Johnjay Van Es
Co-Host, The Johnjay and Rich Show
Johnjay Van Es is co-host of The Johnjay and Rich Show, a nationally syndicated morning program on iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks, based at 104.7 KISS-FM in Phoenix.
He was born September 4, 1968, in Los Angeles. He interned at 91X San Diego in 1990, trained with The Groundlings in the mid-1990s — where he met his wife Blake — and landed his first hosting job at WKRQ in Cincinnati in 1996, winning Best of Cincinnati within three months. After a stretch in country radio in Houston, he partnered with Rich Berra after a chance meeting in New Orleans. The show launched at KRQQ in Tucson in 2001, moved to Phoenix in 2006, joined Premiere in 2014, and received a five-year extension in 2025.
The program airs weekdays from 5 to 10 a.m. Mountain Time, is syndicated to nearly 20 stations, and has more than 75 million podcast downloads. It has ranked number one among women 25–54 and persons 25–54 in multiple markets and won the 2025 Kidd Kraddick Award at Morning Show Boot Camp. In 2015 Van Es started the LovePup dog-rescue campaign; in 2021 he opened a purpose-built Scottsdale shelter with 14 kennels. He also hosts The Johnjay Van Es Podcast. He and Blake have three sons: Jake, Kemp, and Dutch.
Trolls, Trauma, and Trophies | Greatest Hits
We’re back with a special Greatest Hits episode! Mike Lindstrom breaks down some of the most memorable, emotional, and entertaining moments from the Winter 2026 episodes of What’s Your Story.
From radio host JohnJay Van Es getting destroyed by K-Pop fans over a hashtag mistake, to Hall of Fame kicker Nick Lowery sharing life lessons on connection and gratitude, to TV anchor Kaley O’Kelley on the real challenges of raising teens in today’s world — this episode is packed with raw stori…
Johnjay Van Es' Craziest Celebrity Interviews Revealed!
In this episode, Johnjay Van Es shares his journey from a radio intern to a nationally syndicated DJ. He discusses the importance of vulnerability in broadcasting, the art of content creation, and the influence of family and personal loss on his career. Johnjay also explores the challenges of monetizing a brand and handling criticism in the public eye, all while maintaining authenticity and connection with his audience. In this engaging conversation, the speakers share their transformative j…