Mel Taylor has a simple goal: to connect with you. If you listen for even 30 minutes, she hopes you’ll learn something worth sharing at the dinner table later. That’s been the idea since 1998, when a station internship got her foot in the door. Since then, she’s worked her way up from screening calls for a morning show to working overnights and middays and co-hosting both morning and afternoon shows across Top 40, hot AC, rock, and alternative. She’s been named Programming Employee of the Year and has interviewed Jay-Z, Gavin Rossdale, and Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, to name a few. On the air, she’s relatable, informative, and fun, like catching up with your best friend.

Mel grew up in Texas, and she’s proudly half Mexican. Off the air, she creates plenty of art, practices yoga, cooks, catches concerts, and soaks up beach time. Home is shared with Ryan, her four boys (Legend, Maestro, Mozart, and Atlas), and a collection of koi and turtles. One of the koi is named Whitesnake, which speaks volumes. She also founded Give.Local.Love, a 501(c)(3) that helps charities, families, and individuals in her community. Her playlist runs from Thievery Corporation and Massive Attack to Dirty Heads, Whitesnake, and 2Pac. Her first concert was Aerosmith, and “Paradise City” is a permanent no-skip.

Fuel: cold black Café Bustelo and tacos, always. Favorite thought: “A heart is everywhere.”