Radio Executive Producer | Part-time DJ
Leon's a good mate of ours who also happens to be the executive producer of Melbourne's #1 FM Breakfast show. When he's not executive producing, he's pumping tunes at bars and pubs as a part-time DJ. He's a hilarious guy and a lover of gnocchi.
Leon's Instagram:
@leonsjogren
Leon on Twitter:
@Leonsjogren
Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.
“Well, that's not a good producer. Always look like you're interested or laughing.”
“It's just an intravenous drip.”
“So I'll just be having meals from around the world.”
“Pirates are like Alcoholic murdering rapists.”
“It is mind over matter. It absolutely is.”
“But I feel like this is where it's all going though.”
“I think we embrace shitness. Like if things go wrong, a lot of other shows want to be smick and like really, you know, professional. And then if something goes wrong, it's a huge issue. But with us, if something goes wrong, we talk about it on air and own it because then it's funny and endearing.”
“Never assume someone's parents are alive, guys.”
How can a sponsorship integration feel natural rather than forced on air?
Have the on-air talent genuinely experience the sponsor's product or location (e.g., staying overnight at a home-and-land display) so that references to it later arise naturally from real memories rather than scripted reads.
How should radio hosts/producers handle mentioning brands or businesses in stories to avoid advertiser conflicts?
Avoid naming specific brands when telling potentially negative stories (e.g., finding something wrong in food) — instruct callers and hosts to say generic terms like "a burger place" instead of the actual brand name.
How should a show handle on-air mistakes or technical failures?
Embrace and openly discuss mistakes on air rather than trying to hide them, since audiences can tell when something is being buried and openness makes the show funnier and more endearing.
What should you do before house-hunting to avoid missing out on a property?
Get your paperwork and loan pre-approval sorted before you start looking at properties, since finding a place you like without pre-approval ready can cause you to miss out.
How can you get a cheaper deal on a new apartment?
Approach developers of nearly finished apartment buildings and ask if any off-plan buyers defaulted on their deposit before settlement; you may be able to buy the unit for the remaining balance, effectively discounted by the forfeited deposit amount.
How do you decide whether to pursue a creative side project despite fear of failure?
Publicly commit to a deadline (e.g., announcing you'll perform stand-up in 7 weeks) so you can't back out, turning self-created pressure into a forcing function to actually follow through.
Leon describes listing Fifi, Fev, and comedian Merrick Watts as personal references on rental applications, exploiting the fact that landlords would call and be starstruck rather than scrutinize the relationship.
After noticing excessive use, the production team obtained official Uber Eats spending data on host Fev, requiring a signed data-release form, revealing about $35,000 spent in a year, placing him in the top 0.01% of Australian users.
Leon hosted a small gathering on his balcony that ran late; a neighbor posted a dramatic complaint on the building's Facebook group, sparking a witch hunt to identify the culprit, leaving Leon stressed and reflecting on how the once-friendly group had become toxic.
Leon, who describes himself as not really a DJ, explains how he's been asked to play a support set before a Lizzo concert for radio listeners on January 13, and is nervously overhauling his music collection and considering props like a bubble machine.
Leon's radio show built a promotional van and arranged to drive the Inbetweeners 2 cast and director to their Gold Coast premiere while recording an interview. The GoPro audio and video both failed after five minutes, leaving only silent, grainy footage of the driver (Tommy's friend Tom Bell) and the film's director. The team later discussed the mishap openly on air instead of hiding it.
A resident in Leon's new building announced via the building's Facebook group that she had booked the entire communal rooftop for a private party, sparking backlash since only the function room could technically be booked. She apologised publicly but then posted signs closing the rooftop during her party hours, further angering residents; Leon attended anyway to help himself to her catering.
Drawn from the episode transcripts.
According to producer Leon Sjogren, Fev spent around $35,000 in a year on Uber Eats, placing him in the top 0.01% of users in Australia, behind only a corporate account.
From episode 567→Executive producer Leon Sjogren explains that sponsors buy packages including daily mentions and social posts coordinated through sales teams, with some lines scripted and approved; producers avoid naming unrelated brands in stories (e.g., saying 'a burger place' instead of a specific chain) to stay within cash-for-comment regulations.
From episode 567→Leon's radio show arranged for a branded van to pick up the Inbetweeners 2 cast and director for an interview en route to their Gold Coast premiere, but the GoPro audio and video both failed after five minutes, leaving only silent, grainy footage of the driver.
From episode 304→A bar owner friend invited him to play music using a Spotify playlist, calling it DJing. He later began DJing at another bar on Smith Street (The Lame Duck) and eventually taught himself to use actual DJ decks, picking up gigs including an offer to DJ at the Grand Prix and Melbourne Cup.
From episode 304→Leon suggested asking developers of brand-new apartment buildings if any off-plan buyers defaulted on their deposit before settlement; he bought his unit this way for roughly $25,000 less than the original sale price.
From episode 304→Leon started at Fox FM as a panel operator (pressing buttons for night shows), was initially rejected from the street team, then got in after staff quit. He became a junior producer on Fifi and Jules, then EP of the National Drive Show, moved to Sydney for breakfast radio with Dan and Maz, worked briefly on Rove and Sam, then Triple M with Merrick, before returning to Melbourne about a year prior to the episode to EP the Fox FM breakfast show.
From episode 124→It was a scripted podcast documenting Leon's journey learning stand-up comedy over a set number of weeks, building to a live performance. Juggling the podcast, a city relocation he couldn't publicly discuss, and writing comedy caused him mild panic/anxiety attacks; he found relief by writing out and visualising everything he needed to do.
From episode 124→The Boardroom was an uncensored podcast Leon made with colleagues years before 'Am I Funny?'. One episode featured an interview with author Malcolm J. Brenner, who wrote an ebook called 'Wet Goddess' about a sexual relationship with a dolphin at SeaWorld in the 1980s. The episode (and eventually the whole podcast, roughly 30-40 episodes) was taken down after a boss warned the content could look bad out of context.
From episode 124→Every episode featuring Leon Sjogren on The Daily Talk Show.
Leon Sjogren joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 567 (3 January 2020) — "Leon Sjogren On Brand Integrations & 2020". Leon Sjogren is back! We chat about Leon's Facebook group for his apartment complex, brand integrations, and his plans for 2020.
Leon Sjogren joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 304 (14 March 2019) — "DJ Shergz, Dumplings and Dim Sims". we're joined by our mate Leon Sjogren. Leon's the executive producer of Melbourne's #1 FM Breakfast show, and now, a part-time DJ. We discuss: - Our Fat Fridays order - Financial advice with Leon - New apartment problems - The new breed of cops - DJ Shergz - The Michael Jackson documentary - ...
Leon Sjogren joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 124 (5 July 2018) — "Leon Sjogren & The Mastinators". Our mate Leon Sjogren is one of the best radio Executive Producers in Australia. Tommy worked with him back in the day on the street team and Josh worked with him on the Fifi and Jules drive show. We cover everything from the schedule of a breakfast producer to coming out as Bi.