Valerie Smaldone: From #1 New York Radio Host to Feel-Good TV Producer

About this episode

Valerie Smaldone discusses her career from radio to TV production, highlighting her experiences and contributions to the industry.

In conversation with Valerie Smaldone and host Helen Jonsen. Valerie Smaldone is an unforgettable voice behind the micand in front of the camera. She is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market. She has hosted, produced and createdseveral nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey, among others. She co-founded Just Do Good Entertainment, producingcommunity-minded shows like “Divine Renovation” with Erik Estrada and “Finding Kindness,” plus a family book, while reflecting on caregiving, kindness after 9/11, and staying adaptable amid AI. Valerie’s earlier credits include hosting and producing a nationally syndicated radio program, “America Weekend with Valerie Smaldone…and Friends,” distributed through the Envision Radio Network. As an actress on stage and screen, Valerie had a featuredrole in “Blue Bloods” on CBS, has been a recurring character in the Fox Television series, “The Following.” Other notable roles include Kara Angelo, a character she…

People in this episode

Host: Helen Jonsen

Guest: Valerie Smaldone

Topics covered

• radio broadcasting
• TV production
• interviews with artists
• caregiving
• kindness
• adaptability

Keywords

• Valerie Smaldone
• radio host
• TV producer
• interviews
• Billboard Award
• Just Do Good Entertainment
• caregiving
• kindness
• AI

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Billboard Magazine, Just Do Good Entertainment

Books & works: Divine Renovation, Finding Kindness, America Weekend with Valerie Smaldone…and Friends, Blue Bloods, The Following, Spit it Out!, Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell, Naked in a Fishbowl, Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, Girl Talk: The Musical

More episodes of This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast

• Christine Koh: From Brain Science to Digital Media and Creative Diplomat · May 19, 2026 · 43 min
• PR Executive Lisa Woolery: From Writing Dreams to Widowhood—and Back Again · May 6, 2026 · 44 min
• Meet Liz Dolan: From Nike to Satellite Sisters & Lizness School! · April 24, 2026 · 48 min
• Meet Nicole R. Ferrera Superwoman & Commercialization Queen · April 7, 2026 · 42 min
• Laura Pensiero: From Clinical Dietitian to Accidental Restaurateur building Hudson Valley Mediterranean Magic · March 24, 2026 · 38 min
• Naeemah Elias: Why does this Harvard grad she call herself a chameleon? · March 11, 2026 · 49 min