Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Salvia.
Hi Joey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Some people spend their lives searching for a path. Mine seemed to reveal itself one song at a time.
It started with a guitar and a fascination with music that never really left. As a young musician, I spent years writing songs, participating in musical theatre, playing clubs, and touring with a college rock band in the 1980s. Those years taught me how music connects people and how a performance can change the energy in a room.
That path led me into radio. Between gigs and recording sessions, I became a DJ, sharing music and introducing listeners to new artists. That eventually led to hosting a music program on WLIR-FM on Long Island.
From there, my work shifted into audio production and storytelling. Radio led to production, and production led to podcasting. I worked with organizations including Disney/ESPN, Fox News Radio, and Cumulus Media, building experience across different formats and audiences. In 2021, I joined CNN as Podcasts Creative Services Manager, working on production, advertising, and promotional content.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t been straight, which is probably true for most creative careers. A lot of what I learned came through trial and error, curiosity, and figuring things out as I went. Early on, I taught myself multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, harmonica, keyboards, and mandolin, with help from a few generous friends and mentors along the way. Most of it came down to listening closely, making mistakes, and trying again. I’m still picking up instruments like drums and ukuleles, always looking to expand my skill set.
I learned recording the same way. My first setup was a cassette four-track recorder and a lot of persistence. From there, I moved through professional studios with tape machines, 24-track systems, early digital workstations, and eventually computer-based production. The tools kept changing, but the process of experimenting and adapting stayed constant.
A constant challenge throughout my career has been change. I’ve seen the music industry shift, radio evolve, and digital audio grow into podcasting and modern media. I was producing early on-demand audio content for Disney/ESPN before podcasting was widely defined, and I’ve worked through major industry shifts, including the Great Recession, restructures, and the pandemic. Each stage required learning new tools and adjusting quickly. Being largely self-taught made that easier in a way, because learning and adapting were built into everything from the start.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For most of my life, I’ve been drawn to stories told through sound. That began with music. Long before podcasting existed or audio could be produced entirely on a laptop, I was learning how songs were built and how sound creates emotional connection. What started with songwriting and performing gradually expanded into radio, production, podcasting, branded content, digital media, and video production.
As a young musician, I spent years writing songs, playing clubs, and touring with a college rock band in the 1980s. Performing eventually led to radio work, including hosting a music program on WLIR-FM on Long Island, a station known for championing emerging artists. That became a natural bridge into audio production and podcasting.
Today, I serve as Podcasts Creative Services Manager at CNN, supporting original programming, audience engagement, and creative production. Across my career, I’ve worked across news, sports, entertainment, radio, branded podcasts, and digital media, handling projects from concept through final production, including recording, editing, voice-over, mixing, and video post-production.
What sets my work apart is the range of perspectives I bring. I’ve worked as an independent musician and inside major media organizations, as a performer, producer, editor, and creative lead. That combination gives me a practical understanding of both collaboration and hands-on execution.
What I’m most proud of is building a career rooted in curiosity and adaptability. I’ve had the chance to work with talented teams, contribute to widely heard projects, and continue releasing my own music. The relationships and collaborations have been just as meaningful as the work itself. At the core, my focus has stayed the same: shaping ideas into stories people can connect with through sound and media. Last year, I took a college writing course. I enjoyed the challenge so much that I took another class this year and will continue attending my local community college to stay sharp and keep learning.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve always been a lifelong learner, so my influences come from books, podcasts, music, technology, and curiosity. I bought my first audiobooks in 1987, and I’ve carried that habit of listening ever since. As someone working in audio, I study podcasts not just for content, but for storytelling, pacing, interview style, and production. Shows like Chasing Life and All There Is with Anderson Cooper stand out, and voices like Rick Beato and Ted Gioia keep me connected to music education and history.
Musically, my foundation comes from Johnny Cash, The Beatles, blues, and Motown. Those influences still shape how I think about songwriting and production. I also respect creators who push boundaries while still serving the song. On the technical side, I work with tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Logic Pro, iZotope, Riverside, and Final Cut Pro, and I’ve been incorporating AI tools into my workflow. Each new platform has expanded what’s possible compared to when I first learned recording on a cassette four-track.
Self-care is also a big part of what helps me do my best work. My routine is simple, but there are no shortcuts. I walk a lot and practice hot yoga regularly. Over the past eight months, I’ve taken more than 150 yoga classes, and in 2025, I’ve logged over 2.4 million steps walking my dog. It’s become a steady part of how I stay grounded, clear, and focused.
A couple of books that have stayed with me are The Power of Myth (Joseph Campbell) and The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien). They’re very different, but both speak to meaning and storytelling. That idea connects everything I do. Staying curious, staying open, and keeping a childlike sense of wonder have been the most consistent supports in my work and life. I’m also grateful for my loving and supportive family. I appreciate the opportunity to share what I’m up to. Thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joeysalvia.wixsite.com/joeysalvia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoeySalvia
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6feGDOt3VpyadgHR9SxwOa?si=eygc9oZhTWWEAPmNuILxmw
