Off Deadline
Off Deadline goes beyond the headlines to reveal what really happens when the cameras stop rolling and the deadlines pass. Host Melissa DiGianfilippo, Founder and CEO of Proof Publicity, creates a rare safe space where top journalists drop their professional guard to share the moments that changed everything—the ethical crossroads that kept them awake, the sources that most surprised them, the stories that broke them, and the victories no one will ever write about.
From the hilarious disasters to the heart-stopping close calls, veteran journalists share the wild, unforgettable moments that never made it into their reporting. These are the behind-the-scenes confessions, the career-defining chaos, and the human moments that remind us why journalism is equal parts calling and complete madness. This isn't about breaking news—it's about the people who lived through the craziest moments while chasing the story, and the experiences they'll never forget.
If you've ever wondered what it really takes to be a storyteller in our chaotic world, Off Deadline delivers the raw, unfiltered truth behind journalism's most compelling voices.
Watch on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Off Deadline
Johnjay Van Es on Oprah, Rod Stewart & the 25-Year Radio Ride That Almost Didn’t Happen
Johnjay Van Es co-host of the nationally syndicated Johnjay & Rich Show, joins Off Deadline for a hilarious, heartfelt, and completely unfiltered ride through his 25+ years in radio.
He opens up about:
- The wild Rod Stewart moment that catapulted his career
- How a call to Oprah's dad led to a surprise call from Oprah herself
- Pranking another radio station live on TV with a leaf blower 😅
- His most cringe-worthy on-air disaster (and what he learned)
- Why Christmas Wish still gives him chills
- The 13-year-old fan who became a star thanks to a moment with Miley Cyrus
- His secret scuba broadcast… with sharks.
This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, radio industry lessons, and pure entertainment.
🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline.
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