Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Michalik.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a very small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania called Summit Hill. It’s so small it doesn’t even have traffic lights – just stop signs. Went to Catholic school for 12 years next to a farm and was always the kid who wanted to live in a big city and work in the entertainment business. I made it happen by attending Drexel University in Philadelphia and while there started interning at Q102, the Top 40 radio station. From my first day I was hooked. I worked there part time all through college and did another internship at Epic Records in NYC where 9/11 was my first day and a two months after that I met Michael Jackson. After graduating from Drexel, I moved to Dallas, TX to work at the Top40 radio station there as the asst promotions director. I hated Dallas and knew I wanted to be on air so I moved back to Philly. Got a job as a receptionist for my 9a-5p because I didn’t have rich parents and needed to pay rent and have health insurance and it allowed me to work part time at Q102 again. I finally started doing part time on air at FM-97 in Lancaster, and then took an 8 month break to be on NBC’s Hit Show “The Biggest Loser.” I eventually became full time on air at Q102 and Mix106 where I was an on air personality and Director of Social Media and then to where I am now, 925XTU Philly’s Country Station!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course not! I always wanted to live in a big city and work in entertainment, so getting an internship in NYC at one of the biggest record labels at the time was a dream come true. Then 9/11 was my first day and needless to say it changed the experience. My very first full time job was in Dallas, TX. I was even there a year when my boss got let go, which then trickled to myself and other co-workers – radio for you. “The Biggest Loser” was an incredible experience, then I got voted off a week before the finals. I thought I had my dream job when I was at Q102 and Mix106 and then Mix106 flipped formats and they once again let go of myself and my other co-workers. Not to mention I always struggled with my weight and add financial stress on top of everything. It’s important to acknowledge that life can be really magical and also hard at the same time. If you love something enough, it’s worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an On Air Radio Personality. I’m on the radio in Philadelphia on 925XTU and in Boston on Country 1025 WKLB. I am extremely proud of what radio can do. So many people don’t even realize radio is still around and that there are so many ways to listen. Radio is FREE! Every station has it’s own app, which is also FREE! We give away concert tickets and money and meet and greets with your favorite artists. The connection I have to the listeners is something you can’t get in any other medium. It’s LIVE and FREE entertainment! Radio is sexy – we just need to remind people it’s there and teach them how to listen once more.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, I’m always listening and reading and consuming new content. I joke that “I live inside the internet.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleisnik
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleAnnMichalik/
- Twitter: https://x.com/nicoleisnik
- Other: https://tiktok.com/nicoleisnik
