For radio host Delilah, the Christmas season is a very special one. Between spending time with her big family and helping listeners on her nationally syndicated radio show, she says her word to live by around the holidays is "presence."
For nearly four decades, the radio personality has been spreading holiday cheer by selecting the perfect seasonal songs while also sharing thoughtful advice on the listener-focused program. Although Delilah, 65, tells PEOPLE that she has had many memorable holiday calls over the years, one of her all-time favorites involved a man trying to get home.
"He was in the military, and nothing was going right. He finally made his flight and had to take different connections. He landed near his hometown, but he lived an hour out of town, and there was a snowstorm, and there was just no way," Delilah recalls.
"As the night went on, the snow stopped, and somebody that he talked to at the airport said, 'Son, we're gonna get you home,'" she continues. "Everybody came together, and they cleared the way, and he ended up going on the snowmobile and made it to his parents' door."
The idea of being present while home for the holidays is the inspiration behind Delilah's collaboration with Sonos, where she offers an hour-long holiday "prep talk" for holiday hosts as they prepare for guests while also taking some time for themselves, all guided by Delilah.
"There are no listener calls in the hour because we really want it to be like I'm your companion for the night. That is the sentiment that people are coming here to be with you," Delilah shares. "Not to see how your apartment's decorated or see if your house looks, they want to be with you. Let's focus on making sure your anxiety is gone so you can be fully present."
Similar to her favorite listener story, Delilah shares that "the best present you can give someone during the holidays is yourself."
"Being present, not being on a device, not being distracted, not worrying about work or worrying about politics or worrying about the economy, but being emotionally and spiritually present in the moment. That's what the holidays are about," she adds.
Music is also crucial for Delilah around the holiday season. Although picking her favorite Christmas song is nearly impossible, akin to choosing her favorite child or grandchild, there are a few that stand out.
"I love Dolly Parton's 'Hard Candy Christmas.' That one makes me cry every year. I love anything by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. That thrills me and gets me excited," she shares. "There are just so many good songs, and I could start playing Christmas music in July. I love it so much."
But for right now, she shares that For King and Country’s version of “The Little Drummer Boy” is at the “top of her list.”
While her Sonos collaboration doesn’t feature listener stories, which has been a hallmark of her radio show, pairing songs with each listener’s tale is her “superpower.” Still, she has to be extra careful when listening to stories around the holidays, when so many people are dealing with hardship.
“During Christmas, it’s tough if somebody calls and says, ‘I’m so sad, this government shutdown has affected our whole family.’ I can’t very well play ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’” she explains. “Sometimes we have to screen some of those calls out during the holiday and focus on family, on joy, on kids’ traditions, on your favorite recipe.”
Delilah, who has an estimated 9 million weekly listeners, notes that she was raised in a musical home, and while her siblings got the “musical gene,” she got an ear for lyrics.
“When I hear a lyrically powerful song, those lyrics are stored in my brain. When you’re telling me a story and I’m listening, my brain starts playing the soundtrack to accompany your story as we’re on the phone and I’m taking it all in,” she explains. “I’m taking notes and selecting a song to accompany it, and people will provide keywords or phrases which I write down. I have five or ten pages of notes at the end of every show when I’m on air.”
As the most-listened-to woman on U.S. radio, Delilah will continue to spread hope through the airways this holiday season, including through her Sonos collaboration and on any radio station that streams her content.