At our August 9th New England Podcasters Group meetup, we had the privilege of learning from one of the best in the business — Karen Given, award-winning audio producer, longtime NPR showrunner, and former host of Only A Game.
Karen has been behind the mic (and behind the scenes) since her teenage years at a small station in Joshua Tree, California. Over her 20+ years at WBUR and NPR, she worked her way from technical director to executive producer, picking up two national Edward R. Murrow Awards along the way. She’s navigated format changes, built high-performing creative teams, and mastered the art of narrative storytelling — and she brought her best tools to share with us.
Her presentation, The Showrunner’s Toolbox: Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Producing Outstanding Podcasts, offered a rare peek at what a showrunner really does — and why this role’s mindset is invaluable even for solo creators.
Here are just a few takeaways from her talk:
- Plan like a pro. From spark to structure, thoughtful preparation creates space for creativity.
- Adapt and overcome. A showrunner’s job isn’t to avoid challenges — it’s to solve them quickly without losing sight of the story.
- Build strong structures. Whether you produce interviews or narratives, a clear framework keeps your story compelling and cohesive.
- Ask better questions. Great shows come from great listening — and great listening leads to better follow-ups.
- Embrace new tools. Karen encouraged us to explore technology and AI, while understanding the legal considerations that come with them.
- Put the listener first. Every decision — from booking a guest to choosing your opening line — should serve your audience.
Karen’s session was filled with insights, humor, and a clear reminder: if you want to make a standout podcast, think like a showrunner.
You can watch the full presentation on our YouTube channel here and start filling your own showrunner’s toolbox today.
You can learn more about Karen’s impactful work in the world by visiting her website here.
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