Haleema Shah was eight when she became a public radio listener thanks to long drives in her mother’s car, and 18 when she made her radio debut — with a story about cats. After shadowing felines with her microphone, occasionally being hissed at by both cats and humans alike, she continued making radio as an intern for Chicago Public Media’s station, Vocalo, and as an intern for Voice of America in Washington, D.C. A graduate from Elmhurst College, Haleema holds a dual degree in history and economics. When she isn’t devouring news and radio stories, Haleema can be found devouring poetry, improv sketches, or last night’s takeout.