Cassie Forsyth | Arts & Life Co-Editor

Junior History major and Digital Media and German minor Annie Reiva and Mathematics major Kelsey Mitchell host the “Monday Funday” radio show every Monday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“It’s called Monday Funday ironically because it’s not fun on Mondays, so we talk about times when we didn’t have fun or embarrassing things that happened,” Reiva said.

The two hope to make their listeners feel better about themselves and improve their week by sharing embarrassing stories about their own lives. They had once done a radio show together with another friend their freshman year, and now they have reunited.

“Kelsey and I don’t spend enough time together these days, even though we live together, so we wanted to have a show for bonding time partially,” Reiva said.

Other than being able to spend time with a friend, both Reiva and Mitchell feel that they have benefitted greatly from having a radio show.

“I found that public speaking is now easier. Radio is like that step between because you don’t see the people, even though you know they’re listening. It’s a nice transition,” Mitchell said.

“It’s less nerve-racking. It lets you know that it’s not a big deal to make an idiot of yourself on air, and you don’t take yourself so seriously,” Reiva said. “I take myself way less seriously than I did when I was a freshman. I think radio was part of helping me out of that little stage of awkward.”

Reiva also believes that radio benefits people in other ways.

“The radio station offers a great platform for creativity and educational development,” Reiva said.

In order to keep their show fun and confident, the two focus on positivity once they enter the radio studio.

“No serious business. All sad things get left outside the studio because if you’re sad before you go on air, then you’ll be sad on air,” Reiva said.

While the two are in the studio, they try to work on homework while also dancing along to the music playing. Over the summer, Reiva spent her time off air doing crossword puzzles.

“We have all these newspapers around for us to read to catch up on stuff, so I take the crosswords out or Sudoku if they have them and do those during my show,” Reiva said.

One of the toughest challenges they face includes coordinating when each person is going to talk and what they will say.

“We like to try to figure out what we’re saying before we go on air, so we don’t crash and burn into each other, especially like who’s going to talk first. Either we stare at each other or we say it at the same time awkwardly, so communication is key,” Reiva said. “I look at Kelsey when I’m talking. I don’t talk to the microphone because it’s easier that way. It’s supposed to be like a conversation, and it helps it feel like a conversation rather than talking to empty space.”

The two radio show hosts enjoy having this radio show because it offers a nice break from school and allows them to have a fun obligation.

“I just like hanging out with Annie for a couple of hours, listening to music, and controlling what’s on air,” Mitchell said.

Reiva and Mitchell share a music taste, which makes their radio show easy to handle. Their favorite bands include Mumford and Sons and OK Go. Reiva’s favorite song is “Lover’s Eyes,” and Mitchell’s favorite song is “The Cave,” both by Mumford and Sons.

Reiva hopes their listeners enjoy the time spent with them during Monday Funday.

“I always have a fun time hanging out with Kelsey, and Kelsey has a fun time hanging out with me, so I think I’d like people to share in that experience,” Reiva said.

Photo by Tyson Domingo