Tess Vigeland

Tess Vigeland Productions is led by Tess Vigeland, a journalist, author, and media producer whose voice and insights have reached millions through radio, podcasts, and writing. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Vigeland has brought clarity, curiosity, and humanity to stories about economics, culture, work, and life transitions — building a body of work that reflects both her deep professional expertise and her commitment to meaningful storytelling.

Raised in Portland, Oregon, Vigeland began her career in public radio reporting for Oregon Public Broadcasting before moving on to WBUR Boston and ultimately to public radio’s flagship business show, Marketplace. From 2001 to 2012 she was a familiar voice to listeners across the United States as an anchor and reporter, including hosting Marketplace Money, a popular personal-finance segment. In addition, she served as anchor for NPR’s Weekend All Things Considered and filled hosting roles on several NPR-affiliated programs.

Vigeland’s role in journalism goes beyond anchoring — throughout her career she has written for major national and international publications. Her essays and reportage have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Quartz, and other outlets, showcasing her ability to connect broad cultural and economic trends to the lived experiences of everyday people.

In 2015 Vigeland published "Leap: Leaving a Job With No Plan B to Find the Career and Life You Really Want," a reflective and candid exploration of what it means to step away from a successful career without a clear roadmap and to rebuild one’s professional identity from scratch. The book draws on her own experience leaving a high-profile media position and navigating uncertainty with curiosity and resilience.

As a sought-after voice in the evolving world of audio media, Vigeland has hosted and executive-produced podcasts such as As We Work at The Wall Street Journal, Pandemic Economics and The Pie for the University of Chicago, and Smart Money for NerdWallet. Her work in podcasts underscores a shift in media where narrative depth and conversational nuance have become central to engaging audiences.

Under her company, Tess Vigeland Productions, she applies her decades of experience to producing shows, training hosts, developing content, and guiding media projects that reflect both journalistic excellence and creative vision. Vigeland’s leadership in multimedia production demonstrates her belief in the power of thoughtful communication to inform, inspire, and humanize.

Beyond her media roles, she is an avid photographer and world traveler, having spent several years exploring more than 20 countries across Asia and the Middle East. Vigeland’s personal journey — including long solo travel and embracing new challenges — echoes the themes of courage, curiosity, and reinvention that she brings to her work.

Today, Tess Vigeland continues to be a dynamic presence in journalism and media production — a voice grounded in experience, a storyteller committed to connection, and a media leader shaping how stories are told in the digital age.