Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monique Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Monique, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I stay grounded and resilient because of where I come from and what I’ve had to push through. My strength didn’t show up overnight it was built from real life, real lessons, and real responsibilities. Every setback taught me how to stand taller, think sharper, and lead with intention. That’s why I move the way I move at Downtown Hott Radio. As the station manager, I’m responsible for keeping everything running tight from overseeing daily operations to making sure our hosts, shows, schedules, and systems stay solid. I’m the one behind the scenes making sure the station stays organized, consistent, and elevated at all times. My resilience comes from faith, my family, and a personal drive to never let obstacles dictate my outcome. That’s what keeps me locked in and ready for whatever comes next.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the Station Manager for Downtown Hott Radio in Florida including Miami Hott Radio, Orlando Hott Radio, and Jacksonville Hott Radio I’m responsible for making sure each station runs strong, consistent, and true to the culture. My day-to-day is all about overseeing operations, keeping our programming tight, supporting our on-air talent, and making sure our listeners get the energy, information, and entertainment they expect from us. What makes this work exciting for me is the impact; every city we touch has its own heartbeat, and I get to help each station reflect that vibe while still carrying the overall Hott Radio brand.
What I love most is that I get to help build a platform that pushes independent voices, uplifts communities, and keeps real music, real stories, and real conversations alive. It’s special because we’re not just running stations we’re creating spaces where culture thrives. Right now, we’re expanding our reach, elevating our digital presence, and preparing for new shows and collaborations that highlight more talent across Florida. I’m proud of the consistency, the growth, and the trust listeners have in us.
My resilience comes from knowing the work matters. I’ve learned to push through challenges because I believe in the mission and the people we serve. Every time I see an artist get exposure, a host level up, or a community tap in, it reminds me why I do what I do. That’s the fuel that keeps me going every day.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, the three things that truly pushed me forward were discipline, people skills, and being willing to learn every single day. Discipline kept me consistent when the work felt heavy, when the hours got long, and when nobody was clapping yet. My people skills opened doors this industry is all about relationships, communication, and knowing how to deal with all kinds of personalities. And staying teachable kept me evolving, because media moves fast and you can’t lead a station, let alone four, if you’re stuck in old ways.
For anyone just getting started, my biggest advice is this: show up for yourself. Build your discipline like a muscle even small daily habits stack up. Stay open to feedback and new knowledge, because growth only happens when you don’t think you already know everything. And invest in how you communicate; it’ll save you time, stress, and misunderstandings, and it’ll help you build the kind of connections that elevate your whole journey.
Keep grinding, keep learning, and stay solid that’s how you move from “starting out” to “standing out.”
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
When I look back on my journey, the three qualities that held me down the most were my work ethic, my ability to adapt fast, and my belief in staying connected to people. In radio and media, things move quick programming shifts, news changes by the minute, celebrities pop in and out, and every interview has its own energy. I had to learn how to move with that rhythm without losing myself. The challenges I faced weren’t small either. Balancing multiple stations, dealing with unexpected technical issues, navigating personalities, and constantly trying to elevate our content pushed me in ways I didn’t always expect. There were times I felt overwhelmed, but I learned to breathe, reset, and handle things one step at a time. What really helped me overcome those obstacles was staying grounded in why I do this giving people real stories, real culture, and real representation through radio. To anyone coming up in this field, my advice is simple: stay hungry, stay teachable, and don’t run from hard moments. Let them sharpen you. Build strong relationships, study the craft, and don’t be scared to try something new. The more you learn, the more you grow. And when you hit those tough patches because everybody does remind yourself that pressure don’t break you, it builds you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://downtownhottradio.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/DowntownHottRadio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHottRadioStation
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DowntownHott
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@DowntownHottRadio United States Joined Jul 4, 2014 1.49K subscribers 357 videos 588,940 views
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