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The Journalism Salute

Author: Mark Simon

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The Journalism Salute is a journalism appreciation podcast. We interview working journalists about who they are and what they do.

Our aim is to have diverse guests, thoughtful questions, and interesting conversation.

If you're an aspiring journalist, you'll learn potential careers to pursue and tips to put to use.

If you're an experienced journalist, you'll learn about like-minded members of your profession with notable stories to tell.

And if you're not a journalist, we hope you'll garner or further an appreciation for journalists and realize that they are NOT the enemy.

Try us!

And find us at our website or on Twitter and e-mail us at journalismsalute@gmail.com

171 Episodes
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On this episode, we’re joined by Shi En Kim PHD. Kim (she goes by her last name) is a freelance science writer who was just awarded a Pulitzer Center fellowship to cover a health and science story in Brazil. Kim has written for many publications including Scientific American and National Geographic. She often covers new research and emerging trends in sciences, tech, the environment, and health and medicine. Kim was born in Malaysia. She is a graduate of Cal Tech who got her doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Chicago. She talked about her non-traditional path to journalism (“One long overcorrection …”), the process by which she comes up with story ideas and reports on stories, how being a journalist has impacted her life, and a new journalism collective project she’s working on, Sequencer. Notable links - Article on precision cancer drugs and access to them https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/precision-cancer-drugs-glitter-with-promise-if-you-can-get-them/ - Article on the world’s smelliest flower https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/cultivating-the-worlds-largest-stinkiest-flower-is-no-small-task - Article on pesticides and the link to childhood chancer in Brazil https://news.mongabay.com/2023/11/study-links-pesticides-to-child-cancer-deaths-in-brazilian-amazon-cerrado/ - Sequencer https://www.sequencermag.com/welcome-to-sequencer/ Kim’s salutes - The Open Notebook - Jane C Hu - Brent Crane Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
On this special episode, we talk to a diverse group of journalists at the College Media Association Spring Convention in Manhattan. They speak about their journalism origin stories and their most memorable journalism experiences. In this episode, you’ll hear from CMA president and University of Alabama-Birmingham student media advisor Jackie Alexander (:54), Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Beatrice Forman (11:11), and 7 college student journalists ranging in age from teenager to 50s: JD Delcastillo (Florida Atlantic, starts at 20:32), Ashley Atkins (Monroe County Community College, 24:18), Audrey Gavagan (Rochester Institute of Technology, 29:46), Jacquelyn Reaves (Ithaca College, 33:28), Paul Czarnecki (University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 38:20), Megan Martinez (Capital University, 42:45), and Sagel Gurreh (Capital University, 46:44) Journalism Salutes Jackie Alexander: All student journalists Beatrice Forman: Hell Gate, Katie Way JD Delcastillo: The Athletic, ESPN West Palm Beach Ashley Atkins: Matthew Bird-Meyer, advisor, The Agora Audrey Gavagan: Pro Publica Jacquelyn Reaves: The Ithacan Paul Czarnecki: Laura Austin Eurich, ESPN, Annika Schmidt Megan Martinez: Adrian Suppes, editor-in-chief, Capital University Chimes Sagel Gurreh: Motas Azaiza, Palestinian photojournalist\ Notable Quotes “It's made me more curious about things I wouldn't be curious about.” “In these times, it's so important to be on the right side of history and truth and showing what is happening.” "That she got tears in her eyes from reading her own story that I wrote made me feel really good.” Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
On this episode, we’re joined by Erin Reed. Erin is an independent journalist who covers transgender issues and anti-transgender legislation for her newsletter, Erin in the Morning, available on Substack. She also does video pieces on Instagram and TikTok. Erin explained her entry into journalism, what it’s like to cover and track anti-transgender legislation across the country. She told us about the stories she’s most proud of, ranging from a rebuttalof an erroneous New York Times piece that got more than 4 million pageviews to a personal story about her engagement to Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr (who is also transgender. And she shared the names of other people doing a good job covering transgender issues. Erin’s salutes: Evan Urquhart of Assigned Media and Karleigh Webb of Outsports, as well as the Trans Journalists Association.
On this episode we’re joined by Amir Vera. Amir is a breaking news editor at CNN and the vice-president of digital at the National Association of Black Journalists. Amir talked about his journalism origin story and his early days living in different parts of the world. He shared the lessons he learned from his college days at VCU and working for two daily newspapers – The Progress-Index and The Virginian Pilot. He explained his roles at CNN, first as a news writer and now as an editor, taking big stories and helping make them easily readable for CNN’s audience. Amir also discussed his work with the NABJ, the organization’s goals for the upcoming year, specifically as relates to advocacy and to helping journalists who were recently laid off. And he talked about what an NABJ convention is like. Amir’s salute: Hyperlocal journalists, like those at The Progress-Index in Petersburg, Virginia. Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
On this episode we’re joined by Adriana Chavira. Adriana is a journalism teacher at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Los Angeles. She’s been teaching for more than 20 years She’s also previously worked as a newspaper reporter after graduating Cal-State Northridge. We’re having Adriana on this week because it is Scholastic Journalism Week. The Journalism Education Association is doing and promoting activities all week devoted to bringing awareness to journalism education. Adriana talked about her work as a teacher at one of the smallest schools in the city, one whose demographics are more than half Latino. She explained what she teaches, how she teaches, and the work that the students do in her classes. She also talked about her experience with student press freedom, stemming from a suspension she was given (later rescinded) after defending her students’ rights against administrative censorship. Further details on that can be found here https://splc.org/2022/09/lausd-withdraws-unlawful-disciplinary-action/ Adriana’s salute: All the state and local journalism education organizations. Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
On this episode, we’re joined by Curtis Bunn. Curtis is based in Atlanta and writes about race for NBC BLK. He’s been a journalist for more than 40 years, among the highlights: as a sportswriter at the New York Daily News and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, then as a writer and deputy editor for Black newspapers, such as the Atlanta Black Star. He’s from Washington D.C. He’s also had a successful career as a novelist with 10 novels to his credit, as well as co-authoring Say Their Names, How Black Lives Came to Matter in America. And he’s the founder and president of the National Book Club Conference, an event for African-American readers and authors that has been running for more than 20 years. Curtis spoke about his entry into journalism, his time covering sports, including 17 NBA Finals and a memorable Summer Olympics in Australia. He noted how covering the NBA was a rare beat on which a young Black journalist had advantages over his counterparts. He explained his transition into an area of journalism that could be more impactful. Curtis spoke about some of the stories he covered. He’s continuously following the issue of reparations. He also shared a story about how Black families are reacting to violence at HBCUs and talked about the experience he and his wife had staying overnight at a former slave plantation. Curtis’ salute: The National Association of Black Journalists Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
On this episode, we’re joined by Adrienne Johnson Martin. Adrienne is the executive editor at MLK50.com. Adrienne has been an editor for more than 30 years for The Los Angeles Times, The Raleigh News and Observer, Duke Magazine, and now MLK50, which she’s been with for 2.5 years. She’s a graduate of Syracuse with a masters from Columbia Journalism. MLK 50 was founded by Wendi Thomas, a longtime columnist and managing editor at the Memphis Commercial Appeal. It focuses on poverty, power and public policy in Memphis and the systems that make it hard for workers to make ends meet – issues that Martin Luther King cared deeply about. Adrienne talked about her career path and the many things she learned from her stops on the road to MLK50. She explained how the newsroom measures success not just in the amount of readership, but in how its stories move the community forward. And she talked about her editor’s notes, which are meant to convey a journey of understanding and learning. She addressed two pieces in particular, one about comments made by actor Jonathan Majors about how his girlfriend should have stood by him like Coretta Scott King and Michele Obama did for their husbands, and another about the idea of starting over when it comes to policing. Other links Journalism Salute interview with (now former) MLK50 writer Carrington Tatum Adrienne’s salute: Lynell George and the Institute for Independent Journalists Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
On this episode we’re joined by Alexa Imani Spencer. Alexa reports on racial health equity for Word in Black, a newsroom that frames narratives and fosters solutions for racial inequities in America. It was founded after the murder of George Floyd. She previously worked for the Memphis Commercial Appeal and also writes about maternal health. Alexa talked about her early journalism origin story and how going to Howard University shaped her as a journalist. She shared her experience as a doula, helping women through labor and baby delivery. And she was frank about how covering breaking news stories in Memphis impacted her mental health. We went through different examples of her work, including a story about black maternity care deserts and an interview with the family of Henrietta Lacks (the subject of a book and movie about stolen cells used for medical research). She explained that her goal was to create a catalog of how racism impacted health carte in America and discussed her passion for ethics and training in trauma reporting. Alexa’s salute: Nikole Hannah-Jones (also prominently mentioned, Howard University’s Ingrid Sturgis and Dr. Yanick Rice Lamb). Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com
On this episode, we’re joined by Bennet Goldstein. Bennet covers agriculture and the environment in the heartland for Wisconsin Watch as part of Report for America. He works on the Mississippi River Basin Agriculture and Water Desk – a collaborative reporting group. He previously worked for newspapers in Iowa and Nebraska. Bennett talked about the purpose of the Ag and Water Desk, which covers 31 states, and the 10 command-prompts that help guide the desk’s mission of covering important, impactful stories. He explained the desk’s collaborative approach He gave examples of stories he worked on, including - Opposition to the starting of a pig farm in a small Wisconsin town - The pollution in Lake Superior, whose water is important to the fishing industry for the Ojibwe Native American tribe. - LGBTQ farmers in the Midwest and how that challenges the traditional husband and wife own the farm, son inherits it stereotype. He also wrote about how doing the story changed his perception about being gay and covering what he covers. And he shared the important (and humorous) role that gossip has played in his career path. We hope you're inspired by this episode and others we've done recently to learn more about Report for America. Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. They are accepting applications to be part of their next reporter class through January 31st. If you're interested, I recommend visiting their website at reportforamerica.org Bennett’s salute: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay Times Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode we’re joined by Andrew Galarneau. Andrew has been a journalist for 35 years and a writer and editor at The Buffalo News for 26 years, 12 years covering covering food. Now he’s gone independent and started his own food newsletter, Four Bites. He’s also a journalism professor at the University at Buffalo. Andrew talked about the lessons he learned early in his career that have paid off now (including what it was like covering “Nudists for Pat Robertson”). He explained the process by which he reviews Buffalo’s diverse array of restaurants, and how his approach is more that of a scout than critic. He described the importance of photos and video to his work. And he went into the factors that led him to quit newspapers and go out on his home as an independent journalist. Andrew’s Salutes: Investigative Reporters & Editors; Pro Publica Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode we’re joined by Mallory Carra. Mallory is a journalist, editor and professor who has experience in print, digital, and audio. Among many projects, she’s currently teaching journalism at USC, is the lead producer of the soon-released Electric Futures Podcast, and publishes a job listings newsletter, West Coast Media Jobs. She formerly wrote for Bustle and wrote and edited podcast episodes for Parcast Studios. Mallory talked about what she learned at each of her jobs, from covering the outdoors in Tennessee to coming up with clever ways to handle celebrity interviews at Bustle, to writing first-person experience taking a stunt-fighting class to writing podcast episodes about September 11, 2001 for Spotify. She also explained the purpose of her newsletter, the current projects she’s working on and why she’s so passionate about pushing for paid editing tests. Mallory’s salute: The Asian-American Journalists Association and all journalism affinity groups Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode we’re joined by Stephanie Marudas and Emily Previti of Kouvenda Media. Kouvenda is a non-profit podcast production company that produces narratives for social change. Stephanie is the founder and executive producer. Emily is a data journalist and producer. Together they are the co-creators of their latest project, Obscured. Obscured covers critical issues that are missed because they are complex, overshadowed and unfold out of the public eye. The most recent project in that series is From Words to Weapons, about police trauma survivors. They talked about the production of this podcast series, the interviews they did and the stories they produced. They also detailed some of the behind-the-scenes work that went into things like finding the appropriate music and getting in touch with their interview subjects. And they explained the company’s goals, which go well beyond their download numbers. Emily’s Salute: On Being Biracial Podcast Stephanie’s Salute: The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) Tweet us at @journalismpod. Subscribe to our Substack- journalismsalute.substack.com And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On today’s episode we’re joined by Massarah Mikati. Massarah covers immigrants and communities of color for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She’s been with them for about a year and a half. Prior to that she covered a similar beat in for the Albany Times-Union in New York and the Houston Chronicle. Massarah is Lebanese. She just won an award from the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association. She’s a graduate of The Ohio State University. Massarah talked about her journalism ambitions, which were formed in middle school out of desire to clarify and humanize the perspectives of the Arab community and then all communities of color. She explained how her job is about both story writing and relationship building. She discussed several examples of her work, including history-themed pieces about Philadelphia’s Chinatown and redlining in Albany. And she shared her thoughts on the value of Twitter to journalists of color. Massarah’s salutes: Jasen Lo, Philadelphia Inquirer Eduardo Medina, New York Times Mona Chalabi, The Guardian All journalists covering the war in Gaza, especially those doing so while losing family members and friends Other links - Award-winning story on Natalie Abulhawa - Philadelphia Inquirer apology to Black community - Story about soccer uniting Philadelphia’s Arab community. Outreach Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com Visit our website, thejournalismsalute.org And Mark's website MarkSimonmedia.com Subscribe to our Substack JournalismSalute.Substack.com Or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode, we’re joined by Divya Karthikeyan, the race and equity reporter for WFPL and the non-profit newsroom Louisville Public Media. Divya is originally from Chennai India and came to the states as a grad student at NYU. She previously worked for a collaborative of stations as Capitol reporter at Kentucky Public Radio. Divya talked about her early interest in journalism and how she found her way both into radio and from India to Kentucky. She shared some of the many stories she’s covered in the last year ranging from how Breonna Taylor’s mother campaigned in the governor’s race to a behind-the-scenes look at how Latino immigrants impact the Kentucky Derby to the reaction of a community to a mass shooting. She also explained how it’s hard not to get attached to the stories she covers, how she tries to do stories that acknowledge hard-to-acknowledge feelings. And on a lighter note, she explained how she relates to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Divya’s salutes: Freelance writer Austyn Gaffney and also The 19th We reached a milestone with this interview - we've now interviewed a journalist living or working in all 50 states. Thank you as always for listening. Outreach Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com Visit our website, thejournalismsalute.org And Mark's website MarkSimonmedia.com Subscribe to our Substack JournalismSalute.Substack.com Or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode we’re joined by Tim Furlong. Tim is a reporter for the Delaware bureau of NBC’s news affiliate in Philadelphia. He’s also an adjunct professor at Widener University. Tim describes himself as high energy, conversational and versatile. He’s been part of an Emmy-winning team and has been in TV news since 1997. Tim talked about the turning point in his journalism career, walked us through how he covers the stories he covers (he’s unusual for a big-market TV reporter in that he shoots his own footage), discussed the technological advancements in the field, and explained the importance of conversational writing. Examples of stories: 1- The Delaware Memorial Bridge completing a huge repair project ahead of Thanksgiving 2- A professor at Delaware visiting Peru to teach cheesemaking to a small village? 3- A Delaware state trooper could lose his job for punching a handcuffed suspect in response to a prank Tim’s salutes: Kristin Welker and Pete Williams of NBC News Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, visit our website, thejournalismsalute.org and Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode, we’re joined by Colleen Cronin. Colleen is a reporter for ecoRI News, a non-profit dedicated to reporting on environmental and social justice issues in southern New England. Colleen covers rural Rhode Island. She’s been with ecoRI for a year-and-a- half as part of Report for America. Colleen is a graduate of Brown University where she was editor in chief of The Brown Daily Herald. She also worked briefly at The Boston Globe. Colleen talked about her journalism origin story. She shared a story of a discussion she had with her father (a police officer) about an early piece she wrote on racial profiling and how that impacted his perspective. She also talked about her interest in environmental reporting and the kind of stories she covers on her beat, ranging from leaf peeping to the teaching of humane ways of killing fish to coverage of mass transit issues and access to public records about car crashes. And she talked about the different ways she manages her mental health and the journalism issue most important to her. Colleen’s salutes: Ivy Scott and Shannon Larson, Boston Globe The Brown Daily Herald Staff Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, visit our website thejournalismsalute.org and Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode, we’re joined by Adrianna Adame. Adrianna is an indigenous democracy and education reporter for Buffalo’s Fire via Report for America. Buffalo’s Fire is a non-profit website that produces independent journalism to enhance the quality of life for Native communities through news coverage that informs and engages American Indians and lifts up our stories to the broader culture. Adrianna is No. 2 on the masthead, the site’s lone reporter. She is a 2020 grad of Cal State San Marcos and has a masters from Syracuse. She is of Mexican heritage and an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, Montana. Adrianna talked about her journalism path and previous work experiences. She explained how she has been reconnecting to her Native roots while working in this job. And she shared what it was like to report on stories such as one about a memorial walk for Indian Boarding School survivors, another on a homeless shelter working to promote sobriety and one on the New Year’s Eve traditions of her great grandmother. Adrianna’s salute: IndigiNews Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, visit our website thejournalismsalute.org and Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode we’re joined by Joseph Bustos. Joseph is a state government and politics reporter at The State, a McClatchy-owned newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina. He’s a 2005 graduate of Northwestern University who has previously been a reporter for 3 other papers. He’s been with The State for 4 years and can be found on Twitter at @JoeBReporter. Joseph talked about a photojournalism class that served as a turning point for his journalistic skills. He explained his interest in government and politics and his approach to covering the Republican primary candidates and other South Carolina politicians. He gave us examples of his reporting and of what a day in the life is like on the beat, including where the adrenaline rush moments come from. Joseph’s salutes: John Monk, The State and Nick Reynolds, Charleston Post & Courier. Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, visit our website thejournalismsalute.org and Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode, we’re joined by Rochelle Estrada. Rochelle is a senior journalism major at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. She is the president of the William Paterson chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The chapter just won the award for student chapter of the year, the 2nd time in 4 years that William Paterson has earned that distinction under professor Nick Hirshon. Rochelle talked about her broadcast journalism aspirations, the different activities and events that the SPJ chapter does, and about some of the work she’s most proud of. Rochelle’s salutes: Society of Professional Journalists and The National Center on Disability and Journalism Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, visit our website thejournalismsalute.org and Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
On this episode, we’re joined by Frances Solá-Santiago. Frances is a fashion writer at Refinery 29 and also does freelance work for other prominent outlets. She’s a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Frances talked about how the MTV show ‘The Hills’ and an early interest in fashion magazines set her career path. She explained the wide range of stories that touch fashion that she covers (one week Chat GPT, another week, famous scammers, another week a personal piece on engagement rings). She talked about the importance of covering Latinx in fashion and music. And she shared what her first book will be about. Frances’ salutes: Andrea González Ramirez, The Cut and founder of Latinas in Journalism Mentorship Program Claudia Irizarry Aponte, The City Talk: https://youtu.be/ToCS24hfaN4?t=1899 Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com, visit our website thejournalismsalute.org and Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com) or tweet us at @journalismpod. And find us on TikTok at @journalismsalute.
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