VINCE Podcast – Episode 265: “The Man Behind the Mic”

Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Producer Jim Verde
Released: April 10, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special Friday edition of the VINCE podcast, host Vince Coglianese turns the microphone toward his long-serving producer, Jim Verde. Listeners are treated to a candid and entertaining conversation that pulls back the curtain on two decades of Jim’s radio career— from his early days in Dallas country radio to high-stakes national talk, his battles behind the scenes producing for controversial hosts, and his essential role in the formation and ongoing success of The VINCE Show. Sprinkled throughout are stories of grit, reinvention, humor, and sharp observations on both the radio industry and American politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jim Verde’s Radio Origins

• Brooklyn to Dallas: Jim recounts moving from New York to Dallas in 1981 and his entry-level job at a country station— despite having no interest in country music at the time.

  • Training himself out of a New York accent due to Texas listeners’ skepticism.
  • Quote: “My first real job was at a country station in Dallas. Think about how that went over.” (06:25 – Jim)

• Immersion in Country Music: Initial reluctance turned into deep appreciation for the genre and its storytelling power.

  • Quote: “People have a misconception about it, that it’s this hick stuff… These people actually are telling stories, telling life experiences, and that’s why it connects.” (08:18 – Jim)

2. Transition to National Talk Radio

• Format Flip and Guy Talk: Jim describes the abrupt shift from country to “guy talk” radio and the challenge of improvising talk content before widespread digital prep tools.

  • “There was no AI. There was no Grok. You had to create it.” (10:15 – Jim)

• Early Setbacks and Resilience:

  • Fired from positions multiple times.
  • Brief stint at Radio Disney creating commercials and characters.

• Failed Ventures:

  • Participation in a three-day women’s talk radio network that rapidly shut down, highlighting the volatility of radio (and the necessity of fallback plans).
  • “We get to Friday, we're only on the air three days, it's payday. And the manager comes and tells us we don't have any money in the account to pay you guys.” (12:14 – Jim)

3. Breakthroughs: From Michael Savage to Bongino

• Landing at a National Show:

  • Entered national syndication with a fill-in producer role for Michael Savage (“He who shall not be Named”), which quickly became permanent in challenging conditions.
  • Quote: “It was the most challenging seven years of my life. I called my wife and said, ‘I'm done. Can't do it anymore.’ And she’s like, ‘No, we have a mortgage, we have kids, we, you know, you really, really need the income.’” (14:50 – Jim)

• Impact on Skills and Toughness:

  • “It did make me a much better producer… It thickened your skin, too, I bet.” (16:12 – Vince, 16:46 – Jim)

• Transition to Working with Dan Bongino:

  • Opportunity with Bongino at Westwood as a result of gained skills and reputation.
  • Shared anecdote about the “Mets fan” hiccup when meeting Dan.

• Creative Partnership:

  • Enjoyment in upending the show’s plans to inject spontaneity and humor, keeping content fresh, especially under daily pressure.
  • Quote: “One of my favorite things to do with Dan… seconds before we were going on the radio, I would just say something, and boom, it takes it off into a completely different direction.” (18:29 – Jim)

4. Inside the Art of Producing

• The Value of Good Production:

  • Vince and Jim agree that a great producer isn’t just about technical or logistical help, but actively enriching the host’s content and flow.
  • “The value of having good production is…help be kind of an extra limb for you.” (20:10 – Vince)

• Use of Drops and Humor:

  • Carrying on radio traditions— well-timed sound bites, parodies, and mockery (per Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals”) to entertain and sharpen the show’s edge.
  • Memorable drops: “That MFer is not real” plane lady (21:18 – Vince), “Saki Bong” parody, and the case for satire as political weaponry.

• Defending Radio Comedy:

  • Vince defends old-school radio parody and comedy bits: “No, it’s that you don’t want to spend the money on it… It has its uses, and, man, you’re good at it.” (23:02 – Vince)

5. How Vince and Jim’s Team-up Started

• Rush Limbaugh’s Passing and National Radio Shuffle:

  • Vince narrates the radio industry’s scramble post-Limbaugh and how Dan Bongino won a major syndicated slot.
  • Vince’s entry as a guest host for Dan was spontaneous—originating from his social media interactions and Dan’s on-air invitations.
    • “He just got to talking on the air… ‘Jim, put Vince’s name down on the list.’” (27:39 – Vince)

• Immediate Chemistry:

  • Both Vince and Jim recall the instant professional fit and high standard set by Jim and Mike’s production.

• Small but Mighty Team:

  • “It’s just the three of us… the actual act of the radio show is me, you, and Mike.” (30:51 – Vince)
  • Notably, Vince plays his own audio clips, which is unusual for a national host.

6. Format Innovations and Audience Feedback

• Innovation in Broadcasting:
  • Vince interrupts and analyzes audio clips in real time (“the Vincent replay”)— a style appreciated by listeners for its engagement and immediacy.
    • “They don’t like AOC speaking without interruption. They want somebody to jump in.” (32:19 – Vince)
  • Jim is supportive: “I like the way you do it… it serves the audience better.” (31:58 – Jim)

7. March Sadness Tournament (Congressional “Dumbest” Bracket)

• Overview:

  • Jim’s annual, satirical “March Sadness Tournament” crowns the dumbest member of Congress, with audience-powered voting.
    • “You are conducting the third annual March Sadness Tournament right now to establish who is the single dumbest member of Congress.” (33:12 – Vince)

• 2026 Feckless Four:

  • AOC vs. SRI Tanadar (surprise Cinderella story)
  • Maisie Hirono vs. Jasmine Crockett
  • Jim on SRI: “He just got there. He came in as a two seed and he’s been banging it out one after another.” (33:24 – Jim)
  • Notable upsets and audience engagement are discussed, with Jim promising to continue the tradition.

• Republican Participation:

  • Clarification that the tournament is bipartisan— GOP included, but “not quite as dumb as the four Democrats you just laid out this year, again all by popular vote.” (35:51 – Vince)

8. Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On what makes country music special:

  • “These people…are telling stories and telling life experiences, and that's why it connects with so many people…It tells their story and it’s something they can always carry with them.”
    — Jim Verde (08:18)

• On uncomfortable radio jobs:

  • “It was the most challenging seven years of my life. There were several times where I called my wife, I’m like, I’m done.”
    — Jim Verde (14:50)

• On good production:

  • “A great producer…can help be kind of an extra limb for you.”
    — Vince (20:10)

• On using satire in political commentary:

  • “It goes back to the Alinsky rule, where, you know, mockery…really discredits the people that you’re mocking.”
    — Jim Verde (23:03)

• On the team dynamic:

  • “The actual act of the radio show is me, you and Mike. That’s it. It’s just the three of us.”
    — Vince (30:51)
  • “I love every single minute of it. This is the joy of my life.”
    — Jim Verde (36:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jim’s early radio career/country music transition: 05:58 – 08:52
• Jump to national/syndicated talk radio: 09:03 – 16:54
• Behind the scenes with Bongino, move toward VINCE: 17:49 – 18:55, 20:29 – 23:15
• Defending radio parody and creative drops: 21:18 – 23:16
• How Vince joined Dan’s show/ formation of team: 27:59 – 31:58
• Innovative audio/host control format: 31:58 – 32:19
• March Sadness Tournament rundown: 33:12 – 35:51
• Closing reflections/producer’s gratitude: 36:20

Conclusion

This episode offers fans a rare “backstage” view of how one of America’s top conservative talk shows is made, highlighting the vital behind-the-scenes roles that make compelling, must-listen content. It’s a journey through radio’s evolving landscape—equal parts gratitude, candor, grit, and laughter—revealing the “man behind the mic” and the bonds that keep VINCE at the top of its game.