Whatcom resident Lauren Ebert faces Nov. 5 vote in iRadio contest

Lauren Ebert is facing a deadline of Nov. 5 to advance in the 'Top Host' competition. The contest is organized by iHeart Radio and offers the winner a $25,000 cash prize. The champion will also host a six-part radio series and appear as a guest on 'On Air with Ryan Seacrest.'

Ebert, 40, resides in Whatcom County. She describes her current life stage as an all-new chapter after her two eldest daughters recently got married. She said the shift in her family roles has led her to search for new passions and ways to fill her cup.

She started a TikTok account to connect with people who share similar experiences. Ebert said she is an empath by nature and enjoys building genuine connections with others. She hopes to expand this work into a podcast in the near future.

The opportunity to compete in 'Top Host' came when she saw the application on social media. She said she had not heard of the competition before but applied immediately. The application required her to be candid and open about what makes her unique.

Ebert said she believes the best conversations are rarely polished. She aims to bring humor and heart to her interactions. She noted that she is willing to laugh at chaos and also cry with guests if the situation requires it.

She has passed the first stage of the competition and is now in the Group Phase. Voting for this stage ends on Nov. 5. If she finishes in the top five, she will move to the final group stage. The top person from that stage advances to the quarterfinals.

A wildcard round exists for runners-up, and the winner of that round also moves on to the next level. Ebert said she will start her own podcast regardless of the competition's outcome. She views the contest as a chance to gain exposure for the project.

Ebert is a survivor of Stage 4 cancer, a condition where doctors told her she had a 5% chance of survival. She said the experience taught her that time is fleeting and that she wants to take advantage of every opportunity. She described herself as blessed to be alive and appreciative of everything.

She said cancer was a major battle, but she noted that everyone has their own silent battles that people often do not hear about. She learned during her illness to build a village by showing up for other people, not just asking for support. She is currently building that community through social media.

Ebert said she is looking at the world differently at age 40. She wants others, particularly women, to know that their feelings are valid and that they are not alone. She envisions her podcast as a roundtable discussion with friends or guest stars where they unpack the day's events. She believes this format could be empowering for women and others navigating their experiences.