Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Todd Roberts. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Todd, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Well I first learned to edit and do production when I was in college. HUGE shout out to WUTK Volunteer Radio where I first learned audio production, without what I learned there I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere. As for video editing/production I first learned how to do all that at UT, but it didn’t really become a passion until the pandemic, I slipped back into it as a hobby to pass the time, but the more I did it the more it became a passion. Which leads to the next question, I think my learning process could have been sped up if I had continued doing it straight out of college. I was a radio man from 2012 to 2021 at Star 102.1 and that was my passion, but I knew when my time was done there. If I had learned more and continued the process over the course of the last decade or so, who knows where I’d be at this point. But honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, if I could go back and do it all again…I wouldn’t change a thing. I like where I am at this point and it’s only getting better. And this leads to my next point, without my time at Star 102.1 and the work I did and still do for WUTK (shout out to my co hosts Shiela and DJ P.O.R.C on Smells Like 90’s Rock) I would not have the skills or the courage to get in front of a camera and perform. Editing is the top love, but having something to say and knowing how to convey that to an audience is obviously is THE most important thing. The only obstacle, I guess, would be finances. I have great video editing software and obviously we do have the equipment to make videos, but…..we could always use some updates.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Shall I spin ye a yarn? Let’s take it back to the dawn of broadcasting….wait that will take too long, let’s fast forward to the days that my dad was in radio, he did it for a number of years and loved it. So. naturally, the whole broadcasting thing was already in my blood. When I graduated high school and started college, I was able to get a job as a fill in DJ at WBNT FM in Oneida, Tennessee. At that point I was hooked, when I moved to Knoxville to attend UT I got hooked up with WUTK, majored in broadcasting and the rest, as they say…..you know the rest. During my time in college I learned how to do video/audio production and worked on my broadcasting skills and that’s what lead to my almost decade at Star 102.1 and the birth of my podcast The Smokin’ Hot Toddcast in 2015. As stated earlier, the YouTube channel was just a fluke hobby I started during the pandemic and, before I knew it, it became a second life for me. I’m the typical content creator, the Super Fuzz Productions YouTube channel includes a film review show called “Get Reel”, a game review show called “Played Out”, a show where my partner in crime Janelle a.k.a. Ms. Pengrino tries to stump me with random trivia called “Stump Hot Toddy”….did you know that’s my on air name? Now you do. And a show where we take a look at some of the dumbest things in the world called “Just The Dumbest”. Then there’s The Smokin’ Hot Toddcast which is best described as the child of Saturday Night Live and a typical podcast. We talk about all kinds of different topics, but we also have the added element of sketch comedy. Some of stuff that I am most proud of are the interviews I’ve conducted. In the last few years I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with some incredible people including Joey D’Auria who was Bozo at WGN in Chicago, Jack Packard who’s a part of Milwaukee based movie review group RedLetterMedia, the stars of my all time favorite television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 and, most recently, the one, the only, Rep. Gloria Johnson who is a treasure. I’ve also been an advocate for Cerebral Palsy Awareness and many times on our channel, I’ve interviewed members of the CP DreamTeam, shout out to Heaven Ramsey, Richelle Heath and Thomas Domsic!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
No matter what, I’ll never stop. There are times when the videos don’t get the views, when the podcast doesn’t get the listens, but no matter what, I’ll never stop. This business has major ups and downs, major pros and cons, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you how you look at it. I decided long ago to never get discouraged and keep working no matter what the outcome is. You know one time shortly before I left radio a co-worker of mine….someone of high ranking said I was not funny, that I should give up doing the things that I love because I wasn’t good at them. After that conversation….I worked even harder. That was 3 years ago, I haven’t stopped and, as previously stated, I never will.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
2 things, first that overwhelming feeling of accomplishment when I finish a project. The feeling of creating something and hitting that upload button, and knowing, now that it’s out in the world, anything can happen. And second, it’s the viewers and listeners. If I entertained even one person, I’ve accomplished my mission. I’ve gotten comments from people who talk about how unique the shows are, how funny they are, how insightful they are and I never know how to respond because I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddycommahot/?igsh=MWJpcml0aWV1bnpjNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmokinHotToddy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-roberts-hot-toddy-486349143?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmokinHotToddy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperFuzzProductions
- Other: The Smokin’ Hot Toddcast on Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/user-497776100
Image Credits
Headshot by Amy Watts, all logos by Todd Roberts