Producer Reflections: Jamming on the Job

Jamming on the Job is a multi-generational, music-inspired podcast for kids ages 4-8 and their parents and caregivers, starring Christina Sanabria and Andrés Salguero, the Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning kids' music duo known as 123 Andrés.  

In the podcast, Christina and Andrés tour the country and perform songs about the world of work. Each place they go, they meet a grown-up with a different kind of job who helps them along the way. As Christina and Andrés learn about the new and inspiring career-of-the-day and the skills needed to be successful in that job, they compose an original song about it with help from their magical music machine, BoomBox, voiced by Grammy Award-nominated musician Pierce Freelon. 

We've created 16 episodes of Jamming on the Job, each featuring a unique career. We took great care in selecting the 16 featured jobs, aiming for as much variety as possible in the type of work, the required training, the salary range, and the skills and interests that would make it a good fit. 

For every episode, we've had the privilege of interviewing real-life professionals, each with a unique background and story. In creating our characters, we made a conscious effort to represent a diverse and inclusive group, helping more children see themselves in our stories.  

More than just a fun musical journey,Jamming on the Job is a valuable educational resource. Each episode not only introduces our listeners to a variety of careers but also highlights foundational skills that are crucial for success in each job. These skills, such as empathy, social problem-solving, and responsibility, are essential for a well-rounded education. 

One episode I’d like to highlight is our "Language Instructor" episode. At a dual immersion school in Los Angeles, a language teacher named Huang Iaoshi (played by Tony Chen) helps Christina, Andrés, and BoomBox translate some of their performance into Mandarin and teaches them the value of perspective-taking and empathy.  

Throughout the episode, BoomBox loops and samples the catchy question: "What's it like from their point of view?" Pausing to ask that question is a wonderful way to help learners of all ages remember to lead with love and compassion.  

Isaac Klein 

Isaac Klein is a digital producer at PBS North Carolina. He is a writer and producer of the original podcast Jamming on the Job. He collaborates regularly with the PBS North Carolina Education and Children's Media & Engagement teams.  

Isaac says, "Seeing the joy and wonder we share with North Carolina's young learners is one of my favorite parts of the job. That's why I've been so thrilled to write and produce our original podcast, Jamming on the Job, in partnership with PBS KIDS, PRX and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."