Yumi Araki

Portfolio

yumiaraki.ninja

Languages

Japanese

Editing
Producing
Scripting

About Yumi

Born in Malaysia, raised in Japan, and educated in the U.S., my formative years as a third-culture kid has given me an insider's-outsider's point of view that I bring to my reporting and storytelling. I'm a multi platform storyteller with a background in audio, video, and print journalism. I'm currently the managing producer of America's Test Kitchen's podcasts, where I edit the narrative podcast Proof, and work on new show development. In 2020, I hosted a four-part docuseries on Japan’s current events for Singapore’s national broadcaster, CNA. Before that, I managed and produced podcasts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ award-winning iDeas Lab and worked as a producer for On Point at Boston’s NPR affiliate. I also covered the 2016 election for Japan’s largest newspaper, The Yomiuri Shimbun. I'm interested in stories that occur at the intersection of different issues, and a doting cat mom to two Scottish shorthair cats named Winston & Yuzu.

I'm looking to collaborate on reported narrative-driven stories on just about any topic. I have experience reporting on policy, science, and cultural stories. Looking forward to connecting!

Yumi's Portfolio

Thank You For Your Service

I edited scripts, recorded interviews, cut, and produced sound design for this bi-weekly podcast on civil and military relations. Notable episode produced includes a conversation with Jake Tapper, director Rod Lurie, and cast members from The Outpost, a film based on Tapper’s eponymous book.

Into Africa

Fearless music activists. Savvy tech entrepreneurs. Social disrupters. Into Africa shatters the narratives that dominate U.S. perceptions of Africa. I served as the founding producer of this biweekly series.

The Reopening

Each week on The Reopening, co-hosts Andrew Schwartz and Scott Miller speak with a leader from the world of business and finance about the future of a sector they know best. I served as founding producer of this weekly series.

Chartreuse: The Drink that Wouldn't Die

Reported and produced this episode for America's Test Kitchen's narrative podcast series, Proof, which I manage.

The American Opioid Epidemic Miniseries

This is a forthcoming six-part narrative miniseries that features conversations with people affected by the epidemic and experts at the forefront of the policy fight. I researched, wrote, and edited the script, recorded in-person and remote interviews, edited the cut, and produced the sound design for the first episode, which aired in 2018.

Destination: Maghreb

This is a two-part narrative miniseries that looks at why the North African Maghreb became a reluctant destination for migrants. I provided research and edited the script, recorded interviews, edited the cut, and produced the sound design.

The Truth of the Matter with Bob Schieffer & Andrew Schwartz

This is a weekly interview-based podcast that features interviews with newsmakers and experts. I served as the founding producer of this series.

Deciphering Japan

I reported and hosted this four-part docuseries on what's happening on the ground in Japan. Aired July-August 2020 on Singapore's national broadcaster, Channel News Asia.

Experience

Skills

Translation
Tape Syncs
Story Editing
Sound Design
Social Media
Scrubbing and Audio Editing
Research
Producing
Mentoring
Interviewing
Hosting
Field Recording
Booking

Equipment

Blue Yeti mic
Plosive filter
Adobe Creative Suite

Previous Work

Senior Producer & Editorial Lead at Center for Strategic and International Studies (September 2020)
Reporter & Host of Deciphering Japan at Channel News Asia (April 2020)
Contract Producer, On Point at WBUR (Boston's NPR news station) (September 2017)
Washington Staff Reporter at The Yomiuri Shimbun (June 2017)
Associate Producer at Boston Science Communications (June 2013)
Contract Producer at Small Good Thing (January 2021)