The man behind the mic: How Josh Suchon spotlights JMS alumni on “Where Ya At” podcast

Josh Suchon discovered his passion for the sports industry early in life. His journey began in high school where he found a platform to express his love for sports through the campus newspaper. This early passion would lead him to San Diego State University, where a major in journalism was a natural fit.

While at SDSU, Suchon dedicated himself to The Daily Aztec, working his way up from a baseball and football beat writer to editor-in-chief. He also joined KCR College Radio and worked as the play-by-play announcer for Aztec football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball during the 1995-96 school year.

Suchon is currently the play-by-play announcer for the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. He is also a voiceover artist who has narrated audiobooks, commercials and instructional videos, and is the author of "Murder in Pleasanton: Tina Faelz and the Search for Justice," "Miracle Men: Hershiser, Gibson & the Improbable 1988 Dodgers" and "This Gracious Season: Barry Bonds & The Greatest Year in Baseball."

Now, Suchon has a new calling and launched a podcast that connects alumni from the School of Journalism and Media Studies. The podcast, “Where Ya At?”, is not just a series of episodes but a community where alumni from JMS can share their experiences and insights.

Each episode, released weekly and lasting 30 minutes to an hour, offers a personal and engaging look into the guests' college experiences, transition into the workforce, key professional milestones, advice for current students and the intricacies of covering specific stories. The guests, carefully selected to represent a diverse range of experiences and perspectives, ensure that every listener feels included and represented.

“I love that I've been able to meet these people and hear their stories and which stories are similar and different, and I'm hoping that there are other alumni who will also just care about their school and care about the journalism department and want to hear those stories as well. I hope this podcast serves as a way to inspire people," Suchon said.

Suchon attributes his successful career to the profound influence of JMS and The Daily Aztec.

“JMS and The Daily Aztec balanced what you learn through textbooks and lectures and what you learn from actually doing it. Sometimes, they overlap. Sometimes, they don't. It was a needed balance. Lessons from classes helped guide decisions at The Daily Aztec, while real-world examples from The Daily Aztec made me realize that reality is different from theory. As journalists, you're trying to understand all sides of a story, all the nuances involved, and the ‘theory vs reality’ part of learning in college is the same thing.”

“Where Ya At?” can be found on Apple,  iHeart, Spotify or from wherever you stream your content.