EPISODE SUMMARY: Gracie award-winning radio host Dana Cortez shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Big Spring, Texas, to becoming the first Latina to lead a nationally syndicated radio show. Her story highlights perseverance, authenticity, and how real-life experiences fuel her success and led her. Plus, insights into her multi-platform presence and charity work.

 

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Dana Cortez about:

 

1. Growing up in Big Spring, Texas, and how early adversity forming the foundation of her honest and relatable on-air style
2. Carving her own path through smaller markets and her breakthrough moment at KMRK in Odessa, Texas
3. Becoming the first Latina to lead a nationally syndicated multicast radio show in the US
4. The day-to-day behind the scenes of her show, and how they blend pop culture, relationships, and real talk, built on authenticity 
5. The Pivotal mentorship of John Candelaria, who pushed her into mornings, perceived as a male-dominated space
6. The importance of social media presence, strategic content batching, and embracing digital platforms
7. Balancing on-air work with podcasting and charity involvement, and how her personal life intertwines with her professional journey
8. Winning a Gracie award and the impact of industry recognition
9. Her significant involvement in charities including St. Jude’s and CASA, and her commitment to community and helping foster children

And More!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST:
Dana Cortez is a nationally syndicated radio host who shatters the glass when it comes to an industry where diverse female voices struggle to be heard and where women rarely occupy the lead role in a multi-cast show. A second generation Mexican American, Cortez grew up in poverty in West Texas and brings her experience and the perspective of many disenfranchised Americans to her show every day. On the Dana Cortez Show she “creates a room of her own,” using the airwaves to elevate topics of importance and interest often lost in the 24-hour news cycle. Cortez speaks to the female Latino experience in America and to her broader audience, she’s insightful on topics of relationships and pop culture. She has a nuanced way about her interviews with celebrities that allows them to feel comfortable and creates a more genuine conversation. She shares her show with her husband and executive producer DJ Automatic, and comedian Anthony A.

 

ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio and broadcast industry and beyond as they share their unique career paths. Hear how a variety of innovative leaders grow businesses, develop iconic brands, and entertain audiences in this in-depth interview podcast.

 

ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.

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