Where Are They Now? Alla Pekareva-Kochergina

By Robert, June 2008

We caught up with Alla Pekareva-Kochergina, who joined outLoud in 2004, and who is now a student at Smith College in Massachusetts.

Who would win in a fight, a Noah-Ryu tag team, or a bear? (suggested answer: whoever wins—we lose!)
Noah would! With his pomegranate reduction sauce and vegetable garden, of course.

How do you think Outloud has infuenced your life (socially, career-wise, experience-wise etc.) now that you're a certified grown-up?
Being involved with outLoud was an awesome experience. I became more confident in myself and it allowed me to learn how to get my voice heard and express myself. The instructors introduced me to a million other radio producers at a bunch of conferences, which lead me to get involved with other projects. You know, I wish I got started with outLoud sooner in my life so that I could have done more before I left SF.

What is your fondest outloud memory?
My fondest memory was when Noah and I were working on my coming out piece. We needed people to be the voices of my parents, and Noah volunteered to play my dad. You can imagine what that turned out to be like ... It was hysterically funny.

Is there anything you think i've missed???
In my final version of my coming out piece, I talked about a girl that I had met and introduced to my parents. Well, let me introduce her to you: she's my wife. :) It'll be our two-year wedding anniversary in September.

PS: Noah is honestly the best supervisor ever. He is super encouraging and supportive.