We’re excited to launch the next episode of our interview series at IRS+, dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of talented women in our network.
In this series, we highlight the journeys, achievements, and perspectives of women in radio, with the goal of inspiring other women to explore careers in this dynamic industry and to champion greater gender diversity in media. The stories of these incredible women within the IRS+ network are not just inspiring—they’re essential to share.
In this latest episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dee Woods, Presenter Nova Lunchbreak and Friday Night 80’s, Radio Nova. Tune in to hear the interview or read about Dee’s journey below.
What inspired you to pursue a career in radio, and how did you get started in the industry?
Radio has always been a part of my life, but that was with me as a listener. The radio was always on in our house, growing up, it was never quiet! But I never had a plan to work in the industry and actually wouldn’t have believed you if you’d told me I would end up making a living doing so. I had aspirations to be a writer so I did a 4-year degree in journalism at DIT. The course had a radio module which involved work experience in a radio station. I trekked from Portmanock to Bray, Co Wicklow once a week to sit in the newsroom (I’m not sure how much work I actually did at that stage!). That eventually led to weekend shifts and then a full-time news job. That was my way in and I never left, it was far too much fun. People talk about the “radio bug” and I definitely caught it very early on. There’s something about that feeling you get when the Mic Live sign turns to red when you’re on air. There’s nothing like it.
What has been the most rewarding experience in your radio career so far?
I am so proud to have been with Radio Nova as it went from being a relatively unknown player in the radio landscape fourteen years ago to becoming the number one music station in Dublin and commuter belt. We’re a small station by comparison to some of the others owned by big business but we’re a passionate bunch of people, dedicated to staying true to our promise of delivering seriously addictive music and that’s palpable when you meet listeners out and about. They can’t get enough of it. It’s so great to work somewhere that brings such joy. I started in Radio Nova during the recession, taking any on-air shifts that were going: in news, presenting weekend shifts or covering the weekday jocks. When I was handed my first solo presenting gig: Nova Nights in 2011, that was a really big moment.
Winning DJ of the Year at the IMRO radio awards two years ago was also something I never expected in a million years and an experience I’ll never forget. No one does this job to win awards, but hearing your name announced as DJ of the Year in a room full of your radio peers was a real highlight of my career.
What are your thoughts on the current representation of women in radio?
It’s certainly streets ahead of when I first started in radio 25 years ago. Back in 2004, the most likely on-air job for me to get was reading news. Other than newsreaders, I saw many female presenters on-air as playing sidekicks to male presenters. My first foray into presenting was as one of those sidekicks and I was kind of resigned to the fact that was just the way it was. It almost felt like a case of being cast as the token “female” on the show rather than just being a good presenter. I must have been conditioned to have that viewpoint as I remember listening to Sara Cox presenting breakfast on BBC Radio One thinking how brilliant – but also really unusual – to see a woman anchor her own breakfast show in such a huge market. Thankfully I don’t think that would strike anyone as unusual today.
In your view, what steps do you think could be taken to have female voice in media more equally represented?
Ten years ago when I was given my first solo show on Radio Nova I remember people telling my they really enjoyed listening to me because I wasn’t an “annoying female”, insinuating others were. It harks back to the stereotypical shrill women presenter who were there to provide fluffy content or a sidekick to others. I was given space to breathe and to be myself. That space is much bigger now and I’d like to think presenting or indeed any role in the radio industry is filled by the best person for the job. And gender shouldn’t dictate where you should be or how you should be within radio.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the radio industry?
Be yourself. I cannot stress that enough. When I was starting out I tried to mimic how TV news anchors sounded (which was totally the wrong approach for commercial radio!) then when I tried to break into presenting I was mirroring other females who were nothing like me. I thought I had to act much girlier that I was and talk about things I didn’t really know a lot about, which is just the worst thing you can do on radio. Talk about what you know and be yourself. Any other way and a listener will see right through you. In a world of so much catfishing, copying and fakery, being real is the best thing you can offer.
Work hard too, it will pay off. Get into any outlet that broadcasts and be present. Live radio is also a place where anything can, and does, go wrong. Being around for the bad moments is just as important as being around for the right. Watching what others do and being part of the fallout when the you-know-what hits the fan is always a lesson. Watch everyone and take it all in, even if it teaches you what not to do.
What role do you believe radio plays in today’s media environment, especially with the rise of digital platforms and podcasts?
There have never been more outlets providing music, news, entertainment and everything else in between but radio is still holding its own because it provides a personal connection. You can switch on and know that someone is talking to you, entertaining you and playing music that matters to you. The pandemic proved that people need to feel that connection when radio listenership experienced a huge boost. It’s not like the old days where the only way to hear a song you love was to request it on the radio. Anyone can listen to anything at any time, but so many still choose to switch on the radio because it speaks to them in the here and now. It’s a unique medium.
Can you talk about any mentorship experiences you’ve had, either as a mentor or mentee, and how they’ve impacted your career?
My first job was reading news on East Coast FM but when I applied to move on from there, it was Teena Gates in the 98FM newsroom that told me I actually had a great voice for radio. By that stage I knew the medium suited me but that was the first time it occurred to me that I actually suited the medium. From then I was more conscious of using my voice as a tool in my job. Now it’s taken me to the world of voice overs too: on radio, TV and online.
Often the best mentors are ones that don’t even know they’re doing it. Radio attracts a lot of creative people, the type where just being in their presence makes you pick up on their energy and passion. Radio Nova’s content director Clint Drieberg has taught me so much of what it means to be a presenter and the responsibility and onus of getting this right, informing, entertaining. Anyone can turn on a microphone but making magic happen on the airwaves only comes from creativity and real commitment. Clint’s made hard work so much fun in his tenure with Radio Nova, and being a naturally lazy person that’s a sure sign of his inspirational talent! It helps that he’s an Aussie too as, if you look at the Australian radio market, radio expertise seems to be part of their DNA.
What projects are you currently excited about?
With Radio Nova being the number one music station in Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow our challenge now is to keep up the momentum. It’s all hands on deck as we aim to stay up there for as long as possible. Radio is also a medium holding its own in an ever-changing world of communication. Staying relevant is a never ending project in itself and I have no plans to leave this wonderful industry.
Dee Woods, Nova Lunchbreak and Friday Night 80’s, Radio Nova
