As the Executive Producer (Hi, I'm Ashley!) for City Cast Seattle, I may be a little biased, but I think the folks on this team are the coolest people our city has to offer. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting them or enjoying their previous work, allow me to introduce you to the team behind our daily podcast and newsletter.
Jane C. Hu, Host
Jane C. Hu is an award-winning (and -losing) journalist living in Seattle. Her work has been published in The New York Times, WIRED, Slate, National Geographic, High Country News, The Atlantic, and The Best American Science and Nature Writing series. They write The Microdose, a twice-weekly newsletter about the science, law, politics, and culture of psychedelics edited by Michael Pollan and Malia Wollan. Previously, she taught writing at the University of Washington and the CUNY Newmark School of Journalism, and fact-checked books and science features. Before becoming a journalist, she was a cognitive science researcher.
Liam Billingham, Creative Producer
A New Englander at heart but (new!) Pacific Northwester, Liam Billingham is a producer in video and audio with a background in documentary, fiction and theater. He has made podcasts for TIME Magazine, Audible, Sugar23, and a variety of other clients and companies. He is an Emmy nominee for his work in local television, has made films and podcasts with soldiers suffering from PTSD, persons experiencing homelessness, victims of police brutality, students, retirees, and everyone in between. When not making podcasts for work, he drives his kids around, watches movies, and hosts two podcasts about the history of action cinema, DIE HARD ON A BLANK and 48 HOURS OF BUDDY MOVIES.
Sam Leeds, Creative Producer
A west coast kid through and through, Sam Leeds has called Seattle home since falling in love with the city more than a decade ago. They've produced work for NPR, Campside Media, KEXP, Cascade PBS (RIP) and more. Points of career pride include launching and producing two seasons of NPR Music's Louder Than A Riot and kickstarting the first season of Futuro Media's astrology and culture show Stars and Stars with Isa. They've reported and produced some truly-PNW stories including about a local rabbi learning to rap to preserve a dying language and the story of a giant wind harp that stood on the edge of Bainbridge Island. You can find them field recording the sounds of Seattle for a burgeoning sound art project, swimming at Denny Blaine or cooking up an elaborate dinner party with friends. Sam is a graduate of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies at MECA as well as the University of Washington.
Ben Keenan, Audience Development Manager
A Seattle area native, Ben Keenan has spent the past [age redacted] years exploring the city he calls home - from trying the best eats or hot new coffee spot, to exploring “off the beaten path” finds that only a true PNW native could tell you about. Prior to joining City Cast, he spent 10 years in Corporate America doing public relations for some of the world’s largest tech brands. Simultaneously, however, he’s also built a personal brand, cutting his teeth on the mean streets of the internet, becoming one of Seattle’s leading content creators and travel influencers. You can find him featured in outlets such as The Washington Post, BuzzFeed, and NBC News, or on a smaller screen via any variety of social media platforms.
Ashley Smith, Executive Producer
Ashley Smith might just be her city’s biggest fan. She’s been working in the audio industry since she moved here almost two decades ago. Career highlights include editing Maintenance Phase and If Books Could Kill, producing Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer, hosting Vinfamous for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and getting to meet all of her favorite musicians while working as “Pepper” in alternative radio. In her free time she used to make her own weird podcasts, but now she mainly listens to Taylor Swift and stresses out about her fantasy football team.
And we’re excited to meet you, too. You can join the conversation by sending a note to seattle@citycast.fm or find us on Instagram or TikTok.
