get to know me

GettoKnow Me

b101.5 promotions manager by Laura LaBelle

I was born in Miami but grew up a little all over. My dad was in the Navy, so we moved a lot. After setting in Fredericksburg in 2003, I started volunteering for the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad and decided to start going to school for Paramedics, working at Mary Washington Hospital in the ER.

I met my husband, Avery, in 2008. Being a Helicopter Mechanic in the Marine Corps, Avery traveled a great deal and once we got married in 2010, I started looking for a job with more flexible hours. Not only because of his intense travel schedule, but because we wanted to start a family.

In 2011 I started working at B101.5 as a PA (Promotions Assistant). In 2012 we welcomed our first child, Lucy. I loved working for the station because I was able to make my own schedule, even working from home and bringing Lucy to work with me. In 2014 Avery changed his career path and we moved to Ohio. We lived in Ohio for about 2 years where we welcomed our second child, William in 2016. Avery ended up getting an offer to be a contractor in Virginia doing the same thing he had been doing while he was in the Marine Corps, so we decided to move back home. Before we moved, I reached out to B101.5 to see if they would hire me back and they did! Once I returned, I resumed my old duties and took on a few more responsibilities in the office.

B101.5 was talking about starting a podcast channel and I was asked if I'd be interested in hosting my own show. At the time I was swimming in all things kid related. I was so happy being a mom but found it difficult being a parent. There were so many things to research, plan and adjust to that it seemed impossible. Thus began "The Impossible Job" podcast in 2018. I wanted to create a podcast about parenting that showed how all parents, regardless of who they are or where they are from, all had the same basic goal of not raising jerks. I wanted to reach all different kinds of parents and let them know that even if we were raising our kids differently from each other, it didn't mean it was wrong. Once both of my kids were in school full-time, I was able to take on more responsibilities at B101.5 as the Promotions Manager.

Beside the love I have for working at B101.5, I have a passion to help the homeless in our community, so I volunteer at Micah Ministries. Micah is a wonderful place where people who are living on the street can come take showers, get clean clothing, grab a bagged lunch, get their mail, and learn about other community services. I volunteer as a Journey Member where I help clients get necessary documentation, make appointments, fill out paperwork, or whatever else they might need help with. I really enjoy meeting new people and getting to know all members of our community and I consider it a privilege that these clients trust me to help them along on their journeys.

I love that working at B101.5 has allowed me the flexibility to be present in all aspects of my life, being a mom, hosting a podcast, and serving my community.

~ Contributed by Mandy Smith

Window Wonderland “Classic Christmas Monkey ” Photo By Collette Caprara