Tami Heide
I hosted Open Line, a public affairs show, for 13 years, where I served as both host and executive producer until January of this year. During that time, I had the opportunity to interview and promote many incredible organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood, and Pasadena Humane Society. I loved getting the word out about community events that help the community. I'm still hosting music programs on the wave. My career has been many decades long and has happened organically. One of the most rewarding parts of what I do is when people come back and say they were going through a bad time and I played a song or said something that made their day - that makes my day. I hope to be a positive influence, and sometimes just smiling at somebody or playing the right song can make all the difference. I'm inspired by my mother, Wilma Scott Heide, who was the national president of NOW in the early 70s and was a phenomenal leader and speaker. I hope to be a fraction of her legacy and just be a force for good.
• Buy Nothing group
• Habitat for Humanity
• Planned Parenthood
• Pasadena Humane Society
• Women's History Month promotion
What do you attribute your success to?
I guess I just believed in myself, right, wrong, or indifferent. I think radio is kind of like a shark - it just keeps moving forward, so I just keep moving forward, just keep going, just keep on keepin' on. I also have to mention my mother, Wilma Scott Heide, who was the national president of NOW in the early 70s and just a phenomenal leader and speaker. I hope to be a fraction of her legacy and what she did, just to be a force for good, just to be a positive influence. Sometimes you just maybe smile at somebody and maybe make their day, so if I can be that person, that's great.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't take any crap. Be bold and believe in yourself. Too many times, myself and other women have come up with great ideas, and then 6 months later, it's somebody else's idea, usually a man. Don't let that get you down. Don't let the bastards get you down. Speak up and let your voice be heard. If something's going wrong, something's being misconstrued, something doesn't work, speak up for yourself, stand up for yourself. And just take a breath, breathe, drink water, rinse, repeat.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, patience, and compassion are most important to me. Being a good listener is crucial. Being open and being curious - I think it's important to always be curious. I never want to lose that childlike wonder at everything, at the world. I always want to feel that. And gratitude, always the attitude.
Locations
Audacy, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA