Daily program host
Be the voice of Nashville’s go-to news program.
WPLN News is looking for a versatile, creative and empathetic host for a new daily show this fall, which will serve the Nashville region with insightful reporting and conversations on the day’s top news and culture. You’ll be the proxy for all of Nashville as you talk to a range of guests: public officials, people with varied lived experiences, artists, and local reporters.
We see this show as a flagship program that reflects and engages with the diversity of the region. It will be a welcome addition for our existing core audience, but we also want to serve a new group of listeners: people who want to be engaged with their community but don’t already listen to NPR. As host, you’ll create a forum that’s relatable and smart, whether you’re showcasing the reporting from our growing newsroom, asking questions of decision-makers, or hearing from the people who live with those decisions.
If we were to explain our vision using other public radio shows, it would be this: Take the energy, intelligence and joy of It’s Been A Minute, mix it with The Daily‘s ability to go deeper on news of the day — immersed in the distinctive local flavor of Nashville. We strive to advance the conversations and debates happening across diverse neighborhoods, homes and workplaces.
More: Don’t know much about Nashville? Here’s a snapshot.
We’re looking for a host:
- who already has experience engaging with and asking deep questions of a broad range of people. You aren’t afraid to hold public officials accountable. You love talking to people across the socioeconomic and demographic spectrum. You have the focus needed to advance breaking stories in a live format. You are curious about a wide range of topics — and especially relish diving into the diverse arts and music scene that Nashville is known for.
- with a personality. We want you to bring your individuality to the role, on and off the air. You’re a performer as well as a journalist: You have emotional range and aren’t afraid to use it on the air.
- who has a strong vision for diversifying the sound and audience of public radio. You will be a leader — within the station, helping to set the editorial tone of the show, and with the public, as a face and voice of the station. We want you to be at the forefront of changing public radio’s game.
- who enjoys working within a team. You will be the primary voice of the show, but you also crave collaboration, deliberation and the contribution of others.
You’ll be joining a newsroom that has produced groundbreaking podcasts, special projects and national investigations. You’ll also have access to the talent and creativity of our new music discovery station WNXP, and you can expand on the newsroom’s community engagement partnerships, including a regular collaboration with Nashville Noticias.
This position reports to the executive producer of the daily show. The salary starts at $75,000 and is commensurate with experience. (How far would that salary go in Nashville? Use this cost-of-living calculator to get a sense.)
We’re trying to create something different here at WPLN News. Do you share our vision? Come join us.