American Metamorphosis did not only cover ongoing transformations—it changed alongside them. Through interviews between our host, the Emmy-nominated journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, and some 80 guests, we introduced timely, pressing themes—from the nuances of presidential transitions to the implications of global competitiveness. Each season and indeed each episode was crafted with a keen eye for these evolving narratives, providing a reflective and adaptive storytelling approach.
Unearthing stories of American progress across sweeping landscapes, executive offices, and unexpected corners.
American Metamorphosis, an original podcast series produced in partnership with Boston Consulting Group, journeyed through the climate, the economy, and the American political system to report impartial stories of perseverance. Across five six-episode seasons, the series showcased how synergy between the public and private sectors can lead to meaningful progress, providing a dynamic canvas for engaging, true-to-life storytelling.
See the resultsThe Story
Creating the Podcast
THE NORTH STAR
Crafting the Theme
Initially, American Metamorphosis was created as a limited series about the transfer of power. But as our first season unfolded—and resonated with audiences—it became clear that its storytelling method could reach much further still. The podcast evolved to feature a specific theme each season, mirroring shifts in American culture from risk-taking to resilience. This thematic focus kept the series timely and pertinent, broadening its appeal and enhancing its impact on listeners.
The shifting themes and focuses of each season were reflected in the series artwork—created by Valerie Chiang—and in each episode’s custom visuals.
THE OPENING
Choosing the
Unexpected Anecdote
Each episode of American Metamorphosis may have centered on an urgent topic, from inflation to agriculture. But the episodes often opened somewhere surprising—sitting down with a children’s book author, for instance, or a reality TV show winner. In these so-called Unexpected Anecdotes, American Metamorphosis brought unique, personal dimensions to nationwide challenges, underscoring that progress is always achievable, on one scale or another.
The guests who appear throughout the series come from diverse backgrounds and stand atop disparate professions, allowing for wide-ranging conversations and revelatory connections with our host, Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani.
Guests include:
- Daniel Humm, Owner, Eleven Madison Park
- Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning Science Writer & Journalist
- Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO, Acumen
- Ritchie Torres, Congressman
- Meb Keflezighi, 4x USA Olympic Athlete
- Marcia Rieke, Astronomy Professor and Principal NIRCam Investigator on the James Webb Space Telescope
- Vladimir Duthiers, National Correspondent, CBS News
- Reshma Saujani, CEO and Founder, Girls Who Code
- Helene Cooper, Pentagon Correspondent, The New York Times
- Jim Bloom, Producer and Creative Executive
- Kristen Kish, Top Chef Winner
Click the videos below to play highlights
Results
Transforming
Alongside Our
Audience
We crafted one of the most popular branded podcasts of all time, engaging deeply with an ever-growing audience and winning a range of accolades from some of the top awards shows in the industry, including the Publisher Podcast Awards.
- 5.6M+ total downloads across the 5 seasons
- 90%+ of new listeners to S5 went back and began listening to the show starting from Season 1 Episode 1
- 57% Listener growth in cumulative downloads, season over season
Credits
Atlantic Re:think
- Emily Bina Executive Producer
- Christian Nilsson Senior Multimedia Producer
- Alyona Minkovski Producer
- Leo Sepkowitz Senior Manager, Creative Strategy
- Jordan Teicher Director, Creative Strategy
- CJ Ferroni Producer
- Monica Schmelzer Senior Director, Account Management
- Rachel McCray Account Manager
- Devin Rochford Art Director
- Eleanor Bell-Fox Executive Creative Director & Head of Production
Collaborators
- Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani Host
- Evan Viola Sound Design & Mix
- Valarie Chiang Illustration
