John Meroney
Los Angeles
Summary
Speechwriter with a robust background in storytelling and political communication, bringing more than 20 years of experience to crafting compelling narratives. Known for producing the #1 podcast series on Audible (he was hired by the director of a little TV series called The Apprentice) and earning an Emmy nomination for TV writing and producing, Meroney writes longform features for the nation's top publications. His pieces have focused on ending America's forever wars; returning to economic nationalism at home; and lawlessness in Los Angeles. He made key contributions to pathbreaking, bestselling books by Patrick J. Buchanan (The Great Betrayal and A Republic, Not an Empire) on using tariffs to restore U.S. economic independence and restraining American interventionism. When Meroney was a college student, former President Ronald Reagan gave him an internship at his personal office in Century City where he helped the president with speeches and statements. With a work history parallel to notable White House speechwriters before they were hired to write for presidents, Meroney is skilled at transforming complex policies into memorable stories. He coaches leaders across industries to captivate audiences with clarity and creativity.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Faculty Member
Speechwriters Fellowship, The Claremont Institute
10.2024 - Current
- Instructs the country's top government and private speechwriters on 'Speechwriting as Storytelling' for impactful speeches
- Guides professionals in crafting compelling narratives for speeches using techniques that work in literature and film/TV
Writer-Producer
"FBI Profilers" (#1 series on Audible)
01.2021 - Current
- Craft compelling narratives for podcast series co-hosted by retired special agents from Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), identify elements that will resonate with listeners and leave powerful impressions
- Analyze infamous criminal cases, highlighting profiling techniques that led to justice
- Collaborate with production team to ensure accurate portrayal of BAU processes
- Research sensational crimes, providing detailed insights for script development
Special Correspondent
The American Conservative
01.2021 - Current
- Authored in-depth profiles and investigative stories on the Bush family's affair with China; the creation of the Russiagate hoax and the role of Sen
- Richard Burr of N.C., who was chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence; and the 1962 election that Jimmy Carter lost, asserted was rigged, and contested
- Explored impacts of U.S
- Trade deals, highlighting how they decimated the middle class
- Feature story selected for magazine's cover and later for publication in the anthology, Main Street Conservatism: The Future of the Right Lessons from 20 Years of The American Conservative, published in 2022
Contributing Editor
Garden & Gun
01.2013 - Current
- Chronicle Southern culture and icons, fostering a loyal digital readership and expanding subscriber base for the bi-monthly print magazine
- Conducted high-profile interviews (Olivia de Havilland, Walton Goggins, Ian Somerhalder), enhancing content appeal
Writer-at-Large
01.1994 - Current
- Meroney's writing has appeared in The Claremont Review of Books, The Spectator, Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, and The Atlantic (before Jeffrey Goldberg was made editor and ruined the magazine)
- His stories have gone viral and sparked segments on network morning shows and nightly news
Executive Producer
"The Pinehurst Cure and the Road to the U.S. Open"
02.2024 - 07.2024
- Spearheaded creative direction for limited podcast series, enhancing storytelling quality
- Collaborated with award-winning author James Dodson, boosting series appeal
- Oversaw scripting process with other top writers, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery
- Built partnership with The Assembly, the prestigious digital-first magazine about North Carolina, as the launch platform
Consulting Producer
"The People v. The Klan" (Series on Max)
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Led development and co-writing of documentary series that contributed to sale to Blumhouse, debut on CNN, and streaming on Max
- Applied research skills for factual depth of the episodes, enhancing narrative impact
- Assisted in on-location pre-production and persuaded main characters to participate, enhancing team coordination for seamless execution
Consultant
"America's Most Wanted" (Primetime series on FOX)
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Consulted on reboot of one of the longest-running series in TV history, which has also aided in capturing more than 1,100 fugitives
- Collaborated with producers and director (James Bruce of The Apprentice) to develop compelling cases
- Utilized storytelling skills to enhance true crime narratives with measurable viewer impact
Consulting Producer & Writer
"ReMastered" series on Netflix
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Researched untold stories about music icons, providing fresh perspectives and news
- Created compelling treatments greenlit by Netflix executives
- Collaborated with directors on investigative storytelling, tracked down elusive sources and secured their participation
- Produced award-winning documentary films (e.g., Tricky Dick and the Man in Black, about Johnny Cash's concert at the Nixon White House)
- Generated critical acclaim, industry awards, and streaming success
Contributing Editor
Playboy
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Authored features, including 'The Battle for Picasso's Mind,' about the CIA's secret mission using modern art to defeat Soviet Communism
- Optioned by Sony to be developed into a TV series
- Wrote the magazine's first political column focused on the '16 presidential campaign
- Covered the GOP's devastating embrace of foreign wars and globalism
- Advocated abolishing the Commission on Presidential Debates
- Showcased how Trump reshaped U.S
- Foreign policy even before he was elected
- Conducted the 'Playboy Interview,' the storied feature that included MLK, Jr., Fidel Castro, The Beatles, and Trump (twice)
Education
BA - Politics
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaPublius and Lincoln Fellowships
The Claremont Institute
Claremont, Calif.Skills
- Collaboration
- Guts under pressure
- Hard work
- Critical thinking
- Winning attitude
- Attention to detail
- Sense of humor
- Enthusiasm
- Creativity
- Receptivity to feedback
- Creative thinking
Personal Information
Title: Speechwriter
Timeline
Faculty Member
Speechwriters Fellowship, The Claremont Institute
10.2024 - Current
Executive Producer
"The Pinehurst Cure and the Road to the U.S. Open"
02.2024 - 07.2024
Writer-Producer
"FBI Profilers" (#1 series on Audible)
01.2021 - Current
Special Correspondent
The American Conservative
01.2021 - Current
Consulting Producer
"The People v. The Klan" (Series on Max)
01.2018 - 01.2020
Consultant
"America's Most Wanted" (Primetime series on FOX)
01.2018 - 01.2020
Consulting Producer & Writer
"ReMastered" series on Netflix
01.2017 - 01.2019
Contributing Editor
Playboy
01.2015 - 01.2018
Contributing Editor
Garden & Gun
01.2013 - Current
Writer-at-Large
01.1994 - Current
Publius and Lincoln Fellowships
The Claremont Institute
BA - Politics
Wake Forest University