Emily Vaughn

Photo of Emily Vaughn
I love working in this industry because I get to be curious and creative for a living, and I get to tell stories that matter.
Member since 2019

Location

  • Washington, DC

Portfolio

Languages

I speak rusty Spanish as an acquired speaker.

Emily is available for

I produce narrative and interview podcasts on wide-ranging subjects, most often science and health. I'm a strong writer and interviewer. I'm also skilled at tape editing, fact-checking, editing, and show development.
  • Fact Checking
  • Editing
  • Producing
  • Recording
  • Reporting
  • Scripting
  • Voice
  • Writing

About Emily

I’m Emily. I tell stories that get people to care about science and each other. I’ve reported and produced audio for international broadcast radio and Apple top-ranked podcasts. I've also reported for NPR's science desk.

I’ve been a full-time audio producer and science writer since January 2019. Before that I helped indoor cannabis farms switch to more sustainable lighting, I co-founded a beekeeping apprenticeship program in Brooklyn, I made ceramics for a boutique porcelain line, I sold books at indie bookstores in NYC, and I studied migratory sea birds as a field biologist in coastal Alaska. I follow my interests wherever they take me.

I’m a graduate of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies and I have a BA in biology from Kenyon College. I’m originally from Raleigh, NC, and I’m currently living in Washington DC with my dog, Eno.

As of November 2023 I’m available for work! 

  • podcast production + editing

  • podcast consulting

  • health + science writing

  • fact checking

  • tape syncs in or near Washington DC

  • open to one-off freelance gigs, longterm freelance gigs, and staff jobs

Emily's Portfolio

The Science Behind That Fresh Rain Smell

I was the featured guest reporter on this episode of NPR's daily science podcast, Short Wave. I pitched, reported, scripted, and fact-checked the episode.

A Womb of One's Own

This is the fourth episode in a 10-episode series that I lead produced for Pushkin Industries and the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. I managed interviews, conducted some interviews, wrote most scripts, directed the first-time host, coordinated the entire team of stakeholders, and oversaw the production calendar. 

You Only Live Once... So Commit!

I was a producer on Apple top podcast The Happiness Lab for a year, and this is the episode that I had the most fun booking, scripting, and producing! 

Experience

Skills

  • Mixing
  • Tape Syncs
  • Story Editing
  • Show Development
  • Research
  • Reporting
  • Producing
  • Mentoring
  • Logistics and Coordination
  • Interviewing
  • Hosting
  • Field Recording
  • Field Producing
  • Fact Checking
  • Booking
  • Voiceover

Equipment

  • Zoom H5
  • Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun mic
  • Tabletop mic stand
  • Pro Tools
  • Descript
  • Personal vehicle

Previous Work

  • Lead Producer at Pushkin Industries (Oct 2023)
  • Freelance audio producer at Spotify, Inkstick Media/PRX, Blinkist (Aug 2021)
  • Editorial Assistant at NPR (science desk and Short Wave) (June 2020)