Draft:Heidi Linn

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Djheidi104 (talk) 05:22, 27 September 2026 (UTC)

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Heidi Linn (born Heidi L. Willis) is an American radio personality, disc jockey, entrepreneur and social worker based in Pennsylvania. She is known for her work in Central Pennsylvania radio, particularly at WNNK-FM (WINK 104) in Harrisburg, where she worked as an on-air personality during the 1990s.

In addition to her broadcasting career, Linn operated You're the Star Entertainment Services, a disc jockey company serving Central Pennsylvania. After stepping away from broadcasting and professional event entertainment for several years to raise her children, Linn pursued a career in social work. Linn later combined her backgrounds in broadcasting and social work creating The Therapeutic Beat, a podcast focused on the connection between music and mental health.

Early life and education

Linn graduated from Milton Hershey School in 1983 as one of the school's first female graduates. She later earned a Bachelor's of Social Work degree and Master's in Public Administration from Shippensburg University. In 2009, The Patriot-News reported that she received Milton Hershey School's Alumni Career Lifetime Achievment Award.

Broadcasting career

Linn worked at WNNK-FM (WINK 104) in Harrisburg during the 1990s. In 1997, The Patriot-News identified her as the first woman to host her own show on the station. Linn hosted WNNK's evening program from 7 p.m. to midnight, featuring Top 40 music, and also hosted the Friday-night Weekend Warmup, featuring dance music.

Linn's work also included beat mixing and mix-show programming. In a 1997 profile, Ricky Leigh Mensch, an editor of HITS Magazine, commented on Linn's role in Top 40 radio: “She’s a great talent. The Heidi Linns of the world are the true ears of Top 40 music. She’s tuned in to the active listening audience of the Harrisburg area.” The article further reported Mensch's observation that Linn's work was particularly notable in a radio-programming field then predominantly occupied by men.

Linn's role at WNNK received coverage in both local and national radio-industry publications. The Patriot-News profiled her radio career in an April 20, 1997 article titled "Hard work, talent pay off for female DJ," while Radio & Records identified Linn as WNNK/Harrisburg's nighttime personality in 1998.

Her work at WINK 104 also included the Weekend Warm-Up, a Friday-night live mix show incorporating dance music in a nightclub setting.

After leaving WNNK, Linn returned to radio at WIOQ (Q102) in Philadelphia where she hosted a Sunday afternoon shift.

In 2001, Linn became a host on PAwebcast.com, which The Patriot-News described at the time as the area’s first Internet radio network.

Mix-show work

During the mid-1990s, Linn also worked as a beat mixer and mix-show personality at WNNK, using Technics SL-1200 turntables to manually beat-match and mix freestyle, dance, and rap music for radio. Her work came during a period of increasing crossover between dance, hip-hop, and mainstream contemporary-hit radio. In January 1995, HITS identified Linn among its "Leading Mixers," and in April 1995, Hitmakers ranked her third in its Street Sheet Mix Show listing. Later that year, Hitmakers included Linn in its Mix Show Disc-Overy Club, identifying her as "Heidi Linn, WNNK, Harrisburg" and publishing her comments on new dance releases.

In November 1995, Most Requested included Linn in its national station listings as "WNNK Harrisburg, Heidi Linn" and published five of her selected records. Her participation in music programming continued to receive industry coverage in 1996, when The Gavin Report identified "Heidi Linn, WNNK-Harrisburg" and published her selections in its programming coverage.

These appearances document Linn's involvement in WNNK's dance and contemporary-hit-radio programming during the mid-1990s.

Community Involvement and Public Speaking

Linn has also participated in public speaking and community advocacy. In 1997, she spoke at a Stand for Children event at the Pennsylvania State Capitol advocating for the needs of children.

You're the Star Entertainment Services

Alongside her broadcasting career, Linn established You're the Star Entertainment Services, a Central Pennsylvania entertainment company providing disc jockey training and event production services. Through the company, Linn provided complimentary emcee and sound services for nonprofit and community fundraising events.

A 1997 issue of Crossroads identified Linn as a radio personality and entrepreneur and described her as the owner of You're The Star Entertainment Services.. An April 1997 issue of Lavender Letter separately advertised a Harrisburg event featuring "Heidi Linn's 'You're The Star'."

Career transition and Social Work

Linn subsequently stepped away from professional event entertainment for several years while raising her children and pursuing a career in social work and human services. She earned a Master's of Social Work from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Her work included serving children and families through Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries and later providing social work services to terminally ill patients with Compassus Hospice.

Her later DJ work has also been documented by community organizations. A 2013 publication of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg reported that Linn provided the music for its first Daddy Daughter Date Night. The Harrisburg Area YMCA also listed Linn as the DJ for its 2016 Healthy Kids Day.

She served as executive director of Shalom House, a Harrisburg-area organization serving women and children experiencing homelessness.

Linn was also involved with Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. A publication from the organization lists Heidi Willis, identified as an air personality at WNNK-FM, among its board of directors.

The Therapeutic Beat

Linn created and hosts The Therapeutic Beat, a podcast which examines the connection between music and mental health.

The podcast draws upon Linn's backgrounds in broadcasting and social work.

Milton Hershey Alumni Interviews

Linn hosts a YouTube interview series featuring alumni of Milton Hershey School. The series explores graduates' transitions from the Milton Hershey Home environment into life after graduation, including the personal, educational, and professional challenges they encountered and how they navigated those experiences. Through conversations with alumni from different generations, Linn examines their adjustment to life beyond the school and the experiences that shaped their paths into adulthood.

Awards and recognition

In 2004, Milton Hershey School recognized Linn, under the name Heidi Willis '83, with its Career Accomplishment Alumni Achievement Award.

Linn was also named to the Central Penn Business Journal's Forty Under 40.