For nearly 20 years, Loni Swain, an award-winning media personality, storyteller, and communications professional, has used her passion for connecting people through meaningful stories in media and communications to entertain, inform, and educate.
A graduate of the University of New Orleans, she began her career in radio and television broadcasting, including her memorable time as mid-day personality at Chicago’s WGCI FM radio from 2009 to 2015, before evolving into strategic communications, marketing, and digital storytelling. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations amplify their impact, build authentic connections with their audiences, and use communication as a tool for education, engagement, community, and positive change.
N’DIGO recently caught up with the multi-hyphenate expert to learn more about her career and her personal brand of compassionate consulting.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Loni Swain?
Loni Swain: Loni Swain is a storyteller, communicator, and lifelong learner who believes in the power of using our words to inform, connect, and inspire action. At my core, I lead with curiosity, empathy, and intention. I’m driven by a desire to help others feel seen, understood, and connected.
What are three words family and friends would use to describe you?
Adventurous. Quirky. Thoughtful.
As a child, what did you imagine you’d do for a living when you got older?
I thought I would be a teacher. I loved learning and sharing information, and I was naturally curious about how people understand and connect with ideas. That desire to educate and inform still shapes how I approach storytelling today.
How did you find your way into the world of media?
I found my way into media through a combination of curiosity, passion, and opportunity. It all started in high school when I took a TV I class taught by Paul Werner, which sparked my fascination with storytelling and broadcast media. That interest followed me into college, where I pursued several media internships to gain hands-on experience.
After spending six months interning in the Promotions department at Clear Channel Communications in New Orleans (now iHeartMedia), I was hired as a part-time on-air personality. What began as a curiosity quickly grew into a career. Along the way, I discovered that storytelling is about so much more than entertainment. It has the power to inform, influence, educate, and create meaningful connections within communities. That realization became the foundation for every chapter of my career that followed.
What are some of your favorite memories of Chicago and your time at WGCI?
Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart. My time at WGCI was formative, both personally and professionally.
Some of my favorite memories include my public introduction to the Chicago market at Taste of Chicago, attending the “Legends of the Summer” Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake concert at Soldier Field, which perfectly captured summertime Chi, spontaneous boat days on Lake Michigan, and, of course, eating my way through Chicago’s incredible food scene.
What I’m most grateful for, though, is the people. I met so many incredible Chicagoans who welcomed me with open arms, many of whom I still know and cherish to this day. The city embraced me in a way that quickly made Chicago feel like home. It’s a place rich in culture, created by fly, fashionable, ambitious, and creative people with a spirit that never quits. Being surrounded by that energy challenged me to think bigger about who I wanted to be, what I wanted out of life, and what was possible.
Most epic interview moment?
Sooo many epic ones! But I’d have to go with interviewing President Obama in Nov 2010 about the importance of the midterm elections and the impact of political decisions on young people in Chicago. He actually said my name! I felt like I wasn’t officially a “real journalist” until this moment because the conversation was bigger than entertainment. It’s not every day you get to interview a sitting President, and it’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget.
Are there any big misconceptions people have about the media and entertainment that you wish people knew better about?
One major misconception is that media and entertainment are glamorous or effortless. In reality, they require discipline, strategy, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Behind every message or moment people see or hear is a lot of unseen work, collaboration, and intentional decision-making that often is not glamorous at all.
What do you love most about storytelling?
What I love most about storytelling is its ability to help people be and feel seen. Whether it’s in our personal relationships, media, generations, communities, cultures, or families — storytelling has a way of creating connection and helping people recognize themselves in one another. The best stories don’t just inform us, they expand our perspective and remind us of our shared humanity. That’s what has kept me passionate about storytelling throughout every chapter of my career.
How do you indulge in self-care to maintain a healthy balance between your personal and work life?
Self-care for me means prioritizing rest, being intentional about how and with whom I spend my time and energy, and setting boundaries, aka saying “NO” often. I prioritize quiet time, music playlists on repeat, movement (yoga + beach walks are my favs), and staying connected to the people who ground me. I’ve learned that creativity and clarity are strongest when I give myself permission to slow down and recharge. I also love a good ashiatsu or Thai massage, and frequently limit my screen time and spending an outrageous amount of time scrolling on Poshmark, because balance.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
People are often surprised to learn how introverted I naturally am and can be. While my career has been very public-facing, I value solitude, stillness, and being at home on my couch in a onesie.
What’s a hobby or interest you’ve picked up that surprised you?
I’m a natural problem solver, so it probably isn’t surprising that I got into puzzling. What does surprise people is that I’m also a big fan of beekeeping. There’s something incredibly calming and meditative about working with bees. Both hobbies require patience, observation, and trust in the process, which turns out to be a pretty good life lesson, too.
Best advice or words of wisdom to aspiring media professionals?
Learn the fundamentals, stay curious, maintain your integrity, and protect your voice. Trends will change, platforms will evolve, but integrity, adaptability, and authenticity will always matter. Don’t rush the process. Every experience, success, setback, and detour is teaching you something.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“Go where you are celebrated and appreciated, not just tolerated.”
What does success mean to you today?
Today, success is the alignment of my thoughts, words, and actions. It’s like liking myself enough to be with myself and to show up as myself in every room and every season of my life. It’s having the courage to walk away from anything that insults my soul and to make room for the things that feel like a wholehearted “hell yes.”
For more information on Loni Swain and her work, please visit www.loniswain.com and connect with her across social media at: @LoniSwain
