Linda Emig Interview
Linda Emig
Operations-Music Director, On Air
KJIL
Abilene, KS
Career Capsule: My career in radio has varied from Top 40, Country, AC and the place where I feel most at home… CCM. Somewhere in the middle of all that I have had the privilege of raising three wonderful children with the love of my life, Brian. A career isn’t everything but it sure is nice to be able to be with your family, serve God and at the same time be able to do what you love and not feel like it’s a J. O. B. but more of a mission.
Linda, tell us what’s new at KJIL… news, changes, & new with YOU… etc?
This year has been a year of change for me. A few health issues have had me making changes to my schedule including stepping down from the Get Up & Go Morning Show and going back to middays on air so that I could sleep well. (I really miss working with the guys on the morning crew but not that “up at 4am” schedule!)
We have been having a lot of fun this first month of the year, with our KJIL Bible Verse Challenge AND this year we challenged our listeners to Read Through the Bible with our staff on the YouVersion Bible App… and have over 130 join us so far!!
New with me… I am about to become a Mimi (Grandma) for the 6th time this June! Brian and I are over the top excited about that!
How has your job/show changed during the pandemic?
Being in the middle of Kansas, not a lot has changed during the pandemic. The one thing I can put my finger on for sure is focus. We have done our best to focus on the positive. Our listeners have gotten a lot of negative shoved at them from all sides and we really want to be the positive in their lives right now. Sharing fun stories, encouraging scriptures and things to laugh at, or just make our listeners smile about, are at the top of my show prep these days.
What is the best programming/show advice you’ve been given? The worst?
The best programming/show advice? Be yourself. We hired you because we like you… so just be yourself and don’t pretend to be someone else.
My grandma once told my Mom… “When you are at my house you should listen to my advice and accept it kindly… then when you go home… do what you want to. It’s your house.” So, I guess, if someone has ever given me any bad advice… I’m not sure I remember it. lol
Some say the more Christian stations in a market the “better”…. What’s your opinion?
Isaiah 55:11 says… It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
His Word will always produce fruit… no matter where it is sent from… and for that I am thankful.
What’s your opinion on podcasts… is it necessary to have one, are they a threat to radio… etc?
I honestly don’t listen to a lot of podcasts…I just don’t have the time. But I just started listening to Mike Weaver’s (Big Daddy Weave) and Craig Groeschel’s (Life Church) and have really enjoyed them. I think there is a need for such encouragement! I know I have been blessed by what I have heard so far, and I think others have been blessed. As far as it being a threat to radio… I mean… was TV a threat to radio? No… there’s room.
Where will new up and coming air talent for Christian Radio come from?
It’s amazing to me when you watch TV shows like American Idol, The Voice, America’s Got Talent etc… how many of those shows have talent that was “discovered” on YouTube, Vimeo, or some other social media platform… the next generation is using social media to share their thoughts, talents and dreams every day. It would not surprise me if there was opportunity for Radio Ministries to find some really great talent on those platforms.
Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian air talent?
I almost hate to type this out… but I believe we have not yet seen obstacles like what we are about to face as Christian on air talent. I believe our Country is changing rapidly and as Christ followers, we will be facing more and more persecution both off air and on. Our ministry will be challenged in many ways that we have not been before. How we handle that will be the question. Keep your focus friends!
Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?
Shout out to the GRG’s in today’s radio. A lot has changed for women in radio since I started in 1986 as a high school student. I am so thankful for the women who have come together to encourage one another and pray for each other on a regular basis. I would say each one of these ladies who open up to each other and share their highs and lows, successes, and failures on and off air are my heroes. These women are not gathering to step on toes to get to the top but are all about blessing one another, to build each other up to be the best we can be, in order to serve God at our respective stations. I’m so thankful for you all!