My Midday Confession

During my appearance on the Toronto Mike’d podcast last week, I confessed to something not everyone knows. And it has freaked some people out.

I wasn’t born with the name Brandt. I didn’t marry into it, either. It has rattled some people to their core to discover that my name isn’t “real.”

But here’s the thing: It IS real. It’s as real as nickname that sticks for life. And it’s been with me longer than my maiden and married surnames.

How it Happened

During my first full-time radio job in Red Deer, AB, I used my maiden surname. It’s single-syllable and not radio friendly. But it never crossed my mind to call myself anything else. That is, until my roommate (also in radio) and I came home late one night and found a bunch of guys in our apartment lobby. They were drunk, rather large, and looking to “party” with the girls from the radio. We were too easy to find. We lied our way past them into the elevator, practically peeing from fear, and I decided to make a change.

The next day, a newscaster I only remember as Gene helped me choose. We didn’t get very far into the phone book (this was 1982!) when I settled on Brandt. I would have one name for on-air and another at the bank and on my mail. My private life stuff would be protected. It was a matter of safety and not uncommon at all back in the day. I could tell you about a dozen others off the top of my head, men and women, but they’re not my secrets to share.

Radio Fans Can Be Overzealous

Every woman in radio has a story about being harassed, pursued, followed, or stalked. I experienced several incidents over the years but because of my “fake” name, they could only find me at work. Work – where I had protection and security and people around. I got creepy mail and phone calls. Followed to and from the radio station. Contacted the police more than once at various times. But they never knew where I lived.

I decided on Brandt instead of Brant because I thought it was unusual. How it has plagued me over the years! While working at CKSL in London, ON, I planned to eliminate the d. No sooner had I made that decision when a new pack of business cards showed up with the Brandt spelling.

I wasn’t always consistent about where I used one name or the other. Ninety-nine percent of the time I introduce myself as Lisa Brandt. It’s how people know me, there’s a reputation and a career attached to it, and even though I chose it, it’s MY name! For the record, I didn’t change my first name. I’m 100% authentic, naturally occuring with no additives or filler, Lisa.