Meet Traci Madrid | Program Director and Radio Host for KLBP, Long Beach Public Radio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Traci Madrid and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Traci, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I am happiest when I meditate and take time to slow my mind down. During this time, I reflect on how fragile my existence is, mine and everyone else’s. The fleeting lives of all that is living, how precious and ephemeral it all is. It still amazes me how we’re even here to experience everything, both good and bad, but most of all good. While I meditate, I like to imagine the whales swimming in the deep parts of the ocean, how majestic it must feel, and how their life experience is unimaginably different than mine. I like to think of the creepy crawly beetles and centipedes in the depths of the earth, how content they must feel being small and busy. When I place myself in these spaces, everything seems to make sense. My biggest worries don’t seem so big, my heart feels pure, and my soul feels like I belong.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the host of Groove Pile, a 1-hour radio program that plays reggae music on 99.1 FM, KLBP. Groove Pile with host Irene Irie (my DJ name) is my love letter to the world, where I get to express gratitude for life and offer wholesome friendship to my listeners. Along with playing the uplifting tunes of reggae music, I open up about my shortcomings, hopes, fears, personal experiences, and vulnerabilities. For an hour, I bare my heart in the hope that someone out there will connect with me and what I’m saying. Sharing my deepest thoughts can be scary. People seem to be increasingly divided and have little tolerance for differences these days. However, I value honesty, so I can admit that being genuine on the air comes naturally to me. What was challenging for me was believing I had something worth saying. I’m the middle child of six, and I grew up feeling ignored and undervalued. My first relationships were with family who were self-absorbed, not taking the time to check in with me or ask how I felt about anything. But after five years of being on the air and hearing MY voice coming out of the speakers, I began to value that person I heard talking on the radio. And “believing” I had something to say became “knowing” I had something to say. Self-love emerged from this project, and for that, I’m forever grateful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend from out of town who came to visit me here, the first place I would take them would be the Junipero Beach pedestrian path. The vibe is so chill and easy-going there. The vast ocean humbles you into a small existence, and its slow waves remind you to bring your energy down to its level. For food, well, I won’t share my ultimate favorite spot for fear that the waitlist will grow longer, but my next favorite place to eat is Spicy Sugar, located on Broadway between Falcon Avenue and Gaviota Avenue. If you enjoy Thai food, you will not be disappointed. I recommend the Spicy Eggplant. After dinner, we will enjoy a live music show at Vine on 4th street or at The Sardine in San Pedro. The beer selection at either establishment does not disappoint. The locals of both Long Beach and San Pedro are fun and welcoming! We’re coastal people, so we’re generally chill and easygoing; however, due to our urban inner cities nearby, we’re all a little ‘hood too, so be respectful.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I draw inspiration from the women of the feminist movement. Their intelligence, courage, and strength keep me motivated to speak up and not give up on myself or my beliefs. My father is a chauvinist, and growing up, my mother was meek and obedient, so these women permitted me to feel important and strong. Audrey Hepburn, although not a particularly prominent figure in the feminist movement, is my biggest role model. She’s so classy and elegant, fun and real. Her charity work with UNICEF during the latter years of her life is so inspiring to me. Another inspiring figure for me is Anne Frank. She gives me hope for humanity because someone like her existed in the world.

Instagram: irene.irie.groove.pile

Facebook: Irene Irie

Image Credits
Nikki Neumann, Craig Ibarra