Andrea Ridout - aka "Ask Andrea"
For over a decade, Andrea Ridout has helped do-it-yourselfers hammer through the hype and make smart decisions for their homes. Her national radio show, Ask Andrea, educated millions of listeners across the country and beyond. Now she's thrilled to launch an exciting radio program all about sustainable living called Mother Earth News Radio, which plays Saturday mornings at 9 AM on CNN 1190AM in Dallas/Fort Worth and at 11 AM nationally via the IRN/USA Radio Network.
In the past, Andrea also hosted The Energy Show and energizeGreen and has co-hosted numerous other radio programs as well as radio tips-of-the-day. When she's not in front of a microphone, Andrea is often writing articles for magazines. Her expertise has appeared in Reader's Digest, Do!, Prevention, Country Home and Old House Interiors, just to name a few. Her Andrea's Choice columns have run in Home Magazine and Dallas Home Improvement and Verizon's Solutions at Home nationwide. The Washington Post Express calls her “Little Miss Fixit”.
Andrea's book, If I Had a Hammer - Over 100 Easy Fixes and Weekend Projects, was published by Harper Collins in the spring of 2008. In addition, she has appeared on numerous television shows including DIY's Tools and Techniques, Designing Texas and Hot on Homes. She is often seen on Fox 4's "Good Day" television program in her home market of Dallas, Texas.
Andrea has been involved with several charities and civic organizations during her career: Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity and other groups, helping to generate corporate donations and building the Ask Andrea Habitat House. With the help of industry friends, Andrea has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of building materials to aid various causes. As an ongoing effort, she features non-profits often on her programs.
Andrea is the proud mother of 3 young people who keep her busy when she is not working. She divides her time between her hometown of Dallas and a small farm just south of the city. She's an avid animal lover and has pets ranging from Scotty dogs to cows.
