LiveTalk: Behind the Mic — Crafting Dynamic Conversations with Maggie Salas-Amaro
10 AM Friday 27 March 2026
RA+DI Podcast Producer and Mentor Maggie Salas-Amaro offers a behind-the-scenes look at the craft of conducting compelling interviews. Drawing from her experience producing podcasts and media conversations, she walks through the practical steps that transform a simple recording into a thoughtful, engaging dialogue.
Salas-Amaro discusses how to prepare for an interview: researching guests, identifying themes, shaping questions, and creating an environment where guests feel comfortable sharing their ideas and stories. She reflects on the interviewer’s role as both a guide and an attentive listener, emphasizing techniques that help conversations unfold naturally while still maintaining focus and direction.
The talk also explores how to work effectively with guests before, during, and after recording. Salas-Amaro shares strategies for communication, scheduling, briefing guests, and establishing trust so that participants arrive prepared and confident. She also addresses the importance of active listening during the interview—responding in real time, following unexpected threads, and balancing preparation with improvisation.
Beyond the conversation itself, Salas-Amaro highlights the production process that supports strong interviews. She outlines key elements of pre-production planning, recording practices, editing, and post-production decisions that shape the final listening experience. By sharing practical insights from her own workflow, she demonstrates how careful preparation and thoughtful production can turn a recorded conversation into a dynamic and memorable exchange.
About our Speaker
Maggie Salas-Amaro is an accomplished and versatile media leader with deep expertise across the U.S. general market, U.S. Hispanic, Latin America, and Brazil. She is known for driving strategy, brand transformation, and high‑impact channel launches for some of the most recognized networks in the Americas.
Salas-Amaro recently worked with Microsoft on the partnership with Xbox and Crocs, leading communication and content creator efforts in the US Hispanic and Latin America. She previously held the role of Director at Canela Media, leading the launch and branding of Canela Kids, now one of the company’s top‑performing channels. Oversaw the development and production of originals and co-productions, including SuperEllas—winner of the 2023 Gracie Award and Silver Telly—and Plaza Aventuras, winner of the 2025 Silver Telly.
Salas-Amaro played a pivotal role in rolling out the Canela Kids mobile app and seven FAST channels across the U.S. and Latin America, elevating the Kids & Family portfolio into one of the platform’s highest-performing verticals.
In her career, contributed to the launch and rebranding of major global media brands, including Viacom (Nickelodeon), Walt Disney International (transitioning Fox Kids to Jetix), Telemundo, Spanish Broadcasting System (Mega TV), Fox International Channels (USH lifestyle), and ¡HOLA! TV—the first global channel for the Americas—while also launching Univision’s first regional program. At FOX, she managed the lifestyle network Utilísima (now Fox Life), spearheading multi-feed programming, original productions, and promotional strategies across the U.S. Hispanic, Latin American, and Brazilian markets. Salas-Amaro led the New York–based original series Aaron Loves NY, featuring Food Network star Aarón Sánchez, for the U.S. Hispanic launch with DISH.
Salas-Amaro has been featured in multiple publications for insights on the evolution of television, content, and emerging media. Emmy Award–winning producer and creator of several series for the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets. Honored as a 2023 Cynopsis Top Women in Media recipient.
Salas-Amaro holds a Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Florida International University. She has served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Phoenix since 2009 and joined FIU in 2019 as an Adjunct Lecturer in Journalism and Media. In 2020, FIU CARTA launched its first podcast, RA+DI Tech Conversations, now in its eighth season, and distributed across all major platforms for which Salas-Amara is the producer.
Admission Free
FIU Biscayne Bay Campus – Academic II Suite 150
3000 NE 151st St, Miami, FL 33181