Paola Mardo is a writer and producer based in Los Angeles, CA. She writes the substack newsletter SUBTITLES. She leads audio at Proximity Media. She is the host, writer, creator, and producer of LONG DISTANCE, a podcast and short documentary series about stories in the Filipino diaspora. Select work below.

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Subtitles

A weekly substack newsletter about navigating a creative career… written by someone *trying* to do just that. A raw, real-time look at creativity, business, and learning on the job.

How a bag of drugs and DVDs changed the course of my career
Thoughts on “Hollywood’s Great Malaise”
The problem with moving on up
Am I even good at this?


Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast

Hosted and written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Produced by Paola Mardo. Winner of the 2024 NAACP Image Award and Webby Award.


In Proximity

Conversations about craft, career, and creativity hosted by Ryan Coogler and the creative team at Proximity Media. Paola Mardo served as producer and executive producer for S1 and executive producer for S2. She introduces every episode and has hosted, edited, and produced interviews. 2024 Webby Honoree.


Long Distance

A narrative podcast about stories in the Filipino diaspora hosted, written, created, and produced by Paola Mardo. The companion documentary series Long Distance TV is directed by Paola Mardo and Patrick Epino. Selected for the inaugural PRX Google Podcasts creator program. Featured in Vanity Fair’s 10 Essential Podcasts from AAPI Creators, IndieWire’s Best Podcasts of 2020, and The New York Times Podcast Club’s 2019 Picks.


“The history of the United States cannot be properly told without including the stories of Filipino and Filipino American people. Paola Mardo’s podcast presents a vital resource in telling that story.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance Project

 

“Not only has Mardo done the impressive work of excavating these untold or obscured stories, but she’s polished them, through thoughtful storytelling and excellent production, so they can truly shine.”

Vanity Fair, “10 Essential Podcasts from AAPI Creators”

 

“Top 5 podcast. Shout out to Ryan, Zinzi, Sev, and Paola. Much needed...”

In Proximity Listener

 

“The podcast I’ve been waiting for all my life.”

Long Distance Listener