-Life as a Children’s Media Writer and Podcast Producer-
Chad Chenail is a freelance children’s media writer and podcast producer, and likes to joke that he gets to be nice for a living. He’s made it a career goal to spread kindness by emphasizing emotional intelligence and acceptance in the work he does.
Professional Expertise
Chad is a co-founder of the feminist fairytales podcast Girl Tales with Rebecca Cunningham, which is currently in its sixth season and won the 2023 Webby Award for Best Podcast Episode – Kids and Family.
Chad was an intern on Chompers at Gimlet Media in 2019, where he learned all sides of podcast production.
He then created the Mystery Recipe podcast for America’s Test Kitchen Kids, which he wrote and produced for 6 seasons and had 3 million lifetime downloads.
Chad has since gone on to start a freelance career, and has worked as a writer and/or producer for Spotify, Neon Hum, Realm Media, Wondery, Tonies and more.
Award and Accomplishment
He was a Webby honoree for Best Podcast Writing in 2021 and 2022, and a mentor with the Spotify Sound Up program and the Podcast Academy.
Purposeful Work
After having very few queer role models in media growing up, Chad is focused on diverse representation of all kinds in his work, with a specific focus on queer, neurodiverse and disabled communities.
While his desire to include queer and non-binary characters in his work is important, Chad has found it’s been even more important to use this self discovery to empower inclusive work beyond his various intersecting identities.
When kids consume media they are constantly looking for a reflection of themselves; representation is a way to tell a child that they are valid. Providing opportunity for every child to see themselves in the media they consume is a major driving factor in Chad’s work.
Reasons to Listen
This will be a talk worth listening to for:
- those interested in knowing more about professional work opportunities in the podcasting industry
- those wanting to uncover deeper insights related to children’s media writing and podcast producing
- those who are looking for inspiration in so far as pursuing podcasting as a professional career
Listeners will come away with insights on:
- the role of a children’s media writer and podcast producer
- nuanced looks at what being a producer in podcasting and content media can entail
- how the newness of the podcasting industry affects participants within it
- a breakdown of typical tasks he’s charged with in his work
- an absolute critical skill to have as a media writer and podcast producer
- how Chad goes about structuring his day and tasks when being part of several different shows
- his pathway into the industry of professional podcasting
- what has allowed him to achieve and excel within the podcasting space to this point
- why passion alone is not enough for career success
- some of the challenges associated with his work
- how he he manages to find fulfillment in his work by promoting issues of inclusion and representation into many of his projects
- an engaging story involving his work
- how working within creative industries never fails to deliver interesting experiences
- trends he’s excited about with regards to the kids podcasting space
- thoughts on AI within podcasting
- much more!
A Memorable Quote from the Episode:
“I’m passionate about kids content for sure, but what I want to do is create an opportunity for every kind of child to see themselves in the work that I’m making.”
-Chad Chenail
Check out the Video Conversation:
For those who desire to view video highlights of the conversation, you can do so via Youtube.
Discover More
For those interested in learning more about Chad and his work, be sure to visit his personal website. You can also find and follow him on the following platform:
Keep Listening!
I hope you enjoyed the episode. For more, check out additional episodes here!
