With an audience that stretches across Chicago and the globe, 2x Emmy Award-winning TV and radio host Catie Keogh has taken over the travel industry through her show ‘Let’s Go with Catie Keogh.’
Catie’s love for travel and her growing social media following came to fruition by accident as her career took an unexpected turn from a background in comedy.
We are so excited to have Catie on board as a Star Contributor and we know you will love her travel segments as much as we do.
Get to know Catie Keogh and follow her Instagram page to keep up with all of her adventures.
Catie has the inside scoop when it comes to experiencing the best of Chicago. | Photo via @letsgowithcatiekeogh
1. How would you describe your social media channels? What type of content do you post and why?
“I stumbled into a career in travel, but that’s what my account and my show now focuses on. I love adventure and being able to lift up other women and people, so much of my content focuses on that. My feed is also filled with a lot of humor, especially my personal account, where my content is a little more fun and relaxed.” @catiekeogh
2. What drove you to start your weekly podcast?
“WLS approached me about doing a show. As a kid, I would always pretend I had my own radio show, so to have one now is so surreal. My background is in improv comedy and that was really helpful for being a podcast host, so it felt like a natural fit.”
3. How do you choose guests to interview and topics to cover?
“I choose my guests based on what’s trending in the industry or which destination I have recently visited. Right now, I’m focused a lot on sustainable travel and finding people who can speak on that topic like the Kind Traveler and Visit California. They are such leaders when it comes to sustainable travel. We recently did a whole show on traveling responsibly and it felt good to pass along such a positive message in travel.”
4. What do you love most about running your show?
“I love getting to call the shots and coming up with creative content. It’s been amazing to connect with new people and highlight their businesses.”
5. Tell us about your background – were you always in the travel industry?
“Not everyone knows this, but I have a comedy background. I was part of IO Chicago for a while, studying improv with a group called Betty Smashface. One of my famous friends from that group is Jason Sudekis from Ted Lasso.
Since I never got the call from SNL, I pivoted and started my own show called 24/7 Chicago show on NBC5. We earned 12 Emmy nominations and won for Best Magazine Program and Best Host twice. I loved my job at NBC5 but I was ready for a new adventure. So, I took a job doing social media for The Travel Channel. That job led to Travel + Leisure and now I am with National Geographic Travel on the digital side. I love my work with Nat Geo and also love being a travel expert for WGN TV and Daytime Chicago.”
6. Tell us about the experience of winning an Emmy TWICE!
“You work all your life to have a moment like this, and when I won it felt like all my hard work finally paid off. I’ve been nominated 13 times, which has been such an honor. My daughter came on stage with me the second time I won an Emmy. She was a part of that win with me and one of my proudest moments as a mom. I will cherish that memory with her forever.”
7. What are your plans for the future of your podcast and your career, and what goals do you hope to achieve in the next few years?
“I want to use my platform to help more women in the travel industry and continue to build my brand in Chicago. In this post-COVID world, I’m looking forward to traveling a lot more and growing my podcast to a more national level. I have upcoming trips planned to Switzerland, Yellowstone, Sonoma and I’m visiting Charleston, South Carolina for the first time.”
8. How do you balance your personal life and your public persona?
“It’s really important for me to be present for my daughter, who’s in high school right now, and be more present for my husband and family in general. Traveling all the time is hard to do. So, I pick and choose where I travel and how long I will be gone. Working in Chicago works for me right now. Hosting my podcast and radio show in the city is a great fit. For example, I can be home in time for our daughter’s Lacrosse and Volleyball games.”
9. What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an influencer and podcast host, and how have you overcome them?
“Just being seen and getting my brand out there. Collaborating with others has been extremely successful. I’ve realized over the years the more you lift up others, the more it helps lift up yourself as well. And that's everything in life. It brings me joy. Also, women need to help each other more. Lift each other up. There is plenty for everyone. Plus, it’s more fun if everyone wins!”
10. With all the fascinating international destinations you’ve been able to travel to, what are the most underrated things about Chicago as a destination?
“Chicago is the best city in the world. It’s a small town and a beautiful city. I love the flowers on the Mag Mile and the nature throughout the city. Chicago is my kind of town.”
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