The task of filling the shoes of a popular and beloved predecessor who has left their position after nearly 25 successful years can be inspiring, but it can also be extremely intimidating.
However, Downingtown native Kristen Kurtis did not shy away from the opportunity when it presented itself, embracing the challenge with enthusiasm, writes Natalie Smith for Daily Local News.
Kurtis started her new job in October last year as the morning host on WXPN 88.5 FM, the non-commercial, rock, blues and folk radio station that broadcasts from the University of Pennsylvania. She took over the role from Michaela Majoun, who decided to focus on her writing after a long and successful career in broadcasting.
A fan of Majoun, Kurtis hopes she can live up to the responsibility of occupying the 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. time slot which a lot of people have been waking up with for years.
“Following Michaela … those are big shoes to fill,” Kurtis said. “She was so great.”
Kurtis’ radio career is not surprising to anybody who knows her. Even as an eighth grader at St. Joseph School, she had already expressed her desire to work on the radio at Y100, then a station for alternative rock.
She never wavered in this and went on to follow her dreams. Kurtis did this first by graduating in 2007 from Emerson College in Boston where she honed her skills as a morning host at the WERS radio station run by students, and then she continued her career at two stations in Spokane, Washington.
Prior to returning to the Philadelphia area she also spent four years in Austin, Texas, where she worked as a midday host and program director for KGSR FM.
“I’ve never felt so warmly welcomed. It seemed like people are happy to have me back,” said Kurtis on her return to her hometown area.
The switch from commercial radio area required some adjustments, admitted Kurtis. The most notable one is probably the need to slow down her delivery, as her new radio is member supported.
“I’m not feeling like I have to cram as much in as possible” between commercials, she said with a laugh.
