YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Two Mahoning Valley radio personalities have launched their own syndicated program that airs on stations nationwide.
LoVetta Jenkins and Jab Jonz, who were on-air personalities at Star 94.7, are the stars of “The Chatty Passenger,” a daily program that can be heard on five stations, with more on the way.
The show, which took to the air a little over a year ago, is hosted by Jenkins and co-hosted by Jonz. It features entertainment news, celebrity interviews, trending topics, music, relationship discussions, listener interaction and inspirational conversations.
The show is recorded daily by Jenkins and Jonz, who work remotely from their own studios. It airs at different times of the day on its affiliates in Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Houston and Orangeburg, S.C. – its first market.
Stations in Sacramento, Calif., and New York City will be added in the fall.
“The Chatty Passenger” does not air in the Youngstown market but can be heard on each of its affiliates’ websites. For example, it airs daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on WOCS-93.7 FM in Orangeburg, S.C.
Jenkins, a Youngstown native, had worked at Star 94.7 FM in the city for eight years. She left the station in 2025, shortly after it was sold and its format was changed from R&B to sports talk (the station’s format has since been changed to classic hits).
Jonz, a Warren native, had been a DJ at Star 94.7 for two years under the previous ownership, leaving the station in 2022.
“We built this from the ground up because we believed authentic conversations and genuine personalities still have a place in broadcasting,” Jenkins said. “To see listeners from around the world tuning in while still representing Youngstown is incredibly rewarding.”
It was Jenkins who gave the show its name. “The Chatty Passenger” was a moniker she had given herself when she first started working on the air in Youngstown.
“I was discouraged from using it back then, but the people took to it and would yell it out to me when they saw me on the street,” she said. “That’s when I knew it was something I should stick with.”
When she decided to create the show, she went straight to Jonz to be her partner. “Our chemistry, shared work ethic and genuine friendship made him the perfect co-host to help bring this vision to life,” she said.
Jonz said he’s excited about how quickly “The Chatty Passenger” show has grown – but he’s not surprised.
“When you combine hard work, consistency, faith and a vision that’s bigger than yourself, amazing things can happen,” he said. “In less than 18 months, we’ve shown people that you don’t have to come from a major media market or have a big corporation behind you to build something special.”
The two hosts have full creative control over the program, he stressed. They don’t answer to a media company or broadcast network, and it shows in what they put on the airwaves, he said.
“Every show we produce is a lot of fun because LoVetta and I genuinely enjoy what we do and enjoy making people smile,” Jonz said.
Jenkins’ voice has long been a familiar favorite in the Valley – even before she got into radio.
“I’ve always loved talking to people,” she said. “In school, I was the talkative kid that talked to everybody. I’m still the same way now.”
Conversation was her passion, and she missed it during the few months she was off the airwaves in 2025.
“That’s what inspired me to create ‘The Chatty Passenger’ radio show,” she said. “It’s a place where listeners feel like they’re riding along with friends, enjoying great music, meaningful conversations and moments that brighten their day.”
Jonz said the show’s success reflects the work ethic and determination found throughout the Valley.
“Coming from Warren and working alongside LoVetta in Youngstown gave us the foundation for everything we’ve built,” he said.
Pictured at top: LoVetta Jenkins and Jab Jonz, pictured at the Greatest R&B Legends Music Awards that took place in May in Cleveland. The two were there representing “The Chatty Passenger” radio show and their Charlotte affiliate, 105.3 The Soul.