We recently had the chance to connect with Lauren “Lern” Elwell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren “Lern”, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day is a blur. I wake up at 3:30, snooze until 4, and rush to look like an actual human being. My tortie cat, Clover usually follows me into the bathroom and “gets ready with me” by meowing the whole time.
I get my make up on, curl my fine hair to make it look like I have more than I actually have, then feel my way around in the dark until I reach my closet.
I turn the light on, waking my husband up and then assess how I loathe getting ready each morning. I throw on a cool outfit that expresses how I feel on the inside, and sometimes I will dress up to make myself feel better. If I look like I’m going to a job interview that usually means I’ve had a real shitty mental health day, the day before.
I get to the station, start reading the cess pool of news from the night before and realize what I want to dump onto the city of St Louis for their morning and afternoon commutes.
After I have that road map of compelling or entertaining stuff, I go to my stash of sliced lemons in the break room and pour myself a Goop approved cup of hot lemon water.
Then, I take my first Tums of the day and prepare to defend myself against a room full of dudes and a city with an attention span of a 13 year old.
The second Tums usually is chewed before Crap on Celebrities.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Lern. That is my brand. I’ve been on the St. Louis radio airwaves full time since 2012, but affiliated with KSHE 95 since 2008. I recently joined KPNT/105.7 The Point to cohost The Rizzuto Show. It’s a talk show/podcast that is very eclectic and has its thumb on the pulse of the Midwest people.
In addition to joining this show, I have also returned to KSHE 95 to host my middays program which is classic rock focused with a gorgeous heritage of rock radio of yesteryear.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was so sunny and full of naivety! Oh, the sweet bliss of not knowing this world and the horrors we all are aware of now.
This world hardens you, so much. Especially women. I used to be so much lighter… impossible now, seeing everything more clearly.
The world told me to be open and dares me to still tap into my sensitive heart and put it on display. And I’ve always loved playing truth or dare, so the world is in luck for a willing participant.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh man.
Every day.
I am one wild hair away from uprooting my entire life and changing it all.
I guess that counts as giving up?
We should all think about giving up the trajectories and rails we have found ourselves on.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
By thinking A.I. is going to save or help the world.
Humans will always be the better route to a forgiving and beautiful future.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That my laugh made them laugh.
And that I was actually smaller than a lot of people think. A lot of people have told me they hear me on the radio and think I am like a 7ft woman. I’m 5’3 — that’s just confidence and organic amusement in full display.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1057thepoint.com
- Instagram: @lernvsradio
- Twitter: @lernvsradio
- Facebook: Lern Radio
Image Credits
Lauren Elwell
