Evan Stern

Photo of Evan Stern
An admirer of storytellers like Charles Kuralt and programs like This American Life, I believe that audio documentaries have the power to reach audiences and engender empathy in ways that few other mediums can.
Member since 2023

Portfolio

Languages

Proficient Spanish

Evan is available for

Based in both NYC and Houston, I am a documentary podcast producer with a passion for reporting stories concerning subjects of culture, history, travel and human interest.
  • Editing
  • Producing
  • Recording
  • Reporting
  • Scripting
  • Voice
  • Writing
  • Other
  • Teaching

About Evan

Named by Ear Worthy as “one of the ten best interviewers in podcasting,” I am an associate producer for The Southern Foodways Alliance’s “Gravy” podcast and am the host and creator of “Vanishing Postcards.” A documentary travelogue that invites listeners on a road trip exploring the hidden dives and histories found by exiting the interstates, it’s been featured on Spotify and in such publications as The Guardian, Dallas Morning News and Digital Trends which hailed it as “one of the best podcasts of 2022.” Featuring stories gathered from dance halls, Route 66 filling stations, offbeat museums and roadside motels, I take pride in crafting pieces that provide listeners with an immersive experience through weaving clips, written narration, sound design and field recordings into a cohesive whole. 

 

Evan's Portfolio

Noodling with the Texas Wends

The first installment in a miniseries I produced for The Southern Foodways Alliance’s “Gravy” podcast, I handled all aspects of production for this piece which found me traveling to the tiny hamlet of Serbin, Texas for “Wendish Fest.” An annual celebration of Wendish culture, this piece combines interview footage, field recordings and reporting to share the story of this little known Slavic minority and how they’ve maintained their identity through the practice of noodle making. 

Vanishing Postcards

Hailed by Digital Trends as “one of the best podcasts of 2022,” Vanishing Postcards is a documentary travelogue that invites listeners to ride shotgun on a road trip exploring the hidden dives and frequently threatened histories discovered by exiting the interstates. Born in 2020, this trailer provides a quick taste for the series which has resulted in two seasons of 39 fully produced episodes featuring stories gathered from places rarely seen on Instagram. 

The Keepers of Kolaches

This oral history collection, which I spearheaded for The Southern Foodways Alliance, explores the evolutions of kolaches, which are an iconic staple of Texas-Czech baking. Featuring seven bakers, representing a diverse spectrum of backgrounds, I was tasked with researching, interviewing, writing profiles and handling outreach for this project. While all narrators express different beliefs about what kolaches are and how to perfect them, all united in their passion for these pastries and the opportunity they provide for expressing ideas, history, and identity through the creation of fillings and dough.

Experience

Skills

  • Acting
  • Mixing
  • Tape Syncs
  • Story Editing
  • Sound Design
  • Show Development
  • Research
  • Reporting
  • Producing
  • Mentoring
  • Audience Development
  • Marketing
  • Interviewing
  • Hosting
  • Field Recording
  • Field Producing
  • Fact Checking
  • Booking
  • Voiceover

Equipment

  • Rode NTG-2 Shotgun Microphone
  • Zoom H5 Recorder

Previous Work

  • Producer at The Southern Foodways Alliance - Gravy Podcast (Ongoing)
  • Host/Creator at Vanishing Postcards (Ongoing)