Podcast Audio Editor Needed for New Show Launch, Indian Western Fusion Music Integration - Contract to Hire

I am launching a new podcast called Fences and Flowers hosted by Dr. Sushma Mandal, a neurologist and founder. I need an experienced podcast audio editor to edit and produce the first five episodes of my welcome series for immediate upload to Buzzsprout. WHAT I NEED: Audio cleanup and editing for five episodes ranging from 5 to 8 minutes each. This includes removing filler words, long pauses, background noise, and any recording errors while keeping the natural conversational flow of the host's voice intact. Music integration using tracks I will provide. Music placements are as follows. A 15 to 20 second intro theme that fades under voice then out. Short 3 to 5 second transition stings between major sections. An outro that fades in under the last 30 seconds of speech, rises after the final word, holds for 10 to 15 seconds, then fades to silence. Specific fade curves and volume levels will be provided in writing. Loudness normalization to minus 16 LUFS for podcast distribution standards. Final export as MP3 files at 128kbps minimum, 44.1kHz sample rate, one file per episode, clearly labeled. The music style is Indian western fusion, warm and grounded. I will select and provide the licensed tracks. Your job is placement and integration. WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR: Someone with specific podcast editing experience, not general audio or music production experience. Please share examples of podcast episodes you have edited previously. Preferably shows with host only or interview format, not heavily produced radio style content. Someone who communicates clearly, meets deadlines, and can turn around each episode within 48 hours of receiving the raw audio file. Someone who understands that the host's natural voice and speaking rhythm must be preserved. This is a conversation, not a broadcast. Do not over-edit the humanity out of the audio. DELIVERABLES: Five fully edited and mastered podcast episodes ready for upload to Buzzsprout. Delivered as individual MP3 files. Turnaround within 5 to 7 business days of receiving all raw files and music tracks. BUDGET: Please quote your per episode rate and your rate for the full five episode package. I am looking for quality over the lowest price. I will be working with this editor on an ongoing basis as the show grows so this is the beginning of a longer relationship if the fit is right. TO APPLY: Please include at least two examples of podcast episodes you have edited. Tell me briefly how you would handle the Indian western fusion music integration specifically. And tell me what your standard turnaround time is per episode. Applications without audio samples will not be considered.