Astead W. Herndon Joins Vox as Host and Editorial Director

[ad_1] Vox editor-in-chief & writer Swati Sharma at present introduced that acclaimed journalist Astead W. Herndon is becoming a member of the group as host and editorial director. On this function, he'll launch and lead a brand new multiplatform video podcast for Vox, whereas additionally contributing political protection throughout textual content, video, audio, and social media platforms. He begins October 20, 2025.

At Vox, Herndon will play a key function in serving to audiences perceive the components shaping the 2026 midterms and the lead-up to the 2028 presidential election. He'll launch a brand new weekly video podcast about politics — and past — in 2026, increasing Vox’s attain with video-first political storytelling. He shall be a multiplatform journalist, contributing to Vox’s textual content, audio, and video reporting. He may also guest-host Vox’s widespread Immediately, Defined podcast together with Noel King this fall and winter, and create movies for Vox’s social channels, serving to audiences clearly perceive what’s occurring in American politics, what the stakes are, and why all of it issues. Vox may also discover unique content material with Herndon for its membership program.

“After I take into consideration the sort of expertise I need at Vox, I hold coming again to 2 issues: a voice that feels genuine and deeply related to folks, and somebody who actually understands tips on how to use audio, video, and textual content to achieve audiences wherever they're,” Sharma stated.

“Looking forward to 2028 and past, Vox will proceed to be a spot the place powerhouse expertise helps us hear and perceive voices outdoors elite areas — as a result of that’s what our viewers needs, and what they deserve. Astead has confirmed, repeatedly, that he’s that uncommon sort of expertise. He is aware of tips on how to reduce by way of, join, and produce readability when it issues most. I couldn’t be extra enthusiastic about this partnership and what’s to return.”

Herndon involves Vox from the New York Occasions, the place he distinguished himself as a pointy, accessible voice on American politics, internet hosting The Run-Up podcast and reporting tales in textual content, audio, and video codecs. His reporting is thought for translating advanced political dynamics into clear, nuanced tales that resonated with each political insiders and people outdoors the political bubble. In August, the Nationwide Affiliation of Black Journalists named Herndon their 2025 Journalist of the Yr. Earlier this yr, he received the Distinguished Journalist Award from DePaul College, and was honored with a ceremony in his birthplace of Chicago.

“As I’ve reported on politics in our altering nation, I’ve seen the media surroundings altering round me,” Herndon stated. “Assembly folks the place they're has all the time been a cornerstone of my work — and that’s precisely what Vox does. I’m excited to hitch a proficient newsroom and assist form protection of the subsequent election that’s rigorous and curious.”

When Vox was based in 2014, it was animated by a easy commentary: The media did a very good job of reporting the information and commenting on it, however there was a disconnect between that work and the viewers actually understanding why one thing occurred. Vox began as — and stays — a corporation devoted to addressing that hole, which not solely persists however has grown.

We're proud to have popularized explanatory journalism in lots of types, throughout many mediums. Our work has been used to coach folks in all places, from elementary colleges to varsity lecture rooms to vaccination websites in Taiwan to footnotes in congressional memos. We’ve obtained quite a few awards, together with Information and Documentary Emmys, On-line Journalism Awards, and Loeb Awards. We have been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for our collaboration with ProPublica on maternal mortality.