Charleston Women Spring 2021

www. Char l es tonWomen . com | www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com CW T here’s something very natural about the way podcast host Erin Kienzle draws information out of her guests. It’s the mark of a seasoned on-air talent, a job she has wanted to do her whole life. Kienzle grew up in Ohio where she religiously watched the morning news. “There were these two old men, Del and Tom, who hosted “Today in Cleveland” and I was fascinated by them,” she mused. “They would sit around drinking coffee and eating donuts as they read the weather report and chatted about what was hot around town. I remember thinking, ‘now that’s a good gig!’ Honestly, I can’t think of a time when I wanted to do anything else.” Kienzle has been a reporter and a meteorologist and is now the host of “Lowcountry Live” which airs weekdays from 10-11 a.m. on ABC 4. “I officially have the same gig Del and Tom had,” she laughed. “We hang out, talk about local businesses and just have fun.” You can hear that enthusiasm translated into an easy-going armchair manner with guests on her podcasts. It’s just a chat between two old friends. Roger Gaither, owner of Island Media Productions, who has specialized in audio and video production for decades, couldn’t agree more about her professionalism. Gaither delivers the final-product podcast; “shines it up a little” as he puts it, spicing up the audio when needed. But it’s an easy gig when Kienzle is involved because. in addition to hosting, she directs and produces the podcast too. “Erin is a real pro,” said Gaither. “She asks the questions I would want to ask a guest myself, and really does her homework.” Gaither has worked with enough interviewers to know when they blur the line between host and becoming too much of the show. “Erin is keenly aware that listeners want to hear what the guest has to say. She asks her questions and then gets out of the way.” The podcasts are an extension of Charleston Women magazine, which Kienzle feels really meets the moment. “No matter how old you are, there is a story in there that will resonate with you,” she explained. “You might learn something new or meet another like-minded woman in print.” She also feels a magazine dedicated to women is especially important at a time when women are simply doing more than ever in every field. “I recently met a female distiller,” Kienzle exclaimed in disbelief. And she is happy to do a deeper dive through the podcasts than the magazine permits on the written page. “A podcast gives you the opportunity to sit down for 20 minutes and really get to know someone.” Kienzle has developed a habit of asking her guests how they start their mornings. “No matter who they are, running a major company or a small business owner, it’s fascinating to get a parallel insight into their lives like that.” If you haven’t already, check out the Voice of Charleston Women podcasts, located at CharlestonWomenPodcast.com. You will get a chance to not only meet a range of interesting female entrepreneurs but get to know one, in particular, a little better each time. BY PAMELA JOUAN VOICE www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com of Taking Shape