Join the Team
Cross-Partisan Podcast Reviewer (Monthly Fact-Checking Role)
Trust My Pod – Remote Volunteer Opportunity
About the Role
Trust My Pod is launching a new initiative to spotlight cross-partisan accountability in podcasting. We're seeking politically engaged volunteers—students of journalism, political science, or media studies—who are willing to fact-check podcast episodes from across the ideological spectrum.
As a Cross-Partisan Podcast Reviewer, you’ll be assigned a podcast with political leanings different from your own. Each month, you’ll choose one episode, verify all factual claims using a transcript and AI-generated draft, and produce a structured report. You’ll list all misleading and false claims, then choose one central claim to deeply analyze using reputable sources.
This role is flexible, editorial, and mission-driven. Volunteers may opt in one month at a time with no fixed commitment. However, byline credit and contributor profile pages are only offered to those who complete at least three reviews.
What You’ll Do
- Receive a transcript and AI-generated list of claims for one episode per month
- Identify all misleading and false claims from that episode
- Select one significant claim to dissect in depth with independent verification
- Write a structured, AP-style fact-check (neutral tone, no opinion)
- Submit the piece for editorial review and publication
- Track AI claim detection errors and report issues to help improve the tool
🧠 You’ll receive an AI-generated list of factual claims to use as a starting point. Your role is to thoroughly check each claim for accuracy, relevance, and proper classification. AI can help surface key moments, but it may also miss claims or hallucinate them altogether. That’s why human oversight is essential. At Trust My Pod, every piece must be both AI-assisted and human-verified. Your insight ensures our fact-checks are accountable, rigorous, and trustworthy. You’ll also submit brief notes on any major AI issues to help improve the tool.
📝 Each fact-check will follow a standard format: a short intro, a list of all misleading or false claims from the episode, and a deep-dive on one key claim. Finished pieces typically run 1,000–1,500 words and follow an AP-style editorial tone. We’ll provide a style guide and example.
🎙️ Optional future opportunity: For every episode you fact-check, you’ll have the option to record a podcast segment or full-length breakdown of your findings. This allows you to walk listeners through what was said, what was misleading or false, and how you verified each claim. You may record it solo, or invite a guest—such as a colleague, classmate, or professor—to join you in the discussion. Guest co-hosts will be approved in coordination with the Trust My Pod team. All production and editing will be handled by us.
What You’ll Get
- Hands-on experience in political media analysis and structured fact-checking
- Guidance and editorial support from the Trust My Pod team
- Free access to a premium ChatGPT account for all research and writing
- Byline credit and a profile page on trustmypod.org (after 3 completed reviews)
- A meaningful opportunity to hold media accountable from both sides of the aisle
💡 Trust My Pod is a grassroots nonprofit project currently in development. Compensation may become available in future rounds as we secure funding. Those who contribute now will be prioritized for future paid opportunities.
This initiative is entirely volunteer-run at this stage, including by the founder. We’re looking for like-minded collaborators who care enough to put in the effort to build something meaningful and lasting.
Who This Is Great For
- Journalism, political science, and media students seeking real-world editorial work
- Public-interest fact-checking or civic media enthusiasts
- Politically aware volunteers interested in thoughtful cross-ideological review
- Individuals curious about integrating AI into responsible media workflows
🧭 We match each volunteer with a podcast that presents views different from their own. This isn’t about confrontation—it’s about encouraging honest, balanced review. Whether you lean conservative, liberal, libertarian, or centrist, we’ll assign a show that challenges your perspective without misrepresenting your values.
What We Expect
- Strong reading comprehension and source evaluation skills
- Willingness to engage with podcasts outside your ideological comfort zone
- No more than 5-7 hours per month to complete one thorough review
- Respect for Trust My Pod’s editorial standards: factual, neutral, AP-style
- Full compliance with sourcing, classification, and tone guidelines
You will be trained on how to classify claims as false, misleading, or unverifiable using Trust My Pod’s editorial framework. Each claim must be supported or disproven using at least two reputable sources, such as AP, Reuters, government data, or peer-reviewed journals. Sarcasm or emotional delivery may still qualify if treated seriously by the speaker or audience.
Ready to Apply?
Fill out the short interest form here.
Once we review your submission, we’ll follow up with next steps, onboarding materials, and your assigned podcast. We’re a growing nonprofit, volunteer-run for now, and doing this because we believe in it—just like you. Let’s hold media accountable, one episode at a time.