Heidi Hanzel is married and lives in the country outside Washington D.C. A former high school geek, she became an NFL cheerleader and a corporate brand manager. She kicked corporate life to the curb for ChickChat - her new weapon for fighting the new dreaded "wife/mother" stereotype.
Heidi and Lara met in 1997 and created an intense camaraderie as they survived the daily onslaught of corporate horrors including 12 hour days, frequent last minute travel, unrealistic expectations, bosses from hell, and not having their intelligence and expertise taken seriously for reasons of age, gender or even hair color. Over cocktails after work, they would indulge in daydreams of downwardly mobile jobs like being the cashier at the local gas station. These musings soon led to a more exciting dream. When Heidi's husband, co-host of a weekend talk radio show, repeatedly returned from conferences relating that the industry had a large gap in talk radio programming for women, they began to think they should quit the madness and start their own radio show. Never at a loss for words (they're chicks!) and never at a loss of opinion, the two made it happen. The rest, as they say, is history. Check out ChickChat Radio!
- How did you come up with the idea?
My husband had a weekend radio show, and every time he came back from Talk Radio industry conferences, he would tell me how the consultants were saying that talk radio is a bunch of older, white, overweight bald men, talking to a bunch of older, white, overweight bald men – and they were missing over half the population. After a few years of doing this, I finally grabbed Lara and went into his studio and pressed ‘record.’ We used the tape we made and found a syndicator and funding, and we were off and running.
- What are some obstacles you faced when deciding to move forward?
The same obstacles we face today – AM Talk Radio tells us they only program to men. FM Talk Radio tells us they only program to men. FM Music tells us they only play music. That will change……big time.
- How did you overcome those obstacles?
It’s ongoing…dogged tenacity will win.
- What is the first thing you think of the second you wake up in the morning?
Sleeping more…..snuggling..
- Tell us about your family.
Somehow I found a Husband who cooks and cleans and is a better wife than I am. He is perfect, the kids and I are not so perfect!!!
- What does your typical day look like?
I haven’t seen it lately, it’s a blur! As all moms know, I haven’t slept in since 9 months before my first was born. I race around getting two other human beings ready, then I get 5 minutes to try to do some basic hygiene…which more often than not means skipping the shower and putting powder in my dirty hair and baseball hat and dressing without any thought for style. Makeup? Sloppy. Teeth brushed? If I remember. Must. Get. To. Bustop. Then I’m already late for work. Lucky if 9 a.m. at work and I only have one hour to work on all the business issues of running a radio show. Then 10-12:30 show prep and getting something to eat. 12:30 to the studio to put the stuff in order, 1pm on call with Lara for show organizing. Live 2pm-4pm EST. From 4-5 mad race to get something done for the day before I race off to get the kid in daycare. Lately, sometimes 4pm right after show to get the kindergartener out of the after school program which seems to cause him more behavior problems. Not home before 6pm very often. MAD race to toss food at kids. They only get bathed intermittently. And to bed w/ books at 7:30pm. I have no idea what happens after they fall asleep….I’ve already been sleepwalking since 6:30 p.m.
- What is the magic secret of balancing your business and personal life?
This is nothing new, but there is no secret. Stuff has gotta give. There is no balance. With our own business, its 24 hours a day. (but so are many corporate or even service jobs!!)
- Where do you find time to spend quality time with your husband?
Huh? What’s that? Once and awhile we leave work things hanging, balls falling, and go to breakfast or lunch together.
- Do you have any pet peeves?
Mean people. Mean people suck.
- If someone handed you a $10 million check tomorrow and you had to spend it in a week, how would you spend it?
Buy a LOT of gift certificates (yes, for myself). Pay off the house. And buy all top ten market number one rated radio stations and program them the way I see fit!!
- Do you have a ‘happy place’?
Yes! Work and home : ) …and on the dance floor…
- Is there anything you are looking forward to over the next year?
Vacation….
- What does your life look like in 5 years?
Ask me in 5 years….no really, hopefully I’m having a BALL whatever I’m doing. Hope the kids are doing ok. And my husband and I are more in love than ever. And I see ChickChat Radio having the top 10 market success that will allow us to have more employees to help with all the aspects of our business.
My favorite color is green, favorite tv shows are The Waltons – oh current? Um…hmmmm used to be LOST, used to be Desperate Housewives, I guess Dancing with the Stars, favorite vacation the ones with NO kids…and they don’t exist : )
The Chicks can be heard on:
Fridays - 4 PM ET
Welcome to the Cheetah Lounge, have a seat on the cheetah couch - and top off your cocktail! With Heidi and Lara, it's Girls' Night Out, Every Day!
E-mail: thechicks@chickchatradio.com
Encores:
Sundays - 8 PM ET
