Podcast Development & Production
In 2022, I was tasked with developing and producing a new podcast for Cosmopolitan to see how our brand could exist in an audio format. Oh, and I needed to stand it up within a few months. (!)
I developed the concept for Confessions by looking back on our brand history. It was clear that this franchise, where readers submit their deepest, darkest, and weirdest secrets, stood the test of time. It maintained relevance throughout several generations of readers and was an evergreen format. Who doesn’t love a good secret, anyway?
I worked with editaudio to get the first season of the show (15 episodes) off the ground in less than five months. In addition to developing and co-producing the show, I was named the show’s host. With special guests such as Elaine Welteroth and Shan Boodram, we discussed topics including polyamory, financial shame, modern parenting, and more.
The show was unable to continue after season one due to changes in business goals, but it’s a career accomplishment that I’m most proud of. You can find Confessions on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever else you get your podcasts.
Here are three of my favorite episodes of Confessions:
“My In-Laws Hate Me and Think I Stole Their Son”
Here’s a word that might send a shiver down your spine depending on your luck in this lifetime: in-laws. Yeeeah. I’ll give you a minute to unclench. While your in-laws might make Thanksgiving a royal headache or send you unsolicited articles about your parenting choices, they probably haven’t launched a full-blown smear campaign against you…to your own husband. And if they have, well, you’ll relate to this listener.
“My Ex Told Me I Don’t Make Enough Money to Be With Him…but I Can’t Stop Thinking About Him”
There are bad exes...and then there are harmful exes. Unfortunately, this discussion is focused on the latter. Our listener was stuck in a relationship with a person who, along with his family, went out of their way to rob her of her self-worth. Now that she’s single and free, she’s having trouble picking up the pieces from her time with this man. All she wants is to be able to move on.
And heads-up: This episode contains discussion of abuse.
“I Can’t Find Closure After My Friend Broke Up With Me”
A friendship breakup can hurt more than a romantic breakup, especially when you don’t see it coming. This listener’s friend of over a decade suddenly lost her dad by suicide. She supported her through this grieving process—her friend even shared sensitive details about her dad’s death that she likely didn’t tell anyone else. One day, our listener’s friend stopped answering her text messages and their 10-years-plus friendship was over. How is our listener just supposed to move on without a goodbye?
Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide.