who am I?

I'm a writer, podcast producer and content strategist. After starting my career in advertising in the research & planning department of a major ad agency in San Francisco, I left to pursue a Master’s degree in Popular Culture Studies. These days, I am largely fixated on sound. I enjoy writing about and talking about the intersections of media, audio, and visual art. And I am obsessed with college radio history.

As co-chair of the College, Community & Educational Radio Caucus for the Library of Congress' Radio Preservation Task Force, I champion the importance of saving student radio broadcasts and ephemera.

I'm one of the co-founders of Radio Survivor, where I cover the culture of radio and sound on both our website and on our weekly syndicated radio show/podcast.

As a freelance writer, I contribute sound-related pieces for Hii Magazine (check out “Terror on the Airwaves” about DJs in peril in TV and film! and my latest piece about the history of noise abatement commissions in the early 20th century) and report on the college and community radio scene for industry publication Radio World. My consultation work includes projects for college radio stations, radio and film producers, as well as for scholars. I love to evangelize the importance of college radio and have spoken at conferences, on radio shows, and on podcasts as an expert in this area.

My passion for experimental sound continues to grow and I’m pleased to have recently joined the Board of Directors of Wave Farm. A non-profit dedicated to Transmission Arts, Wave Farm runs an artist residency, operates radio stations, distributes grants, and much more!

I also run a small winery, Waits-Mast Family Cellars, with my husband!

contact information

Email: waitsj AT gmail DOT com