comforting at the same time. I truly believe Detroit embraces radio on another level. It being a different format, I expected nobody to know I was here. But my first day launching the morning show, I was greeted with my same P1's who'd call in every night when I did CHR nights 6 years ago.

3.  What led to your opportunity to do mornings on WDZH ALT 98.7? 

I had done Top 40 my entire career; I still do and very much enjoy it. However, I really wanted to get back into doing long form, being on in Detroit where I'm from and know the market extremely well, and also have my hand at ALT. So, when WDZH became ALT 98.7 in November 2020, they very kindly embraced the idea of having me back on the frequency, but instead of doing a jocked shift like I'd been used to, Mike Kaplan decided to make me a member on The Church Of Lazlo. I'm not going to lie, I was extremely intimidated joining a show that is successfully celebrating 20 years this year, but the first day on Lazlo's own show, I told him to shut up and he said that's how he knew I was a fit. We all got along extremely well, and I was grateful to be a part of such an iconic show for almost 2 years. Nobody does it like Lazlo, and that combined with my experience of hosting my own Top 40 show for several years I believe prepared me to host mornings.

4.  Give us the 411 on The Julia Show on ALT 98.7 from 6-10a. 

You're coming to my house. We're gonna listen to some music, talk about whatever is going on, I read you my diary a few times a week, we'll talk about why we're trash, and get to know each other better while observing what's happening around us. It's cozy. 

5.  How would you describe your on-air style? 

Snarky, dry, inclusive, and conversational. I speak to the audience like I would sitting across from someone at a dinner table. One of my bosses recently told me, "you have a tendency to get really passionate about very specific food on air" so also that. I roast people a lot. I always loved having a phone heavy show, it builds and nourishes relationships with the audience which is my favorite part of this whole thing. 

6.  What is your show prep routine and how do you connect with your audience? 

For the purpose of this question, I just checked: I currently have 3,723 notes in my notes app on my phone. I jot down or voice to text anything as it hits my brain throughout the day. Like most personalities, I grab anything I can to turn it into on-air content. My producer and I will create a very flexible blueprint of how I want each week to go, with room to deviate for anything happening in the moment/day with news and my life. Then I'll take whatever that content piece is and figure out how to make it sound big for the air. 

When it comes to connecting with the audience, I treat my show like a small business. It's pretty phone heavy, so anyone who calls in I'll keep on the phone with me off air a little bit, getting to know them/where they're from, thank them for listening and calling and establish a connection so they feel like they know me when they're listening.  

7.  What do you love most about being on-air?

Talking to the listeners and figuring out how to make content work with an audience.  

8.  Tell us about your other duties at Audacy and what a typical workday is like for you?

In addition to mornings on ALT, I also host afternoons on B96 in Chicago, and am the national midday talent for CHR across 14 of our top 40 stations. People hear that and wonder when I sleep, but my producer and I have it down pretty seamlessly now. I host the morning show, and once I'm done, I take care of Top 40, doing both national + B96, any artist interviews/meetings etc., prep and get everything set for the next morning and try to be out by 2ish. Obviously, days can deviate depending on what I have going on, but I try not to be in the studio longer than 8 hours or I'll get cabin fever. If I have more to do that doesn't require a microphone, I'll go home and work on the couch with my pets.

  9.  What would surprise people most about you?

I'm 5 feet tall, horrifically bad at math, sleep on a heating pad like an incubating lizard, know a lot of irrelevant jingles, a contortionist, and the day after my 6th birthday I head butted a metal door because it wasn't my birthday anymore. (Middle child syndrome)

10.  Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Altering the lyrics of songs to have my pets' names in it and singing it to them 

What are weekends like for you?

Either planned fun or planned relaxation. I'm no stranger to doing a 48 hour travel excursion right after work on a Friday and being home Sunday afternoon. I like to get out and have fun on my days off. I'd say I do that 2-3 weekends out of the month, and then the other it's don't touch or talk to me I'm not leaving my couch unless it's to get the food delivery off my porch. I also really, really enjoy being a piece of garbage. 

  I was reading on your chat with Charese Fruge on Women To Watch that you were entering the world of Stand-Up Comedy. What's up with that?

Hasn't happened yet, I've been through two pretty big job transitions in the past 18 months that have stolen my focus and time with getting them underway, but it's still something I very much want to do. This last year I've paired with a local comedy venue to interview any of the comedians they have coming through and built relationships with them. I have plans to work with a few on making this happen in 2023. 

  What are your favorite places to eat in the Motor City?

Mmmm. I love sushi. I could eat it for any meal. In the metro, Ronin or Noble Fish for that. Downtown, I'm a big fan of Leila or Bucharest for Mediterranean. Fun fact: you will NOT get better Mediterranean anywhere outside of Detroit. San Morello for Italian.  And, f— it. Have you been to Olive Garden? Don't pretend you're too good for Olive Garden.  

Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

Sports? I will drink in the name of any team as long as I'm not cold and I get bribed with food.

  First record ever purchased?

Backstreet Boys

  First concert?

Backstreet Boys. ^ IT'S CALLED DEDICATION.  

Favorite band of all-time?

Blink-182

  Favorite new band over the past year?

Not a band, but KennyHoopla is one of my favorite newer artists.

Anything else you would like to add?

I can very specifically tell you which celebrity your dog looks like. DM me and find out.