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In this episode, Rebecca talks with Walt Potter and Elizabeth Stephens of the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri about the Potter Digital Ambassadors program, which sends student digital natives into small community newsrooms for an intensive week of hands-on work. Stephens explains how ambassadors help newsrooms with little or no digital staff launch email newsletters, build social media templates, set up analytics, and find workflow efficiencies that free up capacity. Potter shares how the program grew out of conversations with community publishers, including a small-town publisher who simply asked for a journalism student to help build her a website, and why he believes local papers remain essential as trusted sources in their communities. They also discuss how the program balances listening to what newsrooms ask for with introducing what they may not know they need, including the growing role of AI tools and the shift in how readers find news. Stephens reflects on what makes the change last after the ambassador leaves, from leadership buy-in to a first-time fundraising campaign that brought in significant revenue, and Potter looks ahead to how the program might help publishers tackle revenue challenges. They close with how newsrooms in Kansas, Tennessee, Iowa, Vermont, and Missouri can get involved.

Disclaimer: Ms. Tyler’s account of the events discussed in this episode reflects her personal understanding alone. The related cases remain pending, and any allegations discussed should not be interpreted as findings of guilt. In this episode, Kevin Berrier talks with Niki Tyler, founder of Call the Cleaners, about the unimaginable loss of her daughter Danielle and the long journey back to finding purpose. Niki shares how in the darkest period of her life, starting a cleaning business gave her something to pour herself into and a reason to get out of bed each day. They also discuss how Niki has worked to keep Danielle’s memory alive in the years since, from a scholarship at her former high school for students chasing their own dreams, to a newly launched nonprofit, Danielle Tyler’s Legacy of Light. Niki closes by reflecting on what it means to carry her daughter’s story forward and make sure she’s remembered for who she was: kind, compassionate, and full of light. DANIELLE TYLER'S LEGACY OF LIGHT NON-PROFIT PAGE: https://carrollcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6379 JUSTICE FOR DANIELLE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/389745519063456 JUSTICE FOR DANIELLE CHANGE.ORG: https://www.change.org/p/judicial-system-help-get-my-daughter-danielle-justice-justicefordanielle

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Baltimore author, journalist, and educator D. Watkins about The Engagement, his new magazine-style radio show launching October 19th on WYPR and Baltimore Public Media. Watkins explains why he believes the best conversations happen on public radio, how the show will bring sources directly into dialogue with the audience, and why he’s committed to interviewing people with lived experience rather than relying only on credentialed experts. He also shares a story about a two-year investigation into workplace discrimination that never saw publication, and what it means to earn a source’s trust without asking anything transactional in return. They also dig into Watkins’ own storytelling roots, from the personal essay writing that shaped his memoirs to the childhood hours spent in NA meetings with his father that, he realizes in the conversation, taught him how to recognize when people are speaking from the heart. The two discuss the difference between journalism’s need for facts and memoir’s demand for vulnerability, and Watkins closes by describing what success looks like for the show six months in: a space where layered perspective replaces simple talking points.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Judy Diaz of Delmarva Public Media and Craig Swagler of Baltimore Public Media about the partnership their organizations announced this past July. Diaz and Swagler, who serve non-overlapping audiences across Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Baltimore, explain how the loss of federal funding (a 25% budget hit for Delmarva, 6% for Baltimore) pushed them toward collaboration rather than competition, and how they landed on environmental and agricultural reporting, from the impact of Haitian deportations on the Delmarva poultry industry to rising waters in Cambridge, Maryland, as their first shared beat. They also discuss how the two organizations plan to preserve their distinct local identities while sharing resources, student reporters, and eventually joint reporting on issues like transportation and the Chesapeake Bay, and what success will look like a year from now. The conversation closes with reflections on trust, transparency, and why public media’s mission-driven model may be uniquely suited to this kind of collaboration.

In this episode, Danielle Coffey of the News Media Alliance sits down with Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin for a fireside chat on press freedom, recorded in the wake of a week that saw reporters from across the political spectrum pushed out of a Pentagon briefing. Raskin reflects on what he sees as a broader pattern of pressure on institutions, from law firms to universities to newsrooms, and argues that standing together across ideological lines is the most effective response. He also discusses the bipartisan Press Act and reporter’s shield law, his hopes for it as Judiciary Committee chair if the House flips, and why he believes protecting journalists’ sources is essential at the federal level. The conversation also turns to artificial intelligence and how Congress might regulate it, government ethics and oversight, and Raskin’s take on the state of constitutional norms in Washington. He closes by describing what he sees as the scale of the challenge ahead for his committee, from corruption investigations to defending First Amendment protections more broadly.

In this episode, Kevin Berrier talks with Hesham Hafez, Kareem Hafez, and Chef Lance of SOSS Bros about how a decade-old family sauce recipe grew into a standout brand. They share the story behind the name, how a $100 bottle request helped spark the business, and why "sauce over everything" became their guiding mantra. They also dig into the marketing behind the brand, from edgy social media hooks to turning curiosity into purchases. The team closes with advice for entrepreneurs on perseverance, learning before you delegate, and staying focused and calm.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Kate Cimini, investigations editor at The Baltimore Sun, about her award-winning investigative reporting and life as a journalist. Cimini's series on child welfare at Maryland's Free State Challenge Academy, a National Guard-run program for at-risk youth, won first place in the MDDC/AMARC Foundation contest this year. She walks through how a single news tip led her to uncover the story of Nathaniel, a teenage cadet assaulted in his sleep, and the reporting process that followed: sourcing records requests, tracking down cadets and parents, and building trust with sources who'd lived through trauma. They also discuss Cimini's path from public school teacher to journalist, how she balances the emotional weight of reporting on people's worst days, and what "service journalism" means in practice, from city council coverage to helping a dying activist raise funeral funds. Cimini closes by reflecting on what she hopes to bring to the Sun's long legacy of investigative work in Baltimore.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Danyelle White, Chief of Content at The Salt Lake Tribune, about the newsroom’s journey through digital transformation and what it means to practice “conscious disruption.” White explains how identifying root problems, listening to audiences, and focusing on outcomes has helped the Tribune rethink its coverage, workflows, and relationship with readers. They discuss the Tribune’s shift from a transactional model toward becoming more essential to Utah communities, including its decision to remove its paywall and move toward membership. White also shares lessons from her time in technology, the importance of knowing what to stop doing, and how data, experimentation, and community engagement can help news organizations adapt without losing sight of their mission. Read API's article "A simple framework for deciding what to stop doing" as an introduction to the concept, and then "Make your stop doing list" to put the ideas into action. https://www.linkedin.com/in/danyellemwhite/ https://www.sltrib.com/

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Rebecca Sinderbrand, the newly named president of the National Press Foundation, about the foundation’s mission to support journalists through training, fellowships, mentorship, and professional development. Sinderbrand discusses how the organization helps working journalists strengthen their skills, build connections with experts and colleagues, and stay equipped to navigate an industry defined by constant change. They also explore the importance of investing in emerging and diverse newsroom leaders, building partnerships across the journalism ecosystem, and using new technologies—including AI—to enhance reporting rather than replace journalists. Sinderbrand shares her vision for the National Press Foundation and why supporting the people behind journalism is essential to the future of the profession.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Joedy McCreary, senior reporter at OpenSecrets.org, about following the money behind political campaigns and public policy. Joedy discusses his reporting on Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, where candidates spent millions of dollars of their own money, and explains how OpenSecrets tracks campaign contributions, self-funding, lobbying, super PACs, and dark money. They explore how journalists can use the OpenSecrets database to uncover stories and better understand where political money comes from and where its influence is felt. Joedy also breaks down the differences between PACs and super PACs, the challenges of tracing dark money, and the importance of precision when interpreting campaign finance and lobbying data. He shares how reporters can use OpenSecrets’ data and republish its reporting to strengthen coverage of elections and politics.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Jeremy Cox, reporter for the Chesapeake Bay Journal, about the publication’s Bay Journal Newscast and its approach to reaching audiences through audio. Jeremy explains how the monthly podcast gives listeners a quick, conversational look at the most important environmental stories across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while also standing on its own as a source of news. They also discuss the unique challenges of covering the Chesapeake Bay as an interconnected system rather than a traditional geographic beat, and how the Bay Journal uses its expertise to provide context and depth that can be difficult for general-interest newsrooms to offer. Jeremy shares how the publication is expanding its audio storytelling, adapting print reporting for different formats, and using podcasts and radio to bring its environmental journalism to new audiences.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Tom Rosenstiel, professor of practice at the University of Maryland and author of The Next Journalism, about how journalism must evolve to better serve the public. Tom explains why the fundamental principles of journalism remain essential, while the ways journalists deliver value to their audiences must change. They discuss the idea of making journalism indispensable by focusing on the information needs of real people, including providing actionable information, local context, and helping communities understand the systems shaping their lives. Tom also shares examples of collaborative and community-centered journalism, explains how human-centered design research can help newsrooms better understand their audiences, and considers what the next generation of journalists can do to build a more useful and sustainable future for local news.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Mike McClure, publisher and owner of Morningstar Publications, about the 30th anniversary of the Seaford Star and Laurel Star. Mike reflects on the publications’ three decades of hyper-local coverage in Western Sussex County and the importance of being present at the town meetings, school events, sports, festivals, and community gatherings that matter most to local readers. They discuss how Morningstar Publications has adapted to changes in technology, advertising, and the news industry while maintaining its focus on local reporting. Mike also shares his journey from radio and sports broadcasting to owning the newspapers, his decision to purchase the publications to ensure the community would continue to have a local newspaper, and the role of community members, freelance writers, and local businesses in keeping the papers connected to the communities they serve.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Rufus Friday, executive director of the Center for Integrity in News Reporting, about new research examining how Americans evaluate and trust national news organizations. Rufus explains the findings from a nationwide survey of 11 major news outlets, highlighting the low levels of public trust, the growing difficulty audiences have distinguishing news from opinion, and the differences in how Americans prefer news to be presented. They discuss the Center's broader mission to rebuild trust in journalism through transparency, including encouraging news organizations to publish clear statements of their core journalistic values and better distinguish news reporting from opinion content. The conversation also explores what newsrooms can learn from the survey, why trust is essential to a healthy democracy, and the practical steps publishers can take to strengthen credibility and reconnect with their communities. https://www.cfinr.org/trust-remains-low-but-confidence-in-11-major-national-news-organizations-exceeds-estimates-of-trust-in-the-mass-media-overall

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Christina Sturdivant Sani, executive editor of The 51st, about the organization's innovative Community Connectors program and its approach to building trust through community engagement. Christina explains how The 51st—a worker-led nonprofit newsroom serving Washington, D.C.—hires trusted community members to gather feedback, identify story ideas, and ensure its journalism reflects the needs of the people it serves. They discuss how Community Connectors attend neighborhood events, conduct surveys, and create ongoing relationships that help shape editorial decisions and strengthen local trust. The conversation also explores The 51st's commitment to service journalism, audience-centered reporting, and sustainable community engagement, offering practical insights for news organizations looking to build deeper connections with their audiences.