Podcast Host (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward. , Podcast Host (Volunteer) PromisePod | Podcast Hosting, Interviewing & Audio Storytelling Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP) Division PromisePod Podcast The Bells I Hear Location Remote with potential NYC-based recording sessions Commitment Approximately 5–10 hours per week Type Volunteer Creative Role Minimum Commitment 6-month Commitment Required Reports To Senior Podcast Producer About Mentor A Promise Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support. At MAP, storytelling is a pathway to understanding. Meaningful conversations can challenge assumptions, elevate overlooked perspectives, strengthen communities, and inspire people to take action. Through thoughtful and dignity-centered storytelling, we create space for educators, advocates, artists, policymakers, community leaders, and people with lived experience to share their knowledge and perspectives. About PromisePod PromisePod is MAP’s podcasting, audio storytelling, interview production, and public-conversation division. The division develops mission-driven audio content that informs audiences, amplifies diverse voices, and connects listeners to MAP’s mission and the issues affecting children, families, and communities. About The Bells I Hear The Bells I Hear is Mentor A Promise’s podcast featuring educators, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, community advocates, researchers, artists, and people with lived experience. Through thoughtful interviews and discussions, the podcast explores housing instability, education, equity, youth development, community resilience, public policy, creativity, and social impact. The show creates space for honest conversations that deepen public understanding, elevate community knowledge, and inspire meaningful action. Role Overview The Podcast Host serves as the primary on-air voice and interviewer for The Bells I Hear. This role leads engaging, thoughtful, and accessible conversations with guests from diverse professional, cultural, and lived-experience backgrounds. The Podcast Host researches guests and topics, prepares meaningful questions, guides interviews, introduces episodes, and creates an environment in which guests feel respected, prepared, and comfortable sharing their perspectives. Working closely with podcast producers, researchers, writers, editors, and communications teams, the Host helps shape each episode from early preparation through final publication and promotion. The ideal candidate is curious, empathetic, articulate, well-prepared, and passionate about using conversation and storytelling to advance understanding and social impact. Key Responsibilities Podcast Hosting & Interviewing Serve as the lead host and interviewer for The Bells I HearGuide conversations with professionalism, warmth, empathy, and curiosityAsk thoughtful follow-up questions that deepen each discussionCreate a welcoming environment for guests with varied backgrounds and experiencesMaintain the pacing, tone, and focus of each episodeRepresent MAP’s mission and values throughout all recorded content Guest & Topic Research Research guests, organizations, policies, programs, and episode topicsReview biographies, prior interviews, publications, and relevant background materialsIdentify meaningful themes and discussion opportunitiesCollaborate with researchers and producers to ensure factual preparationApproach sensitive subjects with care, accuracy, and cultural humility Interview Preparation Develop clear, well-structured, and original interview questionsPrepare episode outlines, introductions, transitions, and closing remarksAdapt questions to each guest’s expertise and lived experienceParticipate in pre-interview conversations and production planningEnsure discussions remain relevant, engaging, and aligned with the podcast’s purpose Audio Storytelling & Narration Record episode openings, closings, transitions, and promotional narrationHelp establish a consistent voice and identity for the podcastCommunicate complex subjects in accessible and engaging languageSupport scripted and unscripted audio storytellingContribute ideas that strengthen episode structure and listener experience Production Collaboration Collaborate with producers, writers, researchers, editors, and audio engineersParticipate in episode planning and post-recording reviewProvide input on edits, pacing, narrative structure, and final presentationRecord corrections, pickups, or additional narration when neededHelp maintain consistency and quality across episodes Ethical & Dignity-Centered Storytelling Follow MAP’s safeguarding, privacy, consent, and storytelling standardsTreat every guest and subject with respect and dignityAvoid exploitative, sensationalized, or stigmatizing languageExercise sensitivity when discussing housing instability, trauma, disability, poverty, or other personal experiencesProtect confidential or identifying information when required Promotion & Audience Engagement Collaborate with PromiseVoice on episode promotionSupport social media clips, promotional recordings, and audience engagementHelp introduce episodes to new listeners and communitiesParticipate in live recordings, panel conversations, or special events when availableContribute ideas for future guests, topics, series, and audience experiences Continuous Improvement Review feedback from producers, guests, and listenersAnalyze audience engagement and episode performance when availableStrengthen interviewing, preparation, narration, and hosting practicesRemain informed about podcasting trends and audio storytelling techniquesContribute to the continued development of The Bells I Hear Creative Responsibilities The Podcast Host contributes to Interviewing Responsible for Guest conversationsFollow-up questionsDiscussion flowInterview pacingGuest experience Episode Preparation Responsible for Guest researchTopic preparationInterview questionsEpisode outlinesTalking points On-Air Presentation Responsible for Episode introductionsTransitionsClosing remarksNarrationPublic representation Storytelling Quality Responsible for ClarityAccessibilityAuthenticityEthical storytellingAudience connection Preferred Qualifications Strong public speaking, communication, and interpersonal skillsExperience in podcasting, broadcasting, interviewing, journalism, radio, facilitation, public speaking, or performanceAbility to engage diverse guests with empathy, respect, and intellectual curiosityStrong research, preparation, listening, and follow-up-question skillsComfort participating in remote and in-person recording environmentsAbility to communicate complex topics in clear and accessible languageStrong collaboration skills and openness to editorial feedbackPassion for housing, education, equity, youth development, community engagement, and social impact Preferred Skills Experience hosting or co-hosting a podcast, radio program, livestream, panel, or interview seriesFamiliarity with housing instability, education, public policy, youth development, nonprofit work, or community issuesExperience conducting sensitive or trauma-informed interviewsBasic familiarity with microphones, recording platforms, and podcast production workflowsExperience creating promotional audio or social media contentExisting portfolio, demo reel, podcast episodes, or recorded interview samples Why This Role Matters A powerful conversation can introduce a new perspective. A thoughtful question can uncover a story that might otherwise remain unheard. A trusted host can help guests share their experiences with confidence, dignity, and purpose. The Podcast Host helps The Bells I Hear create conversations that educate, challenge, inspire, and connect audiences to the people and ideas shaping our communities. This role helps ensure that important voices are not only heard—but genuinely listened to. Success Measures Quality, depth, and consistency of podcast interviewsStrong preparation and thoughtful guest engagementPositive experiences reported by guests and production teamsCompletion of scheduled recording and narration assignmentsAudience engagement and episode performanceAlignment with MAP’s mission, safeguarding standards, and storytelling principlesContinued improvement in hosting and interviewing practices Leadership Participation The Podcast Host is expected to Attend relevant PromisePod production meetingsParticipate in regular check-ins with the Senior Podcast ProducerCollaborate with producers, researchers, writers, and editorsPrepare thoroughly for scheduled interviews and recording sessionsSupport podcast campaigns, live conversations, and special initiatives when available Volunteer Expectations Approximately 5–10 hours per week, including preparation, recording, review, and collaborationMinimum 6-month commitment requiredMaintain timely and professional communicationRespond to role-related communications within 48 hoursCollaborate through MAP systems and communication platformsSupport MAP’s safeguarding, consent, privacy, and ethical storytelling standardsDemonstrate reliability, curiosity, cultural humility, professionalism, and respect What You’ll Gain Hands-on experience hosting and shaping a mission-driven podcastOpportunities to interview nonprofit leaders, educators, policymakers, artists, advocates, researchers, and community voicesCollaboration with producers, researchers, writers, editors, and communications professionalsA growing portfolio of professionally produced audio and interview workProfessional references and letters of recommendationMeaningful experience using storytelling to advance advocacy, public understanding, and social change How to Apply Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume, cover letter, and available hosting, interviewing, broadcasting, speaking, or audio samples. Please highlight experience involving podcasting, interviewing, journalism, radio, facilitation, public speaking, storytelling, media production, or related disciplines. For additional questions, please contact hr@mentorapromise.org. Help bring meaningful stories to life by hosting conversations that inform, challenge, connect, and create a vision of hope through The Bells I Hear. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.