Erianna Jiles September 8, 2026

Check Out Erianna Jiles’s Story

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erianna Jiles.

Hi Erianna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Erianna, but professionally, I go by “E.” I’m originally from Minnesota and have a background in audio journalism and podcast production. I found my way to LA after deciding I wanted to move my career more toward entertainment and get into video podcasting. At the time, video podcasts were just starting to take off, and as a producer with some experience under my belt, I thought it would be an exciting industry to immerse myself in while stepping away from traditional journalism.

I’ve now been in LA for about five years, minus the six months I had to leave after a startup podcast company I worked for went bankrupt and I could no longer afford to live in East Hollywood. Yeah… that was a crazy time.

Despite the normal ups and downs of moving across the country to “chase your dreams” and establish yourself in an industry where everyone is fighting for a seat at the table, I’ve managed to freelance my way into a variety of producing roles across podcasts and work with all kinds of independent creators, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I still produce, but recently, I made a pivot into sales and operations at a podcast company. Working on the business side is new territory, but it still feels familiar because I’m supporting shows in a different way, working with agencies and advertisers to help keep those podcasts growing and thriving.

And honestly, my dreams have definitely changed since I first moved to LA.

When I was first establishing myself here, I was very particular about my title. I didn’t want to be an assistant producer or an associate producer. I wanted to be a producer. I was very much in my ego about it because “producer” sounded more established. It felt like part of the persona I was trying to build for myself. In LA, everyone is somebody, and I wanted to have that same flair. At the time, all I wanted was to officially be a producer and be on a set somewhere.

A few years later, I feel like I’ve accomplished that goal many times over. And one thing I’ve learned about living in a fast-paced city like LA is that you can live so many different lives in a very short period of time.

Now, I’m genuinely excited about this next chapter of my entertainment career. Producing is still at the core of what I do, but sales and operations are my newest beats. I’m still learning, still figuring out what kind of professional I want to become, and, honestly, still trying to master this new skill set. And I think that’s what makes this chapter exciting. I’m not chasing the title I thought I needed five years ago. I’m more interested in seeing where this next version of my career can take me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve worked with a lot of creatives since moving to LA, the good, the bad, and the ugly. The biggest challenge I’ve found working in entertainment has been learning how to manage and navigate egos. The creative work itself can already be demanding, but navigating personalities and different working styles can sometimes be the hardest part of the job.

And, to put the cherry on top, one of the biggest struggles has been being a freelancer in this city. Contract and 1099 work are, in my opinion, the backbone of so many of the creative projects that get made here. But when you’re not necessarily making a ton of money while also dealing with LA’s cost of living, it can be a tough balancing act.

I think you have to be really intentional about how you network, spend your time, and build a life here. Otherwise, your social life and your bills can catch up with you pretty quickly, and suddenly you’re spending more time trying to survive in LA than actually focusing on the dream that brought you here in the first place.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have my hands in lots of things. Professionally I’m a video podcast producer and Sales & Operations Coordinator. I’m also the founder of a small coalition in South LA called Talent Speaks, which is dedicated to helping underrepresented creatives in South LA build careers in film and entertainment.

I started Talent Speaks three years ago and have since hosted a few different events to support creatives locally, including fireside chats, photo walks, creative set days, and more. We also have a podcast I host and newsletter which I’m planning to shift soon to focus primarily on job opportunities because, more than anything, I think creatives need access to two things: opportunity and income.

My bigger dream is for Talent Speaks to eventually become a physical space in South LA. I’d love to create a brick-and-mortar creative hub with computers equipped with full creative software suites, a studio with a psych wall and green screen room, and production gear that creatives can rent to make their projects. I’d also love to have coworking space where people can work, meet, and build community.

I honestly don’t know how I’d make it happen or where I’d find the funding to bring that vision to life, but it’s something I’d love to see someday. There are so many talented creatives living on the South Side who are just as good, if not better, than the people working in Hollywood. I want to create more opportunities for those creatives to build their careers where they already live and, most importantly, showcase the talent that’s already here.

A couple more things to know about me: I’m a youth journalism mentor at the LA Local. I mentor high school students who are aspiring journalist and help them write pieces about their communities. I have a ton of fulfilling work outside of my 9 to 5 and I’m so grateful for it.

Lastly, I write on short essays on Substack called This Is Not A Cover Letter where I share my experience and give advice to other young creative women working in entertainment.

Contact Info:

Group of ten diverse women standing and sitting indoors, with artwork and a plant on the wall behind them.

Group of ten people smiling indoors, some standing and some sitting, in a colorful restaurant or cafe setting.

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