📍 Lost in Jersey Podcast | Hosted by Janette Afsharian & Rachel Martens
🎙️ What’s It Like to Work at The Today Show and Run a Hit Podcast and Live in the New Jersey Burbs?
Lost in Jersey welcomes two media powerhouse pros who traded NYC (Brooklyn, to be exact) for New Jersey. The Today Show’s Holly Palmieri and podcast producer Alfred Schulz share their journey from radio beginnings to suburban life, reflecting on career shifts, family, and the evolution of audio storytelling.
Holly Palmieri starts her mornings before sunrise, catching the 5:30 a.m. bus from New Jersey to 30 Rock, where she’s the voice behind The Today Show on SiriusXM. Meanwhile, Alfred Schulz, a longtime radio producer and co-host of Pizza Pod Party where he talks of pizza preferences of celebrities, friends, and colleagues. He also helps to produces other podcasts, and helps us understand ever changing radio media industry.
Together, they’ve built careers in radio, podcasting, and live media, but as the industry shifts, so do their perspectives on what’s next. Is radio evolving or fading? What’s happening with podcasting layoffs? And how does it all affect the future of storytelling? Tune in to find out!
🔊 Inside This Episode:
- 00:00:00] Intro
- [00:03:00] Welcomes
- [00:04:48] Podcasting industry insights.
- [00:08:08] Unique career paths in media.
- [00:12:00] The evolution of audio careers.
- [00:13:42] Suburban life adjustments.
- [00:18:41] Behind-the-scenes interviews at The Today Show.
- [00:22:31] Hoda Kotb’s mentorship impact.
- [00:24:32] Pizza and personal stories.
- [00:29:22] The impact of social media.
- [00:32:57] Podcast industry challenges and changes.
- [00:35:15] Podcast personalization for families.
- [00:39:37] Local news resurgence in America.
- [00:41:39] Unique dining experiences in New Jersey.
🚀 Is the audio industry changing for better or worse? Holly & Alfred weigh in with humor, insight, and a few great stories.
📩 Love this episode? Share your thoughts on social & tag us! @lostin.jersey
AI Summary
Interview with Holly Palmieri and Alfred Schultz
Introduction
The episode begins with hosts Janette and Rachel sharing their excitement about interviewing Holly Palmieri and Alfred Schultz, a couple with extensive backgrounds in the podcasting and radio industry. They emphasize the importance of networking and attending events to meet interesting people.
Meeting Holly and Alfred
Janette recounts how she met Holly and Alfred at a meetup, which they hosted. Holly explains that the meetup was organized after a conversation with Ariel Nissenblatt, a podcast writer. The couple shares their experiences in the industry and their pride in being a part of it.
Backgrounds in Media
Holly Palmieri
Holly shares her journey starting from her roots in the Bronx, moving to Long Island, and eventually working at SiriusXM. She began as an intern for the Martha Stewart channel, which led to a full-time position as a sound engineer. Holly describes her experiences working with notable figures like Barbara Walters and how she grew within the company over 18 years.
Alfred Schultz
Alfred discusses his background in radio, starting from his college days where he ran the college radio station. He worked at a news station in Portland, Maine, and later moved to New York to work at WNYC. Alfred eventually joined SiriusXM, where he spent eight years covering political events and pop culture.
Life Changes and Moving to New Jersey
Holly and Alfred talk about their decision to move to Montclair, New Jersey, especially during the pandemic. They discuss the challenges of adjusting to suburban life and the changes that come with parenthood. Holly expresses her mixed feelings about the transition from city life to the suburbs.
The Today Show Experience
Holly describes her role at the Today Show, where she works as a producer and director for the SiriusXM program. She explains her daily routine, which involves commuting early in the morning and interviewing anchors and producers behind the scenes. Holly highlights the importance of building rapport with guests to create engaging content.
The Pizza Podcast: Pizza Pod Party
Alfred introduces his podcast, “Pizza Pod Party,” where he discusses pizza culture with various guests. He explains how the idea originated from a live show experiment and evolved into a full podcast. Alfred emphasizes the unique stories people share about their relationships with pizza, showcasing how food can connect individuals and reveal deeper cultural insights.
Industry Insights and Challenges
The couple discusses the current state of the podcasting industry, noting the challenges of monetization and the impact of celebrity-driven content. Alfred shares his concerns about the oversaturation of the market and the difficulties faced by talented individuals in finding stable jobs. They express hope for the future of audio storytelling and the importance of maintaining passion in the industry.
Personalization of Podcasts
Alfred shares his vision for the future of podcasting, focusing on the personalization of audio content for families. He discusses the potential for creating meaningful narratives using existing audio recordings, allowing families to preserve their stories in a unique way.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a discussion about the couple’s favorite aspects of New Jersey, including their children’s happiness and the unique dining experiences they have discovered. They express gratitude for the opportunity to share their stories and insights on the podcast. The hosts thank Holly and Alfred for joining them and encourage listeners to explore the world of local stories and experiences.
