ABOUT

So what do you actually do?

I am a radio producer and journalist.

I have worked across a range of different programmes and networks from local radio, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network. I’ve dipped in and out of journalism, storytelling, and speech radio to working in music and entertainment radio.

Currently, I produce the BBC Asian Network Breakfast Show.

What has your career path been?

I graduated with a Journalism and English degree. While I was studying, I always made sure I had lots of different work experience opportunities to help me get my foot in the industry. Post university, I started freelancing through the work experience contacts I made and tried grabbing every opportunity that came my way and led me to where I am now.

Every route into the industry is different, there is no right or wrong way. Just make sure you are open to new opportunities that feel right to you.

What is the best part of your job?

Where do I start?! When you produce a show you’re essentially in charge of every aspect and you thrive to make it the best it can be. There’s something extremely liberating to have that creative freedom which allows you to experiment with so many different ideas. You focus on so many different components which keeps you on your toes! From the live radio element to creating bespoke social media content and so on.

Why do you do your job?

I’ve always loved hearing and learning from different people, their life, their stories, their unique experiences.

There’s something really special about reaching out and showcasing them through the airwaves.

One piece of advice for someone starting in your role?

Don’t worry too much about being the loudest person in the room to make yourself stand out. Focus on yourself, your craft and the work will speak for itself.

Check out Kaya’s socials below!

DAY IN THE LIFE

The alarm goes off at 4:45am every morning (it never gets easier no matter how many times you do this!) I make my way into the studio just before 6am and myself, the assistant producer and the presenter have a meeting every morning about what the show will entail for that day. Every day is different!

The key with Breakfast is to keep your finger on the pulse with what’s happening in people’s lives, the world and online. We collectively bounce ideas and work together to think of fun and unique treatments which translate on air to our listeners.

7am is showtime and you can feel the tiredness wear off by this point and the adrenaline kicks in for the live show. Although we plan and map out the show, the beauty with live radio is you never know what might happen along the way and there’s a real excitement about that. I love how the tone is constantly shifting, you could be reflecting the mood of people in the pandemic or reacting to the silliest stories and viral content.

The show ends at 10am and the team have a debrief where we discuss highlights and the things we can build on.

Usually, pre pandemic we would all work in the office post show but that’s not possible now. So, after the show I work the rest of my shift from home.

The rest of my day is spent planning big impact moments whether that’s chasing big guests or mapping out new editorial and projects.

If everything goes according to plan, I sign off at 2pm and try to enjoy the rest of my day - sometimes starting with an afternoon nap!