🎤 CALL FOR: MC / STUDIO HOST, PROPAGATING PLAY™

🌿 ABOUT HORTIKI STUDIOS & THE SHOW

Hortiki Studios is a new media division of Hortiki Plants, a 9-year-old garden and science education company based in Washington, DC. Our first production, Propagating Play™, is a transmedia science communication show translating cutting-edge neuroscience research about the benefits of adult play into accessible, actionable wellness tools for adults experiencing burnout.

The show includes: bi-weekly video and audio episodes with expert guest interviews, animated science explainers, field segments, downloadable curriculum, and a serialized webtoon. Visually, the show will have a warm, magazine-style video podcast aesthetic, utilizing lush, residential, and lifestyle-forward set designs rather than a sterile news desk.

🌟 Our Guest Roster & Promotion: Our prospective guest list includes a dynamic mix of neuroscientists, thought leaders, and even a few celebrities! We have a robust promotion plan designed to help us launch with momentum.

Learn more: propagatingplay.com.

🎙️ THE MC / STUDIO HOST POSITION

We are looking for a magnetic, deeply curious MC to serve as the audience’s guide. In this format, you are the dynamic facilitator of the show, while Hortiki Studios Founder Dr. Victoria LeBeaux serves as the Creator, Executive Producer, and lead science communicator.

You will lead the show’s flow—handling the intros, outros, and transitions—while anchoring the conversation. You are not expected to be a co-expert; instead, your role is to make the show feel like a fascinating dinner party conversation rather than a college lecture.

⭐ THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT FOR YOU IF…

• 🔍 You are the audience’s proxy. If you have a background in journalism or science, great! But you absolutely do not need one. Your job is to be intensely curious, ask the questions the audience is thinking at home, and help us break down complex ideas into everyday language. If you don't understand the science we're talking about on set, it means we need to explain it better.
• 🤝 You have ultimate "Community Networker" energy. You are a natural facilitator, an extrovert, and a fantastic conversationalist. Whether your background is as a broadcaster, an athlete, a teacher, a creative, or just a "regular person," you know how to hold space, draw people out, and make anyone feel comfortable.
• ⚡ You are "up for anything." This show is about play. If the idea of striking up a conversation with a stranger, being outside for a surprise community engagement moment, or filming a quick selfie-style Insta-story makes you cringe, please be honest with yourself—this might not be the right fit! We need someone who is naturally energetic and joyful.
• 💛 You are naturally warm and unpretentious. You don't need to be a pro TV anchor. We want you—authentic, grounded, and ready to laugh your way through a messy, hands-on "Active Play" segment. You take the work seriously, but you don't take yourself too seriously.
• 📣 You are a natural community builder. We are looking for a creative partner who is genuinely excited about the world we are building. While we don't need you to be a traditional "influencer," we want someone who is so energized by the show’s mission that they naturally want to share their journey, talk to the audience in the comments, and be a joyful ambassador for the Propagating Play™ community on their own social channels.
• 🧩 You thrive in a collaborative structure. You understand that the show itself is the brand. You are excited to use your incredible facilitation skills to elevate the project, without needing the show to revolve entirely around your personal brand.

📋 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• On-Camera Hosting: Lead the show's pacing by delivering the episode open, navigating segment transitions, and wrapping up with the show outro.
• Interviewing: Conduct on-camera interviews with Victoria (drawing out her story and expertise) and our roster of expert guests (asking prepared questions while following up with natural, thoughtful curiosity).
• Active Participation & Community Engagement: Eagerly participate in "Active Moments"—trying hands-on activities on camera alongside Victoria or our practitioner guests. You will also anchor occasional field segments, which may include surprise community engagement moments. (Note: Because some field segments will be run-and-gun without a full video crew, comfort and familiarity with basic smartphone recording/vlogging is highly preferred!)
• Pre-Production Prep: Review episode content guides prior to shoot days to familiarize yourself with the guest profiles and the core scientific/cultural concepts being discussed.

💼 POSITION DETAILS & ONBOARDING

• 📍 Location & Work Authorization: Washington, DC area for shoot days. You must be local to the DC area (or willing to work as a local, as travel/lodging are not provided) and authorized to work in the US. Remote for general prep.
• 🎒 Onboarding: To meet our goal of a June 11th premier, this is a sprint, but we will equip you with everything you need. You will receive detailed episode guides, guest dossiers, our Show Format & Identity Reference document, and a clear run-of-show so you can step onto set feeling fully prepared.
• 🎬 Casting & Chemistry Trial: Please note that final candidates for this role will be asked to participate in an in-person, on-camera "chemistry read" with Victoria to ensure our conversational dynamic translates beautifully to the screen.
• 📈 Funding Contingency & Phasing: Please note that as an independent production, this project and role are strictly pending final funding. Depending on the fundraising timeline, the production and contract may be executed in phases (e.g., Phase 1 covering a smaller initial batch of episodes).
• 🗓️ Scope & Timeline: The full season is 14 episodes, airing bi-weekly. While production is pending funding, please apply if interested! We will provide updates here on the timeline and try to accommodate production scheduling for top candidates.
• ⏱️ Schedule: There are 4 planned studio shoot days (subject to change) starting with a 1-day 'Pilot Batch' shoot (4 episodes, ~30-45 mins final run-time) to establish the show’s rhythm before moving into subsequent phases. Additional field shoot days may be scheduled.
• 💵 Compensation: Competitive project-based or hourly rate (contracted in phases). Estimated range $35–$55/hr (or equivalent flat day/project rate), commensurate with experience. Please include your standard rate requirements in your application; we are committed to fair, professional compensation aligned with experience.
• 🌱 Note: Our intention is to produce future seasons. For the right fit, this is a relationship that has high potential for additional contracts and sustainable revenue.

🏆 REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience speaking, hosting, or facilitating on camera (this could be a broadcasting reel, a podcast video, digital content creation, speaking engagements, or community facilitation work).
• Exceptional active listening skills and the ability to pivot a conversation naturally.
• Comfort with maintaining high energy and focus across a multi-episode batch shoot day.
• (Preferred) Comfort with basic smartphone video recording for run-and-gun field segments.

🤝 THE FOUNDER’S COMMITMENT TO YOU

Hortiki has always been a social impact company, and that same ethos will guide Hortiki Studios as it's developed. We know the media industry can be tough, which is why we strictly adhere to our Ethical Production Manifesto:

• A Humane & Respectful Environment: We promise a safe, fun workspace with zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or bullying. All voices are valued regardless of seniority or background. We believe in reasonable hours, sufficient breaks, and a healthy work-life balance. We will support you in making time for your health and self-care, your loved ones, your pets, and (of course) your plants.
• Fairness & Transparency: We provide competitive wages and maintain open communication regarding budgets, decision-making, and project progress with all key stakeholders.
• Professional Growth & Recognition: We intend to submit this show for relevant awards. We will fully support your application and happily allow the use of show materials (appropriately copyrighted) for your reel and award submissions.
• Kindness: We will be kind and always treat you with respect. We communicate with respect, we credit our team, and we build things we are proud of. If that is how you work, you will fit right in!
• Equal Opportunity: Hortiki Plants (the parent company of Hortiki Studios) is proud to be an equal opportunity organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members and contractors. We strongly encourage applications from folks of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

📝 HOW TO APPLY

Excited to apply? Please submit your information by clicking the button below.

Applications will remain open on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For updates, visit propagatingplay.com and scroll to the newsfeed at the bottom. You can also keep up with the latest announcements via LinkedIn @hortikiplants.

To prepare, the application form will ask for:

1. Basic Information: Your name, email, and phone number. A link to your website and/or a public social media profile that best represents you and your work. (Don't worry about follower counts—we just want to get a sense of who you are and how you share your energy online!)
2. Portfolio, Resume, or Intro Video: A link to your portfolio, hosting/speaking reel, or a short demo video.
   
   Note: Because this is an on-camera role, we need to see your energy! If you do not have a professional reel or past video clips to share, please record a casual 60-second smartphone video introducing yourself and telling us about a time you facilitated a great conversation, and provide the link (YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, etc.).
   
   Resume (Optional): If you don't have a media background and a traditional portfolio, you are welcome to share a 1-2 page resume detailing your facilitation and community experience.
3. Mission Alignment (Short Answer): In a few sentences, tell us why this project appeals to you.
4. Tonal Reference (Short Answer): Based on what we’ve shared here and on the Propagating Play™ website, what show or podcast host do you think best captures the vibe we are going for?
5. Project Fit (Short Answer): What makes you the absolute best candidate to be the audience's guide for this show? Read that again. Not what makes you an amazing speaker, a fun team member, or a great pick for our dragon boat racing team (although we are kinda curious). What makes you the best fit for this assignment—making Propagating Play™ a warm, fun, engaging experience for all?
6. Compensation & Bid (Short Answer): Your standard day rate or proposed flat project fee. Feel free to include a link to your standard rate sheet if you have one.
7. References: Contact information for two professional references will be requested from final candidates progressing to the interview stage.