Shorthand does not currently support auto-play for media with audio. This is a deliberate restriction to improve audience engagement. 

Auto-play audio has significant, negative user research and is highly discouraged by accredited institutions like W3C.  While this may be initially disappointing, we encourage storytellers to iterate and develop a different content strategy that allows your audience to maintain control when audio is played. Here are some suggestions to get the most out of your audio media: 

• Video and audio can be embedded into all Shorthand sections with a play/pause interface.
• We recommend third party tools like Soundcite which will infuse your text with audio that can enhance a reader's experience. (Please note, Soundcite requires Custom HTML available on our Pro and higher subscription plans). 
• Insert a Soundcloud audio file or Spotify playlist using Rich Embed. This allows the reader to click play on the audio and listen as they scroll through the story.