Episodit
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On this episode we’re joined by Jeff Singer. Jeff is managing editor of The Downballot, a reader-supported newsletter that covers thousands of elections other than the presidency- everything from senate to legislature to attorney general and secretary of state, district attorney and city council.
It also calculates the results of the presidential election in every congressional district and produces data sets so people can evaluate elections themselves.
Jeff was a writer and editor at Daily Kos, a progressive news site, for 10 years prior to this. He’s a graduate of Tulane University.
Jeff talked about The Downballot's function in the journalistic ecosphere, why he loves covering elections, no matter the type, and shared other resources that are important to following election coverage.
Jeff's Salute: Inside Elections and NOLA.com for election coverage.
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
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On this episode we’re joined by Miles Griffis. Miles is the co-founder of The Sick Times, a non-profit website chronicling the Long Covid crisis. He knows the impact of the disease firsthand.
As is written on The Sick Times website
“We report on the common, life-changing disease following COVID-19 infection that affects over 400 million people worldwide and can be fatal. Our coverage spans related infection-associated chronic conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis, dysautonomia, mast cell activation syndrome, and more. Unlike many outlets, we continue to report on the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. No denial, minimizing, or gaslighting here.
Join us as we investigate injustices, challenge powerful institutions, wade through the latest research, assess COVID-19 data, and offer a platform for those most affected by the crisis.”
Miles also writes about nature, science and about LGBTQ+ culture. Among his regular outlets for writing is High Country News.
Miles talked about the origin of The Sick Times, the different types of stories he covers, and why he does what he does.
Examples of stories
- How to Live and Die with Long Covid
- Drag Artists and Organizers Making Spaces More Covid Safe
- COVID-19 a Threat To Wildland Firefighters
Miles’ salute: The Palestinian journalists killed during the war in Gaza.
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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On this episode, Mark Simon is joined by Vivienne Serret, a student at the University of Florida who has been covering the resignation of president Ben Sasse and other notable stories for The Alligator, an independent newspaper covering the school, and Fresh Take Florida, a wire service.
Vivienne talked about what went into her reporting on Sasse, discussed other stories she's covered, explained essays she's written about the pressure of being a first-generation Latina and also the difficulty of covering the trauma of others while dealing with her own trauma. She discussed the fearlessness required to be an investigative reporter, how she views her place in journalism, and how being a journalist has shaped her worldview.
Vivienne's salutes: Professors Ted Bridis, Brandon Meyer, Harrison Hove, reporter Garrett Shanley and the staff of Fresh Take Florida
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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On this episode we’re joined by Théoden Janes. Théoden is an award-winning features and entertainment reporter for the Charlotte Observer, for whom he’s worked for more than 18 years. He previously worked at The Washington Post, Arizona Republic, and Bergen Record. He’s a 1996 grad of the University of Arizona.
Théoden talked about the different types of stories he writes, including one about a trip to South Korea to find his birth family (he was adopted at 9 months old), an obituary for a well-known local woman who had a special garden, and a variety of concert reviews that encompass a large part of his entertainment work. He explained how he comes up with his story ideas and he shared how his parents influenced his work.
Théoden’s salute: David Leonhardt and the staff of The Morning at The New York Times
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode we’re joined by Alice Scott. Alice is this year’s Journalism Education Association Student Journalist of the Year. Alice was co-editor of The Shield, the student newspaper at McCallum High School in Austin, Texas. It was not her first national award. She also won Student Broadcaster of the Year in 2022 from the National Scholastic Press Association.
Alice talked about how her interests evolved from theatre to journalism, shared the story that most influenced her desire to be a journalist, explained how her approach to journalism is centered around listening, gave examples of the work she did, and shared her journalism aspirations
Alice’s Salute: Student journalists from around the country
Notable links:
- Student Journalist of the Year Announcement
- Her journalism portfolio
- PBS story on transgender students
- Story on students assisting refugees
- School shootings editorial
- 1st person account of caretaking for grandfather
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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On this episode, we’re joined by Aisha Sultan. Aisha (@AishaS) is an award-winning writer and columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, whose column is also nationally syndicated.
Aisha is Pakistani-American Muslim, a wife and mom of 2 who writes to help people feel seen or heard and to provide perspectives people may not have heard before.
(Wednesday, August 14 is Independence Day of Pakistan)
One day she’s writing a commentary on J.D. Vance’s comments about “childless cat ladies” and the presidential election, another she’s writing about a college faculty vote regarding the war in Gaza. Another, she’s writing about a roaming cat that captured the hearts of the people in its community and another about the winners of the paper’s father-child lookalike contest. She’s a journalist and story-collector who likes and believes in people.
Aisha talked about the different types of writing she’s done, her evolution as a writer, and her foray into filmmaking. She gave examples of the work she’s done and how she handled reporting those stories or columns.
Aisha’s salute: Journalists who have died in Gaza and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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On this episode Mark Simon is joined by Mesfin Fekadu. Mesfin is the senior editor for music at The Hollywood Reporter, which he’s done the last 2 years. Previously he had a 13-year run that included time as senior journalist and music editor for The Associated Press. In between, he spent a year and a half in the communications department at Netflix.
Additionally, he’s a vice president at the Society for Features Journalism, which just announced its annual award winners.
The discussion covered the intersection of music with current events, such as Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, and the influence of celebrities in politics. Mesfin delves into his career journey, memorable interviews with stars like Dolly Parton and Adele, and actors/actresses from Abbott Elementary, as well as a story about racism in country music. He also talked about hosting one of Hollywood Reporter’s famous celebrity roundtables.
Additionally, he discusses his involvement with the Society for Features Journalism and the importance of independent storytelling in traditional and digital media.
Mesfin’s salutes:
Nekesa Mumbi Moody, co-editor-in-chief, The Hollywood Reporter
Fatima Shaik, former journalism professor, Saint Peter’s University
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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In this episode, Jim Morris, executive director and editor-in-chief of Public Health Watch, discusses his career in journalism and the significant environmental and public health reporting done by his organization with Mark Simon.
The conversation gets into Public Health Watch's role in shedding light on environmental injustices, particularly through their 'Toxic Texas Air' series, which was a runner-up for The Collier Prize, a prestigious investigative journalism award. The series examines the severe impact of petrochemical pollution in Texas.
Jim shares his journalism journey, the importance of investigative journalism, and the tangible impacts their reporting has had, including within the Texas legislature. Jim also talked about his new book, The Cancer Factory.
The episode also highlights the challenges and the need for earning community trust while reporting on complex environmental and public health issues.
Jim’s salute: Ana Bueno, Univision Houston
Find the Toxic Texas Air series at - https://publichealthwatch.org/category/environment/toxic-texas-air/
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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In this episode, we’re joined by Lev Gringauz, associate editor for Jewfolk.
Lev delves into his journey to becoming a specialized journalist covering Jewish communities in Minnesota and Cincinnati. Lev shares insights into his reporting process, including his motivations and challenges in tackling diverse stories.
The two do a thorough look at an 18,000-word investigative story Lev did on the planned closure of the Hebrew Union College rabbinical school in Cincinnati. Lev also talked about the complexities of reporting on sensitive issues, like the Israel-Hamas war. He also shared what it’s been like to cover visits by teachers to prominent sites connected to the Holocaust.
Lev’s story on the college closing
https://cincyjewfolk.com/2024/04/19/how-to-close-a-campus-huc-jir-bleeds-money-while-cincinnati-pays-the-price/
Lev’s salute: Tovah Lazoroff, The Jerusalem Post
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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In this episode, Mark Simon is joined by Mira Fox, a staff writer for The Forward, who discusses her work covering Jewish culture.
Mira talked about her diverse writing topics, from serious issues like student protests and anti-Semitism to lighter pieces and reader advice columns. Mira shared her winding journey to journalism, her upbringing, education, and the impact of her personal experiences on her work. She also provided insights into her writing process, especially as to how it pertained to an 8,000-word piece about BYU’s production of Fiddler On The Roof.
Story examples
- Fiddler on the Roof
- The Talmud and Kristi Noem
- Odd places the war has been referenced
- Brown University encampments
- Bintel Brief advice column
Mira’s salute: Andrew Silverstein, freelance writer
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode Mark Simon is joined by Michael Anguille, a journalist and the executive director of the Stillwater Awards, which are given by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Prison Journalism Project for excellence in journalism within the incarcerated community.
(Thanks to Michael Koretzky at Florida Atlantic University, (whom Michael saluted) for his help in coordinating this interview. He is well aware of my desire to have a diverse guest base in every respect.)
Michael is a professional journalist who has dealt with drug and alcohol abuse issues and served 8 1/2 years in prison in Florida for a drunk driving car accident that happened in 2014.
Prior to that he was managing editor of the school newspaper at Florida Atlantic and managing editor of the South Florida Gay News. He currently writes for a variety of outlets, including BestColleges.com and is currently applying to law schools.
Michael talked candidly about his life, what led to his incarceration, and what he did in prison that kept him moving towards a path of writing and journalism. He also went through some of the highlights from the winners of the Stillwater Awards and explained the importance of elevating prison journalism and prison journalists.
Stillwater Awards winners: https://www.spj.org/stillwater-2024.asp
Michael's salutes: Prison Journalism Project and The Marshall Project
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode Mark Simon is joined by Sarah Conway, a senior reporter at City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler, the data director for The Invisible Institute. They just won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting for their 2-year investigation, Missing in Chicago. You can find it at ChicagoMissingPersons.com.
Their 7-part investigative series revealed how Chicago police violated state law and police procedure, delaying and mishandling missing person cases. The series revealed a racial bias that disproportionately impacts Black women and girls and how poor police data is making the problem harder to solve.
The interview explores how the project began, challenges faced during the investigation, personal experiences that shaped their journalism journeys, the importance of accurate data, and the value of community involvement in journalism. The conversation also highlights the duo's personal mental health strategies while working on this emotionally taxing project.
Sarah’s Salutes: Chicago photojournalist & reporter Sebastian Hidalgo
Trina’s Salutes: Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago
About City Bureau:
City Bureau is a Chicago-based nonprofit journalism lab reimagining local media: how we make it, who can make it, and how it can better reflect people’s priorities and needs. We do this by equipping people with skills and resources, engaging in critical public conversations, and producing information that directly addresses people’s needs. Our programs equip people with skills, resources, and connections, creating pathways for a more participatory democracy. Drawing from our work in Chicago, we aim to equip every community with the tools it needs to eliminate information inequity to further liberation, justice and self-determination
To learn more about City Bureau, listen to our interview with its co-founder, Bettina Chang
About Invisible Institute:
The Invisible Institute is a nonprofit journalism production company on the South Side of Chicago. We work to enhance the capacity of citizens to hold public institutions accountable. As we address the racial inequities that deform our society, we also work to alter the asymmetrical power dynamic within journalism by creating the conditions for people to drive their own narratives, putting our craft at the service of their experience. Our work is organized around a central principle: we have co-responsibility with the government for maintaining respect for human rights and, when abuses occur, for demanding redress.
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)
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In this episode, Mark Simon interviews Christina Kahrl, the sports editor of the San Francisco Chronicle since 2021. Christina's career includes over a decade at ESPN.com and a significant co-founding role at Baseball Prospectus.
Christina shares her journey into journalism. She also discusses her experience as a transgender woman who came out publicly with support from colleagues and the baseball community.
The conversation covers Christina's work on LGBT civil rights issues, memorable baseball stories, including her interview with Minnie Minoso, and her approach to sports journalism. Christina emphasizes the importance of local reporting, investigative journalism, and covering broader issues within sports.
Christina's salute: Sarah Langs, a baseball data journalist battling ALS
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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In this episode, Stacie Sherman, a senior editor at Bloomberg News with 27 years of experience, shares her career journey. Stacie discusses her transition from an accounting major to journalism, influenced by a pivotal class in college. She details her diverse roles at Bloomberg, and her significant work covering state government. Stacie also elaborates on the importance of quick, accurate news delivery at Bloomberg, emphasizing the significance of multimedia in news reporting.
Additionally, she touches on her passion for women in journalism and her recent foray into authorship with her book 'My Broken Road, The Tangled and Twisted Musings of an Autism Mama' which shares her experiences as a mother of two children on the autism spectrum.
The episode provides insights into Stacie's career, her achievements, and her dedication to journalism and storytelling.
Her blog: Brielle's Voice
Stacie's Salute: Student Journalists at Columbia University and The College of New Jersey
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode, we’re joined by Carla Robinson and Daralyse Lyons from the Chestnut Hill Local. Carla is the editor in chief of the Chestnut Hill Local. Daralyse is the business growth officer for the Chestnut Hill paper and the Mount Airy Local. The Local is a community-focused newspaper serving Northwest Philadelphia.
Carla and Daralyse talked about their accidental journeys into journalism, the mission and responsibilities of the newspaper, the significance of local news, and their personal passions and values as journalists.
They highlight the importance of community engagement, collaboration, and trust in sustaining impactful local journalism. The episode also touches on their roles, editorial experiences, and ambitions for future projects that enhance community connections.
Article of note: We Have A Choice About How We Respond To Hate
https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/we-have-a-choice-about-how-we-respond-to-hate,29308
Their salutes (besides their staff):
Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative, Kouvenda Media, Broad Street Review, Dosage Magazine, WURD Radio, the NABJ, and the NLGJA.
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode, we’re joined by Medar De La Cruz. Medar is a Dominican American cartoonist and illustrator from Miami who currently lives in Brooklyn N.Y.
In May 2023, Medar wrote and drew from his own experience, as a Rikers Island prison library worker through the Brooklyn Public Library. That work done for The New Yorker won the Pulitzer Prize for illustrated reporting and commentary.
Medar shared parts of his life story leading up to getting this job, including how he sold comics he created in Union Square and slept in an art studio. He explained the break he got that led to doing a drawing for The New York Times, one that was seen by an editor at The New Yorker, which eventually led to his Pulitzer-winning series of drawings and an essay.
Medar walked us through the different drawings, explaining his process for several of them. He detailed what it was like to be a library worker in one of the country’s most famous prisons. He also talked about the future, which includes a book about his experience, and described why he finds libraries so appealing.
You can find the Pulitzer-winning article here
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-diary-of-a-rikers-island-library-worker?_ga=2.225364825.2128249421.1717466611-743932481.1715143392
Medar’s salute: Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
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On this episode, we’re joined by Brian Lyman. Brian is the editor of the Alabama Reflector, a non-profit news outlet covering Alabama state government. He’s covered state government in some form in Alabama since 2006.
Brian, a native New Yorker, was just named a Pulitzer Prize finalist “for brave, clear and pointed columns that challenge ever-more-repressive state policies flouting democratic norms and targeting vulnerable populations, written with the command and authority of a veteran political observer.”
Brian talked about how he formulates his Pulitzer-nominated columns, his day-to-day work and why the statehouse beat is so important. He also discussed his podcast, Becoming Lincoln, and offered a couple of journalism history book recommendations.
Column links
https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/brian-lyman-alabama-reflector
Book recommendations
The Paper, The Life and Death of the New York Herald Tribune
The World of Swope by E.J. Kahn
Brian’s Salute
All Statehouse Reporters
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode, we’re joined by Daniel Alvarenga. Daniel is an independent journalist who recently hosted the podcast, Humo, Murder and Silence in El Salvador. It is the story of a serial killer who was a national police officer and a highest-level government cover-up. It was done in both Spanish and English and produced by Sonoro in conjunction with FACTum.
As a Salvadorian-American, Alvarenga brings a personal connection to the stories he tells. His family's history as refugees from El Salvador's civil war and his upbringing in a home where news was a constant, have shaped his perspective and fueled his passion for journalism.
He talks about that, his path to AJ+ (Al Jazeera Plus) and Telemundo, writing a story about this for Rolling Stone,and his goal of creating a narrative that that reflects the experiences and struggles of his community.
Notable quotes:
"I just wanted to create archives so that people don't paper over our history and say that, didn't happen."
"I think we should just question anyone in power. I think that's just what journalists should do."
Daniel’s Salute:
Migrant Roots Media
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode, we’re joined by Chenue Her. Chenue is in his 3rd year as the morning news anchor for Local 5 News in Des Moines, Iowa. He’s previously worked as a reporter in Eugene, Oregon, Norfolk, Virginia, and Atlanta. Chenue is Hmong – there are fewer than 400,000 Hmong people living in the United States. He was the first male Hmong news anchor in the United States.
Chenue talked about how his Hmong heritage impacts his work, the lessons he learned at his different stops, the kind of stories he’s reported on, ranging from the celebration of Hmong New Year to the shortage of Latino doctors to profiling an artist who made a mural of basketball star Caitlin Clark.
Chenue also explained why the phrase “we’re sharing your story” is especially important and paid tribute to other journalists of Hmong heritage.
Chenue’s salutes:
Gia Vang, anchor NBC Bay Area
Laura Lee, anchor, Northern News Now
Bao Vang, former anchor
Panhia Yang, executive producer, Fox9
Boua Xiong, former KARE 11 reporter
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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On this episode, we’re joined by Mary Rasura. Mary is a student at Florida Atlantic University who will graduate with a degree in multimedia journalism in December.
Mary is a reporter for Florida Atlantic University Press and for OutSFL, an LGBT-focused publication. And she’s the executive editor at OutFAU, a monthly student publication that she founded that is devoted to LGBTQ issues at the school.
Mary talked about what led her to start OutFAU and the types of stories that she and it covers. That includes everything from explaining how the university’s Campus Inclusion Center shut down to concert and entertainment reviews.
She also spoke about what journalism issues are important to her and the kind of journalist she hopes to be.
Mary’s salute: Dart Center
Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],
Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org
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- Näytä enemmän
