About to co-host a radio show, and, um ...
February 26, 2023 7:55 PM Subscribe
I'm having a problem that I hope you can help me with.
My entire life in journalism has been about journalism. Doing interviews, for the most part, with people who are authorities in their fields. Dealing with facts, not opinion.
But I am about to co-host a radio show where we are invited to be personalities more than commentators, and I don't know how to do that. And to be even more honest, I don't know how comfortable I am doing that. I agreed to co-host because I'd never had a radio show that was not based on reportage, and I wanted to try it out.
The format of the show looks at differences that have led to the urban rural divide. The Brookings Institution and National League of Cities looked at the topic in 2020 and 2018 respectively and agreed it is a thing. Each week, we look at issues like food deserts, energy policy, political preferences, etc. I want to approach it with facts to back up opinions. Maybe at some point, even invite guests. But how do I co-host a program that wants conversation that's not as formal as an interview when I feel much more at home with a conversation that is based on research before-hand and a structure that leads its? I do have a personality, and in my past reportage (as I think, for many reporters and journalists), it peeks through. What to do if it needs to shine through?
How do I do that without either sounding stilted or going too far overboard and running my mouth or feeling too at ease with my own opinions or falling too much in love with my own voice? So, I guess I'm also asking how to keep my own ego out of it as much as possible. Or, is that possible? Plus, the show creator also wants the show to be podcast and though some podcasts have a stellar reputation for reportage (Serial), some just sound like so much yakking and I don't want to do that.
But I am about to co-host a radio show where we are invited to be personalities more than commentators, and I don't know how to do that. And to be even more honest, I don't know how comfortable I am doing that. I agreed to co-host because I'd never had a radio show that was not based on reportage, and I wanted to try it out.
The format of the show looks at differences that have led to the urban rural divide. The Brookings Institution and National League of Cities looked at the topic in 2020 and 2018 respectively and agreed it is a thing. Each week, we look at issues like food deserts, energy policy, political preferences, etc. I want to approach it with facts to back up opinions. Maybe at some point, even invite guests. But how do I co-host a program that wants conversation that's not as formal as an interview when I feel much more at home with a conversation that is based on research before-hand and a structure that leads its? I do have a personality, and in my past reportage (as I think, for many reporters and journalists), it peeks through. What to do if it needs to shine through?
How do I do that without either sounding stilted or going too far overboard and running my mouth or feeling too at ease with my own opinions or falling too much in love with my own voice? So, I guess I'm also asking how to keep my own ego out of it as much as possible. Or, is that possible? Plus, the show creator also wants the show to be podcast and though some podcasts have a stellar reputation for reportage (Serial), some just sound like so much yakking and I don't want to do that.
I think I meant "charming" rather than hilarious. Sorry - just being open with what you are experiencing moment to moment is very engaging, I think.
posted by amtho at 11:53 PM on February 26, 2023
posted by amtho at 11:53 PM on February 26, 2023
I have to do conversational podcast stuff at work now and then, so I understand a bit of what you're feeling: discomfort at being observed when you're just an observer yourself.
I am going to guess that this is a recorded show and will be subject to editing. Producers are magical and they will take care of pacing and slip-ups. It's OK to go a little over. But it's also always OK to stop!
Feel free to figure out a good prompt for throwing to your co-host so they know it's time to respond, ask a question, or bail you out. For instance finishing a data point or anecdote with "did you know that?" or "isn't that interesting?" or "why do you think that is?" is a great way to invite further discussion while making it clear you're done. This kind of repartee becomes easier the more you do with your co-host.
You should be ready to ask questions that come up in the course of the other's (or an expert's) explanations, because people tend to overestimate listener/reader knowledge. Even if the listener does know some stat or historical fact, having it said anyway is like getting a note of praise ("Ah yes... I knew that") while it brings others up to speed. Just don't go down any rabbit holes, and maybe find a signal for telling each other that this is happening: "that's interesting, let's come back to that" or the like.
Keeping your ego out is one thing, but you've been picked for this role because you are knowledgeable and capable of discussing this stuff. You are the show and that's OK! It can feel like pressure but it is also freeing: the point of the show is, partly, to let you talk about stuff you are interested in and informed about. Whatever you and your co-host do, is what the show is intended to be, and your producer will help it be the best version of that.
But perhaps most importantly, it's also OK (and inevitable) to learn from your first few experiences and adjust the show and format as you go. Maybe you want to allow a rabbit hole now and then; maybe you find a great format for having experts on; maybe you find that you become more the researcher, or the interviewer, or you trade off. Roll with it and know that you're there on that mic for a good reason so do your best and it'll be great!
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:55 PM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am going to guess that this is a recorded show and will be subject to editing. Producers are magical and they will take care of pacing and slip-ups. It's OK to go a little over. But it's also always OK to stop!
Feel free to figure out a good prompt for throwing to your co-host so they know it's time to respond, ask a question, or bail you out. For instance finishing a data point or anecdote with "did you know that?" or "isn't that interesting?" or "why do you think that is?" is a great way to invite further discussion while making it clear you're done. This kind of repartee becomes easier the more you do with your co-host.
You should be ready to ask questions that come up in the course of the other's (or an expert's) explanations, because people tend to overestimate listener/reader knowledge. Even if the listener does know some stat or historical fact, having it said anyway is like getting a note of praise ("Ah yes... I knew that") while it brings others up to speed. Just don't go down any rabbit holes, and maybe find a signal for telling each other that this is happening: "that's interesting, let's come back to that" or the like.
Keeping your ego out is one thing, but you've been picked for this role because you are knowledgeable and capable of discussing this stuff. You are the show and that's OK! It can feel like pressure but it is also freeing: the point of the show is, partly, to let you talk about stuff you are interested in and informed about. Whatever you and your co-host do, is what the show is intended to be, and your producer will help it be the best version of that.
But perhaps most importantly, it's also OK (and inevitable) to learn from your first few experiences and adjust the show and format as you go. Maybe you want to allow a rabbit hole now and then; maybe you find a great format for having experts on; maybe you find that you become more the researcher, or the interviewer, or you trade off. Roll with it and know that you're there on that mic for a good reason so do your best and it'll be great!
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:55 PM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm an ex radio guy with tons of experience in markets small and large.
Don't talk to "everybody" plural. Talk to "you" singular. It's even helpful to think of it that way. You're talking to one person, even if there are tens or even hundreds of thousands of those ones listening. That's the beauty of radio. It's surprisingly personal and intimate.
Relax. Have a conversation with the one you're talking to. You might even find it helpful to think about a specific person you're talking to. Someone you know is interested in the topic. Talk to him, or her.
If you talk to everyone, you're talking to no one.
If you talk to someone, singular, everyone feels like you're talking specifically to them.
Be honest, be yourself, and have fun.
Good luck!
posted by 2oh1 at 3:00 AM on February 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Don't talk to "everybody" plural. Talk to "you" singular. It's even helpful to think of it that way. You're talking to one person, even if there are tens or even hundreds of thousands of those ones listening. That's the beauty of radio. It's surprisingly personal and intimate.
Relax. Have a conversation with the one you're talking to. You might even find it helpful to think about a specific person you're talking to. Someone you know is interested in the topic. Talk to him, or her.
If you talk to everyone, you're talking to no one.
If you talk to someone, singular, everyone feels like you're talking specifically to them.
Be honest, be yourself, and have fun.
Good luck!
posted by 2oh1 at 3:00 AM on February 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Do you ever listen to On the Media? They do a good job of this kind of interview. Check out that and other analogues for inspiration.
posted by Miko at 8:05 PM on February 27, 2023
posted by Miko at 8:05 PM on February 27, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
I think the strategy I'm deploying here is relying on your co-host to keep the conversation going -- don't worry about being responsible for that yourself. Just let yourself like the other people in the program, and let them draw you out.
posted by amtho at 11:30 PM on February 26, 2023