So many radio hosts today are lazy. Instead of doing their own show prep, they go get a “producer” — usually someone with little to no real experience — and dump everything on them. Their ego feels good saying, “Talk to my producer,” but the show suffers because they never learned how to actually use a producer to enhance what they do.
Most people only use producers to print show prep from the big prep services… and that’s it. No creativity. No intention. No purpose. And that’s why the show never gets better.
If you want a good producer, you must teach them to think like you think about your show.
They must understand your structure, your rhythm, your expectations, and your non-negotiables. A producer should mirror your thinking — not dictate content to you.
And let me say this clearly:
If they have no experience, they should never be dictating anything.
Get someone humble. Someone willing to learn. Not an arrogant person who refuses to listen. That becomes a headache later. If you want them on air, cool. But if you don’t, then make sure you hire someone who only wants to serve the show — and does not have a hidden agenda.
A producer is a coordinator.
A support beam.
A silent engine behind the scenes.
When they think like you, you can trust them to keep the show running even when you're not in the room.
How to Train a Real Producer
Here are some ideas and expectations:
1. Teach them how to prep content that fits YOUR mind.
It’s not their show. It’s your show. Their prep must match your style of storytelling, your humor, your point of view, your audience.
2. Learn your hosts’ strengths and weaknesses.
A producer must know who shines where — and who struggles where — so they can set every host up to sound smart and impactful.
3. Serve every member of the show.
A good producer brings order, clarity, and confidence to everyone behind the mic.
4. Think ahead.
A great producer is always anticipating the next move. They don’t wait for things to happen — they stay ahead of them.
5. Arrive early.
You should be there before anyone else. Debrief the team on what happened overnight. Bring your ideas. Bring your angles. Bring your energy.
6. Bring content — real content.
If you have a staff of 2–3 hosts and you are the producer, they should bring 30 pieces of content to the table — ten for each host. Then you all decide which ones will hit the audience with impact for the day.
7. Use creativity to enhance the bits for todays show.
A producer should be adding layers: sound, angles, guests, humor, research. Make it bigger. what epieces can we add. Who can we call on the fly for this bit. Make it happen with speed.
8. Set up tomorrow’s show today.
Book guests. Build angles. Prep reactions. Know your host’s strengths and set them up to win every break, whether it’s a live read, a top story, or an interview.
Your job is to be the force that makes everything pop.
If You’re Not Hired to Be On-Air, Stay Off the Mic
If the producer was hired strictly to produce — not cohost — then they must honor that.
If the host pulls you into the conversation occasionally, fine.
But don’t force your way onto the air if that’s not what I need you for.
Great Producers Don’t Take Over — They Elevate
I’ve worked with great producers — people I trained to run my show my way, not theirs. A seasoned morning host will never let a novice redirect the personality and spirit of the show just so they can say, “I have a producer.”
A real producer knows their role:
Serve the show. Protect the energy. Strengthen the host.
When a Producer Has Talent Beyond Producing
Sometimes you get blessed with someone who can articulate… someone who’s humble and has the goods. When that happens, you’ve got decisions to make.
Because the success of your show depends on knowing what you have in that studio. If your producer is a weapon — use them. Transition them into a cohost if needed.
Whatever it takes to win.
Don’t wait.
Teach your producer how to serve your show.
Build people who love their role and want to help your show thrive.
When you get the right mix of talent, humility, creativity, and structure, you create that Bliss Effect — that pure energy that shoots through the speakers and hits the listeners right in their chest.
That’s when your show becomes unstoppable.
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