Josh Martinez spent more than 12 years at iHeartMedia. Five of those years were spent on Z100 New York’s night show, one of Top 40 radio’s most visible seats. Now, after exiting amid the company’s ongoing consolidation, Martinez is a free agent. He’s treating the moment less like a setback and more like a strategic reset.
“I’m trying to reconnect with the same hunger I had in my early 20s,” Martinez said. “I’ve been in radio for 18 years. One thing I’ve learned is that talent opens doors, but relationships and work ethic keep them open.”
A Free Agent With a Plan
Martinez has never made a career move without thinking several steps ahead. He’s long described his rise through radio as a chess match. That mindset hasn’t changed now that he’s off the board at Z100.
This chapter has already pushed him outside the iHeart ecosystem he knew for over a decade. He’s meeting new people across companies and platforms he hadn’t worked with before. His plan isn’t to rush. It’s to build.
“My goal is to keep building on those relationships, stay prepared, and be ready when the right opportunity presents itself, whenever that may be,” he said.
That patience extends to how he views the industry. Martinez was exploring opportunities beyond traditional broadcasting even while he still held a full-time radio job. He sees versatility as the new currency in media.
“Whether it’s radio, digital content, podcasting, video, hosting or live events, I think it’s important to be versatile,” Martinez said. “The people who continue to grow are the ones who are willing to evolve.”
From La Mega Doubts to Z100 Pride
Martinez’s Z100 tenure carried weight beyond ratings. He became the first full-time Puerto Rican host on the station this millennium. Representation shapes how he thinks about whatever comes next.
Growing up, he assumed his only path in radio ran through Spanish-language stations like La Mega. He wasn’t fluent in Spanish, and that made him question whether mainstream radio had room for him at all.
One moment changed how he saw his own impact. A listener once asked where he was from, then told him he sounded just like the guys he grew up with. The listener added he never expected Z100 to hire “one of us.”
“That stuck with me because I never tried to sound like anyone else,” Martinez said. “I just sounded like any other kid who grew up in New York or New Jersey.”
He carries that responsibility forward, whatever platform he lands on next. “I’ve always believed people deserve to see themselves represented authentically in media,” he said, whether that’s radio, television, or his long-standing dream of WWE.
Small Markets, Big Lessons
Before Z100, Martinez logged serious time in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Dayton and Cincinnati. Those stops rarely make the headline of his career. He credits them for nearly everything he knows.
His first full-time job in Des Moines had him working as music director, imaging director and night host at once, for a $26,500 salary. Cedar Rapids piled on even more. He programmed the station, produced Elvis Duran’s show locally, ran promotions, hosted afternoons and built imaging.
“Looking back, I’m incredibly thankful for those opportunities because it forced me to become a well-rounded programmer and host,” he said. “You learn every part of the business and you learn to solve problems creatively because there usually isn’t a huge budget behind you.”
That scrappy, do-everything foundation still guides him today. It’s part of what he wants programmers to know about him as a free agent.
Wrestling Dreams and Open Doors
Radio isn’t the only ring Martinez wants to step into. His podcast, “The Superstar Crossover,” has landed conversations with CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, Becky Lynch and Tony Khan. He’s had ideas land on AEW television and recently made a brief on-camera appearance with TNA Wrestling.
“Professional wrestling has been my passion for as long as I can remember, so I’d absolutely welcome the opportunity to work with a major wrestling company in an on-camera role,” Martinez said.
Still, he’s not narrowing his focus. Sports media, digital content and live hosting are all on the table.
For any PD or executive reading this, Martinez wants one thing understood clearly. He competes to win, and he checks his ego doing it.
“Authenticity matters more than ever,” he said. “Audiences know when you’re full of shit and forcing something, so I’ve always tried to be myself and create genuine connections with listeners on-air and at events.”
Advice for an Industry in Flux
Martinez isn’t shy about what layoffs feel like from the inside. He leaned on an unlikely source for perspective: Knicks star Jalen Brunson. During New York’s championship run, Brunson said you’re allowed to think about the worst-case scenario, but you still have to do something about it.
“Everyone processes uncertainty differently,” Martinez said. “For me, acknowledging the difficult emotions isn’t the problem, staying there is.”
His advice to peers navigating their own exits is blunt and practical. Feel what you need to feel. Then move. Update the resume. Take the meeting. Learn a new skill. Rebuild.
Paying It Forward
I asked Martinez if there are any personalities in radio right now that he felt are worth spotlighting. He didn’t come back with one or two names; instead, he sent me thoughtful notes about eight members of our industry. I’m including his thoughts below in his exact words because while my goal in doing this feature on Martinez was to highlight a talent who should not be “on the beach”, I think it’s important that we all keep lifting each other up as much as possible.
Shelley Rome — I’ve said for years she’s one of the most underutilized personalities in any form of media. She has the talent, versatility and professionalism to excel in virtually any role, including a major-market morning show.
Brady (KISS FM Chicago) — One of the hardest-working people in the business. His off-air hustle is just as impressive as what he does on the air. That dude busts his ass on a level rarely seen.
Eric White (Charlotte) — He understands content and knows how to immerse himself in a community, making everything he creates feel local and authentic.
Vont Leak (KDWB Minneapolis) — Exceptionally creative and always pushing himself to try something new on-air on social media.
Sol Tsonis (Columbus) — Tremendous talent with the drive and personality to succeed at a very high level in any form of media.
Cat Sodano (WBLI) — She has an incredibly natural connection with her audience. Her content feels authentic, relatable and perfectly matched to her station and who she is.
Amanda Gaudiosi (Poconos) — One of the brightest young talents I’ve seen. She’s early in her career but already understands what it takes to build a successful brand.
Israel Nunnely (Seattle) — I’ve worked with him on airchecks, and he’s someone I’d bet on. He has the work ethic, talent and mindset to become one of the next great personalities in our industry.
Martinez’s instinct to lift so many others up, paired with nearly two decades of range across markets, formats and now podcasting, is exactly why his free agency shouldn’t last long.
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Bethany Kent is a Music Radio Editor for Barrett Media. She spent nearly 20 years bringing radio to life on stages, across the airwaves, and through unforgettable listener experiences. Her career spans local markets including Providence, Philadelphia, and New York City, most recently serving as National Director of Music Initiatives for Audacy. From producing major live events like HOT 97’s Summer Jam to leading strategic national marketing initiatives, she has built a career at the intersection of music, media, and culture. She can be reached at bethany@barrettmedia.com.