Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode, we talk to Nathan Stevens '16, the Communications Specialist at the Briscoe Center for American History in Austin, Texas, and Editor in Chief of the Woodhouse. In his role at the Briscoe Center, he combines his affinity for journalistic writing and editing with his knowledge of audio storytelling and podcast production that he gained in his time at the SOJC. During his time as an undergrad, he got his start with music journalism at KWVA 88.1 FM, the student radio station of the University of Oregon.

Find Nathan Stevens online:
Nathan's LinkedIn

The Woodhouse

Show notes:

0:46 Intro/career post-graduation

2:56 Communications Director position at the Briscoe Center

3:50 What tools from your time at the UO have you used throughout your professional career?

4:45 Thoughts on the current journalism landscape

7:13 How do you navigate some of the issues within the journalism world?

8:58 Navigating increasingly specific reporting

10:25 Role of Generative Al in the journalism world

12:52 An exploitative workplace and maintaining mental health

17:28 Collaboration and "objectivity" in journalism

19:43 How do you find a role that works for you?

23:03 How do we improve the condition of journalism?

24:18 What work do you do now that sparks joy for you?

26:15 Thank yous/outro

Download the transcript for this episode

The music used in this episode is "Intro" by Nangdo, retrieved under a Creative Commons license from Free Music Archive.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts.

Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode, we talk to Kira Hoffelmeyer '16, the Assistant News Director at KSL News Radio in Salt Lake City, and a Digital Consultant for Emerald Media Group. Kira tells us about her experiences at the SOJC, her Snowden Internship at KLCC, and what it's like managing a live radio news team.

Find Kira Hoffelmeyer online:

KSL News Radio Author Page

Kira's LinkedIn

Kira's X

Show Notes:
0:34 Intro & career path post-grad

2:17 Snowden Internship experience

4:01 What methods does KSL use for engaging a variety of audiences?

8:22 How do you approach selecting news stories for coverage, considering your variety of audiences?

15:09 How does KSL give back to its community of listeners?

18:55 As an SOJC alum, what advice do you have for current students?

21:02 Wrap-up and thank yous

Download the transcript for this episode

The music used in this episode is "Intro" by Nangdo, retrieved under a Creative Commons license from Free Music Archive.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts.

Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode we talk to Melanie Henshaw (Mvskoke) '22, Indigenous Affairs reporter at Street Roots, an alt weekly street paper in Portland, Oregon.  In that role she reports on tribal sovereignty, ecological destruction, climate change, social justice, and other topics. Before joining Street Roots, she was a fellow for NewsBreak, and prior to that was the desk editor and a multimedia producer for the Daily Emerald. 

Find Melanie Henshaw Online:
Street Roots Author Page
Muck Rack Author Page
Daily Emerald Author Page

Show Notes: 
0:01: Show introduction
0:37: Guest introduction
01:14: What is Street Roots?
03:30: Melanie's educational background
04:51: Why Melanie chose the indigenous affairs beat
05:54: How journalism has failed indigenous communities
08:31: Using social media as a journalist 
10:07: Protecting your peace and privacy online
13:42: Can and should non-indigenous reporters report on indigenous affairs?
17:39: Takeaways from working at a college paper
19:38: Transitioning from multimedia storytelling to writing
22:03: Avoiding getting pigeonholed as a journalist based on background or ethnicity
25:36: Why Melanie chose to move to Portland
27:07: Job search advice
29:23: Knowing your worth and negotiating for better pay and benefits
33:54: What employers are looking for in prospective hires
35:41: More job search advice
38:22: Show wrap-up

Download the transcript for this episode.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts. 

Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode we talk to Sierra McClain '19, News Reporter at The Capital Press in Salem.  Her beat covers agriculture, including international trade, policy, business, economics, the environment, rural communities, food and wine, science, energy, labor, other issues in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. She also covers national and international issues related to agriculture. 

Find Sierra McClain Online:
Twitter
Linkedin
Website
Capital Press Author Page

Show Notes: 
0:01: Show introduction
0:29: Guest introduction
3:56: Educational history
5:49: Writing about agriculture
6:45: Behind-the-scenes takeaways - land acquisition series
16:00: “Its always ‘no’ if you don’t ask”
16:57: Why business and rural journalism matter
23:10: Why talking to people is critical as a journalist
28:51: Getting all sides on controversial topics
32:14: Staying connected to the region
33:54: Working with big data
35:54: Working on stories without prior knowledge of the topic
38:53: Choosing between breaking news and a reporting beat
42:30: Using press releases and tips
49:32: Information leaks
50:27: Snowden internship experience
52:57: Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellowship
54:49: Professional development opportunities

Download the transcript for this episode.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts. 

Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode we talk to Cam Derby '18,  sports director for KEZI 9 News in Eugene, covering the Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, and local sports teams.  He previously was a sports anchor and reporter for KDRV-TV in Medford. 

Find Cam Derby Online:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
KEZI 9 Bio Page

Show Notes:
0:02: Show introduction
0:27: Guest introduction
0:49: Differentiating yourself in a saturated field (sports journalism)
2:37: Maintaining a public persona
4:28: Developing on-camera skills
5:46: Choosing a news station to work at
6:53: Working behind the camera
8:23: Average work day
10:22: Translating journalism education into career
11:23: Covering breaking news 
14:37: Developing beat-specific knowledge
15:32: Reporting on non-traditional sports stories
20:09: Building relationships with players and coaches
22:34: How do you find stories locally when there’s not a ton going on
23:58: Developing a reporter voice on camera
25:07: Putting on a performance for the camera
26:06: Letting go of perfectionism and learning on the job
29:15: Staying grounded
34:14: Vetting the credibility of sources
36:54: Working with advertisers
39:37: Choosing which station to work for
41:46: Wrap-up

Download the transcript for this episode.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts. 

Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode we talk to Renata Geraldo '20, Business Reporter for the Seattle Times. Her previous roles include reporting positions at The Sacramento Business Journal and internships at The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. 

Find Renata Geraldo Online:
Twitter
Linkedin
Seattle Times Author Page
 

Show Notes
0:04: Show and guest introduction
2:29: What it's like to work at the Seattle Times
4:10: Why Renata took her job / why she focuses on Starbucks
4:27: How Renata got her foot in the door
8:49: Staying in touch with her network
11:14: Balancing different types of assignments
13:49: Building relationships with sources
17:09: Renata's favorite and least favorite parts of her job
19:07: Dealing with requests for corrections from PR flaks
21:02: How stories are prepped for publishing at The Seattle Times
24:24: Writing headlines
25:48: Most challenging part of the job
27:12: Preparing for difficult interviews
29:35: Story that hits home for Renata
33:14: Why Renata chose business as her beat
36:49: Show wrap-up

Read the transcript for this episode

Show Notes: 
0:04: Show introduction
0:29: Guest introduction
2:24: The Seattle Times business desk and newsroom culture
4:32: Why Renata took this job
6:27: Maintaining a good relationship with your editor and professional network
11:40: Balancing workload when working on multiple stories
14:01: Navigating red tape as a journalist
17:21: Favorite and least favorite parts of the job
21:24: Handling requests for corrections
23:19: Publishing workflows
31:35: Most memorable stories
36:00: Why Renata went into business reporting?
39:36: Show conclusion

Download the transcript for this episode.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts. 

Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode we talk to Marin Stuart '21,  marketing content coordinator for the city of Eugene and freelance visual storyteller.  Prior to joining the city of Eugene, she was a videographer and photographer for the University of Oregon office of Student Services and Enrollment Management.

Marin shared a presentation during this recording. You can download her presentation deck here. 

Find Marin Stuart Online:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
Website

Show Notes: 
0:04: Show introduction
0:17: Guest introduction
0:47: Background
6:12: Things Marin loves about having a journalism education
10:14: More background
16:14 Five tips for emerging media professionals
20:01: Marketing campaigns versus stories
20:58: Overcoming barriers to picking up a camera and taking photos
22:08: Juggling side hustle projects with work
23:34: Working in the public sector
24:14: Preparing to go full-time freelance
25:32: Future plans
26:37: Prioritizing mental health
27:58: Would she have studied something different if she could go back in time?
29:38: How to make the most of out senior year
30:56: Establishing a freelance business
37:02: Maintaining a current portfolio website
38:43: Do language barriers pose a problem for international students? (Marin says no)
39:36: Show wrap-up

Download the transcript for this episode.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts. 

Next Generation Leaders celebrates the achievements of young alumni of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. In this episode we talk to Becky Hoag '19, climate YouTuber and podcaster who hosts Beckisphere Climate Corner and the Climate Recap Podcast. She was previously a science writer for DeVine Consulting, Inc.

Find Becky Hoag Online:
Twitter
Linkedin
Twitch
YouTube Channel
The Climate Recap Podcast
Facebook
Patreon
Website

Show Notes: 
0:02: Show introduction and guest introduction
0:51: Educational and career background
4:49: Preferred communication platforms
7:29: Being authentic online
9:09: Make science understandable for the public
11:37: Research workflow
13:37: Collaborating with other content creators
14:42: What a typical workday looks like
17:01: Why Becky decided to do this full-time
19:40: Dealing with trolls on social media
20:58: Getting political versus neutral reporting
24:12: Advantages of YouTube as a platform
28:50: Objectivity in journalism
31:21: What inspired Becky to report on climate change
33:57: Tips for starting a YouTube channel or podcast
35:51: Show wrap-up

Download the transcript for this episode.

Interested in more podcast content from the SOJC? Check out the Hearst Demystifying Media Podcast, where Damian Radcliffe gets the industry scoop from media experts.