Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Cousart
Hi Justin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to the area in 2009 to study communications at Flagler College. Specifically media production with an advertising minor. While at Flagler I hosted a 2 hour morning show all 4 years! This is where I knew I had a passion for content creation. While in school I interned for both major radio companies here in Jax. IHeart and Cox Media Group. I am still with Cox Media Group now and will hit my 11th year this summer. I worked 2 years part time at WAPE while waiting for an opportunity to gain a full time employment. during those years i was Imaging director of WAPE, Night Show Host, Weekend Host and fill-in morning show producer. I also launched my first podcast called “The Drive And Dish NBA.” we still do this show today! I finally found full time employment as the Morning Show producer with WAPE for Mark Kaye and Meghan. After a few years I was asked to leave the morning show and start my own show at night on 95.1 WAPE, while also taking a focus on managing our clusters digital pages. I became obsessed with digital and trying to find a way for our stations to have a “Live Stream” element. which showed up when our cluster decided to turn our 690AM signal into a ESPN Sports Station. We Launched Action Sports Jax on ESPN690 with Brent Martineau and Austen Lane and the whole show was Live Streamed on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. The show is now on Action News Jax Live Stream Channel. Since then I picked up new duties as a Program Director of our Alternative Music Station and the Afternoon Host shift of 95.1 WAPE.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely NOT… I’ve wanted to give up and go into another industry so many times, but i love music and content creation I cant see myself anywhere else.
Some struggles were trying to afford life expenses for the two years while part time… I had MANY other jobs like bartender at Rhett’s Piano Bar in St Augustine to working at Jack Wilson Buick Chevy & GMC.
As my home life changed from being single, to in a relationship, to married, to having a kid… trying to juggle a good work/life balance in an industry that does not make it easy has been hard.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now I’m an On-Air Host for 95.1 WAPE and that means being local, talking about local things that you and your coworkers would talk about, and finding fun engaging ways to post about them on social media too! Plus, I’m in charge of all things X995 Jacksonville’s new alternative from the music being added, and played to our contests and giveaways, and content being posted to social media.
I also host two other shows “The UpNext Hour on X995 and 97X (Tampa), and A night show in Athens GA for Power 100.1
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, people and companies can adapt a LOT faster than I think we believe we can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://direct.me/justincontheair
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justincontheair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinCOnTheAir/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustinCOnTheAir
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHFCp3Rtn-vnRJgWIFIQlsA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@justincontheair
