My 23-Year-Old Self: True Stories From the Come Up Zena Burns

In this episode of My 23-Year-Old Self, Zena Burns talks with Angi Taylor, the radio trailblazer who’s the host of The Angi Taylor Show on Rock 95.5 in Chicago.

● Angi talks about how she got to be the very first woman to lead a rock morning show in a major market.

● We’ll hear about how she came to the US from Serbia when her mom was pregnant with her, and how that experience may have factored into her wanting to get into radio.

● Angi talks about how coaching from her colleague Dennis Clark has changed the course of her career — and why everyone can benefit from a coach, no matter how successful they are.

● Angi will tell us why a great work ethic is generally a positive thing — but can have its drawbacks, too.

● And they'll talk a little bit about Prince, because that’s just what they do when they get together.

In this episode of My 23-Year-Old Self, Zena talks with Jenna LoMonaco, Head of US Marketing at modern record label and distribution partner ONErpm.

Over Jenna’s career, after getting her start at music PR agency Girlie Action, she’s helped break artists like Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, and Childish Gambino. She’s also worked with many other iconic artists, from The Killers to Demi Lovato to Elton John to Shawn Mendes.

In this episode…

● Jenna will share her creative approach for breaking into the industry, and how she successfully worked her way up the ladder. 

● She’ll recount the time Mumford & Sons made her cry happy tears around the time of their first Madison Square Garden show. 

● We’ll hear about the ugly incident she encountered early on in her career while working as a studio manager, and the bias she faced due to assumptions about her presence at a late-night session.

● Jenna will share her tips for turning a passion into a career, and...

● We’ll hear how one of her mentors gave her the type of advice that taught her to be self-sufficient.

In this episode of My 23-Year-Old Self, Zena talks with April Carty-Sipp, the EVP, Industry Affairs, for the National Association of Broadcasters, the voice for America’s radio and television broadcasters.

This episode was recorded live on the convention floor at the 2023 NAB Show in Las Vegas, which hosted 65,000+ media, entertainment, and technology professionals from around the world.

● April will share one of her secrets for getting noticed by potential employers. It may seem old-school, but it works — and it costs less than $10 today.

● How a PowerPoint presentation helped her land her first big promotion to a management role.

● What role the Philadelphia Phillies played in getting her to where she is today.

● The inspirational quote that’s been her phone’s screen saver for years.

● The female young professional in her life she thinks the world needs to know about.

● And her advice for finding those all-important mentors who can change the course of your career.

In this episode of My 23-Year-Old Self, Zena talks with Ellen K, the Radio Hall of Fame inductee who’s been a fixture in LA — and national — radio for more than 20 years.

● Ellen K will talk about her Cindy Loo Hoo syndrome… what could that be? 

● She’ll reflect on a manager hugging her — and commenting on her g string. (Yikes!)

● We’ll hear how the birth of a calf made her realize that radio was right for her. 

● She’ll tell us about the woman who gave her a chance — not a break — how how that person impacted her career. 

● And Ellen K will also talk about supportive male co-workers — and competitors — who have given her advice, and the lesson she needed to hear. 

Successful women in media, entertainment, and technology — along with male allies — talk with host Zena Burns about the advice they'd give their younger selves when they were coming up in their careers.