Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Kodesh.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jodi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been in the television industry for nearly 15 years. I got my start in Palm Springs, working as a weather forecaster for CBS 2, before moving to San Diego to work for NBC 7 in 2008.
I was the morning meteorologist for NBC 7 for almost 11 years, until July of 2018, when my contract was not renewed. It came as a shock to me. To be truthful, I was devastated & heartbroken — but ultimately, I believe everything happens for a reason.
It took about a month to pick myself up from what could have been a career-ending circumstance, but ultimately, it was my family and the social media following I had gained over the years that saved me.
I realized that I had lost a job — not people — not the people who depended on me daily for their weather forecast, so, I continued to forecast from home. My husband, Mark (who I have been with since I was 18) encouraged me to. He has always given me the best advice.
I created my own weather graphics (I’m a computer nerd!) and put up a completely lit green screen in my living room. My family was so supportive in encouraging me to continue my passion. The outreach from everyone on social media was unbelievable and appreciated beyond words.
The course my life has taken, and the events that have happened with my career, since then, have been incredible.
Shortly after leaving NBC, I landed a huge partnership with San Diego County Credit Union. This sponsorship not only allowed me to continue forecasting digitally to nearly 50,000 social media followers, but it also allowed me normal work hours! (No more waking up at 2 am!) SDCCU has been amazing. They give so much to the community. I am proud to call them my sponsor.
I was also able to continue visiting and speaking at schools throughout the county, teaching meteorology and weather of Southern California.
In April, UCSD awarded me the 2019 Humanitarian Award, for my involvement in the community, and school outreach programs. I am only the 3rd recipient of the award, behind Paula Abdul and actress, Shannon Elizabeth! That night was one I will never forget.
The San Diego Unified School District reached out to me, to create a series of videos that every kindergartner in the district will watch, in order to learn about weather. The series was so successful that we made it even bigger, and I am currently in the middle of a school speaking tour called “Wild About Weather”!
Last month, I was voted San Diego’s Best Meteorologist in a large publication’s contest. This is the only time in the 30-year history of the contest that a non-broadcast meteorologist has won the award. This was huge for me because it proves that the industry has changed dramatically and that there is a place for me in the digital world. I continue to do everything I have ever wanted to do, in addition to spending quality time with my family.
The latest development is that brands are now reaching out to me (and my family) to partner on activities and events around Southern California. We recently teamed up with Sea World’s Aquatica, which was a blast!
My life is 110% where I’d would like it to be, right now — and I am dreaming bigger — with several projects in the works.
It just goes to show that life takes unexpected turns — but you should never lose sight of your worth.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My life has never been easy. I’ve always dealt with ups and downs. But losing a job in television, when it has been your identity for so long, and you are supporting a family, is downright frightening. I was terrified. Of course, my family was supportive, but believe it or not, it was actually my social media following (many of which were perfect strangers) that pulled me out of a very difficult time.
When I worked for NBC, I would post the forecast every morning. One day, my followers noticed it stopped.
When I made the announcement I was no longer there, the amount of emails and private messages I received was mind-blowing. I had no idea how much people depended on that forecast every morning. It completely filled my heart and lifted me up when I most needed it.
People begged me to continue forecasting. Some called other stations on my behalf. Some even suggested looking for a sponsor. Mothers wrote, telling me that I had raised their children because their 18-year-old had watched my forecast every morning for ten years! Wow!
I couldn’t ignore it. It really breathed a new life into me. And I dove right back in — this time, on my own.
Even now, my following is growing faster than ever, because I want to give so much more back to the people that follow my page. I owe them more than they will ever know.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I continue to forecast online under the brand Jodi Kodesh Weather. I forecast on Facebook and Instagram. I speak at schools across the county teaching weather to students. I MC events across Southern California, and I am often a keynote speaker for organizations.
What sets my forecast apart from others is that it is always accessible and reliable. You can get it any time of the day, right on your phone. After all, most people check their phones, even before they get out of bed in the morning. You don’t have to wait for the news to see it. It’s the forecast, without the depressing news stories.
I know Southern California weather more than most, having forecasted from the desert to the sea, and everywhere in between.
Perhaps what makes my style most appealing is that I don’t get bogged down with details. I tell you exactly what you need to know. “Take a sack lunch, since it might be raining during lunchtime, and you won’t want to drive!”
I also love to throw in really fun facts to my forecasts, and people that follow me will learn cool things over time.
“Did you know that the reason snails come out in the rain is because they are mating?”
I am most proud that I go the extra mile in my forecasts.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My definition of success changes over time. Right now, I’d say success is happiness. And happiness is fulfillment. I take success day by day. If I’ve done my best as a mother, and a wife, and continued to be a kind person, work hard and be creative (because it fulfills me) — then I have been successful. None of that involves money.
Contact Info:
- Email: jodi@jodikodesh.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodikodesh
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jodikodesh
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/jodikodesh
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