NYWIFT Blog

By Sofiya Saykovska

Welcome to NYWIFT, Jill Ruby! We’re thrilled to introduce Jill Ruby, a seasoned podcast producer and editor whose work spans national organizations and top-tier networks like PBS, A&E, and Nickelodeon. With a background in television production and a strong track record in podcasting, Jill’s expertise and dedication to impactful storytelling have earned her multiple Webby-Anthem Awards and recognition in the industry. Beyond her professional achievements, Jill is a mother, a wife, and a creative spirit who’s equally at home in the editing suite as she is crafting new ideas for her next podcast project.

In this interview, Jill shares her journey from television documentaries to podcasting, her approach to editing, and the stories that inspire her to keep pushing boundaries in the world of audio storytelling. Whether you’re a fellow producer, a fan of podcasts, or simply curious about what it takes to create high-quality content, Jill’s insights and pro tips are sure to resonate.

Read on to learn more about her work, her inspiration, and her passion for connecting with audiences through the power of sound.

Photo courtesy of Jill Ruby.

Welcome to NYWIFT! Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers.

Hi! Professionally, I’m a podcast producer and editor, with a background as a television producer. I’ve produced multiple series and specials for national organizations and networks including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Reach Out and Read, George Washington University, PBS, A&E, Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Court TV, OLN, and HGTV.

In addition to NYWIFT, I’m a member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a judge for the Webby Awards, a judge for the Signal Awards, and I’ve been a judge for the Daytime Emmys. I’m proud to say I’ve recently won several awards for podcasting, including four Webby-Anthem Awards, five Signal Awards, a Webby Honoree, and a shortlist for a 2024 International Women’s Podcast Award.

Personally, I’m the mom to two awesome kids, wife to one amazing husband, a museum enthusiast, an avid crafter, and a very bad cook.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I was a member of NYWIFT many years ago, back when I worked exclusively on television documentaries. Though I have shifted to podcasts, my drive to create meaningful stories with journalistic integrity remains the same. I rejoined NYWIFT to reconnect with a professional storytelling community, and New York remains the heart of that community.

What inspired you to become a podcast producer and editor, and how did you get started in the industry?

I’ve always loved ‘being in the room where it happens,’ and for me, that’s the editing suite. As a producer – first of television documentaries and then children’s animated series – I’ve spent a lot of time in an editing room working with sound and picture editors who masterfully balanced art and technology. I love producing, but I also love tech, and being a podcast producer and editor allows me to do both.

Photo from the live recording of the Everyday Shakespeare Podcast (courtesy of Jill Ruby)

How do you approach the editing process to enhance storytelling while maintaining the original voice of the creators?

My role as a producer is to make it as easy as possible for my hosts and our guests to tell their stories, and for an audience to engage with them. While editing, I’m constantly balancing sound quality, content flow, and what I think listeners will find compelling, while remaining true to the original content. Fidelity to the intent of the speaker is paramount – even a pregnant pause can infer meaning, so if it does, I keep it in.

You produce content on a wide range of topics, from mental health to current affairs. How do you choose the subjects you want to work on?

I think it goes back to my documentary roots – I love researching stories, balancing perspectives, and then finding a compelling way to share that information in a way that connects with an audience. I’m not interested in producing right/left propaganda or vanity projects – but if you have something unique to say, and you bring professionalism and integrity to the project, I’m interested.

Can you share a memorable project you’ve worked on that particularly stood out to you, and why?

I’ve written hundreds of author-interview scripts, and each script is like writing a book report. (I read a lot for work – at least a book a week, often more.) The author interviews that stand out to me most are ones I’ve done with Lois Lowry (Number the Stars), Emma Smith (Portable Magic), Kwame Alexander (The Crossover), and Nicholas Kristof (Chasing Hope) – each one grabbed me emotionally, and taught me something new in the process. Everyone should read more books (or at least try to!). 

The live recording of the 43cc Podcast (photo courtesy of Jill Ruby)

What are some common challenges you face as a podcast producer, and how do you overcome them?

Sound quality. Though I record many live shows and in-person interviews, the majority of my shows are recorded remotely through SquadCast (an online recording studio). I always set my hosts up with professional microphones, but guests can bring a wide range in quality with their mics and recording spaces (barking dogs, open windows next to busy streets, air conditioners, etc.) Getting the sound right is by far my biggest challenge. Pro-tip: stay away from bluetooth! Wired set ups are best. Content is key, but if it sounds terrible people will stop listening.

With the podcasting landscape becoming increasingly competitive, how do you differentiate your projects?

There’s a lot of noise out there. Entry-level podcasting equipment is relatively inexpensive so people think creating a podcast is easy, but the average podcast lasts for only six episodes and then people give up. I’m lucky that the projects I work on have staying power, and I think that’s because they’re niche and listeners actually learn something. To me, there’s nothing worse than listening to someone who’s a) unqualified, and b) podcasting because they like the sound of their own voice.

Where can readers reach out to find more about you and your work?

I have several podcasts in production, and several more in development.

Learn more about Jill Ruby’s work on her website www.jillruby.com.