Aviva DeKornfeld: A Trailblazing Producer at This American Life
Aviva DeKornfeld is a respected journalist and audio producer whose voice has helped shape some of the most acclaimed stories in public radio. As a producer at This American Life, she has worked on episodes that won both a Pulitzer Prize and a Peabody Award, cementing her place among the most talented audio storytellers of her generation. With a career spanning NPR, Planet Money, Rough Translation, and multiple international projects, DeKornfeld has established herself as a creative force in journalism and documentary storytelling.
This article provides an in-depth look at her journey, achievements, and impact on the world of audio reporting.
Early Life and Education
Aviva DeKornfeld studied at Pitzer College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology between 2012 and 2016. While at Pitzer, she began cultivating her interest in social justice, narrative storytelling, and the power of media to connect communities. Her undergraduate years provided a foundation in research, analysis, and critical thinking that later informed her journalism.
She complemented her academic background with training in audio production. DeKornfeld attended the Transom Storytelling Workshop, a well-regarded program that equips journalists and producers with practical radio and podcasting skills. She also participated in the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, a renowned training ground for storytellers in audio and visual media. These experiences gave her the technical skills and editorial perspective that would define her career.
Professional Journey
Early Internships and Writing
Before joining major American newsrooms, Aviva explored international reporting. She interned at Haaretz in Israel, where she wrote and edited articles that gave her firsthand experience in fast-paced newsroom environments. She also worked with the Hope Foundation in Bangladesh on a documentary project about obstetric fistula, showing an early commitment to underreported stories with global impact.
Entry into Audio Journalism
DeKornfeld sharpened her skills through production internships at respected organizations such as the Los Angeles Review of Books, Cultural Survival–Indigenous Rights Radio, and Israel Story. These opportunities allowed her to develop as a producer, editor, and storyteller, while also immersing herself in diverse cultural perspectives.
Her time at Life of the Law further expanded her portfolio. There, she produced Winter of Love, a piece examining the legal and social implications of San Francisco’s same-sex marriage licenses in 2004. This work demonstrated her ability to blend legal analysis with deeply human narratives.
Planet Money and NPR
In 2018, Aviva joined Planet Money at NPR as an assistant producer. During her time there, she contributed to episodes like The Liberty City, The Plight of the Living Dead, Asylum Crackdown, and Peak Sand. She reported, mixed, and produced pieces that combined economic analysis with compelling human stories.
Her reputation grew further with NPR’s Rough Translation, where she co-reported Radical Rudeness from Uganda and produced How Covid-19 Is Challenging Cultures. These stories highlighted her ability to capture voices from around the world and place them in context for American listeners.
Breakthrough with This American Life
Aviva’s breakthrough came when she joined This American Life as a fellow in 2019. She quickly proved herself, contributing to episodes such as Frida Be You and Me and Get a Spine!
By 2020, she became an associate producer and contributed to one of the program’s landmark achievements: The Out Crowd, a deeply reported episode that won the Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting, the first ever awarded in the category. DeKornfeld’s work on this piece was instrumental, and it set a high standard for narrative journalism.
In 2022, she was promoted to Producer at This American Life. Since then, she has reported and produced episodes including Well Someone Had to Do SOMETHING!, Baby’s First Christmas, and The Pink House at the Center of the World. The latter episode earned a Peabody Award, further solidifying her place among the most influential audio producers of her time.
Career Highlights and Accomplishments
Awards and Recognition
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Pulitzer Prize (2020) – For The Out Crowd, the first Pulitzer ever awarded for audio reporting.
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Peabody Award – For The Pink House at the Center of the World, a moving story that explored resilience and hope.
Notable Episodes Produced
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What Lies Beneath (#731)
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Personal Recount (#724)
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The Walls Close In (#721)
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The End of the World as We Know It (#748)
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But I Did Everything Right (#756)
These episodes demonstrate her versatility, from investigative journalism to deeply personal human stories.
Style and Approach
Aviva DeKornfeld’s storytelling style is marked by empathy, clarity, and attention to detail. She often highlights ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, giving listeners a chance to see the world through new perspectives. Her ability to weave interviews, archival material, and narrative voice makes her pieces both intimate and impactful.
She also brings an international lens to her work, thanks to her experiences reporting in Uganda, Guatemala, Israel, and Bangladesh. This global awareness informs her ability to place personal stories in broader cultural and political contexts.
Public Presence
Outside of her professional work, Aviva maintains a modest presence on social media. On Twitter/X under the handle @aviva_dek, she describes herself simply as “Making radio @ThisAmerLife. Formerly @roughly and @planetmoney.” This understated profile reflects her focus on the work itself rather than personal branding.
Estimated Age
While her exact age is not publicly listed, educational records suggest that Aviva DeKornfeld was likely born around 1993–1994, making her approximately 31–32 years old in 2025.
Conclusion
Aviva DeKornfeld stands as one of the most promising and accomplished audio producers in American journalism today. From her early days interning at Haaretz and documenting global issues, to her pivotal role in producing Pulitzer- and Peabody-winning episodes for This American Life, she has consistently demonstrated her skill, empathy, and dedication to storytelling.
Her trajectory offers a model for young journalists who aspire to use narrative audio to illuminate complex social, political, and cultural issues. As she continues her work at This American Life, audiences can expect more groundbreaking stories that challenge, move, and inspire.
