Podcast Host & Creative Producer

Cato seeks a Podcast Host & Creative Producer to lead the creative direction and production of our audio content. The ideal candidate possesses a blend of intellectual curiosity a compelling on-air presence and a proven self-starting drive. You must exhibit the professional rigor required to engage effectively with high-level policy experts while maintaining the charisma and accessibility necessary to translate complex ideas for a broad public audience. Beyond the microphone you will partner with others to lead the production of related multimedia assetsincluding video adaptations and social-first contentensuring Catos ideas resonate with diverse audiences.

This role blends on-air hosting creative production editorial judgment and digital strategy ideal for a dynamic communicator who can turn complex ideas about liberty free markets and policy into accessible compelling stories.

This is a hybrid position in Washington DC (some travel and event coverage required).

The projected salary range for this role is $70000 $120000 per is based on the successful candidates experience and skills.

About Cato

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organizationa think tankdedicated to the principles of individual liberty limited government free markets and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977 Cato owes its name to Catos Letters a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple timeless principles of that revolution individual liberty limited government and free markets turn out to be even more powerful in todays world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people it is the indispensable framework for the future.

Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Key Responsibilities

Podcast Production & Hosting

• Help shape Catos long-term podcast strategy.
• Host co-host research and write audio and video podcast episodes on topics including current events and policy issues from a libertarian perspective.
• Deliver engaging well-informed commentary that aligns with Catos mission of advancing individual liberty free markets limited government and peace.
• Conduct guest interviews with scholars journalists and thought leaders.
• Manage and support all aspects of production from concept development pitching organizing guests and scripting to recording editing and publishing.
• Develop manage and maintain the annual editorial calendar and production budget for the podcast series.
• Track audience metrics and use analytics to help define audience personas and refine format topics and engagement strategy.
• Work closely with our policy outreach and editorial teams to ensure all content maintains Catos standards of accuracy clarity and intellectual rigor.

Content Support & Collaboration

• Partner with teams across the organization to manage and produce creative content aligned with Catos mission and goals.
• Support the development of video concepts for Catos YouTube and other platforms.
• Adapt long-form podcast content into digestible video and audio clips and quotes for social media distribution.
• Monitor trends and breaking news to identify timely content opportunities.
• Work closely with Cato scholars to translate complex research into engaging stories and soundbites.
• Ensure all produced video and audio content adheres strictly to Catos established brand style and editorial guide.

Experience & Education

• Deep knowledge of libertarian ideas and the Cato Institutes mission and are enthusiastic about promoting these principles and ideas.
• Bachelors degree preferred (Journalism Communications Political Science Economics or History) but we are open to candidates with non-traditional educational backgrounds who demonstrate strong critical thinking and communication skills.
• Proven experience in content creation is required. This does not need to be a paid professional role. Acceptable experience includes:

- Hosting/producing a college radio show.

- Running your own independent podcast or YouTube channel.

- Internships in media journalism or think tanks.

- Public speaking or debate experience.

• Experience writing scripts show notes blogs or op-eds is a strong plus.
• Demonstrated proficiency or a strong aptitude for mastering both audio (DAWs) and video editing software (e.g. Adobe Premiere Pro DaVinci Resolve). This includes expertise in dialogue editing mixing color correction and final mastering for multiple platforms.
• Experience utilizing remote recording platforms that capture high-quality audio and video tracks.

Qualifications & Skills

• Possess a clear engaging speaking voice and a natural conversational style. Skill in translating complex policy subjects into highly digestible relatable and engaging content.
• Know how to listen actively. Can guide a conversation ask follow-up questions that get to the heart of the matter and make guests feel comfortable yet challenged.
• Comfortable engaging and professional on video. Understand the basics of non-verbal communication and can maintain visual energy throughout a recording.
• Understand how to build a story or an argument across an episode ensuring the content flows logically from start to finish.
• Have a genuine interest in current events economics history and public policy.
• Uphold Catos adherence to nonpartisanship and the spirit of Frederick Douglass join with anyone to do right and no one to do wrong.
• Understanding of basic studio setup including lighting framing and background aesthetics.
• Comfort with major social platforms and experience using platform-specific analytics (e.g. YouTube/X insights) to inform content strategy and optimize for audience growth. Experience using AI to support creative asset development and deployment.
• Capable of managing the production calendar scheduling guests and meeting strict publishing deadlines.
• A team player who can take editorial feedback constructively and work closely with colleagues across the organization.

Benefits

All Cato employees are provided with:

• Medical dental and vision insurance
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance
• 401(k) employer match
• Transit/ Parking benefits
• Pet discount plan

How To Apply

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 2-3 Hours of Final Content (submit the link or URL in the Additional Questions section): Edited examples of yourself interviewing others on a podcast radio video or for another similar format. A link to your work on YouTube or most other common platforms is sufficient.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.