“DEAR MILLENNIAL” (INDEPENDENT)

Writer, Host, and Executive Producer

Dear Millennial is an independent show about navigating adulthood one question at a time. 10 years after the original show Millennial first aired, I thought it would be great to reconnect with long-time listeners and create a spin-off, answering questions the millennial generation still has about growing up.

Responsibilities: From October 2023 to January 2024, I relaunched Dear Millennial, taking the show from dormancy to 10,000 listeners a week. I hired and managed a team, including a senior producer, producer, and two engineers, while overseeing marketing with a third party. I developed the infrastructure for team communication and production workflows, managed contracts, and payments, and set up systems like Slack, Dropbox, and ProTools templates. I wrote, edited, and voiced each episode, collaborating with engineers on sound design. I pitched the show to potential partners and landed with AdLarge. I worked with the ad department to voice and deliver ad assets. The 10-episode season garnered over 108,000 downloads in three months. 

“NOW OR NEVER” WITH AUDIBLE

Writer, Host, and Managing Producer

Now or Never follows my mother, Susan Tan, as she navigates the modern dating world in her 70s, with me as her dedicated dating coach. After 40 years off the market, she faces new challenges like dating apps and shifting gender roles. To find love, she must confront her insecurities and step outside her comfort zone. Through expert interviews and candid phone conversations, this eight-part, documentary series explores modern dating through a Baby Boomer's lens. It’s a heartfelt journey of heartbreak, romance, and the reminder that it’s never too late to find the one.

Now or Never was recognized as Audible’s “Best Well-Being Audiobooks” of 2023.

Responsibilities: For Now or Never, I pitched a budget and concept and sold the show to Audible, which developed into an 8-episode series. I collected a year’s worth of conversations with my mother about dating and love and crafted the narrative arc for each episode and the series as a whole. I hired and trained a senior producer and helped lead the production process, organizing workflows, writing scripts, and helping to edit each episode. I conducted over eight interviews with experts in the dating field, voiced narration, and directed the sound design and original score with a composer and engineer. I also worked with Audible’s internal team to create the album artwork and meet any other requirements. I independently launched my own marketing initiatives, which resulted in getting the show on two podcasts, featured in the Portland Press Herald, and led to a virtual and physical live show.

From Listeners:

“SNOOZE”
WITH LAIST STUDIOS (KPCC)

Writer, Host, Producer, and Editor

Snooze is a show about things people put off, how they conquer them, but most importantly, how they conquer themselves. Snooze launched in May of 2022 and accumulated over 200k downloads in three months. It was featured in Podsauce, Vulture and was named “Best Episode of 2022” by Spotify. 

Responsibilities: In the fall of 2021, I pitched and piloted Snooze, a show strategically designed to meet LAist Studios' business needs by blending two formats: documentary-style storytelling and two-way celebrity interviews. As host and creator, I mentored three emerging producers, guiding them in sound design, narrative writing, episode structuring, and tape editing, while also directing the engineer on cinematic mixing and mastering. I set the show's tone and style, interviewed all guests, including high-profile figures like Outkast’s Big Boi, Margaret Cho, and Rosario Dawson, and wrote, co-wrote, and edited all episodes. I provided art direction for the album and episode artwork, developed original content for social media, and worked closely with marketing and ad sales teams.

To expand Snooze’s reach, I led, funded, and hosted a live launch event, repackaged and produced segments for NPR’s All Things Considered and This American Life, and contributed to LAist's digital presence by publishing a personal essay about my family.

“WILD SEASON 1: HOME FOREVER”
WITH LAIST STUDIOS (KPCC)

Writer, Editor, and Senior Producer

WILD Season I: Home Forever is a show about what it was like to grow up again during a global pandemic. 

In 2020, writer Erick Galindo and I co-created WILD, named “Best New Podcast of 2021” by Spotify and #24 on The Atlantic’s “The Best Podcasts of 2021.” That same year, out of over 48 million podcast episodes, an episode I wrote, sound designed, and produced “WILD: How Do I Love Someone” was named “Best Podcast Episode of 2021” by Apple Podcasts, “Best Documentary Finalist” by Third Coast, and Transom & Howsound featured the episode in an article about my creative process called “The Megan Tan Way.”

Responsibilities: In October 2020, writer Erick Galindo and I transformed an executive idea about Millennials living through the pandemic into WILD, a joyful, narrative-rich show. We pitched the concept to LAist Studios executives, secured greenlight approval, and crafted the show’s unique two-way 2.0 format. I developed the pilot, managed the production schedule and budget, and hired, trained, and mentored a team of four producers.  I designed and implemented the workflow, file and folder structure, and ProTools templates for the show.

As the lead writer, producer, and sound designer on “Episode 7: How Do I Love Someone?”, I shaped the emotional sound of the series and led one of its most groundbreaking episodes. I coordinated with Finance, Marketing, Development, Operations, and upper management, managed contracts and payments, and ensured the highest quality for every episode. The show launched in June 2021 and reached an audience of 306,200 within three months.

“WILD SEASON 2: I THINK I’M FALLING IN LOVE”
WITH LAIST STUDIOS (KPCC)

Writer, Host, and Producer

WILD Season 2: I Think I'm Falling in Love was LAist Studios fiction series debut. In a nine-part fiction rom-com for your ears, the season is all about the wildest things we do for love. It received critical acclaim, being featured at #12 on The Atlantic's "The 25 Best Podcasts of 2023" list.

Responsibilities: In 2022, I co-hosted, wrote, and produced WILD Season II: I Think I’m Falling In Love, leading the creation of LAist Studios' first-ever fiction series. Collaborating with host Erick Galindo and Senior Producer Anjuli Sastry Krbechek, I developed the 9-episode series, pitched it to executives, and secured the greenlight. The team approached the project like a TV show and writers room. I crafted scripts, directed actors, and defined the show’s sonic identity. I created the sound design template, curated a library of over 500 original sounds, and guided two producers to scale the sonic identity and maintain a cohesive audio experience.

I also co-hosted, wrote, and edited every episode while supporting the marketing strategy by writing articles for LAist.com. By cross-promoting on my personal podcast Millennial, I helped drive an additional 22,000 downloads, contributing to over 100,000 total downloads within three months. I expanded the show's reach through live shows and media appearances. Through WILD Season II, we reimagined how a newsroom could deliver stories of Los Angeles to Los Angeles.

ARTICLES FOR LAIST.COM:

“CALIFORNIA LOVE SEASON 1”
WITH LAIST STUDIOS (KPCC)

Senior Producer

California Love (Season I) is a show seeking to understand what it means to belong and not belong to the places we are from.

The show received a Webby Award in 2021 for best sound design and original score. The Atlantic listed it as #8 in “The 50 Best Podcasts of 2020.” It was named “Best Podcast of 2020” by Apple, Spotify, and Bello Collective, and “Podcast Episode of the Year” by Adweek. Additionally, my work earned me the title of “Adweek’s Podcast Producer of the Year.” The show reached over 1 million listeners in the first three months. 

Responsibilities: From October 2019 to June 2020, I served as the Senior Producer for California Love, where I created the show’s sound identity, hired two producers, and managed a team of five through an eight-month production schedule. I designed the sonic footprint and foundational workflow for the series, collaborating with an engineer to establish file structures and a uniform ProTools workflow. I provided direction for the show’s sound, emphasizing cinematic transitions, tape-driven storytelling, and dynamic pacing. Leading production on key episodes like P Line and Compton Cowboys, I guided the narrative arc, sound design, and scoring. I also coordinated across LAist Studios departments, including Finance, Marketing, Development, Operations, and upper management.

I managed third-party contractors, handled legal and financial processes, and advocated for equitable pay, promoting talent on the team. My strategic leadership included writing and presenting creative materials to upper management, organizing weekly production meetings, and crafting a detailed production calendar. Through my personal contacts, prominent podcasts like 99 Percent Invisible and Death, Sex, and Money, featured California Love, amplifying LAist Studios' brand recognition.

“MILLENNIAL”
WITH RADIOTOPIA

Writer, Host, and Executive Producer

Millennial was a show about something no one teaches us, how to maneuver our 20s, captured in real-time.

I launched the show independently in 2015. It grew from a one-woman passion project to a full-time Radiotopia network show with up to 400,000 monthly listeners, launching my career. For three consecutive years, it made The Atlantic’s “50 Best Podcasts” list (2015, 2016, 2017) as a celebrated, groundbreaking podcast, and was featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Forbes, and more.

Responsibilities: As the lead host, writer, producer, sound designer, and mixer for all 47 episodes, I crafted intimate, documentary-style stories by creatively collecting verité-style tape from my life, including conversations with loved ones and interviews with public figures. I organized and transcribed years of recordings, developed episode outlines, and wrote every story, collaborating with over 10 contract editors to refine each narrative. I managed a team of two, directed the production schedule, and built a cohesive brand across multiple platforms, growing Millennial into a successful independent podcast business.

I designed the logo, created the website, and produced original marketing content for Instagram, Facebook, and the site, cultivating a dedicated community of listeners. I pitched and secured a partnership with Radiotopia, negotiated partnerships with brands like Squarespace and Converse, and managed the podcast’s budget. I represented Millennial at major industry events, including speaking as a keynote speaker at Australia’s Audiocraft Festival.

Some of My Favorite Episodes:

“EVER DAY IS FATHER’S DAY”
WITH THIS AMERICAN LIFE

Writer and Producer

This American Life is a weekly public radio program and podcast. Each week they choose a theme and put together different kinds of stories on that theme. 

My story “Every Day is Father’s Day” debuted on Episode 790: You’re It (Act 1) and reached the ears of 3 million listeners through the podcast and was broadcast across the country on over 500 public radio stations across the U.S.

The Story: Growing up, my father and I were never close. For years we were distant. He was super critical. I stopped engaging, moved across the country, and stayed away. And then something happened that made me decide to take charge of our relationship. I wrote and produced this story to encourage listeners who have difficult relationships with their parents. And to illustrate that anything can be transformed.

Responsibilities:  Between January and November 2022, I recorded immersive, verité-style documentary audio of moments with my father and family. Over five months, I worked with editor Laura Starecheski to shape the story—pitching the idea, building an outline, and organizing months’ worth of tape. I collaborated with a rotating team of seven editors, incorporating feedback across multiple drafts. I voiced the piece, helped fact-check, and performed live table reads, leading to the final story.

From Listeners:

“ALL THINGS CONSIDERED”
WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

Writer and Producer

All Things Considered is a daily afternoon news show that consists of the biggest stories of the day, thoughtful commentaries, insightful features on the quirky and the mainstream in arts and life, music and entertainment.

I’ve had two feature segments air on All Things Considered. On May 10, 2019, my story "“How A Shirt From Target Helped A Survivor Of Deadly Amtrak Crash Heal” aired and then in October 7, 2022 my story “I Always Avoided Family Duties…” aired. Both segments reached about 1.8 million listeners across 700 stations in the U.S. 

Responsibilities: For the piece “I Always Avoided Family Duties…” I collaborated with an All Things Considered editor and a producer to turn a 30-minute audio story into a 7-minute news feature. I wrote, voiced, and edited the piece. I performed live read-to-tape table reads and assembled the audio in ProTools. I also crafted a companion story for NPR’s digital platform.

“EARTH FOCUS SEASON 5”
WITH PBS SOCAL

Series Narrator

​Earth Focus is an environmental documentary series produced by PBS SoCal that examines critical ecological issues and their global implications.

Responsibilities: With the direction of the engineer, producers and executive producers PBS SoCal Earth Focus I narrated five episodes of season five.

KQED

Talent Director

KQED is a public media organization based in San Francisco, California, serving Northern California with a range of radio, television, and digital content. It’s known for its commitment to community-focused journalism, educational programming, and cultural storytelling.

Responsibilities: For KQED’s first YouTube podcast (release TBD), I coached host Xorje Olivares on how to enhance on-air presence and delivery. I identified performance challenges, crafted a personalized action plan, and sat in on mock interviews to provide targeted feedback. I guided the host to shift from a formal style to a more relaxed and confident delivery. I also advised on show design and guest selection to create more dynamic conversations.

“THE STOOP”
WITH RADIOTOPIA

Editor

The Stoop explores stories from the Black diaspora that we don’t always share out in the open. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba start conversations about what it means to be Black, and how we talk about blackness in America, and around the world.

Responsibilities: I collaborated closely with hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba on two standout episodes: “Inside These Walls” and “Invisible Scars.” I led initial brainstorms, listened to rough cuts, and refined each episode into concise, thought-provoking narratives with clear ideas and key takeaways. I also provided narrative structure and delivered line edits to shape impactful storytelling. 

”Inside These Walls” received a Gracie Award in 2023 for its powerful storytelling and amplification of women’s voices, while “Invisible Scars” earned the NABJ Salute to Excellence Award in 2022 for its impactful exploration of complex social issues.

EMBRACE RACE PODCAST

Editor

The EmbraceRace Podcast is a show that aims to nurture resilience in children and families as they navigate race and identity in a racially diverse world.

Responsibilities: For the inaugural season, I provided editorial structure and line edits for seven episodes, ensuring each conversation was concise and impactful. I collaborated with the senior producer and hosts Melissa Giraud and Andrew Grant-Thomas to align every episode with the mission of the show and the EmbraceRace non-profit. I helped shape the tone and editorial direction, brainstormed the final episode’s structure, and directed talent when necessary. I also edited and wrote the teaser, establishing a cohesive narrative that resonated with parents, caregivers, and educators navigating race and identity.

“MOVEMENT WITH MEKLIT HADERO”

Editor

Movement is a podcast, radio series, and live show that tells stories of global migration through music. Hosted by Ethiopian-American singer Meklit Hadero, the show is a meditation on the large-scale forces at play in individual lives. Issues of citizenship, identity, belonging, and borders are explored through the experiences of artists themselves: two brothers sharing one guitar, a daughter trying on her father’s shoes, the lineage of a drum, and the sounds of a grandmother’s backyard.

Responsibilities: I designed a workflow between host Meklit Hadaro and producer Ian Coss, providing editorial feedback and narrative guidance on 15 episodes. I led the initial story development for Season 2 and helped pivot the season’s structure from a continuous narrative to stand-alone episodes to best serve the host. I guided the team through outlining episodes, refining interview questions, and clarifying narrative intentions to enhance listener engagement. I also shaped complex personal stories into clear, thought-provoking narratives, featuring interviews with artists like Mon Rovîa, Dayme Arocena, Sid Sriram, Helado Negro, and more.

“YOU WILL NOT RECOGNIZE YOUR LIFE” WITH AUDIBLE

Editor

​You Will Not Recognize Your Life is an Audible Original memoir by Micaela Blei where she recounts her experiences as an awkward third-grade teacher in 2006 who, after a series of romantic rejections, enrolls in a course called "The Divine Feminine" in hopes of transforming her life. 

Responsibilities: In October of 2023, Micaela hired me to provide editorial feedback on character and story development during the audiobooks final stages of development. 

“PLANET MONEY”
WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

Producer

Planet Money is a podcast that makes sense of the big, complicated forces that move our economy and shapes your life through creative, entertaining stories.

Responsibilities: In May 2018, I helped create stories for bi-weekly show for an audience of 2.5 million listeners. I researched story pitches, directed tracking sessions, and provided editorial feedback. I collaborated with reporters to workshop and co-write stories, ensuring they were engaging and accessible. I also assisted in final mixing, shaping the sound and flow of the show.

“GOING THROUGH IT”
WITH MAILCHIMP

Producer

​Going Through It is a branded podcast produced by Mailchimp that explores pivotal moments in individuals' lives when they faced the decision to quit or persevere. Season 1 premiered in 2019 and is hosted by journalist and author Ann Friedman.

Responsibilities: I developed the tone and structure of this branded podcast, blending traditional narrative with a chat-show style to create a compelling listening experience. For all 14 episodes, I researched, booked, and pre-interviewed guests, directed interviews, and story-boarded and scripted each episode. I also cut tape, assembled sessions, and provided and incorporated executive editorial feedback to ensure cohesive storytelling. I directed host Ann Friedman’s tracking sessions and gave real-time feedback during interviews with notable guests, including Hillary Clinton, Glennon Doyle, Soledad O’Brien, Samin Nosrat, Kathleen Hanna, and Ellen Pao to encourage more visually immersive conversations.

“THE HABITAT”
WITH GIMLET MEDIA

Producer

​The Habitat was Gimlet Media’s first seven-part binge release podcast series. It documents a year-long Mars simulation conducted by the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) program, following six volunteers who lived in isolation within a dome, mimicking the conditions of a Mars mission. Hosted by Lynn Levy, the podcast provides an intimate look into the daily lives, challenges, and dynamics of the crew as they navigate the psychological and social aspects of prolonged confinement.

The series was named one of the best podcasts of 2018 by Vulture, TIME, Thrillist, and Esquire and was downloaded more than 5 million times. It was also mentioned in The Financial Times and The Guardian. 

Responsibilities: In year three of a three year production, I was brought on the team to bring fresh energy and ears. I supported the show in any way as it moved toward its April 2018 launch. I logged and cut tape while providing editorial feedback across all episodes to refine the narrative. I sculpted, scripted, and assembled Episode 7, pre-interviewed and booked guests for the bonus episode, and directed tracking sessions. In addition to the podcast, I pitched and developed The Habitat’s live show for Gimlet Fest 2018.

“THE TED INTERVIEW SEASON 2”
WITH TED

Producer

The TED Interview is a podcast hosted by Chris Anderson, the Head of TED, featuring in-depth conversations with leading thinkers and creators from around the world.

Responsibilities: I produced Season Two, working on episodes with Bill Gates, Amanda Palmer, Yuval Noah Harari, and more. I supported TED’s development team with audio and editorial guidance across 10 episodes, overseeing each one from conception to final product. I prepped the host, wrote interview outlines and questions, scripted episodes, and cut tape. I was present in-person for every interview and managed the production schedule.

“JULIE”
WITH PINEAPPLE STREET MEDIA

Producer

Julie: The Unwinding of the Miracle is a poignant podcast series that chronicles the final months of Julie Yip-Williams, a Vietnamese-American writer and lawyer diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. The podcast serves as a companion to her posthumous memoir, The Unwinding of the Miracle, published by Random House in February 2019. ​

The show received widespread acclaim, being featured in TIME as one of “The 10 Best New Podcasts of the Year So Far,” The Guardian, BBC, and Thrillist. 

Responsibilities: I provided editorial feedback on all drafts, directed tracking of host and senior producer Eleanor Kagan, wrote scripts, and assembled sessions.

“OUTSIDE/IN”
WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC RADIO

Reporter and Producer

​Outside/In is a podcast produced by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) that explores the natural world and the ways we interact with it.

Responsibilities: In 2015, I had the fortune to be one of the founding producers of Outside/In. I played a key role in creating the tone and direction for NHPR’s first narrative-driven show environmental podcast. I pitched and researched stories, prepped hosts for interviews, and wrote scripts to shape the show’s voice and direction. I also gathered tape, conducted interviews, and provided editorial feedback to craft original episodes. In addition to my work on Outside/In, I produced content for Word of Mouth and Writers on a New England Stage, supported live on-air pledge drives and election coverage, and assisted with video production when needed.