I’m available for writing assignments and short term audio (story) editing, hosting, and consulting work.
I set aside time each month to speak with early-career journalists and audio producers, but before you reach out, please read through my FAQ.
If you do email me, please follow this guide and send me specific questions/issues I can help you with. This will allow me to be most helpful to you while also protecting my time and energy.
alexsujonglaughlin[at]gmail
What do audio producers do?
It depends on the project! I have done everywhere from straight two-way tape cutting to the full gamut: structuring a series, compiling interviewees, writing preps, logistical coordination, engineering interviews, scripting, cutting tape, mixing, and promotion. I talk more about the work of being an audio producer in this episode of Slate’s Working podcast.
How did you get into audio production?
I taught myself using a borrowed Yeti Blue mic and a free audio editing platform called Audacity. I write more in-depth about my journey to full-time audio production in this essay, but in short:
2014 - Graduated University of Georgia with a degree in women’s studies and a minor in English. Got a job as a social media producer at a small political mag in D.C., where I started to dabble in audio. Started my own weekly interview podcast that I produced by myself on the weekends.
2015 - Started working at The Washington Post as a social media producer. Kept getting better at audio.
2016 - Pitched the Post a project on multiracial identity that got greenlit because there was no audio team at the paper at the time. Spent a year and a half researching and producing it.
2017 - Other comes out. I get my first real job as an audio producer as a fellow at BuzzFeed. Move to New York. Eventually get converted to full time.
2018 - Entire team gets laid off. I start working as a producer at Transmitter Media.
2021 - I quit my job to go freelance.
What advice do you have for early-career producers?
Don’t wait for someone’s permission (in the form of a job, internship, or mentorship) before you start something! You will get the broadest experience on the most types of work related to podcast production if you create your own project — and, no one can take it away from you.
If you’re still figuring out what kind of work you like, you will generally get exposure to more types of projects working at a production company (like Transmitter, Pineapple Street Studios, Neon Hum, etc) that produces shows for clients, than you will in a public media job.
Make friends with the people in your cohort — the people who are applying for the same jobs as you will be in your professional world for the rest of your career.
Never work for free, unless it’s for yourself.
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