Paula Griffin is quite simply an all around awesome woman. She is not satisfied living a cushy life and thrives on adventure. Griffin is one of the area’s longest standing female radio hosts, not to mention one of the area’s most beloved.
“Radio is just something that I always wanted to do. When my brother would get a transistor radio and I would get a Barbie doll I would never want the doll, I would want the radio. I always just thought it would be a cool job,” Griffin explained.
Griffin was born in Valparaiso, Indiana. She attended Clinton Township Elementary School, Knapp Elementary School, Barker Middle School, and Isaac Elston High School. Griffin’s educational background stretches far beyond the basics. She went to Manchester College, Purdue North Central, and Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Her studies varied from elementary education and advertising and ultimately she ended up with a combination degree in general education and art.
Griffin has now lived in Michigan City for 48 years where for the first half of her adult life Griffin kept extremely busy and made a full time job out of raising her eight children. She then made the transition into radio.
“I’ve been in radio for twenty years. I previously worked at WEFM for fourteen years. Then I came to WIMS and have been hosting there ever since (six years).” Griffin explained.
She and Ric Federighi, the ower of WIMS, run a morning show from 6-9 am and then runs her own midday music show from 9-12pm. Every Wednesday she runs a live and local music show sponsored by Roxy Music shop of La Porte. This gives local musicians a chance to showcase their talents. Additionally she lends a hand with promotions and news writing.
“I love the entertainment part. I love playing music, and I am a music junkie. With all of my experience in music I feel like my brain has absorbed everything about music. What makes it interesting is the blending of the music from the old to the new and everything in between. It is like creating a masterpiece with your ears,” Griffin explained.
Griffin has been able to get up close and personal with her passion of music. Over the years she has interviewed a long slew of musicians including Oleander, I Promise You, Sha Na Na, and more. Additionally, Griffin has had the chance to work hand in hand with many radio legends. such as Roger Juby and John Landecker. She also loves working for Federighi and is excited for his new station in St. Joe AM 1060 WHFB. Not to mention the occasion where she got to be an assistant ringmaster at a local circus and ride an elephant.
“The people that I work with are the best part. Meeting listeners is fun too because they feel like they know you. You appreciate the fact that someone out there is listening. You kind of form of a friendship without even meeting. It’s like a pen pal-you meet and feel like you already know each other,” Griffin explained.
Griffin extends her community involvement to a hands on approach. She worked at the Safe Harbor after school program and plans to continue.
“It was very rewarding because one year we did an anti-bullying program called One Voice. We would meet once a week to talk about bullying problems. It culminated to the kids coming out to the radio and getting to speak and play music. It became an in house party,” Griffin reminisces.
The following year, Griffin helped the program put together meals and necessities for the homeless. When she went to drop off the food, the appreciation from the recipients was overwhelming.
“It tears me up now, but just the thought that somebody cared about them and the beautiful card that children made them made them so happy. When I got in the car I could not stop crying," Griffin said.
Griffin’s thirst for excitement extends beyond her career. She has a love of flying and anything related. She recently covered some air shows and met up with the Golden Knights Army Jump Team and met a member of the Thunderbird Air Team. The way she puts it is if it has wings she will go in it. She also loves going to drag races.
Her recipe for the future is simple-enjoyment. She acknowledges that you will never get rich doing local radio, but nonetheless it can bring great happiness. She looks forward to future travels and time spent with her large family. Also, she would love to start up the anti-bullying campaign for Safe Harbor again. She and her boyfriend both have a knack for exploration that she plans to continue.
“Basically I just plan to live life, be happy, and have fun,” Griffin closed.