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WOMAN ON AIR

Kristin Klingshirn On Overcoming Anxiety in Radio

BY KATIEE MCKINSTRY

Entering the public speaking world of radio as someone with anxiety may sound like an impossible feat, but Kristin Klingshirn, a co-host on Atlanta’s “The Bert Show,” has turned her fears into strengths. The show, which is known for the hosts’ ability to be open and honest with their listeners about their everyday lives, often gravitates toward personal topics. Klingshirn has talked openly on air about issues with anxiety, infertility and the recent passing of her father. “It's been actually super cathartic for me because I don't feel alone,” Klingshirn said. “That's the worst feeling in the world to feel like you're the only person that's going through this or experiencing this when in actuality there are so many of us who are experiencing the same struggles.” Her battle with anxiety used to hinder every part of her life, including her career in radio. When she worked for a different station in Raleigh, North Carolina, she received a lot of hate and trolling from listeners, which had fueled her anxiety. “I thought that was how you were supposed to feel,” Klingshirn said.

The 40-year-old openly talks to listeners now about this journey and has recently started taking anti-anxiety medication. The radio host believes in destigmatizing the stereotypes around medication and mental health, and she says that since taking the medication, her anxiety no longer hinders her. “Anxiety is a daily maintenance to overcome, but it doesn’t hinder me now,” Klingshirn said. “I feel like the stigma with mental health is also like the stigma of talking about grief because nobody ever wants to make anybody feel bad, right?”

Klingshirn talks about grief and anxiety on air to help spread awareness, saying that it’s okay to struggle with these topics, and it’s normal to feel alone. However, you are not alone. “I hope [talking about anxiety on air] increases empathy. Because I feel that’s what is lacking right now. What we need in society as a whole is more empathy for what other people are going through,” she said.

Similarly, while she thinks there needs to be more empathy in society for mental health, she also thinks there needs to be more empathy for women in male-dominated careers. She + HER LESSONS

has not always had an easy time being a woman in radio and was often compared to other women and male counterparts when she would take on a new show. “For women in radio, when you come into a new show or situation, and you replace a woman that had been there before, the comparisons are out of control,” Klingshirn said. “The boys club has existed for a really long time, and people are harder on women. Burt can get away with saying something on air, but if the women said it, we would face tremendous backlash.”

To this day, a huge part of Klingshirn’s job is appealing to her audience as a woman. She has to be sweet — but not too sweet — and funny — but not too funny. However, her biggest struggle has not been with her radio show, but rather her and her husband’s battle with infertility. She and her husband, Bart, who have been together for nearly 15 years, have been trying to have a baby for a long time. It was a struggle they never thought would happen, and Klingshirn talks about it often on the air. “I never thought I’d be in this boat,” she said. “I’ve had multiple women in my life having kids and having babies, and I couldn’t be more excited for them. There would be nights where I’ve had pity parties for myself, I’m not going to lie, but that’s okay. You can be happy for someone and sad for yourself at the same time.”

The Fayette, Kentucky, native talks about these battles with her co-hosts on live radio because she believes that it will help de-stigmatize these issues. Infertility and anxiety are common problems people face every day, and she hopes to create a community of people who understand and are there for one another. “In the process of helping others by talking about it, and this is our journey, and at some point, you just kind of have to embrace it,” she said. “You can get mad at some pit stops, but you just have to keep going.”

Though talking about such personal aspect of her life on air can be difficult, she said she wouldn’t trade her place in this career for anything. “I don’t consider it a job, by any means” she said. “I pinch myself because this is what I get to do for a living. It’s surreal, and I do my best not to take it for granted I’ve always felt this is what I’m supposed to do.”