Culture
22 Apr 20

Jennifer Zamparelli: "I'm broadcasting from my kids' bedroom looking at a giant Lego Death Star"

As people turn to radio during the Lockdown for company and a sense of community, a selection of the country’s top DJs tell us how they’ve kept the show on the road whilst broadcasting from a variety of novel spots around their homes!

I’m broadcasting from my kids’ bedroom looking at a giant Lego Death Star, cushioning the sound with a Star Wars pillow. The biggest challenge has been disciplining myself to get up at the same time, get dressed, and treat it like a normal day. Sometimes I get distracted and start folding clothes, but the technology is amazing.

By the looks of it, we have new listeners tuning in who maybe couldn’t tune in before, so that’s lovely. My local shop, Lynam’s in Goatstown, surprised me and left coffee and scones at my front door... that was so thoughtful of them.

I go through the whole gamut of emotions, from boredom, through anger, sadness from missing people, happiness to be spending time with kids, and frustration, back to boredom. But I’m full of admiration for our frontline people throughout every single day. They’re amazing.

We’re all in this together, I really want people to know that. Laughter is a tonic, and although the tone is very much in tune with what’s going on that particular day, the message is: the world is still turning and we will get through this. And even though you want to divorce your husband right now, or disown the family members you’re in isolation with, remember – we are all feeling the exact same way!

• Jennifer Zamparelli is on 2FM weekdays from 9am.

See the full Broadcasting From Home feature in the new Hot Press 'Stay Safe' Emergency Issue – available now.