Podcast Production Assistant

Unruled Masses (UM) is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit building new and dynamic public civic intelligence and nonviolent action infrastructure. Our mission is to help ordinary people expose abuse, map corruption networks, and coordinate peaceful, strategic resistance and democracy-building worldwide. We are nonpartisan, evidence-driven, and partner-focused for pro-democracy unification. We strive to unite people and partners with intelligence, materials, and communications to help reclaim institutions, dignity, and rebuild equitable, connected, and hopeful communities where everyone is treated as a true equal. At UM, we view hopelessness as a strategic asset for oppression and hope as a strategic resource for liberation. To harness that hope, we need a community that is organized, supported, and empowered. Who You Are: You are a creative storyteller and technical generalist who believes that media is a catalyst for action. You understand that compelling stories can transform passive listeners into active participants, and you possess the technical drive to bring those stories to life. You don’t just want to make a podcast; you want to engineer a masterclass in civic communication—building audio and video experiences that break down complex pro-democracy strategies into clear, captivating, and highly shareable media. You are detail-oriented, comfortable working in a fast-paced media environment, and passionate about producing the definitive audio-visual catalog for public intelligence. Whether you are dialing in camera gear, tightening a script, or optimizing a digital workflow, you bring both a collaborative spirit and a sharp technical eye to our production engine. What You’ll Do as a Podcast Production Assistant: Studio Setup & Operations: Manage physical and digital studio configurations, preparing microphones, lighting grids, and camera placements to ensure every recording starts with zero friction. Video & Audio Editing: Assemble raw, multi-cam video and audio tracks into sharp, fast-paced episodes using industry-standard platforms (e.g., Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Descript). Scriptwriting & Story Structure: Collaborate with researchers and hosts to outline episodes, write narrative scripts, and draft compelling introductions and segment transitions that keep audiences hooked. Camera Assistance: Support in-studio and remote film sessions, checking exposure, framing, and focusing parameters to maintain a broadcast-grade visual identity across our media assets. Show Notes & Distribution Asset Building: Draft comprehensive show summaries, resource links, and transcripts, while pulling impactful clips and audiograms to power our civic action digital campaigns. Exceptional volunteers may: Take ownership of the end-to-end post-production workflow for high-profile flagship episodes or investigative miniseries. Develop distinct visual and audio branding systems (intros, stingers, motion graphics templates) for national or international distribution campaigns. Direct live, multi-camera recordings or manage field production setups for community trainings and special partner events. Collaborate directly with executive leadership to pitch, script, and launch entirely new podcast segments or seasonal formats. Content Areas of Interest: We are looking for production assistants who can translate our core pillars into engaging media formats: Nonviolent Tactics & Strategy; Civic Action Mobilization; Human Rights Defense; Institutional Accountability; and Community Organizing Frameworks. Ideal Qualifications Media Production Experience: Background running or participating in an independent or professional podcast, broadcasting program, or video production outfit. Technical Editing Proficiency: Strong familiarity with video and audio editing software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Descript) and media asset management workflows. Production Mechanics: Solid baseline understanding of camera framing, lighting setups, and multi-track audio recording equipment. Narrative Writing Skills: Ability to write sharp, conversational scripts that translate dense investigative data into accessible, motivational storytelling. Mission Alignment: A demonstrated commitment to democracy, human rights, and the belief that powerful media can move communities from isolation and despair into strategic, organized action. Compensation & Commitment: This is an unpaid volunteer role. We are flexible on time, but ask for at least 3–5 hours a week to help build and maintain our production pipeline. As we grow our 501(c)(3) funding, paid positions or staff roles may be offered to those who demonstrate exceptional dedication and impact. Benefits of Volunteering with Unruled Masses Broadcast to the Movement: Help engineer and amplify the literal voice of a global pro-democracy network, producing media that prompts real-world action. Founding Team Status: Work directly with the leadership and creative teams to establish a world-class, public-interest multimedia ecosystem from the ground up. Portfolio & Credit: Build a robust portfolio of published media credits, high-impact video edits, and production management experience across global streaming platforms. Transformative Impact: Play a direct role in creating media that breaks down barriers, exposes corruption, and empowers everyday citizens with strategic hope. Unruled Masses