NPR, the public radio and podcasting giant, has a new leader after years of growth and internal turmoil.

Its new president and chief executive is John Lansing, a former cable executive who for the last five years has run the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the federally funded organization behind broadcasters like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

In an interview on Friday, Mr. Lansing, 62, praised NPR as a home of high-quality journalism and audio production, and said that in addition to supporting traditional radio broadcasting he wanted to help NPR further its expansion into areas like podcasts, where the radio network has already been a leader.

“You have shows like ‘All Things Considered’ and ‘Morning Edition,’ which will continue to be broadcasting tent poles,” Mr. Lansing said. “At the same time, we have to think creatively. Podcasting in particular allows NPR to reach audiences that are not necessarily tied to a radio.”