Jodi Howard: “I’m really enjoying that I can just be myself”

It’s not often you land a dream radio gig in the same place you were born and grew up.

And Jodi Howard certainly doesn’t take it for granted.

Almost a month into her new role as co-host of Jodi & Matho for Breakfast on Dubbo’s 93.5 Triple M, Jodi says she feels super lucky to be doing a job she loves in her own hometown.

Jodi tells Radio Today the support from the Dubbo community has been great.

“They’ve been very accepting of the show.”

Jodi says having Chris Mathieson as an on-air partner certainly helps.

“Matho has amazing radio experience and is very patient with my 100+ questions a day. It’s great learning from him.”

While radio didn’t specifically figure in Jodi’s career plans during her school days, she always loved the arts and had a particular interest in performing.

“For most of my childhood I participated in competitions or performances in dance, drama and baton twirling, which kept me busy most afternoons and weekends,” Jodi says.

“I didn’t have much time to think about where it could take me, but I knew I wanted to do something that I loved in the entertainment industry.”

By the time Jodi reached year 12, she still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she left school.

Then one day, a careers adviser suggested she apply to take part in an endorsement program through Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and Charles Sturt University (CSU).

“I didn’t think I would have much of a shot as I hadn’t done anything in radio before,” says Jodi.

“But I was lucky enough to be accepted and started at CSU in 2016.”

Jodi went on to achieve a Bachelor of Communications – Commercial Radio.

She spent her uni holidays in Dubbo, coming back every few months to work alongside the SCA Breakfast and promotions team.

She also co-hosted weekly night-time shows on CSU Radio alongside Triple M Goulburn Valley Breakfast announcer Josh Arthur.

Jodi is grateful for the experience she gained as a result.

“I was also fortunate enough to snag a great internship in Sydney at SCA for my final few weeks of uni. It’s a completely different world again; I sat in with the direct sales team – which is directly adjacent to the Triple M studio – where I was able to watch the morning shows live and be a part of some very memorable experiences.”

Jodi initially expected the Breakfast shift to knock her body clock around a bit.

“At first, I thought I would really struggle with the early starts, as I love sleeping and I had probably slept between 8-9 hours a night. Plus, I don’t drink coffee.”

But she’s managed to take it all in her stride.

“The first week we decided we would go on a ‘Terrific Town Tour’ and have our Breakfast shows live in the surrounding towns of Dubbo.”

As Jodi launched into her first full week on air, the adrenaline kicked in.

“As I’m settling into the role and the early morning starts, I’m really enjoying them.”

“However, I do go to sleep around 7 most nights.

“I’m really enjoying that I can just be myself and that I’m truly doing something that I love.”

“It’s also great that I am working in a fantastic environment with an amazing team.”

Jodi is ready to tackle whatever adventures lie ahead.

“We have a really fun, energetic, and supportive team behind us, which really makes the early wake ups so much easier,” she says.