Election Day is November 3, and early voting is already underway in Texas. For the next two weeks, election coverage will fill every newscast, every feed and every podcast.Newsrooms aren't only booking political pundits. They need experts who can explain how voting works and what the numbers mean for your wallet, without picking a side.In this episode of Think Like a Producer, I break down how producers book election coverage, and how three kinds of experts can join the conversation:- Election and employment attorneys: can your boss stop you from voting? On Instagram- Economists and financial planners: 3.7% inflation vs. a 3.6% Social Security raise, on LinkedIn- Educators and civics experts: how to research every line on your ballot, on XPlus: why public radio stations write stories about a nonpartisan voter guide, and how to build your content the same way.📰 SOURCES IN THIS EPISODETexas Secretary of State - Important election dates: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtmlSeptember inflation breakdown: https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/us-cpi-sept-2026-inflation-hits-3-7-as-gas-prices-surge/100073364/Social Security 3.6% increase for 2027: https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-10-14.htmlTexas Election Code Section 276.004: https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._election_code_section_276.004VOTE411 nonpartisan voter guide - WUSF: https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2026-07-20/vote411-the-league-of-women-voters-2026-online-nonpartisan-voter-guide-is-activated🎙️ Listen on podcast platforms🎓 The Visibility Program: https://oncamready.com/podcast-offer then https://substack.com/@oncamready🌐 Work with me: https://oncamready.comPitch: hello@oncamready.comRiverside (Affiliate):Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrEDiscount Code: OCR15VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamreadyThink Like a Producer, an ON CAM Ready presentation. Monday through Thursday, I break down one news headline so experts can find their angle and produce their own authority.Subscribe for new episodes Monday through Thursday.#ThinkLikeAProducer #Midterms2026 #EarlyVoting #ThoughtLeadership #PersonalBrand

At her very first briefing, the new White House press secretary was asked a simple question: where did you pass the bar exam? Days later, she acknowledged she never passed the bar and never got a U.S. law license. Five days after that first briefing, she was out of the job.

This episode isn't about politics. It's about something that happens to every guest in every newsroom: before they book you, they check you.

In this episode of Think Like a Producer, I walk you through how producers vet a guest, and how three kinds of experts can use this story:

- Attorneys and licensed professionals: why a law degree and a law license are not the same thing, on LinkedIn

- HR leaders and recruiters: a live LinkedIn audit, on Instagram

- PR and crisis communication pros: how to answer a credentials question, on X

Plus: how one follow-up question traveled from the White House briefing room to Hong Kong.

📰 SOURCES IN THIS EPISODE

NPR - Press secretary faces questions about credentials: https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2026/10/12/new-white-house-press-secretary-faces-questions-about-credentials-after-first-briefing

The Daily Beast - Bar membership records: https://www.thedailybeast.com/katie-zacharia-cornered-on-strange-legal-resume-claims

CBS News - Zacharia out as press secretary: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-katie-zacharia-white-house-press-secretary/

Fox News - Zacharia dropped after one week: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-casts-doubt-new-press-secretarys-future-after-rocky-white-house-debut

MS NOW - Opinion on the lawyer controversy: https://www.ms.now/opinion/katie-zacharia-lawyer-controversy-social-media-posts

South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/us/politics/article/3370787/trumps-new-press-secretary-faces-questions-over-over-claim-she-passed-bar-exam-china

State Bar of California attorney search: https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/LicenseeSearch/QuickSearch

🎙️ Listen on podcast platforms

🎓 The Visibility Program: https://oncamready.com/podcast-offer then https://substack.com/@oncamready

🌐 Work with me: https://oncamready.com

Pitch: hello@oncamready.com

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Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrE

Discount Code: OCR15

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Think Like a Producer, an ON CAM Ready presentation. Monday through Thursday, I break down one news headline so experts can find their angle and produce their own authority.

Subscribe for new episodes Monday through Thursday.

#ThinkLikeAProducer #MediaTraining #PersonalBrand #ThoughtLeadership #Credibility

Hurricane Isaias left more than 900,000 homes and businesses without power across Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Now the aftermath begins, and so do the contractor scams.In this episode of Think Like a Producer, I break down Alabama's warning about storm-repair fraud and show three kinds of experts how to use this story to help people and build authority:🔨 Contractors and builders: what to show homeowners on Instagram📋 Insurance agents and adjusters: the first-week checklist for LinkedIn⚖️ Attorneys: the felony law most people don't know about, explained on XPlus: why one state licensing board's press release ran on TV stations from Atlanta to Hawaii, and how to build your content the same way.📰 SOURCES IN THIS EPISODEAlabama warns of contractor scams (WBRC): https://www.wbrc.com/2026/10/09/alabama-warns-contractor-scams-hurricane-isaias-approaches/Gov. Ivey's emergency proclamation (WBRC): https://www.wbrc.com/2026/10/07/state-emergency-declared-40-alabama-counties-ahead-isaias/Isaias landfall and outages (AP via Atlanta News First): https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/10/10/hundreds-thousands-without-power-after-isaias-slams-florida-panhandle-alabama/Metro Atlanta outages (WABE): https://www.wabe.org/?p=992343Same story on Hawaii News Now: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/10/09/state-warns-contractor-scams-hurricane-isaias-approaches/Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board: https://www.hblb.alabama.gov/Alabama Attorney General consumer complaints: https://www.alabamaag.gov/🎙️ Listen on podcast platforms 🎓 The Visibility Program: https://oncamready.com/podcast-offer THEN https://substack.com/@oncamready🌐 Work with me: https://oncamready.comPitch: hello@oncamready.comRiverside (Affiliate):Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrEDiscount Code: OCR15VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamreadyThink Like a Producer, an ON CAM Ready presentation. Monday through Thursday, I break down one news headline so experts can find their angle and produce their own authority.Subscribe for new episodes Monday through Thursday.#ThinkLikeAProducer #HurricaneIsaias #ThoughtLeadership #PersonalBrand #MediaTraining

At 8:30 this morning, the Social Security Administration announces the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment. Forecasts say about 3.5%, the biggest raise in three years. By 8:31, newsrooms need experts who can explain it.In this episode of Think Like a Producer, I show you how producers prepare for a scheduled story, and how three kinds of experts can get their point of view in front of people:- Financial planners: turn the percentage into dollars on LinkedIn- Medicare brokers and pharmacists: the Medicare "but," on Instagram- Economists and policy experts: the story behind the number, on XPlus: how independent analyst Mary Johnson became the go-to COLA source for reporters, without working for a newsroom.📰 SOURCES IN THIS EPISODESSA COLA page: https://www.ssa.gov/cola/Announcement date and forecasts - Gray News: https://www.fox19.com/2026/08/26/how-much-are-social-security-benefits-expected-increase-2027-announcement-date-nears/Final COLA forecasts: https://401kspecialistmag.com/final-2027-social-security-cola-forecast-before-the-real-thing-settles-at-3-5/What a 3.7% COLA means and the Part D deductible - Money Talks News: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/social-security-cola-may-be-but-still-not-offset-medicare/COLA vs. Medicare Part B: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/social-security-cola-to-outpace-medicare-cost-but-not-much-else/Mary Johnson's revised forecast: https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/07/28/goodbye-4-7-cola-why-the-latest-estimates-for-social-security-recipients-just-changed/Syracuse study on news creators: https://newhouse.syracuse.edu/news/youtube-overtakes-tv-as-top-source-of-political-news-study-finds/🎙️ Listen on podcast platforms🎓 The Visibility Program: https://oncamready.com/podcast-offer then https://substack.com/@oncamready🌐 Work with me: https://oncamready.comPitch: hello@oncamready.comRiverside (Affiliate):Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrEDiscount Code: OCR15VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamreadyThink Like a Producer, an ON CAM Ready presentation. Monday through Thursday, I break down one news headline so experts can find their angle and produce their own authority.Subscribe for new episodes Monday through Thursday.#ThinkLikeAProducer #SocialSecurity #COLA #ThoughtLeadership #PersonalBrand

How to create expert commentary for the Apple event. Learn to filter through Apple rumors and prepare your analysis for a product launch.When a major brand makes a big announcement, the internet floods with noise. This video is designed for experts who need to cut through the speculation. We discuss how to analyze incoming data, distinguish facts from conjecture, and craft a unique angle that adds value to the conversation rather than just repeating the headlines.Preparation is the key to media readiness. You will learn how to organize your thoughts before you are on camera, ensuring you can respond to new information as it happens. By focusing on your specific expertise, you can position yourself as a reliable source when your audience needs clarity most.Subscribe for weekly breakdowns on how to build authority, and comment below on which tech stories you are currently tracking.Chapters:0:00 Preparing for Tech Announcements1:24 Separating Rumors from Confirmed Facts3:30 Tailoring Your Angle for Your Audience5:49 Leveraging LinkedIn for Thought Leadership7:00 Creative Strategies Behind the CampaignSOURCES AND EXAMPLES:Apple: Official “Welcome Home” Announcement https://www.apple.com/newsroom/in-the-loop/2026/10/welcome-home/AppleInsider: What to Expect From Apple’s October 13 Releases https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/10/08/what-to-expect-from-apples-october-13-welcome-home-releasesJens Schumacher: The Creative Story Behind Apple’s Embroidered Logo https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jensschumacher_welcome-home-my-wife-and-her-sister-ugcPost-7514074025308930048-ciNT/LinkedIn News: Apple Plans to Launch Its First Touchscreen MacBook https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/apple-plans-to-launch-first-touch-screen-macbook-7657604/Think Like a Producer helps experts use the news, add informed analysis and become visible for what they know.#NewsYouCanUse #AppleEvent #ThoughtLeadership

Think Like a Producer helps experts use timely news to build visibility, create useful conversations and become credible sources reporters may want to call.The Pentagon plans to livestream an execution, raising urgent questions about platform policy and the ethics of digital justice.This news report analyzes the Pentagon's proposal to broadcast the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan. For legal experts, media professionals, and policy analysts, this story highlights a massive conflict between government action and the content moderation rules enforced by major tech companies like YouTube, Meta, and Twitch. We examine the intersection of platform policy and public interest, asking whether social media platforms can—or should—host such high-stakes content. Understanding how these entities navigate sensitive public events is critical for anyone working in media or communications. We also discuss how this developing story challenges existing standards for online video distribution.Subscribe for weekly news breakdowns and media strategy insights that help you stay informed on the issues that matter.0:00 The Pentagon's Controversial Streaming Plan1:02 Breaking Down the Fort Hood Execution Story3:05 Transparency Versus Public Spectacle4:24 Platform Policy and Graphic Content Rules6:14 Trauma and the Impact of Repeated CoverageSOURCES:Associated Press: Pentagon Says Military Execution Will Be Livestreamed https://apnews.com/article/818853afc1be5c70fe41c5b781a8d559The Verge: YouTube, Meta and Twitch Won’t Say Whether They Will Allow It https://www.theverge.com/streaming/1008722/youtube-meta-twitch-government-execution-livestreamCBS News: What the Platforms’ Graphic-Content Policies Say https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fort-hood-shooter-nidal-hasan-execution-livestreamed-social-media/ABC News: Fort Hood Survivors Respond https://abcnews.com/Politics/fort-hood-survivors-speak-pentagons-decision-livestream-hasans/story?id=137144236Connect with Jamie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/Show Clips: https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/Podcast Offer: www.oncamready.com/podcast-offerPitch: hello@oncamready.comRiverside (Affiliate):Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrEDiscount Code: OCR15VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamready#NewsYouCanUse #MediaEthics #ThoughtLeadership

What changes when you stop talking about everything you know and focus on the expertise people need from you?For Dyslexia Awareness Month, I sit down with Dr. Jacob Santhouse, a licensed clinical professional counselor, dyslexia coach, and author who has dyslexia himself. He shares how focusing his content on dyslexia helped him build an audience, fill his practice, and attract a book opportunity.We talk about his new book, Dyslexia Explained, and Our Typo Life, the podcast he hosts with his wife, Kathy, exploring dyslexia, parenting, relationships, and everyday life.This conversation is personal for me, too. After my daughter’s dyslexia diagnosis, I began asking questions about my own experiences. Jacob’s content became one of the resources I turned to.If you’re an expert, author, or aspiring podcaster, you’ll hear practical lessons on finding your focus, creating consistently, and making your knowledge useful to the people looking for answers.In this episode:• Why narrowing your focus can strengthen your business• How to create videos that fit your actual life• Why his growth was years in the making• How sharing his expertise led to a publisher reaching out• What experts can offer online and why individual support still mattersI’m Jamie Maglietta, a media strategist and 20-year TV news veteran. Think Like a Producer: From Unknown to Known helps you sharpen your message, use the news, and become known for your expertise.Link to JacobInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjacobsanthouse/?hl=enHis book: https://amzn.to/4AMi5aBYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCZfuhKZ4MhAaIHYSIzRZ3xg Connect with Jamie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/Show Clips: https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/Podcast Offer: www.oncamready.com/podcast-offerPitch: hello@oncamready.comRiverside (Affiliate):Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrEDiscount Code: OCR15VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamreadySubscribe for more expert conversations and news you can use.

Americans’ confidence in grocery-store food safety has fallen to a record low. But does hearing about more recalls mean our food is becoming less safe, or are we getting better at detecting and reporting problems?In this episode of Think Like a Producer, Jamie Maglietta breaks down the headline and shows food-safety specialists, dietitians, public-health professionals, retailers, supply-chain experts and crisis communicators how to find an angle they can responsibly own.You will learn how to use this story to discuss:• What food recalls actually tell consumers • The difference between increased danger and improved detection • Recall fatigue and confusing safety alerts • How retailers and food brands rebuild trust • What consumers should check before throwing food away Think Like a Producer helps experts use timely news to build visibility, create useful conversations and become the kind of credible source reporters may want to call.SOURCES AND EXAMPLES:Gallup: Americans’ Confidence in Food Safety Drops to New Low https://news.gallup.com/poll/715430/americans-confidence-food-safety-drops-new-low.aspxAxios: Americans’ Trust in the Food Safety Net Is Spoiling https://www.axios.com/2026/10/08/food-safety-confidence-record-low-pollUrban Ag News: A Food-Safety Expert Puts Recalls Into Perspective https://www.linkedin.com/posts/urban-ag-news_are-food-recalls-becoming-more-common-university-activity-7505995575595696130-VSFrJames Jackson: When Separate Recalls Become a Larger Trust Problem https://www.linkedin.com/posts/james-c-jackson_anyone-who-has-ever-been-part-of-a-food-recall-activity-7501001374780796928-S1TeABOUT JAMIE:Jamie Maglietta is a media strategist, executive producer and 20-year television news veteran who helps professionals turn their expertise into a visible, media-ready platform.Learn more about ON CAM Ready through the links below.0:00 Record Lows in Grocery Store Food Safety Trust2:05 Are Recalls Actually Making Food Safer?4:02 Managing Recall Fatigue as a Consumer6:19 Behind the Scenes of a Daily Content CreatorConnect with Jamie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/Show Clips: https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/Podcast Offer: www.oncamready.com/podcast-offerPitch: hello@oncamready.comRiverside (Affiliate):Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrEDiscount Code: OCR15VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamready#NewsYouCanUse #FoodSafety #ThoughtLeadership