Here we are — only three months into the year, and yet it feels like I’ve already run a marathon. As a radio producer, my life is a whirlwind of brainstorming, plotting, researching, and chasing people. And, let me tell you, it’s so much more than just putting together a playlist or throwing in a few guest speakers for a segment.

Conceptualizing topics is where it all begins. On paper, it might seem like a straightforward task. You pick a topic and break it down into bite-sized parts. Then, you present it in a way that sparks listener interest. But in reality, it’s far from that simple. The pressure to create something fresh, relevant, and engaging doesn’t just stay at work—it follows me home, weaving its way into every moment of my day. The brainstorming sessions aren’t confined to office hours. Ideas hit me at all times, like when I’m brushing my teeth or cooking dinner, and I can’t shut it off.

Once we land on a topic, then comes the plotting. A good idea means nothing if you can’t structure it into a show that flows well and keeps listeners hooked. The pressure of finding the right pce, the right segments, the perfect balance of information and entertainment—it all falls on my shoulders. It’s exhausting, and with every deadline creeping closer, the feeling of a constant need to keep moving, keep pushing, doesn’t let up.

But here’s the real kicker: finding the right guests. Oh, chasing people down to make a show happen is where my patience is tested. And this is where the real work lies. It’s not just about getting the ‘big names’—sometimes it’s the quieter voices that make all the diffrence. But, of course, everyone is busy. And reaching out to people is never a simple “Hey, do you want to join us for an interview?” It’s often a matter of sending dozens of emails, followed by phone calls, texts, and sometimes late-night messages. You chase them through every possible communication channel until they say yes—or at least until you finally get an answer. And let me tel you, that answer doesn’t always come on the first try. Or the second. Or the tenth.

On the nights when I’m still sitting in front of my computer at midnight, waiting on a guest to confirm or tweaking the script one last time, I find myself asking: Why do I do this? It’s a thankless job, often going unnoticed by the general public, and it demands so much of my energy and time. And yet, every morning, I get back to it. Because at the end of the day, it’s about creating something that resonates with the audience, even if no one sees the behind-the-scenes struggle.

The first quarter of the year has only just begun, and yet, I feel like I’ve already burned through the emotional and mntal energy of several seasons. The work doesn’t stop. But neither does my passion for it—despite the exhaustion, the relentless pursuit of guests, and the countless hours spent perfecting every aspect of a show.

The reality of being a radio producer isn’t glamorous—it’s messy, tiring, and often thankless. But that moment when everything comes together, when the show airs and the guests speak their truth, when the listeners respond—that is what makes it all worth it. Even when the tired is tired.