Life Exchanged Podcast
Podcast Branding | Creative Direction | Video & Audio Production
A branded video podcast developed for Youth For Understanding USA (YFU), sharing authentic stories of cultural exchange through original visual branding, engaging conversations, and ongoing multimedia production.
PROJECT IMPACT
Top 20% of video podcasts on Spotify · 97% viewer retention · 87% of total views from top-performing episodes · Ranked top 87% of shows overall
Life Exchanged has established an ongoing storytelling platform for YFU USA, bringing personal exchange experiences to audiences through Spotify, YouTube, and supporting digital channels.
The podcast's visual identity and production framework also provide a library of authentic testimonial content that can be adapted for broader marketing initiatives, including YFU's Be the Light campaign.
Project Overview
Life Exchanged is a video podcast created to share the personal experiences of exchange students, alumni, host families, and volunteers within the YFU community.
Developed and launched in April 2025, the podcast provides a platform for real conversations about cultural discovery, personal growth, unexpected challenges, and the lasting relationships formed through international exchange.
The project extends beyond traditional podcast production, combining visual identity development, episode planning, video and audio editing, and coordinated promotional content across Spotify, YouTube, and social media.
Objectives
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Create a recognizable podcast brand that reflects YFU's mission of intercultural understanding.
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Capture authentic stories and firsthand experiences from the YFU community.
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Build audience engagement through compelling, relatable video and audio content.
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Establish a consistent visual identity across episodes, thumbnails, and promotional assets.
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Develop an ongoing content platform that supports YFU's broader marketing and storytelling efforts.
Creative Strategy
Built Life Exchanged around the idea that authentic personal stories are one of the most effective ways to communicate the impact of international exchange.
Rather than relying on scripted promotional messaging, the podcast creates space for students, alumni, host families, and volunteers to share their experiences in their own words.
Developed a vibrant visual identity inspired by YFU's existing brand, using colorful overlapping speech bubbles and a globe motif to communicate conversation, cultural exchange, and global connection.
The branding extends across episode artwork, video thumbnails, social graphics, and digital platforms, creating a consistent and recognizable presence while allowing individual guests and their stories to take center stage.
Each episode balances conversational authenticity with thoughtful editing, pacing, and visual presentation to create an engaging experience across both audio and video formats.
Listen & Watch
The podcast is distributed across audio and video platforms, giving audiences multiple ways to experience the stories.
Episodes feature exchange students, alumni, host families, and other members of the YFU community, sharing firsthand perspectives on cultural discovery, personal transformation, and relationships that continue long after an exchange year ends.
Visual Identity & Promotional Assets
Designed a cohesive visual system extending the Life Exchanged identity across cover artwork, episode-specific graphics, video thumbnails, and social media promotions.
A consistent layout, typography, and color system establishes brand recognition, while guest photography, episode titles, and supporting graphics create visual variety across the series.
The flexible design approach supports ongoing episode production while maintaining a unified identity across Spotify, YouTube, and social platforms.
My Role | Podcast Creative Direction & Production
Led the creative development and ongoing production of Life Exchanged from its initial concept and launch through episode planning, recording, editing, and distribution.
Developed the podcast's visual identity, including original logo artwork, cover art, episode graphics, and promotional assets.
Manage the multimedia production workflow, including guest scheduling, recording coordination, audio and video editing, episode publishing, and quality control across distribution platforms.
Collaborate with the marketing team to develop supporting promotional content and repurpose podcast testimonials for integrated campaigns, including Be the Light.
