GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Radio host Jackie Greene said an emotional farewell to listeners of 105.3 FM's Gray and Greene Show.
Green, who co-hosts with Rachel Gray, told listeners on Thursday, January 25, that this week would be her last appearance on the morning talk show as she was stepping down to focus on her mental health.Green will air from 3 to 7 p.m.
After months of trying various anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants and sleep aids, Green said she still needed to prioritize her mental health, not her mood.
“I wouldn’t want to face any problems,” she said. “Instead, I would go to bed every day, cry all night, then go to work, try to put on a happy face, and then do it all over again. Do as much of that as you can before crashing and burning.” I can.”
When The Gray and Green Show debuted in 2019, it became West Michigan's first and only female-led talk show. Greene began her broadcasting career as a night and daytime host on WGRD-FM before moving to television.
Greene, whose married name is Jackie Blankenship, was chosen as Mrs. Michigan's 2022 Mrs. She is the first woman from Michigan to be crowned Mrs. America. She was also the first openly intersex winner.
Greene has been open about her intersex symptoms. Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. Although she was born without a uterus or ovaries, she had internal testes that produced estrogen. She has used her Mrs. America and radio platforms to become an advocate for intersex youth.
On her Thursday morning radio show, she said that coming to terms with her intersex status has left her with unresolved trauma from her youth, which contributes to her anxiety and depression as an adult. he said.
“I've always been able to keep it in a different part of my head and work without dwelling on it. But lately I feel like a lot of that has been layered on top of other things,” she says. said. “Then something always happens that I can't explain. I want to tell you why I don't feel like myself, but there's no reason. I don't understand.”
Green said her mental health issues have affected her sleep, making her morning show schedule particularly difficult. Gray and Green's show will run from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with Green “getting through it on 400 milligrams of caffeine” and then “turning into a zombie all day long.”
Co-host Gray was supportive during the broadcast, saying that even though Green took time for herself and her family, their friendship and memories from the show remained the same.
“I love that show. I loved working with you during this time,” Gray said. “But your mental health and who you are to your little girl is so important, and that's more important than any job.”
The Gray and Green show will continue to air in the mornings, with afternoon DJ Rob Sparks replacing Green. Green will continue in the afternoon time slot.
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