Talent Talks gives a voice to international stories
Anssi Saarelainen, Editor-in-Chief of Savon Aallot, has spent decades working in radio. For him, local people and their stories have always been at the heart of the job. Over the past two years, he has been hosting a new type of programme series. Talent Talks highlights international professionals and their experiences of living and working in North Savo.
Savon Aallot is a local commercial radio station whose content is built around regional events, phenomena, and the people who shape them. Talent Talks was launched as a collaboration between the radio station and the Talent First project to create a new platform for sharing the stories of international talent in the region.
For Saarelainen, producing an entirely English-language programme was a new experience, but also an opportunity for professional growth.
“We have worked on similar local partnerships before, but this was our first programme produced entirely in English. It has also helped me develop my own language skills. I’ve become more confident using English, even when everything isn’t perfect,” he says.
One of the programme’s key goals has been to encourage people to use English more confidently in everyday situations while also giving international professionals a voice and making North Savo’s international dimension more visible.
Stories from around the world
Talent Talks has featured professionals from a wide range of fields, including industry, social services, business leadership, and sports. Guests have represented many different nationalities from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Although their backgrounds vary, the conversations have revealed several common themes. According to Saarelainen, one of the strongest has been the generally positive nature of people’s experiences.
“Most of our guests have had positive experiences. In particular, they have appreciated the Finnish and Savonian way of life and the sense of calm that comes with it.”
The interviews have also highlighted the importance of language skills and the need for a sense of community when settling into a new environment. Many guests have spoken about their desire to use Finnish more often in daily life in order to improve their language skills.
“I feel the programme may have contributed, in its own way, to helping people adapt by sharing information, experiences and different perspectives,” says Saarelainen.
Building confidence through everyday encounters
One of the most important observations from the Talent Talks series concerns everyday interactions and how people relate to one another. Saarelainen admits he has been positively surprised.
“What has perhaps surprised me most is how willing people are to meet others and have conversations, even in a foreign language. I’ve been proud to see how friendly, open and willing people here are to engage with those who come from different backgrounds.”
According to Saarelainen, the programme has received particularly positive feedback from immigrants who have found it meaningful and relevant. At the same time, the series has created new connections for radio professionals and opened discussions that might not otherwise have taken place.
Professional growth through the project
For Saarelainen, Talent Talks has been more than just a content project. It has also been a valuable learning experience. The international perspective has broadened both his thinking and his approach to work.
“It has definitely broadened our horizons. We have gained new ideas, new perspectives and, above all, the confidence to continue covering international themes in Savon Aallot’s programming in the future.”
Episodes of the Talent Talks series are available on the website.
Text: Creative marketing agency Ida Fram
Photo: Savon Aallot
