In Conversation With... Jo Kenyon
To celebrate Public Radio Broadcasting Day 2025, we sat down with BCB Radio’s* Jo Kenyon to talk greatest hits, proudest moments and beloved pooches!
Written by Jo Kenyon (edited by Henry Crabtree)
*Bradford Community Broadcasting
A day in the life
You host Back to the 90s – do you have a go-to 90s track to kick off the day, whether that’s in the studio or just while the kettle’s boiling?
As a child of the 90s, there’s no better way to start the day than by blasting out the Spice Girls at full volume! After presenting Back to the 90s for 10 years, I felt it was time to hang up my platform shoes and Adidas poppers, so I’m looking forward to starting something new this Spring!
As Executive Producer, Head of Schools, and a presenter, your schedule must be packed! How do you juggle it all while staying in your groove?
I love keeping busy and my days can be fairly varied, so being organised is key. As a producer, I arrange over 50 interviews a week for our Bradford and Beyond drive time program, as well as other live programs, so it’s about making sure we’re covering all the latest news and keeping our listeners informed of what’s going on in the city. Thankfully, I love editing – which is a bonus as that can eat up time ridiculously fast!
I’m lucky to work with a fantastic staff team. We all help one another out and try to keep each other motivated (they’re happy to be guinea pigs for my random baking ideas too!). We also have the most amazing volunteers who make the magic happen, they’re right at the heart of what we do.
A sight for sore eyes (or is that ears?)! Jo Kenyon armed with treats for the BCB troops.
What’s the best part of working with young people through BCB’s schools programme? Any proud ‘radio moments’ to share?
One of the best things about my job is being able to work with children, especially those who haven’t had the easiest starts in life. We use radio as a tool to help build their confidence and self-esteem and to teach them important life skills such as teamwork and public speaking.
Layla, a nine-year-old girl from a local primary school was so shy when she first came to BCB. English wasn’t her first language and she was very reluctant to take part. In our final session, she volunteered to lead the group in their very own radio show. The difference in her confidence was unbelievable. She did a brilliant job, I was so proud of her!
Behind the mic
What makes community radio like BCB so special compared to commercial stations?
BCB is not just a radio station, it’s a family! We’re a community organisation that uses engagement with community radio as a tool for personal development, community empowerment and social change.
I’ve worked at BCB for nearly 15 years and I’m often asked why I don’t work for a commercial station. For me it’s quite simple – the people. People are at the heart of everything we do and I love that.
What’s a common misconception about community radio that you’d love to set straight?
Some people think that community radio is poor quality, but that’s simply not the case. We may not have a commercial station’s budget, but our strength lies in our people and wonderful volunteers who bring our station to life.
What you get from us is real people, real issues, and real voices of Bradford.
Jo Kenyon in her natural habitat - the recording studio of course!
From managing volunteers to live broadcasts, what’s been your most rewarding or surprising moment at BCB?
I was once proposed to by a member of the public during a live outside broadcast – that was unexpected, thankfully he took my “not right now” in good jest!
My ultimate favourite moment was when we covered a story on Murphy, a husky who went missing a few years ago. Months afterward, he was finally found and reunited with his owners. When I got the call to say he had been found I was ecstatic. I interviewed his owners and it was just pure joy – I’m a huge dog lover so I was so happy for them, I’d be lost without my fur babies!
Play us out…
For someone wanting to get into radio, what’s one skill they should work on, and one thing they shouldn’t stress about?
Experience is key! The best advice is to practice, make mistakes, and learn from them.
Don’t stress about sounding neutral – if you have an accent, embrace it (that’s coming from a proper Yorkshire lass!).
If you could give your younger, radio-curious self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to start again, even if this means abandoning hours, even days’ worth of work.
If you could hand the mic to anyone—past or present—for a dream interview or set, who would it be and why?
It would have to be Dolly Patron, she’s such a legend and a great champion of Women’s rights.
Plus, she’s the same height as me so neither of us would have to crouch down!
Looking ahead, what’s one thing you’re excited about for BCB’s future? And where can listeners tune in to catch your work?
2025 is a huge year for Bradford as we celebrate being the UK City of Culture. The team at BCB is all really excited about this. There’s so much in store, it will be brilliant for Bradford and all of us who call Bradford home. We want to make sure that all the diverse communities of Bradford continue to have a voice here on BCB.
You can tune in to BCB at 106.6fm or via www.bcbradio.co.uk
Everyone say cheese! Jo Kenyon and young people from BCB Radio schools.
Joely the cockapoo, otherwise known as Jo's co-host!
