Marisa Waddell

As director of programming and content, Marisa Waddell coordinates the radio programming on KCBX and KCBX HD2 and leads efforts to develop content on the KCBX website and other digital platforms.  She manages the KCBX on-air staff, volunteer program hosts, and contributors. Marisa spearheaded the formation of KCBX News and managed the newsroom staff from 2014 to 2024. Marisa also hosts the Americana music program The Road Home, (Thurs. 6:30-8:00 p.m.) and contributes interviews and stories to the weekly KCBX radio magazine Issues and Ideas and to KCBX News.

Marisa has played a vital role in the success of KCBX's Live Oak Music Festival since 1992 as a member of — and then chair — of the Booking and Programming Committee, assembling outstanding lineups of musical acts that have delighted and surprised audiences. She has been the artistic director of Live Oak since 2017.

Marisa has had a lifelong love for public radio. Her mom tells her that she was listening to Chicago's WFMT in the womb. She began as a volunteer classical music host and then weekend staff announcer on KCBX at age 19, while studying broadcasting at Cuesta College. She worked at commercial station KKUS in San Luis Obispo and then, while working toward her bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and Film from San Diego State University, Marisa was the weekday afternoon classical music announcer at KPBS FM. On her return to San Luis Obispo in 1990, she became the classical music director at KCBX . She also produced, wrote, edited and hosted a local issues radio magazine, "Audio Excursions," and contributed news stories to the statewide news program, "The California Report."

In 2006 Marisa left KCBX to pursue her master's degree in mass communication and journalism at California State University Fresno. Before returning to the station as program director in 2012, she worked in film and television as a producer, writer, director and editor of documentaries and commercials; and for an international educational media company as an implementation specialist and creator of digital and print content and training material.

You can reach Marisa at marisa@kcbx.org.