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

<p>In conversation with Valerie Smaldone and host Helen Jonsen.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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 created in the play she co-wrote, entitled “Spit it Out!”  She has performed in several acclaimed Off-Broadway plays: “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” at the Minetta Lane Theatre, “Naked in a Fishbowl” at the Soho Playhouse, “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” at The Triad, and “Girl Talk: The Musical,” among others.</p><p>This Episode: </p><p>00:00 Whiteboard Career Hack</p><p>00:31 Show Intro andMission</p><p>01:27 Meet ValerieSmaldone</p><p>02:27 Light FMBreakthrough</p><p>04:59 Acting AlongsideRadio</p><p>05:46 Leaving Radio in2008</p><p>06:54 Coaching andTransferable Skills</p><p>09:23 COVID Pivot to Producing</p><p>10:59 Thrown Into Directing</p><p>13:20 Divine Renovation Explained</p><p>16:12 More Projects and Distribution</p><p>20:03 Elder Care and Life Balance</p><p>22:13 Future Plans and AI</p><p>23:47 Why Kindness Drives It All</p><p>26:07 Fun Life andBroadway Loves</p><p>29:03 FinalReflections and Wrap</p><p> </p><p>RESOURCES</p><p><a href="https://valeriesmaldone.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://valeriesmaldone.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.justdogoodent.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.justdogoodent.com/</a></p><p> </p><p>Producer/Host, TELLY AWARD WINNING NEW SERIES-<em>Finding Kindness</em></p><p>Producer/Director, Air Angels: Flight Helene</p><p>Just Do GOOD Entertainment Presents, <em>Officer Erik and the Very Special Dad-</em>InternationalImpact Book Award winner</p><p>Executive Producer, TELLY AND DAVEY AWARD WINNING <em>Divine Renovation-The Series</em>,hosted by Erik Estrada</p><p>Director/ExecutiveProducer, NY FILM AWARD, LA FILM AWARD, ROME PRISMA AWARD WINNING FILM,<em>TheThursday Night Club, </em>featuring Gloria Gaynor</p><p><a href="http://www.justdogoodent.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.justdogoodent.com</a></p><p>------</p><p>Support for This Kaleidoscope Career comes from Divine AssetManagement, a woman-owned firm advising individuals, families, and businessowners on long-term strategies that align wealth with values. Explore more at <a href="https://www.divineassetmgt.com/workwithdivine">⁠WorkWithDivine.com⁠</a></p><p><strong>About Helen &amp; This Kaleidoscope Career</strong></p><p>I’m Helen Jonsen, the founder of <a href="https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career">helen jonsen media and ThisKaleidoscope Career</a></p><p>Check out my new book <em><strong>This Kaleidoscope Career:Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success</strong></em>(De Gruyter Brill) wherever you purchase books or <a href="https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career">click here</a>. </p><p><strong>Work with me!</strong> I am booking exclusive keynotes,bookstore and book club appearances now. Em