Mary Van Daele

I began my radio career in March of 1985 when I formed WKMS (Katy Mary Sandberg) radio with my sister, Katy. I was the station’s only DJ and Katy performed dance routines to the records I was spinning on our Zenith cassette player that was purchased at ACE Hardware.

WKMS had a limited library, 3 cassette tapes to be exact; Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Flashdance Soundtrack and a 2nd hand recording of ‘Who Can It Be Now?’ by Men at Work, which was in heavy rotation because Katy was performing a solo act in the St. Joe’s talent show to that song.

After WKMS went under I left radio all together until 1999 when I had the opportunity to intern for Kevin Matthews and the great Jim Shorts. It was my first foray in the ‘behind the scenes’ aspect of radio. It was also at this time that I learned the significance of a strong radio station presence at various events, such as concerts and street festivals in the Chicago area.

I often say, ‘Everything I know about radio, I learned from Jim Shorts.’

In March of 2004 Steve Dahl announced on air that he needed a new assistant. My dad talked me into applying and I got the ‘dream job’ of getting Steve sandwiches without mayo and making sure he had a sweet parking spot. Not long after I joined the Dahl Show team I was promoted to producer; my only qualification was ‘being in the right place at the right time’. My first big test under the new position was the last minute coordination of a Hawaii remote broadcast. Steve told Pete and me that he had complete confidence that we would pull it off. Pete then told me privately that he felt we would fail miserably. Thankfully, we didn’t and so here I am today.

Thanks to Steve’s belief in me, I can say that I ran his once #1 rated radio show off the air, into the ground, and actually underground, into his basement.

While not podcasting I LOVE to workout. I am a huge Bob Newhart fan. I adore hanging out on the couch and watching sports. I love all things ESPN and college football and golf are my favorite sports. I am still an avid AM talk radio listener. If I could, I would spend every day on a beach in a bathing suit. My favorite scent is suntan lotion. My favorite book is Always By My Side by Jim Nantz. I could eat Mexican food 365 days a year and I am happiest on Friday afternoon just after work ends and I like to celebrate with an ‘It’s Friday!’ cheer. I live in the North suburbs with my cat Digger and husband Brian.